Chapter 83 She had to know the cause of his death and collect his remains.
There is a Shen residence in the capital, which has no connection with the Shen family, yet is somehow involved.
That was the residence that Zhang Jinghuai gave to Shen Huixue. It was a three-courtyard house, and even though the servants who had served her over the years had come to live there, it still seemed empty.
Shen Huixue moved here from the Duke of Li's mansion about half a month ago.
She had grown accustomed to the tranquility here, but occasionally felt it was too quiet, not as lively as the Duke of Li's mansion. Even the maids who secretly cursed her for being a vixen and causing harm were fewer.
It was past 9 AM when Shen Huixue finally got up. She turned to look at the spot beside her, where there were signs that someone had slept. She usually slept very quietly, staying in one spot all night without moving. She figured Zhang Jinghuai must have come by last night, and she didn't know he had left.
She glanced at it indifferently, then got up and dressed.
The maid waiting outside only peeked in when she heard the commotion inside, without coming in to serve her. Only after she had changed her clothes and stepped out did the maid greet her with a smile, asking, "Would you like me to help you wash up, Miss?"
Shen Huixue glanced at her. This was the new maid who had been assigned to her side. The maids were being replaced one by one. As long as she asked, Zhang Jinghuai would patiently agree. However, the new one was no different from the previous one. They all came from the Duke of Liguo's mansion.
Just like her, even if she changed her residence, in other people's eyes she was still the plaything raised by the heir of the Duke of Li.
When others praise a woman, they use phrases like "beautiful inside and out" and "refined and elegant." But when it's her turn, it's all about being coquettish and shameless.
She'd heard it so many times that she'd gotten used to it.
Around noon, the maidservants laid out the food. At a glance, most of it was green, with two meat dishes, one of which was beef and the other was mutton.
Shen Huixue picked up her chopsticks, then put them down again, and asked the maid standing beside her, "Has the cook been changed?"
"The chef has not been changed."
What's going on with this dish?
The maid replied nonchalantly, "It was Granny Feng who adjusted the menu. She said that Miss should eat more leafy greens. This beef was sent by the Duke of Li's mansion, and she specially had it cooked for Miss."
Shen Huixue thought back for a moment. Just yesterday, she had asked her maid to tell the kitchen that she wanted to eat roast chicken, but they all seemed to have forgotten.
She didn't say anything more, picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks, and put it in her mouth.
Actually, the cooks in the manor are very skilled, and she can eat other foods, but she still feels unhappy.
Before the meal was finished, the steward, Granny Feng, suddenly came to her courtyard.
Granny Feng used to serve Zhang Jinghuai and held a high position in the Duke of Liguo's mansion. Now, he sent her here, saying that she was there to take care of her. Granny Feng was in charge of all the affairs in the mansion.
“Miss Xue, there’s a Miss Shen outside who says she’s your cousin.”
Shen Huixue put down her chopsticks, and her last bit of appetite disappeared.
“Let her in,” she said.
Granny Feng didn't say anything more and turned to leave.
A short while later, she brought Shen Yingzhu in.
Shen Yingzhu was dressed in red, not much different from five years ago. She used to like to dress like this when she was in Xiling because it was eye-catching and people could always spot her at first glance in a crowd.
Shen Huixue did not get up to greet him. She saw the dissatisfaction that flashed in Shen Yingzhu's eyes, but pretended not to see it.
"It's been a long time. What brings you to the capital, cousin?" Shen Huixue asked Shen Yingzhu after having the maid remove the food from the table.
"Naturally, I will accompany the Second Young Master."
Shen Huixue still remembered that second young master. The Shen family once wanted to give her to that second young master. Her mother heard about this from somewhere, ran to find the clan leader, and scratched the clan leader's face. In the end, they sent her to the capital because there were more powerful and influential people there.
Shen Huixue withdrew her thoughts and looked at Shen Yingzhu. She did not treat herself as an outsider at all and sat down in the main seat.
"I heard you're now serving the heir of the Duke of Li? You're quite lucky."
Shen Huixue didn't respond to her, but only asked, "Cousin, is there something you want to say to me?"
“You’ve been away from home for five years, and your mother has been missing you terribly. It’s time for you to go back and see her.”
