Chapter 47 "I promised you I would stay..."
Shen Xi only learned of the news the day before Xie Chengyan left the capital.
She was confined to the mansion all day, and news from the outside world was not readily available to her. She had not seen Xie Chengyan for many days.
Since that argument, Xie Chengyan has been staying in his study, no longer eating with her, and she's nowhere to be seen all day.
Shen Xi knew he must be angry. She had acted rather extremely at the time, so she specially brought a food box to his study the night before last.
Unfortunately, we went at the wrong time.
As soon as he reached the door, Xie Chengyan hurriedly left the mansion, and Shen Xi only had time to catch a glimpse of his tall figure.
The next time I saw him was on this day when I saw him off.
Outside the general's mansion, carriages and horses were ready.
It was midday, and the sun was shining brightly. After standing outside for only a short while, Shen Xi was already sweating profusely from the heat.
Xie Chengyan stood beside her. Shen Xi looked up and saw that he was looking at her with deep, dark eyes.
Although the two lived under the same roof, they hadn't seen each other for many days, and this was after a fight and a period of cold war. Shen Xi felt somewhat at a loss.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke, asking softly, "How long will it take for my husband to return from Mozhou?"
Xie Chengyan lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her face: "It could take as little as two months, or as long as a year."
This was the first time the couple had been separated for such a long time since their marriage.
Shen Xi paused for a moment, feeling a void in her heart, but she nodded and, mimicking the words of a wife when her husband leaves home, said, "Husband, please be careful and I hope you have a safe and smooth journey."
Upon hearing this, Xie Chengyan looked at her for a long time, then reached out and gently stroked Shen Xi's cheek. Seeing that she did not dodge, he turned to the side and his fingertips slid down to her neck without warning.
The previous wound has healed completely, leaving only a very shallow pink mark that is slightly raised.
Xie Chengyan stroked that spot with his fingertips and asked in a low voice, "Does it still hurt?"
His delicate neck was held in his palm, and Shen Xi trembled for a moment before shaking his head.
"It hasn't hurt for a long time."
As if to confirm, Xie Chengyan rubbed the scar with his fingertip again before withdrawing his hand: "That's good."
After saying that, he paused slightly, staring at his fingertips that had just brushed against Shen Xi's neck and rubbing them.
After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Xi'er, while I'm away, stay in the manor obediently and don't run around."
His tone was gentle, yet carried a subtle hint of threat.
Shen Xi's eyelashes trembled. She had already guessed that he would be afraid she would take the opportunity to escape when he left the capital, so she nodded in agreement.
"I promised you I would stay."
Xie Chengyan's lips twitched slightly, and as if remembering something, he added, "Don't go to the Duke's mansion. I'll handle anything that comes up."
Upon hearing the name of the Duke's Mansion, Shen Xi knew what was bothering him, and lowered her eyes: "I know, I won't go to see Xie Wenlang without permission."
Upon hearing this name, Xie Chengyan's eyes darkened slightly, but he really didn't want to create any unpleasantness with her in these last moments.
Therefore, he forcefully suppressed the sudden surge of irritation in his heart and remained silent.
However, Shen Xi still keenly noticed that his aura had obviously dropped. She took a deep breath, then stepped forward and snuggled into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her head in Xie Chengyan's chest.
He said in a low voice, "I didn't lie to you. I will stay here quietly and wait for you to come back."
Xie Chengyan paused slightly at her submissive and submissive appearance. After a moment, he hugged her back but did not answer. He only said, "Take care of yourself. If you are angry, talk to me when I get back. Don't hold a grudge against yourself."
Shen Xi nodded slightly, burying her head even deeper into his arms.
After saying that, Xie Chengyan released her and left.
As she watched his figure disappear into the distance, Shen Xi's heart sank.
As expected, although Xie Chengyan left the capital, the number of people guarding her in the mansion more than doubled, and everyone was on high alert, wary of her.
Shen Xi noticed, but didn't say much. She wasn't too bored during this period.
After Wen Tingmao agreed to her request that day, he really took it to heart. Whenever he had free time, he would often come to her residence to teach her to learn medicine and herbs from scratch.
When she was young, Lin Anrong was introduced to medicine books. Over the years, she missed her mother and read those medical books over and over again, until she could recite them from memory.
With a little guidance from Wen Tingmao, she learned very quickly.
Sometimes, when Wen Tingmao watched her lower her head slightly, furrow her brows, and intently observe the herbs in front of her, he couldn't help but feel a sense of daze.
It felt like going back to many years ago, when Lin Anrong was still the little girl by his side.
But that was only a very rare occasion. Apart from their appearances, Shen Xi and Lin Anrong were completely unrelated.
Especially in terms of temperament.
Lin Anrong had been raised by his side for many years and was habitually impatient and restless. If she couldn't understand something, she wouldn't bother listening anymore, and she had absolutely no interest in medical skills.
At first, he was worried that Shen Xi would catch the same problem Lin Anrong had back then, and would threaten to give up every few days.
But Shenxi was truly different from her mother. She was calm, composed, and once she made up her mind, she would never turn back.
Apart from her eyes and brows, there was no trace of the person she knew on her.
Thus, three months passed.
Autumn was deepening in the capital, and time marched on at its own pace, but Xie Chengyan still hadn't returned.
That day, after Wen Tingmao finished teaching Shen Xi as usual, he picked up his medicine box and headed back to Renfeng Hall.
Shen Xi then escorted the person to the outside of the mansion.
After seeing Wen Tingmao off, just as he was about to turn back, a luxurious carriage happened to be heading towards the gate of the General's Mansion.
Shen Xi paused slightly, glancing at the carriage with a strange look. A moment later, the carriage stopped right in front of her.
