Chapter 23

Shen Qingtan withdrew her gaze, passed through the decorated gate, and caught a glimpse of Shuyue’s figure disappearing.

Liuyue watched in the direction Shuyue left and lowered her voice:
“Miss, Shuyue asked me to go to Wan Feng Pavilion. Do you want to deal with her?”

Shen Qingtan said calmly, “No, keep her. She’s still useful.”

Liuyue frowned. “Aren’t you afraid she might become a problem later?”

“It wasn’t the Marchioness who told Shuyue to lure you to Wan Feng Pavilion — she was following orders from Madam Wei. If the Marchioness had given the order, she’d be at Furong Courtyard right now,” Shen Qingtan explained, seeing through Liuyue’s thoughts. “Shuyue is even more afraid than I am that the Marchioness will find out she had a part in this. If Madam Shen finds out, she’ll never let Shuyue live.”

Liuyue still looked uneasy. “But—”

“Shuyue will keep this secret. She’s even afraid you might expose her. That means we have leverage over her.” Shen Qingtan’s voice was quiet but cold. “The Marchioness and I have already reached the point where we can’t live under the same sky. Even if Madam Wei’s death had nothing to do with me, she still wouldn’t spare me. And if she thinks I caused it? She won’t openly attack, but she’ll trip me up in the dark.”

Tingxue and Liuyue were stunned.

“So whether she knows or not… does it really matter?” Shen Qingtan brushed aside a peach blossom branch in her way, slowly wiped some black dust from her fingers with a handkerchief, and curved her lips slightly. “As long as I leave no evidence, why should I fear her?”

Liuyue looked at Shen Qingtan’s pale, delicate hand and felt a chill run down her spine.

She suddenly remembered a rumor after Shen Qingtan’s wedding:
“Miss, are you not born of the Madam?”

Otherwise, why would Madam Shen want her dead?

Shen Qingtan answered faintly, “Mm.”

The rumor was confirmed. Liuyue and Tingxue were shocked, but it also explained why the Shen family deliberately swapped her marriage.

They dared not ask more. Looking at her thin, fragile back, they felt deep pity.

The people closest to her now wanted her dead.

She had married a sickly, useless man who couldn’t protect her.

If not for her protecting them, they’d have drowned in the river instead.

Both silently swore they would never betray her in this life.

Zhao Yi was waiting in the front hall. When he saw Shen Qingtan returning with her maids, he bid farewell to the Marquis and took her home.

In the carriage, the couple sat facing each other. Shen Qingtan, feeling tired, wanted to lean against the wall. But seeing the man opposite her — sitting perfectly straight, his blue silk robe smooth without a single wrinkle — she immediately sat properly.

Zhao Yi noticed her back start to bend toward the wall, then straighten the moment she saw him.

A faint smile touched his lips. He handed her a large pillow.
“It’ll be another half hour before we reach home. You’ve been busy all day — rest for a bit.”

Shen Qingtan looked at the pillow, then at his cool, moonlike face with a faint warm smile. She subconsciously took it, hesitated, then placed it behind her waist and leaned back. The soreness in her body eased, and sleepiness crept up.

She rested her head against the carriage wall. Zhao Yi read a scroll, his expression calm and relaxed, making it hard not to look at him.

For some reason, she asked, “Do you know what happened in the Marquis’ household?”

“Yes.” Zhao Yi looked at her. Her small body sank softly into the pillow, as delicate as a tender branch that needed protection. But her bright eyes carried a depth and steadiness beyond her years. Closing the scroll, he said slowly, “The Marquis said it’s an inner-courtyard matter. We shouldn’t interfere.”

His tone was light, as if he didn’t care much about the affair.

Shen Qingtan had never seen him show much emotion. She suddenly wondered — could this man, who treated life and death so lightly, ever be shaken by something?

She shook her head. She couldn’t imagine it.

“Second Master.”

Zhao Yi set down his book and looked at her. “What is it?”

She tested him. “If I had a conflict with Second House, what would you think?”

“You don’t have to worry,” he said gently. “Do what you think is right.”

She was startled.

“Second House is my kin, but you are my wife — closer than they are. I will naturally side with you. Even if it’s about reason over family ties, I know you wouldn’t be in the wrong. And Second House has always been hostile to First House. Even if you weren’t my wife, if you clashed with them, I wouldn’t help them — that’s already me being a gentleman. So tell me, what else should I think?”

Surprised by his frankness, Shen Qingtan tried again:
“Shouldn’t you think about making sure they never dare challenge First House again?”

Zhao Yi chuckled. “You have a point.”

Shen Qingtan was relieved — she had thought he might avoid breaking ties with Second House to spare the elders’ feelings. Clearly, she was overthinking.

Back at Lanxue Courtyard, Shen Qingtan called for Madam Liu and introduced her to Liuyue and Tingxue.
“These two are my personal maids. They’re new here and don’t know the rules. Please teach them.”

Madam Liu instantly understood they were trusted people. She quickly agreed.
“Second Young Madam, you’re too polite. This is my duty — I’ll teach them well.”

Liuyue and Tingxue greeted her respectfully. Madam Liu smiled and led them away.

Qiuchan and Chunjiao, standing in the corner, turned pale with dread, not knowing how to handle this shift in power.

Sitting before the bronze mirror, Shen Qingtan let Qiuchan remove her hairpins.
“Second Young Madam, would you like to bathe?”

“Mm.” Shen Qingtan removed her bracelet. “Chunjiao, go fetch hot water.”

“Yes, Madam.” Chunjiao hurried off.

A quarter hour later, the hot water was ready, and she was served in bathing.

Qiuchan went to warm her clothes.

After the bath, Shen Qingtan’s whole body was relaxed and soft. She leaned against the short couch to rest.

Liuyue entered and saw her lying sideways, her curves graceful, her skin faintly pink from the steam, beautiful enough to steal a man’s soul.

Only someone blind like Zhao Jue wouldn’t treasure her.

Liuyue, unwilling to pass along a message from Zhao Jue, still suppressed her displeasure. She woke Shen Qingtan.
“Miss, Third Master Zhao wants to see you.”