Chapter 36: This death happens again.

Shen Anan walked into the restaurant.

At a glance, he saw Zhang Yeyang fiddling with an abacus behind the counter.

He held the account book in one hand and quickly moved the abacus with the other, but his mind was not on the account book at all. He made wrong adjustments several times and finally put his things down in frustration, looking annoyed.

He sat in the chair in a daze, feeling lost.

Two of his colleagues stayed in Beijing, but he, the first contributor to the joint letter, did not get the opportunity to stay in Beijing.

All the efforts were in vain.

But it cannot be said to be a bad thing. After all, the Fourth Prince gave him the rich land of Jiangnan, where it is easy to achieve political achievements. His future is brighter than that of his two colleagues who stayed in Beijing. It just goes against what he wanted.

He should be content. After all, with his rank, if it weren't for the cultivation of the Fourth Prince, he would have been sent to a remote county magistrate position.

In a daze, he looked up inadvertently and was stunned. He thought he was dreaming.

Shen Anan smiled gently and took a few steps forward, "Why, Mr. Zhang doesn't recognize me?"

Zhang Yeyang came back to his senses after a while, feeling both happy and disappointed, “No, no, I’m just a little surprised that Miss Shen would come to such a place.”

This restaurant is neither big nor small. The customers who come here are either workers or diners who are selling goods. It is definitely not a place that Shen Anan, of her status, would come to.

"I came out to buy some rouge. I happened to pass by and came in for lunch."

Shen Anan looked at the tips of his ears, which had turned red due to embarrassment, and spoke in a gentle and graceful tone.

Zhang Yeyang looked up at her, and was so shocked by the woman's dazzling smile that he quickly lowered his head. His hands in his sleeves tightened and opened again, repeatedly.

What was he thinking? She was the daughter of the Grand Commandant, so why would she come for a poor scholar like him? He must have been too obedient to have such an unrealistic dream.

"Mr. Zhang, are you busy? If not, would you like to have dinner together?"

Zhang Yeyang knew that the girl was just being polite, and he should have declined, but in the end he said, "I'm not busy."

Facing Shen Anan's faint smile, his face turned red, and he looked embarrassed and awkward.

Mo Xiang asked the waiter for a private room and ordered some signature dishes. Amid the open-mouthed surprise of the shopkeeper and the waiter, Zhang Yeyang followed Shen Anan up to the private room on the second floor.

It was called a private room, but in fact it was just a slightly quieter place separated by a beaded curtain. Shen An smoothed her dress and sat down.

"Master Zhang, please sit down."

Zhang Yeyang lowered his head in shame and looked at the coarse cloth clothes on his body. He was working today and the clothes he wore were patched. He did not fit in with the noble and gentle woman sitting opposite him who was wearing gorgeous clothes.

Not to mention Miss Shen, even the maids beside her were a hundred times more decent than him.

Shen Anan saw his embarrassment, frowned, and opened her mouth to change the subject.

"I've heard everything about the joint letter from my eldest brother. Master Zhang is not afraid of power and is brave enough to speak up for the people. He is truly remarkable."

Zhang Yeyang sat down on the edge of the chair, his hands on his knees, his back straight, his mind tense and very nervous.

"Miss Shen, you are too kind. I am just the most insignificant one among them. The credit for the proper resettlement of those refugees belongs to someone else."

Shen Anan's eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled without saying anything, knowing that the other person Zhang Yeyang was talking about should be Xiao Yuan.

But she was not here to talk about Xiao Yuan's great achievements today.

She poured a cup of tea and asked casually, "Master Zhang has made such a great contribution, I believe he will get a good position."

Zhang Yeyang's face froze.

He lowered his head and looked at the teacup that Mo Xiang placed in front of him, his lips slightly pursed, feeling a wave of sadness in his heart.

“Well…I guess so.”

Shen Anan frowned, glanced at Zhang Yeyang, who lowered his head and smiled bitterly, obviously not very satisfied with the transfer, and asked with concern.

"What's the matter? Sir, are you in any trouble?"

"No, I haven't."

Zhang Yeyang looked up at the bright and flamboyant Shen Anan, and the haze in his heart suddenly dissipated a lot.

"The court assigned me a small county near Jiangnan. It has a vast territory and a rich economy, which will be very helpful for my future official career."

However, he wanted to stay for her, even if it was wishful thinking, he wanted to let her know the joy in his heart.

And now...

"Jiangnan." Shen Anan repeated, her lips raised high, her hands hidden in her sleeves excitedly grasping her cuffs, slightly delighted.

"Jiangnan couldn't be better."

Zhang Yeyang looked up in surprise, looked into Shen Anan's joyful eyes, and was startled.

Shen Anan suppressed the joy in her heart and smiled as calmly as possible, "I grew up in Jiangnan since I was a child. The people there are kind and the scenery is beautiful. I have always wanted to return to Jiangnan to live if I have the chance."

