Chapter 15 A surge of anger suddenly entered his throat.
"So, how long are you going to keep acting?" Xiao Shenjing lowered his eyebrows and his face showed a clear chill.
"It's clearly you, young master."
Mistaken identity.
Before Zi Shu could utter those three words, she was interrupted.
“I have already ordered a reinvestigation of the kidnapping case from back then.” Xiao Shenjing stood up. “Including sending your portrait back to your registered residence. Guess how many days it will only take me to confirm your identity?”
"Please feel free to investigate, young master." Zi Shu said calmly, without a trace of fear.
"Is that so?" Staring at her, Xiao Shenjing walked towards her step by step.
Like a wild beast lurking in the jungle.
With a calm and elegant gait, it would pounce on its prey and bite through its throat the moment it showed the slightest weakness.
Zi Shu felt her scalp tingle from his gaze, and she was at a loss, wringing her handkerchief.
In just a few breaths, Xiao Shenjing had already walked up to her.
His towering figure enveloped her like an unshakeable mountain.
Zi Shu took a step back in fear. "Young Master, let's talk this out."
"Guess what I'll do to you if I find out you lied to me?"
Xiao Shenjing didn't want to listen to what she was saying at all. His thick eyelashes drooped slightly as he stared down at her. "I will not let go of anyone who helped you back then. I believe that kid named Congtou must also be your accomplice."
"How should I punish him?"
Zi Shu was frightened by his tone. She pursed her lips and forced herself to remain calm as she asked, "Young master, is it true that once you verify that my identity is indeed true, you can clear my husband's name?"
Xiao Shenjing felt a surge of anger suddenly rise in his throat.
Even now, she is still trying to cover it up and make excuses.
Did she really think he wouldn't dare punish her?
Seeing that the man in front of her didn't speak, Zi Shu assumed that he had agreed.
Her almond-shaped eyes lit up, and she quickly assured him, "Then, young master, could you please release my husband first?" She anxiously assured him, "I guarantee my husband won't run away anywhere."
A familiar face, yet all she could think about was protecting another man.
It was truly disgusting to hear.
"Shut up." Xiao Shenjing suddenly interrupted her.
Zi Shu's pupils trembled. "Young Master"
Xiao Shenjing stared at her timid appearance, then suddenly chuckled without a hint of a smile, "Yunxi, since you want to play, then I'll play with you."
This person's expression is so unpredictable and frightening.
Zi Shu pursed her lips, her expression growing increasingly fearful.
Xiao Shenjing pretended not to see her expression, stood up, smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes, and said, "Come out for a walk with me."
Zi Shu was extremely anxious and had no mind for "my husband".
"I said," Xiao Shenjing abruptly interrupted her, "come with me for a walk!"
His tone was firm and unwavering, as if saying even one more word would be the death of her.
Zi Shu gripped the door frame, not daring to speak again.
By the end of May, the sun was already quite strong.
There were far fewer people on the streets.
A maid brought over two umbrellas, and Xiao Shenjing chose one of them, a sky-blue oiled paper umbrella.
Take the lead.
Xiao Shenjing was tall, so his legs were naturally long as well.
In just a few steps, he left Zi Shu behind. A few moments later, he slowed his pace, holding up his umbrella.
Until the two walked side by side.
The crowd was bustling, and for a moment neither of them spoke.
Zi Shu wanted to speak several times, but seeing Xiao Shenjing's cold and sharp profile, she could only swallow her words silently.
Little did she know that her hesitant and timid demeanor only made Xiao Shenjing more and more annoyed.
But he endured for many years, not allowing anything to slip out of his control, and even less allowing anyone to sway his emotions.
So he composed himself, held up his umbrella, and continued walking.
The two walked on the main street of Yangzhou.
The sounds of the rattle drum carried by the vendor and the cries of the flower girl mingled together.
"Jasmine, magnolia, gardenia!" "Mirror grinding and wok mending!"
