Liu Jiaojiao followed Shen Changji into the house.

She made tea for Chen Changji as usual.

Chen Changji: "The tonics Grandmother gave you didn't work? Your complexion looks a bit pale."

Liu Jiaojiao lowered her eyes and gently touched her face.

"Perhaps it's because I've been too tired lately. I'll be fine after a period of rest."

"Hmm. Have you ever been to Zhangshui City?"

Liu Jiaojiao's heart skipped a beat when she heard this.

Why did Shen Changji suddenly ask her if she had been to Zhangshui City...?

Liu Jiaojiao suppressed her panic and forced a smile, saying, "I went there once when I was looking for Chen Lang last time."

In fact, she went there more than once...

Shen Changji's lips curled slightly. "No need to be so nervous. I just think Zhangshui City is a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains. I'd like to take you there again when I have some free time."

"So... I see. Shen Lang is so thoughtful."

Shen Changji nodded, his gaze fixed intently on her.

The more this happened, the more unsettled Liu Jiaojiao became.

“If Shen Lang likes it, Jiao Jiao will naturally like it too. Wherever Shen Lang goes, Jiao Jiao is willing to follow.”

Liu Jiaojiao gently stroked the large, deep hand, her eyes filled with a cautious affirmation.

"Then tell me, what interesting things have you experienced while I was away from Beijing?" Shen Changji asked again.

Perhaps it was because Shen Changji was used to interrogating prisoners, but just looking at her like this made her feel a little uncomfortable.

Although his voice was relatively flat, as if he were concerned about her, she still found it hard to bear.

Liu Jiaojiao shook her head. "These are all old stories. Whether they were good or bad, life goes on."

Why are you suddenly so curious about my past today, Shen Lang?

“You are my betrothed wife. I’ve been away from the capital these past few days, and you’ve suffered. That’s why I wanted to take care of you.”

Shen Changji's words were very straightforward, and his gaze was fixed on her.

Liu Jiaojiao gritted her teeth and pretended to be shy, but when she smiled, her body ached terribly.

She could only endure it.

"It's alright. I'm happy that Shen Lang has me in his heart."

Shen Changji: "Well, it's getting late, and I have other things to do, so I'll be going now."

"Alright, I'll see Shen Lang off."

With that, Liu Jiaojiao followed him out.

Only after Shen Changji boarded the carriage and left the Liu residence did Liu Jiaojiao take a deep breath.

Back in her room, she couldn't help but ask, "Was anything unusual last night?"

"This servant did not see anything unusual."

"That's good."

Although Liu Jiaojiao said this, she couldn't calm down and didn't even want to sleep.

She changed her clothes and hurriedly left the Liu residence.

...

Xie Qin heard about Shen Changji's situation yesterday, so she made a special appointment with Su Miao today.

Su Miao saw him and, as always, wore a smile.

"Try it, these are some of the newest dishes at Zuixianglou." Xie Qin gestured with her fan.

Su Miao glanced at the table and saw that it was full of her favorite foods.

"Why did you suddenly ask me out today? Aren't you afraid of being left alone for a long time?"

Su Miao didn't stand on ceremony with Xie Qin and picked up her chopsticks to take a piece of meat.

"You dared to come too, aren't you afraid now?"

He was still angry with me yesterday.

"What's wrong? I'm not trying to be mean, but there are so many good men in the world, and Ziji isn't the only one. Maybe I'm being blunt, but he might not marry you."

"I know."

"If you know that, then why did you..."

"Because I like him... I only love him, I love him deeply. I no longer have family, so surely I should have the freedom to like someone, right?"

Xie Qin thought about it and realized that it wasn't entirely reasonable.

However, this one-sided affection... made him feel inexplicably sorry for Su Miao.

"What? You didn't call me out today because you want to persuade me of something, did you?"

"Of course not, I just hope you can be happy! After all, happiness is the most important thing in life!"

Eat more!

As she spoke, Xie Qin placed a full bowl of meat on Su Miao's plate.

Su Miao didn't hesitate; Xie Qin picked up her food and she ate it.

The two were chatting and laughing, which Shen Changji could clearly see from the restaurant across the street.

Yesterday's Mo Lin, today's Xie Qin.

This woman... she's really cunning!

“Master, Prince Xie is on the other side. Should we go over there?” Lone Eagle asked.

"I'm not going."

Thinking of what Su Miao had said yesterday, Shen Changji turned and left with a sullen face.

...

Su Miao's dining habits were not as refined as those of other young ladies, which gave people a more peaceful feeling.

Xie Qin also understood why Liu Muxuan had enjoyed spending time with her before.

Because Su Miao gives people a very comfortable feeling, and she doesn't always put on airs.

Xie Qin watched Su Miao eat, and couldn't help but look down at her wrist.

He wanted to take her pulse...

His original plan was to get Su Miao drunk, but in the end... he was the one who collapsed first.

Su Miao had someone send Xie Qin back before she left the restaurant.

However, as they passed by a side room, they heard Liu Jiaojiao's voice.

Liu Jiaojiao: "I know he's an orphan. Besides being an orphan, does he have any close siblings?"

"Hmm... I think there is one."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jiaojiao immediately tensed up: "Who is it? A man or a woman?"

"It's a woman, but they live in a rather remote area, so I only see the two of them occasionally."

Liu Jiaojiao: "Do you still remember what that little girl looked like?"

"It's a bit blurry now, after all, it happened so long ago."

Liu Jiaojiao: "Money is not a problem, just think carefully about what that woman looks like!"

As she spoke, she handed the prepared silver coins to the person opposite her.

The visitor smiled when he saw the pile of silver.

"Of course, of course! I've been trying to figure out what the woman looks like these past two days, and I'll have someone draw her portrait and send it to you!"

A dark glint flashed in Liu Jiaojiao's eyes: "As soon as possible!"

Although she said that, Liu Jiaojiao was already starting to panic.

In any case, she needed to find out what that person looked like as soon as possible!