Chapter 43: Cannot Let Her Suffer Grievances and Hardship Again

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Cannot Let Her Suffer Grievances and Hardship Again

He once again looked completely harmless.

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze clear, gentle, and full of the patience of a good-tempered man.

’He changes his tune so fast.’

Cui Lingyao shook her head lightly and asked him, "Did Zhiqiu ask you to come?"

Shen Tingyu was taken aback. "You had Zhiqiu go and ask for me?"

"..."

Cui Lingyao was suddenly at a loss for words. She couldn’t help but glance up at him. When she met his bright eyes, she felt an odd sense of unease and pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

In the blink of an eye, Shen Tingyu had guessed the whole story.

—When she ran into potential trouble, her first instinct was to ask him for help.

The smile in his eyes deepened. He lowered his gaze to her and explained in a warm voice, "I heard that Mother wished to speak with you a little earlier than you did. I was already waiting here before Zhiqiu arrived."

’He’s been waiting here for a long time.’

Cui Lingyao understood the meaning behind his words.

Lian’er also heard it clearly.

’The mistress wanted to see Miss Cui, but the First Young Master heard the news and actually came to wait for her on the path ahead of time.’

’How absurd.’

’Is he treating his own mother as if she were some kind of terrible plague? Guarding against her so intensely.’

Indignant on her mistress’s behalf but not daring to show it, Lian’er softly reminded him, "First Young Master, the mistress is waiting for me to bring Miss Cui over."

Shen Tingyu’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. His gaze remained fixed on Cui Lingyao as he heard the reminder and asked her, "Do you want to go in?"

Before Cui Lingyao could speak, he continued, "If you don’t want to, just go back. I’ll be the one to speak to Mother. If you’re willing to go... then I’ll go in with you."

After their conversation yesterday, they both knew exactly what it would mean if she went in with him to face Lady Liu.

It would be no different from agreeing to marry him.

The three-day deadline hadn’t arrived, so he wasn’t forcing her to choose now.

She could turn around and leave.

In short, no matter what, he would not let her face anyone or anything she didn’t want to.

’He really is a good person.’

At least in their few interactions, Cui Lingyao could find no fault in him.

This morning she had woken up already somewhat decided, and now she felt even more certain.

Cui Lingyao looked up at him and said softly, "I want to go in."

As she spoke, a moment of silence fell around them.

Not only Shen Tingyu, but even Lian’er was astonished.

’With the young master protecting her, she isn’t hurrying away? She actually dares to appear before the mistress?’

’Does she think the mistress is a pushover?’

’The crime of sowing discord between the Heir’s wife and her son is a burden no one in the entire Shen Family can bear.’

In contrast to Lian’er, Shen Tingyu’s joy outweighed his surprise.

As if afraid she had only spoken on a whim, he took a step forward and grasped her wrist through her sleeve. "You’ve already agreed. You’re not allowed to take it back."

His palm was broad and fair, his fingers long and slender. The pressure of his grip on her wrist was neither too light nor too heavy.

Cui Lingyao looked down at it and didn’t pull away.

Instead, it was Shen Tingyu who seemed scalded by her gaze and hastily let go. "My apologies."

His voice was dry and raspy, and a faint blush quickly spread behind his fair ears.

’As if he were the one being bullied.’

"..." Cui Lingyao fell silent.

She hadn’t had much contact with the opposite sex, but he was the only one who blushed at the drop of a hat.

’What a novel feeling.’

’If I weren’t certain I hadn’t done a thing, I’d almost suspect I was the one who made the first, improper move.’

As the sole bystander, Lian’er could only feel that they were flirting openly in broad daylight.

She cleared her throat, her face wooden, and reminded him once more, "First Young Master, we shouldn’t keep the mistress waiting."

Shen Tingyu’s eyes remained on the young woman before him, not looking away as he said, "You go on ahead and inform Mother. Yaoyao and I will be right there."

’Yaoyao...’

Lian’er glanced at him, then at Cui Lingyao. In the end, she didn’t dare object and walked into the courtyard ahead of them.

’Since the young master is here, I should at least give the mistress a chance to prepare.’

Beneath the parasol tree, only the two of them were left, standing facing each other.

The leaves rustled gently in the summer breeze, which also stirred their clothes, causing their shadows to overlap.

Shen Tingyu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He confirmed with her, "You know what it means to go in with me, don’t you?"

He tried his best to suppress the fluttering in his heart, but his tense voice betrayed his emotions.

Of course Cui Lingyao knew.

If they went in together to face Lady Liu, it would mean he was openly confessing his feelings to his mother.

He might even directly say he wanted to take her as his wife.

But she just hummed in agreement. "I know."

As she spoke, Cui Lingyao looked around.

The surroundings were open, with only the lush parasol tree before them, its dense leaves and dancing shadow making it easy to hide a person.

Shen Tingyu was incredibly perceptive and immediately saw her concern.

He bowed slightly, lowering his head to lean closer. "There’s someone in the shadows of the rockery about a hundred feet behind you. Say whatever you want, just keep your voice down."

They were very close; he was practically whispering against her ear. The crisp scent of green bamboo filled her nostrils.

Unlike the oppressive aura that was so natural to Xie Jinbai, his presence was gentle and accepting.

An unfamiliar palpitation made Cui Lingyao a little flustered. She subconsciously took half a step back and said in a low voice, "Our marriage is a matter of convenience. If possible, I’d still rather you didn’t have to go to such great lengths over this. Taking a concubine is easier than taking a wife."

Shen Tingyu said nothing, his gaze falling to her hand.

Her slender hand was clenched into a fist, her nails surely digging into her palm.

He held back for a moment but couldn’t resist reaching out, taking her wrist, and prying her fingers open one by one. The imprints of her nails were clear in her palm.

Shen Tingyu pressed the pad of his thumb against the marks, gently massaging them. "Don’t be nervous. I won’t let anyone make things difficult for you."

She had married Xie Jinbai, been harmed by a concubine, and lost her life.

Now, given a second chance, since she had fallen into his arms, he couldn’t let her suffer such grievances and torment again.

’Whether this is a marriage of convenience or not, she cannot be a concubine.’

"Trust me."

His voice was impossibly gentle, as if coaxing a small child.

Cui Lingyao felt a little dazed.

He never let go of her hand. After gently rubbing away the marks on her palm, he led her into Shaoguang Courtyard.

At the entrance to the main hall, Nanny Qian, who had been waiting for a long time, saw their joined hands. Her mouth fell open in shock, the words of greeting stuck in her throat, unable to come out.

Shen Tingyu paid no mind to such pleasantries. He tightened his grip on the girl beside him and led her into the hall.

Inside, Lady Liu was dressed in magnificent brocade robes, sitting primly in the main seat. Her hair was adorned with a matching set of ruby ornaments, and her lightly powdered face was ice-cold.

The young serving girls below were all cautious and prudent, not daring to step out of line.

Two figures appeared at the doorway. Lady Liu looked up, and when her gaze fell on their clasped hands, her already cold eyes suddenly turned sharp and severe.

"Greetings, Mother."

Shen Tingyu released the girl beside him and clasped his hands in a formal greeting.

Beside him, Cui Lingyao also curtsied in greeting. "Greetings, Aunt."

The two simple words drew Lady Liu’s gaze.

That gaze looked as if it could devour her whole.

"Kneel!"