Liang Jingtin knew that the mother and daughters in the Ning Prince’s mansion were not easy to deal with, but he had never spoken of these things to anyone.
He was a man, and saying such things would invite gossip.
Yet, today, facing Shen Yun, his wife, and Shen Mingzhu, the words slipped out involuntarily.
It was because, psychologically, he had acknowledged their identities.
Shen Yun and Shen Mingzhu were the children of the Prince of Ning, but not by the Princess of Ning.
This, like his own situation, destined them to be at odds with the Princess of Ning and her maternal family.
Despite the shallowness of their acquaintance, he couldn't help but speak.
It was also to express that although he was the maternal uncle of Princess Qionghua and her siblings, he was not truly close to them.
They did not need to be wary of him.
He was paving the way for his own future marriage.
These were Liang Jingtin's thoughts.
Su Xiaoqi saw it, and so did Shen Yun.
The only one who didn't was Shen Mingzhu.
She had come today purely to thank Liang Jingtin, with no ulterior motives.
“I understand, and I will certainly not make things difficult for the Heir,” Shen Yun said directly.
Liang Jingtin felt a bit helpless. He had spoken so clearly, but the other party wasn't following his lead.
He couldn't say the next words he intended to.
As he hesitated, Su Xiaoqi once again proposed to take their leave.
However, before Liang Jingtin could come up with a good reason, an old wet nurse’s voice came from outside the door.
She said that the Princess had returned and heard that there were guests in the outer court.
She wished to invite the guests to meet her.
The messenger spoke very politely and reasonably.
Su Xiaoqi and the other two could not refuse.
After all, the Princess of Xiang was the host.
If she hadn’t been home, they, as guests, could have refrained from paying their respects.
But since she had returned, etiquette dictated that they should.
She followed along.
Liang Jingtin let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief, finally managing to keep them here.
To show his regard for them, he personally led the way, taking Shen Yun and the other two towards the main courtyard.
Upon seeing her son personally escorting guests, Princess Xiang, née Meng, felt a tightening in her heart. Her gaze subconsciously shifted to behind him.
The first person she saw was Shen Yun, walking half a shoulder’s length behind Liang Jingtin.
He was the last Zhuangyuan (top scholar) of Emperor Xingzhao’s reign, handsome and dashing.
As he walked from afar, he indeed appeared like a noble orchid and jade tree, a perfect gentleman in a turbulent world.
The woman beside him wore a long dress with a cross-collar lotus pattern, her skirt flowing. She was pretty, her posture dignified, and nothing like the country bumpkin rumored by the noble circles of the capital.
Her demeanor was more like someone native to the esteemed families of the capital, even possessing a touch more liveliness than they did.
Walking beside Madam Shen was a girl with a sweet face and eyes that curved into crescent moons when she smiled. This must be Shen Yun’s sister, Shen Mingzhu.
She wore a long dress of goose yellow, gradually brightening from top to bottom.
The entire person exuded a vibrant and lively appearance, yet also possessed the gentle temperament of a young lady from a noble family. In short, she was someone who made others feel comfortable.
Recalling what her subordinates had reported to her these past two days, she couldn't help but look at them more closely.
Such a delightful girl would make a good daughter-in-law if she could be married into the family.
In an instant, Princess Xiang, née Meng, had thought of many things.
When Shen Yun and his party of three reached them, she warmly invited them to sit.
Delicious refreshments and fragrant tea were served.
She inquired about the well-being of their mother, Madam Zhao, and invited their family to visit the Prince's mansion when they had time.
Su Xiaoqi found the extraordinary warmth of Princess Xiang to be somewhat peculiar.
She noticed that the Princess’s gaze kept drifting towards Shen Mingzhu, intentionally or unintentionally.
From time to time, she would glance back at her son, Liang Jingtin.
She suddenly understood something.
She had initially thought Liang Jingtin was interested in Mingzhu, but it was merely his own idea.
At the time, she felt that ancient marriages valued matching social status, parental approval, and a matchmaker’s introduction. His solitary effort wouldn't accomplish anything.
There was no need to worry too much.
But now, seeing Princess Xiang’s demeanor, which seemed to indicate approval, and her personal inspection, Su Xiaoqi felt a chill.
She secretly fretted and thought, they were pleased, but why didn’t they ask if her family agreed?
Su Xiaoqi subtly signaled Shen Yun. Shen Yun understood and rose to take his leave.
Now that they had met the elders and paid their respects, Liang Jingtin had no further excuse to keep them.
He had no choice but to personally escort them out.
Unexpectedly, Princess Xiang expressed that she also wished to see them off.
Shen Yun politely declined.
Princess Xiang then relented.
She only asked Liang Jingtin to return to her courtyard after escorting the guests.
The path out of the courtyard felt somewhat long.
Liang Jingtin thought of finding a topic of conversation.
