115. One Daughter, Two Loves

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At the Shen Residence, in the Creek Garden.

After seeing the guests off, it was already past the late night hour. Lu Jin supported his wife as they made their way toward the Cloud Viewing Pavilion. Lu Jin glanced at Shen Yanxi, who was leaning on his shoulder, a smile playing on his lips. Who would have thought that the Second Miss Shen, who had sworn off alcohol, was now half-drunk?

“Husband, why are you smiling?”

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t drink anymore? Yet tonight, no one could stop you.” Lu Jin gently caressed his wife’s cheek.

“I said I wouldn’t drink Lanjiang Spring wine, but I never said anything about fruit wine.”

Lu Jin: …

Recently, the workshop had produced a low-alcohol fruit-flavored wine based on Lu Jin’s suggestion. Naturally, the ladies had to try it. At first, it was fine, but his own wife—whether she was a hidden drinker or what—would suddenly have a glass, getting tipsy with eyes half-lidded.

“Husband, tonight your strategy is both measured and effortless. I fear that Dantai Ming will never escape your grasp again,” Shen Yanxi said with a soft laugh.

“My dear wife overestimates me. Rather than strategy, it’s an open scheme. Schemes in the shadows are easy to unravel; those in the light, hard to attack. I hold interests they cannot abandon. If I plainly say this is a fishhook, they will still bite. That’s why small tactics work. Without wine or salt, do you think my tricks would have any effect?”

Shen Yanxi sighed inwardly. Her husband seemed never to understand his own abilities. Many things sound simple when spoken, but who said they were easy to do?

How many can carry great treasures with ease and poise? How many can conceal deadly intent while advancing step by step, swapping heaven for earth? How many can so deftly manipulate the human heart? By the time the Dantai family realizes, it will all be too late.

“But I still like you so much, husband.” Shen Yanxi’s words overflowed with tenderness.

Lu Jin: ??? … Where did that come from?

Shen Yanxi, lost in thought, pressed her body closer to her husband; her rosy cheeks bloomed like the first begonia of the night.

Lu Jin barely paid attention when her delicate tongue slipped into his mouth, almost biting down by accident.

Their tongues danced like birds in the forest, chasing one another. Behind them, the maids hurried to separate and stand guard around. For noble families, such displays between their masters were hardly a matter.

Lu Jin had also drunk quite a bit; in this slight intoxication, his inner fire was easily kindled. One hand instinctively crept upward.

Shen Yanxi seemed set ablaze, a sigh so soul-stirring it nearly caused Lu Jin to swoon on the spot.

“Madam, we should… return to the Cloud Viewing Pavilion first,” Lu Jin hurriedly said during a brief pause.

“No…” Shen Yanxi barely uttered before pouncing again.

Lu Jin was stunned. “Out here, madam! Out here!”

“Master, this way.”

Following Huayan’s pointed finger, Lu Jin saw a nearby pavilion lit with lanterns, maids tidying up.

Thank heavens, thanks for this thoughtful service. Lu Jin could manage no more.

He scooped up Shen Yanxi in his arms and headed into the pavilion. What a tormenting enchantress—she wouldn’t even leave him be on the way.

Inside the pavilion, Huayan and Shuqing hurried to draw back the curtains, and the maids quietly withdrew. Lu Jin carried his beloved to the couch. Under the lamplight, Shen Yanxi’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes full of spring’s desire.

“Shen Yanxi, tonight you’ll see just how formidable your husband can be!” Lu Jin said fiercely, his face flushed. It was time for him to play the role of the overbearing CEO.

Just as Lu Jin set Shen Yanxi down and prepared to rise, he was pulled back.

Reclining on the soft cushion, Shen Yanxi’s coquettish eyes shimmered with silk-like allure, her voice laced with endless temptation: “Then let me see!”

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… (｡ŏ_ŏ) Could you give me a moment to catch my breath?

In the pavilion under the night sky, candlelight flickered, shadows danced, and the room was full of spring’s passion.

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Inside the carriage, Dantai Ming and Dantai Yue sat facing each other, yet neither spoke. Dantai Ming was lost in thought, while Dantai Yue flipped through a script.

Among noble families, at their age, it was customary for young men and women to travel in separate carriages. But since the Dantai siblings were close and the journey to the Shen residence was short, they decided to ride together and talk.

The script in Dantai Yue’s hand was a gift from Shen Yanxi. Though she had read “Dream of the Red Chamber” before, she only knew the first twenty chapters. She did not know where Shen Yanxi had obtained this deluxe forty-chapter edition.

What she didn’t know was that this deluxe “Dream of the Red Chamber” script had become Shen Yanxi’s exclusive weapon in social circles, always effective. Many women longed for such a copy to live the story themselves. But sadly, in the entire realm of Daliang, only Shen Yanxi possessed one.

Dantai Yue was unaware that the very curious Cao Xueqin was actually Lu Jin himself. Shen Yanxi would never say, and she never asked. This was just her nature.

Dantai Ming’s mind drifted again to the image of Shen Yanyun.

Although he had encountered other remarkable women in the past, none had truly entered his heart because he harbored a secret. This was why he remained unmarried.

As for Shen Yanxi, Dantai Ming had long since let go completely. Even if he had waited for years, what difference would it make? The past beauty was now happily wed to another, and he had no chance left.

