Chapter 20 Are you afraid of me?

The maid behind him immediately knelt down and came over to clean it.

Xiao Shenjing, however, seemed oblivious to the pain, staring intently at the slender figure in the rain.

Summer rains come and go quickly.

Before long, the sky cleared up and even a rainbow appeared.

Zi Shu closed her umbrella and pointed to the rainbow for Xu Yuansi to see.

“My husband, look, as long as we can weather the storm, we will see the best scenery.”

Xu Yuansi nodded heavily.

Looking at Zi Shu, his eyes were filled with deep affection.

He thought he would never forget what happened today for the rest of his life.

I will remember what Zi Shu said.

The capital city is not accessible by waterway.

After disembarking at the dock, even riding at full speed, it would still take most of the day to reach the capital.

However, given Xiao Shenjing's identity, he would not take any risks.

So at dusk, they chose to rest and recuperate at the last post station in the capital.

Zi Shu followed closely behind.

When Xu Yuansi's prison cart stopped, she immediately stepped forward and handed him the bamboo tube.

After watching him finish drinking, she handed him the peeled tangerine segments one by one through the gap.

"Husband, is it sweet?" Zi Shu asked.

Xiao Shenjing, who was passing by, paused in his steps.

“Sweet,” Xu Yuansi replied.

Zi Shu then asked, "Is there anything you'd like to eat tonight? I'll make it for you?"

Xu Yuansi: "I want to eat steamed buns."

Knowing that he was worried about troubling her, Zi Shu smiled and said, "Cooking isn't troublesome. Nian Xia and I can finish it quickly together."

They chatted casually at dusk.

Even such nonsense can evoke feelings of happiness and sweetness.

"Husband, is the capital city very big and lively?" Zi Shu asked again.

"Mm." Xu Yuansi nodded after a moment's hesitation, then said to Zi Shu, "I'll take you sightseeing later, let's go see everything."

They can talk about such trivial matters for ages.

That's incredibly ignorant.

Xiao Shenjing walked into the inner courtyard without looking back.

Zi Shu really wanted to plead with Xiao Shenjing to let Xu Yuansi out tonight so he could get some rest.

But when he thought about how Dao Er was punished that morning, he felt that Xiao Shenjing would definitely not agree.

But seeing Xu Yuansi huddled in the prison van, she still mustered up the courage to give it a try.

So she nervously carried a small basket of tangerines to Xiao Shenjing's door.

Although she knew that Xiao Shenjing was rich and powerful and would definitely look down on what she gave him, she had nothing else to give him.

Two palace maids and Dao Yidao Er stood at the door.

Under the watchful eyes of the others, Zi Shu mustered her courage and knocked on the door.

When I was given permission to enter, Xiao Shenjing was sitting behind his desk, writing and reviewing urgent memorials.

He glanced at Zi Shu coldly.

He continued writing on his own.

An eerie silence fell over the room.

Zi Shu was at a loss and could only look around aimlessly to hide her embarrassment.

It turned out to be just a simple post station.

But its inner self has changed.

On the huanghuali wood painting table with mortise and tenon joints, there was a jade mountain-shaped brush holder. Next to it, a Ge kiln ice-crack pattern brush washer was filled with half a pool of clear water. The bed was draped with an autumn-colored flowing cloud pattern brocade curtain, and the bed frame was inlaid with a mother-of-pearl inlaid Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea scene.

Incense was burning in the room.

Zi Shu couldn't smell what it was, but there was a faint scent of jasmine.

"What is it?" Just as she was about to try to figure it out, Xiao Shenjing's voice suddenly rang out in the quiet room.

Zi Shu was startled and trembled.

Looking at her trembling eyelashes, Xiao Shenjing suddenly chuckled, "Miss Zishu, have you done something wrong that makes you so afraid of me?"

Xiao Shenjing was good-looking.

When a hint of a smile appeared at the slightly upturned corners of her eyes, her phoenix eyes seemed to hold a tender affection.

It evokes images of a refined gentleman who burns incense, plays the zither, and parts flowers and willows.

Like a wisp of cool, distant mountain mist, detached and aloof from the world, like an observer in this ephemeral mortal realm, untouched by the harsh winds, bitterness, and hardships of life.

"You jest, sir." Seeing him staring at her, Zi Shu immediately lowered her head and said, "This humble servant has never met you before."

Xiao Shenjing gave a lukewarm "hmm".

His emotions were not apparent, making it impossible to guess anything.

Zi Shu had no choice but to continue, "I am only asking you to let my husband out of that prison cart today."

She assured him, "Rest assured, my lord, my husband will certainly not run away."

"What are you holding in your hand?" Xiao Shenjing suddenly asked.

Zi Shu looked down and realized that she hadn't given away the oranges in her hand yet.

