Zhang Xingjian found himself sandwiched between the two ladies in quick succession. Shen Qingwu held his hand, which not only left Shen Qingye blushing with embarrassment but also caused the entire atmosphere of the flower-viewing banquet to freeze to an icy stillness.
Looking at each other carefully, it was impossible to frame the scene as “two women fighting over one husband”—yet the impression lingered.
One of the Shen family’s younger sisters-in-law, sensing the tension, quickly rose and laughed, rushing over to Shen Qingwu’s side. She joked lightly as she tugged at Shen Qingwu, explaining to those nearby, “Our second mother drank too much wine today and spoke nonsense. Don’t take it seriously. Erniang, since you can’t drink, don’t be forceful…”
Shen Qingwu’s expression remained calm. “Don’t hold my hand. I’m not familiar with you.”
The sister-in-law instantly turned crimson and froze in place.
Another servant hurried forward with a tea tray. Shen Qingwu barely had time to shout, “Erniang, be careful—” before reacting.
Zhang Xingjian’s eyes flickered as he tried to grab her hand with his backhand to pull her away from the impending splash, but Shen Qingwu was quicker. She lifted her arm, her elbow half-blocking, half-pushing, and her knee flicked outward.
In a flash, the tea never touched her. Instead, the entire tray went flying under her deft push, splashing and shattering across the floor.
Everyone froze.
The mistress of the Shen family could no longer contain herself, her lips trembling with rage. “Presumptuous!”
Shen’s mother shook with anger, seething at this audacious girl who had turned their carefully arranged banquet into the talk of all Tokyo. “Shen Qingwu has a sick mind! Arrest her at once!”
The servants moved immediately to seize her.
Shen Qingye, standing beside her, turned pale, anxiety etched on her face. “Cousin…”
Shen Qingwu remained utterly calm.
She had long grown accustomed to being taught lessons at every turn. She had already said what needed to be said, done what needed to be done.
Before the servants could drag her away, she raised her eyes to Zhang Xingjian, who had tried to pull her back from the hot tea.
This person… had tried to save her.
A small warmth bloomed in her heart. She knew, now, that he recognized her as his savior. That he still wished to protect her. He must like her—at least a little.
This was mutual affection.
He would take her away from the Shen family. They would marry happily and live a long life together—
Shen Qingye, meanwhile, felt faint from the stress of the day and the worry for her sister. By the time she gathered herself, the lights had come on. The servants announced that Mother Shen had requested her presence.
She had no choice. The Shen family had previously indulged her convalescence, but after today’s fiasco, they were relentless. Despite her weakness, she rose, driven by concern for Shen Qingwu.
Upon arriving at the mistress’s courtyard, she bowed respectfully and was ushered to sit by Mrs. Shen, who greeted her with the dignity befitting her station.
After some conversation about her parents, which brought a few tears to Shen Qingye’s eyes, Mrs. Shen moved on to the matter at hand.
“Erniang claimed today that she saved Zhang’s husband,” she said, concern knitting her brow. “The second lady of the Zhang family asked me about this, and I had to smile and feign ignorance. But an explanation must be given. Qingye, on your way to Beijing, were you accompanied by Zhang Jiasaburo?”
Shen’s mother grew more uneasy. “Did Zhang Sanlang and Erniang have any beginnings or vows?”
Shen Qingye explained softly, “It’s not like that. My cousin took me to Beijing, and in a sycamore grove less than ten miles from Tokyo, my cousin rescued a person… buried alive. That person is Zhang Jiasaburo.”
Mrs. Shen pressed, asking for details. Shen Qingye recounted the night with care, mentioning the scent of blood…
“Ah, so Zhang Sanlang was almost killed first?” Mrs. Shen interjected.
Shen Qingye hesitated, trying to clarify, “It was my cousin who thought the horsemen were wrong. My cousin acted out of caution.”
Mrs. Shen nodded thoughtfully, interrupting at intervals to clarify details, questioning Shen Qingwu’s role. Shen Qingye did her best to justify her cousin, but the constant interruptions left her frustrated, coughing and exhausted by the end.
Finally, Mrs. Shen instructed the maid to escort Shen Qingye back, summing up: “So you and Erniang saved Zhang Langjun together. Qingwu is a good girl, but a wild one. You will see more of her antics with others; do not pay her heed.”