Before he could even start, he heard Shen Yun speak: “Heir, please stop here. The remaining path can be handled by servants. We dare not trouble the Heir.”
“No, no trouble, it’s my duty.” After observing Shen Mingzhu just now, Liang Jingtin liked her even more.
He liked her gentle and lovable nature, her skillful hands, and her dignified conduct.
His thoughts inadvertently revealed themselves.
Shen Mingzhu was his own sister.
How could Shen Yun tolerate this?
He immediately spoke his mind, wanting to clarify things.
“Heir, your words are mistaken. Your status is noble, and we dare not trouble you to see us off.”
Shen Yun noticed Liang Jingtin’s eyes repeatedly stealing glances at Shen Mingzhu, who was walking beside him, and felt displeased.
He strongly wished to reprimand Liang Jingtin without regard for face.
But he couldn't.
Putting aside his royal status,
Just the fact that he had helped Mingzhu meant that, as her brother, he couldn't completely disregard Liang Jingtin’s feelings.
However, he absolutely did not want Liang Jingtin to set his sights on his sister.
Firstly, their family already had plans for Mingzhu’s marriage.
Secondly, Liang Jingtin’s reputation for misfortune in marriage was not to be understated; it was enough to scare people to death.
It was better not to provoke him.
Otherwise, wouldn’t it harm his own sister?
Having thought it through, Shen Yun’s words became more direct: “As I said before, Heir, I am very grateful for your rescue of my sister.
In the future, I will repay this kindness.”
Upon hearing this, Liang Jingtin immediately became anxious and quickly waved his hands, saying, “No, no, it’s not like that, Brother Shen, you’ve misunderstood. I helped Mingzhu… I…”
Liang Jingtin misspoke in his haste and lowered his head, aware of his mistake.
Shen Yun’s expression changed drastically, and he said in a deep voice, “It’s best if the Heir doesn’t casually address my sister by her given name. It is inappropriate according to etiquette.
Furthermore, I should be younger than the Heir in terms of birth year.”
They were both born in the Year of the Dragon, but he was born at the end of the year, while Liang Jingtin was born in the middle of the year.
To be precise, in a few more days, he would actually be twenty-five years old.
In the Great Liang Dynasty, a man of twenty-five who hadn’t found a wife to marry was considered an old bachelor!
Liang Jingtin frowned. He had indeed been too hasty just now.
It was because he feared Shen Yun’s eagerness to distance himself, fearing the loss of Shen Mingzhu.
The more this happened, the more nervous he became, and the more likely he was to make mistakes.
He simply kept quiet.
But Shen Yun was directly implying that Shen Mingzhu was already betrothed, and therefore, this kindness would be repaid by him.
If he had any requests, he should state them directly to him.
As long as it did not violate moral ethics, infringe upon the laws of Great Liang, or harm others’ interests, he would do anything.
Liang Jingtin thought to himself: Why would I want you to go through fire and water? I just want to marry your sister.
Unfortunately, facing Shen Yun’s cold and handsome face, he couldn’t bring himself to say these words.
Su Xiaoqi, standing beside them, had been quietly observing Liang Jingtin.
Looking at his fair complexion, her willow-like eyebrows furrowed slightly.
She hadn’t examined him closely in the room before.
Now, as they walked out, she realized that his paleness was not normal.
It wasn’t the paleness of a healthy complexion, but rather a pallor born of physical weakness.
He was ill!
However, without taking his pulse or conducting other diagnostic methods, and omitting a step, Su Xiaoqi was unsure. After a moment of hesitation, she suppressed the urge to speak.
Silently, she followed Shen Yun out of the Prince’s mansion and into the carriage.
A quarter of an hour later, Liang Jingtin rushed back to Princess Xiang’s residence, wiping sweat from his forehead, and asked, “Mother, did you summon me?”
“Wipe your sweat. How old are you, and you’re still so clumsy? Not at all steady,” Princess Xiang chided him, having a嬷嬷 (old wet nurse) serve him a cup of tea.
Watching him gulp it down like water, Princess Xiang shot him another glare and berated him for not paying attention to his image, especially when he was close to getting married.
“Be careful, or they might not fancy you.”
“Mother, what do you mean about getting married? Are you arranging another match for me?” Liang Jingtin felt weary.
“In the past, when I was young, you arranged matches for me everywhere, and that was fine.
Now that I’ve grown up and have someone I like, please stop trying to force couples together.”
He mumbled, full of displeasure.
Princess Xiang had initially only suspected that her son had developed feelings for Shen Mingzhu.
Now, seeing his direct admission, she was instantly delighted.
Putting down her teacup, she stood up abruptly and said, “Certainly, certainly. It’s rare for you to take a liking to someone yourself. Mother will arrange it immediately.”
As she spoke, she ordered her floral invitation to be brought, intending to visit the Grand Princess’s mansion.
She wanted to enlist the help of the Grand Princess, with whom she had a close relationship, to act as a matchmaker!