Volume One, Chapter Seven: Who? Whom Did You Say You Intend to Marry?

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Grand Tutor Shen’s thoughts spun wildly as he hesitated briefly. Could it be that General Yan Nanfly had taken a fancy to Yue’e? That would be troublesome—Yue’e was already promised to the Lu family. Although the dowry had yet to be presented to the matchmaker, both families’ elders had agreed. Moreover, Yan Nanfly’s recent demeanor toward Yue’e hardly suggested romantic interest. Grand Tutor Shen then thought of Shen Xingdu, still unconscious, and immediately shook his head, dismissing the absurd notion. Although Shen Xingdu was striking in appearance, she lacked musical talent and poetic grace. She was generally well-liked, but much of that was likely out of respect for the Grand Tutor’s household. Now, with their good name ruined, even Lu Shao only wished to take her as a concubine. Who was Yan Nanfly? It was impossible—absolutely impossible. Perplexed, Grand Tutor Shen could only clasp his fists and return the salute. “I dare not be presumptuous. General Yan is the pillar of our Great Zhao. Whatever you require, please speak plainly. If it is within my power, I will do my utmost without hesitation.” Shen Xingdu rarely saw her father show such reverence to anyone and was surprised by Yan Nanfly’s stature. Nestled in Yan Nanfly’s arms, she felt an inexplicable sense of safety. This must be the lingering attachment from Fufu, imprinted within her body’s memory, causing her to empathize so deeply. With the seal now in hand, Shen Xingdu felt greatly reassured. Once Yan Nanfly left the Grand Tutor’s residence, she planned to arrange for someone to secretly retrieve her body. She would never allow her parents to sell her off to some distant cousin’s family to exchange dowry for Shen Yue’e! Hearing her father inquire about Yan Nanfly’s purpose, Shen Xingdu curiously lifted her head to look. Unfortunately, rolling her eyes, she could only see Yan Nanfly’s Adam’s apple and chin, without any expression. Yan Nanfly began, “It is not a difficult matter. I am twenty-three this year, the third among six siblings at home, with two elder brothers above me and...” Grand Tutor Shen and his wife listened in growing confusion to Yan Nanfly’s endless recounting of his family background, nearly reciting the Yan family genealogy up three generations. The more they heard, the more bewildered they became, yet they dared not interrupt the revered figure and patiently endured. Even Shen Xingdu, shaking her fox-like head, began to yawn. Finally, Yan Nanfly said, “I fell in love at first sight with Miss Shen Xingdu of this household. Our feelings are mutual. I wish to seek her hand in marriage. I wonder what you and madam think?” Grand Tutor Shen had no time to respond. Madam Shen, incredulous, asked, “Who? Who do you say you wish to marry? Shen Xingdu? Not Shen Yue’e?”

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Madam Shen had long suspected when Yan Nanfly began to introduce himself that he might have taken a liking to her daughter. She had already devised several ways to break off the betrothal with the Lu family without causing offense. Who could have imagined that Yan Nanfly intended to marry that bastard! Didn’t the Yan family have any informants in the capital? Shen Xingdu’s reputation was ruined; had Yan Nanfly heard nothing of it? Yan Nanfly replied politely with a smile, “Madam Shen, the young lady I seek to marry is Miss Shen Xingdu, not Miss Shen Yue’e.” The study door slammed open. Shen Yue’e burst in, ignoring her parents, and exclaimed excitedly to Yan Nanfly, “Shen Xingdu cannot marry you! She disappeared all night recently and was found unconscious by a woodcutter in the forest at dawn. She still hasn’t regained consciousness! Besides, she is already betrothed to my distant cousin. Father and mother have agreed! She must marry to Quzhou! Refusing would be disloyal and untrustworthy!” Shen Yue’e spoke in a flustered rush. She had been eavesdropping outside the study for some time, curious about this handsome man whom her parents treated with such respect and wondering what business he had with her father. Unintentionally, she overheard a full account of Yan Nanfly’s family—he was the son of the current prime minister Yan Wenyuan and a highly accomplished general! Shen Yue’e had never encountered such a man in her life. Upon seeing him once, her heart fluttered uncontrollably, leaving her tongue-tied—an emotion unknown when she was with Lu Shao. Yet he said he wanted to marry Shen Xingdu! She could never allow such a thing to happen! Shen Xingdu must marry that old, ugly cousin in Quzhou! For years, Shen Yue’e had lived under Shen Xingdu’s shadow. Now that she finally had their father’s attention and had won Lu Shao, she had at last stepped on her sister. How could she let Shen Xingdu marry the great general? The general surely wouldn’t want a disreputable and comatose woman! Hence, before pushing open the door, she had rehearsed her accusations in her mind several times, determined to expose Shen Xingdu’s disgrace as soon as she entered, speaking rapidly lest her parents stop her and Yan Nanfly miss any of it.

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Unexpectedly, when she finished and looked at Yan Nanfly, he remained expressionless and unmoved as a mountain. He leisurely took a tea cup from the table, fed a handful of candied fruit to the sulking fox in his arms, and gently stroked its head. Fox... eating candied fruit? The fox was already puffed up with anger, and stuffing its cheeks made it look even rounder and more annoying. Shen Yue’e thought she disliked the way the fox looked at her. If she were ever forced to marry Yan Nanfly, she would skin that fox to make a collar for herself! After soothing the ruffled fox in his arms, Yan Nanfly slowly spoke, “May I ask, second young lady, has Miss Xingdu agreed to this marriage?” His question was directed at Grand Tutor Shen, completely ignoring Shen Yue’e once more. Grand Tutor Shen glared fiercely at Shen Yue’e, who immediately bowed her head and stared at her toes. Her calm inquiry about whether Xingdu had accepted the Quzhou marriage proved that Yan Nanfly either already knew all of Shen Xingdu’s scandalous details or was deeply in love with her and indifferent to them. Grand Tutor Shen, suppressing his fury toward Shen Yue’e, respectfully replied, “I have failed to properly educate my daughter and have troubled General Yan repeatedly. I beg your forgiveness. As for the Quzhou engagement mentioned by Yue’e, it was only briefly mentioned to me by Xingdu’s mother this morning. We, as parents, have not made any decisions; how could it be settled? Yue’e must have been misled by the servants’ gossip.” Shen Yue’e was convinced her father was once again favoring Shen Xingdu as before. Stubbornly, she stood her ground in the study, meeting her father’s warning gaze and then raising her head to say to Yan Nanfly, “Even if I misheard the engagement, Shen Xingdu is unconscious now, and the doctors say she may never wake! How can a living dead woman marry you, General Yan? She is lying in her room right now! If you don’t believe me, I will take you to see!” “You! You wretched girl!” Grand Tutor Shen, furious beyond control, pointed at Shen Yue’e and scolded her. Yan Nanfly, holding Shen Xingdu, rose to follow Shen Yue’e to see for himself. As he stepped out of the study, a small, fragrant, soft woman suddenly pressed into his arms. Shen Yue’e gasped, “You... you’re awake?”