Chapter 42: Betrothal

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Betrothal

Whether she married into a minor family of suitable status or married Shen Tingyu, each path presented its own set of challenges.

Marrying into the Wu or Sun families—setting aside other issues, the difference in status alone meant she would be far removed from the circles of power and nobility. She would have no way to get close to the Royal Family, which would interfere with her mission in Great Yue.

Even if she married Wang Zifu, there was a risk of her identity being exposed.

Besides, Wang Zifu was in poor health.

If she married into the Wang family, as his wife, she would be expected to stay by his side and care for her ailing husband. Even attending banquets would likely be difficult.

It was unheard of for a wife to be out socializing in her finest clothes while her husband was confined to his sickbed.

And Shen Tingyu...

He had already seen through her identity. If she married him, she wouldn’t have to keep up the strenuous effort of maintaining her original host’s persona. Moreover, he would have to promise to help cover for her.

Most importantly, he came from a noble background. As the official wife of Eldest Young Master Shen, carrying out her mission would be much more convenient.

Cui Lingyao still remembered that Shen Hanyue had feelings for Xie Jinbai.

She wanted to help Shen Hanyue win over Xie Jinbai. Shen Hanyue could just copy the general methods Cui Lingyao had once used to pursue him.

This was the path Cui Lingyao had planned for her mission.

Therefore, she absolutely could not leave the Shen Mansion.

After thinking it over and going around in circles,

Shen Tingyu turned out to be the most suitable choice.

Aside from potentially facing the thunderous wrath of the Shen Family elders, it was a perfect plan.

Her resolve was already wavering. After finishing breakfast, Cui Lingyao was just about to visit Mrs. Shen when an uninvited guest arrived at her small courtyard.

"Greetings, Miss Cui."

The visitor was dressed in the uniform of a head maid of the mansion. Standing at the courtyard gate, she curtsied to Cui Lingyao, who was just descending the steps, and said, "The Madam requests your presence. Please come with this servant, Miss Cui."

This was Lian’er, the Heir’s wife’s personal maid.

The "Madam" she spoke of was, of course, the Heir’s wife.

Cui Lingyao’s expression froze for a moment.

Perhaps it was her guilty conscience, but she immediately suspected that Madam Liu had discovered her precious son had lost his mind and was here to settle accounts with her, the main culprit.

She hesitated for just a second, and Lian’er’s voice instantly turned cold. "What? Has our Madam lost the authority to summon you, Miss Cui?"

Cui Lingyao: "..."

’This is the Duke Mansion,’ she thought. ’If the Heir’s wife wants to see me, I can run, but I can’t hide.’

Cui Lingyao turned her head to Zhiqiu and said, "Let Mother know that Aunt has invited me for a chat. I will go pay my respects to her when I return."

Zhiqiu, who had been about to follow, paused. Swallowing her overwhelming anxiety, she lowered her head and complied.

Once they were gone, she began to pace anxiously.

She recalled hearing last night that the Eldest Young Master wanted to marry her mistress. And now, this morning, the Heir’s wife—who had never been close to her mistress—had sent for her.

’This most likely isn’t a good thing.’

After hesitating for no more than a couple of breaths, Zhiqiu slapped her thigh, gritted her teeth, and sprinted toward the front courtyard.

’She could only hope that the Eldest Young Master was home today.’

A walk that would normally take the time of one or two incense sticks, she covered in less than one.

Shen Er was just stepping out from the study’s entrance.

Seeing a young maid rushing frantically to get inside, he tried to block her twice without success before grabbing her by the arm. "Which department are you from?" he demanded coldly. "Such a lack of decorum!"

"Let go of me! Is the Eldest Young Master inside?"

Shen Er froze when he recognized Zhiqiu’s face. "The study is a restricted area. How dare you try to barge in?"

’Even if his young master now feels differently about Miss Cui,’ he thought, ’it doesn’t mean a mere maid from the inner courtyard can just burst into the study.’

Her arm held fast, Zhiqiu struggled and stomped her foot in frustration, imagining her mistress was being subjected to some terrible punishment at that very moment.

She threw all caution to the wind and shouted toward the study, "Eldest Young Master! Eldest Young Master! My mistress has been summoned to the main courtyard by the Heir’s wife! You—"

"Be quiet!" Shen Er clamped a hand over her mouth and hissed, "Do you want the entire mansion to know that the Madam is giving your mistress a hard time?"

Zhiqiu struggled with a muffled cry, her eyes wide.

Shen Er released her and said irritably, "The Young Master isn’t inside. He already got word and went over."

No sooner had Lian’er received her orders than a servant boy ran to deliver the news.

How could his young master possibly sit still? He had rushed off, frantic with worry, to protect her.

* * *

「Meanwhile.」

Cui Lingyao did, in fact, see him.

The path to the Heir’s wife’s courtyard went past two rockeries and the Lotus Pond from yesterday.

The early morning sun wasn’t too harsh, and the bluestone path was clean and tidy. She held a round silk fan to shield her face from the light, her steps steady.

She had just passed a small path and was almost there when she lifted her gaze and saw a tall, slender figure standing at the end of the road.

It was Shen Tingyu.

He stood under a phoenix tree, dressed in a long robe. His posture was ramrod straight and slender, a striking sight even from a distance.

Cui Lingyao’s steps faltered.

The panic in her heart inexplicably settled.

Noticing the movement, the man on the other end, who had been waiting for who knows how long, looked over.

The distance was too great for Cui Lingyao to see his face clearly.

But truly handsome people are captivating in their entirety. Even without seeing his face clearly, his posture alone was the very picture of grace and elegance.

Lian’er, leading the way, also saw him. Her hurried pace faltered, her expression shifting slightly as she glanced back at Cui Lingyao.

"My, what great prestige you have, Miss Cui, to have the Eldest Young Master come to your defense... I just wonder if you can bear the guilt of driving a wedge between mother and son."

She assumed Shen Tingyu was here because Zhiqiu had summoned him.

Even Cui Lingyao thought so.

She had indeed left Zhiqiu behind with the intention of having her fetch reinforcements.

’Didn’t Shen Tingyu say yesterday that as long as I agreed to marry him, he would take care of everything?’

’Well, he had to show some concrete action.’

’Now, the first obstacle is his mother.’

Lian’er slowed down, and Cui Lingyao leisurely followed suit. Shen Tingyu, however, did not wait for them but began walking toward them.

As he drew closer, his face came into view bit by bit.

Cui Lingyao could finally see his features clearly.

His features were still handsome and refined, but his brows were slightly furrowed. His gaze no longer held yesterday’s brilliant sparkle, but was instead somber and stern.

Soon, he was standing before them.

Lian’er hastily curtsied, lowering her head and her eyes. "This servant greets the Eldest Young Master."

Compared to her seemingly respectful but latently arrogant demeanor in front of Cui Lingyao, this was the proper posture to take before a master.

Shen Tingyu did not bid her to rise. His eyes swept over Lian’er, a profound look in their depths.

His imposing air was intimidating without any outward show of anger.

It was the kind of aura one would expect from a young man who had already secured a high position at court and could go head-to-head with the old foxes who had navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for years.

But there was no trace of the shy immaturity he’d shown yesterday, when an extra glance from her had left him unbearably bashful.

’This guy has two sides to him?’

Cui Lingyao was still in a bit of a daze when her eyes met his, which were remarkably pale.

A flicker of light crossed Shen Tingyu’s eyes, and his voice held a hint of a smile. "Was it a tiring walk?"

’He was back to his harmless self again.’