Chapter 89: Give me face, did I give you face? …
It was late at night, and the moonlight shone through the gauze curtains, filling the room with bright light.
Shen Xingwan sat quietly at the desk, the letter in her hand was thin and slightly cold.
The candlelight flickered, and her eyes were fixed on every word in the letter, not moving away for a long time.
The letter was written by Shen Yunchao himself, with vigorous handwriting.
In the letter, he briefly stated that he had discovered the secret agents lurking in the army, and they were all connected to the same boss, Chen Shilian, who was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War in Beijing.
This person is the key figure who exchanges information with General Zhang through secret lines.
His identity is special and his influence is far-reaching. If he is not dealt with early, he will become a serious problem.
Shen Xingwan pondered for a long time, his fingertips stroking the letter paper, his thoughts rising and falling.
Suddenly, steady footsteps were heard from outside the door.
She raised her eyes slightly and saw Yan Jinghuan walking into the room.
He had taken off his golden python robe and changed into a loose black casual suit with a brocade belt casually tied around his waist, which made him look less solemn and more casual.
Perhaps it was due to the darkness of the night, his tough brows softened a lot under the candlelight, with a rare sense of laziness.
As soon as he entered the room, he saw Shen Xingwan with a serious expression. His eyes fell on the letter in her hand and he asked casually, "What are you reading?"
Before he finished speaking, Xing Zhou tactfully retreated silently, closing the door with light steps without any sound.
Shen Xingwan raised her eyes and saw Yan Jinghuan casually sitting on the couch opposite her, stroking his forehead with one hand, with a slightly tired look at the corners of his eyes. It seemed that he was just asking casually, but his usual sharpness was revealed.
She put the letter away, her tone calm.
"My brother sent back a message saying that he has found out where those secret agents in the army came from."
Upon hearing this, Yan Jinghuan's eyes darkened slightly. He looked at her quietly, motioning her to continue.
"Those secret connections were all made by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War in the capital and General Zhang."
Shen Xingwan spoke slowly, in an unhurried tone, "This person... is very important."
Yan Jinghuan raised his eyebrows, "Do you want to remove him?"
Shen Xingwan nodded.
He smiled, his eyes narrowed slightly, and after a moment, he asked calmly: "I will get rid of him for you?"
His tone was calm, as if he was talking about a trivial matter.
However, Shen Xingwan knew that if she nodded even slightly, this person might not even be able to see the sunrise tomorrow morning.
She paused slightly, then shook her head gently.
"You've helped me so much... I can't always stay under your wings."
"This time, I want to do it myself."
Yan Jinghuan was slightly startled when he heard this, and then a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
He looked at her deeply, and there was no disappointment in his eyes, but instead a hint of indulgent appreciation.
He knew her intelligence and determination, and he had seen her growth.
He has always witnessed her transformation from being at a loss at first to being able to face the storms head-on.
He didn't persuade her again, but just said calmly: "Okay."
It was late at night, and the cold dew was condensing outside the window, making it increasingly colder.
Yan Jinghuan casually took off his outer robe, picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip of warm tea, and saw that she was still sitting at the table without moving. He smiled and looked at her sideways: "Are you still not resting?"
Shen Xingwan came back to her senses and looked at his casual and relaxed appearance, a smile appeared in her eyes.
She stood up and walked slowly to his side, whispering to him, "Go take a bath."
His eyes dimmed slightly, and he reached out to hold her wrist, exerting a little force and bringing her into his arms, "Together?"
Shen Xingwan struggled slightly and said lightly, "Stop messing around."
He chuckled, loosened his hand, and looked at her lazily and dotingly, "Then I'll wait for you."
It was a quiet night, with warm water and flickering lights.
The chillness of the night gradually fades away, leaving only lingering warmth.
Yan Jinghuan always had a regular schedule and would get up at dawn.
He moved slowly and gently, so as not to disturb Shen Xingwan who was still sleeping beside him.
The morning mist outside the window was slightly cool. He casually put on a black gown and tied a jade belt around his waist. He returned from the casual and lazy attitude of last night to the cold and solemn posture of a regent.
