Chapter 8: The Jiang Marquis Manor in Turmoil

As expected, Shen Sisi had come looking for Jiang Lin.

A gentle breeze stirred the sheer fabric of Shen Sisi’s dress, making her appear delicate and ethereal. Her pale face was framed by softly bitten lips, and tears seemed to shimmer in her eyes. Though she had yet to speak, Jiang Lin’s heart was already stirred with pity.

Jiang Lin was about to step forward and comfort her, but Shen Sisi retreated a step, turning aside to avoid his reaching hand.

The tender exchange between the two startled Shen Qingyun, who had been following behind. She hurriedly hid, fearful that Shen Sisi might suddenly turn and see her there—what an awkward confrontation that would be.

“Brother Lin, I’m afraid we can no longer meet in secret like this.”

“Why? Sisi, why would you suddenly say such a thing!”

“Brother Lin, I haven’t hidden anything from you about our family. Now that Qingyun has returned, the engagement... I know I’m not worthy of you. In the future, we... ah, in the end, we can’t see each other anymore.”

Her words choked with sadness as she pretended to leave.

Jiang Lin could not bear to let her go, and in his urgency, he pulled Shen Sisi into his arms. “Sisi, you know my heart—I only care for you. Has Shen Qingyun bullied you at home? I knew that country girl was trouble—plain and jealous of you, and apparently cruel-minded, too…”

“Tsk, tsk,” Shen Qingyun clicked her tongue from behind the rockery.

Jiang Lin seemed desperate to trample Shen Qingyun into the mud for Shen Sisi’s sake. Once he had vented his indignation, Shen Sisi wriggled free from his embrace, looking aggrieved. “Brother Lin, you mustn’t speak so harshly about my sister. She would be hurt if she heard you. Though she grew up in the countryside, ignorant of letters and manners, she is simple-hearted and not bad.”

With that, Shen Sisi cast Jiang Lin a look full of tender melancholy, making his heart melt.

“Brother Lin, you are so talented and handsome. If my sister knew about the engagement, she would be delighted. We should keep our distance to avoid misunderstandings—lest she become dissatisfied. As for me, I’ll be fine on my own. It’s what I owe her. You needn’t worry about me. Do you understand?”

Jiang Lin felt that Shen Sisi was a pure and gentle confidante, making him cherish her all the more.

“I understand. How could I not understand?” Jiang Lin was moved, embracing Shen Sisi again, unwilling to let her go no matter how she struggled.

What nonsense.

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Hidden behind the rockery, Shen Qingyun was tempted to throw a stone, just to see what filled Jiang Lin’s thick skull.

From what she knew, Shen Sisi had already met many noble sons at various gatherings and wished to cast Jiang Lin aside, yet could not find a suitable reason for him to break the engagement himself.

Looking at this deeply affectionate pair, she felt compelled to help them along.

She had no desire to watch this nauseating couple any longer. No good can come from them, she thought, and quietly returned to the pavilion.

Jiang Miaodan noticed Shen Qingyun’s absence and sneered, “Miss Shen, why did you take so long? Are you dazzled by the grandeur of the Marquis’s estate? Is the scenery here that beautiful?”

One called her Sisi, the other Miss Shen—the distinction was clear. The other young ladies, always quick to support Jiang Miaodan, joined in the mocking.

Growing bolder, Jiang Miaodan continued to speak in a sharp, indifferent tone.

Shen Qingyun did not respond, but asked earnestly, “Miss Jiang, and ladies, are you looking down on me, saying I’ve never seen the world?”

Jiang Miaodan’s face froze.

That was precisely their intent. They assumed Shen Qingyun was ignorant and would not understand, or would be too embarrassed to speak up. Yet here she was, bluntly pointing it out.

Suppressing her laughter, Shen Qingyun pressed on with sincerity—her deadliest weapon. “I have been learning etiquette from Mr. Xu these past days and understand the ways of hosting guests. Since Miss Jiang does not welcome me, perhaps I should take my leave.”

The other young ladies quickly intervened, “Sister, Miaodan didn’t mean it that way. She’s only concerned for you.”

“Is that so? In that case, I’ll ask my mother whether I’ve misunderstood.”

Without waiting for their response, she stood and went directly to Lady Han, saying, “Mother, I have a question I’d like you to answer.”

Lady Han looked puzzled, “What’s wrong, Qingyun? Aren’t you playing with the young ladies in the garden?”

With innocent, wide eyes, Shen Qingyun recounted the mocking words of Jiang Miaodan and the others, every syllable clear and unembellished, then pouted in grievance, “Mother, I don’t understand. Miss Jiang says she cares for me, but it’s not what Mr. Xu taught.”

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All the ladies present were startled, turning their eyes toward Lady Jiang, wife of the Marquis.

Lady Jiang’s expression darkened—never had she been so publicly embarrassed. She spoke to her chief maid, “Go, bring the young lady here.”

Then she turned to Lady Han to apologize, “Rou’er, Miaodan is good-hearted. There must be some misunderstanding.”

But seeing Shen Qingyun’s earnest expression, everyone knew the truth. To speak so directly—especially at such a young age, brought in from the countryside—she would never lie so calmly. She was simply bold by nature.

Lady Han trembled with anger. She had expected that Qingyun might face some cold remarks in public, but Lady Jiang was her dear friend, and Jiang Miaodan had always been well-behaved. She had trusted them, hoping Qingyun would make friends.

She had not expected Qingyun’s first outing would end in humiliation. Her heart ached terribly.

Knowing that Qingyun would not fabricate the story, Lady Han could not confront them directly. She could only ask, “Qingyun, what about your sister Shen Sisi? Where is she?”

Shen Qingyun tilted her head, smiling sweetly, innocent as a white narcissus. “Sister? When I went to the restroom, I got lost and saw her with a young man in the garden. She called him ‘Brother Jiang Lin.’ I returned to the pavilion, but she hadn’t come back yet.”

Thunderstruck!

Everyone seemed struck by lightning, their eyes flickering with suppressed laughter. The ladies of the estate, always eager for gossip, now saw that the supposedly virtuous Miss Shen was secretly meeting the young heir, leaving her sister to be mocked and ridiculed.

Indeed, today’s visit was worth every moment. Many of the ladies surely thought so.

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