Uncle visits

Shen Qianyue stepped forward to help, nodded slightly, and said in a voice as light as water: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Xie Zhiyun walked forward and stopped a few steps away from the warm couch. Her eyes swept over Xie Shangjia with a faint smile on the corner of her lips.

"My dear nephew, your amnesia doesn't seem serious to me."

Xie Shangjia suppressed the discomfort in his heart and wanted to stand up to salute, but was suppressed by the other party with a gentle and unquestionable gesture.

"My dear nephew is ill, so why bother with these empty formalities? I heard that falling into the water in winter is most likely to damage the kidneys, so I have specially prepared a pair of hundred-year-old blood ginseng and a pair of top-grade deer antlers. My dear nephew, you still need... to nourish yourself well."

Xie Shangjia felt that this sounded awkward, but he couldn't find any fault with it, so he could only mumble, "Thank you for your kindness, uncle, but... I don't think I'll need these."

Xie Zhiyun stopped looking at him. She leaned forward slightly and extended her hand to Li'er. In her palm lay a small butterfly woven with soft gold thread. Its wings were adorned with golden bells, which made a pleasant, crisp sound when it moved.

"Our Li'er has grown up so fast. Come to my place, little butterfly that can make noises. Do you like it?"

His voice was soft and gentle, with a coaxing charm.

Li'er's attention was instantly attracted by the dazzling little butterfly. Her big black eyes didn't blink, her little mouth slightly opened, and her body leaned over involuntarily.

Xie Shangjia subconsciously tightened his arms, pulled his daughter closer to him, and turned sideways to try to block the overly enthusiastic gaze and the flashy butterflies.

A nameless anger surged up his head, and his tone was harsh and almost impolite: "Li'er is young and timid, and she is not used to strangers approaching. I appreciate your kindness, and I will hold the child."

This is quite impolite, almost like directly kicking the guest out.

Xie Zhiyun's smile deepened, with a gentleness that tolerated the willfulness of the younger generation. Instead of retreating, she took another half step forward and placed the golden butterfly in Li'er's open little hand.

"If you like it, keep it."

He raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping across Xie Shangjia's tense face, and finally fell back on Li'er, but his words were obviously addressed to the adults.

"When you have some free time in the future, come to the palace anytime. I have many new and interesting things there."

When he approached, the elegant fragrance of deep water from his body wafted over, making Xie Shangjia extremely uncomfortable, especially the way he looked at Li'er, as if he was looking at his own treasure, with such love and determination.

"My dear nephew."

Xie Zhiyun suddenly changed the subject, her tone so relaxed as if she was chatting about family matters.

"I wonder when your memory stopped after you fell into the water this time?"

Chen Qianyue took a few steps forward, gently patted Xie Shangjia's hand, which was clenched so hard that the knuckles turned white, and answered on his behalf.

"Your Highness, Shang Jia... only remembers things before he was eighteen. This matter is of great importance, so I hope you can keep it secret for the time being. Thank you for your concern."

Xie Zhiyun raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled meaningfully.

"Of course. This prince and my eighteen-year-old nephew have no grudges against each other, so why wouldn't I help him?"

His tone was drawn out, with some indescribable depth of meaning.

Just as Xie Zhiyun was about to sit down, the old lady hurried over and took his hand affectionately but anxiously: "Zhiyun, you and I haven't seen each other for a long time. Since you haven't left the house yet, why don't you stay with me and talk for a while."

Xie Shangjia was surprised to notice the sweat on his mother's forehead: "Mom, why are you sweating so much?"

The old lady glared at him, and Xie Shangjia immediately made a gesture of silence with his mouth.

Xie Zhiyun smiled calmly and stood up. "I just stopped by to visit Qianyue on my way out of the house. I don't want to bother you for long. I'll take my leave now."

Led by the old lady, Shen Qianyue just stretched out her hand to pull Xie Shangjia up to salute, but was stopped by Xie Zhiyun who raised her hand.

"We're a family, why should we be so formal? My nephew is ill, and it's inconvenient for him to live in the same courtyard with others, and..."

