Chapter 6: Feeling as If His Gaze Had Touched Her Skin…

The pavilion fell into momentary silence.

Si Jin’s breath hitched, thinking she must have misheard.

“……What did you say?”

Shen Xuzhi repeated without changing her expression: “Your marriage to Xiao Chongyun was something he personally requested from the Emperor.”

Si Jin’s face abruptly shifted, flooded with disbelieving panic: “H-how is that possible? Why would he ask the Emperor for a marriage decree?”

This was completely different from what Si Yingdong had told her earlier.

Yet Shen Xuzhi replied without hesitation: “Because he’s infatuated with you!”

Si Jin stared wide-eyed in horror: “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Her small face had turned pale with fright, as if she’d just heard a ghost story.

In Si Jin’s view, being the object of infatuation for someone like Xiao Rong was precisely equivalent to a ghost story.

Her voice trembling, Si Jin asked: “How did you come to know about this?”

“I overheard His Highness the Crown Prince speaking with my elder brother.”

Si Jin: “…Your eldest brother or second brother?”

“Second brother.”

Oh, then it’s nothing.

Si Jin heaved an undisguised sigh of relief.

Shen Xuzhi’s second brother, Shen Chi, was notoriously frivolous. As the second young master of the Shen family, he spent his days admiring flowers and teasing birds, never attending to proper business. He still hadn’t secured any official position at court, and it was unclear whether he planned to idle away his entire life in the comfort of the Shen residence.

In any case, few serious matters came from his mouth. Hearsay was merely hearsay—this statement held no credibility whatsoever.

Seeing this, Shen Xuzhi hurriedly said: “Don’t dismiss it! I think it’s entirely possible.”

“How could it be possible? I initially suspected it was His Majesty…”

Si Jin stopped herself just in time from uttering another near-treasonous remark.

Skipping over that sentence, she continued: “As I told you earlier, it’s because someone from the Xiao family committed an offense at court, forcing both families to arrange this marriage.”

Moreover, at the beginning of the marriage arrangement, Xiao Rong should have been deeply troubled.

He hadn’t expressed any opinion at the time, and there were even rumors that he intended to defy the imperial decree.

If this marriage really was something he desperately sought, he should have immediately expressed gratitude and accepted the decree. Afterwards, he wouldn’t have needed to bother discussing with her how to deal with the matter.

Shen Xuzhi said lightly: “Then tell me, why is the person chosen for the marriage alliance Xiao Chongyun and not someone else?”

Si Jin: “…How would I know?”

Previously, she had only considered that Xiao Rong had made a great sacrifice for this, with most of her thoughts focused on her own even greater sacrifice. She hadn’t pondered the reasons behind it in detail.

Shen Xuzhi pressed her lips together and spoke again: “Fine, my second brother originally forbade me from embarrassing him in front of you, but since you don’t believe me, I have no choice but to tell the truth.”

A faint sense of foreboding stirred in Si Jin’s heart.

“This matter wasn’t personally told to my second brother by His Highness the Crown Prince. My second brother eavesdropped on it. While the Crown Prince might have been deceiving my second brother in their conversation, what my second brother overheard was undoubtedly the genuine truth.”

Si Jin’s face grew even paler.

Her pupils contracted slightly, and she murmured: “How could it be… This can’t be true…”

Her original distress was suddenly overshadowed by this new revelation, tangling into a messy knot in her heart.

Shen Xuzhi said: “Xiao Chongyun has loved staring at you since childhood—always with that eerie, calculating look, clearly full of hidden thoughts. Considering this matter, perhaps he was already captivated by you back then.”

Captivated!

That kind of wording alone was enough to make one’s skin crawl.

Si Jin refuted in a flustered voice, “You yourself said it was a sinister gaze—who would look at someone they admire with such eyes?”

Shen Xuzhi thought for a moment and realized this made sense.

Yet if it were Xiao Rong, it still seemed plausible.

Shen Xuzhi had only seen Xiao Rong a handful of times, and on each occasion, he appeared exactly as she had described.

Xiao Rong had always been enigmatic—taciturn and brooding in his youth, now aloof and detached, seemingly consumed by court affairs.

Whether his gaze was infatuated or gloomy, if he held no affection for Si Jin, why would he fix his eyes on an unrelated young woman?

As for the subtler details, only Si Jin herself, being at the center of it all, could truly know.

