Chapter 75 I'll Be With You

"This must be the second daughter of the Shen family."

As soon as the words were spoken, Chen Xiangning and Bao Yunxiu both looked at the newcomer.

The man was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with wide sleeves. He had regular features and a slender figure. When he looked at Chen Xiangning, his eyes were filled with a gentle smile.

He had the appearance of a refined and noble young gentleman.

This was a completely new face to Chen Xiangning.

She was certain she had never seen this person before.

But out of courtesy, she nodded slightly, "That's right."

The man's smile widened, and his voice was clear and bright. "My name is Wen Tingyuan."

"Second Miss, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Wen Tingyuan...

A chilling aura instantly gathered in Chen Xiang's eyes, and she turned away, no longer wanting to pay him any attention.

But Wen Tingyuan did not give up. He said, "I just heard that Miss Shen wanted to order an embroidered screen from Ruyi Embroidery Building. Not long ago, my mother also ordered one here to welcome me back to the mansion. The embroidered screen has elegant colors and exquisite craftsmanship. It can be called a top-quality product."

"If Miss Shen doesn't mind, I can also take a look at your eyes."

If the rumors about Wen Tingyuan that she had heard in the past were still unfounded, then seeing him in person now, his remarks had truly displeased Chen Xiangning.

The owner of Ruyi Embroidery Shop is right here; why would a man like him need to advise a young lady on her embroidery screen?

Rude and unreasonable.

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, clearly indicating that she did not want to agree.

However, before she could speak, Wen Tingyuan took half a step closer and said in a low voice, "I have heard that Miss Shen is a woman of unparalleled beauty. I am captivated by her at first sight today. I hope you will forgive me."

Chen Xiang clenched his fist tightly, his hand hidden in his sleeve, feeling utterly disgusted by his self-proclaimed dashing demeanor.

Besides them, there were other people in the Embroidery Pavilion.

She wanted to rebuke Wen Tingyuan coldly, but he clearly came today with the intention of getting her to talk. If things turned sour, it would probably do her no good.

Chen Xiang stood frozen in place, various thoughts and methods flashing through his mind, but he couldn't grasp any of them.

Bao Yunxiu, standing right next to the two, could sense Chen Xiangning's resistance.

She knew that the Second Miss Shen in front of her was Shen You's sister, but she didn't know if the Second Miss Shen knew that Ruyi Embroidery Building was Shen You's property.

Therefore, it is unclear how to help Chenxiang Ning out of this predicament.

She thought for a moment, then winked at Lu Hao, who happened to be passing by the back gate.

The latter was quick-witted and immediately understood, turning around and heading straight for the second floor.

Not long after, Lu Hao returned and whispered a few words in the ear of an embroiderer. The embroiderer then repeated what she had heard to Bao Yunxiu.

Chen Xiangning remained silent, and Wen Tingyuan clearly saw the cold expression on her face, yet he still had no intention of leaving.

After all, whether Chen Xiangning was willing or not was not within his consideration in his plan.

However, he maintained his gentle and refined demeanor, politely saying, "Second Miss Chen..."

Congratulations, Miss Shen!

However, before he could finish speaking, he heard the female steward of the embroidery building beside him say in a loud and joyful voice, "Congratulations, Miss Shen."

"Ruyi Embroidery Pavilion is currently running a special customer promotion. You are the 100th distinguished customer of Ruyi Embroidery Pavilion today, and the embroidered screen you ordered is free!"

Chen Xiangning was somewhat bewildered. She looked up at Bao Yunxiu beside her, not realizing what had happened.

Bao Yunxiu smiled happily, "However, since this embroidered screen is free, we can only choose a fixed style. I hope Miss Shen will understand."

As she spoke, she led Chen Xiangning to the embroidered screen exhibition area on the side. When she turned her back to Wen Tingyuan, she suddenly winked at Chen Xiangning.

Shen Xiangning suddenly realized what was happening, a faint smile appearing on her lips, but her expression turned even colder as she looked at Wen Tingyuan. "I'm sorry, Mr. Wen, I won't trouble you to help me."

Since it's a fixed style, the pattern and materials are also fixed, so there's no need for expert selection.

While it appeared to be a customer benefit activity, it subtly rejected Wen Tingyuan's request, leaving Wen Tingyuan with no choice but to swallow his anger.

It's not that I can't afford the embroidered screen, but the one I won is more cost-effective.

Wen Tingyuan could only maintain a polite smile, "In that case, I will not trouble Miss Shen any further."

“However,” he paused, then added, “Lin’an City isn’t very big, Miss Shen, I believe we’ll meet again soon.”

Chen Xiang's eyes were devoid of emotion, and she did not respond to his words. She simply looked at him indifferently until Wen Tingyuan turned and left.

Bao Yunxiu immediately whispered in her ear, "Second Miss, my master invites you upstairs."

Chen Xiangning was delighted. "Elder sister is here?"

The fact that Shen You was the owner behind Ruyi Embroidery Building was not deliberately kept from Shen Xiangning.

On one occasion before, when Shen Xiangning went to Wen Gui Courtyard to find Shen You, she happened to see her looking at the account book, so she casually asked her about it, and Shen You told her the truth.

Chen Xiangning never expected that Chen You would also be in the Ruyi Embroidery Building.

She followed Bao Yunxiu up the stairs to the second floor.

The second floor is decorated in the same style as the first floor, but it is quieter, with several side rooms along the street.

Bao Yunxiu used one room to handle accounts, and another room for her to rest.

The largest of the remaining rooms is where Shen You stays whenever he comes.

At this very moment, inside the side room, a colorless and odorless brazier was burning with high-quality silver wire charcoal.

