DDR 61.1

Chapter 61.1: Fright in the peach grove

So, due to final exams, I started translating this chapter a bit late this week. I wanted to at least post something this week, so even though this isn’t a very long chapter, I’m posting it in two parts. There are like, 5 scene changes in this chapter, and I cut it off at the end of one of them, so the second part will be longer than this part.

---

When Qi Xueyan got home, she naturally exaggerated how much Duan Wang shizi‘s helped her. At the request of Qi Xueyan, Master Qi and Madam Qi promised to invite Duan Wang shizi to dinner to express their thanks. Qi Xueyan was finally relieved when she learned that her parents had agreed. Just thinking about how Shen Jingshu and Duan Wang shizi were together today still made her uncomfortable.

She really wanted to ask her about it in person, but there was no chance today, so she would have to wait for tomorrow.

Qi Xueyan did not sleep peacefully that night. She got up early the next morning. She hadn’t gone to Shen Jingshu’s home to look for her in a long time, but she went today.

First thing in the morning, Shen Jingshu was still eating breakfast. She naturally dared not tell Dan Yuerong what had happened the day before. She also would not let Chun Mei speak of it, so Chun Mei had no choice but to remain silent. Therefore, there was nothing wrong in the Shen family regarding the previous day’s matter. Today, Shen Jingshu got up as usual and accompanied Dan Yuerong to breakfast. But before they had finished eating, they heard that Qi Xueyan was coming.

“Hehe, Xueyan is coming? Let her come in and sit down!” Qi Xueyan hadn’t come to the Shen residence for a long time. Instead, Yang Huilan and Kong Xinhe had often come. Dan Yuerong didn’t think anything of it at first. Although she gradually realized it was happening, she didn’t ask about it.

It was good for her daughter to have more friends. As for those who weren’t sincere, it was also good to have fewer dealings with them.

“Yes, Madam!” Qi Xueyan was also anxious, and on top of that she couldn’t sleep the night before due to the previous day’s events, therefore she came over first thing in the morning. However, she didn’t expect that Shen Jingshu would not come out, so she could only go in. “Hello, Madam Shen!” Perhaps her frame of mind had changed. Although the two of them still seemed good friends on the face of it, they did not have much contact with each other anymore.

“Xueyan is here, have you eaten breakfast yet? Do you want to eat together?”

“No thank you, Madam Shen, I’ve already had breakfast. I just wanted to go to school together with Jingshu, and on the way, look in here, but I didn’t expect you were all still eating. I’ve disturbed you.”

“It’s no problem, we’re almost done!” She said and smiled. Seeing that Qi Xueyan was not eating, Dan Yuerong also would not force her. She just let Qi Xueyan sit down and wait until Shen Jingshu had finished eating. Dan Yuerong straightened out her daughter’s clothes and said, “Okay, go, don’t let Xueyan wait for a long time.”

“Mom, I know. Then I’m leaving!”

“En, be careful on the road!”

“Madam Shen, goodbye!”

“Later come over to play more often. Shu’er is always talking about you!”

“Yes, Madam Shen!” Qi Xueyan said while smiling. She realized while waiting that she had been too impulsive. She’d come over so early, how could she ask now? Wasn’t she too eager?

Although she regretted it a little bit now, but Qi Xueyan had still come, and she had no choice but to get into the carriage with Shen Jingshu. The two talked and laughed, and Qi Xueyan tried to guide the conversation to the topic of yesterday’s events. Shen Jingshu knew that Qi Xueyan wanted to ask about Duan Wang shizi, and naturally did not make the other party ask.

She didn’t want to avoid her today, or tomorrow. Qi Xueyan was not one to give up easily. She had spoken well earlier!

“Oh that’s right, Xueyan, were you okay going back yesterday? Was your family worried?”

“Don’t worry, it’s all right. I’m fine, and my parents are relieved. They also said they would like to invite Duan Wang shizi over for dinner. This matter was resolved thanks to him.” In fact, shouldn’t the one Qi Xueyan be most grateful towards be Shen Jingshu? Without Shen Jingshu, how would Duan Wang shizi undertake the task of looking for her?

It’s just that some people are not willing to admit it, so they choose to ignore it deliberately.

“That’s true, if not for meeting Duan Wang shizi yesterday, I wouldn’t know what to do. Fortunately, you’re okay!” Now, presumably due to some lingering fear, Shen Jingshu thought about that cold man. Actually, even until now, she still couldn’t figure out why he had helped her.

The Duan Wang shizi she knew was not like this.

“By the way, Jingshu, speaking of Duan Wang shizi, how do you know him? Moreover, he also helped you, are you very familiar?” When had the person in front of her become familiar with Duan Wang shizi? Duan Wang shizi was such a distinguished person, how could he suddenly help this person?

“Hehe, Xueyan, what are you talking about? How can I get familiar with Duan Wang Shizi? I have only met him a few times. The first time was at your house, do you remember?”

“And after that? Did you meet each other again?” Qi Xueyan didn’t think that Duan Wang shizi was the kind of person who would help others when he saw them! So she thought Shen Jingshu was hiding something!

“One time Duan Wang shizi came to my house to give a return gift. I met him that one time, and after that, I never saw him again.” Knowing that Qi Xueyan didn’t believe her, Shen Jingshu had no option but to mention the meeting between the two, but Qi Xueyan still didn’t believe her. “Really? You have only met twice? But how are you so familiar with each other?” People who have only met twice, according to reason, the first time can’t be counted, so how would they lend a hand?

