Since Shen Yunshu left the palace, Xie Heng had been gloomy for quite some time.
Although she had comforted him for a long while before leaving, every night when he looked at the empty bedchamber, missing the soft warmth and fragrance of the person who once lay in his arms, it was inevitable that he felt melancholic.
Perhaps it was his forlorn appearance that softened the heart of the Imperial Grandfather, who for now refrained from bringing up the marriage grant again.
Taking advantage of the New Year, the Imperial Grandfather gave him a few days off and brought him along to the Hot Spring Palace.
Unlike the strictness of the imperial palace, the Hot Spring Palace was less austere. Although the Imperial Grandfather was there, he was busy attending to state affairs and had no time to look after him. So, Xie Heng secretly slipped out, planning to visit Shen Yunshu tonight.
Before finding her, he went to the medical clinic to inquire about medicine, wanting to buy some contraceptives suitable for men, but was informed that contraceptives could not completely eliminate the risk of pregnancy for women. There was a more effective method called “buried needles.”
After hearing the doctor’s explanation, Xie Heng chose without hesitation: “Bury bury bury!”
Once the procedure was done and he was tidying his clothes, the doctor called in another person.
Both were men, so there was no awkwardness. After adjusting his garments, Xie Heng looked up to see the newcomer, curious to find out if there was any good man there as considerate as himself towards his lady. But the moment he raised his eyes, he burst out laughing.
“Hmm? Mu Ge,” Xie Heng said, realizing Mu Ge was considerate of Shen Youran’s young age and reluctant to let her get pregnant now. He guessed Mu Ge’s purpose today was the same as his. “Mu Ge, are you here to bury needles too?”
Pei Huaijin was also surprised to see him here but remained calm and said, “No.”
“Then what are you here for…”
“To remove a needle.”
Well, it turned out he had already buried the needle long ago. But the meaning of removing it was obvious.
“Mu Ge, you weren’t eager to have children before, right? Youran just turned one this year; it’s still a bit early.”
“She’s right outside. You can talk to her about this.”
“Youran came too?” Xie Heng hesitated, “I’ve divorced her sister. If she sees me, won’t she beat me up?”
Pei Huaijin saw through him immediately: “Since you’re divorced, then who is the needle for?”
Xie Heng scratched his head and said sheepishly, “Nothing escapes Mu Ge.”
“Go on out. She won’t hit you.”
“Even if she doesn’t hit me, she’ll at least scold me. I might as well hide here for a while.” Xie Heng lingered, unwilling to leave. “We’re all men here, Mu Ge, don’t be shy. I won’t look if that makes you uncomfortable.”
The doctor was already urging him on, so Pei Huaijin said no more and gently pushed him outside.
Afterwards, Pei Huaijin loosened his clothes, took out a silver note from inside, and handed it to the doctor. “Please help me with this…”
After being pushed out, Xie Heng and Shen Youran stared at each other for a moment. Not waiting for her to lash out, he took off running.
Fifteen minutes later, Pei Huaijin came out holding his waist.
Shen Youran hurriedly helped him, “Husband, does it hurt?”
“Not really.”
She supported him slowly down the stairs. “Husband, I saw His Royal Grandson leave the room just now. What was he doing here?”
“Didn’t he tell you?”
“No, he ran off as soon as he saw me. I guess he was afraid I’d scold him.” She guessed, “Was he here to bury needles or to remove them?”
Pei Huaijin was reluctant to say, “I don’t know. When I went in, he just greeted me and left.”
Youran thought about it. Since he had divorced her sister, he probably wasn’t there to bury needles.
But there were medical offices inside the palace. If he wanted to remove a needle, he could just go to the palace’s imperial physicians. Why come outside the palace?
Maybe he wasn’t here for needles at all. After all, the doctor here could treat other illnesses besides burying and removing needles.
But then again, what kind of illness couldn’t be treated by the palace’s imperial physicians?
“Could it be that he’s… beyond help?” Shen Youran speculated.
Pei Huaijin stopped walking, confused. “Wife, what do you mean by ‘beyond help’? Who isn’t?”
Thinking he’d hit a sensitive spot, Shen Youran quickly dropped the subject. “Forget it, I don’t want to guess anymore. Whatever illness he has, he and my sister are divorced now anyway.”
