distance,
He gradually shortened his distance, getting closer and closer.
Shen Zhiyi dared not even breathe, yet her heart pounded more and more violently.
He reached out and wiped her lips, chuckling softly, "Madam, you have some pastry on your lips."
He was handsome, with fair skin and delicate, refined features, but his fingertips were unusually rough as they brushed against her soft lips…
The tactile sensation is exceptionally strong!
She had just showered and hadn't applied any lip gloss; her lips were rather pale. His gentle scraping and rubbing of them...
It looked as if she had applied the finest rouge, an alluring red.
Xiao Zhongxuan looked at her lips, his breath quickening slightly, feeling a dry tightness in his throat. He took a deep breath, creating some distance between them, and said, "I will do everything according to Madam's arrangements."
Shen Zhiyi nodded and looked away from him.
He once said that his family was relatively well-off, so why were his hands so rough?
There must be a secret about Xiao Zhongxuan.
"Since you knew the Marquis's mansion was a den of dragons and tigers, why didn't you just leave?" Xiao Zhongxuan asked. "I heard that the current emperor and empress dowager both dote on you. If you tell them what Song Yuxiu did, they will definitely help you leave the mansion."
“Song Yuxiu won’t let me go easily, besides…” A hint of coldness flashed in Shen Zhiyi’s eyes.
Even if she were to leave, she would still turn the entire Marquis's mansion into chaos!
As the two were talking, Hongrui knocked on the door. "Miss, the Marquis is back. His carriage is almost at the door."
Shen Zhiyi was somewhat surprised.
If she remembered correctly, in her previous life, her father-in-law went south on official business and did not return to the capital until the summer. Now, however, he had returned more than a month earlier. Xiao Zhongxuan left immediately, and she was puzzled. She let Hongrui and Lühe help her with her hair and makeup.
“Miss, Young Master Xiao sends food over every day, rain or shine. It seems he really likes you,” Hongrui said with a smile.
like……
She remembered Xiao Zhongxuan saying he liked her, and her fingers tightened slightly.
But who knows how much of a man's affection is genuine?
"Don't talk nonsense," Shen Zhiyi reminded Hongrui. "My relationship with him is just a business partnership."
“But…” Hongrui pursed her lips, “You feel disgusted when the young master touches you, but you don’t feel the same way about Young Master Xiao.”
This statement,
That hits the nail on the head.
Logically, Shen Zhiyi should be utterly disgusted by Xiao Zhongxuan's arrogant and frivolous behavior, but surprisingly, she wasn't that angry.
Could it be because he has a handsome appearance?
Forget it, stop thinking about him.
——
Shen Zhiyi finished tidying up, and her father-in-law had already arrived at the front hall.
"Grandpa." Shen Zhiyi bowed to the man sitting at the head of the table as she entered the room. "Your daughter-in-law is not feeling well, so I am late."
"Yuxiu told me to sit down." He smiled kindly.
Although Xian is over forty years old, he still looks very handsome in his youth. Dressed in black, covered in dust, with thick eyebrows slightly furrowed, he exudes a somewhat imposing aura.
This was Song Yuxiu's father, the Marquis of Xuanhua.
Song Maozhang!
Today was a rare occasion, as even her brother-in-law, Song Shaohuai, was present. He appeared refined and cultured, rising to greet her with a bow: "Greetings, sister-in-law."
Shen Zhiyi smiled and nodded, "It must be because of the hard work of your studies. Shao Huai seems to have lost some weight. This time when you come back to the manor, you must stay for a few more days. I will ask the kitchen to make some of your favorite dishes."
“My sister-in-law is much more loving than my mother, who only cares about my studies.” Song Shaohuai was more outgoing than Song Yuxiu.
“Shao Huai!” Madam Chen frowned, reminding him to be mindful of his image.
Shen Zhiyi just smiled.
The story of this younger brother-in-law is also quite fascinating.
"I've heard that quite a few things have happened in the manor recently?" The Marquis lowered his head and sipped his tea.
The mother-in-law, Chen, turned pale instantly.
The old lady said that her affair would remain unresolved in the manor. Could it be that the Marquis has found out?
"Madam!" Song Maozhang shot her a cold glare, which frightened Madam Chen so much that her legs went weak, and she slid off her chair and knelt before him. "My lord, this is truly a misunderstanding..."
It’s over!
The Marquis will definitely beat her to death.
"Madam?" Song Maozhang frowned, hurriedly put down his teacup, and helped her up. "What are you doing?"
"I……"
“You’re too kind-hearted to be deceived and mistake a villain for your savior. I heard you even gave your daughter-in-law a hard time because of her?” Song Maozhang sighed. “You’re really confused. Even if she is your savior, she’s still an outsider. Just give her more money.”
"Bringing her back to the mansion is like inviting a wolf into the house!"
Upon hearing that the Marquis was referring to this matter, Madam Chen composed herself and said, "Your Excellency is right, I will remember it."
Cui Lan had already helped her up. Madam Chen smiled and looked at her husband, "Your Excellency must be tired from your journey. Let me arrange for you to wash up before you have your meal."
The Marquis nodded. "Where is Mother?"
“My mother went to the temple to worship Buddha, but she will be back today,” Chen said with a smile.
Shen Zhiyi sipped her tea, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Once the old lady returns to the mansion, the entire Marquis's household will be gathered. It seems there's something important happening at the Marquis's mansion today.
**
Shen Zhiyi was too lazy to put on a show with them or engage in hypocritical pleasantries. She made an excuse that she was feeling unwell and went back to her room to rest. It wasn't until before dinner, when she heard that the old lady had returned to the mansion, that she finally left the courtyard.
As soon as I entered the hall, I heard cheerful laughter coming from inside.
After she entered, her hands, which were tucked into her sleeves, suddenly tightened.
This is because, apart from the Song family members and their maids and servants, inside the hall...
There are also two children!
One man and one woman.
The boy was older, about two years old, and was sitting on the old lady's lap, letting her feed him.
Meanwhile, Chen was holding a baby in her arms, while Song Ruoying and Song Yuxiu were playing with her.
Everyone had smiles on their faces, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
The arrival of Shen Zhiyi seemed to shatter this beautiful atmosphere. Everyone immediately stopped smiling. She bowed to her elders without making a sound, a smile on her lips, but her eyes were icy cold.
Because she recognized the child.
In her past life, when she was being tortured, Lin Yaoyao brought her two children to see her suffering.
The boy even hit her in the face with a slingshot.
Lin Yaoyao laughed and praised him for his excellent shooting and accurate aim.
Step on her face
He even spat at her!
It's simply...
Born a bad seed!
Now that Lin Yaoyao is dead, they naturally want to take the child back to their home.
“Grandmother, who are these two children…” Shen Zhiyi feigned confusion.
"I met them when I was worshipping Buddha on the mountain. They were orphans and were taken in by the temple. I felt sorry for them and we clicked, so I took them home." The old lady held the little boy and smiled from ear to ear.
"Zhiyi, come and take a look. Doesn't this child look somewhat like Yuxiu?"
"I liked it the moment I saw it."
Chen Zhiyi clenched his fingers tightly:
That old vile woman!
Don't think I don't know what you're up to!
Shen Zhiyi took two steps forward to examine the child, then glanced at Song Yuxiu. "They really do look somewhat alike. If you didn't know better, you'd think this child was Yuxiu's biological son."
She walked up to Song Yuxiu and asked, "Husband, these two children weren't born out of wedlock, were they?"
These words sent a chill down the spines of everyone in the Song family.
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