Chapter 33 Miss Shen, You're Really Naughty

Chapter Thirty-Three: Miss Shen, You're Really Naughty

At Chen Shi (7-9 AM), all the ladies and young women from each household had arrived, and the coachman drove the carriage smoothly towards the other courtyard.

Inside the carriage, Madam Shen was probably still angry. She turned her face away as soon as she got in, ignoring Shen Tang's greeting.

Shen Tang looked at her aunt's childish actions and wanted to laugh, but she held it back.

She tentatively moved closer to her aunt's seat, and seeing that she didn't stop her, she took advantage of the situation and sat down next to her, putting her arm around Shen's waist and flattering her, saying, "Aunt..."

Shen Tang has used this trick many times before, but Shen always falls for it.

Sure enough, when Madam Shen saw her like this, her heart softened considerably.

She sighed, turned her head, and said helplessly, "You...you only know how to use this trick against me."

Shen Tang chuckled, "But Auntie enjoys it, doesn't she?"

Shen didn't speak, but her eyes were filled with reluctance and heartache as she looked at her.

Are you leaving?

This trip to the villa was not only earlier than in previous years, but also somewhat rushed. Considering what Tang'er said earlier about the princess agreeing to let her leave, it's not hard to guess.

Shen Tang: "Yes, tonight at Hai Shi (9-11 PM)."

Although she had expected it, Ms. Shen still couldn't help feeling sad and worried when she heard that she was really leaving.

This world is inherently difficult for women, and she has no one to rely on or support her; her life will likely be very difficult.

But she knew she couldn't stop her. Madam Shen took out a purse from her bosom: "There are three thousand taels of silver notes in here. When you're traveling, you'll need money in many places."

Seeing that Shen Tang wanted to refuse, she added, "Auntie is incompetent and can't protect you. This is the only thing Auntie can give you. Don't refuse me."

"Once you've settled down, you must write to your aunt to let her know you're safe, okay?" Madam Shen choked up as she said this: "You...you promise me you'll take good care of yourself."

Shen stared at her earnestly with tears in her eyes. Shen Tang felt a pang of sadness and a tightness in her chest, and almost burst into tears.

She buried her head in her aunt's arms and nodded heavily.

*

After arriving at the villa, the Meng family had lunch and then returned to their respective courtyards to rest.

Shen Tang was already planning to leave, so she packed a few things and waited for night to fall.

As the time drew closer, Shen Tang felt increasingly uneasy and anxious.

Suddenly, there was a noise outside the door. Startled, Shen Tang stood up from her chair and looked out the window. She saw You Lan fighting with three assassins dressed in black.

The fight was fierce and evenly matched, and Youlan was in a sorry state, unable to keep up with them. She had witnessed Youlan's skills before, and few could match her. But this time, she was actually held back. It seemed that the people sent by the princess were indeed very powerful.

After observing for a while, Shen Tang took advantage of You Lan's distraction and quickly walked towards the west gate with A Yun.

Fu Dong, dressed in black, waited at the door. When he saw them arrive, he immediately put the two of them into the carriage and headed straight north.

No one spoke along the way, and the carriage sped along, arriving at the dock half an hour later.

After getting off the carriage, Fu Dong took something out of his pocket and handed it to Chen Tang.

When Shen Tang opened it, she was surprised to find that it was a new household registration. She was just worried about where to find connections to get a new identity, but she didn't expect that the Princess would be so thoughtful.

Shen Tang said gratefully, "Please thank the Princess for me."

Fu Dong nodded coldly: "Let's go."

Shen Tang and A Yun hurriedly boarded the boat, and their anxious hearts finally calmed down as the boat began to move rapidly forward.

A boatman came over and led them to their room. Shen Tang was still immersed in the joy of finally leaving, so she did not notice the panic and fear on the boatman's face.

They soon arrived at the room, and the boatman pushed open the door.

Shen Tang was about to go in when she looked up and saw a familiar figure. Her steps faltered, and her face turned pale instantly.

He instinctively turned around, wanting to make a run for it, but was stopped at the door by Qingyang who suddenly appeared.

Ah Yun, who was following behind her, had disappeared without a trace.

Shen Tang's heart sank to the bottom.

Hearing the noise, Meng Huaiyan turned around and said, "Miss Chen, what a coincidence."