An old woman selling refreshing soup tapped her ice cup and called out, "Licorice Ice Water!" A few unmelted ice crystals floated to the surface as the copper ladle scraped against the bottom of the wooden bucket.
A fisherman carrying a fish basket suddenly appeared from the side, and Xiao Shenjing stepped aside to let him pass.
The fisherman walked past the two men.
Once he had stopped, he looked at Zi Shu across from him.
She wore a light blue cross-collar ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) after the rain, her head bowed, and the faint blue veins of her exposed neck made her appear exceptionally graceful.
It's completely unrecognizable from its former appearance.
Staring at her coiled dragon hair bun, a symbol of womanhood, and the double-pronged silver ruyi hairpin, a symbol of marital harmony.
Xiao Shenjing's gaze deepened.
The stare made Zi Shu uneasy, and her steps slowed down.
Xiao Shenjing frowned and said, "Take me to the clothing store."
Zi Shu dared not utter a word more, nodded, and took a few steps ahead to lead the way.
She clearly didn't want to walk alongside Xiao Shenjing, but he quickly stepped to her side while holding an umbrella.
They gave her absolutely no chance to escape.
A strong will not tolerate any disobedience.
Even though the maid behind him had extra oil-paper umbrellas, he insisted on sharing one with Zishu.
They had to make sure both of their shoulders were exposed.
I have no idea what he's thinking.
Despite having a carriage following him, he insisted on walking in the sweltering heat.
Zi Shu dared not speak out against this, and could only try to move to one side, for fear of getting entangled with him in any way.
The bamboo blinds of the clothing shop were wilting from the summer heat. As soon as Dao Er, the guide, lifted a corner of the blind, a clear, melodious voice like the clappers could be heard from inside: "Newly arrived brocade with gold patterns everywhere! Madam, feel this cloud and phoenix pattern!"
This is the largest clothing store in Yangzhou, so naturally the air is filled with the tinkling of jewelry and the aroma of perfume, creating a lively atmosphere.
The shopkeeper, with his sharp eyes, noticed Xiao Shenjing and his group and his eyes lit up.
The leading man wore a cloud-patterned robe woven from celestial silkworm silk. The light, misty moon-white background was adorned with silver-threaded scroll patterns, which upon closer inspection revealed to be dragons with fewer claws. Ice silkworm silk was lined at the seams under his armpits, gleaming with a cold, glassy sheen in the sunlight.
Adorned with a hidden clasp made of celadon jade, the slightly open collar reveals the inner lining.
A hollowed-out jade pendant hangs from her waist, inlaid with borneol and borneol pills, and a lotus petal-shaped jade pendant that generates coolness with each step.
Every detail is meticulously crafted, exuding an air of wealth and nobility.
The innkeeper quickly had a waiter take over and strode towards Xiao Shenjing. "Gentlemen, what would you like to see?"
Xiao Shenjing sat down in a chair at the invitation of the clothing shop owner.
“Take out your latest styles and let her try them on,” he paused, then added, “in bright colors.”
“No need, young master.” Zi Shu frowned, shook her head, and said softly with a look of resistance, “I have one.”
Xiao Shenjing seemed not to have heard what she said at all, and glanced at the shopkeeper, "What are you standing there for? Give it to me."
"Look, young lady, this is a defective piece from the Suzhou Weaving Bureau, a style that was popular in the palace." The shopkeeper held up a white, dark-patterned gauze dress with a front opening. When the sunlight shone through, the dark pattern of a hundred children playing in spring was revealed. "Look at the stitching at the seams..."
The shopkeeper brought out several items, but Xiao Shenjing was not satisfied with any of them.
Until she took out a scarlet, open-front tulle dress
The crimson hue was as brilliant as the sunset, and also resembled a newly blooming peony, beautiful yet elegant.
The sheer fabric, light as mist, dances gently in the wind.
Xiao Shenjing narrowed his eyes and said to Zi Shu without further ado, "Change into this."
