Chapter 79: Act on Your Own Behalf

Xiao Yuan stood in front of the window without saying a word from beginning to end, but only he knew that his hands in his sleeves were so painful that only by suppressing them with all his strength could he barely maintain his sanity.

He watched Qingfeng go to the restaurant opposite, and his eyes, which were filled with the storm, narrowed into a slit.

I don’t know what method Qingfeng used, but before a cup of tea was served, Shen Anan and Zhang Yeyang walked out of the restaurant one after another.

Xiao Yuan was far away and couldn't hear what the two said, but he could see Zhang Yeyang with his head lowered, his face full of humble anger.

Shen Anan said something to him with a faint smile.

Xiao Yuan's eyes were fixed on the woman's face. He was almost overwhelmed by jealousy and anger. His emotions were roaring in his chest, but he tried hard to suppress them.

Fortunately, the two did not stay too long, and Shen Anan got on the carriage and left. Zhang Yeyang stood in front of the restaurant, watching the carriage go away, without moving for a long time.

After the others had left, Qingfeng walked out of the restaurant with his head slightly lowered.

Xiao Yuan closed his eyes slightly, his tense face relaxed a little, and turned around and sat back in the chair. Li Huaiyan took one look at him and knew that the matter was done.

However, Shen Changhe was there, so he did not call Qingfeng in to ask.

The three of them chatted for a while, and not long after, Ling Chenyi finally arrived.

He looked grim and a little unhappy, and walked in with a sullen face. He first glanced at Shen Changhe, greeted him, and then sat down.

Without waiting for Xiao Yuan to ask, he took the initiative to speak, "Two hours after the morning court session ended today, Concubine Shen went to the imperial study to give the emperor a calming soup. Not long after she left, the emperor issued the imperial edict."

The results Ling Chenyi found surprised everyone, especially Shen Changhe.

aunt? How could she get involved in these things? Besides, hasn’t she always hoped that the Shen family would stand on the side of the Fourth Prince?

Even if nothing else is said, what benefit can she get by instigating the emperor to be wary and suspicious of the Shen family? Doesn't she worry about the downfall of the Shen family and her own implicate?

A series of questions swirled in his mind. Shen Changhe slowly closed his five fingers and thought with a cold face.

Xiao Yuan understood Concubine Shen's intentions in an instant, and his face looked a little ugly.

If he wanted, he would have already included the Shen Mansion into the party of the Fourth Prince's Mansion, and it would not be her turn to meddle in other people's affairs and act on her own.

I wanted to say that it was stupid, but then I remembered that she was the aunt of the Shen brothers and sisters after all.

He was speechless, his face terribly gloomy, he understood instantly what was going on between Shen Changhe and Ling Chenyi, Li Huaiyan also understood after thinking for a while.

Ling Chenyi pulled his lips lightly and said to Shen Changhe, "It seems that Concubine Shen is determined to marry Miss Shen into the Fourth Prince's mansion."

Of course, they are happy to see it happen, and some people even want it more than they can bear.

It was just that Concubine Shen's move, due to some strange reasons, put them in a passive situation.

Shen Changhe never thought that the person who stabbed the Shen family in the back would be one of their own people, and he was extremely angry.

"I will tell my father about this when I return home and try to restrain my aunt."

Xiao Yuan didn't say anything.

That was the Shen family's affair. As for Concubine Shen, he would also send someone to warn her. He wanted to marry Shen An'an, but not in this forced way.

Not long after Shen Changhe left, Xiao Yuan and his companions also left the restaurant.

In the Fourth Prince's study, Xiao Yuan ordered Qing'an in a cold voice, "Tell Concubine Shen to let her live in peace. If she doesn't act on her own, the nunnery of the abandoned concubine outside the city will be more suitable for her."

"Yes." Qing'an left immediately and told Concubine Shen what Xiao Yuan said.

Concubine Shen never thought that Xiao Yuan would find out about her so quickly, and she was even more afraid of his methods and power.

"Your Highness almost ruined my master's plan today." Qing An said in a deep voice, "My master has ordered that Your Highness stay here peacefully. If there is anything that can be of use to you, my master will notify you."

Xiao Yuan's threat hit Concubine Shen's heart. She was eager for Shen An'an to marry Xiao Yuan because she was afraid that after the emperor died, she would be sent to a nunnery to worship Buddha without any children.

Concubine Shen pursed her lips and said, "Go back and tell your master that I know about it."

Qing'an nodded, bowed respectfully, and disappeared into the darkness.

“Your Highness.” Aunt Yu brought Concubine Shen a cup of warm tea and served her to drink it, steadying her mind.

"I was indeed a little anxious today." Concubine Shen said calmly, but she never expected that Xiao Yuan would defend the Shen family to such an extent.

Doesn't this indirectly prove that he has deep feelings for Shen Anan?

