Quick Transmigration: The Control Group in Sweet Novels

Having been away for a long time, Shen Hengzhi saw his mother again, a faint smile playing on his lips. He comforted her, saying, "Having experienced so much outside, you've naturally matured a bit."

Upon hearing this, Madam Xie felt a pang of heartache and wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.

Seeing this, the nanny beside her smiled and said, "Madam, it's chilly outside. Please invite the young master inside for a seat and a cup of tea. He must be tired after traveling so far."

Madam Xie finally calmed down. "Yes, I was just standing there like an idiot and forgot that you hadn't even had a sip of tea since you came back."

"The young master understands how much the lady misses him," the nanny explained to Shen Hengzhi with a smile. "The lady instructed the household to prepare hot water and soup early this morning, and the kitchen also prepared meals according to the young master's tastes."

Shen Hengzhi's expression was gentle as he said softly, "Mother, you've gone to so much trouble."

Once the group entered the house, Qi Yang finally came to her senses, and the courtyard fell silent once more.

She secretly pondered that the task in this world didn't seem so difficult. As long as she quietly played the role of a background character and didn't do the things in the original book, she could avoid the plot of being assigned to another role.

Just as she was feeling relieved, a whisper suddenly broke out beside her.

The maids who were serving tea and meals filed out, but Liu Mama, standing to the side, had a grim expression. "Where did Cui'er go?"

Considering that the lady and the heir were discussing matters inside the hall, the people outside kept their voices down.

One of the maids honestly explained, "Cui'er suddenly had a stomachache for some reason and went to the bathroom."

Granny Liu muttered coldly, "It just so happens that at this crucial moment, he's truly a good-for-nothing."

She casually pointed at Qi Yang, "Qi Yang, come here."

Qi Yang was stunned for a moment when her name was called. Before she could react, she quickly walked over and a plate of exquisite tea and snacks was stuffed into her hands. Above her head came Liu Mama's unyielding voice, "You take Cui'er's place first."

Qi Yang kept her head down and said, "Yes."

Although she had been in the Marquis's mansion for two years and was just a cleaning maid, she had learned the skills of serving tea and meals. Qi Yang silently followed the usual maid through the corridor, and stepped lightly across the threshold. The cold snow instantly melted away, and her whole body was warmed by the charcoal fire in the room.

She heard Xie's voice again.

"Your grandmother misses you terribly, but she's not in good health and has been bedridden for the past few days. She's worried that you might catch her illness if she hears you're back. Once you've had enough rest, you should go and see her."

"Of course I must see him," Shen Hengzhi replied calmly.

Madam Xie sighed, "I know you are a filial son. You brought back a lot of nourishing medicinal herbs from Lin'an. Your grandmother must be overjoyed."

As the two conversed, the maids who were serving the meal brought forward one by one, each carrying a black lacquered and gold-painted dish. The porcelain was placed on the rosewood table, making an extremely subtle sound.

Qi Yang was at the end of the line, close to Shen Hengzhi. She unconsciously held her breath, arranged the bowls and plates, curtsied slightly, and said respectfully and obediently, "Madam, Young Master, breakfast is ready."

The girl's voice was soft and gentle, as if afraid of disturbing her master.

Shen Hengzhi glanced sideways, nodded, and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

His voice was clear and melodious, like a cool mountain spring, and Qi Yang inexplicably felt a tickling sensation on the tips of her ears.

After Shen Hengzhi finished speaking, he looked away. He had been taught to be dignified and polite since childhood, and he was never arrogant towards the servants in the mansion. The casual and considerate words of comfort he had just spoken did not carry any other meaning and did not take it to heart.

After chatting with Shen Hengzhi for a while, Xie suddenly changed the subject, saying, "Speaking of which, your cousin Achen wrote to me the other day."

"Ah Chen?" Shen Hengzhi raised his eyes slightly. "It's been quite a while since we last saw each other."

"That's right." Madam Xie picked up her tea, her tone casual. "Your aunt said in her letter that Ah Chen's wife is three months pregnant, and she's overjoyed."

"They also said that Ah Chen only realized the benefits of family after getting married, and he changed all his previous philandering habits, spending every day with his wife."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hengzhi smiled faintly, "That's a good thing. I'll prepare a generous gift for him then."

Madam Xie nodded, seemingly casually sighing, "Achen is three years younger than you, and now his in-laws have secured him a good job. He has a promising future and a child. It's clear that once a man gets married, his heart is settled."

Shen Hengzhi picked up the teacup, took a sip, and found the tea had gone cold, so he put it back without saying a word. He had already vaguely understood the meaning behind Xie's words, and felt helpless, so he simply smiled and remained silent.

While he was pondering, a pair of slender hands suddenly appeared in his line of sight. She took away his cold teacup and added a fresh cup of hot tea.

Seeing that he wasn't taking the bait, Madam Xie stopped beating around the bush. "By the way, your aunt asked about you in her letter. She said you've been alone in Lin'an for three years without anyone to care for you. Now that you've returned to the capital, shouldn't you start thinking about marriage?"

Shen Hengzhi remained calm and composed. "Since Mother has made her decision, I will follow her instructions."

Seeing that he had relented, Madam Xie's face lit up with joy, and she breathed a sigh of relief. "With your words, I am at ease."

But she couldn't help feeling curious, so she leaned down slightly and asked in a low voice, "You've been in Lin'an for three years, have you really not taken a fancy to any woman?"

Shen Hengzhi replied frankly, "Mother, you are overthinking it. I have been in Lin'an for three years, focusing on handling affairs and having no time to attend to personal matters with my children."

Looking at his expressionless face, Xie sighed softly in her heart, but she wasn't surprised.

Shen Hengzhi is already twenty-three years old this year. He is one of the most outstanding young men of marriageable age in the capital. He is excellent in appearance, family background, character and talent. However, his marriage has been delayed for a long time.

Three years ago, he volunteered to go to Lin'an. As his mother, she had been thinking about him for a long time. However, she knew that her son was aloof but stubborn.

Now that Shen Hengzhi had relented, she thought the marriage was more than halfway done.

Her face relaxed, and her tone became even gentler. "The Hundred Flowers Banquet is coming up in a few days. I have specially sent out invitations to the noble families in the capital. You can get to know them then."

Shen Hengzhi responded.

Qi Yang listened calmly.

The Hundred Flowers Banquet mentioned by Xie was the turning point in the original storyline where Shen Hengzhi and Su Wanwan spent a passionate night together.

The Marquis of Yong'an's family has inherited the title for generations and has a profound heritage. The old lady of the Marquis's family has been virtuous for half her life and has been highly praised by the royal family, receiving an imperial decree. The Xie family, who is in charge of the household affairs, grew up in the deep palace and is the emperor's younger sister.

Such a distinguished family would command respect from all other prominent families in the capital, who all hoped to be able to join their ranks.

Unfortunately, Xie was destined to be disappointed. On that day, Shen Hengzhi was preoccupied with Su Wanwan and completely forgot about the purpose of the matchmaking.