Shen Xiabai gazed at her for a moment, then picked up the painting beside him and got out of the carriage.
Just as the carriage was about to leave, his deep, low voice suddenly rang out, "Cui Yunchu."
Cui Yunchu turned her head toward the direction of the sound but did not lift the carriage curtain.
She heard him continue, "I am not afraid of death."
The carriage wheels turned with a dull rumble. Cui Yunchu stared at the beads, the delight in her eyes fading into listlessness as she leaned lazily against the carriage wall.
Xing'er climbed into the carriage and looked at Cui Yunchu. After a long moment, she said, "Miss, is Lord Shen your new target? Do you like him? This servant thinks Lord Shen seems quite smitten."
Cui Yunchu lifted her eyelids and glanced at Xing'er, but said nothing.
Like? She didn't know what "like" meant. All she knew was that being liked and cherished felt wonderful—something she had experienced for the first time in two lifetimes.
She was thoroughly enjoying being liked.
She had always been a selfish person. "Xing'er," she said, "what should I do if I want to enjoy the feeling but don't want to take responsibility?"
She couldn't bear to let go of this one and only good thing, yet she clearly understood that crossing the psychological line between her and him would be difficult.
"Huh?" Xing'er was stunned, staring blankly at Cui Yunchu.
Cui Yunchu crossed her legs and rested them on a brocade box, looking every bit a carefree libertine.
She didn't want to take responsibility, yet she couldn't bear to push him away. What, then, was she to do?
"I am truly shameless," she muttered.
If only there were more people who loved her, perhaps...
A self-mocking smile curled at the corner of Cui Yunchu's lips. She was always chasing, coveting, and envying what she didn't have—hungering for whatever was out of reach.
She was probably just sick.
...
At the entrance of the Shen residence, Shen Xiabai stood gazing in the direction where the Cui family's carriage had disappeared. Behind him, the red lanterns hanging under the eaves swayed in the wind along with the hem of his robe.
Yu Feng walked over, his expression indescribably complicated, hesitating on how to begin.
"Who was just here?" Shen Xiabai asked, withdrawing his gaze.
Yu Feng steeled himself and said, "It was... Miss Chen, along with the Young Master."
Shen Xiabai turned and looked toward that small alley. Yu Feng recounted everything he had witnessed to Shen Xiabai.
"If I had arrived just a moment later, Miss Chen might have... died at the Young Master's hands."
The Young Master appeared innocent and harmless—aside from a sharp tongue that hit where it hurt—and was otherwise kind-hearted and enthusiastic. For him to have been driven to the point of killing, he must have endured great grievance.
Hearing this, Shen Xiabai's face took on an indescribably strange expression, shifting through shades of green and red.
"Master, this matter is no small thing. If it isn't dealt with, it could lead to a major disaster," Yu Feng said, deeply worried.
Especially if outsiders were to learn of the twists and turns—the Shen family would go down in history.
A nephew's wife harboring feelings for her husband's uncle, discovered by the nephew, leading to a murder in a fit of rage...
What a shocking story that would be, enough to shake the entire Great Liang dynasty.
Shen Xiabai ordered in a deep voice, "Take them to the study."
Chen Miaohe blinked her eyes as she was ushered into the Shen residence by the servants, while Shen Zilan looked utterly bewildered.
Yu Feng sighed. "Young Master, the master truly knew nothing of this. Please don't be angry with him. And Miss Chen is, after all, the daughter of an official. No matter what, you cannot give in to murderous intent."
"Who did I kill?" Shen Zilan asked, stunned.
When had he ever harbored murderous intent? He didn't know.
Who was he supposed to have killed?
In the study, Shen Xiabai looked at the two who had been brought in one after the other, his expression dark.
Knowing she was in the wrong and feeling guilty, Chen Miaohe kept stepping back, retreating closer to Shen Zilan, trying to use his broad frame to hide herself.
Shen Zilan glanced at her. "..."
Chen Miaohe said, "Help me out, will you? I'm in a hurry to get home for dinner."
