Chapter 48 – Life is a Play, All About Acting

After Mu Lin finished bandaging the injured guards and placed the critically wounded ones in the cart carrying luggage, Shen Nian and Xia Tian climbed onto the cart driven by Mu Feng.

The group traveled through the night towards the capital.

Three days later, they finally arrived at the capital in the evening.

Mu Feng first took them to Shen Nian’s villa in the city for a quick wash and rest overnight. The next day, they made a grand entrance to the Marquis of Wu’s mansion.

Upon hearing that their young master was returning, people from the Marquis’ household rushed to the entrance to watch.

The Marquis of Wu had gone to court, leaving the female members of the family, led by the legitimate wife, Liu Shi, to greet them.

Xia Tian followed Shen Nian out of the carriage. Liu Shi, Shen Nian’s stepmother, immediately stepped forward with a handkerchief in hand, her eyes full of tears as she said to Shen Nian, “Nian’er, you’ve finally come back! Where have you been? You’ve made your stepmother worry so much.” She even dabbed at the corners of her eyes with the handkerchief.

Xia Tian felt a chill. If she didn’t already know that this beautiful woman, seemingly around thirty years old, was Shen Nian’s black-hearted stepmother, she might have been tricked by this heartfelt performance.

Shen Nian’s face remained cold, subtly stepping back a step to avoid Liu Shi without saying a word.

Liu Shi noticed Shen Nian’s cold attitude and turned to see Xia Tian standing behind him. A gleam of cunning flashed in her eyes as she asked, “Nian’er, who is this young lady?”

“She is my wife,” Shen Nian replied coldly. Before Liu Shi could say anything further, he took Xia Tian’s hand and entered the mansion.

Outside the gate, Liu Shi, seeing that Shen Nian had shown her no respect, gritted her teeth in anger.

She looked up and saw the crowd of onlookers craning their necks toward them, with servants gathered around her, making it difficult to lose her temper.

Taking a deep breath, she regained her gentle and virtuous expression, forcing a smile as she made an excuse, “The young master is tired. Everyone, please disperse. Later at noon, we’ll set up a table at Old Madam’s place to welcome the young master.”

After speaking, she leaned on her maid’s arm and entered the mansion.

Others, seeing the mistress had entered, scattered like birds and beasts.

Liu Shi gave a signal to her maid, “Go to Old Madam’s place first.”

She needed to go to Old Madam’s place and speak to her about Shen Nian.

Meanwhile, seeing how cold Shen Nian seemed, Xia Tian didn’t say a word and simply followed him to the Lingyun Pavilion where Shen Nian was staying.

As they entered the courtyard, Shen Nian’s two main maidservants, Ning Xiang and Ning Xue, came out to greet them. “Young Master, you’ve returned?”

“Mm, take Miss Xia to freshen up first,” Shen Nian instructed his maids. Then, turning to Xia Tian, he said, “These two are my maids. You go with them and freshen up. Later, I’ll take you to greet Old Madam.”

No matter how displeased he was, he still needed to observe the proper courtesies and not give Liu Shi any chance to take advantage.

“Okay,” Xia Tian nodded and followed the two maids to the side hall.

Ning Xiang and Ning Xue were surprised but didn’t show it. They had never expected their young master to have such a gentle side.

Looking at Shen Nian, it seemed like the poison in his body had completely been cured.

“May I ask what your name is, Miss?” Ning Xiang asked as she combed Xia Tian’s hair, smiling.

“Oh, I’m Xia Tian. May I ask what you two are called?”

“Miss Xia, I’m Ning Xiang, and this is Ning Xue. We are both maidservants in the young master’s residence,” Ning Xiang replied with a smile.

Once Xia Tian finished washing up and came out, Shen Nian’s eyes flashed with surprise. He hadn’t expected that this young lady would look so good after dressing up.

Xia Tian wore a light purple outfit, which Mu Feng had bought from a clothing store the previous evening.

Ning Xiang had styled her hair in a lively fashion, and with her fair skin, she looked youthful and vibrant.