Shen Xingwan was not disturbed by his getting up. It was not until he went out that she realized his departure in a half-asleep state.
The door closed gently, leaving the room filled with warm morning light.
She slowly opened her eyes, her eyes still a little hazy from waking up in the morning, and it took her a while to fully wake up.
She turned over and sat up, put on her coat, rubbed her eyebrows with her fingertips, and recalled the contents of last night's letter in her mind.
The name Chen Shilian, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, has become a thorn in her heart.
She called Feiyun over, "Go and check the whereabouts of Chen Shilian, the Minister of War."
Feiyun received the order and retreated in a hurry.
Before noon, Feiyun returned quickly, with a proud look on his face.
"Miss, I have found out that Minister Chen is actually a drama fanatic."
"A theater geek?"
Shen Xingwan raised her eyebrows slightly, motioning for her to continue.
Feiyun smiled and said, "Yes, I heard that he would go to Lixiang Garden in the east of the city to listen to opera every day after leaving court, almost rain or shine."
"Today is a rare day. Lixiang Garden has specially spent a lot of money to invite famous actors from Suzhou to perform on tour. It is said that Minister Chen has already reserved a seat and will definitely go to show his support today."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xingwan tapped the table with his fingertips, his eyes fixed slightly, and he said slowly: "The repertoire of Lixiang Garden does not change every day. He listens to opera every day, which does not seem to be a simple pastime. Instead, it seems like he is taking the opportunity to meet certain people."
"Miss, what you mean is..."
Feiyun's expression changed slightly, and then he said thoughtfully, "Isn't this Lixiang Garden a simple place?"
"Whether it's true or not, since Chen Shilian is going today, it's an opportunity."
Shen Xingwan's eyes flickered, "He definitely wouldn't just go there to listen to the opera, maybe he's taking this opportunity to exchange information with someone."
"In that case, let's go find out."
Feiyun nodded immediately: "Miss, you are absolutely right! I will go to Lixiang Garden to reserve a seat."
Shen Xingwan nodded slightly and watched her leave quickly.
Lixiang Garden is particularly lively today. Red lanterns are hung high in front of the gate. When the breeze blows, the lanterns sway gently, and the crimson light and shadows flicker.
Shen Xingwan was dressed in a plain and elegant brocade dress with a light purple shawl on the outside. Her beautiful eyes and eyebrows showed a cool and calm look, which was out of place in the noisy Lixiang Garden.
Feiyun accompanied her by her side, protecting her as she walked slowly up to the second floor, her noble temperament revealed in every gesture.
The private room had already been prepared, with the curtains in front of the window gently hanging down, allowing one to hide inside and spy on what was happening downstairs without being easily noticed.
She lightly took her seat and looked up at the stage, her eyes as calm as water.
In the very center of the first floor, there was a sturdy man sitting with his horse and sword in his arms. He was wearing a bright brocade robe and a jade belt around his waist, but his casual sitting posture made him look very rude and unruly.
He supported the table with one hand and held up the wine glass with the other, drinking and chatting with his seatmates. From time to time, he laughed loudly, and the sound attracted the attention of the guests around him.
"Why hasn't the show started yet?"
He slapped the table impatiently and shouted with displeasure, "Could it be that the famous actor from Suzhou has only a reputation in vain and doesn't dare to show his timidity on stage?"
The owner of Lixiangyuan had already sweat on his forehead. He bowed and smiled again and again, "Don't worry, sir. The famous actor is preparing backstage and will start singing later."
"Don't worry, today's show will not disappoint you."
The man snorted, shook his sleeves, and continued to drink.
Drums suddenly sounded, the curtain on the stage slowly opened, and "Farewell My Concubine" officially began.
With the sound of drums and strings and bamboo instruments, the musicians in the troupe each performed their duties and played a tragic and beautiful melody.
The famous actress on the stage has a slender figure and delicate makeup, and the aqua red costume makes her skin look even whiter.
She paced gently, her brows full of sorrow, she raised her slender fingers lightly, her red sleeves fluttered, and every move she made revealed the unparalleled elegance of Yu Ji.
The singing was melodious and lingering, with a lingering sense of sadness, which made the audience intoxicated and they applauded from time to time.
