In the evening, when Fu Shouan came out of the study, his expression was somewhat solemn. He didn't even have time to say goodbye before he hurriedly left with Yan Xiyue.
Bored out of her mind, Zhan Xinjia squatted by the study door for a long time, but Master Shen still didn't come out.
She simply pushed the door open and went in.
"Young Master Shen, aren't Lord Fu and the others staying for dinner?"
When she entered, Shen Suqing was sorting and stacking the letters and official documents that were usually piled up on the table, tying them into a neat stack with red ribbons, and putting them into the bookcase.
He stopped what he was doing, slumped back in his chair, and wearily rubbed his temples.
"I'm going on a long trip tomorrow, which will take about a month to get there and back. I'll leave you enough money so you can buy whatever you want to eat or buy yourself. Just don't wander off, don't talk to strangers, and don't get lost outside."
Even now, Shen Suqing still felt uneasy. He frowned, got up, and paced back and forth in the study.
"No, it's too dangerous for a young girl like you to go out alone... Here's what we'll do: I'll go buy you enough fruits, vegetables, and meat for a month, and you shouldn't go out until I get back."
After finding the paper, Shen Suqing often had headaches.
In the past, when he was away on business trips, he was all alone and had nothing to worry about at home; he could just lock the door. But now that there's a girl named Azhi, he inevitably has to put in more effort.
What if she sneaks out and gets lost? What if she's kidnapped by burglars? What if she's lured away and trafficked by an old woman disguised as a beggar asking for water?
Zhan Xinjia didn't know what Shen Suqing was worried about, and she blankly pointed to herself.
"Young Master Shen, can't you take me with you?"
"Nonsense."
Shen Suqing raised his index finger and tapped her head lightly with his knuckles.
“It’s not like we’re going on a spring outing. This is an official assignment, and the journey is long and bumpy. Firstly, we might encounter danger, and secondly, there won’t be anyone to take care of you.”
"But Lord Shen, I don't need your care. We're like family, you can treat me like a donkey!"
Although Zhan Xinjia was telling the truth, Shen Suqing heard it as just a little girl being coquettish in order to go out and play together.
He's still an insecure child at heart.
He gently rubbed the spot on her forehead where he had just tapped her with his fingertips, soothing her in a voice like he was coaxing a child, "Alright, alright, our Azhi is the most obedient, don't be willful."
"Master Xiao Shen..."
Zhan Xinjia wanted to try to defend herself, but Master Shen had already pushed her by the shoulder and squeezed her towards the door.
"I still have official business to finish. How about you go feed Jide first, okay? Be good, I'll make you some white sugar cake later."
"Xiao Shen...!"
With a "bang," the study door slammed shut.
Zhan Xinjia touched her nose and walked out dejectedly. When she passed the orange cat that was still sleeping, she picked it up.
Lord Shen is probably going to the "Yaozhou" that Yan Xiyue overheard earlier. Yaozhou is not too far from the capital. It would take seven or eight days by carriage and then two more days by boat.
However, the group of men in black she had dealt with last time were not some low-level江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the martial arts world) rogues, but rather well-trained assassins, and they were clearly after Lord Shen.
No matter how vigilant the people of Dali Temple are, accidents are still inevitable on the way.
What if Lord Shen goes there to see people, but returns with graves?
She hasn't slept yet!
Zhan Xinjia was anxious. Under the candlelight, Shen Suqing used serving chopsticks to put a piece of her favorite braised eggplant in oil on her plate.
"I'll be back in early June."
"…knew."
The little girl sullenly munched on her eggplant, so unhappy that she only ate six bowls of rice that night.
Although she verbally agreed, as soon as the lights in the main room were turned off, she sneaked out of bed and went to the kitchen.
In preparation for her long trip, she specially prepared a large basket of dried fish for her elderly cat living alone and filled the water tank in the yard with clean water.
Zhan Xinjia wasn't really worried about Jide. It had grown up as a stray cat, eating food from many different homes, so it wouldn't starve. Besides, she had left a small door for it in the kitchen.
