Chapter 7: Intimacy — Don’t Be Like This, I’m Not Used to It

The bleak, cold wind swept up the fallen ginkgo leaves, swirling them in the air. The bone-piercing chill seeped into Shen Xingwan’s heart.

She gazed for a long time at the man she had once loved with all her heart, and suddenly, a sense of release washed over her.

This was the man she had once entrusted her heart to, for whom she had given everything.

In her previous life, was it that he had disguised himself too well, played his part too convincingly, or was it that her heart had been blinded by lard, leaving her this foolishly blind?

He had clearly been entangled with Tang Lin’er, engaging in secret liaisons, yet persistently pursued her with an act of deep affection, staging scene after scene of devoted love.

In the end, it was all because he coveted the power and influence behind her.

If she, Shen Xingwan, were not the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Shen, not the biological sister of General Shen, he probably wouldn’t have even spared her a second glance.

What he loved, what he desired, had always been the identity of Miss Shen—not Shen Xingwan herself.

He was just such a hypocritical and opportunistic man.

And yet, in her past life, she had sacrificed everything for such a person.

Shen Xingwan let out a desolate laugh, mocking herself for once having been such a fool.

“What are you laughing at?” Wei Zilin frowned.

Shen Xingwan raised her eyes, stood up straight, straightened her clothes, and met his gaze head-on.

“I laugh because the Third Prince has misjudged me, thinking I am the kind of petty, snobbish person who only cares about status.”

She looked at him, her smile fading, her gaze gradually clearing.

“I am someone who loves and hates clearly. Once I’ve made a choice, I give my true heart. Having been bestowed this marriage by His Majesty, my husband is now the Prince Regent, Yan Jinghuan. From now on, in my eyes and in my heart, there will only be him. No matter what his status is, I will respect him, love him, and give everything for him without hesitation.”

Wei Zilin’s long lashes trembled slightly, the blood vessels in his eyes becoming more pronounced. He almost spoke through gritted teeth, “Are you deliberately trying to anger me?”

Of course, she was trying to anger him. Shen Xingwan knew full well that he only wanted her for her influence, so she deliberately added that line about giving everything without hesitation.

A faint, cold pine fragrance drifted over on the wind, prompting Shen Xingwan to look up.

Beneath an osmanthus tree not far away stood Yan Jinghuan, clad in dark robes. No one knew when he had arrived or how long he had been standing there.

Shen Xingwan felt as though she had been granted a great pardon. She raised her hand, pushed Wei Zilin aside, lifted her skirt, and ran past him toward Yan Jinghuan.

Wei Zilin instinctively reached out to grab her, but when he turned his head and saw Yan Jinghuan’s sinister gaze fixed on him, he clenched his fist and finally lowered his hand.

Yan Jinghuan extended his arm, pulling the approaching Shen Xingwan into his embrace. With a gentle shake of his arm, he enveloped her within his cloak, giving Wei Zilin a deep, piercing look before turning to leave with her in his arms.

“Why are you here?” Shen Xingwan looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with the joy of escaping, her gaze bright and clear.

Yan Jinghuan’s cold expression softened slightly as he looked at her, “I came to deliver the marriage horoscope papers.”

Shen Xingwan’s eyes widened in surprise, “Did this really require you to personally deliver them?”

Yan Jinghuan chuckled, his tone softening further, “I must first pay respects to your father and mother. Should we only meet at the wedding ceremony?”

“Then stay and have a meal with us. My mother’s best dish is cherry duck. Now that you’re here, she’ll surely make it for you to taste.”

“Alright.”

Neither of them spared another glance at Wei Zilin, walking out of the garden intimately and chatting as if they were a couple who had been lovingly married for many years.

Wei Zilin took a deep breath, standing still for quite a while before finally suppressing the urge to lash out on the spot.

“Sanlang…”

Accompanied by a soft call, a figure in silver-red emerged from around a corner of the shrubbery.

Tang Lin’er’s gaze flickered as she approached Wei Zilin, only after confirming that no one else was around. Lowering her head, she softly called out again, “Sanlang.”

Her voice was tearful, filled with grievance. Anyone who heard it would naturally feel pity.

Unfortunately, Wei Zilin had no patience for her at this moment. Without even glancing at Tang Lin’er, he coldly strode forward.