But Si Jin seemed completely oblivious, indicating her thoughts had never ventured in that direction.

Shen Xuzhi parted her lips, about to say more.

But Si Jin shook her head repeatedly, “Please, stop. You’re giving me chills.”

Shen Xuzhi fell silent at once.

Yet Si Jin grew anxious again, “Xuzhi, this can’t be true, can it? No matter how I think about it, it still seems impossible.”

Jesting aside, even Shen Xuzhi couldn’t fully ascertain the truth of the matter.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, “If you’re unsettled, go and test the waters.”

“How?”

This was something Shen Xuzhi had a plan for.

“Take the Divorce Plan to Xiao Chongyun again and bring up the matter of separation once more. If this marriage was truly something he fought hard to obtain, he would be reluctant to end it. Last time, he rejected you outright. This time, observe his expression carefully. If he refuses again, you’ll surely detect something amiss.”

Si Jin’s heart skipped a beat at these words, her gaze trembling. After a long pause, she nervously asked, “Will… will this really work?”

Si Jin returned to the estate much earlier than expected, before the hour of You.

The rumor Shen Xuzhi had suddenly shared was truly shocking, no less startling than when Si Jin first learned of the Emperor’s marriage decree.

After their discussion, Si Jin’s mind was in disarray, so Shen Xuzhi urged her to return early.

Si Yingdong naturally couldn’t compare to Shen Xuzhi’s standing in Si Jin’s heart.

Had Si Yingdong been the one to speak of this matter, Si Jin wouldn’t have believed a word of it.

Yet under the current circumstances, Si Jin almost wished that only Si Yingdong’s words held truth, and that what Shen Xuzhi said was merely a baseless rumor.

Xiao Rong was not in Songlan Courtyard. The servants reported he had gone to the study.

Si Jin stopped the attendant who was about to announce her return, temporarily withholding the news from Xiao Rong.

In the study.

Xiao Rong withdrew his fingers from the book page and made to rise immediately.

“Sir, the Lady has instructed the courtyard servants not to inform you yet. It seems she intends to come to the study on her own initiative.”

Xiao Rong paused, a shadow flickering in his eyes.

Would she come?

Others might assume she would, for in public they appeared a deeply affectionate couple. But in truth, she would only use this as a delay, hoping to avoid putting on another performance altogether.

Unlike him, she did not constantly yearn to see him.

“The Lady also ordered the kitchen to prepare Iced Plum Drink, saying she would bring it for you to taste later.”

Hearing this, Xiao Rong stilled for a moment before settling back into his chair. “Very well, you may go.”

The book he had casually set aside was picked up again.

The irregular rustle of turning pages echoed through the study.

Xiao Rong’s face showed visible agitation.

The book was still tossed aside by him.

He then picked up a brush, intending to write something on the paper.

As the brush tip touched the paper, the stiff and awkward characters formed a stark contrast with the vigorous and elegant calligraphy from the previous section.

The rice paper was crumpled into a ball, and the hand gripping the brush exerted an unnatural force, causing the fingertips to gradually lose blood and turn pale.

It felt as if a long time had passed, yet it might have only been a moment.

Xiao Rong’s ears twitched slightly as he suddenly heard a sound outside the room.

“Husband, may I come in?”

Xiao Rong abruptly looked up, his movements halting. After a moment to steady his breathing, he replied, “Come in.”

Hearing this, Si Jin took the tray from Chun Xing, pushed open the study door, and stepped inside.

The study was filled with the lingering scent of ink, and the bamboo blinds cast shadows of light, spilling over the staggered antique shelves.

As soon as Si Jin entered, she lifted her gaze and met Xiao Rong’s calm, subdued eyes.

…Nothing out of the ordinary.

Si Jin’s expression faltered slightly, and her steps grew hesitant.

From behind her came the sound of a servant outside preparing to close the door.

Xiao Rong spoke up, “No need. Leave it open.”

Si Jin’s eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes widened.

Quickening her pace, she walked over to Xiao Rong in a few steps and lowered her voice. “Isn’t it inconvenient to leave the door open?”

Not to mention she had another purpose for coming here—with the door open and numerous eyes and ears outside, she couldn’t possibly discuss serious matters.

Even if she had nothing urgent to discuss, leaving the door wide open would force her to act from start to finish, without a moment’s respite.

