Chapter 35: A Marriage to Ward Off Misfortune

And all of this had occurred while the path ahead remained unknown and their survival hung in the balance!

Shen Lang did not want to view Shen Yuan’s fantasies as worthless or tainted, yet the reality seemed to point exactly in that direction.

Shen Yuan curled her lips, a cold glint in her smile. "That was his doing; why ask me? Does Second Brother think I am a fortune teller or an oracle?"

The world seemed particularly harsh toward women. With the slightest dissatisfaction, rumors would spread wildly, condemning them for lacking virtue or having improper conduct. Yet, toward men, the world was always remarkably lenient.

Shen Lang was left speechless by her retort.

"Autumn Water Pavilion cannot afford to host such distinguished guests. Second Brother, please return home."

Shen Yuan dismissed him once again, showing no mercy. Shen Lang’s face darkened as he noticed Liu Yan staring at him with open hostility, as if he were a villain!

"Fine, I’ll leave! Who wants to stay anyway?"

Fuming, Shen Lang turned and strode away. Just as he crossed the threshold, he heard Shen Yuan’s voice from within.

"Second Brother, you had best remember: never come here again! If you soil my doorstep, there is no one here to clean it up!"

Her words stung, prompting an impulsive urge in Shen Lang to turn back and argue. But then he remembered that if not for him, she might not have been injured at all. Gritting his teeth, he swallowed his anger and stormed off.

The Spring Hunt concluded in a tepid, unremarkable fashion. Shen Lang, having taken the top spot, failed to stir up any real waves. Instead, news spread that Pei Ji was bedridden with severe injuries, attended by the manor’s physicians. It was said that medicinal decoctions were carried in and out daily, and his injuries were so grave that even Madam Pei could not bear to look upon him.

In truth, Madam Pei had not seen Pei Ji’s broken leg with her own eyes. Due to the incident involving Jiang Yao and Xue Zhao, she had refused to hear Pei Ji’s explanation, leading to a strained and unresolved relationship between mother and son.

Back at the Shen residence, Shen Yi and Shen Lang were anxious to learn of Pei Ji’s condition. Strangely, information was so tightly guarded that they were unable to uncover anything at all.

In the study, Shen Yi leaned back in his chair, deep in thought, while Shen Lang paced back and forth, his face etched with worry.

"If Pei Ji is truly... crippled? What will happen to Wan’ning?"

Shen Lang could almost picture Wan’ning sobbing uncontrollably. More importantly, it would be difficult to find another man in the capital who could surpass Pei Ji. Wan’ning had suffered much in her youth; if she could not even find fulfillment in marriage, how could they, as her brothers, live with their conscience?

Since returning from the Spring Hunt, Shen Wan’ning had remained secluded. Madam Chen stayed in Brocade Garden every day to comfort her, terrified that she might do something desperate.

The entire household walked on eggshells, carefully protecting Shen Wan’ning’s fragile state of mind.

"I hear the Fourth Miss is washing her face with tears all day, terrified that the Governor’s condition will affect their engagement," Liu Yan said casually after returning from outside.

It was common knowledge that the Pei and Shen families were meant to be wed two years ago. Because Pei Ji had no intention of marrying at the time and had kept his distance, Shen Wan’ning had been willing to wait for him all this while. Now that word had come of his potential paralysis, surely, to Shen Wan’ning, it felt like the heavens were playing a cruel joke.

Shen Yuan rolled up her sleeves and began to grind ink with focus. On the table lay a sheet of rice paper with half-practiced calligraphy in a scrawled hand. Unbidden, the scene by the water pool at Yinxiu Mountain flashed through her mind.

*"The engagement to Shen Wan’ning was not my intention."*
*"I will call it off."*
*"From beginning to end, I never intended for you to be dragged into this."*

These were the words Pei Ji had left her with before they parted. Shen Yuan understood clearly that Shen Wan’ning had genuinely wanted her dead; she simply hadn't expected Pei Ji to intervene. And because they were a man and a woman alone together, regardless of the danger they faced, they could never escape the rumors that would inevitably follow. That was why Pei Ji had left before the rescue party arrived.

