Chapter 31: Everything at a Glance
She paused for a moment, then asked, "What are the Duke of Zhenguo's thoughts?"
Chu Xiao looked at her and said in a low voice, "Your thoughts coincide with those of Youyou."
Shen You said, "It would be better to leave this case to the Jingzhao Prefecture for investigation."
After speaking, she raised her eyes and glanced around.
Yansheng Hall has been cleaned and is tidy. The flowers and trees in the courtyard are in full bloom.
After bowing, the two servants sent by Shen Yao were lighting lamps around with tinderboxes.
As the last rays of sunlight sank into the west, the courtyard was brightly lit with candles.
The light was lush and bright. Shen You looked at the person in front of her and suddenly felt a little dazed.
She actually spoke calmly and peacefully with Chu Xiao at this time and in this place.
While she was still in a daze, she heard Chu Xiao say, "Does Youyou want to go to the side hall?"
Shen You didn't answer, but Chu Xiao saw through her thoughts clearly.
The man sighed softly, placed his palm on his knee, and said, "Youyou, go if you want to. My injury is nothing to worry about."
"You don't need to take it to heart."
The deliberately lowered voice drifted in with the summer night breeze, and Shen You inexplicably sensed a hint of pity in it.
She clutched the medicine packet in her hand, unsure whether to go or not.
Chu Xiao added, "Youyou, don't feel guilty. The theft can't be delayed. Go quickly."
He pronounced each word, and the two characters "攸攸" were extremely natural and fluent.
Shen Youru frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help but say, "Please, Duke Zhenguo, show some respect and do not address my daughter by her given name."
He sat in his wheelchair, looking up at her. His handsome face, with its strong and sharp features, was silhouetted against the flickering light and shadow of the candlelight in the courtyard.
"Is Youyou afraid that others will find out that we have a close relationship?"
Shen You pursed her lips and didn't reply, just staring at him, her eyes reflecting the bright candlelight in the courtyard.
She could tell that Chu Xiao's words were a trap for her.
Whether she answered "afraid" or "not afraid," it was tantamount to admitting that he said their "relationship was very close."
After the lamps were lit in the courtyard, the servants stepped aside and no one spoke.
A moment of tranquility.
Suddenly, Mu Geng's hurried voice rang out from the moon gate, "My lord, everything is packed, we..."
Before he could finish speaking, he sensed an unusual atmosphere in the courtyard.
Mu Geng swallowed hard.
Shen You, however, felt as if she had been granted a pardon. Clutching the medicine packet in her hand, she turned and went to the small kitchen next to her, saying, "I'll go brew the medicine."
Before the words were even finished, the girl's skirt had already disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
Mu Geng felt he had probably ruined his own plans, and scratched his head sheepishly, "My lord..."
Chu Xiao withdrew his gaze from the beautiful figure and said to the servant standing to the side, "The master is busy. Go and tell your lord that he is tired from running around today and that the banquet will be postponed to another day."
After inquiring with the servants, Shen Yao would probably have to make a trip to the Jingzhao Prefecture.
The servant of the Marquis's mansion quickly bowed and replied "Yes," then turned and left Yansheng Hall.
Chu Xiao looked at Mu Geng and said, "Come in and change the dressing."
——
The night was as still as water, and a gentle breeze swept through, dispelling the heat of the day.
Inside the main room of Yansheng Hall, Mu Geng had finished changing Chu Xiao's dressing and was standing by the table tidying up.
Chu Xiao removed his outer garments, leaving only a pure white inner garment on his body, and bowed his head to fasten the buttons.
The collar was slightly open, revealing glimpses of the muscular, tanned skin and white gauze.
This was the scene that Shen You saw when he came in from outside.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she turned around abruptly, forcing herself to remain calm.
"I...I'll leave the medicine here. Remember to take it later."
After saying that, she put the lacquer tray aside and was about to leave when she heard a low, somber voice behind her.
“Chen You”.
Shen You suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Chu Xiao looked up and his gaze swept slowly toward Mu Geng.
The latter immediately understood and quickly packed up the things. "My lord, I suddenly remembered that there are still some things outside that haven't been packed up. I'll go take a look."
Having said that, he made a hasty escape.
As he passed by Shen You, he even had a moment to smile and say, "Miss Shen, we are entrusting our master to you."
"Why..."
Before Shen You could even speak, Mu Geng had already vanished.
The room suddenly fell silent.
There was a rustling sound of clothes and fabric behind her. Shen You assumed it was Chu Xiao getting dressed, but actually...
The man unbuttoned his clothes, which he had just fastened.
He said, "Youyou is standing so far away, how am I supposed to take my medicine?"
Shen You, with his back to him, did not notice anything amiss, picked up the lacquer tray beside him and turned around.
The next instant, the fingertips supporting the edge of the tray exerted sudden force.
Why aren't you dressed properly?
The man sat on the edge of the bed, his long legs wide open, his undergarment loosely draped over his body, the ties all undone.
The collarbone, the muscle texture, rises and falls with each breath.
You can see it all at a glance.
Shen You couldn't control his gaze; his eyes held obvious admiration.
Even with his injuries, Chu Xiao's physical appearance and body still exuded a vibrant sense of power.
This perfectly matches Shen You's aesthetic.
She stood there, pursing her lips, and realized she had been staring at him for a while. She looked away and said, "Tie your belt first."
However, Chu Xiao did not make a move.