His eyes were smiling, and his expression could be described as gentle, as if bumping into her here was a real coincidence, as if he had met an old friend.

Shen Tang froze on the spot, too frightened to move.

Compared to his angry or indifferent demeanor, Meng Huaiyan's gentle smile was far more frightening.

Shen Tang's voice trembled as she asked, "You... how did you get here?"

Meng Huaiyan took a sip of tea: "I should be asking Miss Shen that. What are you doing here?"

Shen Tang was speechless.

"Are you trying to run away?"

"..." Shen Tang fell silent again.

Meng Huaiyan seemed unconcerned by her silence, simply sipping his tea quietly.

The two remained silent for a moment until the boat slowly approached the shore, at which point Shen Tang seemed to be awakened.

Meng Huaiyan stood up and walked towards Shen Tang.

Shen Tang subconsciously took a few steps back.

Meng Huaiyan's smile faded slightly: "So afraid of me?"

"No...no."

"Really?" Meng Huaiyan approached, gently took her hand, and caressed it tenderly. "But you're trembling."

Shen Tang stared at him in horror.

The next moment, Meng Huaiyan suddenly grabbed her chin and kissed her fiercely and impatiently. Her lips were rubbed raw and painful. Shen Tang tried her best to break free from his grasp, but she was suppressed by Meng Huaiyan and could not move an inch.

Meng Huaiyan's soft tongue pried open her lips and teeth, hooking hers with such force that it seemed he wanted to tear her apart and swallow her whole. It wasn't until Shen Tang felt her breathing become labored and she was about to suffocate that Meng Huaiyan finally ended this kiss, which was full of punishment and anger.

The smile on Meng Huaiyan's face vanished completely, leaving only a gloomy look in his eyes.

He pulled her out of the room, and only then did Shen Tang see the brightly lit shore.

Fu Dong was forced to kneel on the ground by the guards, her eyes filled with anger as she glared at the person in front of her.

Shen Tang looked over at her questioning gaze. You Lan stood among more than a dozen guards, her face cold and stern, without a single wound on her body. There was no trace of the disheveled state that Shen Tang had just seen.

As everything that happened tonight came together, Shen Tang felt a chill run down her spine. She spoke with difficulty, "You...knew about today's plan all along?"

Meng Huaiyan laughed again: "That's right." He gently stroked her face with his hand: "You're so stupid. Do you know how clumsy you are at lying?"

Shen Tang's mind went blank as she stared at him in disbelief: "You...when did you find out?"

“I knew it as soon as you left your mother’s place.”

Shen Tang stood there stunned, suddenly remembering the day he asked her if there was anything she was hiding from him, and how she had thought she had gotten away with it so well.

Unexpectedly, he already knew, and he just watched coldly as she clumsily lied.

He coldly watched her live in fear and anxiety, making her think she had truly escaped, before delivering the final, fatal blow.

Shen Tang's eyes widened, filled not only with fear of Meng Huaiyan but also with resentment at being tricked. She glared at him, demanding repeatedly, "Why! Why!"

“Naturally, it’s because you’ve been disobedient.” Meng Huaiyan said coldly, his face dark. “Disobedient people always need to learn a lesson before they will remember.”

"Tell me, how should I punish you?"

"How about we kill A-Yun?"

"You dare!" Shen Tang's eyes were bloodshot as she gripped his collar tightly and roared, "If you dare touch her, I'll kill you!"

"I really will kill you, or we'll die together!"

Shen Tang glared angrily, tears streaming down her face. She looked pitiful and helpless, like a young animal baring its teeth at a powerful hunter. She was clearly no match for him, yet she was still struggling desperately. The disparity in strength made her struggle seem pale and laughable.

Meng Huaiyan gently stroked her back: "As long as you listen to me, I won't do anything to her."

It sounded like both a threat and a reassurance.

Shen Tang was on the verge of collapse, her legs were so weak she could barely stand.

Meng Huaiyan swept her up in his arms, and Shen Tang felt weak all over, almost burying herself in his embrace.

Meng Huaiyan smiled slightly and carried her steadily down the boat.

As she passed by Fu Dong, she called out, "Your Highness, the Princess will not allow you to do this."

Meng Huaiyan's eyes were cold and fierce, and he looked down at him as if he were looking at a dead man: "My affairs are none of your business, you servant."

Fu Dong: "..."