“Hey!” Tang Lin’er hurriedly grabbed his sleeve, her beautiful eyes red and swollen, brimming with tears as she looked at him pitifully, “Sanlang, since she refuses, why persist? She’s not the only daughter of the Shen family. Now, I am also a foster daughter of the Shen family. I can help you just the same. We can finally be together openly. Isn’t this a heaven-sent opportunity?”

“How can that be the same?!” Wei Zilin flung her off.

“You’re merely a foster daughter, with no blood ties to the Shen family. Will the Shen family exhaust their resources for you? Will General Shen risk his life and mobilize troops for you?”

“I’ll find a way. I’ll work hard. Please believe me, Sanlang, I…”

“Out of my way!” Wei Zilin pushed her aside. “I’ll go to my father and ask him to issue another decree.”

“Sanlang! You mustn’t!” Tang Lin’er rushed forward, clinging to his sleeve, sobbing uncontrollably, “Sanlang, don’t be foolish. You must not defy His Majesty’s will. Your father has more than just you as a son.”

Wei Zilin’s steps faltered. He suddenly froze, standing rooted to the spot.

Seeing this, Tang Lin’er’s eyes gleamed as she seized the opportunity, leaning close to his ear and whispering, “Be patient. His Majesty’s health is failing. He won’t last much longer. Once things are in place, you can have anyone you want. What’s the importance of a title? Once you marry her, you can take her back from him, can’t you?”

Wei Zilin gritted his teeth, his gaze shifting several times before finally settling on Tang Lin’er. “You’re… not bad.”

“To be able to ease Sanlang’s worries is my blessing.”

Wei Zilin sneered softly, “Even so, you’ll never be my Crown Princess. Best to abandon that notion early.” With that, he no longer spared her a glance and left the Shen residence directly.

Tang Lin’er stood alone in the garden for a long while before gloomily returning to the front courtyard.

The servants were still busy arranging the betrothal gifts. Prime Minister Shen and his wife were hosting a banquet for the Prince Regent Yan Jinghuan.

Prime Minister Shen sat beside Yan Jinghuan, frequently raising his cup to toast him. Yan Jinghuan did not decline, drinking every glass, and the two conversed happily.

Madam Shen personally brought over a steaming plate of cherry duck, placing it right in front of Yan Jinghuan. She gently nudged Shen Xingwan’s arm, signaling her to serve him.

Most of Shen Xingwan’s earlier words and intimate gestures had been deliberate, meant for Wei Zilin to see. Once they had left the garden, she immediately pulled away from Yan Jinghuan’s embrace, walking side by side with him instead.

She was truly not used to being so close to him.

After all, she had only just spoken to him properly for the first time yesterday.

But Madam Shen did not see it that way. She clearly liked this son-in-law immensely.

Unlike the arrogant and unreasonable Third Prince, this Prince Regent, who was rumored to be ruthless and taciturn, now appeared in her eyes as very kind, sociable, and well-mannered, without the slightest air of superiority—proving that rumors were not to be trusted.

Madam Shen sat beside Prime Minister Shen, casting another meaningful glance at Shen Xingwan. Helpless, Shen Xingwan had no choice but to pick up her silver chopsticks, selecting a piece of cherry duck and placing it into Yan Jinghuan’s dish.

Yan Jinghuan lowered his head to taste it, then looked up at Madam Shen, his eyes filled with a smile. “It’s delicious. Madam Shen, you are truly skilled.

Madam Shen was overjoyed and immediately wanted to get up and prepare a few more of her signature dishes. It took quite some persuasion from Prime Minister Shen to make her stay seated and offer Yan Jinghuan a toast instead.

Seeing Prime Minister Shen’s face flush with a healthy glow, his words flowing more freely with each drink, Shen Xingwan was just about to advise her father to drink less when Tang Lin’er walked gracefully into the hall.

As she was now the adopted daughter of the Prime Minister’s household, a seat had been arranged for her at the banquet. Madam Shen beckoned her over quickly to pay her respects to Yan Jinghuan.

Tang Lin’er approached and performed a proper salute. Madam Shen took her hand and urged her to sit down. “Why have you come so late?” But when she lowered her gaze, she noticed Tang Lin’er’s eyes were bloodshot, clearly from crying. Although her makeup had been reapplied, the redness and swelling were still evident.

Madam Shen’s smile faded, replaced with a look of heartfelt concern. Naturally, she knew that Tang Lin’er’s tears were due to the public humiliation inflicted by the Third Prince. In her eyes, the Tang family’s disgrace was nothing more than a disaster brought upon them because of the Shen family.

