Chapter 68: The Young Servant Shen Qingyun

Shen Residence, Stream Garden, Cloud Viewing Pavilion.

Before long, Shu Qing returned, accompanied by Steward Su and a young man.

“Miss!” Shu Qing softly called as she approached Shen Yanxi.

Shen Yanxi set aside her book and turned to look toward the door.

“Miss!” The steward and the young man promptly bowed in greeting.

“Uncle Su, did you see that man in the courtyard? Have him locked in the water prison and forbid anyone from approaching. This matter must not leave Stream Garden.”

“And, arrange for me and my husband to go hunting at Qingfeng Plain tomorrow.”

“Qingyun, you’ll lead a hundred house guards to accompany us.”

“Yes, Miss!” Both nodded in agreement.

“Uncle Su, you go ahead and make the arrangements. Qingyun, stay and talk with me for a while.”

Once the steward had left, Shen Yanxi’s severe expression softened, and she looked kindly at Shen Qingyun, who stood below her.

Shen Qingyun, clad in dark robes and standing tall as a pine, his posture upright as if forged from steel, possessed a countenance chiseled as if by knife and axe. His broad forehead, brows like swords, and eyes shining like stars gave him a commanding presence. His nose was straight and high, lips slightly upturned, and his thin mouth exuded determination. His prominent cheekbones and sharp features outlined a strong, bold character.

“Qingyun, it’s been nearly seven years since you came back with me to the Shen family. The boy you once were has become our bravest house guard.”

“Miss, seven years and three months. Were it not for your order back then for the house guards to intervene, I would surely have been abducted to the Northern Barbarians, my fate unknown…” Shen Qingyun’s voice was low and somber, his head bowed.

“It’s all in the past, Qingyun. Don’t dwell on it. I merely felt a sudden pang of nostalgia seeing you just now,” Shen Yanxi smiled gently.

Shen Qingyun’s heart trembled at her words; he wanted to look up at her, but dared not, so he kept his head bowed.

“For tomorrow’s outing, ensure the guards keep their tongues in check—no unnecessary chatter when we return.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Qingyun, from now on, when I ask you to meet Lu Jin, treat him as you would treat me. Can you do that?” Shen Yanxi rose and looked at him.

“Miss!” Shen Qingyun abruptly raised his head, his eyes reddening.

“Shen Qingyun, is that how you address your Miss?” Shu Qing rebuked sternly.

Shen Qingyun quickly lowered his head. He felt his heart struck hard, cracks opening everywhere, old wounds breaking anew. The affection of his youth had never been voiced; he and she remained as weeds beneath the lofty clouds.

“Yes, Miss.” Shen Qingyun gritted his teeth and quickly withdrew.

“Qingyun, Lu Jin is my husband.” Shen Yanxi spoke as he was about to cross the threshold.

Hearing her gentle voice behind him, Shen Qingyun’s foot stalled mid-air, then landed firmly and resolutely. Just as he had sworn years ago to protect her for life.

---

“Miss, you could simply command him; he’s a servant, why bother explaining so much?” Shu Qing was still upset at Shen Qingyun’s earlier defiant expression.

“Qingyun is different. We met as youths; I saved his life with no thought of repayment. But he insisted on entering the Shen residence as a servant to protect me. A young heart cannot see all consequences, so I let him. These years, I owe much to him—he’s helped me escape danger several times. I only hope he’ll help my husband without resentment.” Shen Yanxi’s gaze dropped as she sat back on the couch.

“Were you about to ask why I kept this from my husband?” Shen Yanxi sipped her tea.

“I spoke out of turn!” Shu Qing quickly lowered her head.

“He’s a scholar. If possible, I’d rather his life stay simple.” Shen Yanxi set down her cup, recalling Lu Jin’s honest face, a smile brightening her lips.

Standing by, Shu Qing trembled inwardly at her Miss’s expression, unable to understand why her Miss seemed to lose composure whenever she encountered her husband. Even the master was powerless before the calm Miss.

---

The next day, Shen Yanxi sent a maid to tell them to proceed directly to the east gate. Lu Jin ate a little, then, with Xiao Bai and Yuan Fang, walked toward the east gate.

“Yuan Fang, where did your Miss put the river bandit from yesterday?” Lu Jin asked.

“Master, the steward took him away. I don’t know where.”

Yuan Fang, arms folded and acting tough, made Lu Jin’s mouth twitch.

Yuan Fang, seeing Lu Jin’s gaze, looked down at himself, hurriedly dropping his arms.

“No, be yourself. I actually like your swagger,” Lu Jin laughed heartily, patting Yuan Fang’s shoulder as he walked on.