Shen Qingye, standing in the dim corridor, whispered softly to herself, “My cousin did all the saving… I only spoke two words.”
Mrs. Shen tied her cloak and smiled, her cold fingers sending a shiver down Shen Qingye’s spine. On the eaves, the carved lion heads watched silently, as Mrs. Shen’s eyes twinkled with authority.
“The Zhang family bride must be virtuous and capable. Consider Qingwu’s conduct today—overturning tea, grasping Zhang Jiasaburo… Can she meet that standard?”
Shen Qingye could only stand, pale and silent.
Mrs. Shen reassured her gently: “Do not worry, child. You saved him alongside her. The rest is for the elders to decide.”
Meanwhile, in the Zhang carriage home, the dialogue was more concise. Zhang Wenbi turned to her dazed brother.
“Your savior… really Shen Qingwu?”
Zhang Xingjian blinked, then smiled faintly. “Yes, that’s her.”
His eyes flickered in the firelight. “That Shen Erniang… she does not strike me as someone who lies.”
Like a sincere, foolishly honest lady.
Zhang Wenbi frowned. “Your savior can only be Shen Qingye.”
Zhang Xingjian only murmured, “Hmm.”
“But the bride our family seeks cannot be one who overturns tea, embarrasses the families, and causes chaos,” she pressed. “Qingwu may be spirited, but she is not suited for us.”
Zhang Xingjian laughed softly. “I will take care of it.”
Relieved, Zhang Wenbi watched as her brother signaled the carriage to stop, smiling as he planned to handle the matter personally.
Changlin asked, “Sanlang, shall we go to the Shen house?”
Zhang Xingjian shook his head. “No. First, we find the sycamore grove, retrace how my life was saved…” He paused, then added with a curious smile, “And see what kind of person my savior truly is.”
While all parties were busy, Shen Qingwu was locked in a narrow, pitch-dark passage—so tight she could barely sit, touching both walls with her hands. Those confined here were neither insane nor foolish.
The Shen family’s secret punishment was designed to force truth from prisoners. Shen Qingwu, having endured such confinement since childhood, had learned patience. At first, she cried hysterically. Later, she remained still, waiting for the chance to escape.
Fear lingered, but she forced herself to focus.
Suddenly, a knock sounded on the wall. Shen Qingwu opened her eyes, reaching into the darkness.
“Are you letting me out?” she whispered.
Shen Zhuo’s distressed voice came from outside. “Qingwu… only a day has passed. Are you hungry, thirsty?”
Her heart sank. She said nothing.
Shen Zhuo, knowing her temperament, coaxed gently, “Mother asked if you have thought it through. You said Zhang Sanlang should promise you something—this embarrassed both families. She says if you admit it was drunkenness, all will be forgiven.”
Shen Qingwu shook her head. “I wasn’t drunk. I said what I meant. I saved Zhang Xingjian—he should repay me. That is the truth.”
Shen Zhuo was stunned, murmuring, “Was it my joke that caused you trouble?”
Shen Qingwu stayed silent.
He tried again, softly, “I only encouraged you, nothing more. Since you have no chance with Zhang Sanlang yet… perhaps it’s best to let it go…”
Shen Qingwu shook her head. “It’s fate. The debt of saving a life must be repaid.”
“I… he pulled me aside, worried I’d be splashed with tea,” she added.
Shen Zhuo smiled. “That proves he is honorable.”
Shen Qingwu, determined, pressed further: “I followed him secretly to the court. His guards discovered me… yet he did not drive me away.”
Shen Zhuo, surprised, hesitated. “He… is accustomed to women spying on him?”
Shen Qingwu nodded. “He did not give the flowers to Qingye. Because I dragged him.”
No further proof could be found. Yet she remained steadfast. “It’s fate,” she whispered.
Shen Zhuo was silent for a long moment. Then softly, “Do you like him so much? You’re unwilling to give up?”
Shen Qingwu only nodded.
Then silence.
Her brother’s voice vanished.
Shen Qingwu was swallowed by darkness and fear once more, but she closed her eyes, remembering the lord beneath the sycamore tree, like the moon.
Her heart slowly steadied.
She hugged her knees and whispered to herself: Zhang Xingjian knows she is his saviour. He will repay her kindness. He will come and take her away.
She would leave here, escape the Shen family, bid farewell to all, and never return.
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