Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 31.1

Chapter 31.1
Shen Qingqing’s waist was feeling a bit sore.
She had made it clear to Li Zhi not to touch her anywhere else, so he ended up squeezing her waist pretty hard.
After Li Zhi left, Shen Qingqing was so worn out that she fell back asleep. When she finally woke up, it was already bright outside.
Yu Chan and Yu Die came in to help her.
Yu Chan had stayed up all night and overheard the couple chatting for about half an hour in the morning. She was concerned that Madam might complain about the Marquis not being considerate, so she defended Li Zhi with a smile. “Madam, the Marquis really can’t be without you. He didn’t come back until last night, and I thought he would at least rest in the front yard. But surprisingly, he showed up at the second watch.”
Shen Qingqing realized that Li Zhi hadn’t returned until the second watch. ‘No wonder I would be able to sleep for a long time before he came.’
Just then, it hit her that Li Zhi had left wearing his official uniform in the morning.
“Did the Marquis take a bath last night?” Shen Qingqing asked, glancing at Yu Chan in the mirror.
Yu Chan shook her head and replied with a smile, “Master Hou was thoughtful and didn’t ask us to prepare any water.”
Shen Qingqing clenched her fists in frustration!
‘Sure, he’s considerate of his servants, but why can’t he be considerate of me?’
The thought of Li Zhi not washing up after the not-so-pleasant things she had read about childbirth made her so disgusted that she didn’t even want to touch her breakfast.
When someone from the kitchen came to inquire about the breakfast time, Shen Qingqing was still in the west room, taking a bath.
Once she was done, she reluctantly nibbled on a piece of purple potato cake.
“Madam, Miss Four, Miss Five, and Miss Jiang are here to see you,” Yu Die announced as she walked in.
Shen Qingqing was a bit taken aback. ‘So much trouble!’
Realizing they were guests, she pushed aside her irritation with Li Zhi and headed to the flower hall with a smile. As she reached the door, she spotted three lovely young ladies sitting together. Li Zhen, the fourth girl, had a bright smile, while Li Yu exuded elegance like a chrysanthemum, and Jiang Yiyue was slender and delicate, each radiating their own charm.
“Sister-in-law, we hope we’re not interrupting anything,” Li Zhen said first with a casual and friendly tone.
Shen Qingqing smiled back, “I was just worried about being lonely. Come on in, sisters!”
She then called Yudie to bring some tea.
Once they were settled, Shen Qingqing asked with curiosity, “So, what brings you all here together?”
Li Zhen glanced at Jiang Yiyue.
Jiang Yiyue smiled gently and replied, “Brother Zhongchang has gone to the palace. The old lady thought you might feel a bit lonely, so she asked us to keep you company.”
Shen Qingqing quickly responded, “I really appreciate the old lady’s thoughtfulness. You all are so sweet.”
Li Zhen added, “Sister-in-law, no need to be formal. We’re all a family.”
The tea was served, and everyone took a moment to enjoy it.
Li Zhen grinned and suggested, “Sister-in-law, the begonias at our Li Mansion are blooming right now. Since sitting here can get a bit dull, how about we go enjoy the flowers together?”
Shen Qingqing was about to say yes when she noticed Jiang Yiyue and asked with concern, “It’s pretty sunny out. Is it okay for Sister Yiyue to join us in the garden? If it’s too much, don’t feel pressured to come along. Your health comes first.”
Jiang Yiyue smiled back and replied, “Thanks for your concern, sister-in-law. I’ll be fine. I’ll just head back early.”
Li Zhen chimed in, “Sister-in-law, no need to worry. If it gets too much, Grandma wouldn’t want Yiyue out. She’s always been so well-behaved, and Grandma adores her.”
Hearing this, Jiang Yiyue blushed and looked down.
Still, Shen Qingqing instructed Yu Chan to grab an umbrella and hand it to Jiang Yiyue’s maid, Du Juan.
Once everything was set, they all headed to Haitang Garden.
What a surprise, the second young master, Li He, was there too.
He was busy painting, sitting on the ground with an easel in front of him. He had his back to them and seemed so absorbed in his work that he didn’t even notice Shen Qingqing and the others approaching.
Li Zhen smirked and made a shushing gesture, eager to see how long it would take for Li He to realize they were there.
Jiang Yiyue played along, while the fifth girl, Li Yu, frowned slightly, clearly not thrilled that her cousin was interrupting her brother’s artistic moment.
Shen Qingqing was standing next to Li Zhen, and her gaze was drawn to Li He’s painting brush.
Growing up with a scholarly father, Shen Qingqing was raised under her grandfather’s strict guidance. She read plenty of great books, practised calligraphy, and developed a skill for painting. As a child, she loved sitting beside her dad, watching him create beautiful landscapes and family portraits. This early exposure sparked her own passion for art.
While Shen Qingqing was a talented painter herself, she truly shined when it came to appreciating art. She found herself captivated by Li He’s brushwork, as vibrant begonias seemed to spring to life with each stroke, showcasing the delicate buds of the flowers. She took a few steps closer to get a better look.
As she got closer, her shadow began to appear on the canvas, making Li He pause his work, and he turned his head slightly.
