In the Shen family's main hall, the stagnant atmosphere did not completely dissipate with the arrival of the two newlywed couples.
Sunlight slanted through the carved window lattices, casting intertwining patterns of light and shadow on the polished golden brick floor. The air was filled with the fragrance of tea, yet it could not suppress the invisible awkwardness.
Shen Zhongcheng sat upright in the seat of honor. His face bore his usual bureaucratic solemnity, speaking only polite platitudes like "Now that you are married, you should live in harmony" and "As in-laws, our two families should be of one mind." Every word was proper, yet every word was distant.
Shen Mingxuan was smoothing things over on the side.
This legitimate eldest son, who had just returned home, was travel-worn but had bright, clear eyes. He chimed in and poured tea at the right moments, preventing those high-sounding words from falling flat and creating a deafening silence.
Finally, Shen Zhongcheng's gaze swept over the people in the hall, and he spoke slowly, "Concubine Fang, take Ningyue and the Heir... for a walk around the estate."
The words were spoken plainly, but they made Concubine Fang's fingertips tremble.
How could she not understand?
The master wanted to send away this "improper" second daughter and that "bastard" Heir, out of sight, out of mind.
As for taking a walk?
There was no need for anyone to lead the way.
Pei Ciling was probably more familiar with the Shen estate than the newly arrived servants. Who knew how many times he had been secretly led around, using the excuse of "visiting family friends," to thoroughly explore the mansion. Otherwise, how could Shen Ningyue have fooled around with him in her own boudoir for so long until they were exposed!
The pent-up frustration in Shen Zhongcheng's chest surged up again. He picked up his teacup and, under the guise of drinking tea, forcefully swallowed back a cold snort that almost burst from his lips.
"Yes, Master," Concubine Fang replied softly. As she stood up, she cast a complicated glance at her daughter.
Shen Ningyue bit her lower lip, knowing that her father did not want to look at her anymore. Humiliation and resentment intertwined in her heart, but she could only rise submissively and, together with Pei Ciling, bow to everyone and take their leave.
Pei Ciling also looked a bit embarrassed.
He supported Shen Ningyue.
Following behind Concubine Fang, they silently retreated from the main hall.
Once the figures of those three disappeared outside the door, the hall instantly fell silent. Shen Zhongcheng put down his teacup and turned his gaze to Pei Cijing, who had been standing quietly to the side.
This son-in-law, whom he had never paid much attention to and even secretly looked down upon for being from the "concubine-born second branch," now stood before him. His posture was tall and straight, his expression calm. He showed no signs of timidity, nor did he possess the impetuousness common among young men of noble families.
Never mind.
What's done is done.
Since Huan'er had already married him, no matter how absurd this marriage was at first, it was now a foregone conclusion. But no matter what, Shen Zhongcheng's daughter could absolutely not suffer grievances in her in-laws' home because of her husband's incompetence.
The Marquis's second branch...
Was ultimately weak in power. Pei Cijing could not inherit the title, and the core network and resources of the Marquis's household would not fall into his hands. With such a background, the best way for him to make a mark was to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations.
He had to personally weigh and see if this son-in-law was a piece of dead wood that could be carved.
"Cijing," Shen Zhongcheng spoke, his voice deep and slow, "come with me to the study."
His father-in-law wanted to be alone with him?
Pei Cijing's heart skipped a beat, and countless scenes from storybooks flashed through his mind—a father-in-law flying into a rage because his daughter was "abducted," closing the doors and grabbing the family discipline rod to teach the greenhorn son-in-law a lesson!
No way?
Would he really get beaten up just because he "stole away his precious cabbage"?
He maintained a respectful and gentle expression on the surface, but internally he began to calculate frantically:
'Is it legal for a father-in-law to beat his son-in-law?'
'Fighting back probably isn't a good idea!'
'But the martial arts master skill wasn't redeemed for nothing! If the old geezer really makes a move, I'll have to show him what Micro-Steps of Lingbo is, and what it means to pass through a field of flowers without a single leaf touching me!'
'No, running away seems impolite... Then use Tai Chi? Deflect a thousand pounds with four ounces? I can dissolve his force, then pretend to stumble and fall, making my father-in-law look mighty and majestic?'
'After all, I did steal his daughter, I just have to take it!'
'Sigh, being a son-in-law is so hard...'
Shen Ninghuan, who had been standing quietly and watching, twitched the corners of her mouth almost imperceptibly.
This husband of hers...
What kind of plays was he running in his head all day long?
Seeing Pei Cijing's eyes start to wander, Shen Ninghuan stepped forward at the right moment. With a natural posture, she smoothed out his already neat sleeves, took the opportunity to stand slightly on her tiptoes, leaned into his ear, and whispered in a breathy voice only the two of them could hear:
"Don't panic. Father is probably... going to test your academic progress."
