The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow as he looked at Shen Xiabai. “Lord Shen, you sent someone to summon me in such a hurry. What is the matter?”
“Have some tea.” Shen Xiabai lifted his teacup and gestured for the Crown Prince to take a sip.
The Crown Prince picked up his own cup and took a sip as well. After setting it down, he asked, “I’ve had the tea. Now what?”
“Have some tea.”
The Crown Prince pointed at the teacup. “Haven’t we already done that?”
“I summoned Your Highness here precisely to drink tea.” Shen Xiabai’s expression remained calm.
The Crown Prince was silent for several breaths before abruptly rising and heading for the door.
It was already late at night. Instead of staying at home with Qingwan, he had been summoned here to drink cold tea. He could not tell whether Shen Xiabai was the one with something wrong with him, or whether he himself was.
Only after everyone had left did the study finally fall quiet. Yu Feng closed the door, keeping the cold wind from blowing inside.
“Master, you had your subordinate summon the Crown Prince because you wanted to drive Prince An away and cut off his attempts to win him over, didn’t you?”
Shen Xiabai calmly lifted his teacup and took a sip. “It really would be more comfortable to return home and hold A Chu.”
Yu Feng was speechless.
“Master, there is something I don’t understand. Why didn’t you agree to Prince An’s proposal? At the very least, when it comes to preventing Lord Zhou from taking the position of Minister of War, you and Prince An have the same goal. Wouldn’t joining forces make things twice as effective?”
Shen Xiabai set down his teacup and slowly rose. “Who takes that position has nothing to do with us, in truth.”
“But Lord Zhou…”
“You’ll understand in time. Let’s return home first.”
By the time the carriage arrived at the Shen residence, it was already dusk. The moment Shen Xiabai got out, he hurried toward the inner courtyard.
“Second Master, you’re finally back.” The steward rushed over to greet him at the gate, his face filled with anxiety. “Miss Cui suddenly started packing and angrily announced that she was leaving. This old servant couldn’t stop her.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s inside.”
Shen Xiabai took the steps three at a time.
Cui Yunchu, who had been sitting at the table sulking, heard the sound and hurriedly urged Xing’er to finish packing.
Thus, Shen Xiabai heard Cui Yunchu ordering Xing’er to hurry up and leave.
He pushed open the door and saw master and servant gathered around a trunk, stuffing things inside. Xing’er was moving sluggishly, looking completely listless, as though she had a thousand pounds tied to her body.
“A Chu.”
Cui Yunchu raised her eyes and glared at Shen Xiabai. She snapped the trunk shut and stood up to leave.
“What’s wrong?” Shen Xiabai hurriedly blocked her path. “You were living here perfectly well. Why do you suddenly want to leave?”
“Move aside, you liar.” Cui Yunchu glared at him. “I knew you weren’t any good. All you know how to do is deceive me with fake things and empty promises. You’ve made me lose all face.”
Xing’er thought to herself: Before meeting Lord Shen, the thing Miss cared about least was her reputation.
Shen Xiabai glanced at Xing’er. “You may leave first.”
Xing’er curtsied and hurried out, not forgetting to close the door behind her.
Yu Feng immediately came over and asked, “What happened to Madam?”
Xing’er shot him a glare. “Liar. It’s all because of the wonderful things you people did.”
Inside the room, Shen Xiabai took the trunk from Cui Yunchu and pulled her into his arms as he asked what had happened. Cui Yunchu struggled fiercely, as difficult to restrain as a pig.
“I know everything now,” Cui Yunchu said. “The fish in the pond and the flowers in the garden don’t exist at all. They were all fake—just tricks you used to deceive me.”
“…”
Shen Xiabai was in the wrong. He fell silent guiltily for several breaths.
Cui Yunchu pouted. “It wouldn’t matter so much if you had merely deceived me, but I foolishly believed you. I even showed them off at my birthday banquet. Now look at what’s happened—I’ve become a laughingstock throughout the capital. Who knows what they’re saying about me behind my back?”
