Chapter 99 He Yunchu, are you rebelling? ...
Chapter 99
Upon hearing this, He Hansheng stopped in his tracks.
The night enveloped his tall figure, the faint light blurring his silhouette and casting a long shadow on the ground. He didn't turn around, but after a long silence, he spoke softly: "He died in an accident."
"Is that so?" Shen Suining sneered.
Seeing that He Hansheng refused to turn around, she strode forward to face him, meeting his gaze, and with a forced smile, she said in a low voice, clearly trying to control her emotions, "It's one thing to put on an act for others, but you won't even tell the truth to me?"
"And what about you?" He Hansheng suddenly retorted, "Did you tell me the truth?"
Shen Suining was stunned for a moment before belatedly realizing that He Hansheng seemed to be angry.
“If you’re referring to my injury, I think I’ve been honest enough,” Shen Suining said sincerely, even holding up three fingers. “I didn’t mean to hide it from you; I just hadn’t found the right opportunity to tell you these past few days since I got back. See, I told you today, didn’t I?”
Her frankness always made He Hansheng feel that he was being too petty.
After letting out a soft sigh, He Hansheng spoke calmly, answering Shen Suining's question again: "He Bufan has a deep-seated grudge against the Yong'an Marquis's mansion. Killing him needs no reason."
"Are you crazy?!"
Shen Suining blurted out, seemingly unable to believe that the usually composed He Hansheng would do something so impulsive. She composed herself and said, "He Bufan is already a dying man, he has already been convicted, why do you need to do this unnecessary thing?"
"You think he shouldn't have died?"
I'm worried about your safety!
These words startled both of them. Shen Suining cleared her throat awkwardly, her tone regaining its composure, "I just think you can wait a little longer, wait for the Emperor to personally determine his guilt. Otherwise, as you said, the whole capital knows about He Bufan's feud with the Yong'an Marquis's mansion. If he dies like this, people will naturally suspect you. Given your current situation, why would you want to bring trouble upon yourself like this?"
He Hansheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Me too."
"What?"
“It’s nothing,” He Hansheng shook his head, his expression finally softening. “It’s cold outside, you should go back to your room.”
Shen Suining frowned, knowing that this person was avoiding the question again. She asked, somewhat unwilling to give up, "And what about you?"
"I know what I'm doing."
...
After that day, the relationship between Shen Suining and He Hansheng seemed to fall into a delicate state.
They were acquaintances during the day, but slept in the same bed at night. Occasionally, they would sit together and chat with the princess, but when it was just the two of them, neither of them would speak, and there was no even the most basic greeting. It was as if they regarded each other as air.
At first, Shen Suining was a little unaccustomed to it. After several attempts to communicate failed, she deliberately ignored him in a fit of pique, or made sarcastic remarks and insults in front of He Hansheng, but she just wouldn't speak to him.
When these two quarrel, it's the bystanders who suffer, especially Shen Fengyu and Jiang Yuchu. Sometimes, if they say the wrong word, they'll be scolded for no reason.
He Hansheng was not home that day. After having breakfast with the Princess, Shen Suining felt bored and, thinking that she hadn't seen Shen Yan for a long time, she led Shen Fengyu to the Pinghuai Marquis's residence.
But when they arrived at the Hou residence, the steward Zhang Ran informed them that Shen Yan was not at home, and even Xun Zong had gone out with him.
"Not here again?" Shen Suining frowned. She treated visiting the Pinghuai Marquis's residence like returning home, and she didn't have the habit of sending a visiting card in advance. This was the fourth time she had come to no avail.
The South is not peaceful, and Shen Yan is not having a peaceful time in Huadu either.
There are very few capable generals in the court now. If the south really falls into chaos, there will probably be no one who can take the field. Although Shen Yan has not been on the battlefield for a long time, he is one of the few who can handle this task. We must always be prepared to go on the expedition.
With Shen Yan absent, Shen Suining also didn't want to stay at the Pinghuai Marquis's residence any longer. After exchanging a few words with Zhang Ran, she left.
Her left hand was still hanging down and it was inconvenient for her to move. When Shen Fengyu helped her into the carriage, Zhang Ran saw it clearly. But after realizing that Shen Fengyu had noticed him observing her, he immediately looked away.