She immediately said, "I just bought this by the roadside. It's very sweet, and I wanted to give it to you to try."

"Give it to me."

“Young Master, this is not appropriate.” Zi Shu had only taken two steps when she heard Gu Wenqian say from the side.

She immediately stopped where she was.

"It's alright." After saying that, Xiao Shenjing's gaze fell on her again.

Zi Shu had no choice but to bite the bullet and carry the basket over, then took the initiative to explain to Gu Wenqian, "These oranges are really not sour, they're very sweet."

Gu Wenqian remained silent.

Instead, Xiao Shenjing picked up an orange.

I slowly peeled it open and put a piece into my mouth.

Seeing this, Zi Shu couldn't help but ask, "How is it, young master? Isn't it sweet?"

Xiao Shenjing uttered a single word with a cool expression: "Sour."

His expression didn't seem like he was lying.

Zi Shu said awkwardly, "Maybe it's just one of those occasionally."

Xiao Shenjing threw the oranges onto the desk.

The juice from the orange peel immediately stained the fine Chengxintang paper.

Taking the handkerchief handed to him by the maid, Xiao Shenjing slowly wiped his fingers.

His fingers were long and strong, with faint blue veins visible, which bulged slightly with his movements.

Zi Shu glanced at him and then looked away. She wanted to ask him if he agreed, but she didn't dare to speak.

"Have Dao Er release that prisoner," Xiao Shenjing said, glancing at her.

Zi Shu's eyes lit up immediately.

Xiao Shenjing saw through her expression and, as if on purpose, slowly added, "But someone needs to keep a close watch on her at all times."

Although they can't be together, at least her husband won't have to spend another night in the prison van.

Zi Shu immediately bowed respectfully to Xiao Shen and said, "Thank you, young master."

Leaving the post station, it would be another half-day's journey to the capital.

Zi Shu was worried about Xu Yuansi, knowing that once they entered the city, seeing him again would be as difficult as climbing to the sky.

Upon arriving at the city gate, she specifically instructed the driver to move the carriage to Xiao Shenjing's side, lifted the curtain, and called out, "Young Master."

Soon, a slender, jade-like hand lifted the carriage curtain.

Behind the curtain, a pair of indifferent phoenix eyes stared at her calmly.

It was a silent signal for her to continue.

"Young master, are you sure my husband will be sent to the Shuntian Prefecture?"

Xiao Shenjing stared at her and suddenly asked, "If not, what can you do?"

Zi Shu stared wide-eyed, somewhat bewildered. "What do you mean?"

Xiao Shenjing stared at her and asked again, "I said, what could you do if you weren't imprisoned in Shuntian Prefecture?"

It seemed as if they were about to hear her answer.

Zi Shu immediately tensed up. Clutching the carriage curtain, she asked anxiously, "Where will my husband be taken? Will he be in danger, young master?"

Worried and anxious.

Xiao Shenjing felt a surge of irritation and lowered the carriage curtain as if he didn't want to see her anymore.

Zi Shu anxiously inquired, "Young Master, where exactly will my husband be sent? Young Master?"

As the capital of a prosperous nation, the capital city naturally boasted an exceptionally thriving commercial sector.

The queue to enter the city stretched out in a long line.

Xiao Shenjing naturally did not need to queue to enter the city gate.

Upon seeing the token, the soldiers guarding the city all knelt down in unison.

The rhythmic swishing sound of armor echoed.

The spectacle startled the people queuing to enter the city on the other side.

The common people naturally feared the officials, not to mention that all the city guards knelt down in unison.

It was characterized by its imposing presence and rigid class structure.

It makes one wonder who is inside the carriage.

Dust billowed, and no matter how anxious Zi Shu was, she could only watch helplessly as Xu Yuansi got further and further away from her, as she stood at the back of the line to enter the city.

Entering the city required checking and verifying travel permits, which took almost half an hour.

After asking for directions, Zi Shu hurriedly headed towards the Shuntian Prefecture government office.

After finally bribing them with silver and making some inquiries, they confirmed that Xu Yuansi had indeed been sent here.

She finally felt relieved.

Nianxia glanced at the gate of the government office and asked, "Madam, where are we going now?"

"Let's find an inn nearby to stay first," Zi Shu said. "Let's find out more about the situation before making a decision."

They hope to clear their husbands' names as soon as possible so that they can return home soon.

Although Zishu had saved some money from selling wine over the years, she didn't know how long she would stay in the capital, so after comparing several options, she chose an inn near the east gate.

Although it's far from the government office, it's affordable.

The journey of more than ten days left Zi Shu feeling exhausted.

I went to bed early.

Meanwhile, in the Wenhua Hall of the Imperial Palace, Xiao Shenjing summoned Xing Zhao, the deputy commander of the Supervisory Bureau.

