Chapter 66 – A Peaceful Morning and Hidden Currents

Yin Zhi hadn’t originally intended to leverage Kui’er’s marriage to secure any benefits. She had another plan in mind and took this opportunity to bring it up.

“When will my brothers be heading back?” she asked. “Once they return and you’re not too busy, meet my dowry attendants.”

“There’s an older one who manages my dowry — she was arranged by the family. Then there’s a younger one, formerly a gatekeeper at our household. He’s quick-witted. He married my former personal maid, and I brought the couple to the capital. See if you can assign him a job.”

Servants without duties received no wages, only basic rations.

Shen Ti understood clearly.

The Yin family wasn’t like the simple-structured Shen family. With many branches, internal factions among the servants were inevitable.

The older attendant who handled her dowry was likely appointed by Grandfather Yin. The younger one — he was Yin Zhi’s “own person.”

“Sure,” Shen Ti agreed. “Once your brothers leave, I’ll meet him. If everything checks out, he can follow me.”

This settled matter put Yin Zhi at ease.

“Put the lampshade on,” she said.

“Finished training?” Shen Ti asked.

“Just one final relaxation meditation,” she replied as she lay down. “Once I’m relaxed, I can seamlessly drift into sleep.”

“Oh?” Shen Ti got up and covered the lamp. The room dimmed. He drew the bed curtains, shutting out the light completely. “What’s this meditation relaxation method like?”

Yin Zhi explained it to him.

“Not quite the same as the one I read about,” he commented. “But similar.”

“There are probably different schools, but they’re all roughly the same,” she said. “Relax with me.”

“Alright, let’s try.”

“Start from your feet,” Yin Zhi spoke softly, her voice gentle like a mother coaxing a child. “Now imagine your right foot. Relax your toes… the sole… your ankle…”

…

Her voice echoed in his ears, tender and soothing.

Shen Ti relaxed, his eyelids heavy. The next time he opened his eyes, it was morning.

He didn’t remember falling asleep. He’d been following her instructions, gradually relaxing, and then her voice had become fainter… The next thing he knew, it was morning.

That method really worked well for falling asleep.

Shen Ti raised his hand to rub his eyes — then froze. He turned his head. Yin Zhi’s face was right next to his, their noses nearly touching.

He stared at her for a moment.

When had she moved over?

In the early days of their marriage, the two — essentially strangers — had been cautious even in sleep, maintaining distance.

Even the night he returned after consummating his marriage with Feng Luoyi, there had been a deliberate space between them.

But now she was sleeping so close?

He remembered last night’s yoga-like relaxation — it truly had helped sleep.

But this… He studied her sleeping face — fair skin flushed with a healthy glow, long lashes, deep asleep.

This kind of sleep only came when someone was utterly at ease, in both body and mind.

Had she, at last, completely relaxed since coming here? Comfortable enough to sleep beside him without a care?

Why?

He recalled what they’d talked about last night.

They discussed her attendants — and he’d agreed to arrange something for them. Before that, they spoke about how neither he nor Pingmo had any interest in Kui’er.

She had always said she had no one to rely on here.

She didn’t want a real marriage, so she couldn’t lean on marital affection. That made her particularly focused on material and external support.

Even at Donglin Temple, she’d emphasized the importance of status and financial provisions.

In this household, most posts were filled — either by his father’s people or his mother’s. She couldn’t change that.

Kui’er was ineffective, so her only hope lay in her own attendants. Without her own people, how could she establish herself?

He had agreed last night — that’s why she could finally sleep soundly.

Shen Ti couldn’t help but smile. He sat up and leaned over to tap the mattress beside her head.

“Wake up, wake up.”

“…?” Yin Zhi groggily opened her eyes, confused.

“Time for morning exercise,” he said.

“…Huh?”

He threw back the covers and got out of bed. “Didn’t we agree yesterday? I’d teach you Shi Duan Jin.”

He called out, and the maids entered to help them freshen up.

Still half-asleep, Yin Zhi was helped up by Kui’er and Pu’er. After washing her face, she was fully awake.

She noticed Shen Ti deliberately avoided eye contact.

“…”

Shameless.

“The courtyard gate’s shut, Changchuan is waiting outside, and I told the maids not to open the door,” Shen Ti said. “You don’t have to wear a skirt — no one will see.”

He had progressed — not only had he accepted Yin Zhi wearing only underclothes in the room, but he now encouraged it for practice, so long as the gate was locked.

Though usually old-fashioned and rigid, he was still a young man — adaptable and open when needed.

Yin Zhi had gone to bed early, and had enough sleep — just a bit groggy at first.

Now fully alert, she looked out at the courtyard bathed in morning light. The breeze was fresh. Shen Ti stood by the couch in just pants and an undershirt, drinking water.

No longer the refined scholar he usually seemed, but youthful and full of energy.

Vibrant, healthy, vigorous.

Her mood lightened too — like when she spent time with her younger cousins. Being around real youth made one feel younger.

“No need. I have clothes,” she said, asking Kui’er to fetch a short jacket.

It was fine to lounge in underclothes inside, but not appropriate to step into the main room or courtyard in them.

There were too many maids — no way to control every mouth. The trusted ones inside were well-trained, but venturing out like that could become gossip fodder.

This was still someone else’s home.

Kui’er, understanding quickly, brought her a set of short robes.

“I often work with plants. Skirts get in the way, so I had these made,” she explained.

She changed quickly. “Let’s go to the courtyard. It’s better for morning practice.”

Her cooperation made Shen Ti pleased.

He began by teaching her the horse stance.

Yin Zhi finally understood where this scholar’s muscles came from. Good — well-rounded development of morals, intellect, and physical health. She, as a responsible ‘parent’, was proud.

