Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 29.1

Chapter 29.1

After a rare night of peaceful sleep, Shen Qingqing woke up just before dawn, lying on her own side of the bed.

The room was very quiet at the moment, and the only sound Shen Qingqing could hear was the chirping sounds of birds outside.

After lying there for a bit, she suddenly heard a noise behind her. Shen Qingqing tensed up but relaxed when she saw Li Zhi lifting the gauze curtain and heading to the clean room at the back.

Remembering how he had looked at her while she was getting dressed a couple of mornings ago, she quickly jumped out of bed, grabbed a coat from the hanger, and slipped it on. Just as she got one sleeve on, she heard a sudden rush of water from the clean room. Shen Qingqing paused, and as the realisation hit her, her expression turned a bit complicated.

She wondered if Li Zhi had cleaned up properly after his bath…

Once she was dressed, Shen Qingqing was about to step out when Li Zhi returned.

“Are you up so early?” he asked, surprised to see his young wife looking neat, with only her long hair slightly messy.

Shen Qingqing glanced at him and asked, “Are you still sleepy? If not, I can call the maids in.”

Since it was still early, Li Zhi thought for a moment and replied, “Yeah, I’ve been so tired these past couple of days that I forgot to practice martial arts. I should move my body today.”

Shen Qingqing stole a glance at his strikingly handsome face, struggling to picture him as a martial arts general.

Li Zhi seemed to sense her gaze and looked at his wife’s face.

Getting caught, she quickly turned her head away.

“Madam, if you’re interested, you could join me at the martial arts training ground,” Li Zhi muttered with a chuckle.

Shen Qingqing rolled her eyes before saying, “There’s nothing fun about swinging swords and guns around.”

The little girl always had a way to reject him, but for some reason, Li Zhi found her sassy attitude charming. He felt that if Shen Qingqing ever became the perfect, obedient wife, their married life would probably be pretty dull. “Alright, your dear husband is heading out first,” Li Zhi said cheerfully.

Shen Qingqing was more than happy to see him off.

Once Li Zhi was gone, Shen Qingqing called the maids to help her freshen up. She washed her face, styled her hair, and put on a nice outfit.

When she joined the Li family, her parents and grandmother had their worries, thinking she would be bullied by the Li family. Today, she wanted to shine and show off her loving side with Li Zhi to ease their minds.

Before marriage, she often complained to her parents and acted a bit spoilt when things went wrong. Now, just two days into being a daughter-in-law, she felt a mix of sadness and frustration but didn’t want her parents to worry.

Just before breakfast, Li Zhi strolled in from the front yard, wearing a striking crimson robe. The jade belt around his waist made him look tall and elegant.

Even Yu Chan and Yu Die couldn’t help but admire him, thrilled for their master.

Shen Qingqing gave him a quick glance before looking away.

Li Zhi came over and sat down, his gaze fixed on her with a warm, affectionate look.

Shen Qingqing asked softly, “Why are you staring at me like that?”

Li Zhi picked up his teacup and replied quietly before taking a sip, “From what I hear, most newlyweds act this way. We should practice a bit so we don’t give anything away in front of my in-laws.”

Shen Qingqing thought to herself. ‘That actually makes sense.’

So, when Li Zhi looked at her like that again, Shen Qingqing did her best to go with it.

The two headed over to Wanfu Hall to say goodbye to Mrs. Zhu after breakfast. On their way, Li Zhi leaned in closer to Shen Qingqing and whispered, “Madam’s gaze towards me feels really cold.”

Shen Qingqing bit her lip and replied softly, “I have my own way of behaving around elders.”

Li Zhi chuckled and shook his head. “I guess I’m just overthinking things.”

They soon arrived at Wanfu Hall, where Mrs. Zhu was already waiting for them. Fifteen-year-old Jiang Yiyue was sitting beside the old lady, chatting quietly with her.

Jiang Yiyue looked delicate, often dressed in white, and had a gentle way of speaking that gave her a slightly fragile beauty.

Mrs. Zhu had a soft spot for Jiang Yiyue. She had first met the girl when she was just six years old, abandoned by her struggling parents in the wilderness due to her frail health and sensitivity to light. The little girl wandered until she stumbled upon the Li family’s convoy, where she ran up, crying and kneeling, but fainted before she could explain her situation.