Shen Xiabai felt that if he admitted the truth today, he would have to endure at least eight or ten slaps.
So he stubbornly insisted, “Who told you that? How could I deceive you? Those things truly were gifts bestowed by His Majesty. If you don’t believe me, I’ll ask His Majesty for more when another foreign state sends tribute.”
Cui Yunchu stared at him without saying a word.
Shen Xiabai continued coaxing her. “A Chu, how could I ever deceive you?”
Cui Yunchu turned and sat down beside the table, her little face scrunched up in a frown. “Then what should I do? Should I believe you one more time?”
Shen Xiabai immediately nodded. “It’s only that the situation is tense right now. Once things have settled down, I will certainly bring you more things to amuse yourself with.”
Cui Yunchu agreed with great reluctance. “All right, then.”
Without drawing attention to herself, she glanced at Shen Xiabai and saw the secret sigh of relief he let out. The corners of her lips curved upward slightly.
Shen Xiabai lifted her onto his lap and kissed her tenderly. “A Chu, who was spouting nonsense to you?”
“I can’t tell you. That would be betraying someone.” Cui Yunchu was very particular about loyalty.
“Oh.” Shen Xiabai nodded and narrowed his eyes, but did not press her further.
“Did you enjoy yourself at the residence today? Are you getting used to it?”
Cui Yunchu nodded, her eyes curving into a smile. “It was quite nice. Everyone listens to me.”
“Did Prime Minister Cui send the steward to bring you home?”
Cui Yunchu curled her lips. “He can forget about it.”
She could clearly distinguish between returning to the Cui residence and being a pitiful little shrimp, and staying at the Shen residence as the undisputed boss.
“Lord Shen.” Cui Yunchu suddenly fixed her gaze on him. “You need to hurry. I can’t keep living here without a proper title forever.”
Shen Xiabai froze for a moment. Then, overjoyed, he lifted her chin and kissed her—not too lightly, not too hard.
“Is A Chu urging me to marry you?”
Cui Yunchu glared at him, tightening the arm she had around his waist. “Have I been spoiling you too much again?”
Shen Xiabai laughed openly and let her rest her head against his shoulder. “Don’t worry. It will be soon. Very soon, we’ll be married.”
After accompanying Cui Yunchu through dinner, Shen Xiabai went to the study to deal with official matters. While Xing’er helped Cui Yunchu change and wash up, she could not help asking, “Since Miss already knew Lord Shen was lying, why did you give in so easily?”
She had spent half the evening acting along with her mistress—taking things out, putting them back in, then taking them out again until she was exhausted.
Cui Yunchu gave a soft snort. “He promised that he would ask His Majesty again. I’d like to see what sort of trick he can come up with this time.”
With that, she began to laugh softly.
The brazier in the room crackled merrily. The doors and windows were tightly shut, keeping out even the slightest breeze. Cui Yunchu leaned against the edge of the bathing tub, her dark hair scattered over her shoulders. Her clear, limpid eyes were narrowed, their depths seeming to shimmer with a scattering of fine starlight. Her smile was gentle and bright.
Xing’er murmured, “Miss has been treating Lord Shen better and better lately.”
Cui Yunchu shot her a glance. “If I don’t treat him well, should I treat you well instead, you little traitor?”
Xing’er was bewildered. “Why do you always call me a traitor, Miss? When have I ever betrayed you?”
“In your previous life.”
“Miss, you’re making things up again.”
In the study, Shen Xiabai leaned back in his chair and rubbed his brow. “Where is Shen Zilan?”
Yu Feng’s eyelids twitched. “The Young Master should be in his own courtyard.”
“Bring him here.”
Before long, Shen Zilan arrived wrapped in a thick cloak, his face full of guilt.
“Uncle, why did you return so early today? Have you eaten? Your health is important. You mustn’t work yourself to death.”
Shen Xiabai gave him a mirthless smile. “I’d say the person most eager for me to collapse is you.”
Shen Zilan waved his hands repeatedly. “Uncle, how could I possibly dare to harbor such a rebellious thought?”
