Chapter 102 It's a pity, I'm not anything special either...

Chapter 102

After leaving the princess's residence, Shen Suining and He Hansheng walked one after the other, with enough space between them to fit a carriage.

Shen Suining walked behind, having just finished eating and drinking at the Princess's place. She patted her belly contentedly, seemingly unaware of He Hansheng walking far ahead. However, Shen Fengyu nudged her with her elbow and whispered, "How does Young Master plan to celebrate Young Master's birthday?"

"Who's going to celebrate his birthday?" Shen Suining retorted instinctively, her voice rising uncontrollably, which immediately made He Hansheng, who was in front of her, stop in his tracks.

Whether it was because of these words or because of the deliberate probing at the Princess's place, He Hansheng hesitated for a moment, then turned around and walked to Shen Suining's side, unusually walking alongside her.

Shen Suining didn't reject it, but she still gave a rather arrogant "humph".

Jiang Yuchu and Shen Fengyu, being very perceptive, walked behind, deliberately keeping a distance.

It was rare for the two to be able to coexist peacefully, and He Hansheng didn't want to waste such time. After thinking for a moment, he took the initiative to break the silence: "I heard from Boss Fang of Wuzhijingzhai that Chen Sheng has recently been getting very close to a student named Zhuo Wenbin."

Upon hearing the name "Zhuo Wenbin," Shen Suining instantly thought of the letter that had fallen from Chen Zui's body, but she remained expressionless: "Oh, so?"

“Zhuo Wenbin is Xu Yong’s student, he…” He Hansheng wanted to say something, but after hesitating for a moment, he shook his head. “Ningning, can you leave this matter to me?”

Shen Suining stopped in her tracks, looking rather puzzled.

But since he brought it up, it's probably because the matter involves the imperial court, which is indeed not easy for Shen Suining to get involved in.

With that thought in mind, Shen Suining quickly nodded in agreement and took the opportunity to negotiate: "Then I'll take care of the person Lingrui and Bai Yu encountered today. You can remove all your people."

He Hansheng was surprised that Shen Suining would make this request. Just as he was about to say something, Shen Suining asked, "What? Don't you trust me?"

“Of course not, it’s just…” He Hansheng hesitated, “We don’t know where they came from right now, if…”

“Since you trust me, then it’s settled.” Shen Suining said without further ado, “If I need any help, I will come to you.”

Having said that, He Hansheng naturally wouldn't refuse.

After reaching an agreement, the two seemed to feel a sense of nostalgia, even reminiscing, about the rare opportunity to discuss and negotiate.

"Why didn't you discuss this earlier?" Shen Suining continued walking forward, recalling her time with He Hansheng over the past few days, and couldn't help but mutter to herself.

Actually, she wasn't a difficult person, but her straightforward nature just happened to clash with a stubborn one, which made Shen Suining feel powerless, like punching cotton.

In the past, she would try to understand the reasons for He Hansheng's awkwardness and try to decipher the twists and turns in his heart. But now, with more and more things being hidden from each other, she finds it increasingly difficult to understand him, and she is increasingly unsure of how to get along with him.

The two walked side by side, their clothes occasionally rubbing together and making a soft sound. He Hansheng opened his palm and then slightly tightened it. After hesitating for a long time, he still did not take her hand.

He asked her cautiously, "So... are we back together now?"

Who knows?

Shen Suining shrugged, put her hands in front of her, and unconsciously widened her smile, finally letting go of some of the pent-up frustration in her heart.

...

The end of the year is the busiest time for every household, and it is also the most lively time in Huadu. Red lanterns are hung all over the streets and alleys, and people walking on the street have already changed into new clothes.

Shen Suining loves crowds and likes to go wherever there are lots of people.

In previous years, Shen Suining always spent New Year's Eve on the mountain. Although she didn't have to personally handle all the New Year's affairs, as the young master, she naturally couldn't leave the brothers in various halls busy with things and go out to the streets to join in the fun.