The Li family, being well-off, and Mrs. Zhu, who had a heart for helping others, decided to bring Jiang Yiyue into the capital. By then, the rash on her face had cleared, revealing her fair skin and big, expressive eyes that sparkled with innocence. Mrs. Zhu, touched by her story, took Jiang Yiyue under her wing.

Over the past nine years, Jiang Yiyue blossomed into a beautiful young lady with a gentle demeanor. To Mrs. Zhu, she was like a precious jade rabbit that was cherished and adored.

“Summer is coming soon, and the sun is getting more and more harsh. Let the maids cut whatever flowers you like. Don’t go to the garden to blow the wind.” After hearing Jiang Yiyue say that she wanted to see crabapple flowers, the old lady kindly tried to dissuade her.

Jiang Yiyue lowered her face and said in a clear voice, “The flowers that were cut dried up within two days. I couldn’t bear it.”

Old lady Zhu sighed, patted Jiang Yiyue’s little hand, and said, “You are weak, but you are such a Bodhisattva. Xinxin, I really don’t know what kind of family I should marry you to.”

Mrs. Zhu was worried about Jiang Yiyue’s future. A well-known family would want a girl with such a weird illness to be their daughter-in-law, and Mrs. Zhu was worried that a poor family would not be able to pamper Jiang Yiyue.

When Jiang Yiyue heard this, she quickly got up from her seat, kneeling beside Mrs. Zhu, pressed her little face into Mrs. Zhu’s knees, and sobbed, “I won’t marry anyone! I’ll always be right here with Grandma. If I annoy you, I can ask Brother Zhongchang for a spare yard to hide in and never come out.”

Mrs. Zhu chuckled and rolled her eyes. Just as she was helping Jiang Yiyue to her feet, Li Zhi and Shen Qingqing walked in.

Jiang Yiyue turned away, quietly wiping her tears.

Seeing this, Li Zhi teased, “Who made Yiyue cry this time?”

Jiang Yiyue was known for her sensitive nature, often shedding tears, something Li Zhi had grown used to.

She quickly ducked behind Mrs. Zhu.

Mrs. Zhu smiled and said, “It’s my fault for saying the wrong thing. Come on, Yiyue, stop crying; your sister-in-law is here.”

With red eyes, Jiang Yiyue turned toward the newlywed couple and greeted them, “Brother Zhongchang, Sister-in-law.”

Li Zhi shook his head and took a seat on the lower left side of Mrs. Zhu.

Since the man stayed quiet, Shen Qingqing stepped in to comfort Jiang Yiyue. “It’s hard to see you cry, sister Yiyue. Please wipe your tears.”

Jiang Yiyue nodded, then turned to Mrs. Zhu, saying, “Grandma can chat with my brother and sister-in-law. I’ll head back to my room now.”

Mrs. Zhu smiled and nodded.

Jiang Yiyue bid farewell to Li Zhi and Shen Qingqing and left with her maid.

Once she was gone, Li Zhi casually asked, “What did Grandma say to her?”

Old Mrs. Zhu placed her hands on her knees, looking worried. “It’s about her marriage. Yiyue will be sixteen next year. No matter how much I am reluctant to let her go, I can’t keep her here. I need to make plans for her.”

Li Zhi reassured her. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I know plenty of young talents from my army, and I’ll keep an eye on Yiyue.”

Mrs. Zhu pursed her lips, not responding to her grandson, and turned to Shen Qingqing with a warm tone, “Qingqing, how has Zhongchang been treating you these past few days? If he’s bullying you, tell Grandma. Grandma will make the decision for you.”

Li Zhi immediately looked at Shen Qingqing.

Shen Qingqing pinched the handkerchief quietly, then looked at Li Zhi shyly before lowering her eyes and said, “Thank you, Grandma, for caring about me. Mr. Marquis is very good to me.”

Mrs. Zhu nodded with satisfaction and said, “That’s good. Um, it’s getting late, and you two go quickly.”

Li Zhi and Shen Qingqing stood up at the same time and bowed to say goodbye.

Have a nice day!