In the main hall of the Shen Residence, the silence was as still as a stagnant pool. Even the sounds of breathing were suppressed to the lowest, and the air was so thick it felt as though ink could be wrung from it. Only the bronze beast-head incense burner in the corner continued to emit thin wisps of green smoke, oblivious to the situation, intertwining like the tangled mess in the hall that could not be cut or sorted out.
This stalemate could not last forever.
A tangled mess requires a sharp knife to cut through!
Pei Fucheng, Marquis Weiyuan, stood up abruptly. The red sandalwood chair was pushed back by the bend of his leg, its legs scraping across the gold-brick floor, making an ear-piercing screech.
With heavy steps.
He walked up to Pei Ciling, who was still kneeling on the ground. His chest heaved violently, and he suddenly swung his arm back—
"Slap!"
A crisp, loud slap almost shattered the stagnant air.
Pei Ciling was caught off guard.
His entire body was thrown to the side.
His left cheek swelled up visibly, the five finger marks clear, and a trace of blood even seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"Unfilial son!" Pei Fucheng's beard and hair stood on end, his eyes wide with fury. "Do you know your wrong?!"
Pei Ciling slowly straightened up.
He raised his hand and wiped the blood from his lips with his sleeve.
That slap made his ears ring, but there was no regret in his eyes. Instead, they burned with a fervor as if sacrificing for "love": "Father, Ningyue and I... are truly in love! I beg Father and Uncle Shen to fulfill our wish!"
"Truly in love?" Pei Fucheng's beard trembled with anger. "She is your second brother's fiancée! Where are the teachings of the sages you read? Where is your sense of propriety, justice, integrity, and honor?! You have completely disgraced the Pei family!"
"But the marriage was arranged by the elders, not my will!" Pei Ciling raised his voice, his look of being madly in love causing everyone present to frown inwardly. "Ningyue and I are deeply in love, why can't we—"
"Shut up!"
Pei Fucheng shouted sternly, the veins on his forehead throbbing.
His heart felt cold.
This slap.
It was originally a gesture for the Shen family and the second branch to see, a stepping stone offered.
If this foolish son had any sense, he should have taken the opportunity to admit his mistake, temporarily easing the sharp and stagnant atmosphere, leaving room for a turnaround later.
But now, he kept saying "deeply in love," didn't that confirm the fact that he had long coveted his sister-in-law?
Where would this leave the face of the second branch!
Pei Fucheng glanced quietly to the right. His brother Pei Fugui's usually cheerful round face was now as black as an iron pot, his jaw muscles tight, and the knuckles holding the teacup were white, making a cracking sound. His sister-in-law, Madam Zhou, had red rims around her eyes, turned her face away, and covered her mouth with a handkerchief.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
She was clearly trying hard to suppress her emotions.
Pei Cijing took in his parents' expressions, and the leisurely feeling of having nothing to do with it faded a bit. He lowered his eyes, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on his knee.
Thinking.
Which auspicious day would be suitable to put a sack over someone's head?
Just then.
Shen Ningyue, who had been keeping her head down, suddenly raised it.
Her face was stained with tears, like a pear blossom bathed in rain. Her eyes were soaked with sorrow and pleading, making anyone who saw her feel pity: "Marquis... a thousand mistakes, ten thousand mistakes, they are all my fault. The heir and I... could not control our feelings. I know I have failed the second young master's engagement and have no face to face him. But the word 'love' is like a vine wrapped around a tree, beyond one's control..."
Her voice choked, and she suddenly leaned forward, her forehead hitting the smooth gold-brick floor heavily, making a dull "thud" that was exceptionally clear in the quiet hall.
"I beg Marquis, Father... to fulfill our wish!"
Every word wept blood, every sentence full of emotion.
Pei Cijing watched quietly from the side, almost applauding her exquisite performance in secret.
Sorrowful but not resentful, foolish but brave.
With just a few words.
She packaged a scandal into a "bitter love breaking through chains," making him, the legitimate fiancé, and the elders in the hall seem like the cold and ruthless feudal cage tearing apart lovers, the heinous villains breaking up a happy couple.
He picked up his long-cold teacup.
Took a sip.
The cold tea slid down his throat with bitterness, making him narrow his eyes slightly.
Good tea.
Truly good tea.
"Wicked creature!" Hearing this, Shen Zhongcheng, who had been relatively calm in the main seat, finally could bear it no longer. He slammed his palm on the table, rattling the teacup and splashing tea onto his sleeve. "My Shen family has passed down poetry and etiquette for generations, and actually raised a shameless daughter like you!"
Shen Ningyue trembled all over.
She lay on the ground, unable to get up.
