My Husband Never Oversteps The Bounds Of Propriety - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Sharp Edges

The night was as dark as ink, but the Splendid Pavilion where Shen Zhilan resided was brightly lit and in a state of utter chaos.

“Get out! All of you, get out!”

Accompanied by the ear-piercing sound of shattering porcelain, Shen Zhilan’s shrill voice pierced through the doors. “Make me marry that stinking merchant? Only if I die!”

Maids and older female servants knelt across the floor, trembling, none daring to step forward.

Lady Zhou rushed over upon hearing the news. Looking at the mess strewn across the floor and her daughter’s red, swollen eyes, she felt both heartache and irritation.

“My little ancestor, you’re going to be the death of me. What is wrong with Su Jin? The Su family is wealthy enough to rival a nation. If you marry in, you’ll be the eldest grandson’s primary wife, with endless glory and wealth in your future. Isn’t that better than staying in the North and marrying some soldier?”

“Wealthy enough to rival a nation? They are still just merchants! In the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, the Su family is at the very bottom! I, Shen Zhilan, am the legitimate daughter of a Ducal Manor. How could I debase myself by associating with traders!” Shen Zhilan wept piteously, clutching Lady Zhou’s sleeve. “Mother, I won’t marry! I won’t marry even if I die!”

Lady Zhou had a splitting headache. Just as she was about to persuade her further, she heard a maid announce from outside:

“Madam, the Second Young Lady is here. She says she heard the Eldest Young Lady is gravely ill and has come to visit, bringing her own blend of soul-soothing incense.”

Lady Zhou frowned, about to refuse, but she saw Shen Zhilan snap her head up, her eyes shooting looks of venomous hatred. “What is she here for? To mock me? Tell her to get lost!”

Before the words had even landed, Jiu Yuan had already entered gracefully, carrying a small gilded bronze incense burner.

Jiu Yuan had changed into a brand-new cotton dress hastily made by the manor, paired with a lotus-root-colored vest embroidered with plum blossoms. Though not as extravagant as Shen Zhilan’s usual attire, it accentuated her skin, which was as fair as snow, and her features, which were as beautiful as a painting. Jiu Yuan seemed completely oblivious to the tension in the room as she bowed elegantly to Lady Zhou:

“Mother.”

She then turned to Shen Zhilan, her voice soft and gentle. “Is Sister feeling any better? I have blended some soul-soothing incense; perhaps it can help Sister calm her spirit and quiet her mind.”

Wisps of blue smoke rose from the burner, releasing a crisp fragrance that resembled both plum and sandalwood. Upon smelling it, one’s turbulent emotions inexplicably stilled.

Shen Zhilan, however, suddenly became exceptionally volatile. She pointed at Jiu Yuan and spat:

“Who wants your fake kindness! Put away those seductive tricks of yours! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. Taking my place in marriage? You aren’t worthy!”

Hearing this, Jiu Yuan did not grow angry. She merely placed the incense burner gently on a low table beneath the window, her voice remaining mild:

“Sister must be joking. I am only concerned for your health. The marriage with the Su family is set; if Sister remains so depressed and harms her body, wouldn’t that break Mother’s heart?”

Jiu Yuan looked up, her gaze seemingly wandering inadvertently over Shen Zhilan’s face, which was distorted by rage. “Besides, Sister is of noble birth. Why invite such trouble and even harm yourself over something you are unwilling to do?”

Jiu Yuan’s words were soft, yet every sentence struck a chord in Shen Zhilan’s heart.

Shen Zhilan froze. Looking at Jiu Yuan’s calm, rippleless face, an inexplicable chill suddenly rose from the depths of her soul.

Lady Zhou, seeing Jiu Yuan being so sensible, felt somewhat comforted. Noticing that the incense truly seemed to stabilize her daughter’s emotions, she said:

“Jiu Yuan is indeed thoughtful. Lan’er, rest well and stop making a scene. Things have come to this; if you truly do not wish to marry into the Su family, your sister will naturally take the burden for you. So why are you throwing such a fit?”

After Lady Zhou finished speaking and offered a few more words of comfort to Shen Zhilan, she led her attendants away, leaving Jiu Yuan and Shen Zhilan alone in the room.

The door was pulled shut. Only the two sisters remained.

Shen Zhilan glared deathly at Jiu Yuan, her chest heaving violently. The mere sight of Jiu Yuan’s face ignited an irrepressible rage within her.

“Look at you. Do you think you’re going to the Su family to enjoy a life of luxury? Someone like you could never hope to climb into the Su family! The day Su Jin finds out you are a substitute for me, Shen Zhilan, see if he doesn’t divorce you and sentence you to death!”

At this point, Shen Zhilan leapt from the bed to the floor, grabbed a teacup from the table, and hurled it straight at Jiu Yuan’s feet.

Bang! Crash!