Shen Huixue was taken aback: "Cousin, do you want me to go back to Xiling with you?"
"Of course not. Don't you know that the heir of the Duke of Liguo is about to go to Xiling? I heard that he treats you very well. If you just coax him a few times, he will definitely be willing to take you with him. In the future, you can stay by his side to serve him. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Shen Huixue shook her head: "I'm afraid that won't work."
"What, you think you're all grown up now? You dare to disobey me?" Shen Yingzhu said, immediately displeased.
Shen Huixue continued unhurriedly, "In a few days, the young master will be engaged. The Duke's mansion values this marriage very much and will not allow any accidents to happen. Even I have been brought up."
"So what?"
"The engagement is only a few days old, and the young master is going to Xiling. If he takes me with him, wouldn't that be slapping his fiancée in the face?"
Shen Yingzhu looked at Shen Huixue with some surprise and sneered, "I didn't expect that after five years, you would have even learned how to deal with people. It's a pity that a half-demon is still a half-demon, born stupid and clumsy."
Seeing that Shen Huixue remained silent, Shen Yingzhu continued, "Although what you said makes some sense, you seem to have forgotten your own status. You're not even a concubine, so what right do you have to think about the principal wife? You're nothing but a bed warmer. Do you think she'll be grateful to you for thinking about her fiancé? What you should be doing is using every means to divert the prince's favor."
"My cousin knows a lot about these things."
Hearing the sarcasm in her words, Shen Yingzhu's face darkened: "Shen Huixue, don't push your luck. If it weren't for the Shen family, do you think you would have such a good life now? I don't care what method you use, you must go to Xiling with Zhang Jinghuai. Then find a way to bring him to the Shen family to visit your mother."
"My cousin overestimated my abilities."
"You can refuse, then just wait to collect your crazy mother's corpse."
Shen Huixue fell silent; it seemed like she hadn't seen her mother in a long time.
Seeing that she had finally become obedient, a hint of smugness flashed in Shen Yingzhu's eyes, thinking to himself that this half-demon was indeed easy to control.
“I have said what I need to say. Over the years, the clan has never mistreated your mother. We only asked you to act as a go-between between the clan and the heir of the Duke of Li. We have not asked you to do anything wrong. If you cannot even do such a small thing, why should the clan support your mother?”
"...I'll give it a try, but he might not agree."
"You're a fox demon, don't you fox spirits have plenty of ways to seduce people? Use them all, and he won't be able to refuse. Alright, think it over carefully, I'll head back now."
After saying that, Shen Yingzhu got up and walked out.
The maid waiting outside saw her come out and led her towards the outside of the mansion. When they reached the gate, she suddenly saw a handsome man coming towards her and couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
The maid who had escorted her out hurriedly stepped forward and bowed upon seeing the newcomer: "Greetings, Your Highness."
Seeing Shen Yingzhu staring at him, Zhang Jinghuai frowned slightly: "Who are you?"
Shen Yingzhu snapped out of her daze and said to the other party, "Greetings, Your Highness. I am Hui Xue's cousin. I haven't seen her for many years. I heard that she lives here, so I came to visit her. I hope Your Highness will forgive me for disturbing you."
Seeing that Shen Yingzhu had acted appropriately, Zhang Jinghuai did not pursue the matter further. He simply nodded slightly to her and walked into the courtyard.
As she walked out the door, Shen Yingzhu glanced back and scoffed, "She really is a vixen; she actually managed to catch Zhang Jinghuai's eye."
The clan originally wanted to give Shen Huixue to Prince Hui, as everyone said that Prince Hui was fond of beautiful women. However, when Prince Hui learned that she was a half-demon, he dared not take her into his household. In the end, somehow, she ended up in Zhang Jinghuai's hands.
If it were an ugly, old man, that would be one thing, but Zhang Jinghuai was powerful, influential, and extremely handsome. This realization greatly displeased Shen Yingzhu. In her eyes, Shen Huixue, with her lowly status, was better off forever wallowing in misery; she didn't deserve a good life at all.
After Shen Yingzhu left, Shen Huixue sighed softly and turned back to her inner room.
