Chapter 43: Whispers of Resentment

Lord Shen and his wife were accustomed to all kinds of scenes and showed no change in expression. Yet some nearby covered their mouths, while others turned away to stifle their laughter.

The lady causing the stir was the daughter-in-law of Shen Ti’s third uncle. Her husband was a cousin of Shen Ti’s father. Her son, the seventeenth young master, was Shen Ti’s cousin.

A few words from Shen Ti made her face flush with embarrassment, alternating between pale and red.

The seventeenth young master was also present in the hall, so furious that he rolled his eyes.

Since childhood, Shen Ti had been quite outspoken. After the age of ten, he could argue philosophy even against elders and not necessarily lose. None of the clan’s younger brothers dared to challenge him.

His mother, having too much time on her hands, deliberately provoked Shen Ti.

Since Shen Ti was willing to stand up for her, Yin Shi naturally felt relieved, smiling softly and keeping a neutral expression.

Madam Shen, seated at the head of the room, cleared her throat lightly and gave a subtle signal. Some women of the clan smiled and beckoned, “Jiyun’s wife, come here, we haven’t finished introductions yet.”

Offering an exit, the mother of the seventeenth young master hurriedly said, “Yes, please go ahead.”

Yin Shi smiled and politely stepped forward to greet the next person.

Shen Ti fixed a sharp look on the daughter-in-law, who dared not meet his gaze before stepping away to follow Yin Shi.

Inwardly, the daughter-in-law sneered: A prestigious scholar, yet so petty as to quarrel with a mere woman like me. Annoying.

However, Shen Ti didn’t care about gender; he pitied only the weak.

Generally, women were considered the weaker sex in his eyes. But if a woman, well-fed and a senior in rank, showed hostility to a junior, then she was definitely not weak.

The truly weak one was the person being attacked.

His cousin Yin Shi had traveled thousands of miles from Huaixi to the capital to marry him. He could not allow her to endure such nonsense in his home, especially in front of him.

This little episode fizzled out quickly like a splash.

Overall, the family recognition went smoothly, since those who caused trouble for no reason were still in the minority.

After the introductions were done, Yin Shi and Shen Ti took their leave.

As they exited the inner hall, maidservants carried several trays of gifts behind them, strolling leisurely back.

Yin Shi asked, “That seventeenth young master—he’s not very accomplished, is he?”

The daughter-in-law’s attack earlier wasn’t only against Yin Shi but also Madam Shen. It was the kind of jealousy common in their circles—envying another family’s successful son when one’s own son was not so promising. Such relatives were common in Yin Shi’s previous world as well.

Shen Ti replied, “At best, a xiucai [lowest level scholar].”

The seventeenth young master of the third uncle’s branch was indeed hopeless. Born into the scholarly Shen family and having access to such educational resources, he remained only a xiucai by now. With so many scholars in the family, the elders could tell at a glance who had true talent and who was stuck at the xiucai level.

Misjudgments were rare.

The chance of the seventeenth young master passing the imperial exams was practically zero.

Ah, in their Shen family, being just a xiucai was “no achievement.”

Yin Shi was speechless.

Her own elder brothers and cousins would earn their grandfather’s special favor just by passing the xiucai level.

Truly, some drought while others flood.

They walked slowly, partly so Yin Shi could familiarize herself with the way.

Along the way, Shen Ti pointed out various places.

Recognition was easy because this residence was less than half the size of the Huaixi Yin family mansion—understandable, since large properties were rare in the capital. This home was much smaller than her old one, but its price was likely many times higher.

A whole house in a small town wouldn’t buy even a latrine in the capital.

Thinking this way, Yin Shi was pleased to remember her dowry included a small courtyard and two shops in the capital.

Her mood instantly lifted.

“There’s a gate over there, beyond which is…” Shen Ti was speaking when his voice paused.

Yin Shi was also looking toward that direction, and with sharp eyesight, she saw a maid peeking out suspiciously before retreating.

She glanced at Shen Ti, who was staring intently in that direction, his brow slightly furrowed.

“Beyond is the east wing courtyard,” Shen Ti continued.

Besides that brief frown, his expression remained unchanged.

So young, yet fond of this kind of subtle restraint.

Yin Shi leaned closer and lowered her voice, “That must be Miss Feng’s maid, right?”

Finally, Shen Ti showed some reaction, looking at her in surprise. After a moment of silence, he admitted, “How did you know?”

Yin Shi smiled slightly.

All those novels and dramas she read weren’t for nothing.

Moreover, the maid’s behavior just now was less than open—quite sneaky. As the master, Shen Ti should have called her over to question or reprimand her, or sent someone to investigate.

But he did nothing. It was clear he not only recognized the maid but also understood why she acted furtively.

Among those connected to their marriage, who else could it be?

Of course, it was his true love, his confidante, Miss Feng.

Yin Shi asked, “Won’t you go see her?”

The maid’s spying was clearly not just casual curiosity; it was a reminder to Shen Ti of Feng Luoyi’s presence. She probably hoped Shen Ti would visit her—perhaps worried he might forget her now that he had a new wife.

