Chapter 959: Chapter 955: Stunned (4)
Chunliu didn’t stay with them; she stood up with them: "I’ll see you out."
Madam Ruan and Madam Qian each left the mansion and went home.
The next day, the gates of Shen Mansion displayed white banners, as Shen Ji’s body had not yet been transported back to the capital. So, only a mourning hall was set up with an empty coffin, everyone in the mansion dressed in mourning clothes. It was unsettling that not a sound emerged from the mansion; there wasn’t even a whisper of crying—quiet as if the house was unchanged, but for the mourning white seen everywhere.
Citizens gathered outside Shen Mansion, peering through its wide-open gates, as courtiers arrived one after another, all shocked by the strange atmosphere before them.
It seemed the entire city was enveloped in the grief of Shen Mansion, hauntingly silent.
Xiqiu instructed Nanny Cen to prepare offerings from three animals, handed Zhi and Kun along with Tong Xihua to Mr. Ji, and then sent greetings to Grand Dowager, personally visiting Shen Mansion for condolences.
She was received by a daughter-in-law of a collateral branch of the Shen family, who, upon recognizing Xiqiu’s identity, gave her a long look but said nothing. Xiqiu paid her respects in the inner courtyard and then went to greet Old Madam Shen. Madam Shen was not present; Old Madam Shen sat in the main hall with a dignified and solemn expression devoid of sorrow, the white hairs at her temples betraying her fatigue.
Xiqiu performed the courtesy, and Old Madam Shen nodded slightly: "Thank you for spending time, Fourth Madam." Xiqiu showed a sorrowful expression and replied, "Please restrain your grief and accept the inevitable, Grand Dowager."
"Thank you, Fourth Madam," Old Madam Shen said faintly, her face unchanged, while Xiqiu asked, "Is Madam Shen and the two young masters alright?"
Old Madam Shen shook her head, revealing her sorrow: "My daughter-in-law has fallen ill, the two children are sensible and are attending to her at her bedside."
Xiqiu chatted for a few moments, as more visitors arrived, and then she bid farewell: "Take care of your health." Old Madam Shen agreed and had someone see Xiqiu out.
Once she was in the carriage, Xiqiu couldn’t help but marvel in silence; if it were her, she feared she wouldn’t possess the same composure and steadiness as Old Madam Shen.
The next day, as expected, word came from the capital that the Emperor was returning.
Xiqiu watched from afar as Zhi worked up a sweat in the courtyard, maintaining a solid horse stance, a stick of incense burning down before him. Master Hua sat to the side, cup of tea in hand, calling out, "Straighten your back."
Zhi straightened his back as commanded, and Xiqiu noticed his legs were subtly trembling.
When the incense finally burned out, Zhi turned to look at Master Hua, who set down his tea and stood up, saying, "Rise." Zhi complied and rose, his sweat-drenched clothes fluttering in the morning breeze, his expression resolute. Master Hua continued, "Show me the set of boxing moves I taught you yesterday; remember the forms?"
Zhi nodded, "I remember." With that, he brought his legs together, fists placed flat at his waist, eyes forward, displaying a seriousness Xiqiu had never seen before.
He performed the boxing forms with powerful precision, yet Master Hua frowned, picking out faults, "Raise your arms higher, like a woman, soft and floppy."
Zhi raised his arms higher as instructed, executing kicks and sweeps gracefully.
Xiqiu chuckled softly, feeling both sympathy and pride.
"Madam, let’s go back." Chunliu supported Xiqiu, "He only has fifteen more minutes before he can rest."
Xiqiu nodded, turning back and walking away, saying as she went, "Later, you and Nanny Cen should visit Shen Mansion again." Chunliu agreed.
In just a moment, Zhi ran in from outside, wearing a straight coat with a cape Zhou had insisted he wear. His face was flushed, yet his hands were warm. Xiqiu smiled and untied his cape, saying, "Quickly wash up and come back for food, then head to the academy. Kun and Twelfth Aunt will be arriving soon."
Zhi nodded and dashed off again.
Xiqiu turned to Bihuai and asked, "What day is it today?" Bihuai replied, "It’s the twelfth today."
Calculating the time, the letter sent to Fourth Master Xiao should have arrived.
After Zhi returned from washing up, Xiqiu joined him for breakfast. Zhi skillfully cracked open a boiled egg, peeled it, dipped it in sauce, and ate it, then drank a glass of goat milk, wiped his mouth and said, "I’m done eating."
Xiqiu tidied his clothes, smiling, "Off you go."
Zhi grabbed his school bag and headed off to the outer garden with Qingshan and Qingyuan.
Min rode on horseback, smiling at Vice General Chen, saying, "General Chen, you can let go; I can ride by myself."
Vice General Chen shook his head, "Young master, it’s better for me to hold the reins here; it’s very secluded." They set camp under the only mountain range outside the border. He glanced around, "Let’s head back, it’s about time, and soon it will be time for dinner."
Min thought for a moment and didn’t insist, nodding, "Alright, let’s head back then." As he spoke, he raised his head and saw the Eldest Prince being led, practicing horse riding, his expression somber and unhappy.
Since the news of Shen Ji’s death arrived, the Emperor ordered an early return to court, creating tension in the army, and Min was secretly frustrated with Shen An’s unilateral decisions.
The Eldest Prince had been ill for two days, and though he seemed better today, he appeared to be a different person, looking gloomily intimidating.
Min’s gaze shifted, avoiding confrontation, and he said to Vice General Chen, "Let’s return from the other side." Vice General Chen agreed, leading the horse away.
Unexpectedly, the Eldest Prince turned his horse and headed straight towards them, blocking Min’s path.
Min remained on horseback, saluting with cupped fists, "Your Highness." The Eldest Prince squinted his eyes, watching him in silence for a long moment, before a cold smile appeared.
"If Your Highness has no orders, I shall take my leave." Min lowered his head without looking at him. Seeing the Eldest Prince silent, Min signaled Vice General Chen to leave, while the Eldest Prince continued to watch coldly, not saying a word.
Min rode away, not looking back, yet he could still feel the cold gaze lingering behind him, never departing.
Just then, suddenly, an arrow tore through the air with a whirring sound, headed straight for Min...
Vice General Chen furrowed his brows, reacting swiftly by pulling Min down from the horse.
The arrow thudded into the horse’s abdomen, causing the horse to panic, squeal, and gallop away wildly.
"Assassins are present!" Vice General Chen protected Min as they retreated, glancing back to see the Eldest Prince being rushed away from his horse and escorted toward the camp.
Just a few steps away, a barrage of arrows flew from behind, showering into the mud around them.
Seeing this, Min turned back to look at the Eldest Prince, who remained completely unharmed, causing Min to furrow his brows in deep understanding: the attackers clearly targeted him, not an ordinary assassin; they would ignore a royal prince yet aim for an insignificant person like him.
