Chapter 41

The next day, when Shen Yao returned home, Liu Ru had also returned, even earlier than her. It seemed that their affair had been exposed and she had been chased away by Aunt Liu.

There's no time like the present, so let's confront her today, right now.

Shen Yao walked over alone. In the courtyard, a servant ran up quickly and stopped her. "Madam, someone outside is looking for you. They say their surname is Zhao."

Shen Yao rolled her eyes. The only people with the surname Zhao could be those two from Jiangnan Alley. So, the person who killed her had been identified. Shen Yao was overjoyed and quickly ran out the door. Sure enough, it was Zhao Liang.

After the ceremony, Shen Yao couldn't wait and asked, "You've found out who it was. Who exactly harmed me?"

"Zhao Lian, the heir apparent of the Duke of Xin's mansion."

That name, like a gust of wind, whistled past her ears, yet stirred up a storm in Shen Yao's heart.

"Zhao Lian?"

Seeing Shen Yao's incredulous expression, Zhao Liang nodded again.

Then he left, and Shen Yao stood blankly at the door for a long time, thinking about her conflict with Zhao Lian—Liu Ru.

For a moment, I felt that this result was actually reasonable.

That's outrageous.

When Shen Yao returned to her room, her face was deathly pale. A maid poured her a cup of tea and brought it over, asking, "Miss, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Shen Yao took the tea, sipped it, looked at the maid, and instructed, "Go to Liu Ru's room and tell her I have something to ask her to come over."

"Oh well."

The maid didn't ask any questions and went straight over.

Liu Ru arrived quickly, and Shen Yao told the two maids to go out and stand guard outside the door, not allowing anyone to enter.

With the door tightly shut, Shen Yao frowned and looked at her with a sullen face.

"Speak, what is it?"

Liu Ru sat in the chair, her posture and tone both relaxed.

"Two things. Let's start with the first one. Yesterday at the Duke's mansion, you and Zhao Lian..."

The words had barely left her lips when, as if struck by lightning, Liu Ru immediately stood up, her face turning deathly pale.

“I know about your affair, and Zhao Lianfa’s wife, Madam Guo, also knows about it.”

Shen Yao, who had been standing, slowly found a chair and sat down next to Liu Ru after speaking, looking up at her.

Liu Ru's eyes widened in fear, her lips trembling as she asked, "Are you going to report me?"

"No, I'm here to advise you to turn back before it's too late, and stop getting entangled with Zhao Lian."

Shen Yao was very calm, much calmer than she had imagined.

"If you agree to part ways with Zhao Lian from now on and never see him again, then I, and Madam Guo, will pretend we never knew about this and will not hold it against you. What do you think?"

Shen Yao remained calm and observed Liu Ru's reaction. At first, Liu Ru was like a startled rabbit, shocked and frightened, but now her expression seemed much calmer.

No rush, let's wait patiently for her answer.

After her initial emotional outburst, Liu Ru calmed down. She had been caught red-handed by her aunt yesterday and sent home this morning. Before she could catch her breath, Shen Yao called her into her room and gave her another beating. Even a heart of iron couldn't withstand it.

Liu Ru blinked, took a deep breath, and sat down next to Shen Yao, looking at her, "So, I should thank you for your tolerance and generosity."

"As long as you sincerely repent and swear to sever all ties with Zhao Lian, I will keep this matter a secret and never reveal a single word."

Shen Yao stared solemnly at Liu Ru, who was slightly stunned.

Liu Ru gave a soft "heh" and asked with a smile, "Can you do it?"

“I will,” Shen Yao said firmly. “I can swear to you.”

"Why did you do this? Don't you love Xu Xuan very much? Now that you've discovered this, you should have reported it to him. Once I'm in dire straits, you can be with Xu Xuan and live happily ever after as a loving couple."

"No, I don't love Xu Xuan anymore. Not only that, I'm also going to divorce him. From now on, no one will interfere between you and Xu Xuan."

"Divorce?" Liu Ru raised an eyebrow, asking in confusion, "Why? You went to so much trouble to marry him..."

“Because he loves you, loves you very, very much.” Shen Yao interrupted her, “He has not consummated the marriage with me to this day, isn’t that enough to prove it? So now, I’m withdrawing and returning Xu Xuan to you.”

All that has passed is but a prologue. Stop making trouble, stop repeating the same mistakes.

Shen Yao roared inwardly.

Liu Ru turned her head to the side, a trace of sorrow flashing in her eyes. Xu Xuan loved her, but the problems between them were far more complex than just Shen Yao... What she wanted to escape was always this family!