Surprise gradually welled up in Zhang Yeyang's eyes, "Is what Miss Shen said true?"

"nature."

Shen Anan looked at him sincerely, "The folk customs in Jiangnan are simple and honest. There are no messy rules and etiquette, and there are no powerful official families. Mr. Zhang has just entered the officialdom. It is much better to go to Jiangnan than to stay in the treacherous capital. He can also do whatever he wants, which is much better than trying to curry favor and survive in the cracks in the capital."

Shen Anan's words quickly dispelled the annoyance that had been tangled in Zhang Yeyang's heart for several days, and his lips lifted involuntarily.

"What the girl said is true. I am short-sighted."

At this time, the waiter came in and served the dishes. There were birds and beasts, almost filling up the table. Zhang Yeyang looked at them, and the inferiority complex that he had finally forgotten surged up again like a tide.

"There are only three of us, Miss Shen doesn't have to spend so much money."

Mo Xiang placed the dishes and chopsticks on the table, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Mr. Zhang. My daughter was like this when she was in the mansion."

"Oh." Zhang Yeyang smiled awkwardly, lowered his head and dialed the crispy smoked chicken to ease the embarrassment.

Shen Anan glanced at Mo Xiang, and at the same time felt that although Mr. Zhang had good character, he was a little too sensitive.

Wouldn't it be very tiring if I had to be so careful to maintain his self-esteem in the future when we get along with each other?

Never mind. Power feeds people. Maybe when I become an official in the future and have no shortage of money, things will get better.

"Sir, do you want to drink?"

Zhang Yeyang quickly waved his hand to refuse.

How can I drink with her? What if I say something wrong or something rude?

Besides, Shen Anan's praise for Jiangnan just now ignited his dead heart. Even if it was just a delusion, he had to give it a try.

"When will the young master leave for his new post?"

Zhang Yeyang mustered up the courage to look up and meet Shen Anan's eyes, but as soon as he touched her beautiful face, his heartbeat quickened and he was speechless.

"I don't know yet. It should be about the past three to five days."

"Oh, you're leaving so soon,"

Shen Anan lowered her head and stirred the lotus seed porridge in the bowl with chopsticks. Her eyelids lightly fanned her clear almond-shaped eyes, which seemed to reveal a hint of melancholy.

Zhang Yeyang's chest swelled and his heart seemed to be pulled tightly. He leaned forward a little, looking at the pretty girl opposite him eagerly and sincerely.

"Miss Shen, I have something to tell you. Actually, I..."

Shen Anan looked up at him with a smile, her clear eyes flashing with anticipation, but her face remained expressionless.

"I……"

"Hey, Miss Shen, what a coincidence." A surprised and surprised voice suddenly sounded, interrupting Zhang Yeyang's words.

When Shen Anan heard the voice, her smiling face suddenly darkened, and she glanced coldly in the direction of the door.

Not long after, Li Huaiyan's nonchalant figure appeared. He stood at the door of the private room with a smile on his face. His eyes moved lightly around the room, and when he swept over Zhang Yeyang, his expression paused and the corners of his lips drooped.

Shen Anan began to wonder if she had any entanglement with Li Huaiyan, this nemesis, in this life. How come she could meet him everywhere?

unlucky!

"Mo Xiang, close the door."

Mo Xiang stepped forward immediately.

She reached out to open the door. Li Huaiyan turned around with a smile and leaned against the door frame, his eyes glancing behind him.

Mo Xiang frowned and was about to yell at him to get out of the way, but a cold and gloomy gaze suddenly shot towards her, making her feel like a thorn in her back, and a deep chill crept up her entire spine.

Oppression is extremely dangerous.

She loosened her hands involuntarily and looked up.

Then he turned around and quickly returned to the private room and stood behind Shen Anan.

Li Huaiyan burst out laughing, with a look of watching a show on his face.

Zhang Yeyang naturally knew Li Huaiyan, and he stood up immediately. But he was worried that others would misunderstand him and Miss Shen, which would tarnish the girl's reputation, so he hurriedly left the table and walked away.

"Mr. Li."

He bowed.

Li Huaiyan glanced at him without saying anything, then turned his body to reveal the person behind him.

Mo Xiang immediately lowered her head, her small hands tightly grasping Shen Anan’s sleeves.

The Fourth Prince's expression just now was so scary that he might have thought that she had violated the Heavenly Law by closing the door.

Zhang Yeyang wanted to salute Xiao Yuan, but when he met his sinister and cold gaze, it was as if cotton wool blocked his throat and he couldn't utter a word.

He vaguely felt that the Fourth Prince never seemed to like him very much.

I don’t know what went wrong.

Xiao Yuan's eyes swept across Shen An'an, and finally stopped on Zhang Yeyang, his face expressionless, but the extremely oppressive gaze made Zhang Yeyang dare not even raise his head.

Shen Anan looked at the man who suddenly appeared and narrowed his eyes.

This death happened again!

She was so angry.

