Zhan Xinjia woke up very early.
To be precise, it wasn't that she woke up early, but rather that the young man who was holding her pulled his arms away, put on his outer robe, and got up just as dawn was breaking.
Although he carefully covered himself with the blankets when he got out of bed, preventing any cold draft from getting in, Zhan Xinjia, whose sleep had become very light since arriving in Canghan, still woke up with a start, feeling a little dazed.
She didn't get up immediately, but pretended to still be asleep, hiding under the covers and peeking at him with one eye open.
The sky at dawn was a gloomy gray-blue, drowsy, desolate, and chilly, with a dreamlike, unreal, and eerie hue.
He sat in the chair, wearing a coat, seemingly lost in thought.
His eyebrows resembled ancient and solemn distant mountains, and his eyes resembled a snow lake covered with frost flowers and thin ice. At this moment, his clear and handsome features were lowered, and a few strands of hair fell sadly on his face, but he did not reach out to hold them back.
In the dim light, his expression was forlorn and lost, as if he had just woken up from a nightmare.
What is he afraid of?
Zhan Xinjia felt a pang of anxiety. She pretended to be sleepy and yawned. She sat up groggily and rubbed her eyes with her fingers.
"Hmm, what time is it?"
Seeing that she had woken up, Shen Suqing composed himself, and his originally dull and lifeless eyes gradually brightened.
"It's still early, go back to sleep. Would you like some water?"
"I don't want to drink... Lord Shen, why are you so unhappy so early in the morning?"
Hearing her words, Shen Suqing chuckled softly.
"Tsk, why are you being so well-behaved today? Not calling me by my first name? Have you calmed down or are you still half asleep?"
He teased her, and Zhan Xinjia felt a little embarrassed, but she quickly retorted after realizing what he meant.
“I’m not angry. Aren’t you the one who’s been throwing a tantrum? I’ve already apologized to you and explained why I can’t go back for the time being, but you just won’t listen and even threaten me.”
Oh dear, Master Shen's teeth are sticky.
Shen Suqing smiled and didn't continue arguing with her.
Although his expression was carefree and relaxed, his tone was serious and firm, making it impossible for anyone to think he was joking.
"I'll do whatever you want with you, but if you still want to run away—"
He paused subtly at this point, then suddenly smiled.
The young man lazily propped his head up with one hand, his eyes shimmering like spring water, but the words that came out of his mouth were anything but gentle, giving people a sense of incongruous mental disorder, sensitivity, suspicion, and morbid paranoia.
It's like someone who's already gone mad, yet pretends to be perfectly normal, without any flaws.
The smiling voice sounded both threatening and seductive.
"Does Ah Zhi want to know what I'll be doing then?"
Zhan Xinjia tilted her head in confusion, but before she could ask any further questions, the person who had barged in interrupted her.
"Brother Er Gou!"
Wangcai barged in enthusiastically, and was about to say something when he saw the scene and immediately froze, his pupils dilating in shock.
The tent was dimly lit. Lying on the bed was the frail little sister, Ah Zhi. Her brother, Er Gou, sat calmly and indifferently at the table, wearing an outer robe, seemingly engaged in a stylish "post-coital cigarette"...
Wangcai: "Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!"
Holy crap, that bastard Er Gou even laid a hand on the wounded! I'm going back to the village chief and tell him!
He turned and ran away excitedly.
A moment later, Meng Qiao walked in suspiciously, lifted the curtain, and muttered something about Wangcai.
"My Ah Zhi has been missing all night. I sent you to come and ask Lord Shen if he has seen her. Why are you running around like a madman?"
As she spoke, she looked up and froze on the spot.
Meng Qiao: "Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!"
Lord Shen, you acted way too fast! My dear Azhi! I dare not open my eyes; I hope it's just my imagination!
He turned and ran away excitedly.
Next up were Yan Yuyao and Cui Wanzhao, the same scene, the same screams—
Cui Wanzhao: My godmother found me a godfather! How outrageous!
Yan Yuyao: They can still sleep together even though they're arguing like that, so why does Wanwan just tell me to get lost! I really want to poison them both!
For a time, the camp was filled with strange cries, one after another, rising and falling, lingering for a long time.
Greetings: ...
Nothing actually happened!
As she silently dressed and went out with Lord Shen, General Qu walked towards them, scratching his head in disbelief, looking around with a look of utter astonishment, as if he had seen a ghost.
"Who on earth is practicing Peking Opera in the camp so early in the morning? Are they crazy?... Oh, Xiao Zhan, Lord Shen, what a coincidence, I just happen to have something to discuss with you!"
