Chapter 84: Malice

Lady Jianghou fell silent; clearly, she had no intention of finalizing this engagement with Shen Sisi. Tentatively, she took Shen Qingyun’s hand, her face full of regret. “Qingyun, thank you. You’re truly wonderful. If I could have a daughter-in-law like you, that would be the height of happiness.”

Shen Qingyun’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she coolly withdrew her hand. “You flatter me, madam. My elder sister and Young Lord Jiang have grown up together and are deeply attached; theirs is a rare and fated match. Your days of comfort and good fortune are still ahead.”

Upon hearing Lady Jianghou’s words, Madam Han’s last trace of hesitation vanished. She nodded in agreement. “Indeed. I watched Sisi and Lin’er grow up together, and now Sisi is about to reach adulthood. The formalities—seeking the name, choosing an auspicious date, even embroidering the wedding robe—will all take time. It’s just right to settle it now.”

Lady Jianghou had no choice. The marquisate’s finances were already strained; the servants’ wages had just been distributed, but the income from the estates and shops wouldn’t arrive until next month. The interest on their debts was compounding daily. If they didn’t repay it soon, would they truly let Jiang Lin’s future be ruined?

With gritted teeth, she had no option but to agree to return home and fetch the betrothal document.

Shen Qingyun sipped her tea in silence, remaining in the Warm Jade Pavilion to chat with Madam Han. Once the engagement was made public, she could finally set her mind at ease.

But before Lady Jianghou had even left the Duke’s estate, she was intercepted halfway by one of Shen Zhifeng’s men.

The servant glanced around to make sure no one was watching before speaking in a low voice, “Madam, please come this way. The Duke wishes to discuss something with you.”

Hearing this, Lady Jianghou’s thoughts turned quickly. She nodded, instructing her maid to go to the marquis’s residence and fetch Jiang Lin with the betrothal document, then followed the servant to meet Shen Zhifeng.

But her movements did not go unnoticed; soon, someone secretly reported them to Shen Qingyun.

After hearing the news, Shen Qingyun made no comment, only saying to Madam Han, “This may take some time, Mother. I’ll go tend to some household matters first.”

Madam Han nodded. She’d had a headache since early morning thanks to Lady Jianghou’s visit and now wished for a moment’s rest.

Shen Qingyun left the Warm Jade Pavilion and quietly made her way to the place where Shen Zhifeng was meeting Lady Jianghou in private. As she approached, she realized—what a coincidence!—that it was the very same secluded courtyard where Shen Zhifeng had once had an affair with Fu’an.

For a moment, her thoughts wandered.

Still, in broad daylight, it was unlikely anything untoward would happen; perhaps they chose this spot simply because it was quiet and discreet.

She took out a stick of incense she’d obtained from Lian Rufeng at the Hanging Physician’s Hall. It was said that once lit, anyone who inhaled its scent would be unable to keep their heart at peace and would voice their truest thoughts. She’d brought it along precisely because she’d anticipated Lady Jianghou’s arrival—how fitting that she could use it now.

She summoned Hanfeng. “This incense is almost scentless. Light it, toss it into their room, and see what they say.”

Hanfeng nodded, and with a swift, silent leap, he slipped behind the house.

It was still a bit warm that day, so the window was slightly ajar. The two inside were speaking far from the window, cautious not to be overheard and completely unaware of Hanfeng’s presence. He simply tossed the lit incense through the opening.

The room was small, and a breeze from the window quickly spread the incense throughout. The two inside continued their conversation, oblivious, their voices low. Fortunately, Hanfeng’s martial skills allowed him to press close to the window and barely make out their words.

“Your Grace, it’s not that I don’t want the dowry, but I’ve run out of options this time. Why don’t you lend me a few hundred taels of silver first, and we’ll plan the rest later?”

“Where would I get so much silver? That Jiang Lin, really—how could he borrow such a sum?”

“Six hundred taels would be enough. I’m short on cash, too. But ultimately, it’s all Sisi’s fault. By rights, the Duke’s estate should repay this debt; my Lin’er is just too honest.”

“You can’t say that. The jewelry wasn’t broken by Sisi; she’s innocent in this as well.”

“Sigh, what a bitter life I lead. It’s taken all my strength to raise my son, and now this mess. Look at Rou’er—she doesn’t appreciate her fortune at all. She won’t even help with this small favor.”

“She’s a spoiled young lady; everyone indulges her. At least you have a son. What about Han Rou? All I have is her poor health—I don’t even have a son!”

“That’s true. If it were me, I’d never act like her. I’d give the Duke many healthy sons, honor my husband, and manage the household well.”

“You don’t know—she’s been acting strange lately, not even letting me into the Warm Jade Pavilion.”

“What? That’s too much!”

...

As their conversation continued, it veered further off-topic, but they found common ground in criticizing Madam Han.

Lady Jianghou envied Madam Han’s birth in the General’s household and her marriage to Shen Zhifeng, who never took a concubine, while she herself was a widow. Seeing the couple’s private estrangement only fueled her urge to sow discord.

With Fu’an gone from the manor and the wet nurse Yueniang nowhere to be found, Shen Zhifeng had hoped to reconcile with Madam Han. Yet her sudden aversion and coldness toward him stung, and hearing Lady Jianghou’s words now, he felt sure that Madam Han was being unreasonable—after all, even Lady Jianghou, her closest friend, found her conduct intolerable.

Their mutual complaints grew more heated, each venting their recent grievances, and a kind of sympathy blossomed between them.

“Speaking of all this, I feel as though a great weight is pressing on my chest—I’m suffocating,” Lady Jianghou said, tears glimmering at the corners of her eyes. Though no longer young, her careful self-maintenance lent her a lingering charm.

“If you don’t mind, madam, let me help you,” Shen Zhifeng blurted, surprised at his own boldness. Yet seeing her coquettish resistance, remembering she was Han Rou’s close friend, he could not suppress his desire.

Lady Jianghou had not been this near a man in years, nor teased so intimately. She flushed scarlet, her heart pounding wildly.

The two drew closer, one tugging, the other yielding, until Shen Zhifeng had Lady Jianghou in his arms, soothing her, massaging away her stifled sorrow.

Her voice grew soft and sweet; her suppressed but delighted sighs suggested his ministrations were effective.

Outside the window, Hanyu’s face darkened.

Ill luck—utterly wretched. What wickedness! He’d lost his appetite for the day.

Inside, the atmosphere grew heavier, the two lost in a passionate embrace.

Lady Jianghou gazed at the man before her—the husband of Han Rou—now utterly bewitched by her. What pride could Han Rou possibly take in her presence now?

In that moment, both Shen Zhifeng and Lady Jianghou were scheming, each with their own designs, but they were well matched—like two peas in a pod.

Unable to bear any more, Hanyu prepared to slip away and report back to Shen Qingyun, but he sensed someone approaching and quickly hid in the shrubbery.

He looked closely—it was Shen Sisi.

Hearing something unusual, Shen Sisi tiptoed to the window, peeked inside, and was so startled she clapped a hand over her mouth.