Under the shade of green locust trees and slender willows brushing the pavilion, Shen Yunshu accompanied Elder Master Pei at Jingletang to play Go.
Halfway through the game, the old gentleman began to grow confused, so Shen Yunshu switched to playing Gomoku with him instead.
Pei Huaian, who had been idly snacking on melon fruits nearby, saw them start playing Gomoku and eagerly came over to instruct the elder on where to place his pieces.
The simple game of Gomoku saw the grandfather and granddaughter team win two rounds but lose three.
Feeling a bit tired, Elder Master Pei was sent back to rest by Pei Huaian, who then sat down with great determination, intent on winning one more round before calling it quits.
Shen Yunshu had let two games go out of respect for the elder, but facing Pei Huaian now, she showed no mercy.
In less than a quarter of an hour, she placed the fifth piece in a row, winning the game.
Pei Huaian slammed his hand on the stone table in frustration.
“One more round! I refuse to believe this…”
With nothing better to do, Shen Yunshu cheerfully obliged and won seven consecutive games.
The young man went from eager to incredulous, then doubtful of himself, and finally dejected.
“I admit defeat; your skill surpasses mine.”
Trying to save face, he added, “But I’m excellent at touhu. Why don’t we have a match of touhu instead?”
Suddenly, a breeze blew into the pavilion, carrying the scent of fresh grass and earth.
Shen Yunshu glanced at the sky outside.
What had been clear moments ago was now heavy with dark clouds, signaling rain.
She rose and said, “I don’t know how to play touhu. It’s about to rain; let’s head back.”
The youth called out hurriedly, “Then I’ll teach you another day. Once you learn, we’ll have our contest.”
Shen Yunshu smiled slightly and left Jingletang ahead of him.
As large raindrops began to fall, she still had some distance to go to reach her lodgings.
The wind grew stronger, tangling her clothes.
If she continued walking, she’d be drenched—and it would be embarrassing if someone saw her like that.
She sought refuge in a nearby pavilion to wait out the storm.
Through the driving rain, Pei Huaian appeared, awkwardly shielding himself with his hands as he dashed over.
The moment he stepped into the pavilion and saw her, his rain-soaked face froze in surprise.
He sighed, then turned and sprinted back into the rain.
After all, they were soon to become uncle and niece-in-law.
Earlier at Jingletang, servants attended them, so there was no worry about impropriety.
But now, two unmarried people sheltering in the same pavilion would be awkward—and worse, a scandal if anyone spotted them together.
Shen Yunshu watched the figure disappear into the curtain of rain and thought that this spoiled playboy wasn’t so bad after all.
Though idle and frivolous, a bit reckless and flirtatious, he was not truly a bad person.
Unlike other rich young men who sowed wild oats, he kept his distance, respected propriety, and was quite filial.
What was more rare was his handsome, refined appearance, no wonder the maids in the estate all fawned over him and fluttered into his arms.
The rain came quickly and left just as fast.
The blue stone floor beneath the pavilion was washed to a gleaming shine.
Stepping carefully to avoid droplets clinging to bamboo leaves, Shen Yunshu admired the refreshed scenery and strolled leisurely back to her temporary residence.
Tinglan and Qiongzhi were chatting under the eaves and hurried over to greet their eldest miss upon her return.
“Tinglan?”
Shen Yunshu had left her at home to oversee her younger sister’s studies, so it was surprising she had come to the estate today.
Something must have happened.
Though Tinglan hadn’t spoken yet, Shen Yunshu already felt a chill in her heart, suspecting it had to do with Lu Yi.
Sure enough, Tinglan’s next words sent a cold wave through her.
“Eldest Miss, Lu Chancellor’s Eldest Young Master, your elder brother, wishes to marry San Guniang. Master has sent me to ask your opinion—are you willing to consent to this match?”
Tinglan had only come to serve Shen Yunshu after she arrived in the capital and was unaware of Lu Yi’s true character.
She smiled brightly, assuming this union of close kin would be welcomed.
But Shen Yunshu’s face instantly drained of color.
Her body felt frozen as if touched by frost.
After steadying her breath twice, she said slowly, “Go back and tell Father I do not agree to this marriage.”
Tinglan was puzzled and hesitated, “If Master asks why…”
Shen Yunshu’s expression grew grave.
Though her voice was calm, it was firm and clear: “I will explain to Father myself later. For now, just tell him that Lu Yi is not a suitable match, and that he must never be allowed near San Guniang again.”
Tinglan nodded and quickly left to deliver the message.
The air after the rain was heavy with moisture, making each breath feel thick.
Shen Yunshu knew Lu Yi had no true intention of marrying San Guniang; this was a ploy aimed at her—to force her out into the open.
After two years of absence, her stepbrother remained as despicable as ever.
Having guessed Lu Yi’s intentions, Shen Yunshu had no desire to comply.
Returning now would only play into his hands.
But if she refused to go back…
She recalled twelve years ago when she hid to avoid being taken by Father, believing that as long as he could not find her, all would be well.
But in truth, San Guniang suffered the pain of being separated from Mother instead.
The same now—if Shen Yunshu continued to hide to protect herself, and if Lu Yi were truly mad enough to marry her sister…
Fear grew within her.