When he finished speaking, his eyes seemed to sweep over Shen Qianyue.

The old lady immediately bowed and interrupted: "Farewell, Your Highness. I will take care of the trivial matters at home."

The elegant fragrance of agarwood finally dissipated completely in the warm room, just like brushing off a layer of invisible but suffocating dust, and Xie Shangjia's tense nerves suddenly relaxed.

The inexplicable anger and irritability in my heart were finally replaced by a childish sense of steadiness mixed with a sense of victory.

Look, Li'er still depends on him, so what if that peacock uncle continues to show his courtesy to her?

Xie Shangjia lowered his head and rubbed Li'er's furry hair with his chin.

As soon as the guests left, Shen Qianyue stepped forward and carefully and affectionately tucked in the corners of the quilt for the father and daughter.

"You've just recovered from a serious illness. I asked the east chef to prepare some medicinal food to dispel the cold. It will be delivered to you later."

When she approached, the faint fragrance from her body invaded my nose, and her voice was much gentler than usual.

Xie Shangjia turned his head slightly away unnaturally.

"knew."

Shen Qianyue curled up her fingers, a look of helplessness flashed across her eyes, and in the end she said nothing.

The old lady slammed her palm on the precious tonic sent by Prince Dingwu, and said angrily: "Your uncle is really becoming more and more unreasonable!"

Shen Qianyue soothed her gently, "Mother, please don't get angry. Shang Jia has lost his memory now, so it's inevitable that he will stay home. It's better for the power to be in the hands of the prince than in the hands of the opposing party."

Xie Shangjia saw his mother's expression as if she wanted to bite him, and he knew clearly that his memory had returned to when he was eighteen, and he was not stupid. The current situation was nothing more than someone heard that he was seriously ill.

Those who felt that he was no longer able to control the six ministries and wanted to share power went to submit petitions, and then this good uncle of his took over the power of the six ministries.

He said tentatively, "Although there is a big age gap between you and your uncle, and we don't interact much on a daily basis, we are still family after all, connected by blood..."

The old lady was almost laughing out of anger: "Fool! Do you think I can't stand him? Who am I planning for? Who am I so anxious for?"

Xie Shangjia looked at his mother's gnashing teeth, and recalled the inexplicable strong disgust he felt when he saw Xie Zhiyun, and doubts filled his heart.

"Mom, what happened in the past?"

The old lady glanced at Shen Qianyue beside her and sighed heavily: "Forget it. Everything in the past is in the past after all. If you really want to know, just ask Qianyue." After that, she turned and left.

There were only three people left in the warm room. Li'er was drowsy, holding the little butterfly in her arms like a baby.

Shen Qianyue sat down beside Xie Shangjia, her hand on his chest, her eyes moving: "What does my husband want to know? Why not ask me?"

Xie Shangjia avoided her gaze and slapped her hand away as if he was burned. His ears were red and he couldn't speak clearly.

"What are you doing! In broad daylight...how can you be so...so naughty!"

Shen Qianyue looked at his flustered look and couldn't help but smile. Her husband had this kind of personality when he was young. It was really interesting.

"why are you laughing?"

Xie Shangjia felt uncomfortable because of her smile and didn't know where to put his hands.

Shen Qianyue looked up at him: "Laughing at you... so cute."

Xie Shangjia's face suddenly burned even more fiercely, his tongue almost tied. "You... stop talking to me about this. I want to ask you, what exactly did my mother mean by that?"

Shen Qianyue didn't answer, but reached out to grab his wrist, lowering her voice with a hint of temptation: "Come closer and I'll tell you."

Xie Shangjia leaned over doubtfully.

Warm breath wafted against his red earlobe, and the fragrance of the woman drifted into his nostrils. The next moment, a soft touch touched his cheek.

Xie Shangjia was struck by lightning and bounced back suddenly. In panic, he fell to the ground. He pointed at Shen Qianyue and said, "You...you..." for a long time without saying a word.