Yuan Fang glanced at Xiao Bai, who quickly shook his head—not a clue what “swagger” meant.

At the east gate, Lu Jin found a crowd gathered. He wondered what drew them so early.

Reaching the entrance, Lu Jin was stunned—what was happening?

Directly opposite the gate, several attendants were holding tall, robust horses, their presence powerful, seeming ready to break free at any moment.

Behind them were rows of cavalry—over a hundred by rough estimate. The formation was strict and solemn, warriors on horseback armed with swords and arrows, exuding a fierce aura. Apart from the snorts and hoofbeats, the silence was nearly suffocating.

At the head of the group sat a young man in dark robes, his gaze disdainful. He was quite young, possibly Lu Jin’s age or even younger. His cold, angular face radiated the vigor of a soldier.

Why was he looking at Lu Jin with such contempt? Lu Jin felt slighted.

“Master, this is your horse!” Steward Su appeared and addressed Lu Jin.

Turning to recognize Su, Lu Jin was about to ask what was going on when a voice called out behind him.

“Husband!”

Lu Jin spun around, mouth agape, utterly astonished.

Today, Shen Yanxi was no longer the dignified, elegant daughter of a noble house. She wore a black riding outfit, her slender waist cinched with a dark-patterned belt, accentuating her graceful curves. A black gauze cloak draped her shoulders, her simple ponytail swaying behind, her gait brisk and spirited.

---

Her tall figure, undulating curves, defined features, and radiant expression dazzled Lu Jin in the morning sunlight—he could hardly keep his eyes open, mouth wide in awe.

As Shen Yanxi approached the east gate and saw Lu Jin staring dumbstruck, a joyful feeling welled up inside her. She had always known her beauty to be outstanding—once her greatest worry—but now it was different. She liked the way Lu Jin looked at her, and a hint of pride blossomed in her heart.

“Husband!” Shen Yanxi called again as she drew near, snapping Lu Jin out of his trance. He was about to speak when a voice behind startled him.

Seeing Shen Yanxi leave, the previously silent cavalry instantly dismounted in unison, standing beside their horses with heads bowed. “Miss!”

Shen Yanxi’s face, moments ago radiant, now turned cold as snow. Passing Lu Jin, she took the whip from the steward and said sternly, “Shen Qingyun, I do not wish for a repeat of this.”

Standing before the horse, Shen Qingyun’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes, Miss,” he replied gravely.

“Mount up!” Shen Yanxi ordered. The warriors swiftly mounted, disciplined and fierce as tigers bursting from the den.

Lu Jin, just recovered from Shen Yanxi’s heroic presence, found himself stunned anew by her command—who was she really? Had she crossed worlds too?

“Husband!” Shen Yanxi, already astride her horse, waited, but Lu Jin remained rooted in place, dazed.

Lu Jin turned hurriedly—at some point, Shen Yanxi had mounted her horse, looking at him with a mix of shyness and annoyance, whip in hand. Lu Jin shivered—what was this?

“Master, your whip!” Turning, Lu Jin saw the steward holding out an identical whip.

Blushing, Lu Jin quickly took it and approached his horse—only to freeze again.

“Master, shall I lead you again today?” Xiao Bai was quick to offer help, but Lu Jin nearly wanted to thrash him—did he have to make Lu Jin look foolish?

Shen Qingyun, riding at the front, glanced over, a trace of disdain flickering in his eyes as he looked away.

“Husband, ride with me,” Shen Yanxi said, extending her hand.

Lu Jin didn’t hesitate—this morning was already too embarrassing.

Without overthinking, he took Shen Yanxi’s hand and mounted, sitting behind her.

“Husband, I should have considered more carefully. Please, don’t mind,” Shen Yanxi said with genuine remorse. Smart as she was, she’d assumed Lu Jin could ride, never expecting otherwise.

“It’s fine—it’s not your fault,” Lu Jin replied, though he felt miserable inside, feeling like the only fool at the east gate, unable to make sense of anything.

“Is holding my waist making you a bit happier?” Shen Yanxi tilted her head, her voice softly whispering in his ear.

…A temptress indeed! Here on horseback, her posture and voice—Lu Jin, even as a modern man, couldn’t resist. All gloom vanished, his heart consumed by the closeness of the woman before him, her warmth burning through the thin fabric.

“Hmph!” Shen Yanxi snorted, donned her veil, leaned forward, and spurred her horse ahead, catching Lu Jin off guard. He clung tightly to her as the procession thundered forth like a storm.

In the now quiet east gate, the groom was struggling to pull a solitary horse away, but neither man nor beast would budge, locked in stubborn contest on the road.