She wasn't deterred by the threats. Back then, she had insisted on giving birth to a half-demon, and the Shen family hadn't done anything to her mother. They wouldn't take her mother's life because of this.
However, she had indeed not seen her mother for a long time.
If I can't go back to Xiling this time, I'm afraid I won't have such an opportunity again.
She disliked Xiling, but longed to go back and see it.
Just then, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her waist, and Shen Huixue leaned back instinctively: "Your Highness, you're back."
"Did your cousin come over just now?"
"Did the young master see her?"
Shen Huixue wasn't worried that Shen Yingzhu would anger Zhang Jinghuai. Her cousin was always well-mannered in front of others and treated her clan members quite well. She just particularly disliked being a half-demon.
"Hmm, what did she say to you?"
"She said... my mother's health is not good, Your Highness, I want to go back to Xiling to see my mother."
The hand gripping Shen Huixue's waist suddenly tightened, and she couldn't help but cry out in pain, "Young Master?"
Zhang Jinghuai turned her around: "When did you find out I was going to Xiling?"
"A few days ago."
Zhang Jinghuai sneered: "You're well-informed, aren't you? What else do you know?"
Shen Huixue lowered her eyes: "I heard that the young master will be engaged in a couple of days. Congratulations, young master."
"Who told you that?"
Shen Huixue thought about it and realized that she didn't need to hear anyone say it; in those few days, she heard people saying it whenever she went out.
So she said, "Many people say that."
Zhang Jinghuai was unaware that the Duchess had also come to see her.
This lady was not the prince's biological mother. She usually never saw her, but this time she made an unprecedented visit and said something that was nothing more than telling her to behave herself. In fact, she knew that it was not the Duchess's idea, but probably the Duke's.
He was probably afraid that his son would miss out on a good marriage because of him. How could that be? The Duke of Li probably didn't understand his eldest son.
Zhang Jinghuai had a well-thought-out plan for his future; he always knew what to do next.
Even if he had such an accident, it wouldn't have a significant impact on his future.
Not long after, he sent her to the new house. She moved away, no longer hearing the news of his engagement, and no longer getting in the way of that young lady from the Vice Minister's mansion.
Sure enough, Zhang Jinghuai said, "Now that you know, you should recognize your place and stay in the capital to wait for my return."
“If it is inconvenient for the Crown Prince to take me with him, I can travel alone and will not cause any misunderstanding with the future Crown Prince’s wife.”
"Shen Huixue, you can't go anywhere without my permission."
Shen Huixue turned her head away, avoiding his hand that was pinching her chin: "Your Highness can stop me from going, then I'll just wait for Your Highness to come back and collect my body."
"Are you threatening me?"
Shen Huixue laughed: "If my mother dies, what reason do I have to live? In any case, to the young master, I am nothing more than a source of amusement. When the time comes, the young master can just find another one."
Zhang Jinghuai glared at her coldly, but Shen Huixue didn't even glance at him.
The two parted on bad terms, and Zhang Jinghuai quickly slammed the door and left.
Shen Huixue breathed a sigh of relief when the person left. She stood by the window for a while, feeling that these days were too boring, and she suddenly thought of Achan.
Ah Chan once told me her home address. I haven't had time to go there since we parted that day. I just don't know if it would be presumptuous of me to go there today.
Shen Huixue hesitated for a long time, but the desire to see Achan finally prevailed. She instructed the maid to prepare the carriage, while she herself rummaged through her dressing table for a long time.
She always brought a gift when she went to see Achan. She wanted to give Achan her favorite jewelry, but she felt that such a gift seemed inappropriate.
After hesitating for a long time, I finally gave up.
She tried hard to recall the smoked chicken that Ah Chan had mentioned that was famous on the street, Old Hu's. She thought to herself that maybe she could buy two for Ah Chan when she passed by. Would Ah Chan like them?
Achan really liked the gift. Shen Huixue arrived suddenly, and Achan was pleasantly surprised. She took Shen Huixue's hand and led her to the backyard.
"I thought you would come a few days ago, but unfortunately you haven't come."
"I ran into some things recently and was delayed for a few days." Shen Huixue followed Achan into the kitchen and saw a plaque hanging on the wall with the words "Good Fortune Comes with Food" written on it. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Who wrote this?"