As for the news of his broken leg...

Shen Yuan brushed the thought of him aside. Perhaps it was merely a ruse.

"A-Yuan, are you inside?"

A clear, gentle voice sounded from outside the courtyard. Receiving a response, Shen Yi pushed the door open. Upon seeing Shen Yuan, his gaze dropped to the wound on her right arm. "How is your injury? Does it hurt when you exert force to write?"

"A little."

Shen Yuan noticed he was carrying something—a jar of ointment.

"This is the Runxue Ointment I mentioned before; it helps significantly with scar recovery. I bought it specifically for you," Shen Yi said, opening the jar. A faint, medicinal fragrance immediately filled the air.

People do not visit unless there is a reason. Even though Shen Yi had once favored Shen Yuan above all others, things were different now. Shen Yuan set down her brush, took the ointment, and gave it a sniff. Her eyes flickered. "Big Brother would not bring me such a fine gift for no reason. Is there something you need my help with?"

She saw a flash of awkwardness cross Shen Yi’s face, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Shen Yi smiled. "I heard from Second Brother that Pei Ji was with you the day you fell off the cliff?"

"He was."

"Then... do you know how he was injured?" Shen Yi’s brows were knit with genuine concern.

Early that morning, the Pei household had released news that the Governor’s legs were severely injured and unresponsive to treatment, suggesting he might be paralyzed for life! He had just visited Wan’ning, whose eyes were swollen from crying. Seeing the situation escalating, Shen Lang had secretly told Shen Yi what had happened on Yinxiu Mountain. That was why he had come to the Autumn Water Pavilion.

Shen Yuan was not surprised; she had known this would be the reason for his visit. She pushed the Runxue Ointment toward Shen Yi and smiled with practiced detachment. "It is true that Governor Pei fell with me, but he knows martial arts. When he saw the water pool at the bottom of the cliff, he managed to avoid the worst of it. As for why he was injured, he must have struck a rock while maneuvering. Fortunately, he was lucky enough to save his life."

Shen Yi did not believe her. Persistently, he asked, "Are you certain you remember correctly?"

"Absolutely." Shen Yuan looked at him earnestly. "If Big Brother does not believe me, would you like me to swear a poisonous oath?"

"That won't be necessary."

Shen Yi’s eyelids twitched. He decided not to press her further. Rising to his feet, he said, "Rest well. I will come to see you another day."

Shen Yi left the ointment on the table. Shen Yuan had no intention of keeping it, so she gave it to Liu Yan.

Two days later, Song Lin arrived at the Shen residence on Pei Ji’s behalf to formally discuss the marriage with Shen Wan’ning.

The members of the Shen family sat in the main hall, silent and grim-faced. In the past, when Pei Ji was vigorous and full of life, he had never once brought up the wedding. Now that he was injured and crippled, he was suddenly eager to marry Shen Wan’ning as soon as possible?

Shen Yuan secretly observed everyone’s expressions. Shen Yong’s face was dark, and he remained silent. Madam Chen looked worried, terrified that her daughter would suffer if she married into such a state. Shen Yi and Shen Lang were equally troubled, pondering how to deal with Song Lin’s request.

Shen Wan’ning, who had not made an appearance, was actually hiding behind the hall, no doubt still sobbing with tears and mucus streaming down her face.

"As for the wedding, there is no need to rush. After all, the Governor’s condition must be our priority. It would not be too late to discuss the marriage once he has recovered," Shen Yong said, offering polite excuses, as it was unwise to offend the Pei family before the situation was settled. Madam Chen also shot him secret glances, deathly afraid that Wan’ning would be foolish enough to marry and ruin her life.

"We are all very concerned for the Governor. May I ask what his condition truly is?" Shen Yi asked.

"The Governor, he..." Song Lin hesitated. Seeing their expectant gazes, he paused and explained, "The fortune teller said that holding a wedding might bring good luck and perhaps allow the Governor to stand on his own two feet again."