He placed his hands on his knees, his gaze fixed on her, and said, "Changing the dressing aggravated the wound, and now I don't have the strength in my hands to tie it."
After saying that, he added, "I'm sorry."
"If it's possible, could you please help me?"
A very sincere tone.
Shen You paused for a moment, took a deep breath, came to his side, and placed the lacquer tray on a low table to the side.
Without looking to the side, she reached out and grabbed a few ties on his undershirt, tying them into several knots haphazardly.
Even though her hand injury hadn't fully healed and was still wrapped in gauze, and the man was wearing an undershirt, she could still feel his body temperature.
Even when injured, the presence of this strong and robust body remains very strong.
Shen You felt a little awkward, but the smell of medicine that she caught as her nose twitched quickly calmed her down.
Chu Xiaomo looked down at her silently, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
She dared not look at him, yet she tied the knot with exceptional care.
Her updo, styled in a woman's bun, completely exposed her beautiful, fair nape, and he could even see her slightly reddened earlobes.
Startled, Chu Xiao seemed to catch a fleeting thought that had crossed his mind.
He said in a hoarse voice, "His ears are red."
Does being shy mean that you still have feelings for him?
However, this statement was like stepping on a cat's tail.
Shen You took a large step back, staring at him warily, his voice stiff and cold, "Duke Zhenguo, please have some self-respect."
After saying that, she ignored him, turned around, and left the room.
The man was left sitting alone in the room, raising his hand to furrow his brow, secretly regretting his actions.
Next time, I can't be so impatient and scare people away.
Even if you see her face and ears turn red, you can't say anything.
***
After leaving Yansheng Hall, Shen You composed himself and went directly to the front courtyard.
The side hall was brightly lit by candlelight.
Even before you get close, you can hear Shen Yao's angry and deep voice.
Shen You stepped inside and saw several people kneeling on the ground, both men and women.
It's someone who can't explain where they went last night.
When Shen Yao saw Shen You enter, he suppressed his anger and asked, "How is everything at Yansheng Hall?"
Shen You nodded, "Father, rest assured, everything is in order."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yao's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
Shen You stood beside him and whispered, "Father, release them all."
Shen Yao was taken aback and looked up at her.
Shen You continued, "The thief should not be from the manor."
Shen Yao's gaze swept sharply over the people kneeling on the ground, his voice also lowered considerably, "Didn't you just suspect there was an inside traitor? How come you changed your mind so quickly?"
Shen You had no choice but to tell Shen Yao what she had been thinking on the way to Yansheng Hall. As soon as she finished speaking, she was not surprised to see Shen Yao frown and become slightly impatient.
It's as if to say, "You were the one who called us an inside traitor, and now you're the one saying you're going to release him."
Shen You paused for a moment, then calmly brought up Chu Xiao, saying, "The Duke of Zhenguo also thinks that my daughter's thoughts are reasonable."
Shen Yao coughed lightly before reluctantly accepting her explanation.
Chu Xiao is in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, and he handles all major and homicide cases. What he says is unlikely to be wrong.
"Get up, all of you," Shen Yao said, picking up a cup and taking a sip of tea. "The theft in the mansion is a serious matter that must be investigated."
“Those who stayed behind at the Marquis’s residence these past few days will all be punished with a month’s salary.”
The servants and maids who had been kneeling on the ground, upon hearing that they had been cleared of suspicion, hurriedly kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is wise!"
Shen Yao waved his hand impatiently, "Get out, get out."
"yes."
Once everyone had left, Shen Yao stood up and said in a deep voice, "I will personally go to the Jingzhao Prefecture to report this to the authorities!"
How dare they steal from his Chengde Marquis's residence! That little thief will pay a terrible price.
However, just as he was about to take a step, Chen Qiurong quickly grabbed his hand, "My lord, perhaps we should... just forget about this?"
Shen Yao frowned as he looked at her.
“This…” Chen Qiurong thought of another concern, “The two girls’ courtyards were robbed. Although our family accompanied the Emperor to Yuhua Mountain these days, if word gets out, it will ultimately be detrimental to the reputation of the two girls.”
Shen You is one thing, but he's been divorced.
But her Ning'er is not yet engaged.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yao's brows furrowed even more deeply.
Although Chen Qiurong's words were somewhat womanly, they were not entirely without merit.
A young lady's reputation is important; if she is not careful, it could even tarnish the reputation of the Marquis's mansion.
Seeing that he was truly hesitant because of Chen Qiurong's words, Shen You's elegant eyes turned slightly cold.
"Father, have you ever considered that if we don't report this to the authorities, the thief will profit from it and may very well steal more than just jewelry from young women in the future?"
"Father is wise; he should understand the principle that raising a tiger will only bring trouble."
Chen Xiangning, who was standing to the side, stood up and nodded in agreement, "Father, elder sister is right."
Shen Yao's expression turned serious, as if he had also figured out the pros and cons. He called over Steward Liu and, without further hesitation, said, "Let's go to the Jingzhao Prefecture."
"Yes," Butler Liu quickly followed Shen Yao's footsteps.
Seeing Shen Yao's back as he stepped out of the mansion, Shen You turned around and entered the corridor, heading towards Wen Gui Courtyard.
Chen Qiurong was left behind, twisting her handkerchief, her eyes filled with resentment.
The night was deep and quiet, and a summer breeze swept through the corridor, causing the girl's light blue skirt to sway gently.
Only after watching Shen You's figure enter Wen Gui Courtyard did the man hidden in the shadows say, "Let's go."
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