Achan glanced back at the plaque and asked with a smile, "Isn't it beautifully written?"
"Hmm, your handwriting is really beautiful."
Achan washed her hands first, and then, while disassembling the smoked chicken that Shen Huixue had brought on the cutting board, she said, "It was written by a friend of mine, Mo Ling."
"The legendary Ink Spirit? It's said to be exceptionally intelligent." Shen Huixue's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes, I had him write ten plaques for me."
Shen Huixue's eyes were filled with envy: "That's so nice."
Achan cut a smoked chicken into two plates, gave one plate to Shen Huixue, led her out of the kitchen, and took her to her room.
The two sat on the couch, one on each side, and ate a plate of smoked chicken.
Ah Chan exclaimed, "Old Hu's cooking skills are truly excellent."
Shen Huixue imitated A Chan, stuffing a piece of chicken into her mouth and squinting her eyes as she agreed, "It's delicious."
"Are you in a hurry to go back today? If not, let Hui Niang stew chicken for us tonight."
"No rush." Shen Huixue smiled when she saw A Chan smile.
However, her smile quickly faded, and after hesitating for a moment, she said to Achan, "I may have to leave the capital in a few days."
"Why?" Achan asked.
“I was originally born in Xiling, and my mother has always stayed there. Recently, some people from my clan came and asked me to go back and see my mother.”
She tried her best to make her family's situation sound normal, but only she knew what a quagmire the Shen family was in.
A strange light flashed in Achan's eyes: "Is your mother unwell?"
“She…” Shen Huixue met A Chan’s gaze, and the words of evasion that were on the tip of her tongue suddenly became stuck in her throat. “She encountered some things in her early years and became somewhat insane. I don’t know if she is alright. We haven’t seen each other for five years, and I’m a little worried about her.”
"Is it because of your father?"
"How did you know?" Shen Huixue asked, somewhat surprised.
Achan laughed and said, "It's not that hard to guess. No matter what kind of family it is, it would be difficult to accept a woman from the clan falling in love with a demon."
"And you, don't you mind that I'm a half-demon?"
"Why should I care? Aren't half-demons attractive?"
Shen Huixue touched her face: "I'm quite pretty."
The two of them laughed together.
The lingering constraints that had been weighing on her mind seemed to suddenly loosen.
"Is your father no longer alive?" Achan suddenly asked.
Shen Huixue nodded: "I have never seen him since I was born. When I grew up, I heard people say that he may have died at the hands of my grandfather and my uncle. I don't know if you have heard of the Shen clan. They make a living by hunting demons. Many people say that they are very kind people, but I think... they are very scary."
She paused, then added, "I wonder if my father will hate me?"
She had tried to piece together the love story between her fox spirit father and mother, but no matter how she looked at it, it seemed like a hoax.
The daughter of the Shen family deceived the great demon, lured him to her home, and then they killed him together.
It's like a horror story, and she is the evidence that this story ever existed.
"I bet he'll like you," Achan said confidently. "By the way, will you be coming back from Xiling this time?"
"Probably, why do you ask?"
Achan placed the plate in her arms on the low table, picked up a damp cloth and wiped her hands: "I was thinking, since I have nothing to do lately, I heard that there are many spices in Xiling that are not available in the capital. Perhaps I can go to Xiling for a visit and buy some spices to bring back."
"Really?" Shen Huixue was stunned, then a surge of joy welled up in her heart. "Are you really going? But Xiling is very far away."
"Aren't you going too? It might be much safer if we go together. It's not a big deal if it's a bit far."
“Okay.” Shen Huixue had made up her mind. She would make Zhang Jinghuai agree to take her away no matter what. Even if not for herself, it was for Achan’s sake. Only by being with him would she be safe.
Looking at Shen Huixue's smiling face, Achan thought to herself that she should go and see for herself the place where her sixth uncle died and the people he had loved.
Grandmother had many children. She didn't care about her sixth uncle, but as his niece, she still had to take care of him, since she only recognized one uncle.
He died so mysteriously, and she always wanted to know the cause of his death so that she could collect his remains.
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