She wanted to comfort Tang Lin’er but was mindful of Yan Jinghuan’s presence, so she could not say much. She could only pat Tang Lin’er’s hand gently and softly advise, “If you’re feeling unwell, go back to your room and rest. I’ll come see you shortly.”

Tang Lin’er nodded and replied, “Yes.” After bidding farewell to Yan Jinghuan and Prime Minister Shen, she quietly returned to her own courtyard.

With this episode, Prime Minister Shen’s mood also dulled considerably. Perhaps the unresolved matter with the Third Prince weighed on his mind, and even the fine wine in his cup seemed to lose its taste.

Noticing this, Shen Xingwan personally poured a cup of tea and offered it to Yan Jinghuan with concern. “The late spring chill is harsh. Overindulgence in alcohol harms the body.”

Someone of Yan Jinghuan’s caliber naturally understood her unspoken meaning. After sitting for a little while longer, he stood up to take his leave.

Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen, accompanied by Shen Xingwan, respectfully escorted Yan Jinghuan all the way to the main gate of the residence.

The brilliant sunlight cast golden hues, and Yan Jinghuan, walking beneath the swaying shadows of the trees, appeared like polished black jade. His aura was cold and otherworldly, yet the faint flush on his cheeks from the wine and the subtle smile in his eyes lent him a touch of human warmth. At that moment, he no longer seemed like the austere Regent Prince but rather a spirited young man, leisurely chatting and laughing with friends and family.

Even the attendants waiting near the carriage were momentarily stunned by this rare sight, exchanging glances with each other in surprise.

Upon reaching the carriage, Yan Jinghuan stopped, bid farewell to Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen, and then turned to look at Shen Xingwan. Prime Minister Shen noticed this and quickly pulled Madam Shen back into the residence, giving the two some space.

“Today… thank you. My mother was very happy.”

She understood clearly that if he had not lowered himself deliberately to accommodate them, her parents would never have been able to converse so freely and joyfully with someone of his stature.

Standing against the sunlight, the rays fell upon his shoulders, gently ruffling the soft fur of his black fox cloak. The warmth of the light seemed to soften even his sharp features.

“There’s no need for thanks between you and me.”

His voice was light, as if the brushing fur had swept across her heart, tickling it ever so slightly.

Shen Xingwan was startled by this sudden and strange sensation and quickly said, “Don’t be like this. I’m not used to it.”

A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes, as if ice was melting, even his tone became warmer. “Then start getting used to it from this small matter. From now on, you don’t need to thank me again.”

Even as Yan Jinghuan’s carriage gradually disappeared around the corner of the street, Shen Xingwan still hadn’t fully come back to her senses.

She kept feeling that something was off, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.

She clearly remembered that in her previous life, Yan Jinghuan had wielded absolute power, ruthless and violent, nearly annihilating Wei Zilin’s entire faction multiple times. Yet the Yan Jinghuan before her now seemed like a completely different person.

He seemed… a little gentle?

No, no, no…

Shen Xingwan shook her head, trying to shake off this absurd and unrealistic thought. To believe that the great tyrant Yan Jinghuan could be gentle was as ridiculous as believing a cow could climb a tree.

She had to stay clear-headed. Even Wei Zilin had performed so deeply when deceiving her, appearing affectionate and sincere. How could she be sure that Yan Jinghuan wasn’t also a skilled actor?

He had so readily agreed to marry her. It couldn’t possibly be because he still admired her after a few past favors, could it?

Could it be revenge? Revenge for her past rejection?

A chill ran through Shen Xingwan’s heart. If that were true, then his schemes ran terrifyingly deep.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to cast aside those chaotic thoughts. At present, her only desire was to protect her family and avenge past grievances. As for matters of love, she dared not touch upon them even slightly.

While walking back, she calculated her current situation. Things had come to this point. With Yan Jinghuan’s protection, her life was spared, and breaking off the engagement was no longer possible.

She could only marry him first. Once her great revenge was achieved, if he was willing to divorce her, then so be it. If not, she would wait until he found someone he truly loved, and then she would step down willingly, making way for another.

Lost in thought, Shen Xingwan returned to the Prime Minister’s residence. Passing by Tang Lin’er’s courtyard, she caught sight of her mother’s maid.

The little maid, upon seeing her, rushed over as if seeing a savior. “Miss, please hurry and persuade her. Miss Tang is trying to take her own life!”