Chapter 18: Look What You’ve Done

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In the Western Courtyard, after Sheng Hong entered the room, he sat silently, occasionally casting a faint glance at Lin Qingshuang.

“Hong Lang~~”

The voice was barely a whisper, the tone trembling softly upward, like a feather lightly brushing the heart’s edge.

“The mischief you stirred up is already spreading throughout Yangzhou City!”

After speaking, Sheng Hong looked up at her, only to see Lin Qingshuang tilting her pale, porcelain-like face upward, her eyes slightly reddened at the corners, her entire presence radiant and delicate.

“If Hong Lang has come to reprimand me for Wei Sister, then indeed you have wronged your servant.”

“I have cared for Wei Sister with utmost attentiveness; it was those idle, scheming maids who took advantage of the mistress’s absence to shirk their duties.” Lin Qingshuang lowered her lashes, her voice growing softer and more tender.

“Is that so? You didn’t even call for a doctor, yet insisted on sending a mere child out tomorrow!” Sheng Hong’s gaze remained cold.

Lin Qingshuang immediately knelt at Sheng Hong’s feet, wiping away tears as she spoke, “That was truly my negligence. When I gave birth to Brother Feng, it took three to four hours. I thought Wei Sister’s delivery would not be long.”

“But who would have thought that Sixth Miss would run out without a word? I never intended to trouble mother and child. Hong Lang, do you no longer trust your servant?”

At these words, Sheng Hong fell silent, recalling the great hardship Lin Qingshuang endured when giving birth to Sheng Changfeng, and his stern expression softened slightly.

Zhou Xueniang seized the moment to add, “Master, please judge wisely. Our young mistress has cared for Little Mistress Wei with utmost devotion. Whatever delicacies are in the kitchen are always reserved for her first. Everyone in the household has noticed.”

“The young mistress herself is not well, yet she constantly worries that Little Mistress Wei needs nourishment after childbirth. Just yesterday, she spent her own money to buy two pounds of the finest bird’s nest, sparing none for herself and giving it all to Little Mistress Wei.”

“Moreover, she visits Seventh Brother daily, fearful that any detail might be overlooked.”

“Xueniang, why do you tell the master this?” Lin Qingshuang chided gently before raising tearful eyes to Sheng Hong.

“Hong Lang, I know you are angry, but I truly... truly care for Wei Sister...” Her words broke off, choked with sobs, tears streaming like rain, her body swaying as if about to faint.

Seeing this, Sheng Hong’s heart filled with renewed pity.

He quickly helped Lin Qingshuang to her feet, holding her close, then after a moment’s reflection said, “Qing’er, it was my impulse that wronged you.”

“However, this matter has already spread, damaging the Sheng family’s reputation. From now on, the keys to the household’s altars should be entrusted to the eldest madam.”

Lin Qingshuang nodded, her voice laced with a mixture of sorrow and tenderness.

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“As long as Hong Lang trusts your servant, I will obey everything you say.”

As dusk approached, Sheng Hong finally made his way to Wei Xiaoniang’s chamber.

Seeing Seventh Brother well-fed and content, energetically waving his tiny fists within the swaddling clothes, Sheng Hong’s heart swelled with joy.

Minglan, lying nearby, couldn’t help but poke his plump little cheek with her finger.

“Father, little brother still hasn’t been named.” Minglan blinked her bright, clear eyes and looked up at Sheng Hong.

Stroking his beard, Sheng Hong smiled gently. His gaze was warm. “Let’s name him Sheng Changliu. The character ‘Liu’ signifies both resilience and the endless cycle of life.”

“Changliu is a beautiful name. A person should be like the willow—gentle yet strong, able to bend without breaking.” Wei Xiaoniang’s eyes shimmered with tenderness as she leaned forward to softly call, “Brother Liu...”

Baby Liu babbled in response, as if answering her call.

“This child is truly gifted; his features resemble yours greatly,” Sheng Hong said sincerely.

Wei Xiaoniang smiled faintly, lowering her eyes. “Master jokes. The child is still young; it’s hard to tell.”

Then she added, “I was able to safely give birth to Brother Liu thanks to Brother-in-law’s arranging for the doctor. Please, Master, convey my sincere thanks to Brother-in-law.”

“I will prepare a generous gift to thank him. You just focus on recovering well,” Sheng Hong replied, his tone somewhat stiff. He cared deeply about appearances.

Yet now, this was the second time he had lost face in front of Zhao Han, making his role as future father-in-law rather uncomfortable.

—

A few days later, the crackling of New Year’s Eve firecrackers still echoed in the ears, and in the blink of an eye, it was the first day of the lunar new year.

At dawn, the thin snow on the bluestone path was trampled into a chaotic pattern of footprints by the passersby going about their New Year greetings.

Zhao Han, dressed in a brand-new pale moon-white brocade robe, stood beneath the hanging flower gate, handing out red envelopes one by one to the waiting maids and servants.

“Thank you, Brother. Happy New Year!” A young maid with twin buns accepted the envelope, smiling brightly as she bowed. “You are sure to top the imperial exams and claim first place!”

Several older maids quickly chimed in, “Indeed! With such talent and appearance, it is only fitting for you to be named the top scholar by the emperor.”

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Zhao Han wore a gentle smile; such auspicious words were truly pleasant to hear.

After distributing the envelopes, Changqing hurried over and bowed. “Brother, the gifts and carriage are ready. Madam Hu is urging us to depart.”

“Let’s go.”

Zhao Han settled into the carriage, slowly setting off toward the Sheng residence.

As the fiancé not yet formally married into the Sheng household, his primary task today was to pay New Year respects to the matriarch and his future in-laws.

Before long, the carriage stopped outside the Sheng residence.

The gate servant, upon seeing Zhao Han, greeted him cheerfully, “Greetings, Brother-in-law. The mistress just specially instructed me that if you arrive, to bring you directly to speak with the matriarch.”

He quickly placed a footstool and shouted inside, “Announce that Brother-in-law has arrived!”

Changqing, walking beside Zhao Han, thoughtfully slipped a red envelope into his hand.

The servant glanced down, seeing the envelope heavy with at least a silver tael or two, then hurriedly bowed again. “Thank you for your generosity, Brother-in-law!”

Upon entering the matriarch’s courtyard, Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofei sat respectfully at the matriarch’s left side, while Hualan, Changbai, and others sat in order according to protocol.

Zhao Han straightened his attire, stepped into the hall, and cupped his hands. “Son-in-law wishes the matriarch good health and longevity.” Then turning to Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofei, “Your son-in-law inquires after the health of father- and mother-in-law.”

His gaze swept over the assembled young ladies. Hualan wore a pale pink embroidered long skirt, her jet-black hair elegantly pinned up with several delicate, exquisite hairpins, her graceful posture exuding dignified beauty.

To her left sat a young girl dressed in a goose-yellow short jacket, about ten years old, with willow-shaped brows and almond-shaped eyes, exquisitely charming. Zhao Han instantly recognized her as the Sheng family’s fifth young lady, Rulan.

Following in order were Molan and Minglan—one dressed exquisitely, her every gesture carrying a trace of deliberate reserve; the other wearing a plain lotus-colored cotton skirt, her lowered lashes casting a faint shadow over her delicate face.

Zhao Han cupped his hands slightly and said, “Greetings to the young ladies.”