Chapter 22

Looking at the young woman eating with great relish, the man’s eyes grew increasingly intense. He slightly tilted his body, leaning lazily against the arm of the rosewood chair. His veil swayed, revealing a small patch of jade-like skin at his jaw. His long fingers lightly pressed against his temple, his lowered beautiful eyes falling on the young woman’s puffy cheeks.

His fingers toyed with a pearl, the corner of his lips curling into a very faint smile. His words carried a hint of unconscious pleasure, “If the young lady likes it, next time I can have the kitchen servants prepare it and send it to the young lady’s residence.”

Her chewing motion paused. Shen Yao Xing frowned, “You know who I am?”

“The daughter of the Minister, Miss Shen Yao Xing?”

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt the man had emphasized those three words when saying her name.

Shen Yao Xing chewed a couple more times and swallowed the snack in her mouth. Glancing at the man with his inscrutable eyes, she refused, “No need to trouble yourself. I don’t usually like sweets much anyway.”

The hand playing with the pearl paused, then resumed as if nothing had happened.

That Young Master Yin stopped talking. His unbound black hair draped over his back. As he leaned lazily, a few strands of ink-black hair slid to the front. He lowered his eyes, the light veil obscuring his expression.

Having eaten and drunk her fill, Shen Yao Xing didn’t linger. She said a word of thanks and pulled Chu Yi towards the exit. The man didn’t stop them either, calmly watching the two leave the cabin. His deep black eyes glanced to the left, falling on the porcelain plate with a few remaining snacks.

“So she doesn’t like them…”

She had eaten quite a few at the inn that day.

—

Chu Yi, who had been pulled out of the cabin, was somewhat dissatisfied: “Why did we leave so quickly? Young Master Yin didn’t chase us out. It’s rare to see him, wouldn’t it have been better to stay longer!”

Shen Yao Xing let go of her hand, not knowing how to explain. She just felt uncomfortable around that man. “It’s getting dark, let’s go back.”

Indeed, the sun had completely set. The lanterns hanging by the lake and on the boats were all lit. Though the sky was dark, it didn’t lack liveliness.

Chu Yi raised her hand to smooth her clothes, suddenly remembering the oddness between the two earlier: “You know Young Master Yin.”

“I don’t.”

“Really?” The woman’s face was full of doubt.

“Believe it or not.” Shen Yao Xing couldn’t be bothered to waste words with her. She was just thinking about how to get back to shore when suddenly the boat beneath her feet changed direction, heading towards the bank.

“My master said he would send the two young ladies ashore.”

A boat servant’s voice came from behind, and after speaking, he returned to the cabin.

Chu Yi withdrew her gaze and asked casually, “By the way, in a few days your mother is going to hold a welcoming banquet for you. Do you want me to take you to have some clothes made?”

“How do you know about this?” She had only heard about it from her mother today.

“Madam Shen sent someone to my residence with an invitation a couple of days ago.” The woman shrugged innocently.

It turned out she was the last to know about this. Shen Yao Xing sighed. Her mother was always in the habit of acting first and reporting later when it came to her, never giving her a chance to object.

Over the next few days, Shen Yao Xing was kept forcibly busy. Her mother was one thing, but that Chu Yi was like a fly buzzing around all day, either taking her to pick out clothes or buy jade ornaments. This person was extremely obsessed with jade, to the point of infatuation. Apart from male beauty, this was her only other interest.

Shen Yao Xing walked along the corridor, her hands repeatedly examining the jade pendant Chu Yi had chosen for her. It was smooth and translucent, with a touch of emerald green, looking very beautiful in the sunlight.

“Your mother has been looking for you for a while. Where have you been?”

Shen Yao Xing looked up to see Song shi and Song Si Nian slowly walking over. Song shi raised her chin slightly, her eyes, somewhat similar to Song Si Nian’s, showing a hint of dislike for the young woman, her tone reproachful.

Song shi had always disliked her, Shen Yao Xing knew this from when he first entered the household. If it weren’t for Song Si Nian’s sake, she wouldn’t even want to acknowledge him.

The young woman slowly put the jade pendant back in her bosom, her manner of treating it like a treasure making Song Si Nian’s brows furrow slightly.

“I just went out for a bit. What did mother want me for?” Shen Yao Xing asked indifferently, though she could guess it was probably about the banquet again.

Song shi was extremely displeased with the young woman’s attitude, but what could he do? That person treated her like a precious treasure in their palm. If he showed the slightest sign of dissatisfaction, it would lead to an argument and cold war. The relationship between the two had reached this point all because of this plague!

Song shi snorted coldly, “How would I know?” After saying this, he walked past her without looking back.

Song Si Nian didn’t follow. His gaze remained fixed on the young woman’s face. He pursed his lips and asked, “What was that you were holding earlier?”

Before Shen Yao Xing could speak, Song shi, who had walked away, called out to the man. Song Si Nian’s eyes seemed to hold some reluctance. Leaving with a “I’ll come find you later,” he followed.

In the afternoon, Shen Yao Xing was feeding fish in the courtyard. She had just scattered a handful of feed when she glimpsed the tall figure of a man at the courtyard gate. He wore a light-colored robe, his features exuding a faint scholarly air. He somewhat resembled the handsome scholars she had seen in paintings before.

“Big brother, did you need something from me?” Shen Yao Xing casually scattered another handful of feed.

Song Si Nian walked up to the young woman. His eyes shifted slightly, and he lightly bit his lower lip. After hesitating for a moment, he looked up at her: “That jade pendant today… who gave it to you?”

The hand scattering feed paused. Shen Yao Xing found it somewhat puzzling: “Big brother came to find me just to ask about this?”

Could it be that the jade pendant was too beautiful, and he wanted her to give it to him?

The man’s eyes darted about, the tips of his ears turning slightly red. He softly hummed in agreement.

“Oh, Chu Yi picked it out for me. If big brother likes it, I can give it to you.” As she spoke, Shen Yao Xing took out the jade pendant from her bosom and held it out.

Looking at the jade pendant in the young woman’s hand, waves rippled in Song Si Nian’s eyes. The joy he had been suppressing suddenly surged in his heart. He pressed his lips together to hide his uncontrollable delight and raised his hand to accept the jade pendant.