The carriage curtain was not lifted, and no one was visible inside. But the next moment, a woman's voice, authoritative yet not angry, came from the luxurious carriage.
"You don't look like someone who's so sick you can barely walk."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Xi was momentarily stunned.
That was clearly the voice of Xie Chengyan's mother, Madam Xue.
Since Xie Chengyan left the capital, for some unknown reason, the Duke's Mansion has sent people to invite her over time and again, contrary to their usual practice.
Shen Xi knew that there must be more to it than met the eye, especially since Xie Chengyan had specifically instructed her about the Duke's mansion before he left, so she kept a close eye on things.
Shen Xi had visited several times, but she always claimed to be ill to delay the visit. She never expected that this time, Madam Xue would actually come in person.
She paused almost imperceptibly, then gave a slight curtsy and smiled, saying, "Mother, why did you come in person? I didn't even have time to greet you."
After saying that, she followed up on Xue's question and added, "My daughter-in-law was indeed not feeling well a few days ago. I was afraid that she might have overdone her illness, so I didn't dare to bother her."
Through the carriage curtain, Shen Xi clearly heard a cold laugh coming from inside the carriage: "How could I dare to ask you to come and greet me? I had my servants invite you many times but they couldn't get you to come, so I had no choice but to come in person."
Shen Xi lowered her head, about to say something more, but Madam Xue went straight to the point: "We just happened to meet at the door. Come with me to the Duke's mansion. I have something to say to you."
“My daughter-in-law is dull-witted and doesn’t understand what matters that must be discussed at the Duke’s mansion. Besides, sending a servant would be just as easy, so why bother with all this trouble?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xi realized there were some issues involved, so she politely declined.
But Madam Xue didn't care about reason and was too lazy to waste any more time with her. She simply said to the nanny beside her, "Help the young mistress into the carriage. She's being asked by her elders but she's making excuses. Anyone who doesn't know better would think that the Duke's mansion has lost all its manners."
Upon receiving the order, the men immediately stepped forward to arrest the person.
But this was outside the general's mansion, and the guards would not allow them to act so recklessly. They immediately drew their swords and protected Shen Xi behind them.
He raised his voice: "The general has ordered that the lady is not allowed to leave the mansion without permission."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xue became even more furious, her voice turning colder: "What? You dare to stop even someone from the Duke's mansion? I never knew that when did I, as a mother-in-law, have to get past the guards just to see my daughter-in-law?"
The two sides were deadlocked, and Shen Xi was in a dilemma.
No matter what, Xue was Xie Chengyan's biological mother. Although Xie Chengyan may not have been very close to her in the past, she never lacked the proper manners and etiquette.
Now that she has personally come to the Duke's mansion, if a dispute breaks out in public, Xie Chengyan will likely be in a difficult position.
So she said, “Mother, we are right outside the General’s Mansion. Why go to such lengths? Why don’t you come in and rest for a while? You can tell your daughter-in-law what’s on your mind now.”
Madam Xue, however, was determined: "Shen Xi, I have already given you enough face by coming to see you in person. Don't push your luck any further."
She was, after all, Xie Chengyan's mother, and since Madam Xue insisted on this, she couldn't make things too ugly.
Besides, it's just a Duke's mansion. With the secret guards Xie Chengyan left for her, there shouldn't be any major problems.
Thinking about it that way...
Shen Xi stopped arguing with Xue Shi on the busy street.
Without making a sound, he gave a wink to the guards beside him, then ordered someone to prepare a carriage, and followed them to the Duke's mansion.
Shen Xi was filled with anxiety the whole way, constantly wondering what Xue wanted to see her about.
He got off the carriage with trepidation and followed Madam Xue into the Duke's mansion.
Unexpectedly, Madam Xue did not make things difficult for her. She ordered servants to serve tea and offer her a seat, which was very considerate and thoughtful, as if she really wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with her daughter-in-law.
The atmosphere remained quiet for a while. Madam Xue did not speak, but the annoyance she felt outside the General's Mansion had faded, and she looked at Shen Xi with a peaceful expression.
It was clearly a gentle and kind face, but for some reason, Shen Xi subconsciously felt that the gaze was chilling.
With a lowered gaze, she spoke first: "I wonder what brings Mother to the Duke's mansion today?"
Madam Xue took a sip of tea slowly and gently, her voice soft: "It's nothing serious. I haven't had a chance to see you much since you and Chengyan got married. Chengyan isn't in the capital these days, and this is the first time you two have been apart since your marriage. I was worried you'd be bored, so I thought I'd have you come over and keep me company."
Shen Xi knew perfectly well that there was no such simple reason. She quickly changed her mind and said, "I hope Mother will not be offended. It is only because my husband instructed me before he left that I was not allowed to leave the manor due to illness. That is why I was unable to come and pay my respects."
Having lived in this grand mansion for so many years, Madam Xue could tell the difference between truth and falsehood in Shen Xi's words at a glance. She simply chuckled silently and did not expose him.
However, there is one thing that Shen Xi said that is correct.
The spies who stayed in the general's mansion also mentioned to her that the couple had a falling out some time ago, and Xie Chengyan ordered Shen Xi to be placed under house arrest and not allowed to step out of the mansion.
Originally, she intended to take advantage of Xie Chengyan's absence, using her status as an elder to pressure the guards of the General's Mansion and kindly rescue Shen Xi.
As it turned out, Shen Xi was a blockhead, completely ungrateful for kindness, and insisted that she come in person today before he would come over.
Madam Xue's expression softened, a subtle glint flashing in her eyes. When she looked up again, she smiled, feigning concern: "After the marriage, how has Chengyan treated you?"
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