After half a year of nourishing in the Lingquan space, Xia Tian was no longer the skinny, dark girl she used to be.

She looked over at Shen Nian, who had changed into a deep blue brocade robe, his hair styled with a jade crown, and he appeared even more handsome.

Shen Nian’s gaze shifted slightly, “Let’s go.”

They walked through the winding corridors and, after about fifteen minutes, arrived at Old Madam’s Ruixuan Hall.

As soon as they entered, Old Madam stumbled over to them, pulling Shen Nian into her arms, and crying loudly, “My precious grandson, you just left without a word! You nearly took my life…”

She continued to cry, gently patting Shen Nian’s back, “How could you be so heartless? Where have you been this entire year?”

Watching Old Madam’s dramatic performance, Xia Tian bit her tongue, trying hard not to laugh.

Life really is a play, all about acting!

The people in this Marquis’ household were all born actors.

It seemed that she couldn’t fall behind either; she’d have to learn quickly.

Thinking this, Xia Tian adjusted her expression as Old Madam’s performance ended and she quickly put on a look of being deeply moved, as though she might burst into tears.

When Old Madam noticed her, Xia Tian immediately showed her brightest smile, revealing eight shining teeth. “I, a humble lady, wish to pay my respects to Old Madam!”

“This young lady is your wife?” Old Madam suddenly became stern, like flipping a switch, and immediately asked Shen Nian.

“Yes, grandmother,” Shen Nian replied calmly.

“No, this won’t do. How can the son of the Marquis of Wu marry some unknown woman as his wife?” Old Madam’s tone turned harsh.

“Grandson and Miss Xia have a marriage contract, and it cannot be changed,” Shen Nian replied in a tone that brooked no argument.

“You unfilial child, how dare you speak to your grandmother like that?” Before Old Madam could react, the door curtain was lifted, and a handsome man in his thirties entered. From his appearance, this must be Shen Nian’s disreputable father, the Marquis of Wu.

“Indeed, I’ve married Miss Xia, Father, please allow it,” Shen Nian said in a calm but firm voice.

“Without my permission, this house will never recognize her as a member,” the Marquis of Wu said sternly. As the Marquis of Wu, he couldn’t let his legitimate son marry an unworthy woman and tarnish the family’s reputation.

Watching from the side, Liu Shi saw that the Marquis was genuinely angry and quickly approached, smoothing his chest with her hand, subtly stoking the fire. “Oh dear, Marquis, don’t be angry. Nian’er has just returned and hasn’t yet understood the situation. What if this young lady has a special background?”

While speaking, she helped the Marquis sit in a chair at the head of the table.

She then turned to Shen Nian and pretended to scold him, “Nian’er, don’t be mad at your grandmother and father. They’re doing this for your own good. Quickly apologize to them.”

Seeing Shen Nian stand still, the Marquis of Wu stood up in anger, ready to strike. “You ungrateful son!”

Xia Tian looked at Liu Shi’s smug expression and couldn’t hold back.

She took a step forward and said, “Old Madam, Marquis, Madam, I am Xia Tian, and I wish to pay my respects to all the elders here.”

Old Madam, with a cold expression, retorted, “This is a family matter. It’s not your place to speak, outsider.”

Xia Tian wasn’t angered. With a smile, she walked forward, “Old Madam, you’re mistaken. I’m the one who was officially married to Young Master, so how can I be considered an outsider?”

She continued with a playful smile, “Moreover, I’m Young Master’s lifesaver! He owes me his life, so naturally, I’m entitled to be here!”

“Lifesaver?” Liu Shi exclaimed in surprise.

“Of course. At the time, Young Master was severely injured and on the brink of death when I found him in the mountains. If it weren’t for me, he would’ve surely died,” Xia Tian casually invented a story, though the part about saving his life was true, but the Lingquan space couldn’t be revealed.

Liu Shi felt a deep grudge, wondering why this girl was so lucky—she had been saved by someone.

“What’s going on?” The Marquis of Wu suddenly shouted, making Xia Tian take a step back in fright. The power of those in high positions was truly intimidating when they were angry.