It's too late now; or maybe it's not too late, but it's all meaningless. There's no greater sorrow than a dead heart. On scorched earth, no more vibrant flowers can bloom!

Liu Ru lowered her eyes and asked in a low voice, "You said there were two things, what's the other one?"

She changed the subject.

Shen Yao was taken aback, then frowned and said, "You haven't agreed to my request yet..."

"I refuse."

Those three simple words felt like a ton of bricks weighing on Shen Yao's head, making her almost faint. "What did you say? You refused?"

Shen Yao's eyes were wide open.

I don't understand.

Why would Liu Ru refuse a chance to correct her mistakes?

Shen Yao's face turned ugly. "Fine, you refuse, but I still have a trump card."

"I was kidnapped once before, and today I found out who was behind it all. Guess who it is?"

"Zhao Lianbei."

Liu Ru turned her gaze to Shen Yao, as if watching a clown's comical performance.

"He only hired someone to kidnap you to get revenge for me, but now you're still here babbling on and on, and you should thank me. Do you remember that night when it was snowing heavily? I put a tinderbox in your hand so you wouldn't freeze to death."

Liu Ru's voice was cold, and her words were even colder, enough to freeze a person's mind.

"you……"

Shen Yao stared at her, suddenly speechless. It seemed that she had been outmaneuvered by Liu Ru.

“You wronged me before, but although Zhao Lian acted on his own initiative regarding the kidnapping, it was ultimately to avenge me, so we are even.”

Liu Ru stood up, like a noble queen, looking down at Shen Yao, "You should pretend you know nothing about my affair with Zhao Lian, and don't interfere."

After she finished speaking, she gave a soft "humph" and turned to leave. Shen Yao quickly stood up, blocking her way, and asked angrily, "Aren't you afraid Xu Xuan will find out if you do this?"

Liu Ru smiled and said, "Just tell him... Last night, and even this morning, I was still afraid about the affair. But for some reason, the moment you mentioned divorce, I suddenly felt relieved."

"Why can you do whatever you want and do what you like, while I have to suffer every day? Actually, I don't love Zhao Lian at all. I'm only with him for the thrill."

As Liu Ru pushed Shen Yao away and was about to leave, she added, "Shen Yao, you know nothing. Don't advise others to be kind if you haven't experienced their suffering."

The door was suddenly pushed open, and a beautiful figure stepped across the threshold and left. The biting cold wind rushed into the room through the door, and Shen Yao shivered all over.

"Close the door, it's so cold."

*

Inside Liu Ru's room, the charcoal fire roared, making the room warm and cozy.

Xu Xuan lay on the bed reading a book. In the warm yellow candlelight, the man's jawline was smooth and his features were handsome.

The door was pushed open, and Xu Xuan shifted his gaze from the book to Liu Ru's face. He parted his thin lips slightly and asked, "Why did you take so long? Did she make things difficult for you?"

Xu Xuan was very worried when Shen Yao went to find Liu Ru, especially afraid that Shen Yao would make things difficult for her. She was on tenterhooks until Liu Ru returned, at which point she felt a little relieved.

"No, everything is fine."

Seeing her gentle expression and warm tone, Xu Xuan felt relieved.

He then asked, "What does Shen Yao want with you?"

"It's all a woman's matter, don't worry about it."

Liu Ru came to his side, rested her chin on Xu Xuan's shoulder, and said softly, "If one day I do something wrong, will you forgive me?"

"Of course." Xu Xuan took her hand and gently stroked it in his palm. "I'm here for you, don't be afraid."

"Um."

Her warm, moist breath sprayed precisely onto his neck, tickling and tingling, like an ant crawling on it.

His gaze was dark as he pondered.

He gently kissed her delicate white hand, then nuzzled against her, the meaning unspoken.

Normally, Liu Ru would definitely satisfy him, but now that Xu Xuan is injured, only she can do it, and she doesn't want to do it orally.

"You're still injured, so just bear with it for now, okay?"

Liu Ru was unwilling, and Xu Xuan couldn't force her, so he could only sigh and say "Mmm" with a wronged expression.

"Speaking of which, I went to see a doctor a few days ago. The doctor said that I am weak and it will be difficult for me to get pregnant again. So I was thinking that you should consummate your marriage with Shen Yao as soon as possible so that your parents can hold their grandson soon."

Liu Ru's tone was indifferent, devoid of emotion, as if she were merely a puppet repeating words. Upon hearing this, Xu Xuan instantly became annoyed and turned around to ask, "Did Father force you?"

