Chapter 107: Shen Sisi Gains the Upper Hand over Lady Jianghou

Lady Jianghou was utterly stunned.

She had no idea what had just happened, why the man she had shared a moment of intimacy with had suddenly become a stranger, and most perplexing of all, how Shen Sisi had stumbled upon the scene.

Still dazed, she dressed and glanced at the young man beside her, inwardly startled.

His face was gentle and handsome, appearing no older than eighteen or nineteen. He was already dressed in a long robe; the loose garment accentuated his slender frame. Yet Lady Jianghou knew this body was undeniably strong—just moments ago, when she had held him by the waist, she could feel the vitality pulsing beneath his muscles.

Now he looked flustered as well, his neck and ears flushed crimson. After finishing dressing, he bowed deeply to Lady Jianghou, his nervous voice firm with resolve: “My name is Shi Shaohua, a candidate from the capital taking the imperial exams. I was lodging here and had a few drinks, thinking I was dreaming, mistaking you for a celestial fairy. I have offended you, milady. Rest assured, once I pass the exams, I will marry you.”

Lady Jianghou should have been angry, yet hearing his words, a faint blush and a hint of joy unconsciously crept into her heart.

She touched her cheek, wondering silently if she really looked that young for him to call her “milady.”

That thought brought a twinge of regret—how wonderful it would be if she were still in her youthful prime.

But there was a more pressing matter at hand: Shen Sisi. So Lady Jianghou said nothing more to Shi Shaohua, snorted coldly, and left.

Outside, Shen Sisi sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, her hand resting on the handle of a food box as she nervously rubbed it.

Lady Jianghou sat opposite her, her hair still loose and uncombed. Taking the initiative, she asked, “Speak. What’s going on? Who is the man inside?”

Shen Sisi seemed startled by her sudden appearance. She patted her chest and exhaled, “He is a friend of my brother from Yangzhou, whom my brother cared for deeply before his passing. He had come to the capital intending to seek my brother, but unexpectedly my brother is no longer here. By chance, I met him and begged Father to lend this small courtyard for him to stay temporarily.”

Since Moon Lady and Shen Zhifeng had fabricated Shen Minglei’s upbringing in Yangzhou, and now that person was dead, they could say whatever they wanted without fear. Given the circumstances, Lady Jianghou likely wouldn’t dare question Shen Zhifeng.

Shen Sisi glanced at Lady Jianghou shyly. “We held a welcome feast at noon. Brother Shaohua had a little too much to drink, so I planned to bring him some sobering soup. But Lady, why are you here...?”

Lady Jianghou’s face flushed with complex emotions, unsure how to answer.

Suddenly, Shi Shaohua strode out of the room. “Sisi sister, don’t ask anymore. It’s all my fault. I was reckless, drunk and lost my senses. I will take responsibility.”

Shen Sisi looked between them, struggling to say, “Brother Shaohua, do you know who she is?”

Shi Shaohua’s expression grew serious, yet he mustered courage: “Judging by her attire, she must be a noble lady. I come from a humble family and know I am unworthy, but I vow to work hard, pass the exams, and marry her.”

Hearing this, Shen Sisi sighed, “How can that be good?”

Lady Jianghou’s mind spun in confusion. She didn’t know what to do, nor why Shen Zhifeng had agreed to lend out the courtyard.

No matter what, seeing such a young and handsome gentleman vow responsibility stirred a flicker of joy in her heart. But what of it? There could be no outcome. “Mr. Shi Shaohua, I am already married. Today’s events were mere coincidence. I hope you will consider it as if nothing happened and never mention it again.”

Shi Shaohua was stunned, murmuring, “How can that be? I fell for you at first sight, and this was my first time so close to a woman... Yet...”

He looked despondent, as if unable to accept the truth, then smiled bitterly, “I understand. I won’t say a word.”

With that, he staggered back into the room.

Shen Sisi watched it all and admired him. If he weren’t someone she brought here, she might have thought the young man’s heart was truly broken.

When she saw the pain in Lady Jianghou’s eyes, her satisfaction grew. “Lady, what should we do now...?”

Her voice brought Lady Jianghou back to her senses. Tears shimmered in her eyes. “Sisi, I have always cared for you. You mustn’t speak of this to anyone, or my lifelong reputation will be ruined.”

Shen Sisi lowered her gaze obediently. “Lady, soon I will marry Brother Lin, and we will be family. With my mother gone, I will treat you as my own mother and naturally keep this secret.”

Her words carried subtle meaning.

Lady Jianghou’s face darkened. Was this a threat?

She meant that Shen Sisi must become Lin’s legitimate wife, her daughter-in-law, or she wouldn’t keep this secret.

For a moment, Lady Jianghou felt trapped. Such leverage falling into Shen Sisi’s hands made the matter truly thorny.

“Sisi, you know I care for you and wish you could be the future lady of my son, but your current status is...”

Shen Sisi bit her lip and lowered her head in silence.

It was clear she was determined to marry into the Marquis’s household.

Lady Jianghou felt dizzy and furious. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Shen Sisi, did you plan this all along?”

Shen Sisi looked up, shocked. “Lady, how could you say that? Did I force you here? I had no idea you would come.”

Her words were true. Lady Jianghou stared into Shen Sisi’s eyes, searching for lies, but found none.

Weakened, she let go of her clenched hands and relented, “We are family after all, so I trust you.”

Shen Sisi brightened and eagerly agreed, then took the initiative to escort Lady Jianghou back to the mansion, covering for her.

Before leaving, Lady Jianghou’s expression hardened. “Who exactly is this Shi Shaohua? I don’t trust him. Can I handle him myself?”

Shen Sisi’s eyes flickered. “Of course.”

After Lady Jianghou returned home, she received a secret message from Shen Zhifeng instructing her not to come today. But having left early, she missed it.

Could it really all be a coincidence?

Lady Jianghou’s headache worsened. She collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep, only to dream of Shi Shaohua again, engaged in unspeakable acts with her. She woke up drenched in sweat, exclaiming that she must be losing her mind.

The next day, she told Jiang Lin that, moved by Shen Sisi’s sincerity, she had decided to honor her promise and let Jiang Lin marry Shen Sisi.

Although Jiang Lin had planned to marry her before, upon hearing that his mother truly agreed, he felt a strange discomfort. “Mother, didn’t you say Sisi’s status isn’t suitable for the future lady of the heir?”