“This color,” Zi Shu said with a troubled expression, “is a bit too bright.”
Xiao Shenjing glanced at her with a half-smile and said, "Isn't this your favorite color from before?"
Zi Shu wanted to say something, but in the end, she silently shut her mouth.
Fortunately, the garment fit perfectly and didn't even need to be cut.
When she came out, Xiao Shenjing's expression paused almost imperceptibly.
It's as if we're searching for or confirming something across a vast distance in time and space.
Until his gaze lingered on Zi Shu's womanly hair bun.
He beckoned me over.
Zi Shu moved gracefully and slowly walked up to Xiao Shenjing.
When they were still a foot away, they refused to go any further.
Xiao Shenjing found her defensiveness quite amusing.
A hint of disdain flickered in his eyes. "How come I've never seen your acting so good before?"
Zi Shu didn't dare to say anything more, and lowered her head, looking like she was ready to be ordered around.
Xiao Shenjing decided to play along with her for a few days, and then settle accounts with her one by one when she ran out of tricks.
Like a cat catching a mouse, they take pleasure in watching the mouse's dying struggle.
So at this moment, he didn't mind her pretense.
When the shopkeeper brought the combs, he waved his hand and said, "All of you, get out of here."
The shopkeeper probably hadn't expected to hear such an absurd instruction and was about to offer a reminder.
As a result, Dao Yi had already thrown away a large ingot of silver.
That weighs at least ten taels.
Without saying a word, the shopkeeper quickly led his people out of the shop.
Seeing them leave, Zi Shu naturally wanted to leave as well, but as soon as she took a step, her wrist was grabbed by Xiao Shenjing.
She was startled, took two steps back, and said with a look of fear, "Young master, please have some self-respect."
"I never thought I'd hear those words from you again." After saying that, Xiao Shenjing grabbed Zi Shu's shoulders and pressed her into the chair.
Zi Shu didn't know what he wanted to do, and pleaded, "Young master, I am really not the person you are looking for. Please, please let me go."
Seeing her hunched over, her almond-shaped eyes filled with fear.
"Don't move." Xiao Shenjing frowned, as if his interest had been interrupted, his voice tinged with coldness.
Zi Shu could only clench her hands, her whole body tense as she pursed her lips.
They dared not say or do anything.
Xiao Shenjing frowned and removed the ugly double-pronged silver ruyi hairpin from Zi Shu's head.
Her long black hair immediately fell down.
Xiao Shenjing had no experience in tying other people's hair, and his combing was too rough, causing Zishu to cry out in pain quite often.
After combing for a long time, he finally tied her long black hair on top of her head with a jade clasp.
He dropped the comb and stepped back to examine it closely.
This used to be Yunxi's favorite outfit.
Zi Shu felt extremely uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
She lowered her eyes and refused to look at him.
It seems to have an innate fear.
The two left the clothing store and walked around the street for a while.
Walking around in this kind of weather for a long time is naturally tiring. Seeing that Zi Shu's forehead was covered in fine sweat, Xiao Shenjing waved his hand and said, "Let's go, I'll take you back."
“No need, young master.” Zi Shu quickly refused. “I am very familiar with Yangzhou City. I can go back by myself.”
Xiao Shenjing, however, seemed not to have heard at all, and continued walking forward with his oil-paper umbrella.
After walking a few steps, he noticed that Zi Shu was still in the same spot. He asked in a detached tone, "What are you standing there for? Come along."
Zi Shu had no choice but to keep up and follow.
Xiao Shenjing didn't know what was wrong with him, but he just wouldn't ride in a carriage.
Seeing him walk towards Shuanggui Lane, Zishu finally couldn't help but say, "Young master, this is not the way home for me."
Xiao Shenjing tilted his head and glanced at her indifferently. "What, do you still want to go back to the Xu residence?"
Zi Shu nodded, and said softly but firmly, "That is my home."
"Yunxi, don't push your luck." Xiao Shenjing's voice turned cold instantly.
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