Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Could She Truly Like Second Young Master Shang?

The nanny beside Madam Tao knew medicine. She took the prescription and carefully examined it, finally nodding.

Only then did Madam Tao rise and bow courteously to Sheng Zhi Wan. “If I can indeed conceive, I promise to return and thank you properly.”

“No need. The consultation fee is enough. I hope your wish soon comes true,” Sheng Zhi Wan replied.

Madam Tao felt even more reassured upon hearing this, leaving Merciful Creek Hall filled with hopeful anticipation.

Watching her depart, Sheng Zhi Wan silently hoped the woman would achieve her heart’s desire. She exchanged a few more instructions with Shopkeeper Lin before stepping out.

“Young… Master, shall we stroll around or head straight home?” Ting Lan gazed longingly at the bustling streets.

Sheng Zhi Wan instantly read her thoughts. She gently raised her hand, lightly flicking Ting Lan’s forehead with her finger.

Ting Lan’s cheeks flushed immediately.

[Princess dressed as a young nobleman is so handsome!] She thought, heart fluttering. [Certainly the most charming Young Master I’ve ever seen. Far better-looking than the Heir Apparent!]

“Then let’s take a leisurely stroll,” Sheng Zhi Wan decided.

“Wonderful!” Ting Lan cheered happily. Even An Zhi, typically reserved, brightened at the thought. They rarely had opportunities to wander like this, and An Zhi hadn’t stepped outside at all in the past two years.

Women throughout history, when given leisure time, naturally drifted toward garments and jewelry. Without noticing, they found themselves in front of Priceless Cauldron Pavilion.

But before they could step inside, a familiar figure strode swiftly out of the shop.

“Princess, isn’t that Second Young Master Shang?” whispered Ting Lan.

Following her gaze, Sheng Zhi Wan indeed saw a delicate-looking young lady walking closely behind a man. He wore an impatient frown, his handsome face holding an air of reckless mischief. Who else could he be but Shang Hang Yu?

“This maidservant heard that the Shang family was looking for a suitable wife for Second Young Master Shang. They seemed interested in a distant cousin from Madam Shang’s maternal family, a Miss Bai. Could that be her?”

“Poor Miss Bai,” Ting Lan muttered sympathetically. “She looks so delicate, yet Second Young Master Shang walks so quickly, without the slightest bit of tenderness.”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s gaze drifted down, inadvertently settling on Miss Bai’s belly.

“Princess, what’s wrong?” Ting Lan asked, noticing her odd expression.

“Nothing,” Sheng Zhi Wan quickly replied.

[Their fate isn’t meant to be. Best not to get involved.] She turned to leave, but Shang Hang Yu, who had already walked far ahead, suddenly turned back as if sensing her gaze.

Their eyes met; Sheng Zhi Wan was momentarily stunned.

Shang Hang Yu’s impatient expression froze at seeing her.

“Brother Hang Yu, please don’t walk so fast. Xiao Xiao can’t keep up…” The girl’s sweet, delicate voice reached them, making Shang Hang Yu’s face tighten further.

Sheng Zhi Wan gave him a polite nod, then stepped past and entered Priceless Cauldron Pavilion.

“What are you looking at, Brother Hang Yu?” Bai Xiao Xiao followed his gaze but saw nothing at the empty entrance.

A flash of disgust crossed Shang Hang Yu’s eyes, swiftly hidden. He glanced at Bai Xiao Xiao. “Didn’t you say you wanted to visit Gathering Worthies Teahouse? Let’s go now.”

“Huh? But didn’t you say you had important matters earlier?” Bai Xiao Xiao asked softly.

“No matter how important, nothing matters more than you,” Shang Hang Yu responded smoothly.

“You’re so good to me, Brother Hang Yu!” Bai Xiao Xiao felt a thrill of triumph.

Her mother had worried about her ability to tame a notoriously wild Young Master like Shang Hang Yu, yet within half a day, hadn’t he already fallen into her palm?

Still… despite his good looks, Shang Hang Yu’s reputation was questionable, and he was hardly as capable as the Shang family’s Elder Young Master.

[If only I could marry Elder Young Master Shang instead.] Bai Xiao Xiao silently lamented.

…

“Young Master, do you really think Miss Bai likes Second Young Master Shang?” Even after entering Priceless Cauldron Pavilion, Ting Lan still pondered aloud.

Ever since Shang Hang Yu defended Sheng Zhi Wan last time, Ting Lan’s opinion of him had improved greatly. Whenever someone spoke badly of him now, Ting Lan felt they were unjustly maligning him.

Yet rumors were stubbornly persistent, and she remained uneasy. That Miss Bai seemed so gentle—could she truly appreciate someone like Shang Hang Yu?

“Everyone has their own destiny,” Sheng Zhi Wan gently tapped Ting Lan’s shoulder. “Rather than worrying about that, go choose a piece of jewelry you like.”

Ting Lan stared at her in surprise.

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled and turned to An Zhi. “An Zhi, you choose one too. Consider it an early birthday gift from this Young Master. Your birthdays are both tomorrow, right?”

“Young Master… remembers?” An Zhi’s eyes grew moist.

She and Ting Lan, cousins born on the same day, had been sold into a brothel by their clan. They escaped the very day Sheng Zhi Wan got married. Guards nearly recaptured them when Princess Sheng Zhi Wan heard the commotion and paid their ransom.

They had mentioned their birthdays only once, briefly, yet the Princess had never forgotten.

“No tears now, or people might think this Young Master is bullying you,” Sheng Zhi Wan teased gently.

“Yes!” Ting Lan quickly wiped her eyes, smiling brightly. “Then I’ll choose something especially lovely and wear it every day!”

The girls soon chose their jewelry, and Sheng Zhi Wan generously paid with silver ingots.

On the carriage ride home, as they passed Gathering Worthies Teahouse, they noticed a large crowd outside the entrance.

“Heavens! Could it really be true? Is she truly pregnant?”