After the carriage had driven some distance from the Marquis's residence, Shen Fengyu asked, "Did you deliberately let Zhang Ran discover your injuries, Young Master?"
"Besides this, I can't think of any other reason not to enter the palace." Shen Suining neither admitted nor denied it. She moved her left hand. Although the wound on her shoulder was healing, her left hand was not very strong for the time being.
Hearing this, Shen Fengyu pursed her lips and couldn't help but mutter, "Young Master is becoming more and more cautious, while Young Lord is becoming more and more radical and reckless."
"What did you say?"
“Cough, no,” Shen Fengyu said, afraid of being scolded, and dared not mention He Hansheng in front of Shen Suining again. She only said, “The peddler who gave you the message has been gone for a long time. Young Master, you don’t need to worry about that dog emperor calling you into the palace again.”
Shen Fengyu's words reminded Shen Suining that there used to be many vendors in the alley opposite the side gate of the Yong'an Marquis's mansion. The informant sent by Li Bo to contact her mingled among them. However, not two days after she returned to the mansion after being injured, He Hansheng ordered the guards in the mansion to drive away all these vendors.
Given He Hansheng's personality, killing He Bufan before the emperor gave the order was already a risky move. Now, he has brazenly driven away the emperor's informant. Is he courting death by making such a big fuss?
"Young Master, something's wrong," Shen Fengyu suddenly shouted in a low voice, his hand instantly reaching for the weapon at his waist. "Someone is following us."
Shen Suining snapped out of her reverie but didn't respond immediately, seemingly deep in thought.
Since her injury, she hasn't gone out much, but every time she does, she senses that she's being followed. She's in the open, while the other person is in the dark, their identity and purpose unknown. If the person doesn't show themselves, her situation becomes extremely passive.
After a moment of contemplation, Shen Suining lifted the carriage curtain, startling Shen Fengyu, who was driving cautiously outside the carriage.
Seeing Shen Fengyu, who looked like a frightened bird, Shen Suining showed a disgusted expression and said indifferently, "Leave the car aside and go down to meet him."
"ah?"
Shen Fengyu tightened the reins and looked around. "You want to fight someone in broad daylight?"
Before Shen Fengyu could react, Shen Suining had already jumped off the carriage.
"..." Shen Fengyu quickly parked the car and followed.
Shen Suining made no attempt to disguise herself today. Her carriage even had a lantern with the three large characters "Marquis of Yong'an" hanging on it. She walked boldly down the street, making it difficult for the patrolling city guards to pretend they didn't recognize her.
Shen Fengyu sighed and rubbed her forehead, thinking to herself: This is indeed the true nature of her young master; all that caution and conservatism is just a facade.
"Feng Yu, look ahead."
Shen Suining raised her chin, gesturing for Shen Fengyu to look at a narrow alley ahead. The brick walls on both sides of the alley were covered with moss, and at the end was an old wooden door with a crooked plaque in front of it, the characters on it faded and worn. Compared with the bustling main street outside, it had an indescribable sense of mystery.
“Three concessions…the legacy,” Shen Suining stopped and recognized the characters on the plaque. She couldn’t help but sigh, “Although this alley is in the middle of a bustling city, you can still faintly hear the sound of students reading.”
Shen Fengyu nodded in agreement, suddenly feeling that the road here was strangely familiar.
She looked around and finally realized what was happening, telling Shen Suining, "Young Master, this is Miss Xu's house."
Shen Suining looked at her in confusion, then remembered that on the winter solstice, Shen Fengyu had personally escorted Xu Lanji home, and suddenly realized, "It's quite a coincidence, we just happened to be walking to her doorstep."
Ever since they met at home last time, Xu Lan has been sending Shen Suining homemade pastries from time to time, along with a handwritten letter expressing her apologies for not being able to visit in person.
Shen Suining remembered that Xu Lanji had mentioned in her letter that she had been feeling unwell recently. Since the person had already come to the door, there was no reason not to visit her. So she asked Shen Fengyu to go to the Xu residence to inform them. A short while later, Xu Lanji's mother, Madam Xu, came out to greet her personally.
Madam Xu stood in front of the door, wearing a plain coat and only a simple hairpin in her hair. Her face was delicate and elegant, a true aloof beauty. Xu Lanji was practically a carbon copy of her.
"Mrs. He."