This year is different. She is in Huadu, the most prosperous capital city in the entire Dacheng. She doesn't need to worry about the affairs of the Yong'an Marquis's mansion, and she doesn't need to help Shen Yan at all. She has plenty of time to wander the streets and alleys and experience the difference between the New Year in the capital city and Yangzhou.

But when she thought that New Year's Eve was also He Hansheng's birthday, Shen Suining was in a dilemma. Although she stubbornly said that she didn't care, she couldn't help but think about how to prepare in a way that would have a sense of ceremony but also make it seem like she hadn't put in too much effort.

Shen Suining wandered aimlessly through the streets. It had been a long time since she had disguised herself. Today, she had changed her appearance, which was not too different from her original face. However, after changing into ordinary clothes, she blended into the crowd and was hard to recognize unless you knew her.

Shen Fengyu, who had been following behind, could no longer bear it and finally stepped forward to ask, "Young Master, you've been wandering the streets like a ghost for two days now. What are you trying to do?"

"Can't you say something auspicious during the New Year?" Shen Suining glared at her. "Also, stay away from me. If the net is too close, the fish won't take the bait."

Although Shen Suining's injuries have basically healed, her internal strength has not yet fully recovered. In addition to Shen Fengyu, Ling Rui and the others are also protecting her from the shadows. Huadu is full of people and gossip, so in order to make things easier, they have all changed their appearances.

However, Shen Fengyu has never approved of this method of using oneself as bait to lure the enemy. Moreover, since she already knows that the other party is a successor of the Yushan Sword Sect, she is even less likely to let Shen Suining be the bait alone.

The two swung around and came to a fireworks workshop.

Shen Suining thought that it was almost New Year's Eve, and firecrackers were indispensable, so she ordered Shen Fengyu to go in and buy some.

"Trying to get rid of me again?" Shen Fengyu wasn't fooled. These past few days, Shen Suining had been trying to get rid of her in various ways. She fell for it once or twice, but after a while, she naturally learned to be smarter.

"Fine, I can't get you to do anything with me, I'll go by myself," Shen Suining rolled her eyes at her, "I'll wait outside."

After saying that, Shen Suining went into the workshop, leaving Shen Fengyu alone outside.

The workshop wasn't very big. The fireworks and firecrackers for sale were all displayed in the open space outside. Even standing at the door, you could smell a strong, pungent odor. Several rows of large red paper lanterns hung overhead, swaying gently in the breeze.

It's almost Lunar New Year's Eve, and the place is bustling with people coming to buy and sell.

The situation inside was almost completely visible from the doorway, but after much deliberation, Shen Fengyu still followed them in, feeling uneasy.

Shen Suining walked straight to the paper-making stall. The craftsman, dressed in coarse clothes, had his head down and was silently pasting bright red paper onto firecracker tubes. His technique was skilled and his movements were extremely fast.

Perhaps sensing someone standing in front of the stall, the calloused hands paused for a moment.

After a long while, the man chuckled softly, "Even though it has been a long time since we last met, even if you were among a crowd, young master would still recognize me."

“You knew I would come looking for you.”

“Of course. The young master’s men are all over the capital, and they have been tracking me openly and secretly for a long time. I naturally knew that the young master would come in person.”

Shen Suining remained silent, her indifferent gaze fixed on the man's black and white hair, her expression icy.

“Shuyu Manor has no connection with the elders of Ziyu Mountain, and the only person I know who practices the Yushan sword technique is you,” Shen Suining said, enunciating each word clearly, “Duan Keji, you actually chased me all the way to the capital.”

The brush in his hand spun around in the bucket full of paint, then landed heavily on the unpainted white paper on the table, as if tearing a huge gash somewhere in his body, instantly staining it through.

“Yes, I actually crawled out of the gates of hell and even traveled thousands of miles from Yangzhou to the capital,” Duan Keji finally raised his eyes and said with self-deprecation, “to see how happy you are after you abandoned your old love, Young Master Shen.”

