Chapter 36: Carry Her Back to the Den First

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Carry Her Back to the Den First

’No concubines, only a wife...’

Cui Lingyao’s brow furrowed. "Marriage is no trivial matter."

The Duke Shen Mansion held a permanent hereditary title, placing it among the most distinguished noble families in the Capital City.

Their wealth and prestige were boundless.

Shen Tingyu was the eldest grandson of the main family line in the Duke Mansion, the designated heir of the Shen clan.

Given his status, the ducal title of the Duke Mansion would eventually pass to him, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

And his future wife would become the main Consort of the Shen clan.

An unworthy wife could bring ruin to three generations, to say nothing of the Consort to the heir of the primary lineage.

In the future, all direct descendants of the Shen Family would be borne by her and raised under her guidance. The choice, therefore, had to be made with extreme caution.

Her virtue, appearance, speech, and skills—all had to be exceptional.

Her birth and bloodline were equally indispensable.

Not only did she have to be a noble lady from a family of equal standing, but she also had to be virtuous and magnanimous. She needed to be principled yet tactful, manage the household affairs meticulously, and be a graceful and effective socialite. She could not afford to make a single misstep in any area.

’Under such circumstances, taking a concubine would have been one thing.’

’But to actually propose marrying the cousin living under their roof as his principal wife...’

Cui Lingyao didn’t have to imagine what an earth-shattering scandal this would cause for the Shen Family.

’The eldest son, bewitched by his ’niece’—I’m afraid his mother would be the first to eat me alive.’

Cui Lingyao said, "If you want to help me, the status of a concubine is more than enough. The position of principal wife should be reserved for the suitable bride your mother chooses for you. This really isn’t a game."

She had made herself perfectly clear and expected him to go along with her suggestion. But Shen Tingyu said, "I have never treated marriage as a game, nor have I ever considered taking a concubine. I can make my own decisions about my marriage. As long as you agree, you can leave the rest to me."

’As long as you agree, you can leave the rest to me...’

No matter how slow on the uptake Cui Lingyao might have been, she understood the implication in his words.

She looked slightly taken aback, frowning as she stared at him without a word.

Silence fell around them.

Her gaze lingered for too long, and Shen Tingyu averted his face, looking a little uncomfortable.

His well-defined profile was now turned toward Cui Lingyao.

She watched as the tips of his ears rapidly flushed a pale red.

Against his fair skin, the blush was exceptionally striking.

He looked like an innocent young man, flustered and unable to handle being teased.

Shy and endearingly green.

...

Cui Lingyao felt a swirl of complicated emotions. After a moment’s thought, she couldn’t resist asking, "How exactly did I save you that day?"

’There was just something about this man...’

Shen Tingyu glanced at her, pursed his lips, and recounted the perilous situation in detail. "If it weren’t for your arrow," he added, "I would have been gravely injured, if not killed."

As he spoke, Cui Lingyao managed to unearth a few fragments of memory.

That year, she had pierced a black bear’s eye with a single arrow. She had been incredibly proud of herself.

It was a feat she had never accomplished before.

After leaving the hunting grounds, she had rushed off excitedly to show off to Xie Jinbai.

Xie Jinbai had taught her everything about mounted archery. To be able to kill a black bear after only two years of practice was a sign of her extraordinary talent.

But Xie Jinbai hadn’t seen himself as her teacher.

When he heard she had gone into the dense forest alone, his handsome face had immediately darkened.

As her husband, he had checked her over from head to toe. After confirming she was uninjured, he’d held her by the nape of her neck and sternly warned her never to enter the dense forests where military generals hunted unless he was with her.

They had only been married a year at that point, and Xie Jinbai’s Love Value was skyrocketing. Cui Lingyao couldn’t have been more diligent in completing her tasks.

It was one thing for him not to praise her, but he even lectured her. Impatient as she was, she would still force herself to listen to the end and then nod obediently.

Sometimes, when she got truly fed up with his lecturing, she would just kiss him to shut his constantly moving mouth.

Recalling it now, Cui Lingyao felt that they had been quite affectionate and sweet back then.

But she only remembered her own magnificent shot; she had no memory whatsoever of saving a handsome young man.

Cui Lingyao pictured the scene he described and found it rather amusing. She smiled and said, "I’ve only ever heard of a hero saving a beauty, never the other way around."

"..." Shen Tingyu fell silent for a moment before explaining, "That day, I was fighting the black bear alone, which is why I was exhausted and at a disadvantage. In reality, my martial skills are quite decent."

He was emphasizing that he wasn’t useless.

Afraid she would look down on him, he quickly added, "I have also diligently honed my martial arts over the past few years. I’m much stronger than I was five years ago. If I were to face a vicious bear again, I wouldn’t let myself end up in such a perilous state."

He was explaining so earnestly.

It made Cui Lingyao feel a little awkward.

A strange flutter in her chest made her feel restless.

She glanced at the sun. "It’s almost noon. I really should get back to make the Lotus Cakes."

They had been alone together for too long. Even though they were outdoors, it was still improper.

If word reached the elders of the mansion, there was no telling what trouble it might stir up.

Cui Lingyao stood up.

In the next instant, Shen Tingyu rose to his feet as well. "Do you trust me?"

"...What?"

"That I can make my own decision about my marriage. Do you believe me?"

His expression was serious as he stared at her intently.

His gaze held a burning intensity.

It had the forwardness of a brazen rake.

Cui Lingyao’s cheeks grew hot under his gaze. She wished a round fan would materialize in her hand so she could hide her face.

’She didn’t understand how, with one thing leading to another, their conversation had come to this.’

’Just moments ago, when she had first sat down, she had been on high alert, as if facing a formidable enemy.’

Sensing her discomfort, Shen Tingyu’s eyelashes trembled. He retracted his gaze and said softly, "My apologies. I didn’t mean to be so forward, miss. I was just afraid..."

’Afraid that he would be too late once again.’

’The last time he met her, she was already a married woman.’

’He had thought he would carry that regret for the rest of his life.’

’And now, fate had granted her such a miracle and delivered her right to his doorstep.’

’That being the case, what reason did he have not to seize this opportunity?’

’Especially since she was now facing a forced marriage.’

’Any man worth his salt wouldn’t hesitate.’

Shen Tingyu was.

He was very much that man.

’So, after confirming the true identity of the young woman before him, he decided to strike while the iron was hot and win the fair lady for himself.’

’Whether as a matter of convenience for her...’

’Or as repayment for saving his life...’

’Whatever the reason, he first had to get her into his fold.’ 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

’As for everything else?’

’He could sort that out slowly later.’

Cui Lingyao didn’t have a Mind Reading Technique, so she had no idea just how far his thoughts had already strayed.

Hearing his words, she felt a little exasperated. "Why won’t you take Pei Shuyao as a concubine?"

’Taking a concubine would clearly resolve everything much more peacefully.’

’But if he were to marry her as his principal wife, the elders of the Duke Mansion would certainly not agree so easily.’

’Even if he was famous from a young age, had achieved success early in his career, was highly favored by the old Emperor at court, had a limitless future, and held significant sway within his family...’

’Still, it was better to avoid trouble than to create it.’

’Why insist on something so unnecessary?’

’When the time came and all hell broke loose, wouldn’t she be...’

’So that was her only concern.’

Shen Tingyu’s heart eased. He suddenly took a step forward, closing the distance between them, and smiled. "It’s not just about not taking Pei Shuyao as a concubine. The truth is, I’ve never had any intention of taking a concubine at all."

"Concubines are the root of domestic turmoil. I have no desire to be embroiled in the squabbles of women in the inner courtyard."