Chapter 9 Don't let her know

It was unclear whether the man had been standing there for a while or was just passing by, but he happened to stand in this spot.

His tall figure was elongated by the moonlight, making him appear somewhat lonely.

Shen You's eyes twitched violently. Not understanding what Chu Xiao was doing here, she could only pretend not to know him and curtsied to him, "Greetings, Duke."

The palace maids and eunuchs standing nearby also quickly bowed.

"Get up," Chu Xiao said, his gaze falling on her face. Seeing that she kept her eyes lowered, he asked in a low voice, "Where are you going?"

The eunuch replied, "Her Majesty the Empress just received Miss Shen. We are now carrying out Her Majesty's orders to escort Miss Shen back to the Marquis of Chengde's residence."

“Hmm,” he replied, flicking his sleeve, “You guys go first, I’m just passing by.”

The implication was that he also intended to leave the palace.

The sedan chair was parked not far away, and the man was standing four or five steps away from her.

The long shadow cast on the ground by the moonlight almost completely enveloped her.

Shen You avoided his intense gaze, pursed her lips, quickly turned around, and boarded the sedan chair.

She didn't want to interact with him in front of others, and she was also worried that he might suddenly come up and talk to her, so she never looked up from the beginning.

The eunuchs and palace maids standing nearby exchanged glances, then looked uncertainly at Chu Xiao, "Lord Duke..."

Aren't you going first?

Chu Xiao glanced at them and said coldly, "Aren't you going to get the sedan chair?"

"This servant...this servant obeys," the servant replied, shrinking his head, with no one daring to object.

The eunuchs deftly lifted the sedan chair.

Although they had many questions in their hearts and did not understand why the Duke insisted on following behind them, the Duke and the Emperor were as close as brothers, and no one else dared to disobey him in the slightest.

It was already late in the evening, and the lively atmosphere left over from the palace banquet had long since dissipated.

The palace road was wide and seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see.

Shen You sat in the sedan chair, his eyes lowered, as if he were looking at the swaying shadow in front of him, or as if he was thinking about something.

The palace was quiet and serene, with only the soft sound of sedan chairs emanating from it.

She listened intently for a while, but could not hear the footsteps behind her.

Shen You pursed her lips, suppressing the urge to turn around and look.

However, in the next instant, the long shadow suddenly moved forward, getting closer to the sedan chair.

Shen You's heart skipped a beat for no reason. She clenched her sleeves with her fingertips, looked away, and refused to even look at his shadow.

But she knew that he was right beside her, silent, just like those two years in the south.

It was just a scene change; back then...

She would often just quietly follow him like that.

Back then, after Chu Xiao returned from hunting and processed his prey, he would take the pelts to the market to sell. However, for a period of time, he started returning home later and later.

Out of curiosity, Shen You went out at dusk, intending to look for him at the market.

Just as I reached the entrance of the leather goods store, I saw Chu Xiao come out of the store empty-handed, presumably having already sold the goods and preparing to go home.

But after he left the house, he turned right without hesitation, heading in the exact opposite direction from going home.

Shen You instinctively followed him, wanting to call out to him, but he walked too fast, and she lost him around a corner.

The sun was setting in the west, and dusk was approaching.

She had no choice but to go home first.

When they returned to the courtyard, Chu Xiao was indeed not home.

He didn't return until the beginning of Hai hour that day.

She stepped forward, wanting to ask him where he had gone, but before she could speak, he said, "Go to sleep early."

After saying that, he turned and went into the bathhouse.

Even as Shen You sat by the bed waiting until she was so sleepy she was about to doze off, he still didn't come out.

The less he said, the more curious she became.

So he started secretly following him more often, just like he was following him now.

Quiet, without making a sound.

But back then, she would lose track of them every time.

After it happened several times, she finally realized...

He deliberately didn't want himself to know what he was doing.

At the time, she didn't understand, but now she realizes that he must have already secretly contacted Qi Jincheng and was plotting to overthrow Qi Wulin.

Then came the divorce, and she returned to Beijing.

For four years, I forced myself to ignore any news about him.

Until recently, news came that Chu Xiao had pacified the border and returned to the capital in triumph.

The imperial decree for Qi Jincheng to prepare a welcoming banquet for him also arrived at the Chengde Marquis's residence. She couldn't explain why, but at that moment, she only thought about leaving. She pretended to be calm and told Shen Yao that she was going to Nian'en Temple outside the city to stay for a while. She packed her things and got into the carriage.

They managed to avoid that palace banquet.

But after going around in circles...

Shen You's gaze fell on that tall, slender shadow again, remembering that her sachet was still in his hand.

Now was not a good time to take it back, so she simply closed her eyes and stopped thinking about it.

The sedan chair swayed gently and stopped at the palace gate. Just as the eunuch was about to take out the pass given by the Empress, the guards bowed and saluted when they saw Chu Xiao.

"Greetings, Duke Zhenguo."

“Yes,” the man’s deep voice sounded, “Open the door.”

"Yes," the guard replied without the slightest hesitation, immediately rising to open the palace gate.

The heavy sound of the palace gates opening rang out, and when Shen You opened her eyes, the sedan chair had already arrived outside the palace gates.

The palace maid helped her down from the sedan chair and then helped her into the carriage that Ye Mingyu had specially prepared.

The figure stood not far away from beginning to end.

He neither went forward nor left.

Only when the carriage wheels started rolling did he mount his horse and slowly follow behind the carriage away.

The guards on night watch were completely baffled. "Wasn't the palace banquet over a long time ago?"

Another person said, "Perhaps His Majesty has kept the Duke of the State to discuss important matters."

"What's the story with that Miss Shen?"

