Chapter 40: Beyond Expectation

Next door, Jiang Lin could no longer restrain himself. He flung open the door and strode across.

Shen Sisi’s face flickered with surprise—was Lin truly angry? Impossible. This had to be part of their scheme, an attempt to create the illusion of a hero saving the damsel. Lin could not possibly care about Shen Qingyun. Biting her lip, Sisi pressed her fingertips deep into her palm, took a measured breath, and stepped out after him, feigning confusion.

Shen Qingyun had been startled by Wang Sheng’s sudden kneeling, suspecting Han Yu had intervened in secret. Amused, she continued sipping her tea, indifferent to the commotion.

“Qingyun, are you all right?”

A familiar, anxious voice sounded. Shen Qingyun turned her head—it was Jiang Lin. How vexing.

“Sister, what’s going on? Why are there so many men in your room? What are you doing? What do you intend for my sister?” Jiang Lin demanded, dark-faced.

Behind him, Shen Sisi shouted loudly, determined that everyone should know Qingyun was meeting men alone. As expected, a few people nearby glanced over, curious.

Shen Sisi pushed through the crowd and, with righteous indignation, placed herself before Qingyun. “So many men! Do you seek to bully my sister when she’s alone?”

Jiang Lin’s expression was grim. “Men and women must observe propriety. I ask you all to leave.”

The leader finally came to his senses, offering Qingyun an awkward bow before stammering, “Second Miss Shen, forgive us for frightening you today.”

Wang Sheng gaped. “Brother Liang, this woman struck me, and you apologize to her?”

“I did hit you!” Liang Yongcai’s glare silenced Wang Sheng. “You dared lay hands on Miss Shen. So what if I hit you? If you touch her again, losing your hand would be a light punishment.”

The room fell silent once more.

Jiang Lin and Shen Sisi both stared in shock.

Liang Yongcai was the son of the Deputy Minister of War, notorious for consorting with idle friends, frequenting brothels, teasing respectable women—a true wastrel. When had he ever spoken so politely to a lady?

Shen Qingyun smiled suddenly, her eyes sparkling, radiant against her exquisite features, gentle as a spring breeze. She parted her lips lightly. “Thank you, Young Master Liang.”

Liang Yongcai, hearing her soft, delicate voice and beholding her lovely face, scratched his head nervously. “No need, no need, Miss Shen is too polite.”

He then swept his gaze over the others. “Why are you still lingering? If you dare disrespect Miss Shen again, I won’t be so lenient!”

Wang Sheng was reluctant, but with their master present, he had no choice but to follow Liang Yongcai out.

Shen Sisi had been thoroughly ignored from start to finish.

Since Qingyun’s return, such disregard had happened several times.

Eyes blazing, Shen Sisi cursed inwardly. That wretched woman! She had even charmed Liang Yongcai into behaving so.

Jiang Lin hadn’t anticipated this turn of events either; things had not unfolded as planned. He could only make a show of concern. “Qingyun, were you frightened?”

Suppressing her anger, Shen Sisi feigned anxiety. “Yes, sister, who could have expected that while I was gone, these men would barge into your room? If Lin hadn’t arrived, you might have been bullied.”

“That’s right. Liang Yongcai is a notorious scoundrel. Qingyun, you should stay home for a while. Avoid him, and whenever I’m here, I’ll protect you.”

Jiang Lin spoke with righteous fervor, as though he had accomplished something remarkable.

But he seemed to forget that the walls of the Ru Yi Pavilion were terribly thin!

In the adjacent room, Liang Yongcai overheard their words. His face stiffened, fists clenched, temper flaring—he was about to storm over and punch Jiang Lin.

“Elder sister and Young Master Jiang, please mind your words!” Shen Qingyun’s cool, firm voice rang out. “I find Young Master Liang’s conduct upright and words clear. He has not acted inappropriately today. I ask you not to gossip behind others’ backs, nor to sully either of our reputations.”

“Sister, how can you be so ungrateful?” Shen Sisi exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes, Qingyun, you’ve only recently returned to the capital. You don’t know what Liang Yongcai has done in the past.”

“Young Master Jiang,” Qingyun interrupted, “You and my sister are betrothed, but we are not close. Please refrain from calling me by name so familiarly. Men and women must observe propriety. Kindly take your leave; I appreciate your concern.”

Thus, she turned Jiang Lin’s own words against him, leaving him red-faced. Seeing Qingyun’s repeated disregard, he departed in a huff.

Shen Sisi wanted to follow, but knew better, and could only cast a reproachful look at Qingyun. “Sister, Lin only means well. Must you be so cold?”

“Elder sister, I must ask—if you were using the restroom, how did you end up arriving with him?” Qingyun couldn’t be bothered with Sisi, shifting the topic.

“Lin happened by for tea, and noticed a crowd by your door, so we came to see what was happening.” Sisi’s answer was premeditated and delivered naturally.

The two sat together in silence, neither in the mood to continue their outing, and soon returned home.

Liang Yongcai lingered alone in his private room at Ru Yi Pavilion for a long time. Opening the window, he watched the Shen family carriage recede into the distance.

From the moment he first met Qingyun, he had been captivated by her presence. Alone and beset by men’s teasing, she remained calm, sipping tea, serene and beautiful as a painted scroll.

When Wang Sheng tried to take liberties, he’d intervened without thinking.

What surprised him even more—this was the first time a woman had thanked him so gently, and even defended him in words.

For the first time, he felt regret—regret for wasting his days on drink and frivolity.

He returned home in a daze, diving straight into the study, seized by the urge to truly read.

The Deputy Minister’s wife, seeing her son at his books, asked in shock, “What’s happened to my son? Was he traumatized today?”

The servant shook his head. “Madam, I do not know.”

The Deputy Minister snorted. “He’s probably just pretending again, angling for something. This isn’t the first time.”

His wife shot him an annoyed look, smiling. “As long as he’s learning, it’s good. The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is soon—I’m thinking of finding a daughter-in-law then.”

In the study, Liang Yongcai overheard their conversation. His eyes churned with emotion. Gritting his teeth, he buried himself in his books.