"No, it's something I've figured out myself. Let bygones be bygones. Shen Yao is your wife, and as her husband, you should care for her. I know you love me, but having children is the most important thing."

If saying this before was hypocritical, then saying it now is absolutely sincere. Distracting Xu Xuan's attention will only benefit her, not harm her.

Even if Xu Xuan finds it hard to accept at first, he will eventually develop feelings for her over time.

"I will not touch her. I promised you that, and I have never forgotten it."

Xu Xuan's face darkened, and his brows furrowed.

The aura of authority he exuded was like a lion standing before a palace, inspiring awe. Shen Yao always said that Xu Xuan was like a cold-faced Yama, but Liu Ru always knew that he was not only cold on the outside, but also extremely cold at heart.

Those who betray him will not have a good end.

"Ziwei, you promised me you would listen to me, right?"

Xu Xuan was taken aback, suddenly sensing something was wrong. Sure enough, Liu Ru started using this to pressure him into giving in, "Then I'm asking you now to consummate your marriage with Shen Yao. Do you agree?"

"Why?" Xu Xuan asked, puzzled.

Liu Ru didn't answer, but repeated the same words as before, "You promised me that you would listen to me and not ask why."

The room fell silent.

The charcoal fire was warm, but my heart was cold, and my whole body was still trembling.

Just then, a maid came in with medicine and said, "Young master, it's time to take your medicine."

The maid handed over the medicine. Liu Ru took it and looked at the dark medicine. Her eyes flickered slightly. She said to the maid, "Go to the East Pavilion and ask Madam Shen to come and serve the young master his medicine."

Xu Xuan: !!!

"Are you crazy?" He looked at the maid and shouted, "You're not allowed to go."

Liu Ru's attitude was firm: "You are my maid, listen to me, go now, and don't come back if you can't invite Madam Shen here."

Watching the two women arguing, the maid hesitated for a moment, unsure which one to listen to. In the end, Liu Ru gained the upper hand.

So she went to the East Pavilion to invite Shen Yao.

The door was being pounded on. Shen Yao was drinking tea and eating melon seeds when she heard this unfortunate news, and she felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

Serving the young master his medicine?

What kind of excuse is that?

What is Liu Ru going to do?

Shen Yao gave a wink to her maid, who quickly said to the outsider, "Miss is not feeling well, so she won't be going."

She thought the maid would leave on her own after she finished speaking, but instead she knelt down outside the door, shouting and making a ruckus, demanding that Shen Yao come over.

What kind of behavior is this!

Shen Yao immediately flew into a rage, pushed open the door, and yelled, "Shut up!"

Fine, she'll go. She wants to see what Liu Ru is up to.

*

This was Shen Yao's first time visiting Liu Ru's room. Just as she had imagined, it was elegant and refined, reflecting Liu Ru's own temperament. Of course, this was before last night; after last night, Liu Ru's image had completely crumbled.

As Shen Yao entered the house, Liu Ru greeted her warmly, holding her hand with a smile, as intimate as if they were sisters.

"You've finally arrived! Ziwei just said that she missed you terribly after not seeing you for a day."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the two people in the room changed drastically. Xu Xuan was injured from being hit with a board and was full of anger. How could he possibly miss her? Beating her up was more likely.

Shen Yao pursed her lips, involuntarily pulled her hand away, and chuckled a few times as a response.

Liu Ru didn't care at all. She picked up the medicine soup on the table and handed it directly to Shen Yao. Then she pushed Shen Yao to the bedside and said with a smile, "Sister Yao, I've been busy these past few days. I'll have to trouble you to take care of my husband's medicine."

After she finished speaking, she pointed to several bottles and jars and continued, "These are for external use. Remember to apply them to your husband after he finishes taking the medicine."

Then, she left with her maid, all smiles.

Shen Yao: "..."

The two people were left alone in the room, staring at each other, feeling extremely awkward.

Shen Yao handed the medicine to Xu Xuan, who took it and gulped it down. Then, he smashed the bowl on the ground with a "bang," his eyes piercing Shen Yao with a knife-like gaze. "What did you do to her?"

"Nothing was done."

"impossible."

Xu Xuan snorted coldly, his gaze towards her growing increasingly hostile. "I don't know how you coerced her into telling me that you wanted to consummate your marriage. But let me tell you, marrying you is not my wish, so don't even think about me touching you in this lifetime."

Shen Yao: "...I never said that."

Xu Xuan clearly did not believe it. In his view, all of Liu Ru's abnormal behavior was related to Shen Yao and was entirely due to Shen Yao's coercion.

So he said, "You should move out."