Chapter 6: Getting Close

Such matters still required a proper method.

…

Shen Ji was of a similar age to her, handsome and refined, and was not yet betrothed. Nor did he have a sweetheart or a fiancée. He would be staying at the Jing An Marquis Estate for a short while, but not for long.

If she remembered correctly, Shen Ji had been placed in Qingfeng Courtyard by the First Madam, Zhou Shi. Although it was in a separate courtyard from the West Wing Courtyard where she lived, the closest point between them was merely a single wall.

Moreover, he had saved her at the estate villa not long ago.

One could say that heaven, earth, and humanity were all aligned in her favor.

This was clearly an opportunity bestowed upon her by the heavens, and she had to seize it firmly.

Of course, she wouldn’t just be “using” him for nothing. She would definitely find a way to help him avoid that fated calamity in his life as a form of repayment.

…

In the space of a few short breaths, a multitude of thoughts flashed through Su Zhenyue’s mind.

Seeing that Shen Ji had already walked up to her, she had no time to think further. She took a diagonal step to stand before him, just managing to block his path. “Cousin… Cousin Shen!”

Making up her mind was one thing, but actually doing it was another entirely. The two of them were now only a foot apart. As she suddenly met his clear, elegant, and narrow eyes, Su Zhenyue’s mind went blank for a moment, and she even failed to pay attention to her form of address.

Those eyes were so familiar, as if she had seen them somewhere before.

The young lady’s gaze was pitiable as she looked straight into his eyes.

Shen Ji raised an eyebrow and subconsciously took a step back, giving a slight nod. “Miss Su.”

“Ah…” Su Zhenyue’s thoughts instantly returned, and she offered a faint smile. “You still remember me?”

Shen Ji was silent for a moment. “…Of course.”

Only a few days had passed since he had stayed at the villa. He reckoned he wasn’t that forgetful yet.

Before Su Zhenyue could speak, he asked again, “Is something the matter?”

His attitude was polite, yet tinged with distance.

Su Zhenyue’s lashes trembled. There is. Of course, there is.

But they were in the middle of a path, and the people assigned to protect her were not far away. With Shen Ji asking so directly, she couldn’t say much at the moment. Her thoughts raced, and she said gently and sincerely, “I came to thank Cousin Shen for saving my life.”

As she spoke, she curtsied again.

Having spent many years in the marquis estate, Su Zhenyue had specifically studied etiquette. With her outstanding looks and graceful figure, her curtsy was exceptionally beautiful. But at this moment, she felt a faint sense of regret.

She had been a bit impulsive today. Perhaps she shouldn’t have rashly stopped him and should have planned things out properly before acting.

Fortunately, Shen Ji was very courteous. “We are relatives; there’s no need for such ceremony. I still have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

With that, he nodded at her once more and strode away.

He was already a good distance away before Su Zhenyue let out a breath and returned to the West Wing Courtyard.

The moment Nanxing saw her return, she quickly stood up and handed her a cup of hot tea.

Su Zhenyue took the teacup but didn’t drink it right away, instead staring in a daze at the wisps of steam.

“Did you succeed in your request to the Old Madam, Miss?” Nanxing asked cautiously.

“Not yet,” Su Zhenyue replied casually, her mind still on Shen Ji.

She had been very close to Gu Yuanchen before, but that had required little effort on her part. The two had grown up together, and there was also the matter of her father. She only had to stand there, and Gu Yuanchen would feel pity for her and show her extra care.

Now that it was Shen Ji, her previous methods might not work. She had to think of another way.

But what exactly should she do?

Well, doing what I did in the dream is definitely not an option. In the dream, she had been terrified of another assassination attempt. After being brought back to the marquis estate, she had stayed in the West Wing Courtyard with her doors shut, having almost no interaction with Shen Ji.

To change things this time, she had to take the initiative.

Of course, while it was taking the initiative, it couldn’t be too direct. If she scared him off or made him dislike her, it would be counterproductive.

For this kind of thing, one still had to be mindful of methods and techniques.

…

Seeing Su Zhenyue deep in thought, Doukou and Nanxing remained quiet, afraid of disturbing her.

As dusk fell and it was time for the evening meal, Qingfeng Courtyard, just a wall away, gradually grew lively.

The young servants bustled in and out, extremely busy. Old Madam Wen’s trusted attendant, Mama Liu, was constantly directing them, “Here, put this over here…”

Her voice was loud and clear, carrying far.

Su Zhenyue and the others could hear it from the West Wing Courtyard.

Nanxing asked curiously, “What are they doing over there?”

“It’s the Old Madam. She felt Qingfeng Courtyard was too plain, so she’s having more furniture sent over,” Doukou said, having heard the news from somewhere, and clicked her tongue in amazement. “The Old Madam is so good to Young Master Shen. He’s only staying for a few months, yet she’s afraid he’ll be wronged in any way.”

“This is an instance of loving the house and its crow. The Old Madam doted on Shen Ji’s late mother, so naturally, she dotes on the young master as well. Besides, Young Master Shen is skilled in both literary and martial arts; it’s no wonder the Old Madam likes him,” Nanxing said with a smile.

Doukou lifted her chin slightly and blurted out, “Skilled in both literary and martial arts? How does he compare to the Heir Apparent, then?”

Upon hearing this, Nanxing’s expression changed instantly. She shot Doukou a glare and subconsciously glanced at Su Zhenyue. Of all people to bring up, you had to mention the Heir Apparent?

Doukou also regretted her slip of the tongue and felt very uneasy.

