Chapter 49 Look Back at Me

"What do you like about him? I can learn from him, I can become just like him, will you choose me?"

"not good."

Shen You couldn't remember how many bad things she had said tonight.

When she returned after the divorce, she truly intended to never have anything to do with Chu Xiao again for the rest of her life.

Now that Chu Xiao has returned to Beijing, she knows that cutting off all contact is impossible, but that doesn't mean she has to go back to him.

There are countless men in the world, and besides, she is not a woman who cannot live without love.

"Now that you, Duke, have achieved great success, what kind of woman can't you have? Why waste your time on me?"

The girl's voice was cold and indifferent, trembling with the aftermath of her anger and resentment.

She pulled his hand away again, stood up, and looked as if she wanted him to leave.

Chu Xiao closed his eyes briefly, his eyelashes even trembling slightly, and then stood up, hugging her from behind without warning.

His tall, imposing body pressed down on her, his chest pressed tightly against her back, and the throbbing pain in her chest seemed to only be relieved when he was close to her.

"Shen You, turn around and look at me..."

His tone was so low it was almost pleading, so humble it was like dust.

Those strong, muscular arms held her tightly, like a large, wild dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy behind its master.

They were afraid of being abandoned.

Shen You's thoughts were in complete turmoil, a jumbled mess.

She struggled, but couldn't break free from his grasp.

The room suddenly fell silent.

The candlelight shone on the two of them, casting long shadows on the ground.

Shen You stared at it for a few moments before finally realizing that his leg...

Is it completely healed?

Suppressing her anger, she tried to pry his hand away again, "Does the Duke only think about climbing over the wall in the middle of the night now that his leg is healed?"

Chu Xiao even wanted to bury his face in her neck, but he was afraid she would get angry, so he could only stop and just hold her like that, not daring to make any other movements.

"Chu Xiao, you should go back."

After a whole night of this, she was really tired.

Sensing the weariness in her voice, Chu Xiao obediently let go of her hand.

The two figures that were close together on the ground suddenly separated.

He still didn't give up, saying, "It doesn't matter if you don't come to my side, it's enough that I come to your side."

Chu Xiao gently stroked the top of her head, his movements slow and tender, filled with deep affection.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, his gaze followed down and he realized that the girl in front of him was only wearing a thin undergarment. Because he had just hugged her from behind, the collar of the garment was now a little loose, and from his current angle, he could easily see the scenery below the neckline.

Her light-colored undergarments contrasted with her fair and delicate skin, as smooth and white as fine mutton fat jade.

The man's eyes darkened instantly, and he quickly looked away. His large, tanned hand rose up and pulled her clothes up for her.

Suddenly, a hand reached out in front of her. Shen You froze, then her face turned bright red. She slapped the hand away and took several steps back.

The awkward and difficult emotions between the two were instantly and completely dispelled.

"Chu Xiao!" she pointed at the gate of Wen Gui Courtyard, her voice annoyed, "Get out of here right now!"

"Fine, I'll get lost," Chu Xiao said, unconcerned about being scolded by her. He was even satisfied to see more vivid emotions on her face.

He glanced up at the furnishings in her room, then his gaze returned to her face. He resisted the urge to raise his hand again, but couldn't resist teasing her. "Are you sure you want me to go through the front door?"

If you walk out through the main gate, wouldn't that be directly telling everyone that this Duke Zhenguo sneaked into a woman's private quarters at night?

Shen You clutched her collar tightly and pulled off the cloak beside her, putting it on.

Looking at the open back window inside the room, she said sarcastically, "I almost forgot, the Duke likes to climb through windows."

As long as she didn't say anything to reject him, it sounded like heavenly music to his ears.

Chu Xiao gave her a deep look, said nothing more, and climbed out of the back window.

The man moved swiftly, disappearing into the night in a flash.

A gentle night breeze rustled the leaves by the back window, causing the girl's hair to flutter.

Shen You stood there for a while, until the full moon was high in the sky, before she raised her hand to close the window.

The moonlight eventually disappeared through the cracks of the closed window, just like the hope that had been repeatedly ignited and then extinguished over those two years.

Now, when she recalls it, she can't even remember what kind of girlish admiration and shy joy she felt when she first married him.

After more than seven hundred days and nights of living together in Qingxi Town, all that remained were his cold words and the unquestionable tone in which he threw down the divorce papers.

In the four years since she returned to Lin'an, she has deliberately avoided remembering anything about him and avoiding any news about him.

But now, he turns around and tells her that he has always kept her in his heart.

Then what?

Just because he has feelings for her, does that mean she has to obediently agree?

They could have avoided this situation; how could those sparks he had personally extinguished reignite so easily?

Shen You sat on the edge of the bed, her eyelashes lowered, her clear eyes filled with a dark and chaotic mix of emotions.

She didn't want to think about it anymore.

There are far more people in this world than just Chu Xiao who are worthy of her care and affection, so why should she trouble herself with unnecessary worries?

Perhaps the best solution is to let things take their natural course.

——

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, a piece of news spread among the people of Lin'an.

The third son of the Yao family, the Imperial Scholar, actually wanted to dismiss the concubines in his courtyard.

Moreover, he had to become a monk!

I heard that Lord Yao was so worried about this matter that the father and son had a big fight. Madam Yao was in tears, and no matter how she tried to persuade him, she couldn't change Yao Yiqian's mind.

