Chapter 190 Romance

Xie Xuchuan was stunned by the barrage of insults and failed to notice Shen Yuanzhu's momentary loss of composure.

Xie Qi heard it clearly and was troubled by it, feeling depressed and unable to resolve it.

His hands were itching, and he couldn't resist lowering his head to take Chen Yuanzhu's hand. Only when he truly held her in his palm did he gradually feel at ease.

Xie Xuchuan remained silent for a long time, simply standing before Shen Yuanzhu, tears streaming down his face.

Those words pierced him to the core, and what pained him even more was that Yuanzhu actually thought he didn't want her to be happy.

He was clearly the one who most wanted her to live a peaceful and carefree life.

Can……

Xie Xuchuan bent down, trying to relieve the excruciating pain in his chest.

He had no words to defend himself, because Xie Xuchuan suddenly realized that Yuanzhu was absolutely right.

She repeatedly provoked Xie Qi, and was foolish enough to use those things to provoke him. If Xie Qi was truly as violent as Yuan Zhu said, her body would probably be cold by now.

Xie Xuchuan quickly took a few steps back, wanting to say that he had never hoped for that.

But he couldn't bring himself to say it.

The more he tries to defend himself, the more despicable he appears.

Xie Xuchuan stood up and took a step back. But tears kept streaming down his face.

"I know, Yuanzhu. I'm sorry, I've been sorry to you from beginning to end."

"I never considered your situation, several times..."

Xie Xuchuan gritted his teeth: "It won't happen again."

After saying that, he ran out without looking back.

As Shen Yuanzhu watched his retreating figure, memories of how he had secretly climbed over the Shen family's wall when she was a child and thrown all sorts of things down to her.

Xie Xuchuan wasn't like this back then.

When she was little, Xie Xuchuan would protect her and would immediately give her all the things that Shen Yuanqiong showed off in front of her, never letting her feel disappointed.

One New Year's Eve, Shen Yanhuai was away and couldn't return home. Ye Yunyi took Shen Yuanqiong to watch magic shows and fireworks set off by the government, leaving her alone at home.

She asked her wet nurse to take her out, but the wet nurse said she was too young and that Ye Yunyi must not be given any reason to send her away.

Thus, she was completely alone at home.

She understood that since her mother and father passed away, she had learned to be sensible and to read other people's expressions.

I also learned to protect the people around me.

Over the years, all she had left by her side were her seemingly dull wet nurse, the impulsive Ling'er, and the taciturn Xiaozhi.

So Shen Yuanzhu thought that when she grew up and got married, everything would be fine.

After they got married, Xie Xuchuan would protect her and take her to watch fireworks, magic shows, and festive operas on New Year's Eve.

So she obediently let her wet nurse hold her, listening to the crackling sounds of fireworks and firecrackers outside the street.

At this moment, Xie Xuchuan arrived.

He had Xie's servants carry a basket of firecrackers to the Shen family.

When she saw Xie Xuchuan, her eyes lit up: "Why are you here?"

Xie Xuchuan said, "I told my mother I was going to the street to see what was going on, and I'd be back later."

"Then why didn't you go out on the street?"

He said, "I was worried that you wouldn't be able to go out and would be bored by yourself, so I had someone send some firecrackers over."

"I'll go back after we've finished releasing them."

That New Year's Eve, the two of them set off a whole basket of firecrackers in the yard, which exploded and left red debris everywhere, billowing smoke that made it hard for people to open their eyes.

The next day, the wet nurse said that several of the koi in the pond seemed to have died of fright.

But she only felt happy.

After her mother passed away, Kaixin had everything that Shen Yuanqiong had.

But that friendship, like the dust that filled the sky on New Year's Eve that year, has finally dissipated into the wind, leaving no trace.

Xie Xuchuan ran all the way out of Qianxiang Courtyard. Xie Qi stood beside Shen Yuanzhu and saw her looking at his back with a dazed expression. The thread that was tugging at his heartstrings tightened again.

"Yuanzhu".

"Um?"

Xie Qi lowered his eyes and mumbled, "I'm dizzy."

"You have a fever, you should rest well."

Xie Qi murmured, as if pleading, "Can you stay with me? I can't sleep without you."

For the past two days, he has had a constant buzzing in his ears, as if someone is talking to him incessantly, which is very annoying.

He only felt relaxed when Shen Yuanzhu was by his side.

"good."

Shen Yuanzhu nodded and accompanied Xie Qi back into the house.

Ling'er had changed the bedding on the bed, and the old clothes on the floor had been tidied up.

Xie Qi sat on the edge of the bed, his tone seductive: "Yuanzhu, can you touch me?"

He was naked, and his eyes, cheeks, and even chest were red from the cold.

When you look at her, she looks pitiful and innocent.

Shen Yuanzhu raised her hand to touch his forehead, but Xie Qi grabbed her wrist and gently rubbed it against his cheek.

He didn't want Shen Yuanzhu to look at Xie Xuchuan again, but Xie Qi knew that she was already impatient.

He could only suppress his unease at wanting to pester her and pretend to be obedient, keeping her by his side.

Xie Qi lay on the bed, holding her clothes, and drank the medicine again before falling into a deep sleep.

Several days were wasted due to the chaos in the Xie family, and the matter of Xiecui Workshop could not be dealt with. Fortunately, Luo Bai handled things properly and there were no mistakes.

While Xie Qi was asleep, Shen Yuanzhu picked up the account book covered with a dowry book cover and glanced at it.

The raw silk that the Xie family had previously purchased for the Prince's birthday celebration was eventually bought back by Xie Cui Fang at a low price.

The price was much lower than she expected, probably because Xie Shan suddenly burned down the textile and dyeing plantation, and this batch of raw silk had not yet been put into storage, which allowed her to get a bargain.

The Xie family is truly finished.

After sighing, Shen Yuanzhu looked at the accounts and was satisfied to see that the revenue in the past ten days was comparable to that of the previous year.

This is perhaps why Xie San Niang, even when she was exhausted, still wanted to secure the business from the Prince's Mansion.

Thinking this, she couldn't help but sigh again.

She had quite a connection with the Xie family, and even when she was tricked into marriage, she never imagined that the Xie family would fall so quickly.

I'm afraid that once Xie San Niang passes away, the second wife will be unable to hold back any longer.

Closing the ledger, Shen Yuanzhu glanced at Xie Qi beside her and began to make calculations in her mind.

She has now completely broken ties with Shen Yanhuai, and Xie Qi can no longer stay in the Xie family.

Therefore, it would be better for the two of them to set up a separate business, so that the business of Xiecuifang would no longer need to be hidden.

The Dyeing Competition is about to begin. If she can win again, perhaps she should consider further enhancing the reputation of Xiecui Workshop. If possible…

Perhaps she could also become a royal merchant?

Thinking this way, Shen Yuanzhu felt much better, especially after seeing the profit in the accounts, which made her feel much more relaxed.

Those jumbled thoughts gradually calmed down as the silver coins fell into his arms.

In high spirits, she completely let go of all worldly ties, but Xie Xuchuan fell ill and never recovered after returning to Tiqi Courtyard.