While walking, she started talking about something else. “Did you know? My sister has only been home for a little over a month, and already several suitors have come calling.”
She hadn’t been too busy recently. The day before, she had taken some time to visit her sister and overheard Ting Lan and Qiong Zhi chatting. They said that in the past few days, several matchmakers had approached her sister with marriage proposals.
But none were from prominent families. Father rejected all of them.
“When I came home yesterday, I saw someone at the house. You definitely won’t guess who it was.”
“Who?”
“Your friend, the Director of the Mu Ministry, Xiao Ci…”
“Xiao Ci?” Pei Huaijin really couldn’t guess. “What was he doing at your house?”
“Playing chess with my father…”
Father loved playing chess and had made quite a few chess friends. Since he was demoted to a half-post, probably feeling disheartened and less involved in court affairs, he had taken up this old hobby again to pass the time.
Judging from how familiar Xiao Ci was with Father, it seemed… unexpected for someone so young to have such connections.
The sky had not yet darkened.
He originally planned to visit her later at night—after all, it was easier to sneak out unnoticed in the dark.
But after wandering around the streets a few rounds, his longing for her grew too strong, so he headed straight to the Minister’s Residence.
At the Minister’s Residence, beneath the hexagonal pavilion, a half-zhang-high curtain encircled the area. In the middle, a stone table sat beside a brazier, lending a cozy warmth to this little world.
Shen Yunshu and Xiao Ci were playing chess inside.
Originally, Father had been playing with Xiao Ci, but after a few rounds, a guest arrived. Father needed to receive the guest in the front yard, but didn’t want to neglect Xiao Ci, so he called her from the back courtyard to play with him for a while.
The reason Father and Xiao Ci became chess friends was that Xiao Ci had come to Shen Residence to pay New Year respects and brought Father a set of jade-polished chess pieces.
In past years, the Shen Residence had been bustling with visitors during the New Year. This year, however, probably due to Father’s demotion and loss of imperial favor, far fewer people came to pay respects.
Xiao Ci and Liang Xu were exceptions.
Liang Liulang from the Town Protector General’s Mansion was on good terms with his second brother; both served in the archery division, so it was unsurprising he came to pay respects.
As for Xiao Ci…
Previously, the Shen, Xiao, and Liang families had little contact. Until the marriage alliance between the Shen and Pei families, and with Aunt Xiao acting as the wet nurse to the Third Miss, Xiao Ci and Pei Huaijin became longtime friends. Additionally, the Mu Ministry’s efforts in capturing bandits searching for the Imperial Grandson had involved the Shen family somewhat, so Xiao Ci’s visit to Shen Residence was not entirely unexpected.
Father was naturally pleased with Xiao Ci’s visit and, having given him a favorite chess set, they played chess the entire afternoon.
Xiao Ci had come back to play chess several times. Often, they played until late at night before Father would reluctantly let him leave.
Recently, Xiao Ci had been injured on duty, breaking his right arm. He had taken leave from the Mu Ministry to recuperate at home, and his visits to Father had become more frequent.
Father had more than once sighed in front of her, saying that the future was uncertain, and that Xiao Ci’s chess skills were almost on par with his own.
Shen Yunshu also liked playing chess. More than winning or losing, she enjoyed the silent offense and defense of the game. She had long wanted to spar with Xiao Ci but, being a woman recently divorced and returned home, it was inappropriate to appear in front of men outside.
It was fortunate Father gave her this opportunity today. She had been studying in her own courtyard for days and needed to relax. Unconsciously, they had played from bright sunshine until dusk.
After two wins and one loss, they were on the fourth game.
In this round, Shen Yunshu was subtly losing. She pinched a black piece between her fingers, hesitating above the board. Her gaze wandered over the game repeatedly, contemplating whether to defend the center or save the corner.
Xiao Ci didn’t urge her. Steam rose from the kettle on the brazier, carrying the scent of tea. The girl’s slightly furrowed brows, from deep thought, were like the serene spring mountains—delicate and aloof.
A breeze passed through the pavilion; the copper bells under the eaves tinkled softly.
After a moment’s thought, Shen Yunshu decisively placed the black piece.