He taught her the first three postures.

Yin Zhi learned earnestly.

Shen Ti quickly realized she was a fast learner — excellent memory, strong comprehension and mimicry. She picked things up easily.

“With your ability, there’s no way you couldn’t learn the zither,” he commented critically. “You just didn’t try hard enough.”

It was a refreshing morning — sunshine, fresh air, and a handsome young man willing to spend time with you.

Yin Zhi smiled. “Everything you say is right.”

So indulgent.

“…” Shen Ti had a strange feeling about her tone.

Hmph.

Shen Ti had to accompany his cousins today.

Before leaving, he visited his private study. Casual reading materials were kept there, away from guests.

His study was always tidy — classics, history, geography, travelogues, and light reading all neatly categorized.

He selected two miscellaneous essays, one book on Beijing's customs, and an amusing unofficial history — enough to keep her occupied for days.

He called for Zhu Zhi. “Take these to the young madam.”

Zhu Zhi had been bored out of her mind lately. Delighted to finally have a task, she took the books eagerly.

Only then did Shen Ti leave.

His cousins, having spent the night at a brothel, would surely be sleeping in, so there was no rush.

Yin Zhi, returning from greeting Madam Shen, noticed a new face chatting with the maids from Jingrong Court.

“Who is that?” she asked.

Though not ready to stop chatting, Zhu Zhi quickly curtsied. “I’m Zhu Zhi from the inner study. The young master sent me to deliver books to the young madam. I’ve already handed them to Lüyin.”

Since her job was done, why was she still here?

Yin Zhi eyed the girl — younger than Pu’er, just at that lively age. She had heard her chatting before even entering the courtyard.

“Let’s talk inside.”

Zhu Zhi followed her into the side room.

Yin Zhi examined the books. One quick look told her they were far better than the tacky romance tales Sanlang used to bring her.

They were nourishing, valuable reads.

Satisfied, she had a stool brought for Zhu Zhi, and offered her some sweets.

She asked, “How big is the inner study? What’s it like? How many people serve there?”

She was genuinely curious — inner studies were often mentioned in historical novels, usually as the hero’s retreat during a marital spat.

A mysterious domain.

She’d once entered her grandfather’s study but hadn’t dared wander around.

Her aunt had asked about Shen Ti yesterday, but Yin Zhi hadn’t known much. He’d spent his last pre-marriage year in the outer study.

Now the questions were about the study itself — Zhu Zhi’s turf.

There was no reason to hide anything, especially from the official wife.

Zhu Zhi chattered away happily:
“…Bamboo is planted all around, blocking the view — you can’t see inside from outside, just maybe a bit of the eaves.”
“I’m the only one there. No one to talk to.”
“Yes, there’s a sleeping chamber, but the young master doesn’t really use it. Why would he? He has his own bedroom.”
“Yes, loads of books. It was built to be a study, so it’s deep, full of shelves. The young master has so many books.”
“I was assigned there because of my neat handwriting and tidiness. His books have strict rules — where and how they’re placed all follow a system.”

Yin Zhi smiled and offered her a drink. “Take your time. Your young master won’t be back until evening. No rush.”

Clearly a talkative girl. But the inner study was isolated and quiet, surrounded by bamboo — she had no one to talk to all day.

No wonder she looked so thrilled to chatter now.

Yin Zhi got all the information she wanted. She rewarded Zhu Zhi with a mid-level gift.

For someone like Zhu Zhi, who rarely got assignments, it was a surprising windfall.

She beamed with joy.

Yin Zhi thought — how did such a chatty little girl end up assigned to Shen Ti’s inner sanctum?

She could imagine the effort it took for this poor child to hold her tongue in front of him. Despite her age, she must have a strong sense of duty.

Otherwise, given how picky Shen Ti was with his staff, he’d have replaced her long ago.

That evening, Shen Ti returned.

Yin Zhi asked, “Were my brothers well?”

Shen Ti didn’t answer immediately.

She waved it off. “Never mind, I don’t really want to know.”

She added, “Just don’t be like them. If Xiao Feng finds out, she’ll be upset.”

Shen Ti glanced at her. “Of course I won’t.”

He brushed his sleeve and went to the bathroom.

Hmph, so self-assured.

But a man doesn’t always rot slowly — sometimes it’s instant.

As she was thinking this, Shen Ti exited again, looked at her, then left.

“…?”

A moment later, he came back and went straight into the bathroom again.

“…???”

What’s going on?

At dinner, she found out — Changchuan had fetched him a book.

The maid brought it in, and he nodded, “Put it in my room.”

So he’d called Changchuan to get a book.

Yin Zhi didn’t think it related to her, but she remembered to thank him: “Zhu Zhi brought me the books today. Thanks for thinking of me.”

“Have you read them? How are they?” Shen Ti asked.

“Way better than the trash Sanlang gave me!” she praised. “Very good.”

He nodded. They didn’t talk more during the meal.

Afterward, Shen Ti began to wash up.

Yin Zhi glanced at him — was he planning to stay in Jingrong Court tonight?

She hoped not.

Shen Ti had already begun to awaken to gender consciousness. It was fine during the day, but if they kept sharing a bed, that awareness would only grow.

It’s better to distance than suppress. In Jingrong Court, there was no outlet — only more repression.

Better he go to Feng Luoyi.

That way, Feng Luoyi would be happy, Shen Ti’s urges eased, and she could maintain boundaries.

Win-win-win.

Shen Ti caught her look, paused, and tossed a book to her. “Stop reading all that nonsense. This is what you should be reading.”

What is this?

She flipped through it — a Daoist health and wellness book.

“…?”

Shen Ti added, “Start from the bookmarked page.”

Sure enough, a fine bamboo twig with three dried leaves marked the place.

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