On a low table on a nearby chair, a clay stove and kettle steamed, and the aroma of tea wafted from the cups beside them.

A stern-looking man in a brocade robe was pouring tea for the woman in front of him with natural movements, and thoughtfully tested the temperature of the cup before handing it to her.

Shen Xiangning was surprised to see Chu Xiao there. The word "elder sister" stuck in her throat. It was Shen You who looked up from a pile of account books, smiled gently, and waved to her, "Ning'er."

Because Chen Xiangning had previously gone to the back mountain of Nian'en Temple in the rain to find Chu Xiao and rescue Chen You, Chu Xiao had a good impression of her. However, this impression was limited to the fact that he restrained his intimidating aura after Shen You deliberately reminded him.

Shen You asked, "Did Wen Tingyuan make things difficult for you?"

Chen Xiangning shook her head, "It's alright, it doesn't have much of an impact."

But Shen You couldn't help but worry.

With Shen Yao living in the Shen family mansion, it would be easy for Wen Tingyuan to find out when Shen Xiangning would leave the house.

If we escape him today, what about in the future?

Do I have to avoid him every day?

Thinking of this, Shen Youqing's beautiful face turned cold and stern. She said, "I have another courtyard in Luoyu Lane, not far from where Yunxiu is currently living. You can stay there for a while."

That courtyard was left to Shen You by Old Madam Shen, but Shen Yao didn't know it and couldn't find it no matter what.

Moreover, with Bao Yunxiu there to look after her, Shen You felt more at ease.

Chen Xiang Ning Su always listened to Shen You's words, and now that Shen You has said this, it must be the best arrangement.

Without hesitation, she agreed, "I'll listen to my elder sister."

“Okay,” Shen You nodded, “You can go now, I’ll have someone take you there.”

"There's a nanny in that courtyard who cleans the house every day and can take care of your daily needs from now on."

"If anything happens, you can also go to Yunxiu; she's also in Luoyu Lane."

After saying this, she called Bao Yunxiu inside and instructed her to have Lu Hao deliver Chen Xiangning to the residence in Luoyu Lane.

Shen Xiangning followed Bao Yunxiu downstairs, and once again only Shen You and Chu Xiao remained in the second-floor room.

Shen You's beautiful almond-shaped eyes were even colder at this moment. She never expected that Shen Yao and Wen Tingyuan would be so shameless.

Seeing her like this, Chu Xiao got up and sat down next to her, wrapped his large hand around hers and gently squeezed it. When she looked over, he said, "In ten days, it will be the birthday of Lady Yong'an. I think she will take this opportunity to announce Wen Tingyuan's return to everyone."

After Shen You mentioned Wen Tingyuan to him, he instructed Mu Geng to send people to keep an eye on the Yong'an Earl's residence.

The Yong'an Marquis's residence has been very busy these past few days, with the Marquis's wife personally overseeing the work of her subordinates, attending to every detail.

Logically speaking, one should usually entrust the preparations for one's own birthday banquet to the steward of the household. Such a grand and tense preparation can only mean that there are other things to be done at the birthday banquet.

After much thought, the only thing left was Wen Tingyuan's return to the capital.

After all, he was sent to Jiangnan to recuperate from a young age because of his weak health, and he was the only son of Lady Yong'an. Now that he has returned, he naturally cannot just come back quietly.

Therefore, the matter concerning Wen Tingyuan must be resolved before the Lady's birthday banquet.

Shen You understood what he meant, but time was of the essence. Even if the people sent to Jiangnan traveled back and forth at full speed, it would take several days, not to mention that a thorough investigation was still needed.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, but the next moment they were gently pressed against by rough fingertips.

The man's gaze fell on her, and he took her hand. "Don't worry, I will definitely keep my promise to you."

Although he sometimes felt jealous of Shen You's attention and care for Shen Xiangning, since she was the one he wanted to protect, he would do his best to protect her.

The warmth transmitted through his fingertips soothed her skin without any obstruction. Shen You trusted his abilities, and the unease that was hidden in her heart was easily soothed by him.

Her brow relaxed slightly, and she said frankly, "I completely trust you in this matter."

Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken the initiative to ask him for help.

Upon hearing her words, Chu Xiao's eyes darkened, and his tall frame pressed down on her, one hand around her waist and the other gently pinching her chin, forcing her red lips to part slightly.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips and tongue.

It was hot and sticky, and his tongue probed powerfully inside, entwining with hers, licking and sucking.

As the kiss ended, with a strand of saliva appearing between their lips, he kissed her again, lingering on her lips and cheeks, his voice slightly hoarse, "Shen You, you can believe everything about me."

Shen You was still reeling from his kiss.

They were having a perfectly normal conversation about business, and suddenly they started kissing.

She opened her hazy eyes, gazing at him with shimmering tears, trying to calm herself, but her slightly swollen red lips and the bright red corners of her eyes were hardly convincing.

After a long pause, she finally said, "If I trust you, there's no need to be so affectionate."

His kisses always had an extremely strong personal style, intense and fierce, always pulling her down into a vortex of intimacy and desire.

Shen You pursed his lips, thinking that he was becoming more and more adept at using male charm to seduce him.

Chu Xiao held her tightly in his arms, looking at her flushed ears, "You like it too."

His tone was certain, referring not only to the kiss just now, but also to the decadent and absurd events of the previous night.

Shen You nudged his shoulder, composed himself, and looked at the water clock beside him. "I'm going back."

Since Chen Xiangning isn't here, she should go back even more.

Upon hearing that she wanted to go back, the lingering lust in Chu Xiao's eyes was completely suppressed by Leng Ning.

She said, "I'll go back with you."