Chapter 82 – You Didn’t Say Anything to Her, Did You?

“How should I respond?” Shen Nian asked coldly, looking at Mu Feng.

Mu Feng shrank his neck, “It was Madam who told me not to speak about it.”

“Explain clearly. When did Madam tell you to hide from Mr. Xuan Ying?” Shen Nian’s voice was sharp.

“Well, that day…” Mu Feng quickly rattled off all the information he knew, just like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

Shen Nian then realized that Madam had often secluded herself in the study to paint. Every time they went out, Mu Feng was the one hurrying the carriage to send her, and he had only thought about her safety, never considering that Mu Feng would hide things from him.

“Is there anything else you’re hiding?”

“No, nothing. Oh, there is one more thing. Madam asked me to keep an eye out for any properties for sale. She said she wanted to do some business,” Mu Feng suddenly remembered another instruction.

Shen Nian shot him a cold glance. Before he could ask, Mu Feng quickly added details about the time they had all gone to Yu Pin Xuan for a meal.

Once Mu Feng finished speaking, Shen Nian continued, “Is that all?”

“This time, it’s really all.” Mu Feng raised three fingers in assurance.

Shen Nian remained silent for a moment. He hadn’t expected that Madam still wanted to do business. It seemed like living alone in the capital left her feeling insecure.

“Then keep an eye out for her, whether it’s a shop or a courtyard. When you find something, tell Madam directly. If she doesn’t have enough money, tell her to take some from the reserves for now.”

“Understood.”

“And Madam’s connection with Mr. Xuan Ying stays a secret.”

“Yes, my subordinate understands.”

Shen Nian waved his hand, signaling Mu Feng to leave.

Back in her bedroom, Xia Tian took out the painting she had been working on and admired it for a while.

This painting was from when she had returned from the market for the first time at Liu Family Village. She had seen Shen Nian sitting by the window reading, and the scene had left such an impression on her that it stayed vivid in her memory, even after half a year.

She studied the painting for a moment before carefully putting it back in the box and locking it away.

Today was the second day of the new year, a day for married women to return to their parents’ homes.

In Shen Nian’s family, the only woman who had married out was Shen Hui.

Shen Hui had gone to the Prince of Yi’s mansion in the morning and would only return to her family in the afternoon.

According to tradition, when a married woman returns to her family, she should inform her husband’s family, but no one had informed Xia Tian.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Shen Hui personally came to Jinglan Court that Xia Tian realized Shen Hui had returned.

It seemed that the people from the Duke of Wu’s family still didn’t fully accept her as the official wife.

But it didn’t matter to Xia Tian; she had no intention of pretending to be friendly with them.

However, Shen Hui wasn’t there to catch up with her, but to confront her with an angry attitude.

“Shen Jin is getting engaged to the eldest son of the Chancellor’s family. Did you know about this?” Shen Hui asked as soon as she entered, not even bothering to remove her cloak, her voice cold.

Xia Tian was surprised. So soon? Just this morning, Shen Jin was still considering becoming Shen Nian’s secondary wife, and now she was already agreeing to a marriage proposal from someone else?

But what did this have to do with her? Why should she know about it?

“I don’t know,” Xia Tian shook her head, automatically ignoring the unfriendly tone Shen Hui had used.

“You don’t know? I heard that when you were at the Prince of Yi’s mansion in the morning, Shen Jin even invited you to her courtyard. You didn’t say anything to her, did you?” Shen Hui sat on the heated brick bed in the warm room, glaring at her with sharp eyes.

“No, I didn’t say anything. We just chatted casually.”

“Do you have any relationship with Shen Jin? Why would she have time to chat with you?” Shen Hui questioned.

“I have no relationship with her! Who knows why?” Xia Tian replied, not obligated to explain herself. “Then why did she suddenly agree to the proposal from the eldest son of the Chancellor’s family? I heard she refused a few times before, but after you saw her alone this morning, she agreed.”

“How would I know?” Xia Tian found Shen Hui’s question absurd. She wasn’t a mind reader.

Besides, who Shen Jin married had nothing to do with her.

“It must be because of you. After Shen Jin gave up on my brother, feeling disheartened, she agreed to the Chancellor’s eldest son’s proposal,” Shen Hui grumbled, her eyebrows furrowing.

Xia Tian was speechless. Even if it was because of her, so what? Should she step aside for others? It was ridiculous!

She ignored Shen Hui and continued to focus on her writing. Her handwriting had become much better now, and she had already written half of the book.

It was a good time during the New Year when things were quiet, and she didn’t need to paint. She planned to finish writing the current section, keeping it ready for when the old madam would remember her.

Shen Hui left in a huff, realizing Xia Tian wasn’t paying attention to her. She drank a cup of tea and left by herself.

Now she regretted not paying more attention to Wen Jin. She had always thought highly of Wen Jin as a potential daughter-in-law.

She had thought that once Xia Tian and Wen Jin reached an agreement, everything could be postponed. But now, it seemed that Wen Jin had already agreed to someone else.

Xia Tian continued writing but couldn’t help but think about Shen Hui’s words.

It seemed that Wen Jin had come to her this morning to confirm her stance. As for being Shen Nian’s secondary wife, it was probably just talk.

It seemed she had taken her own words too seriously.

Shaking her head, Xia Tian pushed aside all these chaotic thoughts and focused on her writing.

On the third and fourth days of the New Year, she stayed in Jinglan Court, writing or playing cards with Ning Xiang and Ning Xue.

During this time, Second Miss Shen Ning also came by, and they had a pleasant conversation.

Since Liu had fallen ill, they no longer needed to go pay their respects every day, and Shen Ning felt much more at ease.

However, she heard that Liu’s illness had almost fully recovered, and the Duke of Wu had been visiting her from time to time.

It seemed that by the end of the New Year, Liu would be completely well.

Shen Ning was still a bit worried. Her wedding was set for February 16, and she had thought everything would be settled by the time Liu took over the management of the Duke’s household.

But now it seemed uncertain. Once Liu recovered, the Second Madam would no longer have the legitimate authority to manage things.

And the Second Madam, always sharp, would never put herself in a difficult position. If Liu were to take over, she would certainly relinquish her position.

Xia Tian comforted Shen Ning, telling her not to worry. After all, the wedding had already been arranged. Liu was the official lady of the house, and she would never openly take away the Duke’s household’s dignity.

Shen Ning thought for a moment. As long as she behaved well during this time, Liu would likely not purposely make things difficult for her.

On the sixth day of the New Year, the women of the Duke of Wu’s household were set to visit Lingwu Temple to offer incense.

Lingwu Temple was the largest temple near the capital, located thirty miles outside the city.

Since the old madam was going, the Duke of Wu planned to personally escort his mother there.

It was also a time when the court was still on holiday, and they wouldn’t resume work until the eighth.

Early in the morning, Xia Tian had breakfast and prepared before following Shen Nian to the old madam’s Ruixuan Hall.

Once everyone gathered, they set off in a procession of eight carriages.

This time, Xia Tian didn’t ride with the Second Madam and the others. Instead, she traveled with Ning Xiang and Ning Xue in Shen Nian’s carriage.

Because there were so many people going, the Second and Third Madams also brought their children, along with other siblings. Shen Nian didn’t get on the carriage but rode a horse, following alongside.

The procession of eight carriages headed toward the city gate.

It was a busy time, and the streets were crowded with people. Moreover, today wasn’t just the Duke of Wu’s household making the pilgrimage. As a result, the road soon became blocked, and the carriages were stuck.