Shen Youying was unaware that Xue Shen's subordinates were secretly observing her.
These women were either driven to prostitution by desperation or sold into brothels by their families. Xue Shen ordered people to select those with good qualities from among them and train them, placing them in the Red Chamber to gather information from all sides for himself.
They had served Xue Shen for many years and feared him more than they respected him, simply because every time they came to the Red Mansion, apart from the charade on the surface, Xue Shen always had a sinister look that kept strangers at bay.
He was never stingy with his subordinates, and those who served him faithfully were always richly rewarded; but if anyone dared to betray him or harbor disloyal thoughts, he would never show any mercy or compassion.
These women had been in the Red Mansion for many years and had witnessed him dealing with traitors more than once.
Therefore, no one dared to disobey Xue Shen's orders.
Last night, when Xue Shen brought a woman, they were warned after only glancing at her a few times out of curiosity. In the end, Xue Shen only chose the young and honest Hong Que to serve him. They dared not approach any further, but were too curious to do so, so they could only hide in the shadows and peek from afar.
Shen Youying was unaware of this. She accepted the hand warmer from Hongque, thanked her softly, and slowly went downstairs.
As Shen Youying descended the vast pavilion, she saw no one else.
She asked curiously, "Why is there no one here?"
Hongque replied, "His Highness specifically instructed that no one else is allowed to disturb the Princess."
Shen Youying recalled Xue Shen's slightly furrowed brows as he gave instructions, and a slight smile curved her lips as she walked along the gravel path to the lakeside.
A thin layer of ice had formed on the lake's surface, beneath which plump koi carp swam together. Shen Youying fed the fish for a while, then wandered around to satisfy her curiosity before deciding to go upstairs to wait for Xue Shen.
As she crossed the arched bridge connecting the front and back yards, she glanced at the front yard filled with the sounds of string and wind instruments, but ultimately did not step across.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he saw Xue Shen being pushed over by a guard.
"Are you cold?" Xue Shen asked, squeezing her hand.
Shen Youying held the hand warmer in her hands and shook her head upon hearing this: "There is a hand warmer."
Xue Shen chuckled, dismissed Hong Que, and took her hand, saying, "Have you looked around?"
Shen Youying nodded, then asked with some confusion, "Why did you bring me here?"
Xue Shen glanced at her meaningfully and said in a teasing tone, "Bring Zhaozhao here first, otherwise if she hears that I spend a fortune at the Red Mansion, she'll probably cry again."
Shen Youying blushed at his teasing, but she couldn't really refute it. At the same time, a sweet feeling welled up inside her, making her turn to look at Xue Shen in disbelief: "You mean..."
Xue Shen pulled her to a stop by the lake, raised his hand and pinched her cheek. He didn't answer her immediately, but said, "Zhao Zhao, is there still a lot you haven't told me?"
He only realized this when Shen Youying suddenly knocked on the door yesterday.
He ruined his reputation by engaging in philandering outside, while accepting any beautiful woman who came to him in his private quarters.
He never cared, nor did he even glance at those people.
But Shen Youying didn't know that.
Yesterday, when he saw Shen Youying nestled in his arms, tears streaming down her face, he realized that he knew it was all fake and didn't care, but Shen Youying didn't know that.
Did she feel upset or dissatisfied at that time?
But Shen Youying never said anything to him.
Therefore, Xue Shen brought her to the Red Mansion after careful consideration.
There were some plans he couldn't tell her yet, but he didn't want Zhaozhao to develop any resentment about their marriage.
Shen Youying lowered her eyes, staring at the koi carp under the ice, her expression somewhat hesitant.
But Xue Shen's hand was warm and strong, and his gaze was focused solely on her, giving her the illusion that Xue Shen would grant her whatever she said.
Her fingers clenched involuntarily, and tension and anxiety were conveyed through her clasped hands.
Xue Shen patiently guided her: "There are many things that I will not know if you do not tell me, and many misunderstandings will arise from this."
“Zhao Zhao, as I said before, I never thought about getting married before you. My parents have passed away, and from now on, you are my wife and my only family.”
Shen Youying's heartstrings were touched by him, and she finally looked up at him. She bit the inside of her lip hard, and after a long while, she said in a hoarse voice, "When I was engaged to Lu Minghe, I thought that we would be together for life. When he came to propose to me, he also promised that he would never take a concubine."
She lowered her eyes again, her voice growing softer and softer: "But after I married into the royal family, I never thought about it again, and... I didn't dare to think about it."
They both understood why they dared not think about it.
Xue Shen was infamous, yet he possessed countless beauties. Shen Youying often felt like a monk ringing a bell, doing his job day by day, always deceiving herself by not thinking about things too far in the future.
Whenever she indulged in his tenderness, those people and things she didn't want to remember would surface uncontrollably, like a thorn stuck in her heart, reminding her not to get too deeply involved, unable to extricate herself, and ultimately end up in a miserable state.
She is the daughter of the Shen family. Even if things end in the future, she should leave with her head held high, instead of becoming a pitiful woman scheming and plotting in the backyard just to gain a little bit of favor.
Xue Shen raised his hand to stroke the corner of her eye and said, "Then starting today, Zhao Zhao can think about it."
He squeezed her hand and said slowly, "Those women outside are all just for show; the ones in the backyard are either sent or planted by various factions, or arranged by myself. They are all just to cover up the truth. I have never touched them."
"My father and mother met when they were young and have supported each other through thick and thin for decades. When I was young, I took my parents as role models and wanted to marry a woman who loved me in return. She didn't have to be too virtuous or sensible; as long as we liked each other and could grow old together, that would be enough."
Xue Shen held her hand and pulled her closer: "What Lu Minghe can do, I can do; what Lu Minghe can't do, I can also do. Zhaozhao, are you willing to grow old with me?"
Shen Youying was stunned by these words. She looked at him with teary eyes, not quite believing him: "Those concubines were there before I married into the family. It's normal that you favored them before. You don't need to lie to me..."
Upon hearing this, Xue Shen sighed, thinking that ruining his reputation to this extent wasn't entirely without its downsides.
For example, he told the truth now, but Zhaozhao doesn't believe him.
He pulled her into his arms with force, and Shen Youying let out a soft cry and fell onto his lap. She tried to get up, but Xue Shen held her waist and whispered in her ear, "The day we consummate our marriage will not only be your first time, but also my first time."
Shen Youying's eyes widened, revealing a shocked expression.
After a long pause, he stammered, "It looks... no, not quite like it."
When she got married, her stepmother, Fang, gave her a fire-avoidance guide and briefly explained some matters between men and women. Who stays in bed for three days on their first time?
Moreover, Xue Shen had so many unheard-of methods to torment her...
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