As they were talking, a palace maid walked into the hall quickly, "Madam, Lord Shen sent someone to deliver the news that the day after tomorrow is the day when Miss Shen will be engaged, and asked if you have time to leave the palace to see it."

It was called an invitation, but in fact it was just a notification to her. After all, a concubine who married into the palace, or a noble concubine at that, could not leave the palace easily.

Concubine Shen was still frightened just now, and now her face turned pale with anger, looking extremely ugly, "Xiao Yuan's covetousness is so obvious, does Big Brother really want to sacrifice the entire Shen family to buy freedom for his daughter!!!"

"Your Majesty, calm down." Aunt Yu quickly patted her back. "Since the Fourth Prince doesn't want you to interfere, he must have his own ideas."

Concubine Shen suddenly remembered the nunnery that Xiao Yuan had used to threaten her, and managed to calm down.

No matter what, she must not spend her old age in a nunnery. It would be better for her to die.

"Aunt, since we are on the Fourth Prince's ship, we must stick to it till the end. The Emperor is getting older and older, and I can't wait any longer."

There was a desperate determination in her eyes.

She only has the Fourth Prince to choose from, but the woman the Fourth Prince can choose is not a girl from the Shen family! ! ! !

Shen Anan must marry Xiao Yuan. As long as she becomes the Fourth Prince's consort and the Queen, Xiao Yuan's threats will be of no use.

"Men are the most unfaithful creatures in the world."

While Xiao Yuan hasn't completely abandoned Shen Anan.

——

In the Begonia Garden, Mo Xiang whispered, "Miss, have you really decided to choose Master Zhang?"

Thinking about what happened in the restaurant today, Mo Xiang felt very uncomfortable. From childhood to adulthood, the girl had never suffered such humiliation and was actually kicked out of the restaurant.

It's just that you look down on people. Just because Mr. Zhang is not dressed like a noble, you treat him differently and speak so rudely.

"Yeah." Shen Anan responded lightly.

She stood in front of the window, pulled her cloak closer, revealing only her cold and red face. "We're getting engaged the day after tomorrow, so don't say anything like that anymore."

Mo Xiang pursed her lips, somewhat unconvinced, but ultimately said nothing more.

Today, the waiter in the restaurant looked down on others, but Mr. Zhang had too strong a self-esteem and didn't want the girl to stand up. In the end, he just endured it. How cowardly!

Even though the girl was going to be engaged to him the day after tomorrow, Mo Xiang still felt that Mr. Zhang and the girl were not from the same circle, and there would definitely be disagreements after they got married.

But Shen Anan doesn't care about these.

She just wanted to go back to Jiangnan, to stay away from the upcoming disputes in the capital, and she didn't want the Shen family to be involved in any fight because of her marriage.

If Zhang Yeyang is a good person in the future, he can also give birth to a son or a daughter, and raise her and her together under the care of her grandmother. By then, she will be free and at ease as long as she can.

In addition to the Begonia Garden, the Fourth Prince's study was also the place that kept me awake all night.

Xiao Yuan sat in the chair for several hours without moving or speaking. Qing'an and Qingfeng stood outside, not daring to breathe.

At midnight, the moonlight was slowly covered by dark clouds. The whole yard was almost pitch dark except for the light from the glass lamp. Xiao Yuan finally moved.

He stood up from his desk, walked to the window frame and pushed it open. The biting cold wind immediately rushed in, but he did not dodge. The coldness of the weather was not as cold as the coldness in his heart.

The scene of the woman talking with a smile in front of the restaurant kept repeating before his eyes, and only the cold wind could barely suppress the violent gloom in his heart.

He also went to the restaurant to look for her, wanting to sit down and have a quiet meal with her. He didn't ask for a smile in return, as long as she was willing to sit down and accompany him, even if it was just perfunctory.

Xiao Yuan lowered his eyelashes, the jealousy in his eyes almost unsuppressible.

But in the end, he took great pains to intercept the threat from the eldest son of the Lin family halfway, and was able to barely keep her for less than an incense stick of time.

She didn't even try to hide her joy for the scholar in front of him.

The cold wind ravaged his handsome face, leaving him cold from body to heart.

Xiao Yuan pursed his thin lips tightly, trying hard to restrain the violent impulse in his heart.

His breathing was slightly choked, and an inexplicable pain slowly spread across his heart.

He suddenly realized that he hadn't dreamed of those eyes for some time. It seemed that after he decided to have her, the dream had become more and more vague, and even rarely appeared.

Every time he felt soft-hearted and in pain and wanted to let go and give her freedom, that dream would appear, constantly reminding him of the pain of loss.

"Master." At dawn, Qing'an pushed open the door and walked in.

Xiao Yuan finally left the window frame and dragged his somewhat stiff body to the couch.

"The Zhang sisters have entered Beijing."