Her warm breath brushed past his ear, carrying the faint scent of orchids from her body. Pei Cijing's ears grew hot, and all those chaotic "self-defense master plans" were instantly washed away.
Testing his academic progress!
The heavy stone in his heart hit the ground with a thud.
Scared him to death!
He thought a full-on martial arts action scene was about to unfold!
Although he was determined to lie flat and eat melons in this life, without studying bitterly by tying his hair to the roof beam or pricking his thigh with an awl, the nights were genuinely boring. Once he finished the interesting storybooks, as a man without a wife, he could only read serious books to pass the time during his lonely nights.
Thanks to his transmigration, or perhaps the overlapping of souls from two lifetimes?
His memory was pretty good. While he couldn't recite the Four Books, Five Classics, and historical texts backwards, he had no problem reading, understanding, and handling a basic examination.
He probably... wouldn't embarrass his wife in front of his father-in-law, right?
Pei Cijing composed himself, turned his head, and gave Shen Ninghuan a look that said, "Don't worry, watch your husband do you proud." Although he tried hard to appear calm and reliable, the subtle high spirits showing at the corners of his eyes and brows were still accurately caught by Shen Ninghuan.
A hint of a smile flashed in her eyes as she stepped back to her original position, her posture elegant and dignified.
"Yes, Father-in-law." Pei Cijing bowed respectfully and followed Shen Zhongcheng toward the study.
...
In the main hall, soon only the siblings Shen Mingxuan and Shen Ninghuan remained.
A maid quietly refilled their tea with a fresh brew and silently retreated, leaving the space for the brother and sister who hadn't had a deep conversation in a long time.
Shen Mingxuan carefully observed his sister.
Although they hadn't seen each other for just a few days, his sister seemed somewhat different.
The calm demeanor she had possessed since childhood was still there, but her brows and eyes seemed more relaxed. It wasn't the usual bashfulness of a new bride, but rather a... more composed serenity.
"Huan'er," Shen Mingxuan spoke, his voice laced with concern, "are you getting used to life... at the Marquis's estate? How does Pei Cijing treat you?"
He asked directly, his gaze locked onto his sister's expression, not missing a single subtle change.
Shen Ninghuan raised her eyes to meet her brother's worried gaze and smiled slightly. The smile was light but genuine. "Brother, rest assured, I am doing quite well. My parents-in-law are generous and kind, and my husband..."
She paused, recalling Pei Cijing's clumsy thoughtfulness, hidden nervousness over the past few days, and the way he feigned composure when handing her the Beauty Retaining Pill last night. The smile in her eyes deepened a little.
"He treats me very well."
She wasn't lying.
Although she had married into the seemingly weak second branch, Madam Zhou's care, Pei Fugui's hearty nature, and Pei Cijing's sincere respect and care all made her feel much better than she had expected.
She even vaguely felt that her status in this new home... seemed to be higher than that of a certain idle husband who only wanted to enjoy the gossip?
Shen Mingxuan gazed at his sister for a moment.
Seeing her calm expression and clear eyes, knowing she was not forcing a smile, the heavy stone hanging in his heart finally dropped by half.
"That is good." He breathed a sigh of relief, his stern features softening. "If you suffer any grievances, you must tell your brother. I will stand up for you. Though the Shen family may not be top-tier nobility, we will never allow our daughter to be bullied by her in-laws."
"I know, Brother." A slight warmth spread through Shen Ninghuan's heart.
The atmosphere relaxed.
Shen Mingxuan seemed to suddenly remember something, his expression turning somewhat... peculiar. He stood up and unexpectedly walked over to the seat of honor, making a gesture of invitation toward Shen Ninghuan. "Sister, please sit."
Shen Ninghuan raised an eyebrow and did as he asked, taking a seat in the red sandalwood armchair.
What surprised her even more was that Shen Mingxuan actually picked up the teapot himself, filling her empty cup with hot tea. His movements even carried a hint of cautious reverence.
"What are you doing, Brother?" Shen Ninghuan accepted the teacup, feeling the warmth radiating from the porcelain against her fingertips, and looked at her brother calmly. "Do you have a favor to ask?"
She knew this brother of hers far too well.
Shen Mingxuan was an upright and responsible man, but deep down, he also possessed that subtle touch of male pride typical of the Shen family men. Unless he was truly in a bind or dealing with a matter of utmost importance, he would never act so attentively toward his younger sister.
Having been seen through so easily, a flash of embarrassment crossed Shen Mingxuan's face before turning into a wry smile.
He took a seat below her, rubbed his hands together, and finally lowered his voice. With a hint of awkwardness, as if the words were hard to say, he murmured, "Didn't I leave the capital to handle a case a few days ago? I've run into some confusion during the investigation, and I was hoping you could offer some advice for me to consider..."
