Chapter 8: Which Part Offended You?

He Xi's home was in Haoyue City, but her maternal grandfather's family lived in Wufang City. The journey between the two cities took about two days on horseback, even at a fast pace.

He Ci looked like a frail scholar, yet he drove the carriage with surprising steadiness.

Once they left Haoyue City, the weather turned fine.

He Xi stepped out of the carriage and sat beside her father outside. With nothing else to do, she asked curiously, "Dad, I heard that you and Mom were betrothed before birth. And when you were young, your reputation wasn't exactly stellar. Why didn't Mom ever think about breaking off the engagement?"

He Ci held the reins, his tone casual. "The Shen family had strict discipline. Your grandfather, who passed away long ago, valued reputation above all else. Your mother did mention breaking the engagement once, but your grandfather threatened to die over it. So she had no choice but to marry into the He family."

He Xi felt indignant on her mother's behalf. "Grandfather was so rigid! Is reputation really more important than Mom's happiness?"

He Ci possessed a dashing appearance. His hair was neatly tied back at the temples, and the sunlight scattered along the road outlined his sharp, handsome profile. There was still a trace of the carefree, romantic air from his youth lingering in his brows and eyes.

Passing women and little girls couldn't help but steal glances at him.

He raised a hand and lightly tapped his daughter's forehead with his finger. The gesture was casual yet affectionate, and a lazy smile curved his lips. "Silly girl, there are plenty of people in this world who believe happiness is the least important thing. In your grandfather's generation, family status, face, and clan loyalty were far more precious than their children's happiness."

He Xi still felt resentful. "If Dad had stayed as useless and uneducated as he used to be, wouldn't Mom have been pushed into a pit of fire by them?"

As the person involved, He Ci didn't get angry at his daughter for taking her frustration out on him. Instead, he nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're right."

He Xi hugged her father's arm and said with relief, "It's good that Dad has become such a nice person now. Mom and I can live happy lives."

He Ci looked at his daughter leaning against him, and tenderness rippled through the corners of his eyes.

Gazing at the long official road ahead, he sighed softly. "When I was young, I truly spent my days being mischievous and wandering around. If anyone else were in your mother's position, they would have thought she wasted her life."

He Ci looked at his daughter and said meaningfully, "When you get married, you must keep your eyes open. Men who are idle, loose-living, only good with sweet words, and lure young ladies into dangerous adventures—they are absolutely unreliable."

He was practically naming names.

He Xi could only pretend not to understand the implication and chose not to respond.

He Ci delivered He Xi to the Shen residence. Her uncle, Shen Lingshu, came to greet them personally. Having not seen each other for a long time, they exchanged warm greetings naturally.

Shen Lingshu was broad-minded and plump, with a kind expression. He smiled and said, "I received the letter long ago that A Xi would arrive these past few days. I've already had the maids clean Lingyun's boudoir thoroughly, just waiting for A Xi to move in."

The Shen household was already decorated with lanterns and streamers, awaiting the wedding in seven days.

He Xi asked, "Uncle, where is Cousin? I want to meet my future cousin-in-law. The girl who made my cousin fall in love at first sight must be an excellent person."

Shen Lingshu replied, "Rong'er took your future cousin-in-law to a jewelry shop to buy accessories. They should be back soon."

Shen Lingshu tried to keep He Ci for dinner, but He Ci refused. He needed to take advantage of the good weather to hurry back.

He Ci quietly gave his daughter some instructions. "Be good while you're at the Shen house. Don't throw tantrums, but don't let yourself be bullied either. In a few days, once your mother and I finish our current tasks, we'll come over to celebrate the wedding with you. Then we'll go home together."

He Xi nodded obediently. "Okay, I understand."

Seeing his daughter's well-behaved manner, He Ci's heart softened again.

In truth, during He Xi's upbringing, he didn't feel he had played a significant role. Perhaps the child was naturally sensible and obedient, never causing any worry.

Except for one thing: she had specifically set her sights on Pei Yan.

He Xi and her uncle saw He Ci off. On the way back, she couldn't help asking, "Mom told me that Uncle adopted a foster daughter?"

Shen Lingshu nodded. "That child is the daughter of a steward working under me. It's quite a coincidence; he also surnamed Shen. Unfortunately, he died of illness two years ago. His family had no one else left. I felt sorry for the orphaned child, and since I only have Rong'er and Lizhu as sons, I wanted a daughter too, so I decided to adopt her."

He Xi looked blank. "Lizhu?"

Shen Lingshu laughed. "What's wrong, A Xi? You don't remember your second cousin anymore? Your second cousin has poor health and usually stays at the country estate, so you rarely see him. But you played together when you were little. If Lizhu knew you didn't remember him, he'd be hurt."