Shen Qianyue laughed so hard that she couldn't straighten her back. The person who used to be as cold and pure as jade, now had curved eyebrows and eyes in the dim candlelight, as if they were soaked in honey.

"If you really want to know, I won't tell you." She said in a joking tone.

Xie Shangjia was so angry that he got up and tried to catch her.

"You're kidding me! Shen Qianyue! See how I'll deal with you when I catch you!"

The two of them started chasing each other in the small warm room, running around the table twice.

Shen Qianyue suddenly turned around and deliberately bumped into Xie Shangjia's arms.

"Congratulations!" Shen Qianyue looked up at him with a smile, breathing slightly: "You caught me."

Xie Shangjia seemed to have grabbed a hot potato. Just as he was about to let go and step back, he was grabbed by the collar by Shen Qianyue. Her hand was white and slender, like a handicraft made of white porcelain.

Shen Qianyue carefully studied his dazed expression, and while he was distracted, she placed a light kiss on his lips. The kiss separated immediately, and she let go of his hand, using her fingertips to smooth out the wrinkles on his collar as if nothing had happened.

"Good night, husband."

Xie Shangjia was completely petrified on the spot.

However, Shen Qianyue had already turned around and walked slowly to the warm couch. She picked up the sleeping Li'er and when she fell into the arms with the familiar cold fragrance, it was like she had found the safest harbor. She rubbed her little head against her mother and tugged at her mother's clothes.

"No divorce... Mother... Daddy is stupid and will be bullied..."

Shen Qianyue held her daughter in her arms, patted her back gently, lowered her eyelashes, and looked gently at Li'er's peaceful little face.

"Daddy will be better soon, don't worry, Li'er."

Xie Shangjia watched this scene with mixed feelings in his heart. He didn't know what to say: "Chen Qianyue, what if I never remember it?"

Shen Qianyue took off her fox fur coat and wrapped her daughter up without stopping.

"You'll remember."

Xie Shangjia lowered his head, his voice muffled: "I am not him, I don't like you, and I won't... love you."

He didn't dare to look at Shen Qianyue's face. With an impulse of giving up and a temptation that was almost self-abuse, he blurted out.

"I don't like anything imposed on me. I think what I need is a gentle and considerate wife who always goes along with me, not an absolute leader who uses harsh tactics."

Shen Qianyue's hand that was patting Li'er paused slightly, but she didn't look up or respond, as if she hadn't heard his nonsense at all.

"It's late, stop making trouble, I want to go back and rest."

Her nonchalant attitude completely infuriated Xie Shangjia. He stood up suddenly, his chest heaving slightly with excitement, and pointed at his heart.

"I've always hated your condescending attitude. Even if we don't divorce, it's impossible. It's just torture for each other. There's not a single place in this house where I can feel comfortable."

“Snap!”

Shen Qianyue's hand, which had been gently patting Li'er, suddenly stopped.

Ever since Xie Shangjia lost his memory, she has been suppressing her emotions and observing him, what he eats, drinks, and what he wants to do.

It's just amnesia. Everything is under control. This is just a battle that requires insight and strategy, not an emotional disaster.

He is childish, erratic, reckless, and unreasonable, completely different from the shrewd, calm, and calculating person he was in his youth. Even his preferences are different. Is this really true?

Shen Qianyue's eyes were fixed on Xie Shangjia, and her eyes were so sharp that they seemed to penetrate his soul.

"Forget it. Love is not a one-person thing. If you want a divorce, what's the use of it?"

Xie Shangjia, who had lost his memory, was nothing more than a young and foolish lamb. Why should he bother with him?

Xie Shangjia's arrogance was like being poured with a basin of ice water, instantly extinguished. He asked, "The past... the past... is it that important to you?"

Shen Qianyue said without hesitation, "Of course."

Xie Shangjia subconsciously avoided her gaze, stiffening his neck, trying to maintain the stubbornness of a young man and a hint of panic that he himself was not even aware of.

"Then why are you..."

The words came to his lips, but he took a detour and his voice became lower with a hint of bitterness.

"Have you ever loved Xie Shangjia, the one in your memory?"