Xiao Rong said calmly, “For ventilation. It’s a bit stuffy in here.”

He stood up and took the tray from Si Jin’s hands. “Is this for me?”

Si Jin: “…Yes.”

She forced a slight smile, her back to the study door, unsure if any servants outside were peeking into the room.

“Husband, you’ve worked hard. I happened to return early and thought I’d come see you. Am I disturbing your work?”

As she spoke, Xiao Rong subtly brushed his sleeve. In the moment Si Jin unconsciously lowered her gaze, she still caught a glimpse of a crumpled ball of rice paper being swept away by his sleeve.

“Not at all. I’m free at the moment.”

Just as Si Jin leaned in to take a closer look, Xiao Rong suddenly grasped her wrist. “Sit.”

Si Jin frowned instantly, subtly trying to pull away as she knelt and sat beside him. He released her hand immediately.

The dry, warm sensation of Xiao Rong’s touch lingered on her wrist, stirring up chaotic emotions within her.

The unverified rumors hung in the seemingly calm atmosphere, making it difficult to relax.

Si Jin cautiously lifted her gaze just as Xiao Rong raised a spoon to taste the sour plum soup she had prepared.

The man’s profile revealed a striking contour—thick eyebrows, long lashes, a tall, straight nose, and thin lips with a perfect curve slightly parted as he elegantly took a sip of the sour plum soup.

…Still nothing out of the ordinary.

At most, he was just exceptionally handsome.

This man had always possessed a face that could effortlessly captivate hearts since childhood.

Xiao Rong suddenly looked up, startling Si Jin and making her pupils contract.

“What is it? Do you have something to say?”

Si Jin: “…Yes.”

She blinked in panic, nearly failing to conceal her thoughts, and didn’t even notice that Xiao Rong had said “again.”

She was never skilled at this. If the matter hadn’t been so utterly baseless and unbelievable, she might have been unable to resist asking Xiao Rong directly.

But if things weren’t at all as Shen Xuzhi had claimed, she would likely feel utterly humiliated under Xiao Rong’s cold gaze.

To thoroughly dispel the doubts in her heart, she could only resort to testing the waters.

Si Jin whispered, “Have the door closed. I have something important to discuss.”

Xiao Rong watched her quietly for a moment before shifting his gaze away and calling out toward the door, “Close the door. There’s no need to stand guard outside.”

With the soft sound of the door closing, the study fell into deep silence.

Si Jin’s heart raced wildly for a few beats.

Without further hesitation, she took a deep breath and got straight to the point, “After much thought, I believe we should move forward with the preparations for the divorce sooner rather than later. I’ve revised the Divorce Plan I drafted. Would you take another look at it?”

Having said all this in one breath, Si Jin lowered her head to avoid Xiao Rong’s gaze.

She reached into her sleeve to search for the document, her nervousness causing her to fumble for a while before she finally retrieved the previously drafted Divorce Plan.

Xiao Rong lowered his gaze, and the same piece of xuan paper from that day reappeared in his sight, one corner still bearing obvious creases.

Perhaps he should have torn it to shreds back then.

“I think a gradual approach would be the safest. Even if all external pressures are resolved, it’s impossible for us to be harmoniously united one day and go our separate ways the next, so…”

“Si Jin.” Xiao Rong interrupted her coldly.

The phrase “go our separate ways” sounded particularly jarring.

Si Jin’s throat tightened, only then remembering that she should pay attention to Xiao Rong’s expression.

She abruptly looked up, meeting his dark, unreadable gaze, and instantly felt a chill.

With no one else around and the closed door blocking outside view, Xiao Rong wasn’t maintaining the gentle, refined demeanor he showed in public, nor did he need to pretend to be deeply affectionate with her.

So perhaps there was nothing unusual about his grim expression and icy gaze now… right?

He had always been quite intimidating.

Xiao Rong asked, “Are you in such a hurry to divorce?”

Si Jin’s breath hitched slightly as she replied softly, “…Well, why wouldn’t I be?”

This wasn’t a marriage of mutual consent, so naturally she hoped to end it as soon as possible.

Xiao Rong suddenly reached out and snatched the paper from her hand.

Si Jin’s heartbeat grew more erratic, though her eyes—unable to conceal her thoughts—remained stubbornly fixed on Xiao Rong’s face.

Xiao Rong unfolded the paper, the delicate handwriting coming into view.