He Xi suddenly recalled. "Second Cousin! I remember now. When we were small, he and I always followed Big Cousin around playing."

Just then, the steward came to report that there was a problem with the items needed for the banquet. Shen Lingshu had to leave with the steward first, telling He Xi to wander around on her own.

He Xi visited the Shen household every year for relatives' gatherings and was very familiar with it.

The maids and servants in the manor knew she was the cousin miss, so they naturally dared not treat her negligently.

However, He Xi was still unaccustomed to being waited on by maids.

Her family wasn't short of money, but there were only her parents and herself. They handled everything themselves, and living without servants suited her just fine.

At this time, the flowers in the garden were blooming beautifully.

He Xi didn't need a maid following her. She went to the garden alone. Seeing the vibrant colors before her, she inevitably thought of Pei Yan.

She wondered what he was doing.

Suddenly, there was a rustling sound from the hibiscus tree, and a few red blossoms fell in the wind.

He Xi looked up. Her gaze pierced through the layers of blooming hibiscus leaves, and she stopped in her tracks.

Leaning in the dense shade of the hibiscus was a young master dressed in white. His features were stunningly beautiful, but his face was pale, devoid of any color.

A gust of wind blew, and his body swayed violently. He hastily grabbed a branch, which bent slightly under the strain.

He couldn't stop coughing lowly, his shoulders trembling. Most of his body hung in mid-air, his black hair disheveled, his lips white. Only his fingertips clung desperately to the trunk, swaying precariously like a fading flower in the wind, ready to fall at any moment.

He Xi called out, "Second Cousin!"

The sickly young master on the tree was indeed Shen Lizhu. He gripped the trunk tightly and replied shakily, looking down, "C-Cousin."

Outside the main gate of the Shen residence, two figures walked in.

Shen Qinghe was a chatterbox. Her mouth hadn't stopped chattering throughout the journey.

She had changed into new clothes at the inn earlier and cleaned herself up. Although she had recently faced mortal danger, now she bounced around the boy like a lively, cute sparrow.

"Taoist Master, look, I'm not lying to you. I really am a young lady of the Shen family. My dad and brother treat me very well. If you send me home, I'll definitely give you the best reward. But there's still something I want to ask you to help with. If you're willing to help, I can give you even more reward!"

Pei Yan's dark eyes scanned the surroundings calmly, trying to find that familiar figure. The incessant voice beside him only made him feel annoyed and irritable.

Suddenly, the bell at Pei Yan's waist jingled.

Joy appeared in his eyes, and he quickened his pace.

Shen Qinghe saw Pei Yan walk ahead of her, momentarily confused about who was actually the host here.

She hurriedly lifted her skirt and ran after him. "Taoist Master, I suspect there's something wrong with the wife my brother is going to marry. Maybe she's a demon! Help me drive away the evil spirits, and I'll give you all my private savings."

"Taoist Master... Taoist Master, slow down!"

"Just help me out, okay?"

"Taoist Master..."

He walked too fast, and Shen Qinghe couldn't keep up. Instinctively, she reached out to grab the hem of the blue-robed boy's garment.

But he dodged aside. Shen Qinghe stumbled forward two steps, nearly falling.

She puffed out her cheeks, looked up indignantly, and said angrily, "Taoist Master, how can you do this!"

The boy stopped walking. Looking into the distance, gloom churned in his brows and eyes.

At this moment, amidst the floral shadows ahead, another scene unfolded.

He Xi looked at the person swaying precariously on the tree. "Hold on a bit longer, I'll go find someone to help you!"

Shen Lizhu's body, clinging to the branch, shook again. "N-No... I c-can't hold on much longer..."

Shen Lizhu went limp, falling straight down from the branch.

He Xi's heart tightened. She reached out to try and catch him. Just as her fingertips were about to touch his sleeve, a gust of blue wind swept in abruptly.

The young Taoist Master had his hair tied in a ponytail, with a few stray locks casually sticking to his smooth forehead. The hem of his blue Taoist robe fluttered in the fierce wind of his rapid movement, revealing a fresh, arrogant youthful sharpness.

With one hand, he lightly grabbed the back collar of Shen Lizhu's shirt, effortlessly stabilizing the falling person.

This boy had a slender, neat frame. Only his eyes had shed their immaturity, steeped in thick ink that wouldn't dissolve, staring heavily at He Xi.

He Xi glanced at her extended hand and quickly pulled it back behind her.

After a moment, she curled her lips, forcing a flattering smile.