When the news of this reached the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Chu Xiao had just returned from the Criminal Investigation Department.

The night outside had completely darkened, and lanterns were lit in front of the Duke's mansion, casting long shadows of the man's tall figure on the ground.

As soon as he stepped over the threshold, Uncle Chen came over and whispered, "My lord, it's being said all day that Young Master Yao Yiqian has decided to become a monk."

"Who?" Chu Xiao paused, glancing sideways at Uncle Chen.

Uncle Chen continued, "...the third young master of the Yao family."

He didn't quite say it was Yao San Gongzi, who had once been on good terms with Miss Shen.

Is this true?

“It can’t be wrong,” Uncle Chen said as the two headed toward the study. “They said that Young Master Yao and Yao Jijiu had been arguing for days, and Madam Yao was in tears, but she couldn’t persuade Young Master Yao to change his mind.”

"He has already decided that he will enter Nian'en Temple tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiao raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes revealing an unreadable meaning.

He had promised Shen You that he would no longer investigate the men she was interested in, so he didn't know what Yao Yiqian's current situation was.

But judging from what Uncle Chen said, it is highly likely that Yao Yiqian has become a monk.

Chu Xiao couldn't be happier to have one less rival in love.

He glanced at the sky outside, his long, well-defined fingers tapping lightly on the table, lost in thought.

Uncle Chen asked, "My lord, shall we prepare a meal?"

"No need," Chu Xiao waved his hand.

He was impatient and eager to see Shen You immediately.

However, it is still early, not a good time to climb over the wall.

The candles in the study were already lit, casting a bright and lush glow.

Uncle Chen served tea to Chu Xiao and then said, "My lord, there is one more thing."

"Ruyi Embroidery Pavilion sent some embroidery patterns, saying they were to provide patterns for winter clothes for the people in the mansion free of charge," Uncle Chen glanced at him and continued, "to thank you for the meals you sent on the opening day."

"The people in the manor..."

Chu Xiao uttered these words and pondered them carefully.

“Then I agree. From now on, the embroidery patterns for the new clothes every year will be entrusted to Ruyi Embroidery Building.”

"yes."

After saying that, Uncle Chen didn't bother him anymore, closed the door and left.

The night was deep and dark, the bright moon hung on the branches, and the autumn wind gently blew, stirring up the fallen leaves on the ground.

It was past midnight, inside the Wen Gui Courtyard of the Marquis of Chengde's residence.

After taking a bath, Shen You was sitting at the dressing table by the window, drying her half-wet black hair.

She lowered her eyes, her mind preoccupied with the contents of the photo album she had seen earlier that day. The blush on her porcelain-white skin, still visible from the steam of her bath, lingered, and her slightly turned neck created a long, graceful curve.

Suddenly, a noise came from the back window.

Shen You's guard immediately went up. He stood up and was about to check when the man's tall figure leaped nimbly, opening and closing the back window.

Chu Xiao had already entered her room, and the two stared at each other.

Shen You: ? ? ?

Didn't she order the guards to increase patrols?

How did this person climb overboard again? Does he really think this Marquis's mansion is his own backyard, where he can come and go as he pleases?

"Chu Xiao! You..."

“Yes, I’m here,” he responded softly. As he approached her, he noticed the handkerchief she had placed to the side and picked it up naturally. “I’ll wipe it for you.”

Shen You stared at him warily. "How did you get in?"

Chu Xiao glanced at the back window, which had been restored to its original state, and said matter-of-factly, "I climbed in."

After saying that, he remembered something and added, "The patrols at the Marquis's residence were more frequent today, which is a good thing."

Shen You was furious and said sarcastically, "No matter how often, it won't stop the Duke of Zhenguo."

Chu Xiao sighed, "Shen You, I'm someone who's been on the battlefield."

The implication was that no matter how heavily guarded the Marquis's residence became, it was child's play to him.

Shen You brushed away his outstretched hand, "If people saw the Duke of Zhenguo looking like this, they would laugh their heads off."

He was raiding a woman's private quarters in the middle of the night, holding a handkerchief to wipe her hair. Where was the slightest bit of the Duke's dignity?

Moreover, this was completely different from the Chu Xiao she had spent two years with.

"What others don't know, only you can see," Chu Xiao said, unconcerned by her cold words.

He added, "I know everything about Yao Yiqian's matter."

“Hmm,” Shen You didn’t react much upon hearing this.

Yao Yiqian's affair has been the talk of the town in Lin'an for the past few days, with everyone discussing it on the streets and alleys. He was certainly aware of it.

"So, you don't like him that way, right?"

He leaned down slightly, his tall frame close to hers, his dark eyes shining as he gazed at her expectantly, seeking the answer he longed for.

However, Shen You did not answer him.

She looked away, refusing to look at him again, and turned back to her dressing table, completely ignoring him.

They couldn't drive him away, and strengthening the guards was useless. They had refused him countless times, but it was still no use.

Chu Xiao's skin has become so thick. Where has that man who used to have a cold face and speak little gone?

Shen You sighed inwardly, thinking that one day, when Ruyi Embroidery Building's business was on track, he would leave Lin'an City with enough money.

Chu Xiao was a member of the Criminal Investigation Department and an important official of the court; it was impossible for him to leave with him.

Thinking this way, she felt that it wasn't worth leaving the place where she had grown up and was familiar with for a man.