Thinking of Duan Wang shizi‘s indifference to herself, Qi Xueyan was unable to understand it.

Why? Why did that cold person treat Shen Jingshu favorably? What was between them that she didn’t know about?

Qi Xueyan was certain Shen Jingshu was concealing something, and was very upset. Shen Jingshu noticed this, and explained, “Really, Xueyan, what do I have to lie to you about? Duan Wang shizi helped me yesterday. Maybe it was out of consideration for my dad? He’s seen me at my house, so naturally he knows that I’m my dad’s daughter. He has to keep my dad’s face in mind, right?” This reason was plausible. Shen Wenhua had passed the three levels of imperial examinations. Although now he was assigned as the prefectural magistrate in Jiangnan, but once he returned to the capital, he would definitely be given heavy responsibilities.

“So it turns out to be like this!” Qi Xueyan replied. Though she still held some doubts, she did not ask more at this time. It was just that she was now more envious of Shen Jingshu.

Was it really because her status was a bit higher, so Duan Wang shizi treated her favorably?

Shen Jingshu ah, Shen Jingshu, why must you get in my way?

“Of course it’s like this. Else, Xueyan, what do you think?” Shen Jingshu smiled thoughtlessly. Her childish face was completely devoid of deep thoughts. Qi Xueyan withdrew her curiosity and changed the topic of conversation lest she ask more and provoke Shen Jingshu’s suspicions.

* * * *

At the school, when Shen Jingshu and Qi Xueyan got off the carriage together, they saw Yang Huilan and Kong Xinhe arriving. Several people greeted them. Yang Huilan looked at Qi Xueyan and pulled Shen Jingshu aside, “Jingshu, why did you come together with her? What happened?” It must be known, Qi Xueyan hadn’t come to the school together with Shen Jingshu for a long time!

“It’s nothing. It’s just a coincidence, that’s all. Okay, let’s go to class. It’s time!” She didn’t want to say more and worry the other two. Shen Jingshu left with a smile. Yang Huilan wanted to say something, but Kong Xinhe pulled her a bit and shook her head. Yang Huilan sighed suddenly, “That Qi Xueyan has bad intentions. I worry about Jingshu being bullied by her!”

“Huilan, you’ve known Jingshu for so long, don’t you know what kind of person Jingshu is? Don’t worry, it’s fine. Jingshu does not act without thinking.” Although Shen Jingshu always put on an appearance of being controlled by Qi Xueyan when she was in front of her, Kong Xinhe knew that Shen Jingshu had never suffered a loss from Qi Xueyan.

“Ai, I don’t know what Jingshu is going to do. Obviously, Qi Xueyan is harboring unfathomable motives, and Jingshu still goes around with her!”

“All right, let’s go. Jingshu must have her own ideas, let’s not disturb her.”

“Ok ok ok, let’s go!” Shaking her head helplessly, Yang Huilan was not stupid. Of course she knew that Shen Jingshu had her reasons for doing what she did, but she was uneasy, ah!

* * * *

After this incident, Master Qi really invited Duan Wang shizi to offer his thanks, but Duan Wang shizi declined due to feeling unwell, making Master Qi thoroughly embarrassed. “This Duan Wang shizi truly isn’t giving us face!” He had the good intentions to thank him. Did he need to be like this?

“Master, don’t be angry!”

“Ai, it’s all Yan’er, causing me to lose face!” Duan Wang shizi refused him due to his bad health, without even giving him a chance. How could Master Qi resign himself to this?

“Yan’er is also kind. Since Duan Wang shizi is unwell, let’s send him some gifts. Anyway, it’s our good intentions, so Duan Wang shizi cannot refuse, right?”

“Now it can only be like this, it’s really…” Although he was disatisfied, Master Qi would not really be upset by Duan Wang shizi‘s rejection. He was clear on what kind of identity Duan Wang shizi had as compared to his own. If he were willing to come, that would be a great honor for him, but if he didn’t come, he could not pick at his manners.

“Then, what would be good to give?”

“You can do as you please!” Feeling upset, Master Qi was too lazy to deal with it, and so threw everything to Madam Qi and left. Madam Qi looked at her husband in disappointment and sighed, “Ai…”

Why did she marry such a husband? Her two children were so pitiful…

Thinking of her son and daughter growing up but still not having a reliable backing, Madam Qi was worried. Madam Qi knew that Qi Shaodong had set his heart on Shen Jingshu, but now the relationship between the two residences was not as it was before. Madam Qi also could not straightforwardly seek marriage as before. At present, she had to let Qi Shaodong work hard to make Shen Jingshu decide on him so as to settle this matter earlier.

And her daughter…

Thinking of her daughter’s expression when she mentioned Duan Wang shizi, Madam Qi could not help but worry.

Duan Wang shizi had a distinguished identity. Of course, she also wanted such a son-in-law, but precisely because of his identity, her daughter was somewhat unsuitable.

Although Madam Qi had a high aspirations, when all was said and done, she understood propriety. She also did not have those kinds of unrealistic dreams. If Qi Xueyan had a position like Shen Jingshu, perhaps she would think about it and employ some means, but as it was now…

This could only be blamed on them not having good fate.