With a sharp impact, the teacup shattered at Jiu Yuan’s feet. Shards flew everywhere, and several porcelain splinters struck Jiu Yuan’s ankle, cutting into her tender skin. Blood immediately began to soak through her cotton socks.

The bloodstains were a startling, vivid crimson.

Jiu Yuan merely glanced down, acting as if nothing had happened. Over the years, Shen Zhilan hitting and scolding her had become a regular occurrence. She had never resisted, but every humiliation was recorded in her mind, stroke by stroke.

When the time came, she would demand the return of everything, with interest, debt by debt.

Jiu Yuan walked slowly to the window, gazing at the silent night outside. Her voice was as light as a sigh:

“Shen Zhilan, I allow you to trample upon me one last time. In a few days, I will be married into the South and become the Young Mistress of the Su Manor. You, on the other hand, will be nothing more than a plaything in the world of wind and moon at most, just a concubine for that man.”

“Haha!” Jiu Yuan suddenly turned around and laughed out loud, looking at the pampered darling of the Shen family with disdain.

Jiu Yuan had not laughed like this in a long time. She had always been cautious and lived life carefully, but at this moment, she no longer wanted to pretend.

Shen Zhilan let out a shrill laugh. “Jiu Yuan, you lowly servant! You dare call me Shen Zhilan by name? What do you mean ‘a concubine’? Listen well, Jiu Yuan as long as I don’t let go, as long as I don’t agree, you won’t be able to marry Su Jin in ten thousand years!”

Shen Zhilan laughed piercingly, her face full of malice. She pulled a beautiful purple-gold hair ornament from her temple and was about to strike at Jiu Yuan, but her body suddenly went limp, and she slumped back onto the edge of the bed.

Jiu Yuan looked at her with contempt and said: “Shen Zhilan, as of now, is it up to you whether I marry Su Jin or not? Besides, are you really willing to leave that man named Xie? He is the number one scholar of the ten-mile long street; you can just go off and compose poetry with him under the moon.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhilan’s entire body jolted, and her expression changed drastically. “You what nonsense are you talking!”

Xie Mingyue was her only weakness.

“The tridacna bead string on Sister’s wrist doesn’t seem to be something from within this manor, does it?”

Jiu Yuan’s gaze fell upon the other’s wrist. “Also, those gifts from Master Xie under your pillow… if Father were to find out…”

Shen Zhilan trembled all over, pointing at Jiu Yuan, her lips quivering, yet unable to utter a single word. Her greatest secret was actually known by this concubine-born sister she had never even looked at!

“Sister need not panic.”

Jiu Yuan stepped closer, the scent of the soul-soothing incense growing even stronger. “I mean no harm. I am merely reminding Sister that once you take the wrong path, it is a ten-thousand-foot abyss. Marrying into the Su family could at least preserve your reputation and the Shen family’s dignity. But alas, you have missed your chance. As for that Master Xie…”

Jiu Yuan paused, her voice carrying a trace of an indiscernible allure. “If he treats you with true heart, it might not be impossible. Life is long; if you carry on a private affair with him, perhaps you might eventually rise to become a primary wife.”

As Jiu Yuan spoke, she let out several cold laughs.

Shen Zhilan stared blankly at Jiu Yuan. The Jiu Yuan before her seemed like a completely different person—no longer the silent, submissive girl who allowed others to bully her, but a presence that held secrets and inspired fear.

At this moment, the wisps of fragrance drifted into her nostrils. Shen Zhilan felt her head grow heavy and dizzy, and the strength was drained from her body. She lacked even the power to stand up, collapsing softly onto the couch.

“You… what did you do to me…” Only now did Shen Zhilan realize with horror that there was something wrong with Jiu Yuan’s so-called “soul-soothing incense.”

Jiu Yuan leaned down, staring intently at Shen Zhilan, her eyes as cold as frost:

“Nothing. It is merely Soul-Settling Incense. Aren’t you ill? I need you to lie here and keep your mouth shut. Before I marry into the Su family, do not stir up any more trouble.”

Every word fell into Shen Zhilan’s ears like a thunderclap. She never imagined that Jiu Yuan was willing to be a substitute bride that she was so impatient to marry into the Su family in the South!

Shen Zhilan wanted to scream, but she could no longer make a sound. She allowed Jiu Yuan to lay her down on the quilt, watching helplessly as Jiu Yuan turned around and blew out the candles.

Jiu Yuan extinguished most of the candles, leaving only one in the corner. In the dim light, she looked at Shen Zhilan’s gradually fading gaze and whispered:

“This soul-settling fragrance will ensure you remain ‘ill’ for a period of time. It is enough for me to take your place and walk into that dragon’s pool and tiger’s den.”

Finished, Jiu Yuan did not glance at Shen Zhilan again. She turned and departed quietly, as silent as when she had arrived.

Outside, the snow had stopped at some point. A cold crescent moon hung in the sky, its clear brilliance spilling over the remaining snow, reflecting a lonely, desolate light.

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