After tidying everything up, Zhan Xinjia lay back on the bed and touched the butterfly hairpin on the bedside table.
Going on a long trip... It's a bit strange, but she suddenly felt homesick.
——
Zhan Xinjia felt that she hadn't slept well all night. She finally managed to doze off for a while at dawn, but as soon as she heard the sound of water being drawn from the kitchen, she was startled awake, got dressed, and pushed open the bedroom door.
In the courtyard, Shen Suqing had already finished washing up and getting ready.
The first rays of morning sunlight pierced through the gaps in the treetops and leaves, dappling him like scattered gold dust, making him appear radiant and divine.
The young man's loose, dark hair was neatly tied with a crown tassel. He wore a wide-sleeved, bamboo-colored, cross-collar, diagonally-fastened long robe, with a moon-white overcoat. A dark blue belt tightened his narrow waist, and a jade pendant with tassels and waves was tied around his waist.
He stood ramrod straight, his back as straight as a bamboo branch, his silhouette against the light both unconventional and upright.
Jade branches and trees, as precious as jade and jewels.
Zhan Xinjia was almost swooning over his handsomeness, and only managed to keep from collapsing by clinging to the threshold with her weak legs.
How wonderful! So handsome, he's killed this young lady!
She always knew that her young master Shen was incredibly handsome, but he usually dressed casually and had a gentle and mild personality.
Dressed so formally, he looked like a statue of the God of Literature enshrined in a temple, adding an inexplicable sense of aloofness and superiority. Solemn and dignified, with an imposing presence.
At that moment, the god-like young man under the crabapple tree turned around and slowly walked towards her.
"Why are you up so early?"
His eyes were lowered, as if a god was showing compassion to the world, and his hand habitually landed on her messy, uncombed hair, gently stroking it.
The air was filled with the light-colored petals of crabapple blossoms and a faint, warm fragrance, and his voice was also filled with warmth. Suddenly, she seemed to understand the line in the book, "An immortal stroked my head and bestowed upon me immortality."
Zhan Xinjia took the warm hand above her head and held his hands in her own.
His wrists were slender, his finger joints were long and well-proportioned, and his nails were short and neatly trimmed, making him a pleasing sight to behold.
"Master Xiao Shen..."
"Um?"
"I miss you."
Upon hearing this, Shen Suqing was first taken aback, then chuckled softly.
When he smiled, the corners of his eyes curved slightly, and his eyes held a beautiful glimmer.
"Still half asleep? Aren't I right here?"
"But I've already started missing you even before you've left."
The little girl leaned softly against him, playing with his drooping hand, and answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Shen Suqing had never experienced such straightforward emotions before.
The books he received from childhood taught him to be reserved, modest, and self-possessed. But the little girl he had taken in now looked up at him, her clear eyes reflecting his entire being, expressing her dependence on him without any attempt to hide it.
Shen Suqing could hardly describe how he felt at that moment.
My heart is full and soft, like the calm lake surface where a pebble has been thrown in, rippling in circles, a subtle itch spreading across it. And this feeling is mixed with a bit of inexplicable bitterness.
He suddenly wondered if she would have been so foolishly close and dependent on whoever had taken her home on that stormy night.
Is he a more special person to Azhi?
When Shen Suqing came to her senses again, his palm was already on her soft cheek, his fingertips unconsciously caressing her face with tenderness and affection.
This is a very ambiguous and inappropriate act, and it should not occur between elders and juniors.
Zhan Xinjia grasped the hand on her cheek and tilted her head blankly.
"Master Xiao Shen?"
The young man almost frantically pulled his hand back.
He turned his back, pressed his fist to his lips, and coughed a few times. His voice sounded strangely hoarse compared to usual.
"Be good at home, I'll bring you some fun things and delicious treats when I get back."
Shen Suqing didn't hear her reply clearly.
His heartbeat seemed to drown out all the noise in the world, vibrating slowly with some strange and unfamiliar emotions.
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