Go is a game of gain and loss. One seeks victory but cannot be greedy; knowing when to give up grants opportunities to gain more.
Xiao Ci withdrew his gaze, picked up a white piece, and placed it in the corner she had abandoned.
After several moves, Shen Yunshu narrowly won. Xiao Ci returned the white piece to the jar and raised his eyes, admitting defeat. “Lady Shen, I have lost.”
“Xiao Ci, you’ve been too kind.” Shen Yunshu could tell his skills were equal to hers, but he had deliberately allowed her to win a few moves.
Xiao Ci glanced at the sky and rose to leave. “It’s getting late. Thank you for the game, Lady Shen.”
“No, it was a pleasure to meet a worthy opponent.”
“Then I shall come again another day to discuss chess…”
Hmm? Shouldn’t he be visiting Father?
Though it sounded strange, Shen Yunshu politely said, “You are always welcome to come by, Xiao Ci.”
Father still hadn’t returned. As the hostess and his peer, she naturally had to see the guest off.
The two walked toward the front yard, chatting casually.
“Lady Shen, forgive my bluntness,” the usually straightforward Director of the Mu Ministry suddenly showed a hint of shyness, “Have you really divorced His Royal Grandson?”
Shen Yunshu’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes… really.”
Since they weren’t close, she naturally wouldn’t reveal the full truth.
“I heard from the Mu Ministry that many suitors have come to propose marriage to you recently.”
Shen Yunshu awkwardly smiled, “I didn’t expect Father to tell you about such matters…”
Since she had returned after divorcing Xie Heng, there had been no fewer than eight or ten suitors. But all were from families of low status, and Father and her stepmother had rejected them all.
“I believe none of them truly want to marry you. They’re just after your family background, looks, and talents, hoping you have ulterior motives…”
Though this sounded harsh, their intentions were indeed obvious. Shen Yunshu was sharp and clear-eyed; she naturally wouldn’t agree. Besides, her ties with Xie Heng weren’t completely severed. Until things were resolved, she had no intention to remarry.
“Thank you for the reminder, Xiao Ci. Father will handle these matters.”
He stopped and looked directly at her. His gaze suddenly burned bright. “I am twenty-three this year, unmarried, and have admired you for a long time…”
Shen Yunshu was taken aback by his sudden confession. “Xiao Ci, do you even know what you’re saying?”
How could he admire her?
They had met only a few times, mainly due to the incident with Lu Yi and the bandits. After Lu Yi was exiled, she never saw him again.
His sudden New Year visit to the Shen Residence had been strange, but she hadn’t thought much of it. She didn’t expect that merely standing in for Father to receive him today would ignite such a sudden romantic spark.
“Xiao Ci, I’ve been married before…”
“I don’t mind.”
“I was once the sister-in-law of your friend…”
“So what?”
“Why do you like me?”
“A graceful lady is the perfect match for a gentleman. Why shouldn’t I like you?” Xiao Ci’s eyes blazed. “When we first met in front of the Pei Residence, you were known as His Royal Grandson, the seventh young master of the Pei family—spoiled and unruly. Even then, I thought a refined, intelligent, and graceful lady like you shouldn’t be tied to such a person.”
“Since you cooperated with the Mu Ministry on that case, I’ve seen your kindness, intelligence, and bravery. I only regret you weren’t unmarried before. Now that you and His Royal Grandson are divorced, why not consider me? Our families are well matched. I want nothing but to like you sincerely…”
Before he finished speaking, someone shouted, “Not good! There are thieves breaking in!”
Xiao Ci’s expression turned serious. He looked toward the sound and immediately shielded Shen Yunshu. “Lady Shen, thieves are inside! Be careful.”
He took a few steps forward, observing as he went.
When he returned to speak with Shen Yunshu again, he found the place empty.
She had disappeared.
At this moment, Shen Yunshu had already been pulled by Xie Heng into a nearby rockery.
The sky was dim; the cave was dark, enveloped only by familiar scents.
“Why did you come at this time?” Shen Yunshu whispered.
A cold chuckle came from above. He grasped her wrist tightly and pressed close, his voice dripping with jealousy. “Did I come at a bad time? Sorry to interrupt your sister’s good time…”