The person before me no longer possessed the purity of youth. In his early twenties, his eyes were clouded and weathered, like those of an old man, filled with sorrow, indignation, resentment, and even inexplicable hatred.

"Abandoning the old friends?" Upon hearing this, Shen Suining laughed.

She and Duan Keji were not particularly close, nor did they have any deep emotional foundation. So when he changed his mind halfway down the mountain, apart from making Shen Suining feel humiliated, she didn't feel much else. To her, it was just a failed deal.

Perhaps he had better options back then and wouldn't have ended up as a son-in-law in the mountains. Or perhaps it was his pride that got in the way. But whatever the reason, he was the one who broke the promise first. Now he's trying to turn the tables and accuse her of being the one who betrayed him.

However, Shen Suining was too lazy to waste words with him. This person clearly had ill intentions. She laughed twice and asked, "From what you're saying, you want to hold me accountable for all the past grievances? Perhaps you also want to punish me, the 'heartless person who betrayed his former lover,' according to the rules of your Yushan Sword Sect?"

Duan Keji's hand trembled slightly, and he stopped what he was doing. Without saying a word, he secretly covered his weapon with his hand under the table.

Noticing Shen Fengyu following behind, Shen Suining's eyes turned icy. She put her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly. "What a pity."

She laughed, her eyes still as bright and cheerful as ever, without the slightest fear or hesitation, and said, word by word, "I'm not exactly a good person. I let you off the hook before, but now—"

With a gesture from Shen Suining, Shen Fengyu, who was in the open, and the members of Bifeng Hall, who were hidden in the shadows, all rushed out, their swords pointing straight at Duan Keji.

The long table in front of him shattered into pieces in an instant. Duan Keji immediately drew the long sword hidden beside the table leg and swung it to defend himself.

As the fighting broke out, the workshop was thrown into chaos. Even the red lanterns hanging high up were cut down by the swords and lay scattered on the ground.

Shen Suining silently observed Duan Keji's martial arts techniques from the sidelines.

The Yushan sword technique emphasizes speed. The straight longsword is extremely flexible in Duan Keji's hands, like a nimble snake. In addition, Duan Keji's movements are already light and agile. Even if Shen Fengyu, who has the highest martial arts skills, and Ling Rui, who has the best swordsmanship, were to combine their skills, they might not be able to determine a winner in a short time.

As more and more people gathered, Yan Zhen, who was keeping watch on the perimeter, rushed over and whispered to Shen Suining, "Young Master, the city defense troops have arrived."

Shen Suining couldn't possibly kill someone in the street, and she didn't want He Hansheng's city defense troops involved. Her brow furrowed, and she shouted, "Withdraw!"

Having received the order to retreat, Shen Fengyu and Ling Rui exchanged a glance and prepared to leave. However, Duan Keji saw Shen Suining's figure about to disappear into the crowd, his pupils contracted, and he subconsciously wanted to chase after her.

"Don't go—"

Before Duan Keji could even retract his sword, he was in a hurry to chase after Shen Suining. Seeing this, Shen Fengyu, who was blocking his way, mistakenly thought that this man had murderous intentions towards Shen Suining, and almost without hesitation, she pounced on him.

In an instant, the silver sword pierced through flesh, and blood splattered all over the ground.

"Phoenix Feather!"

Shen Suining turned around and saw Shen Fengyu fall heavily to the ground, her blood-covered body rolling around on the ground several times.

The commotion from the fight was so great that the city defense troops rushed over. In a fit of anger, Shen Suining tore off her disguise in the street and walked up to the city defense troops, revealing her true face.

The leading officer was terrified. "Madam, you—"

"Get out of the way!"

Shen Suining snatched the bow and arrows from the city guard, shoved the man aside, aimed at Duan Keji, drew the bowstring taut, and fired three arrows in quick succession.