At eighteen, Li He had long eyebrows and striking phoenix eyes, reminiscent of Li Zhi. While Li Zhi often wore a cold smile, Li He had a more serious demeanour, dressed in a green shirt that made him look like a graceful bamboo swaying in the mountains.
This handsome and talented young man, with his clear gaze as he painted, made Shen Qingqing’s heart race uncontrollably.
She instinctively took a step back.
At that moment, Li He noticed the other three ladies.
He set down his brush, stood up, and greeted Shen Qingqing with a bow. “I greet my sister-in-law.”
Shen Qingqing quickly regained her composure and replied apologetically, “I didn’t mean to interrupt my second brother’s artistry; I hope you can forgive me.”
Li He took a quick look at the drawing paper and then looked down. “I’m not great at painting, and it probably makes my sister-in-law laugh.”
Shen Qingqing chuckled and replied, “Come on, Second Brother, no need to be modest. I’ve been painting since I was seven, and I can’t even come close to your skills.”
Li He looked up, and his eyes were wide with surprise. “Sister-in-law, you paint too?”
Shen Qingqing shrugged it off, saying, “Oh, it’s nothing serious. I just doodle for fun when I’m bored.”
Before Li He could respond, Jiang Yiyue strolled over and, with a hint of envy, said, “I want to learn to paint too! But with Brother Zhongjing so busy, I don’t want to bother him. Would you be willing to teach me, Sister-in-law?”
Shen Qingqing recalled what her mother said before she got married, and remembered that Li He, the second son of the third family, was a scholar at just twelve and was now preparing for this year’s imperial exam.
At the tea ceremony, Shen Qingqing hadn’t paid much attention to Li He, but after seeing his incredible painting skills today, she felt a genuine admiration for him. It was surprising to think that someone like Li Zhi could have a cousin who was such a true gentleman.
“Sure, I’d be happy to help as long as you’re okay with it, Sister Yiyue.” Shen Qingqing thought highly of Li He and agreed to teach Jiang Yiyue with a smile.
Li Yu, who had been quiet for a bit, looked over at Shen Qingqing and said in a calm tone, “My second brother has all the supplies we need—pens, ink, paper, and inkstones. My sister-in-law’s painting of Begonia will surely impress us, right?”
Li Yu was quite the talented girl in the Li family. But she couldn’t meet someone like Shen Qingqing from a prestigious family, and she was eager to pick up some noble lady skills from the capital.
Shen Qingqing had noticed that Li Yu seemed a bit distant and reserved, but she didn’t want to get into a rivalry. If she lost, it would be embarrassing, and if she won, it might just make Li Yu jealous. Why stir up trouble?
Before Shen Qingqing could decline, Li He unexpectedly stepped in and said earnestly, “Sister-in-law, I’d love your guidance.”
Shen Qingqing was taken aback.
She really admired Li He’s talent and didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
With a resigned smile, she said, “Alright, I’ll give it a shot. Just don’t laugh at me.”
Naturally, Li Zhen and the others cheered her on.
Shen Qingqing knelt down where Li He had been, picked up the brush, and noticed Li He’s half-finished Begonia. She smiled and said, “Could you please switch the paper, brother?”
Li He stood next to her and said, “Sister-in-law, just keep going on this one.”
Li Zhen and the other girls were eagerly waiting for Shen Qingqing to start painting, but she felt it was a bit awkward for her and Li He to collaborate on a piece. It seemed better for her and her brother-in-law to keep things a bit more formal. So Shen Qingqing set her pen down and switched out the drawing paper herself.
Once she had a fresh sheet, she picked a bunch of crabapples for her scene and got to work painting with focus.
Her skills might not match Li He’s, but Shen Qingqing’s artwork had its own charm. The butterflies she painted were so realistic that they made the begonia flowers seem alive.
When she finished, Li He quietly complimented her work.
Li Yu felt a sense of pride, thinking Shen Qingqing couldn’t compare to her.
Shen Qingqing smiled softly and took down her begonia painting.
“Sister-in-law, let me have it. I’ll take it home later to show the old lady. She’ll definitely love it,” Jiang Yiyue said, a mix of envy and hesitation in her voice.
Everyone wanted it, but since it was just a casual piece, Shen Qingqing handed it over.
Li He continued with his painting while Shen Qingqing and the others wandered off to admire the flowers.
As the sun climbed higher, Jiang Yiyue was about to say her goodbyes when Shen Qingqing and the three girls also decided to head back to their own courtyards.
In the afternoon, Jiang Yiyue came by to ask to be her student.
Shen Qingqing chuckled, and replied with a teasing tone, “I’m the one teaching you, but don’t call me master.”
The two girls exchanged pleasantries, and Shen Qingqing had the maids get pens and paper ready, starting with the basics of painting for Jiang Yiyue.
Jiang Yiyue was a dedicated and eager learner, and since Shen Qingqing had some free time, it was nice to have someone to keep her company instead of being bored alone.
Before they knew it, the sky had darkened.
Jiang Yiyue wrapped up her painting and glanced out the window, fuming a bit. “Ugh, it’s getting late! If I don’t head back soon, the old lady will definitely send someone to
look for me. My lovely sister-in-law, I’ll be back to learn more tomorrow!”
Shen Qingqing chuckled, gave her a nod, and walked her to the door.
Have a nice day!