Only weak sobbing sounds came intermittently, her shoulders shrugging slightly, presenting a weak, helpless, and easily bullied appearance.
Pei Fucheng took a deep breath, knowing the situation could not remain at a stalemate.
He turned to Shen Zhongcheng, cupped his hands in a salute, and spoke in a sorrowful tone: "Lord Shen, please calm your anger. Since things have come to this, the wood is already made into a boat, and further blame is useless. The only plan now is to... find a comprehensive solution."
He paused slightly, his eyes sharp as knives, sweeping over the two kneeling on the ground: "However, such behavior must not disgrace the reputation of both families. Since the second Miss Shen and my son are deeply in love, she can be allowed to enter the Marquis's residence, but—"
His voice suddenly turned cold, every word like ice: "Only as a concubine."
Shen Ningyue looked up abruptly, the color draining from her face instantly.
Pale as paper.
This was different from what she had imagined!
She opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but under everyone's sharp gazes, she swallowed all her words, which only turned into two clear tears that seemed both sorrowful and joyful, sliding down silently.
Pei Fucheng did not look at her again, as if she were just an insignificant object.
He looked up at the graceful figure standing quietly behind Shen Zhongcheng, his tone softening, with a hint of imperceptible expectation and probing: "As for the original engagement between Ninghuan and Ling'er..."
He paused, his gaze resting for a moment on Shen Ninghuan's calm face, and continued: "This matter has wronged Ninghuan. The major matter of marriage will be decided by Ninghuan herself. If she is unwilling, the marriage will be called off. My Marquis's residence will have no objections and will prepare a generous gift to express our apologies; if she is willing..."
His voice deepened, every word clear: "The future mistress of my Marquis's residence will only be her! I can promise this publicly."
The eyes of the whole hall.
Instantly focused on Shen Ninghuan like a spotlight.
Shen Zhongcheng also looked at this legitimate daughter who had been different since childhood, his tone complex with a rare gentleness: "Ninghuan, this matter... concerns your lifelong happiness. Father wants to hear your thoughts."
He knew this daughter.
She had had her own opinions since she was young.
Her mind was exquisite and far superior to ordinary people.
Although major marriage matters usually followed the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers, given the absurd situation today, he wanted to hear how she would choose.
In a suffocating silence, Shen Ninghuan slowly stepped out from behind her father.
Today she was wearing a pale green plain satin long dress, the hem embroidered with a few sparse magnolia branches, elegant as the unthawed frost on the branches in early spring. In her hair, she only wore a pearl hairpin, the pearl light warm, complementing her bright face. The sunlight slanted in through the carved window lattice, coating her with a hazy halo, as if even the dust stopped for her.
Shen Ninghuan stood gracefully.
She stepped forward with light, graceful strides.
As she reached the center of the hall, the hem of her skirt rippled gently like water. She offered a flawless, elegant curtsy to the elders seated at the head of the room, her posture entirely composed. When she lifted her head, her face was as calm as a placid lake, her eyes as bright as stars, devoid of any panic or shyness. Her voice was not loud, yet it was clear and soft, resonant enough to strike a chord in everyone's heart.
"Father, Lord Marquis, esteemed elders."
She paused, her gaze sweeping lightly over the crowd and their varying expressions—the furious Marquis of Weiyuan, the embarrassed Marchioness, the frustrated couple of the second branch, the kneeling pair of "star-crossed lovers," and...
Finally, her eyes rested for a brief moment on the young man in the moon-white robe, who had been watching from the sidelines and even seemed a bit distracted.
Pei Cijing happened to look up at that exact moment.
Their eyes met.
Shen Ninghuan saw a flash of curiosity in his eyes before he reverted to his usual leisurely, amused expression of a spectator. Pei Cijing, on the other hand, saw in her crystal-clear eyes a composure far beyond her years, along with... a certain indescribable feeling, as if she could see right through people's hearts.
She withdrew her gaze.
A faint, elusive smile brushed across Shen Ninghuan's lips as she softly spoke, "Since a twist of fate has brought us here and what is done cannot be undone, a forced union will never bear sweet fruit. In my humble opinion—"
She lifted her chin slightly. Her voice remained calm, but it now carried an unquestionable strength.
"We might as well make the best of this mistake."
"Let us switch the marriages."
The words fell like a stone into a quiet lake, stirring up a thousand ripples.
The entire hall was stunned.
Pei Cijing, who had been half-slouching in his chair, unconsciously sat up straight. He looked at the calm, elegantly dressed young woman in green standing in the middle of the hall and raised a brow. Though he didn't know why Shen Ninghuan had made such a decision, he had to give her credit—this girl truly had excellent taste!