Shen Ti turned to look at Yin Shi.

In her eyes, he saw a familiar gaze.

Such a look usually came from senior scholars, who liked to scrutinize newcomers, stroking their beards before setting them questions.

Although Shen Ti always called Yin Shi “sister,” they were actually just a few months apart—practically the same age.

But at that moment, Shen Ti clearly felt that Yin Shi regarded herself as the “senior” in their relationship.

Strange, but very clear.

“Better to go see her,” Yin Shi said. “You married yesterday; she must be anxious and restless. It was probably a very hard night for her.”

“If you visit, it might ease her mind.”

“…No.” Shen Ti turned and resumed walking back. “We agreed yesterday—not to do anything unnecessary for three days.”

Yin Shi watched his tall figure.

For some reason, she felt that Shen Ti from ten months ago would have gone.

Last year, he felt like a boy, but after nearly a year apart, he now felt like a man.

His “love-struck” mentality seemed less intense, becoming cooler and more rational.

Or maybe… after the passionate honeymoon phase, everything fades?

Either way, that Miss Feng was quite pitiable.

She was said to be just a year younger than Yin Shi—only seventeen. Still of school age in her time.

Yin Shi stepped closer to walk beside Shen Ti.

“When we return, I’ll acknowledge everyone in the courtyard and distribute rewards,” she said, “then I’ll head to the kitchen.”

“You could use this time to visit Feng’s courtyard briefly—don’t stay long—and then hurry to your father’s place to keep a time difference. Should be fine.”

She was quite good at arranging things.

But Shen Ti glanced at her and declined.

“No need,” he said. “Visiting her on our wedding day wouldn’t be good for you, me, or her.”

Yin Shi was surprised.

Though Shen Ti’s choice was correct, it was also notably cold and rational.

Such cold rationality was usually innate, not something changed in a few months.

People like him normally wouldn’t get so ‘love-struck’ in the first place.

Why was he so love-struck before?

From Yin Shi’s senior perspective, she felt pity for Miss Feng.

Truly, she was still just a girl. It was cruel for someone so young to endure such fate.

Out of sympathy, Yin Shi could have allowed Shen Ti to sneak a visit. But Shen Ti made the best choice for everyone, and she did not oppose it.

She nodded. “Alright.”

Together, they returned to their new chambers with the maids.

Though the Shen residence was much smaller than the Yin’s in Huaixi, its quality was much higher—it was, after all, an official’s home.

Their new chamber courtyard was also much larger than Yin Shi’s former home. Though the Yin family was large, Yin Shi was only a distant granddaughter with marginal status, so she had a small courtyard. But Shen Ti was the sole young master of the Shen household, so their main room was just below the senior generation’s, and the standards were high.

In terms of hardware, Yin Shi’s living conditions had greatly improved.

Back inside the main room, the maids busied themselves, presenting the gifts and returns from elders and peers for the couple’s inspection.

Shen Ti said, “Keep them all. They’re all for you.”

Yin Shi smiled, her eyes shining with delight.

She loved having personal property increase.

Before marriage, a young woman had little freedom to go out. In some novels, transmigrated heroines arranged proxies, like sworn brothers or trusted maids’ family members.

Yin Shi was quite marginalized in her own family. Her wet nurse died early, and she had no sworn brothers.

Her maid Yunjuan was a single woman sold into service, while Kui’er had family but they were simple, incapable folk.

She petitioned her grandfather for Yunjuan and her husband to serve as her attendants, because among people she knew and trusted, only those two were competent and had freedom to go out.

In short, girls had no private property at home. Yin Shi only gained personal wealth after marriage, through her dowry.

It was a foundation for security and dignity, and it made her feel radiant and confident.

When Shen Ti lifted his teacup to wet his throat, he caught sight of Yin Shi’s glowing face—and she looked especially beautiful.

The maids of the courtyard entered, lined up neatly, and knelt.

Yin Shi noticed Green Smoke and Lotus Heart as the personal senior maids, followed by four others who served indoors. Four lower-ranking maids didn’t enter the room—they did rough work outside.

“Six maids indoors?” Yin Shi asked.

Shen Ti replied, “There used to be eight, but the two eldest were assigned elsewhere.”

Twelve maids in total! Yin Shi raised her eyebrows.

It rivaled Baoyu’s household.

But then again, it made sense—they had only one son.

A house like this was theoretically designed for parents with four or five children and many grandchildren living together. But the Shen family’s lineage was thin; only Shen Ti remained. Naturally, he was treasured.

The single son was treated with utmost care and luxury—worthy of a wealthy, noble family.

Shen Ti set down his teacup.

“The rest are up to you to arrange,” he said. “You decide how to manage and distribute. No need to consult me.”

“Since you and I are married, our courtyard should have new energy and new rules.”

“If anyone doesn’t understand or can’t tell whose orders to follow, you handle it as you see fit.”

His voice was calm and quiet, but his words were strict.

Yin Shi sensed that something had happened before—maids must have done something to displease him.

She saw Green Smoke and Lotus Heart flinch and lower their heads even further.