Chapter 125 Seduction

Xie San Niang originally intended to use her serious illness as an excuse to force Shen Yuanzhu to hand over the "Shen Family Dyeing Manual" in the name of filial piety.

However, he did not expect that he would suffer a loss, as Xie Chengzhi angered him so much that he damaged his heart meridian and his life was nearing its end.

The Xie family was aware that Doctor Yan had returned, but they never expected it to end this way.

One by one, they said the old lady was putting on quite a show, not forgetting to wrap things up.

Xie Qi and Shen Yuanzhu returned to Qianxiang Courtyard. He held in his hands the Shen family dyeing manual, which the dyers were eager to see.

Even Shen Yuanzhu couldn't help but have some thoughts when she saw that he hadn't let go.

Only Xie Qi was preoccupied with the thought that from tonight onwards, he would no longer have to curl up on the small couch.

Although the canopy bed is spacious enough, however...

Xie Qi's face flushed, and he couldn't help but recall the patterns he had seen a few days ago.

His ears felt slightly hot, and he wasn't fully recovered even when he returned to Akane-in.

Shen Yuanzhu saw him dazed and confused, holding the wooden box containing the dyeing manual with a solemn expression.

She didn't say anything to break the silence, but remained silent the whole way.

After a while, Xie Qi followed behind and asked, "Where should I put this for you?"

Shen Yuanzhu thought for a moment and smiled, "Just put it on my dressing table."

Xie Qi put it down casually, without thinking about anything else.

Although the dyeing swatches were precious, he wouldn't resort to any underhanded means to seize them.

He never considered himself a gentleman, but as a man, no matter how many tricks or dirty tactics he had, they were only for outsiders, and he would never let his wife look down on him.

After putting the things down, Xie Qi didn't look at them again.

Shen Yuanzhu stared at the wooden box for a long time, smiled faintly, but still did not move it.

As soon as Xie Qi entered the room, he went straight to the wardrobe.

"I told you the other day that it was really wrong of you to be so delicate, it's really hot this year."

"Um?"

As soon as Shen Yuanzhu sat down, Xie Qi said something out of the blue.

He concealed the slight blush on his face: "It's hot, I'll go take a shower first."

After saying that, she slammed the wardrobe door shut and went to the bathroom.

Shen Yuanzhu felt bewildered, but after hearing that Madam Luo had come to find her and said that she had received the money to buy the shop in Jixia Manor, she gradually smiled.

"I've finally managed to turn the tables, but it's a pity..."

Luo said, "What's a pity?"

Shen Yuanzhu rested her chin on her hand: "It's just a pity that the owner of Jixia Manor can't know that I won this round."

"It's inevitable to feel lonely when there's no one to celebrate with after a victory."

Looking at Shen Yuanzhu's wide grin, Luo gently pinched her cheek: "If you haven't achieved anything, don't show off; if you have just gained something, you should keep a low profile."

"There are countless eyes watching you outside, so be careful not to bring trouble upon yourself."

"I know."

Despite saying that, Shen Yuanzhu couldn't stop smiling.

Having thoroughly ripped off Jixia Manor and left them speechless with bitterness, Shen Yuanzhu felt incredibly pleased.

The loss of her previously stolen goods was recovered in double, which dispelled the resentment she had been holding in for many days, and now she was not so disgusted with Yun Zheng anymore.

Seeing her happy, Madam Luo asked, "Miss, now that you've vented your anger, what about the dyeing competition...?"

Yuan Xu had just taken office and it was clear that he wanted to promote Yun Zheng to the head of the Suzhou Chamber of Commerce.

Xu Zhanyang is now always keeping a low profile, so Madam Luo doesn't want her young lady to go against Jixia Manor because of personal grudges.

"I'm going to take first place in the dyeing competition again this year."

Shen Yuanzhu said, "I know the wet nurse's worries, but no matter what grudges I have with Yunzheng, I will compete with him in this year's Dyeing Competition."

“Yuan Xu has just taken office and will surely put forward one of his confidants as the president of the Chamber of Commerce. If it can be Jixia Manor, why can’t it be us?”

"It's just about choosing a henchman. Even if Yuan Xu and Yun Zheng have some personal relationship, if he doesn't do a good job, he will only be overtaken by someone else."

"And once this opportunity is lost, who knows when the next Director of Textiles will be replaced."

Another point is that not only she and Jixia Manor are eager to make their mark at this dyeing competition, but the Shen family and the Xie family will also definitely not let this opportunity slip by.

So, that dyeing pattern...

Shen Yuanzhu glanced at the dyeing chart on the table and smiled faintly.

She released the bait, wanting to see who would eventually take the bait.

She couldn't wait to see the miserable expressions on the faces of these three families.

"Oh, right, the two girls delivered to Jixia Manor..."

Seeing that her young mistress had made up her mind, Madam Luo stopped trying to persuade her and simply said, "The one who was sent to the master's side was then handed over to the weaving official's residence, while the one from the dyer's place at Jixia Manor went smoothly."

"That's it."

The two talked for a long time, and Shen Yuanzhu gave Luo Qing and Luo Bai many instructions. After a long while, some noise came from the bathhouse.

Luo left knowingly, while Shen Yuanzhu continued to string beads for herself.

A moment later, Xie Qi awkwardly walked out.

He had just finished bathing, and his body was still slightly damp. His sheer, moon-white gauze robe was half-damp and clung to his skin, clearly outlining Xie Qi's broad shoulders and wasp waist.

Seeing Shen Yuanzhu lying face down in front of the table, he reached out a finger and lightly touched the belt around his waist.

A pale white arc flashed by, causing Chen Yuanzhu to look up.

Xie Qi's bathrobe was loosely draped over his body, the half-open neckline revealing a hint of his muscular physique and a section of his fair collarbone.

Shen Yuanzhu looked up and blinked at him.

Xie Qi turned his head to the side, revealing faint blue veins on his neck.

A faint blush spread from the tips of his ears. He looked down at Shen Yuanzhu, his slightly drooping eyes carrying a seductive red that only appears after being steamed for a long time.

"It's so hot today... it's unbearable."

After saying that, he turned to look at the wedding bed covered with a bright red mandarin duck quilt, suppressing his faint smile with a mixture of shyness and joy.

Shen Yuanzhu raised her hand, pointed at him, and then pointed outside.

Today is a cloudy day.

It's not hot.

Xie Qi pretended not to understand. His gaze wandered around the room, and when he saw that the small couch had been neatly made up again, his expression changed slightly.

Perhaps Ling'er and Xiaozhi didn't know...

He stepped forward and yanked back the covers.

"I'm exhausted after a whole day of running around, I need to rest now."

After saying that, Xie Qi walked to the wedding bed, hesitated for only a moment, then took off his nightgown and casually hung it aside.

The man's strong physique exuded power, with a shallow dimple around his lean waist. After thinking for a moment, he kicked off his shoes, rolled over, and climbed into the soft, fragrant bed.

He knew it wasn't particularly hot today, but Xie Qi at this moment...

He was sweating lightly, but he didn't want to lift the covers, so he stretched his hands and feet out.

In the dim candlelight, his wrists, which had just been bathed, his slightly bent knuckles, and his handsome profile all appeared pinkish-white.

He propped his head up with his hand and looked at Shen Yuanzhu, neither speaking nor making a move.

Shen Yuanzhu blinked, looking him up and down, and finally couldn't help but speak slowly.

"..."

"Um?"