The red stamens and green lotus leaves exchanged a glance, both feeling surprised.

Isn't this the person who came to see me for medicine the other day?

Why did the girl ask him to get in the car?

Besides, it's rather inappropriate for a lone man and woman to ride in the same carriage, especially since my daughter is already married. If people see this, rumors are bound to spread.

“Madam, I’ll just sit outside the carriage,” the man said.

"Are you sitting outside like this because you're afraid people won't notice you?" Shen Zhiyi raised an eyebrow.

"I'm too dirty, I'm afraid I'll soil your place."

This was Shen Zhiyi's carriage, with delicate, soft cushions embroidered with magnolia patterns inside. He was covered in grime, so it was easy for the cushions to get dirty.

"It's alright, please sit down." Shen Zhiyi didn't mind at all. After he sat down, she even asked, "Have you had lunch?"

"No."

"Here are some pastries for you to have a snack." Shen Zhiyi handed over the packaged pastries. "Magnolia pastries, I made them myself."

Thank you.

The man opened the box, picked up a pastry, and took a bite. It tasted excellent, with a subtle sweetness that wasn't cloying or greasy.

He took a couple of bites before he seemed to notice that Shen Zhiyi had been staring at him. "Madam?"

"Your gestures and movements are unlike those of an ordinary person."

Despite his impoverished circumstances, he still maintained a refined manner when eating.

She had seen refugees, starving and gnawing on grass roots and tree bark, and she had seen soldiers, marching and fighting, racing against time, wolfing down their food. The person in front of her was clearly different from them.

Even though it's covered in dust, you can still tell that it has excellent manners and etiquette.

“My family originally had some money.”

"Is that so?" Shen Zhiyi felt that the person in front of her was not so simple.

Although his face was covered in dirt, his skin was delicate and tender, indicating that he was well taken care of in his daily life.

However, given the remote location of western Sichuan and the recent earthquake, it might not be easy to find someone. Shen Zhiyi looked at him and said, "You just ate my food like that, aren't you afraid I'll poison you?"

Why was poisoned?

"Because you learned some secrets last night."

The man chuckled softly, his voice growing ever more melodious, and his eyes shone brightly. "Madam, can you do it?"

His gaze was straight, and carried an indescribable heat.

He just stared at her with a smile, and for some reason, his eyes seemed to be able to see into people's hearts. Chen Zhiyi barely looked away and asked, "I still don't know your name?"

"Xiao Zhongxuan".

Shen Zhiyi made a mental note of it, thinking of asking her elder brother to help her investigate.

"Madam is truly magnanimous."

"Um?"

"How could she tolerate her husband bringing his mistress into the house? These past few days, that girl has been following the Lady of the Marquis and Miss Song around distributing porridge and clothes. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were the real family."

Shen Zhiyi stroked the hand warmer in his hand; he had indeed seen everything.

“You’ve clearly been having an affair, yet you still pretend to be deeply in love. Madam, I truly feel sorry for you.”

“Tell the Duke, and he will surely stand up for you.”

Shen Zhiyi said calmly, "I have other plans for this matter."

"Are you planning to do it yourself?"

"This has nothing to do with you."

"I know some martial arts, and I'm quite skilled. Nobody in the capital knows me. My wife is kind-hearted; she bandaged my wounds and provided me with lodging. If you are ever unable to show yourself, I can be of service."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhiyi began to seriously examine him.

Indeed, she couldn't keep looking for people from the Duke's mansion; it would be easy for them to be discovered.

He wasn't from the capital, a complete stranger, but he could indeed help her with some things.

I'm afraid...

This person is unreliable.

Does she know some martial arts? She looks so frail, I'm afraid they're just trying to fool her.

“But I won’t work for nothing,” Xiao Zhongxuan said again.

"What are the conditions?"

"Give me one hundred taels of silver every month."

Shen Zhiyi raised an eyebrow and glanced at him. A hundred taels of silver a month would amount to more than a thousand taels a year. Ordinary officials couldn't earn that much in a year. He really dared to ask for that much.

However, before Shen Zhiyi could react, he had almost finished all of the magnolia pastries she had made.

Are you that hungry?

——

Zhuangzi

"I've prepared some clothes for you. You can go wash up first." Shen Zhiyi had Hongrui settle her in before going to soak in a hot spring.

The pain of the previous life is etched in my heart; even in a warm hot spring, I still feel a chill all over my body.

“Miss, it’s already spring, why are your hands and feet so cold? Should we ask Physician Zhai to take a look?” Hongrui asked with a worried expression.

"No need." Shen Zhiyi knew that this was a psychological issue for her.

“This man’s origins are unknown, and he’s so badly injured. It’s really not wise for you to keep him here.” Green Lotus frowned. “Judging from his demeanor, he doesn’t seem like an ordinary person. We should be careful.”

"I know what I'm doing." A cold glint flashed in Shen Zhiyi's eyes.

If he is truly Song Yuxiu's man, or if his intentions are not pure, then...

Kill them!

After soaking in the hot spring for a while, Shen Zhiyi sat in the courtyard, feeling the warm spring sunshine on her body. Hongrui brewed tea beside her, and she flipped through a military book while Lühe took a soft cloth and helped her wring out her wet hair.

She wasn't exceptionally beautiful; her features and demeanor were very gentle, unlike a young lady raised in a general's mansion.

The warm sunlight enveloped her, as if coating her with a soft, gentle glow.

Xiao Zhongxuan stood outside the courtyard, sizing her up.

I always feel...

She lacked any sense of life; there was a faint feeling of death about her.

It was as if nothing in this world could stir her heart.

But her conversation with her maid interrupted her thoughts.

Hongrui was pouring her tea when she said, "Miss, that adulterous couple is getting more and more outrageous. The young master went and borrowed another three thousand taels of silver, saying it was to smooth things over with officials, but he ended up giving it all to that little slut."

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