She could not allow Lu Yi to lay a hand on her sister.
“Qiongzhi, accompany me to change clothes.”
Despite avoiding bamboo leaves, a few raindrops had dampened her sleeves, leaving dark and light stains.
After changing into a Qingshan Robe and a Jiangsha Skirt, Shen Yunshu took Qiongzhi to bid farewell to Grand Madam Pei.
Grand Madam had grown accustomed to her company these days and was reluctant to see her go.
Yet with the wedding less than a month away, she thought it best for Shen Yunshu to return home and spend time with family.
She patted her hand and said, “Good. Go back and prepare peacefully for your marriage. Enjoy your last days as a maiden…”
Concerned for her safety on the journey, Grand Madam summoned Pei Huaian and asked him to escort Shen Yunshu and her maid home.
She joked with him, “You’ve been cooped up in the estate so long, you must be restless. Go back to the city and find your friends for some fun. In five days, you’ll come to escort Grand Madam and me back. Your eldest brother is returning soon, and the wedding preparations must accelerate…”
Pei Huaian agreed with a smile, then went to arrange packing and horses, preparing the carriage.
Half an hour later, he met Shen Yunshu at the estate entrance, and they set off down the mountain together.
“Sister-in-law, why the sudden trip back?”
He had seen her leisurely playing Go with the elder this morning; how was she leaving so abruptly now?
Shen Yunshu replied following Grand Madam’s words, “The wedding with your eldest brother is imminent. I’m going to check on the dowry preparations.”
“Ah.”
Pei Huaian only asked casually, then reminded her to be careful on the slippery post-rain roads and did not press further.
Shen Yunshu sat uneasily in the carriage, calming her mind as she plotted how to counter Lu Yi’s schemes.
Pei Huaian planned to escort her back to Shen Fu, but Shen Yunshu said she wanted to visit Tianxiang Pavilion to check on the custom headpiece and had him drop her off near Chengxiang Pavilion instead.
She stayed less than a quarter hour before donning a veil and slipping out the back entrance.
She headed to a nearby brothel and selected a girl somewhat similar in build, handing her a generous sum of silver with a request to help her with a small favor in a few days’ time.
Only then did she return to Shen Fu and head straight to Shen Youran’s courtyard.
Youran was diligently studying in her room.
She had heard Tinglan went to the Pei estate to see Shen Yunshu, and with the wedding to the Pei eldest brother approaching, figured her sister would soon be back.
Having neglected her studies by frequently visiting the Lu family recently, Youran was still about eighty percent behind on the assignments her eldest sister had set.
Thankfully, Shen Yunshu had not returned with Tinglan today, giving her time to catch up.
Just as she wrote feverishly, the door opened.
Thinking it was Danruo entering, she did not look up.
“Danruo, you write five thousand characters for me today. Your handwriting is a bit like mine. Oh, how is Qinghe’s embroidered handkerchief coming along? Tell her not to make it too perfect, or it won’t look like my work…”
Shen Yunshu approached the desk and saw her sleeve stained with ink and smudges on her pale hands and face.
Her writing was a mess.
Frowning, she said, “You need a calm mind to practice your calligraphy. If you’re this impatient, it’s better not to practice at all.”
The pen paused.
Youran suddenly looked up, surprised.
“Sister, you’re back already?”
“And is this how you do your homework when I’m gone for a month?”
Shen Yunshu raised the shocked, childish face and wiped the ink from her sister’s cheek with a handkerchief.
She couldn’t clean it all away and instead reddened the skin.
Feeling the sting, Youran didn’t dodge and lowered her eyes guiltily.
“Sister, I was wrong.”
Always like this—quick to admit fault but never changing.
Shen Yunshu sighed in frustration.
“How long are you going to be lazy like this? When you marry someday, will your husband’s family tolerate such laziness?”
“Why suddenly talk about marriage?”
Youran looked up fearfully.
“Do you agree to let me marry Lu Yi?”
“Do you want to marry him?”
Shen Yunshu lowered her gaze.
Youran shook her head hard.
“No, no! He’s your brother, my brother. How can siblings marry each other?”
Shen Yunshu’s expression softened and her hand relaxed.
“Good that you don’t want it.”
She had worried her innocent, trusting little sister might fall for Lu Yi’s tricks.
How could siblings marry?
Even San Guniang understood this, yet Lu Yi was bent on defying it—a madness.
Shen Yunshu stayed at Shen Fu for two days.
Though she had not revealed Lu Yi’s true nature to Father, she persuaded him to abandon the alliance with the Lu family.
Later, she returned to the Lu household and saw her mother and brother, as well as the long-awaiting Lu Yi.
Lu Yi tried to speak with her alone but was deftly avoided.
At night, Shen Yunshu slept with her mother, and Lu Yi dared not disturb them.
The next day, pretending to send Tinglan and Qiongzhi away, she feigned solitude—giving Lu Yi the chance to find her.
He pulled her aside.
“Little sister, how long do you plan to hide from me?”
“If you don’t seek me, I will come looking for you.”
Shen Yunshu stared at her stepbrother, masking her disgust with a cool tone.
“About San Guniang…I want to talk with you properly. But some things are better not said at home. Meet me at noon today at Fengle Restaurant.”