Su Zhenyue, however, looked as calm as ever. She tilted her head to look at the two of them, smiled, and said slowly, “Young Master Shen possesses great talent, far beyond what an ordinary person can compare to.”

It wasn’t that she was intentionally elevating Shen Ji. It was that in her dream, the book had mentioned that several years later, the imperial court would be in turmoil, and wars would be frequent. Prince Yan, on the frontier, would rise unexpectedly and seize the throne. After his ascension, Prince Yan had once lamented in front of the female protagonist how muddle-headed and arbitrary Emperor Jiande had been, failing to cherish a talent like Shen Ji.

What Su Zhenyue couldn’t figure out was, although Shen Ji was talented, he was still young when he passed away and had not formally entered politics. Why would the new emperor hold him in such high esteem? However, since Prince Yan was able to fight his way through and ascend the throne, his judgment was likely not poor.

“See? Look, even Miss says so,” Nanxing said, letting out a secret sigh of relief and putting on a proud, exaggerated expression.

She was the oldest of the three and had always been mature and steady, rarely making such a comical face.

Su Zhenyue was amused. How could she not guess that Nanxing was afraid she would overthink things? A warm current flowed through her heart, and she smiled. “Alright, let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s get ready for bed.”

She still had to put some thought into how to approach Shen Ji tomorrow.

Nanxing and Doukou smiled in unison. “Yes.”

After falling into the water a few days ago, Su Zhenyue had fallen ill. Her body was weak, and she tired easily. Thus, despite having things on her mind, she still slept very soundly.

When she woke the next day, it was already the hour of Mao.

Due to the national mourning period, butchering was forbidden in the capital, so the breakfast sent from the kitchen was exceptionally light and simple.

This was exactly to Su Zhenyue’s liking.

After finishing her breakfast, she went into the courtyard.

It was early in the tenth month. Although the sun was out, it was still a little cold.

Su Zhenyue stood before a cluster of late-blooming chrysanthemums, her eyes looking in the direction of Qingfeng Courtyard.

Separated by a high wall and several gates, she couldn’t see the scene in Qingfeng Courtyard. She tilted her head and asked Nanxing beside her, “Do you know when Young Master Shen usually studies? And when he rests?”

“I don’t know,” Nanxing replied, shaking her head.

But Nanxing had always been reliable. In less than an hour, she returned to report, “Miss, Young Master Shen generally stays in the study in the morning. At other times, he either practices martial arts to strengthen his body or goes out.”

“Mm.”

Nanxing hesitated for a moment before asking softly, “Miss, are you asking about Young Master Shen because… you need something?”

“I do,” Su Zhenyue nodded, her words half-truth, half-fabrication. “There’s something I’d like to ask his help with.”

From yesterday to today, she had thought things over and over, and a general plan had already formed in her mind.

Shen Ji had become famous at a young age and possessed a chivalrous heart. She could approach him under the pretext of repaying him for saving her life, then ask him for a small favor. As they went back and forth, their interactions would naturally increase. She could take the opportunity to learn his preferences and then act as if they shared similar interests…

With her beauty and intelligence, this plan would most likely succeed.

With a preliminary plan in place, Su Zhenyue had someone bring out the Longwei Inkstone her mother had left her.

“Eh, didn’t you say you couldn’t bear to use it and wanted to treasure it, Miss? Are you willing to use it today?” Doukou asked with a smile.

“I can’t bear to use it. I plan to give it to someone,” Su Zhenyue replied.

“Give it away? To whom?”

Su Zhenyue said with a straight face, “Cousin Shen.”

Doukou fell silent.

Young Master Shen had saved their lives; no gift would be too much.

Su Zhenyue lowered her head, using a silk cloth to carefully wipe away the non-existent dust on the inkstone.

This Longwei Inkstone was an imperial gift from a previous dynasty and one of the few things her mother had left her. Its luster was deep, its texture smooth and fine. It was shaped like an ancient ceremonial tablet, and the inkstone was carved with a pattern of “Apricot Grove Swallows.” It was the most suitable gift for a provincial graduate about to take the Spring Examination.

In her dream, to thank Shen Ji for saving her life, she had Nanxing deliver this item as a thank-you gift, but it had been returned.

And now, Su Zhenyue wanted to give it again.

In person.

She was even faintly looking forward to Shen Ji’s polite refusal.

Around the hour of Shen, Su Zhenyue carried the redwood inkstone box, passed through three gates, and headed for Qingfeng Courtyard.

Qingfeng Courtyard was located in a slightly remote area, and the Old Madam had given instructions that no one was to disturb Young Master Shen’s studies, so the place was usually very quiet.

Ping An was sitting at the courtyard gate, basking in the sun with his hands tucked in his sleeves and his eyes narrowed. He was just feeling comfortable when he heard footsteps and opened his eyes. Upon seeing who it was, he shot to his feet. “Miss… Miss Su?!”

“Is Young Master Shen in? I have something to see him about.”

The young lady was gentle and kind, just as before.

“He is,” Ping An replied subconsciously.

Su Zhenyue smiled and stepped into Qingfeng Courtyard.

Just as she entered, a “thump” sounded. A thick branch from the hibiscus tree in the courtyard snapped and fell, landing right beside her.

Startled, Su Zhenyue looked up and saw Shen Ji holding a crossbow.

He was dressed smartly. At first glance, he didn’t look like a provincial graduate preparing for an exam, but rather like a young general, exuding a vigorous and heroic air.

Their eyes met. Shen Ji’s brow quirked up slightly, as if in surprise. “Is something the matter?”