"...Dinner? Eat dirt more like it."
Shen Zilan thought this to himself but refrained from saying it out of politeness.
Shen Xiabai's grim countenance made even Shen Zilan uneasy. Choosing his words carefully, he explained, "Uncle, we weren't trying to eavesdrop. We just... happened to run into each other."
Chen Miaohe poked her head out and nodded. "Yes, yes. The Young Master is right."
Shen Xiabai's gaze fell on Chen Miaohe for only a moment before shifting away. "Are you all right, Miss Chen?"
His voice was so faint it carried almost no warmth.
Chen Miaohe nodded. "I'm fine."
"Good." Shen Xiabai continued, "I believe my attendant, Yu Feng, already made everything clear to you earlier today at the Prince An's residence."
"..." Chen Miaohe looked from Shen Xiabai to Shen Zilan, her face turning crimson with embarrassment.
"I... I..." She had the ambition but not the courage—she had only spoken recklessly without taking any real action, and yet she had been overheard.
Feeling utterly wronged, Chen Miaohe couldn't even begin to explain herself, so she tugged desperately at Shen Zilan's sleeve.
"What are you pulling me for?" Shen Zilan frowned.
If you dare to covet, you should have the guts to face it.
Chen Miaohe's eyes immediately reddened. "Why are you so harsh?" she raised her voice, glaring at him defiantly.
The two stared each other down, neither giving an inch.
From behind the desk, Shen Xiabai rubbed his temples and spoke slowly, "Miss Chen, about your engagement with Zilan—he has already informed me of the situation. Since there are no feelings between you, this marriage is hereby called off."
"Tomorrow, I will send someone to inform your father of this. As Chen is the bride's family, for the sake of your reputation, it will be announced that the Chen family initiated the annulment."
No, please.
Chen Miaohe gazed blankly at Shen Xiabai, tears quickly pooling in her eyes.
If her parents found out what had really happened, they would beat her to death.
A complete loss on all fronts.
Chen Miaohe felt as if the pain had already begun. "Actually... actually... it's not as if there's no feeling between us at all."
Her voice was barely a whisper, only audible to Shen Zilan beside her.
Shen Zilan turned his head and looked at her in shock. "What nonsense are you talking?"
Chen Miaohe glared at him fiercely.
Knowing she had utterly embarrassed herself today, she dared not say anything more.
But she remained standing, clinging to the last thread of hope.
"Lord Shen..."
"After the annulment, the Shen and Chen families will go their separate ways. There will be no further contact," Shen Xiabai said with a face full of detachment, making his intention to cut ties unmistakably clear.
As if afraid Chen Miaohe might not understand, he added, "This official and the one I hold dear will soon be betrothed. When that day comes, the Chen family will be invited to share a cup of wedding wine."
Chen Miaohe was no fool. She understood Shen Xiabai's resolute refusal.
He was afraid she wouldn't give up on her improper thoughts.
Hadn't she heard that he and Sister Cui had quarreled and broken things off?
And she had only just started entertaining the idea without actually acting on it.
The sword hanging over her head had finally fallen. Chen Miaohe deeply grasped the meaning of "trying to gain a little and losing everything."
With the inevitable punishment awaiting her at home, she couldn't help but run out crying.
Yu Feng let out a long sigh.
It was all the master's fault for being too charming.
And the master, when dealing with a young lady, spoke far too harshly. Look how heartbroken she was. He just hoped she wouldn't do something foolish like taking her own life.
After Chen Miaohe left, Shen Xiabai's gaze turned back to Shen Zilan.
“You go ahead and escort Miss Chen back to her residence. Come find me after you’re done.”
Shen Zilan had long been unable to remain still. He acknowledged the order and immediately rushed out.
Although he had no romantic feelings for Chen Miaohe, they had once been betrothed, which made their bond stronger than that of ordinary friends.
He understood very well what scared Chen Miaohe—her uncle-in-law had spoken so harshly, and the night was so dark.
She was a young woman, after all…