When the Empress Dowager and the young emperor were living in seclusion in Nanjing, Xiao Shenjing did not send troops to eliminate them after he ascended the throne, seemingly intending to spare their lives.

Xing Zhao bowed and replied, "Recently, there has been some restlessness in Nanjing, with soldiers being recruited and horses being bought, showing signs of a comeback."

Xiao Shenjing looked at the list in his hand and chuckled softly.

The corners of his lips were slightly curved, the reason for which was unclear, but one could sense a hint of indifference.

"These people flatter me while colluding with the old dynasty. I want to see just how fearless they are."

No matter what, Xiao Shenjing ultimately seized the throne.

According to ancestral tradition, Nanjing is the rightful successor.

An ordinary person, starting from the day they ascend the throne, would likely use every means to annihilate the small court in Nanjing.

However, Xiao Shenjing, taking a risky move, did not do so.

He is a master strategist with extraordinary abilities; he is not only adept at winning people's hearts and minds and managing his subordinates, but also possesses ruthless and decisive methods.

Even this old dynasty was deliberately left behind by him as bait to lure people in.

Looking back at all the dynasties, which emperor had such courage and boldness?

Xing Zhao looked at the young emperor before him and couldn't help but recall the day he sat at the end of the main street, calmly and confidently commanding the court, slaughtering countless officials and staining the capital with blood.

Xiao Shenjing looked just like he does now back then.

He is aloof and detached, yet a gentleman even when committing murder.

Sometimes Xing Zhao couldn't help but wonder, what in this world could possibly make this young monarch change his expression?

After the imperial edict was withdrawn, Fu Shun, who was standing nearby, seized the opportunity to ask, "Your Majesty, where will you rest tonight?"

Xiao Shenjing pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "Return to Qianqing Palace."

Fu Shun reminded her, "Princess Yong'an waited outside the Qianqing Palace for almost half a day before returning."

Xiao Shenjing glanced at Fu Shun indifferently.

Fu Shun's heart trembled, and he immediately bowed and knelt down, saying, "This servant deserves to die. It was this servant who overstepped his bounds."

Xiao Shenjing didn't say anything, but got up and strode away.

Fu Shun hurriedly stood up and followed.

When Xiao Shenjing was still a prince, although he was aloof and taciturn, he was still quite gentle.

And ever since he sat on that supreme throne, his temperament has become increasingly unpredictable.

He can cause corpses to float for miles while talking and laughing, and he can also spare an insolent person when he is furious.

It makes it impossible for people to distinguish true joy from false joy.

When Xiao Shenjing walked out the door, the eunuchs and palace maids outside bowed their heads and dared not utter a sound.

The covered walkway twists and turns, with eunuchs leading the way carrying lanterns.

The flickering candlelight made the inner palace courtyard even more quiet, like a tomb.

Xiao Shenjing suddenly remembered Zishu, and her casual, rambling conversation.

"Dao Yi, send someone to keep a close eye on her for me."

Dao Yi agreed.

After walking for a while, Xiao Shenjing added, "Find someone to inform Princess Chong'an that she's still alive." He paused, then added, "And that boy named Congtou."

No matter how deeply a secret is hidden, it will eventually be revealed over time.

Moreover, there are so many people who know Yunxi.

The next day, Zi Shu went to the government office again. After the official received the money, he spoke up.

"Madam, this case definitely won't be resolved anytime soon, so you need to be prepared."

Zi Shu's heart skipped a beat. "Brother officer, what does this mean?"

The official said, "The person you mentioned was ordered to be investigated by higher authorities; the prefect is personally overseeing this matter."

“But he’s an ordinary person, how could he be so complicated?” Zi Shu was shocked.

"He might be lying to you," the older brother said, glancing around. "His identity seems to be connected to Huang Mao Da Zi."

"What does this mean?" Zi Shu asked in astonishment.

The officer shook his head, dismissing her, "I can't go into details, you may leave now."

Because the Turks had been invading and harassing Jingsheng for many years, the current dynasty strictly prohibited intermarriage with foreign tribes. If such an act was discovered, it would be considered collusion with foreign enemies, a serious crime punishable by confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan.

Zi Shu always thought that the young master was angry that she wasn't the person he was looking for, so he just made up an excuse to kidnap Xu Yuansi to get revenge on her.

I never imagined that Xu Yuansi's identity was really problematic.

"Madam, what's wrong?" Nianxia, ​​who was waiting nearby, saw that she was in a daze and immediately came over to support her and asked.

Zi Shu opened her lips, subconsciously wanting to say something.

But the thought of potentially involving Nianxia made him shut up.

Because she had something on her mind, Zi Shu walked very slowly.

Her brows were slightly furrowed, and her figure was slender.

It stands out in the crowd.

"Yunxi!" Suddenly, a voice called out from behind.