After Transmigrating, I Was Kidnapped By A Scheming Beauty Into The Bridal Chamber - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: A Fleeting Glimpse

The young woman, as fresh as a water lily, was dressed in festive colors. Her pretty face bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Chenyu’s, sharing about forty-five percent of her features, especially the same captivating peach blossom eyes. Yet beyond those eyes, the similarities ended. Her complexion paled in comparison to Jiang Chenyu’s fair, rosy skin, and her every movement was overly expressive, giving her a lively, curious air. In contrast, Jiang Chenyu’s eyes seemed to peer into the depths of one’s soul, radiating an unconscious allure that, as she matured, would surely blossom into a natural, bewitching beauty.

Standing beside Jiang Chenyu, Shen Hetang couldn’t help but notice the girl’s resemblance. On her own, the girl would be considered a charming, modest beauty. But placed side-by-side with Chenyu, she would be utterly eclipsed.

As the new daughter-in-law, Shen Hetang naturally became the target of celebratory toasts. Some of the older and younger men, resentful that she had snagged such a prize, eagerly raised their cups.

“Today’s celebration honors Your Honor, my father-in-law,” Shen Hetang protested with a wry smile. “How could I possibly presume to drink excessively? A few sips will suffice.” She had never been much of a drinker, and saw no reason to sacrifice herself for Wu Daoyuan’s sake.

“Brother Shen, you’re in the wrong here,” a distant cousin said, his eyes burning with jealousy as he glared at Shen Hetang, who had married into the Jiang Family. “You quietly stole away the Jiang Family’s precious pearl. Shouldn’t you at least drink a toast with your cousins? Or do you think you’re too good for us common folk now that you’re a Yamen constable who’s slain a tiger?”

“Cousin, what are you saying?” Shen Hetang replied. “This is the first time I’ve had the honor of meeting all of you. How could I possibly look down on you? Besides, all my cousins here are such handsome and talented men. I’m the one who should be looking up to you.”

Her words stung. Among the group, only a few had achieved any real success.

“If you don’t look down on us, then drink this round with us. Hmm?” the cousin pressed relentlessly.

“Alright, let’s drink this round together to liven things up,” Shen Hetang agreed, though inwardly she wanted to beat the troublemaker to death. She made a mental note to remember him.

The round involved eight people, old and young, each taking a sip from a two-liang wine cup. Between the toasts and the casual drinking, she estimated she’d consumed over a jin of wine. Surprisingly, she didn’t feel like collapsing. At most, she felt a bit flushed. As long as she didn’t lose her composure in public, she’d be fine.

Wu Daoyuan hosted his business associates, while Jiang Chenyu sat at the women’s table. Shen Hetang decided to stroll through the covered walkway to clear her head.

Li Qingmei, who had been cooped up in her mother’s new room, became curious about the outside world. As an unmarried young lady, she couldn’t join the other female guests at the banquet, and her awkward status made her feel out of place. She decided to take a walk.

Spotting a covered walkway overflowing with roses in the distance, she was instantly drawn to the sea of pink blossoms. She hurried toward it, but before she could pluck a single flower, her gaze was captured by a young master leaning against one of the walkway’s pillars. She had never seen such a handsome man. Even with his eyes closed, his beauty was striking. A gentle breeze stirred a few strands of his hair, which drifted across his closed eyes, their path blocked by his long, dark lashes. The strands settled against his jade-like face. Heavens, who is this man? she wondered. In her initial daze upon entering, she hadn’t noticed him at all.

Shen Hetang had only closed her eyes for a moment to rest. Sensing someone staring at her, she rubbed her forehead and slowly opened her eyes, only to find the “little gift” gazing intently at her.

“Is there something you need, Miss?” Shen Hetang asked, puzzled.

“No, no, I just happened to be wandering this way,” she blurted out, her heart pounding.

“Suit yourself,” Shen Hetang replied, closing her eyes and turning slightly away.

“Young Master, you seem a bit drunk. I’ll go get you some pears to sober up,” she said, hurrying off.

“No need,” Shen Hetang called after her, but she didn’t hear.

*****

Moments later, Jiang Chenyu, who had been searching the courtyard, found Shen Hetang under the veranda. She rushed over to check on her. Seeing her husband being plied with wine, she secretly cursed the culprit.

Remembering the lychees she had secretly tucked into her purse, she peeled one and fed it to Shen Hetang.

“How is it? Sweet?”

“Sweet,” Shen Hetang murmured, feeling a little dizzy and leaning against Jiang Chenyu’s shoulder. The lychee’s sweet juice helped clear the lingering wine fumes.

“Want more?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Chenyu found Shen Hetang utterly adorable when drunk, no longer pushing her away but only asking for more. A secret joy bloomed in her heart as she carefully removed the lychee pits and continued feeding him.

A young woman hurried over from a distance. Jiang Chenyu recognized her as the stepmother’s daughter. The girl held a pear in her hand, staring blankly at them.

“You must be my elder sister,” she said, recognizing Jiang Chenyu. She remembered her mother mentioning a sister from her stepfather’s family, a beauty who had already married out. Now that they were at Wu Manor, they were the only Madam and Miss of the house.

“So you’re my younger sister,” Jiang Chenyu replied. “You’re quite pretty.” She felt no hostility toward the mother and daughter, treating them as mere acquaintances.

“Sister, you flatter me,” the girl said. “How could I compare to your beauty? But who is this?” Standing before Jiang Chenyu, she knew her place. Still, she believed her sister’s refined air came entirely from a life of luxury. Now that she was a young lady of a wealthy family, she was confident she could catch up to her sister’s elegance and radiance in time.

But when she saw the young man leaning against Jiang Chenyu, a pang of disappointment struck her heart.

“He’s my husband,” Jiang Chenyu said. “You can call him Brother-in-law.” As a woman herself, she knew the impact Shen Hetang’s face had on young girls. Noticing the pear in the girl’s hand, she wondered if she had just met Shen Hetang. Seeing her husband didn’t even bother to look up, she felt a strange sense of relief.

“Brother-in-law?” The girl’s eyes showed clear disappointment, but she quickly brightened. “Then can I come visit you and Sister for a chat sometime?”

“I prefer peace and quiet and don’t like being disturbed. It’s not convenient for my sister to visit,” Jiang Chenyu said, wanting to set boundaries early.

“Oh, I see. That’s fine,” the girl replied, her voice deflated by the rejection.

“Husband, let me help you back,” Jiang Chenyu said, helping Shen Hetang up and guiding her toward the door.

Shen Hetang, who had a slight headache and didn’t feel like talking, obediently rose at the mention of going home. She linked arms with her wife and returned to their courtyard, eager to take a bath and then collapse onto their large bed, drawing the curtains to sleep.

“Can you manage bathing yourself like this?” Jiang Chenyu asked.

“Why? Does my wife want to help me?” Shen Hetang teased, glancing sideways at her.

“Who said anything about helping you? I just meant don’t fall asleep in there,” Jiang Chenyu retorted, flustered. She rarely saw him joke like this, acting like a mischievous young master, and her heart nearly skipped a beat.

In the steamy bathhouse, Shen Hetang sat in the tub, wearing only a thin silk nightgown with its front open. Her collarbones lay flat beneath the loose fabric, and her exposed skin glowed with a radiant, almost reflective whiteness. The damp gown clung to her body, accentuating her curves, while the clear line of her lower abdomen was clearly visible. After washing her hair, she tied it back up and wrapped a towel around the bun to keep it from getting too wet, then leaned back to soak in the warm water.

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