Chapter Ten: Giving the Jade, Returning the Jade (1)

At that moment, the wet nurse came in to ask about where Daiyu should stay.

Grandmother Jia had already made her plans and, without much thought, instructed, “Move Baoyu out—he’ll stay with me in the warm inner chamber. Let your cousin Lin settle temporarily in the Jade Silk Cabinet.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Yi raised his brow and hurriedly cupped his hands in protest, “Grandmother, I fear this might not be proper.

As the saying goes, by the age of six boys and girls should not share a seat, and by seven should not share a hall. Cousin Lin is already of age, and Baoyu is a year older. This arrangement is truly inappropriate.”

Though his reasoning was sound, it abruptly contradicted Grandmother Jia’s intentions, and a hint of displeasure crossed her face. She glanced at him and said coolly, “Baoyu is still a child. They are family, brother and sister—what could possibly be improper about them sharing a space?”

There was little fault to be found in her words; after all, in her eyes, no matter how old Jia Baoyu grew, he would always be a child before her.

But things could not be considered so simply, and Shi Yi could not allow Daiyu to be arranged to live with that rascal Baoyu in the same room—for what would that be?

“Grandmother, I must object!”

Shi Yi continued to argue, “I know you cherish Cousin Lin and wish her to live close by for easier care.

You may not heed ritual propriety, but her reputation must be considered. She is, after all, a young lady.

She cannot share a room with Brother Bao. There are many people inside and outside the household, and inevitably some reckless gossipers who might spread rumors. In time, it could tarnish both her family’s name and her own innocence.”

As he spoke so earnestly, Grandmother Jia’s brow furrowed, and she fell into contemplation.

Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun quietly felt he was right. Daiyu’s bright eyes glimmered, fixed on the handsome young man speaking up for her so sincerely.

A strange warmth suddenly blossomed in her heart.

Shi Yi, sensing her gaze, looked over instinctively. Daiyu quickly lowered her head, her delicate face flushed with shyness, her slender fingers nervously twisting her handkerchief.

Their actions did not escape Wang Xifeng’s notice. She pondered, then moved to sit beside Daiyu.

After thinking a moment, she smiled at Grandmother Jia, “Grandmother, in your affection for your granddaughter, you’ve overlooked these little matters.

Why not settle Cousin Lin in the house opposite my small courtyard? It is spacious and independent.

Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun are nearby, so they can look after each other and won’t be lonely—I and Sister-in-law can often visit as well.”

Wang Xifeng’s conciliatory words were gracefully delivered, attributing Grandmother Jia’s oversight to her love for her granddaughter and subtly shifting the nature of the issue.

Grandmother Jia’s expression softened, recalling how Baoyu and Daiyu had already quarreled upon meeting today.

To have them share a space might only breed further discord.

She sighed and smiled, “Very well, let it be so. You must keep a close watch and not allow the slightest mishap.”

“Please rest assured, Grandmother,” Xifeng replied brightly. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll move in with Cousin Lin and stay by her side at all times, ensuring not a single hair on her head is lost. If anything goes wrong, you may come punish me yourself.”

Hearing her playful promise, Grandmother Jia laughed and scolded, “Look at that sharp tongue! This is your own word—if anything should happen, I’ll hold you accountable.”

Everyone laughed, and Xifeng cheerfully agreed.

Shi Yi breathed an inward sigh of relief. Confronting Grandmother Jia so openly had been something of a gamble.

After all, once she made up her mind, no one in the Jia household could go against her.

The women continued to gather around Grandmother Jia and Daiyu, chatting about family matters.

Shi Yi was never summoned again by Grandmother Jia during this time—he had become invisible.

It was clear his earlier words had displeased the old lady.

He sighed quietly. After Daiyu, accompanied by her nurse and the other girls, left to rest, Shi Yi too slipped out of the Hall of Honor, stood beneath the covered walkway, and looked up at the murky night sky, his mind suddenly awash with thoughts.

“You rascal, what are you brooding over now?”

A charming laugh sounded behind him. Wang Xifeng, hand on her waist and swaying her hips, approached.

Shi Yi glanced at Ping’er, who carried a lantern at her side, and grinned, “Good sister-in-law, I was just thinking of Sister Ping’er—and lo, my wish was granted at once.”

Ping’er glared at him in embarrassment, while Xifeng studied him with amused intent, clicking her tongue, “Yi, you really seem to have changed in this month.”

She knew he was once far too shy to look at Ping’er directly, let alone indulge in such flowery words as he did today.

But Xifeng’s teasing remark, light as it was, felt like a bucket of cold water thrown over him.

Shi Yi’s heart jolted, and he suddenly thought, This is bad!

Ever since he arrived in this world, he had acted as he pleased, though in another’s body, his soul was wholly different.

His actions and words had diverged from the original, and he had not considered such things until Wang Xifeng’s comment.

The realization frightened him, but then he thought, perhaps he was only shadowboxing—scaring himself.

Even if his behavior had changed, Wang Xifeng was no immortal with piercing eyes—she could not see through everything.

Shi Yi steadied himself and bantered, “Second Sister-in-law, what are you implying? Am I perhaps a wolf in sheep’s clothing?”

“Hmph.” Xifeng gave him a sidelong glance, her eyes dancing with laughter, “Whether a wolf or leopard, I cannot say. But here, there’s certainly a little wolf who’s grown bold enough to chase after the ladies.”

With that, Xifeng tossed Ping’er a meaningful look.

Ping’er instantly understood, stamped her foot in embarrassment, and muttered, “This is too much! If Yi can’t behave, so be it, but now even you’re saying such things—have you taken leave of your senses?”

She turned and left in a huff, head bowed.

Wang Xifeng’s expression shifted and she grew annoyed, hand on her hip, pointing after Ping’er’s retreating figure, laughing and scolding, “Well, you little minx, can’t I joke with you? Two words and you start sulking—your skin really is thin!”

Shi Yi laughed shamelessly.

Xifeng turned, habitually reaching to tug his ear, but suddenly caught herself.

As she began to withdraw her hand, Shi Yi’s lips curled and he seized her soft, fair hand that hovered in midair.

Xifeng’s face froze; she hurriedly pulled her hand away, muttering, “You rascal, this is all your fault. Now tell me, how will you thank me for today?”

He did not feign innocence.

Shi Yi kept his composure and asked with a smile, “What else is there? Second Sister-in-law, you’ve confused me.”

Xifeng rolled her eyes and laughed, “If I hadn’t spoken up for you today, Cousin Lin would be sharing a room with Baoyu and Grandmother. How do you plan to thank me for that?”

Shi Yi paused, the flickering candlelight illuminating the beautiful woman before him, her face full of meaningful smiles.

This woman truly knows how to read hearts!

His little scheme had surely been seen through.

Originally, he had sought to have Daiyu arranged elsewhere, without Baoyu’s meddlesome presence, so he might have a better chance to approach her.

But perhaps he had been too conspicuous, opposing Grandmother Jia’s wishes, and Wang Xifeng had noticed his intentions.