Chapter 50: Su Jinshi’s Heart Races, Her Mouth turns Dry

“As Madam says,” Steward Ning acknowledged before departing.

After he left, Madam Wei’s expression turned grave. “Fortunately, Shen Shilang intervened that day. Otherwise, your father would be the one reprimanded now.”

“Your father is already under scrutiny from many, including His Majesty… If you had truly purchased and worn that hairpin to the flower-viewing banquet, the consequences for your father would have been far more severe than mere reprimand.”

Wei Ruyan pouted, “Should I thank Shen Shilang then? He stopped it for his own sake too. If Father’s standing is affected, he wouldn’t fare well either.”

“No need to thank him. Just pretend you know nothing of it,” Madam Wei advised.

Time flew, and soon the Spring Festival approached.

The New Year in Great Xi was far more festive than in Su Jinshi’s modern world. Streets bustled with large meat stalls displaying whole pigs, their heads prominently placed. Skinned pigs and sheep hung from hooks. After a year of hard work, people finally spent their savings on meat, curing it in the cold weather to enjoy well into the coming year.

Firecracker vendors lined the streets. Restaurants were adorned with lanterns and festive decorations.

The Wei mansion was also in full preparation. Servants busied themselves with thorough cleaning, ensuring every corner was spotless. Red lanterns hung from doorways, eaves, and along the corridors.

Snow in Chong’an had fallen early. In the capital where Su Jinshi resided, the first snow had just fallen two days ago and was light. Chong’an, however, had been snowing for two months. Thick white snow blanketed the rooftops, a rare and beautiful sight for Su Jinshi. She couldn’t help but sigh, wishing she could step into that world and see it for herself.

Steward Ning personally delivered Shen Shilang’s new clothes. Earlier, he had invited tailors from Xiangsha Pavilion to measure the masters for their New Year outfits. Now complete, he brought them to Shen Shilang.

Shen Shilang’s wardrobe usually consisted of black and white. This time, however, under Su Jinshi’s encouragement, he had chosen a dark green fabric. The shade was unique—not a uniform dark green, but one with subtle variations that resembled a landscape painting, changing with light and angle.

The embroidery from Xiangsha Pavilion was exquisite. In the darkest areas of green, they had interwoven fine gold threads, adding an elegant touch.

Considering Shen Shilang’s upcoming journey to the capital for exams, Steward Ning had also commissioned a cloak. Made of black fox fur, it was subtly embroidered with gold and silver threads. In dim light, the embellishment was barely noticeable, but under sunlight, it shimmered faintly across the cloak’s surface.

“Try it on quickly!” Su Jinshi urged excitedly.

Shen Shilang picked up the clothes but hesitated.

Su Jinshi asked, puzzled, “You don’t need help, do you? I’ve seen you dress yourself before. Or is this outfit particularly tricky?”

“No,” Shen Shilang’s face reddened slightly, his long, dark eyelashes trembling nervously. “Just… don’t peek.”

“When have I ever peeked? I always look openly,” Su Jinshi teased, tugging at his collar. “Besides, it’s not like I haven’t seen you before.”

Shen Shilang’s face flushed deeper. “This is different…”

“How is it different?” Su Jinshi blinked, still not comprehending.

“Ahem!” Shen Shilang lowered his head awkwardly. “I need to change my trousers too.”

Su Jinshi froze momentarily, her heart suddenly racing with excitement. She realized she had never seen Shen Shilang change his trousers!

Shen Shilang always woke earlier than her. Every morning when she rose, he had already finished his martial arts practice and was fully dressed.

Su Jinshi wished she could wake up earlier, but found it impossible! Now, rising at 7:30 AM was her limit—a far cry from her previous life when she’d sleep until 11:30 AM daily.

“Then hurry up and take them off!” Su Jinshi blurted, her excitement getting the better of her.

Shen Shilang stepped back, his face redder than ever. “You’re a young lady. You can’t look.”

“What’s the big deal? I’ve seen your upper body; just show me the other half!” As she spoke, Su Jinshi’s gaze involuntarily drifted downward.

Though Shen Shilang couldn’t see, he felt as if eyes were fixed upon him. Instinctively, he shielded himself with his hands, his face burning crimson from cheeks to ears. “Jinshi, stop teasing.”

“Do you want me to see you in this outfit or not?” Shen Shilang asked helplessly.

Su Jinshi had already imagined how elegant and handsome Shen Shilang would look in his new attire. Unable to resist the thought of his transformation, she reluctantly conceded, “Alright, alright. I won’t look. Go ahead and change.”

“Really?” Shen Shilang still seemed doubtful. “Actually, even if you peeked, I wouldn’t know.”

Su Jinshi rested her chin on her hand, playfully poking Shen Shilang’s now-burning ear. He flinched, turning his flushed face slightly.

“Are you suggesting you want me to look?” Su Jinshi teased.

Shen Shilang shook his head, sighing in resignation. “I’ll trust you, then.”

Only then did Shen Shilang undo his belt and begin removing his clothes piece by piece, until only his undergarments remained. Su Jinshi noticed that the white fabric was somewhat sheer; she could faintly discern the color and contours beneath.

She took a deep, shaky breath, feeling warmth spread through her nose as her heart raced and her mouth went dry.

When Shen Shilang had been feverish before, she had caught glimpses of his bare skin. But then, her admiration for his beauty hadn’t yet mingled with the deep emotions she now felt.

To her, Shen Shilang was no longer just a character on a page. He felt more like a lover from another dimension.

Of course, this was her own perspective—she had no idea how Shen Shilang viewed her.

As such, the impact of seeing him like this was far more intense now.

Su Jinshi licked her increasingly parched lips and swallowed hard, her fingers instinctively reaching out to touch him.

Shen Shilang jerked back suddenly. Su Jinshi saw his snow-white undergarments clinging to his skin, now flushed a deep red. His neck and face were even redder, as if on fire.

“Jinshi!” Shen Shilang was utterly mortified, almost angry. “How can you be so bold!”

He hurriedly covered himself with the new clothes, stammering, “Didn’t you promise not to look? Yet not only did you look, you even… you even…”

Touched!

“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself,” Su Jinshi admitted sheepishly. “I really won’t look anymore.”

Shen Shilang retorted, exasperated, “Even if you wanted to look now, you couldn’t.”

Since their acquaintance, it was rare to see Shen Shilang’s usually composed face show signs of irritation—his cheeks puffed out like an indignant pufferfish.

Su Jinshi could only poke his cheek soothingly. “Don’t be angry! It’s my fault; I broke my promise. Please don’t be mad anymore!”