"Mrs. Xu."
The two bowed to each other, and Madam Xu, with a polite yet distant smile, said, "My daughter has caught a cold and is unable to receive guests. If Madam does not mind, I can accompany you to play chess, admire flowers, drink wine, and enjoy tea."
Shen Suining sensed the refusal in her polite words and smiled, "I only came to bother you because I heard that Miss Xu was ill. Since she is not available to receive guests, I will not take up any more of your time, Madam. Farewell."
Madam Xu slightly bent her knees and gracefully watched Shen Suining leave.
After walking a distance, Shen Fengyu glanced back and couldn't help but lean close to Shen Suining and mutter, "This Madam Xu seems to be a formidable character."
How do you know?
"Hmm... I can't quite put my finger on it, it's just a feeling," Shen Fengyu answered truthfully.
"..." Knowing she wouldn't say anything good, Shen Suining gave a perfunctory smile and walked further into the secluded area.
Shen Fengyu realized her intention and stopped thinking about anything else, gripping the hilt of his sword and immediately following.
But the other party seemed to be a coward, only daring to follow from the shadows, and refusing to show himself no matter how much Shen Suining deliberately gave him the opportunity.
Shen Suining gradually lost patience, but the other party was hidden in the crowd and was too well concealed. If he didn't take the initiative to show his face, there really wouldn't be any way to deal with it for the time being.
While Shen Suining was wandering the streets, He Hansheng was alone in the Imperial Study, meeting with the Emperor.
Li Bo sat at his desk, his head propped up by his hand, looking exhausted. Perhaps it was because of the recent string of unpleasant things that had happened, as some of the hair at his temples had turned gray.
He raised his eyes and stared unblinkingly at the young man kneeling below. His straight spine seemed to be a silent statement. He Hansheng always appeared easy to talk to on the surface, but in reality, he was just like his father, a stubborn and unyielding tough guy.
"Yunchu," Li Bo finally spoke after a long while, his voice hoarse and tinged with coldness, "Are you... going to rebel?"
The question came abruptly, without any preamble or warning, like a thunderclap suddenly exploding in the depths of a once calm lake, sending ripples across its surface.
Faced with Li Bo's questioning, He Hansheng remained neither humble nor arrogant: "Why does Your Majesty say such a thing?"
Li Bo sneered, not directly stating anything, but that didn't mean he was completely unaware of anything.
He Bufan's death was by no means an accident. Anyone with eyes could see that, although there were quite a few people in the court who wanted him dead, Cui Rong had not been found. Apart from He Hansheng, no one dared to act so recklessly.
But this little brat was meticulous in his work, and no incriminating evidence was left at the scene. So even though Li Bo knew the truth, as long as He Hansheng denied it, there was nothing he could do.
Moreover, there is an urgent military report from the south, and the court is in dire need of personnel. In addition, it was the He family that quelled the Xiaoxiang Rebellion in the past. Therefore, even if Li Bo is very angry, he can only maintain a superficial peace for the time being.
After weighing the two options, Li Bo swallowed hard, pretending to be nonchalant, and asked, "How is your recovery going?"
"It's not fully recovered yet, but it's much better. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
"You child, you've always been perfectly fine, how come you've only been married for half a year and I keep hearing that you're not feeling well here or there?" Li Bo said reproachfully, with a hint of elder's concern. "Your mother is the same, she's been sick for months and hasn't gotten better. The Empress Dowager talks about her every day. If you don't have time, you should let Tangxi go to the palace more often to keep her company."
Li Bo deliberately brought up Shen Suining, emphasizing the words "Tangxi," which was quite suggestive.
He Hansheng sensed the coercion in his words. This king had always been fond of using such despicable tricks, and Shen Suining was probably willing to work for him for the same reason.
He sneered inwardly, but showed it on his face, only replying with a "Yes."
Both of them had their own thoughts, but neither of them spoke openly about them. On the surface, everything seemed calm, but in reality, there were undercurrents.
Just then, Wang Jingde quietly entered to deliver a message. In front of He Hansheng, he said to Li Bo, "Your Majesty, I heard that the Crown Princess summoned Lady Yong'an Marquis to the palace today for some unknown reason. The East Palace gates are now tightly closed, and I heard from those inside that the Crown Princess is furious and is questioning Lady Yong'an."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com