Chapter 96 Just say the word, and I'll make him disappear immediately.
The voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to carry an invisible pressure, causing the surrounding air to freeze.
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of extremely low-key yet imposing carriages parked by the roadside. The leader sat on a jet-black horse, wearing a dark cloak with subtle patterns. The hood slightly covered his eyebrows and eyes, revealing only his beautifully shaped chin and pale lips.
He gently spurred the horse's belly, and the steed slowly moved forward.
As he approached, he raised his hand and lifted his hood, and for a moment, it seemed as if even the sunlight froze.
It was an extremely handsome face, with skin so white it was almost translucent, and features so exquisite they looked like they were painted with meticulous brushwork. His eyebrows and eyes were long and narrow, with slightly upturned corners and pale pupils. When he looked at people, he had an all-knowing indifference and aloofness.
If it weren't for his chilling aura and the uniquely feminine quality of his voice, one might easily mistake him for a stunningly beautiful woman.
This man is none other than Shen Yuejiao's uncle, the Director of the Eastern Depot who strikes fear into the hearts of all officials, and the most trusted eunuch of the current emperor—Shen Guangnian!
"Uncle!"
The carriage curtain was suddenly lifted, and when Shen Yuejiao saw who it was, her previously dim eyes burst with unbelievable joy.
She practically stumbled off the carriage, like a frightened and wronged fledgling, and threw herself straight into Shen Guangnian's open arms, her voice choked with sobs:
"Uncle! What brings you here..."
Shen Guangnian caught her steadily. His hands, which usually held the power to control life and death, were now patting his niece's back very gently, and his voice softened.
"Don't cry, Jiaojiao. Your uncle is here. With your uncle here, let's see who dares to bully our little darling."
He tilted his head slightly, his elegant jawline brushing against the top of Shen Yuejiao's hair, and explained:
"I was busy with things in the uterus the other day and couldn't get away. I was planning to come see you in a couple of days when I had some free time, but after I finished today, I heard that you were going home, so I rushed out of the city as fast as I could."
Immediately afterwards, his gaze lightly fell on Lu Xinghe, his eyes not looking at a living person.
It's more like examining an eyesore that's about to be dealt with.
Under his gaze, Lu Xinghe felt a chill run up his spine and instantly spread throughout his body.
Even breathing has become difficult.
"Is it you who made Jiaojiao suffer?"
His voice was not loud, and could even be described as gentle, yet it inexplicably sent chills down one's spine, as if one were being entangled by a venomous snake.
“Jiaojiao, as long as you say the word, your uncle can make him disappear immediately.”
These words, spoken casually, sent a chill down the spines of everyone present, including Su Xiaoyu.
Lu Xinghe's face turned ashen, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
However, to everyone's surprise, Shen Yuejiao did not take the opportunity to ask her uncle to make a decision for her.
She shook her head vigorously, her voice trembling with tears, yet unusually firm.
"Uncle, it has nothing to do with him... it's a misunderstanding."
"It was my fault, it's not Xinghe's fault, please don't... make things difficult for him."
Upon hearing this, Shen Guangnian narrowed his long, phoenix-shaped eyes and scrutinized his niece, seemingly trying to find even the slightest hint of reluctance or fear on her face.
But Shen Yuejiao's face showed only clarity and calmness.
He remained silent for a moment, and when his gaze turned to Lu Xinghe again, his killing intent subsided slightly.
"The only son of the Lu family in Qinghe County, a newly promoted cavalry guard, is on temporary assignment at the camp in the suburbs of the capital. His father, Lu Qiwen, is a scholar who is pedantic and incompetent. His mother, Zhao Yuelian, comes from a merchant family and is shrewd and calculating. The family is poor and of humble origin."
He casually dissected Lu Xinghe's background as if reading from a file.
Every word felt like a trampling on the dignity of Lu Xinghe and his family.
"With you, and that insignificant family background you have..."
Shen Guangnian's lips curled into a very faint smile: "Does she deserve to let our Jiaojiao suffer even the slightest grievance? Does she deserve for her to plead for you?"
Lu Xinghe was terribly shaken, as if he had been stripped naked and thrown to the ground.
He opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't say a word.
Shen Guangnian leaned forward slightly and said slowly and deliberately:
"Lu Xinghe, for Jiaojiao's sake, we'll spare your life today. Remember, from today onwards, stay away from Jiaojiao. If we find out again that you or anyone in the Lu family dares to appear before her and displease her..."
“The Eastern Depot’s torture chambers are just missing a few tough nuts to crack, so let’s go and hone our torture instruments.”
Lu Xinghe clenched his teeth, his nails digging deep into his palms, using all his strength to suppress the humiliation and anger that threatened to burst from his chest.
He had long heard of Shen Guangnian, but he was nothing more than a lackey of His Majesty, skilled in manipulating power, persecuting loyal officials, and using cruel methods.
They are the kind of people who despise the most, the iron-willed men who have earned their place in the military through their own abilities!
His reputation in the court was utterly infamous.
Unexpectedly, he turned out to be a member of the Shen family.
Humiliation overwhelmed Lu Xinghe like a tidal wave, but in the end, he could only lower his head and say in a hoarse voice:
"This humble general... dares not!"
Shen Guangnian nodded slightly: "Get lost!"
Lu Xinghe tensed up, bowed respectfully, and then turned to leave.
His steps were deep and heavy, and his back seemed to convey resentment and anger.
Shen Guangnian had seen too many tough nuts to crack, and he didn't even bother to glance at them, shifting his gaze to Su Xiaoyu beside him.
"This must be Miss Little Fish, right?"
Su Xiaoyu jolted awake, finally snapping out of her shock.
[Holy crap! So this is Yuejiao's 'powerful' uncle? That aura, that presence, and the way he decides life and death with a flick of his wrist… he's like the ultimate villain straight out of a political drama! I'm terrified!]
She was frantically scrolling through her mind, but on the surface she didn't dare to be negligent and quickly and properly bowed.
"This humble woman, Su Xiaoyu, greets Lord Shen."
"No need for such formalities."
Shen Guangnian raised his hand and looked her over with a scrutinizing gaze, his tone more gentle than before.
"I've heard Jiao Jiao mention you in her letters before. She said you're clever and intelligent and have taken good care of her. We haven't thanked you yet."
Su Xiaoyu waved her hands repeatedly, "You flatter me, sir. Sister Yuejiao treats me very well. We... take care of each other."
So this is what the aura of someone in a position of power is like? I feel like I'm almost speechless.
I'm so nervous!
"I heard that the young lady wants to go hunting in the autumn?" Shen Guangnian asked again.
Hearing him bring it up, Su Xiaoyu's eyes lit up, and she became a little bolder.
"Yes, sir. If I may be so bold as to ask, is there any way you could take me to the hunting grounds to broaden my horizons?"
Shen Guangnian raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, a playful glint in his eyes, and softly said, "Oh?"
"That's no fun place. Swords have no eyes, and wild beasts are ferocious. What are you going there for, a little girl who can't even kill a chicken? Aren't you afraid of being carried off by wild animals and leaving no trace of your body?"
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