Chapter 19: The Arrangement

For several days in a row, the Duke Shen’s household seemed to have returned to its former tranquility.

Shen Sisi was released from confinement and spent most of her time in the Yan Song Hall, keeping the old madam company. Occasionally, she would go out to meet familiar young ladies, enjoying spring outings and flower viewing with ease and contentment.

Each day, Shen Qingyun rose early and worked late, studying diligently under Mr. Xu without slacking for a single day. Yet, she never failed to join her mother, Lady Han, for meals.

“My lady, don’t wait any longer. His Grace has gone out again today. At this hour, he’s surely already dining elsewhere.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll just add a few stitches while I wait for Qingyun to come.”

From behind the curtain, Shen Qingyun could already hear the conversation between her mother and the nanny. She sighed inwardly.

The maid lifted the curtain for her. Inside, Lady Han was dressed in a purple embroidered robe, her hair simply adorned with a fine jade hairpin, reclining gracefully on a beauty couch as she gently embroidered a garment. The setting sun cast a soft glow through the room. The scene before her was as serene as a painting of a refined lady.

“Mother, the light’s poor now. How can your eyes withstand such strain?” Shen Qingyun couldn’t help but remind her.

Lady Han shot her a playful glance but didn’t pause her needlework.

“Indeed, my lady, do stop embroidering. You just mentioned the young lady, and here she is. Come, let the kitchen serve the dishes,” Nanny Chen said with a smile, signaling the maids to get busy.

“It’s summer now, so I thought I’d make some lighter clothes for your father,” Lady Han said, looking at the half-finished robe in her hands. Pleased, she nodded before setting it aside.

“You could have the seamstresses do it—why trouble yourself so much?”

“Silly child, it’s not the same. When you’re married one day, you’ll understand your mother’s feelings,” Lady Han teased, smiling.

Shen Qingyun was rather dissatisfied. Her father held a sinecure but was rarely seen at home—clearly off enjoying himself with his mistress, all the while deceiving her mother so cruelly.

But seeing the happiness on Lady Han’s face, Shen Qingyun hesitated, uncertain whether she should expose Shen Zhifeng’s true nature so soon.

Meanwhile, Nanny Chen swiftly set the dinner table. Shen Qingyun glanced at Fu’an, who stood at a distance, thinking she would have to deal with her first. It was too dangerous to leave such a spy by her mother’s side. In her previous life, her mother’s death was shrouded in mystery, and now she strongly suspected Shen Zhifeng’s involvement.

Shen Qingyun collected her thoughts. Watching her gentle mother pile food high into her bowl, she couldn’t help but feel amused and content. Together they enjoyed a sumptuous dinner.

After their meal, Yicui accompanied Shen Qingyun for a stroll in the garden to aid digestion. Spotting a worm-eaten leaf beside a flower, Shen Qingyun plucked it off and crushed it into the soil with her foot before asking, “Has the word been spread?”

Yicui nodded. “Everyone in the household knows that my lady is looking to arrange a marriage for Fu’an.”

“Any interested parties?”

“Yes, there are. Two stewards’ sons have just come of age. I expect they’ll be asking about it in the next few days. After all, as a favored maidservant by your mother’s side, it’s not hard for her to find a good match.”

Shen Qingyun smiled faintly. A marriage? Fu’an surely wouldn’t care for such a thing. But if she wanted to climb up and become the Duke’s concubine, that depended on whether fate would favor her. She’d just have to wait and see her plans come to nothing.

The very next day, a steward did indeed seek out Nanny Chen for information about Fu’an.

“Nanny Chen, we’re both born and bred in this household, so you know my situation. My son may not be exceptional, but he helps my lady manage a shop, lacks for nothing, and is diligent. He’s a year older than Fu’an. I’ve tried to arrange matches for him, but he’s never been satisfied—until now. So here I am, hoping he might be lucky enough.”

The speaker, Steward Wang, was responsible for purchasing outside the residence and held some status in the household.

Though Fu’an was only a second-class maid, she was clever and pretty, more than a match for a steward’s son.

Nanny Chen had met the steward’s son before—decent features, no bad habits—a good prospect indeed. She smiled and agreed to bring the matter to Lady Han’s attention.

When Lady Han heard, she was quite pleased and summoned Fu’an to ask her opinion.

“Though it’s a good match, your feelings matter most. Are you willing?”

Fu’an’s face went pale as she knelt. “My lady, do you find fault with me? Is there something I’ve done wrong that you wish to send me away?”

Lady Han laughed heartily. “Silly Fu’an, listen to yourself.”

Nanny Chen chimed in with reassurance. “A girl can’t stay in her maiden home forever. The steward’s son is decent in both looks and character. If you’re unsure, you can meet him first.”

Shen Qingyun, standing nearby, joined in with feigned innocence. “Sister Fu’an, are you dissatisfied with the steward’s son? What sort of husband would you like, if not him?”

Fu’an glanced up at Shen Qingyun. The fourteen-year-old young lady was delicate and serene, but her dark eyes seemed to hold a chilling depth.

Fu’an quickly lowered her gaze. She knew her age, and this match was fair enough. To keep refusing would only arouse suspicion. She put on a show of apprehension. “Miss, you overthink. I was just startled by the suddenness of it and felt shy. I’ll do as Nanny Chen suggests and meet him first.”

Nanny Chen, seeing her agree, covered her mouth to hide her laughter. “Very well, I’ll inform Steward Wang tomorrow.”

Fu’an forced a smile, but in her heart she was desperate to report to His Grace.

She belonged to the Duke in every way—how could she possibly marry another?

Shen Qingyun sat sipping her tea, unhurried. The fish had taken the bait. From her observations, Fu’an met with Shen Zhifeng every five days in the East Wing. By her reckoning, there were still two days to go.

But Fu’an was anxious, so much so that blisters threatened to form on her lips.

Perhaps Steward Wang’s son truly fancied Fu’an, or maybe he was simply of marrying age and his father was pressing him. In any case, as soon as Nanny Chen relayed the good news, the arrangements for a meeting were made in haste.

Wang Zhong, the steward’s son, had seen Fu’an before. Occasionally, when delivering account books to Lady Han, he’d noticed the second-class maid busying herself in the outer court of the Warm Jade Pavilion and found her quite endearing.

Now, learning that his father intended to marry him to Fu’an with Lady Han’s blessing, Wang Zhong—who had always been too busy with business to think of marriage—suddenly felt that having a gentle wife waiting at home might be a blessing indeed.

He bought a jade hairpin and, under the pretense of delivering accounts, caught a glimpse of Fu’an from afar before entrusting the pin to Nanny Chen to give to her.

Nanny Chen thought well of Wang Zhong’s thoughtfulness and praised him to Lady Han.

Fu’an, however, was tearful. “I am not worthy of Young Master Wang. I only wish to serve my lady faithfully.”

Shen Qingyun laughed coldly to herself. Indeed, she was not worthy.