Whenever things don't go his way, he gets grumpy, as if the whole world owes him money and no one is worthy of him.

I don't know where he was bitten, but he came here like a mad dog.

Does she have a grudge against this bastard? Otherwise, he would ruin her plans every time.

She clenched her teeth and glanced at Xiao Yuan with cold eyes filled with anger. She opened her mouth and was about to say something.

Xiao Yuan's unhurried voice sounded first, like an invisible hand instantly grabbing her neck, making her unable to utter a single syllable.

It was like a ball of cotton wool stuffed into her mouth.

"Mr. Lin, I believe you have never seen this girl before. Let me introduce her to you."

Xiao Yuan spoke in a teasing tone, his eyes wandering over Shen Anan with a half-smile, but there was a chill in his eyes, and he spoke to the purple-robed man beside him.

"The person sitting in the private room is the daughter of Commandant Shen who was just brought back from Jiangnan, the eldest daughter of the Shen family."

“…”

Young Master Lin? ?

Shen Anan looked at the purple-robed man. The man had a handsome appearance. He looked at her with surprise and scrutiny. He nodded politely and said hello, "Hello, Miss Shen."

She tried hard to suppress her anger, stood up, and returned the greeting to Master Lin with the demeanor of a lady, "Hello, Master Lin, hello, Fourth Prince."

She raised her eyes slightly and glanced at Xiao Yuan, wondering how Xiao Yuan knew that her elder brother was discussing marriage with the girl from the Lin family? Was it an accident or intentional?

He wouldn't have the time to come and cause trouble for himself, after all, he is so busy.

No matter what she thought, she was still very polite in front of the young master of the Lin family. She couldn't let people think that the Shen family had a bad family tradition and ruined her eldest brother's marriage.

Xiao Yuan's lips curled up coldly. He was very satisfied with Shen Anan's obedience and quietness. It was worth it that he asked Qingfeng to drag the young master of the Lin family into the carriage halfway.

Zhang Yeyang had never been in such an occasion before, and he just stood aside and didn't even dare to say a word.

He always felt that there was a cold gaze that never left him, as if it were real, sharp and terrifying.

Xiao Yuan's eyes swept across the two sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table, his dark eyes seemingly calm.

"Mr. Lin, do you mind having dinner at the same table with Miss Shen? After all, we will be relatives in the future."

Master Lin was also very understanding and immediately said, "Of course I don't mind. I wonder if Miss Shen is willing to do me the honor."

Shen Anan stared at Xiao Yuan silently with a heavy look in her eyes, full of anger, as if asking what on earth you want to do.

Xiao Yuan turned a blind eye, his handsome and resolute face still smiling faintly.

Master Lin's eyes turned around in the strange atmosphere between the two, and he smiled again and said, "My father has always admired the loyalty of General Shen, and he also praised Master Shen highly. I believe that Miss Shen must be a lady of noble family with a virtuous heart and a beautiful appearance."

“…”

Shen Anan retracted her gaze and gave Master Lin a gentle smile. The following sentence was very pleasant to the ear, and she was really not worthy of such a noble and kind heart.

"Mr. Lin, thank you very much. The Lin family is a family of scholars and poets. We all rely on Mr. Lin's profound knowledge."

The two of them flattered each other for a few words, and Shen Anan invited a few people to sit in the private room.

Zhang Yeyang stood aside awkwardly. Li Huaiyan suddenly stepped forward and hooked his shoulder. His eyes curved but there was no smile in them. "Master Zhang will be taking up his post in the next few days, right? Isn't it time to pack your bags?"

Shen Anan turned around and looked at the two of them. At an angle that Lin Jiazi couldn't see, he gritted his teeth at Li Huaiyan and said something silently.

But with Lin Jiazi around, she couldn't just ask Zhang Yeyang to stay, that would be really inappropriate.

Li Huaiyan pretended to be blind and patted Zhang Yeyang's shoulder hard.

Zhang Yeyang felt bitter in his heart, and smiled helplessly at Shen Anan, his eyes full of humility, "Mr. Li reminded me, so I will go back first."

“Yeah.” Li Huaiyan then withdrew his hand, and when Zhang Yeyang left, he smiled playfully at Shen Anan.

Shen Anan glared at him, then sat back down in her chair with a wooden face. When Lin Jiazi started to liven up the atmosphere, she forced a smile to agree.

Although the relationship between the few of them was a little weird, it wasn't too dull with the interactions between Master Lin and Shen Anan.

During the meal, Li Huaiyan half-jokingly said, "Good food is boring without good wine. Miss Shen is not stingy with a few pots of wine."

Shen Anan raised her eyes and glanced at him, then turned around and told Mo Xiang to get some wine.

Xiao Yuan, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke in a cold voice, "Why are you drinking in broad daylight? If you want to drink, go back to your Duke's Mansion."

"..." Li Huaiyan's mouth twitched.

After all, it was he who rushed to the Fourth Prince's residence to inform him of the news. How could he just abandon the monk after the fast?