"you--"

Duan Keji quickly dodged the arrow, which was fast and ruthless, all aimed at fatal spots, showing that Shen Suining truly wanted him dead.

His eyes glazed over for a moment, then he looked at her in disbelief. "This is the capital, not Yangzhou. How dare you—"

Before he could finish speaking, another arrow shot straight at his vital point. Duan Keji was unable to dodge in time, and his clothes on his left shoulder were ripped open.

Ling Rui and Yan Zhen were examining Shen Fengyu's injuries on the ground when they saw Shen Suining rush forward with a bow. They immediately tried to stop him, saying, "Young Master, you mustn't!"

"Take Feng Yu to find Sister Su." Shen Suining said coldly, without turning her head.

...

Shen Fengyu was taken back to Yan Zhen and the others' residence.

The group from Shuyu Manor who followed Shen Suining to the capital did not live in a crowded place. In order not to attract attention, they were not settled in a luxurious location. Sometimes, it was common for three or five girls to squeeze into one room. Fortunately, although the location was remote, it was still secluded enough.

When He Hansheng arrived, the courtyard was silent. Only Ling Rui and Yan Zhen stood guard at the door with solemn expressions. A strong smell of medicine and an unmistakable stench of blood emanated from the heavy curtain.

Since Shen Fengyu was a woman, He Hansheng naturally couldn't approach the house. He only asked Ling Rui, "How is Fengyu's injury?"

"Sister Su said she lost too much blood, but fortunately it didn't kill her." Ling Rui's voice was a little choked up, and her eyes were red, obviously she had been crying.

But in front of He Hansheng, Ling Rui still composed herself and pointed in the direction of Shen Suining, "Young Master, you should go and keep the young master company. She hasn't said a word since she came back, and she's been sitting on the rooftop in the cold wind for several hours."

Shen Suining sat on the roof with her back to the courtyard gate, and He Hansheng saw her as soon as he entered.

According to the city garrison's subordinates, the lady was ambushed by an assassin at the fireworks workshop today. The assassin was extremely skilled in swordsmanship and even injured the lady's guards. They followed the lady to chase after him, but they still lost track of him and the lady herself disappeared without a trace.

He Hansheng sighed softly and looked at Jiang Yuchu behind him.

The weather has been nice lately. The sun is about to set, and a red sun is slowly disappearing into the distant mountains. Shen Suining is staring into the distance with his chin resting on his hand, seemingly lost in thought.

She turned around when she heard a noise behind her and saw He Hansheng climbing onto the roof using a wooden ladder.

He was holding Shen Suining's fox fur coat in his arms. He was a little unsteady on his feet when he first came up. When he saw Shen Suining looking over, he just awkwardly tugged at the corners of his mouth and then walked to her side.

Shen Suining pursed her lips and slowly clenched her hands, which were resting on her knees.

“Xiao Xiao said you encountered an assassin,” He Hansheng said, draping a coat over Shen Suining and sitting down beside her. “Are you injured?”

Xiao Xiao was a city defense soldier that Shen Suining met on the street today. He was a trusted subordinate of He Hansheng and was also familiar with Shen Suining.

Hearing this, Shen Suining snorted, "He certainly knows how to make excuses for me."

"You did nothing wrong, so what excuse do you have?"

"But Feng Yu was injured."

Shen Suining paused, then said, word by word, "He Hansheng, Feng Yu is injured. Her injury because of me will only cause me more pain than if I were injured myself."

She looked at He Hansheng with an ambiguous expression in her eyes, as if she were talking about Feng Yu, but it also seemed to refer to more than just Feng Yu.

He Hansheng's eyes flickered slightly, as if a stagnant pool had suddenly been stirred. The next moment, his face was cupped by cold hands, forcibly turned so that he could look at her.

“So, He Hansheng,” Shen Suining looked directly into his eyes, “I didn’t dare to ask before, but now I want you to tell me the truth: what exactly is the extent of your injury?”