Yet, the current eldest Miss Shen, Shen Yanyun, unsettled his thoughts.

Dantai Ming shouldn’t entertain such thoughts. Although he knew the eldest Miss Shen was somewhat innocent, for the Dantai family’s heir, it was unlikely the family would consent to marry a nominal widow, even one from the Shen family.

But his situation was special. Having given up an official career, though still heir, outsiders saw no future for him. Matters of status and face could be compromised a little.

The key was Lu Jin’s unfathomable abilities. If he married Shen Yanyun, the Dantai and Shen families would be more tightly bound. This would help maintain relations with Lu Jin. So from a practical standpoint, a match with Shen Yanyun was not impossible.

Yet things could not be that simple. Marriage alliances between great families faced real obstacles. Would his family agree? What about the Shen family?

Was he merely indulging a fleeting fancy or truly moved? How did the eldest Miss Shen regard him? No matter how he pondered, Shen Yanyun’s shadow lingered relentlessly in his mind.

“Brother, have you taken a liking to Miss Shen?”

“Hm?” Dantai Ming was startled.

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Realizing he’d been seen through, Dantai Ming hurriedly denied.

“I saw you glance at Miss Shen many times tonight, and after getting in the carriage, you were silent. Are you sure it’s not true?” Dantai Yue’s demeanor was calm, her face showing no exaggeration even when teasing her brother.

“What do you think of Miss Shen?” Since he’d been caught, Dantai Ming stopped hiding.

“Yanyun sister is gracious and gentle, though her fate is rather harsh,” Dantai Yue said sympathetically. Few could fathom the sorrow such a delicate woman harbored.

Compared to Shen Yanxi, Dantai Yue preferred Shen Yanyun, though even she couldn’t quite explain why.

“Indeed. That Jiang family is despicable—knowing their own kin was gravely ill and hiding it. It seems the Shen and Jiang families will be at an impasse for a while longer.”

Thinking of Shen Yanyun’s plight, Dantai Ming’s heart swirled with complicated emotions.

“Could the Jiang and Shen families still have dealings in the future?” Dantai Yue was puzzled. With such hostility, how could they reconcile soon?

“There are many great families, not just two. It’s impossible for them to sever all ties just over a children’s marriage,” Dantai Ming glanced at his sister.

His sister was aloof, caring only for books and art, indifferent to worldly matters. Which family among the nobility was free of grudges? They might hate each other secretly but maintain appearances and cooperate when necessary. No way would a woman alone sever all relations—though he couldn’t explain this to his sister directly.

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“Won’t Yanyun sister just let them bully her?” Dantai Yue’s face finally showed faint displeasure.

“The Shen family has led the Jiangnan gentry for years; they would never tolerate this quietly. The Jiang family will have to give an explanation, so I say there will be a stalemate for some time,” Dantai Ming replied.

“What kind of explanation? Probably just some compensation. But what about Yanyun sister?” Dantai Yue’s expression darkened.

Though indifferent to worldly affairs, she was not ignorant. The root cause was that Yanyun sister was just a woman.

Such was the helpless fate of noble daughters. Raised in comfort, carefully trained in arts and virtue, at marriageable age they were matched with equals or royal families to solidify alliances. Shen Yanyun was one, Shen Yanxi was another, and so was she. None ever held control over their own destinies. Should they complain? Perhaps not. Yet their hearts could not help but ache.

Thinking of Shen Yanxi, though she had suffered much, she now enjoyed a sweet reward. But favored women were few. What of Yanyun sister? What of herself? All was as obscured as the night outside the carriage window.

“Yue, we’ve arrived; get off.” Dantai Ming did not answer his sister’s questions because he did not know the answers himself.

The siblings disembarked, attendants ready to assist.

“Help Miss return, and summon Liu Siyuan to see me,” he said, entering without waiting for a reply.

Moments later in the study, Dantai Ming was about to raise his teacup when a man in his twenties entered.

“Young master!”

“Today I finalized cooperation with Lu Jin. Tomorrow you will contact Shen Yi for specifics. From now on, you will serve as assistant at the Brewing Bureau,” Dantai Ming said succinctly. Liu Siyuan had been following him closely and was well-informed about the collaboration.

“Yes, young master. I won’t fail your trust,” Liu Siyuan bowed.

Dantai Ming nearly choked on his tea at Liu Siyuan’s words.

“Forget what we talked about yesterday. Just do your job as assistant and help Shen Yi manage the Brewing Bureau. No other thoughts.”

The young man was stunned. Last night’s discussion had been simple: find a chance to uncover the brewing formulas and techniques, per family orders. What came after was future business, but the Dantai family must know the secrets. Yet now, after the young master’s visit, things had changed?

“Young master, the family head’s letter said…”

“Clang!” Dantai Ming slammed the teacup on the table.

“Am I not clear? Just do your assistant duties. I’ll handle the family matters myself.” Frustrated, he spoke harshly to Liu Siyuan.

“Yes, young master!” The youth bowed his head.

“Mm, you may leave.”

Liu Siyuan agreed and retreated toward the door.

Just as Dantai Ming raised his cup again, his unease surfaced. He called out to the retreating Liu Siyuan:

“Liu Siyuan, don’t get clever on your own and ruin my plans.”

Watching Liu Siyuan depart, Dantai Ming sighed deeply.

It seemed he needed to return home soon.