The man shook his head. "I don't know, maybe we just happen to be traveling together."

——

It was late at night, and the streets were very quiet.

The sounds of wheels rolling and horses' hooves clattering were particularly noticeable.

The carriage stopped in front of the Chengde Marquis's residence. A palace maid whispered through the curtain, "Miss Shen, we've arrived."

Shen You lifted the curtain and stepped down from the carriage, holding up her skirt.

The candlelight was dim at the gate of the mansion. Green Ivy had already stepped over the stepping stone and reached out to help her.

"Girl, you're finally back."

Shen You smiled gently, pursing her lips, and asked softly, "Were you getting impatient?"

Green Ivy held her hand and muttered, "That's right. When I saw that the Lord and the others had returned, but you hadn't, I thought something had happened."

"Chen kept asking the lord why the Empress had kept you here alone, but the lord couldn't give a reason."

"Don't worry, it's alright."

The girl's clear and melodious voice drifted through the summer night. Then, the sound of horses' hooves sounded behind her, and she subconsciously turned around to look.

***

A gentle summer breeze and bright sunshine bathed the Wen Gui Courtyard, making the pale yellow flowers on the osmanthus branches appear golden against the light.

Because he had drunk wine at the palace banquet the night before, Shen You woke up a little late today.

End of Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

There was a noise coming from inside the main room, and Zi Teng came in carrying washing utensils.

While lifting the gauze curtains beside the bed, he said, "Miss, the master wants you to go to the front hall after you wake up."

Shen You had just woken up, her almond-shaped eyes glistening with tears, clearly still a little dazed.

A few strands of her long, black hair fell over her shoulders. After one night, the collar of her inner garment was loose, revealing her apricot-white undergarment and her fair, smooth skin.

Zi Teng silently sighed in her heart, "My daughter is so beautiful."

Then, she quickly helped Shen You down from the bed.

After rinsing his mouth and washing his face, Shen You finally regained some consciousness.

Outside, after Zhao Mama ordered breakfast to be prepared, she went around the screen and entered.

She has been taking the medicine that Shen You brought back from Baicaotang on time, and now her headache has been cured, and she looks much more refreshed.

“Miss, Madam Chen is also in the front hall.”

Shen You nodded, roughly guessing why Shen Yao wanted him to go over there.

Last night, the Empress suddenly kept her behind, and today Shen Yao will definitely ask her about it. Chen Qiurong will definitely go with her.

However, Granny Zhao and Zifeng were also curious, "Miss, why did Her Majesty the Empress keep you here last night?"

Speaking of the Empress, Shen You recalled Qi Zhaoyan's chubby little face and round, big eyes.

She looked at Granny Zhao, a smile spreading across her face, "Perhaps the princess finds my face familiar?"

Children's preferences don't come for any reason, and she could feel Ye Mingyu and Qi Zhaoyan's kindness towards her.

Wisteria smiled too, "Our girl has beautiful eyebrows and bright eyes, and is naturally liked by many people."

Shen You tapped her brow, a bright smile in his eyes, "You have such a sweet tongue."

The atmosphere inside the house was relaxed, filled with laughter between the master and servants.

After washing up and having breakfast, Shen You went to the front hall.

Sure enough, not only Shen Yao was there, but Chen Qiurong was also there, and Shen Xiangning was sitting to the side. Although she was still as indifferent as ever, Shen You inexplicably sensed that she seemed somewhat unwilling to be forced to stay here by Chen Qiurong.

"Father, Madam."

When Shen Yao saw her, he cheerfully waved her over and asked with concern, "You returned late last night, how did you rest, Youyou?"

Shen You sat down on the armchair next to her and replied, "My daughter is doing well."

“It was too late last night, I didn’t have time to ask you,” Shen Yao stroked his beard, “Why did Her Majesty the Empress keep you here?”

Shen You didn't intend to hide it, "Perhaps Her Highness the Princess thinks my daughter looks kind and wants her to spend more time riding horses and playing with her in the future."

"Oh?" Shen Yao paused. "Since it is Her Highness the Princess who has spoken, there is naturally no reason to refuse."

During Qi Wulin's reign, Shen Yao always kept a low profile, was adept at reading people's expressions, and walked on thin ice. His only thought was to ensure that the title and glory of the Chengde Marquis's family would continue smoothly.

Therefore, Shen You was left alone by the Empress, and he was worried about whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, so he wanted to find out.

Now that I have the answer, I feel relieved.

Chen Qiurong, who was standing next to him, laughed and said, "So it is because our daughter of the Marquis of Chengde's family is favored by the imperial family." She smiled and looked at Shen Yao, "Husband, this is indeed a good thing."

“Yes,” Shen Yao smiled, his expression much more relaxed.

Chen Qiurong looked at Shen Xiangning, who hadn't spoken yet, and then her gaze returned to Shen You. "The eldest young lady is very fortunate. Our Chengde Marquis's Mansion will also have a smooth future. However..." She paused, and said very understandingly, "If Ning'er could also come along, then having more people to show their face in front of the Empress would make our Marquis's Mansion more secure."

"My husband, don't you agree?"

Her meaning was clear: she wanted Shen You to bring Shen Xiangning into the palace together.

Shen You knew exactly what she was thinking, but she didn't show it on her face. She didn't say anything, picked up the cup beside her, lowered her eyes and drank the tea, concealing the faint sarcasm in her eyes.

Shen Yao lowered his gaze, seemingly considering the feasibility of Chen Qiurong's words.

Before he could speak, Chen Xiangning interjected, "Mother, Her Majesty the Empress only summoned my eldest sister."

Are you questioning Her Majesty's decision?