——
Zhan Xinjia never expected that she would have to go on a business trip while injured.
At that time, she, a lame woman who could barely walk, was obediently waiting with her arms outstretched to be carried off the carriage by Lord Shen.
Although Mr. Shen said he could carry her the whole time, Zhan Xinjia took her crutches and insisted on doing her own rehabilitation exercises—mainly because it was too embarrassing to be carried around in the street.
Despite her physical disability, she walked with a limp into Canghan City, looking around in shock and confusion.
"Hey, the city was gloomy and deserted when I came last time. Why is it so lively this time?"
Snow was piled up on both sides of the street, and the shops that were originally closed were now open. The not-so-wide street was packed with vendors selling snacks and pastries, jewelry and clothing, as well as exotic goods from all over the country.
Red lanterns hung in the taverns and teahouses, and waiters enthusiastically greeted customers as they entered, amidst a constant stream of noise and shouts.
The streets were teeming with pedestrians, weaving through the alleys and lanes. There were lion and dragon dances, acrobatic performances, sugar painting vendors, fire-breathing and boulder-breaking acts, and iron-sparkling performances—a dazzling array of sights and sounds, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere…
Colorful lights hung on the street, their bright red glow painting the entire street scene in a festive red hue, creating a joyous atmosphere.
Led by Master Shen, Zhan Xinjia strolled leisurely inside, looking around with curiosity. When he saw a stall selling couplets, window decorations, and door god portraits, he suddenly realized what was going on.
It turns out that the end of the year is already approaching.
She has been in Canghan for almost four months. Counting the days, it is already mid-January, and in a few days it will be New Year's Eve!
I don't know why, but the words "Chinese New Year" always evoke a warm and happy feeling in people. It's simple, cozy, and full of the warmth of everyday life, even though she probably won't be able to go home this year...
I smiled bitterly as I read the letter.
Oh right, I almost forgot the important thing.
She and Lord Shen weren't out shopping for New Year's goods; they were on a private investigation of spies sent by Nanjun. General Qu said he had received intelligence that a few days ago, some people from Nanjun had infiltrated Canghan City from Nian'an.
So aimlessly, I didn't know where to start asking around.
As Zhan Xinjia was deep in thought with her brows furrowed, the young man beside her suddenly stopped, bent down and carefully gathered the cloak on her shoulders, then gently brushed away a few stray hairs that had been blown to her lips with his fingertips, his movements gentle and attentive.
His eyes were gentle and tender, and his smile was warm and gentle.
Her eyes, like a gentle spring breeze, swept past a pair of swallows in flight, their clear and warm reflection mirroring her still sickly and weak face.
"Madam, there's no rush. Let's find a place to stay first."
The young man was already handsome, and his virtuous husbandly demeanor made young women and wives on the street turn their heads frequently. Even Zhan Xinjia, who was standing next to him, inexplicably received a lot of envious glances.
Zhan Xinjia: "..."
I almost forgot that this time, she and Lord Shen were playing the roles of a newlywed couple from Jiangnan on their private visit—
No, absolutely not! Lord Shen definitely bribed General Qu!
Zhan Xinjia felt a mix of sweetness and worry. Oh dear, with such an absurd identity, staying at an inn was a bit strange. After thinking about it, she wondered if she could just rent a small courtyard in Canghan City for the time being.
She looked up, about to tell Lord Shen about this, when suddenly a small fox mask was placed on her face.
Um?
Zhan Xinjia took off her mask in a daze, thinking that Lord Shen was playing a trick on her. But when she looked closely, she saw a young man in a simple white robe and wearing a mask standing in front of her on the bustling street.
The background was a large expanse of glaring red, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, which clashed sharply with his pale skin and clothing.
He was like a passerby in the mortal world, untouched by any color, utterly alone.
Those emerald eyes were like a green lake in the forest. When they fell on the cane in her hand, there was a hint of worry in them. They couldn't help but frown. When they looked up at her, their eyes were filled with a bright and doting smile.
Zhan Xinjia suddenly widened her eyes.
elder brother! !
She was overjoyed and was about to step forward when the young man beside her grabbed her arm firmly with lightning speed.
He pulled the little girl behind him, half-embracing her shoulder in a possessive and assertive manner. Shen Suqing's expression grew cold, his eyes sharp, and he looked warily at the uninvited guest before him.
"Who are you?"
Zhan Yinshu's expression was equally somber, but she didn't look at him. Instead, she stared intently at the blank-faced little girl behind the young man.
His tone was angry and displeased, carrying the oppressive feeling of death from his elder brother, as he sternly questioned him.
Who is he?
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