Shen Xingwan picked up the teacup and took a sip. His eyes darkened slightly and his peripheral vision glanced at Minister Chen who was in the crowd downstairs.
Sure enough, the Minister of War, Chen Shilian, was staring at the stage infatuatedly. The impatience on his face had long disappeared, replaced by a look of amazement.
He slowly clenched his hands and looked at the graceful figure on the stage, and it seemed that even his breathing slowed down.
At the end of the song, Yu Ji slowly lowered her head, danced with the sword in her hand, and finally fell into the arms of the King of Chu with a sigh.
The audience was silent for a moment, then burst into warm applause.
The little boy from the troupe came forward and helped the famous actress up. She stood up gracefully, smiled slightly, and was about to leave the stage.
"Wait a minute!"
Minister Chen stood up suddenly, walked a few steps to the front of the stage, stared at the actor greedily, then took out a handful of silver bills from his pocket and threw them directly at the actor on the stage.
Silver bills fluttered and fell on the stage like snowflakes, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
Immediately, a child from the troupe came forward, picked up the banknotes obediently, and piled them on a wooden tray in the corner.
The famous actor slightly turned sideways, bowed gracefully, and said in a soft and charming voice: "Thank you for the reward, sir."
Minister Chen stared at her, a bit of infatuation on his face, not hiding his desire at all, and said with a smile: "Such a beauty, singing a good show, if we just watch from afar, wouldn't it be a pity?"
As he spoke, he took another step forward, his tone somewhat coercive: "I am in a good mood today, and I would like to invite the beauty to come down and have a drink with me."
Seeing this, the people in the audience all smiled ambiguously and talked in low voices.
Shen Xingwan looked at him coldly, tapping lightly on the table with her fingertips.
This Minister Chen was indeed a playboy and lecherous man just as the rumors said.
The famous actor smiled slightly, put his slender hands together with his sleeves, and said in a graceful and appropriate manner, "Master Chen, I appreciate your kindness."
"But my voice is my livelihood. If I get drunk and my voice gets damaged, I'm afraid I won't be able to perform on stage again."
Her voice was soft and graceful, like spring water flowing over a boat. It didn't make people feel neglectful, but also made people hear the refusal.
But this refusal sounded like a slap in the face to Minister Chen, and the smile on his face instantly froze.
The originally lively atmosphere in the theater suddenly became a little stagnant.
When everyone saw this sudden change, some shook their heads secretly, while others held their breath and watched.
Minister Chen narrowed his eyes and looked gloomily at the woman on the stage, his expression changing from initial surprise to anger.
"Huh, what a big frame."
He sneered and slammed the table, causing the wine cup to fall over. The wine flowed down the edge of the table and dripped onto the ground, creating a few tiny splashes of water.
The whole audience suddenly fell silent.
His eyes were sharp as he stared at the actor, and he said aggressively, "I gave you some silver and invited you to have a drink, but you are so ungrateful?"
The guests around lowered their heads and dared not say anything.
The owner of Lixiangyuan was so anxious that cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He hurried forward and whispered, "Master Chen, calm down."
"You see... this girl sang a great show. She really needs to take good care of her voice. It would be a shame if her voice was ruined..."
"If I tell her to drink, she has to drink!"
Minister Chen's face turned pale, one hand resting on the table, the other hand pointed at the woman on the stage, and said arrogantly, "An actor is an actor. Since you have to make a living, you should have some self-awareness!"
The famous actor remained calm, bowed slightly, and lowered his brows.
"Don't be angry, sir. It's Ruyan's fault. It's just that Ruyan really can't drink alcohol. I hope you can allow Ruyan to drink tea instead of wine and offer you a glass."
Her words were gentle, but everyone could tell that this was clearly another form of refusal.
There were whispers of discussion all around, and many people looked at Minister Chen with curiosity.
Shen Xingwan sat in a private room on the second floor. He picked up the teacup, slowly blew away the tea foam, his eyes slightly cold.
Minister Chen's face flushed, he cursed, grabbed the wine jug on the table and rushed to the stage, "Damn it, I'm giving you face?"
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