He remained silent for a moment, as if genuinely reading it carefully.

Then he spoke again, “You make valid points. I’ll give it serious consideration.”

Si Jin was taken aback, the words she had prepared to continue probing stuck in her throat.

She asked uncertainly, “Will you really consider my Divorce Plan?”

“Do you want me to consider it?”

“Of course.”

Xiao Rong’s index finger twitched imperceptibly, adding new creases to the already wrinkled paper.

He responded with a faint “Mm,” and said calmly, “Some parts need slight adjustments. After I revise the terms and refine the details, I’ll have you review it. Is that acceptable?”

Si Jin remained dazed, nodding blankly.

This wasn’t what Shen Xuzhi had predicted. Did that mean this marriage wasn’t as Shen Xuzhi had described?

The room fell silent again, as if caught in an awkward stalemate.

Si Jin felt her face grow warm, grateful she hadn’t asked directly.

But did this prove the truth of the matter?

She wasn’t entirely sure, but for now, she had nothing more to say.

Uncomfortably, Si Jin stood up and said, “I’ll return to my room now.”

Xiao Rong looked up at her, his gaze once again dark and unsettling.

It crept in silently, giving her the illusion that his gaze was touching her skin.

Shen Xuzhi’s words suddenly echoed in her ears.

“Because he’s infatuated with you!”

Si Jin’s heart skipped a beat, and she flusteredly said, “Remember to drink the sour plum soup while it’s hot…”

“No, drink it while it’s cool.”

Si Jin: “…Never mind, I’m leaving. You can go back to your work.”

Si Jin stood up and walked away. When she opened the door and saw Xiao Rong’s attendant, her smile was still somewhat stiff.

It wasn’t until she had quickly walked completely out of the study’s courtyard gate that she finally let out a sigh of relief.

Chun Xing, noticing something was amiss, quickly caught up.

“Madam, did something happen?”

Si Jin came back to her senses and slowed her pace, a relaxed smile appearing on her lips. “It’s nothing, nothing happened.”

The earlier tension was gone, and now all she could think about was the good outcome of Xiao Rong accepting her proposal to pave the way for divorce.

Not only had she not uncovered anything shocking or frightening, but she had also made progress toward her hopes. Naturally, Si Jin was happy.

Si Jin strolled leisurely along the path.

As she recalled the past, the more she thought about it, the more she felt that what Shen Xuzhi had said today was utterly baseless—that Shen Xuzhi had been fooled by Shen Chi.

But she had been a bit foolish too, actually believing it for a moment. Thinking back on it now, how could she not feel her face grow warm?

Si Jin had long ago unilaterally declared that she would never be friends with Xiao Rong again.

It was probably when she was nine, or maybe eight—she couldn’t remember clearly.

Xiao Rong grew up in a large family like the Xiao clan and had shown exceptional talent from a young age. Most people around him praised him, so he must have rarely encountered such rejection.

In any case, after that, Xiao Rong paid little attention to her.

Si Jin had never noticed before what Shen Xuzhi mentioned about Xiao Rong staring at her intently. She only felt that Xiao Rong must have grown to dislike her, this overestimating little girl.

Even if he had looked at her, with that gloomy gaze, how could it possibly be out of liking? It must have been resentment.

But such childish squabbles surely wouldn’t have made Xiao Rong hold a grudge for so long.

Now that he was starting to cooperate with her ideas, it seemed this marriage wouldn’t last much longer.

Si Jin was quite satisfied with her clarified thoughts.

Suddenly, Si Jin remembered something.

She had actually forgotten to mention the Si family banquet three days later to Xiao Rong. She had originally intended to bring it up just now.

Si Jin halted her steps and looked back toward the study.

She had been walking leisurely and slowly, so she had only covered a short distance.

After a moment’s hesitation, Si Jin quickly decided to turn back.

The servants in the courtyard were still waiting not far from the study, keeping their distance.

The door was slightly ajar, just as she had left it, not properly closed.

Si Jin walked briskly. Before the servants in the courtyard could bow to greet her, she had already reached the door.

“Husband, I remembered there’s something else…”

The door creaked open—

Si Jin’s voice cut off abruptly.

She stood frozen at the doorway, staring at the scattered pieces of paper on the floor inside.

On the nearest fragment was unmistakably her own handwriting.

It was the Divorce Plan she had written.