Chapter 59
A large horse-drawn carriage drove up in front of the Zhao residence, its wheels crunching over the thick snow with a soft, lingering sound.
The gatekeeper looked over and saw a middle-aged official in a scarlet robe walking down.
Before they could even bow, a shout rang out, "Tell Zhao Lian to get out here!"
Guo Zheng got out of the car directly, the square peacock insignia on his chest swaying slightly with his steps, a mark of a third-rank civil official.
The servants exchanged a glance, recognized the identities of the people before them, and hurriedly bowed their heads in greeting, "Minister Guo, please wait a moment, I will invite the young master here immediately."
They ran very fast on their legs.
Guo Zheng shook his clothes, turned to the car window, and said apologetically, "It is all my fault for failing to teach him properly, which has allowed this wicked beast to commit such a grave mistake. I hope Your Highness will give me a chance to correct it, out of consideration for my meager reputation."
"You flatter me, sir." Wei Luo lifted the carriage curtain, smiling broadly. "It's understandable that young people are ignorant. You only need to give them a little guidance, and that will be enough."
As they were talking, hurried footsteps approached from afar. Zhao Lian stepped through the snow and hurriedly crossed the threshold.
Wei Luo glanced at him indifferently, then lowered the carriage curtain.
"Your subject pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince and greets the Vice Minister."
Zhao Lian was walking too fast; his chest heaved violently, and even his hair ornament was slightly askew.
Upon seeing this, Guo Zheng's anger flared up, and he slapped him across the face.
Zhao Lian covered his face, looking up in astonishment, "Father-in-law, you...?"
"Who's your father-in-law?" Guo Zheng was furious. He grabbed his clothes and pushed him toward the carriage. "Kneel down and admit your mistake."
"What wrong have I done?"
Guo Zheng's eyes practically spit fire. "You organized a bunch of people to wear women's clothes; you even openly kept a tiger and paraded it around in Dashilan. I'm not exaggerating your crimes, am I?"
"This, this..." Zhao Lian's face turned pale and then red, and he stammered, unable to say anything coherent. After a while, he blushed and explained, "I did these things well, but I didn't break the law, so why is it wrong?"
His lips trembled, and out of guilt and fear, he only dared to steal glances at Guo Zheng out of the corner of his eye. As for the mysterious Crown Prince in the carriage, he knew perfectly well that he was not worthy of meeting him with his qualifications.
After Zhao Lian finished speaking, Wei Luo let out a sneer, "So, you think you're completely innocent?"
"I..." Zhao Lian suddenly raised his eyes, wanting to defend himself a bit more, but Guo Zheng swept a glare at him, and he immediately fell silent, not daring to say anything more, only stammering, "Your subject knows his mistake."
Guo Zheng sighed with regret, his gaze towards Zhao Lian icy cold. After a long while, he addressed the carriage, saying, "Your Highness, although Zhao Lian has admitted his mistake, please punish him for the crime he committed."
His tone was one of disappointment and frustration.
Wei Luo frowned slightly and said carefully, "Since Zhao Lian has sincerely repented, please go back and give him more advice, and this matter can be dropped."
After all, he was his teacher, and Wei Luo wanted to save face for Guo Zheng.
Guo Zheng immediately understood the students' thoughts.
He glared at Zhao Lian and said condescendingly, "His Highness is merciful and has given you a chance to correct your mistakes. You must be grateful and disband the gang today. If you are late, not only His Highness, but even I will not forgive you."
Having already been given a way out, even the slow-witted Zhao Lian knew what to do. "Thank you, Your Highness. I will disband the society as Minister Guo suggested."
"Very good, a promising young man."
Guo Zheng watched Wei Luo's carriage leave.
"You brat!" Guo Zheng shouted, then, still not satisfied, kicked him hard.
Behind the gate, Shen Yao peeked out and, after Guo Zheng left, went straight up to him and said, "Young Master Zhao."
She gloated, crossing her arms and slowly said, "What's wrong with you? Was that your father-in-law just now? He was really fierce and even hit you... You've been wronged!"
Shen Yao smiled so hard she couldn't stop.
Being scolded by his father-in-law for such an embarrassing thing, and then being mocked by Shen Yao, Zhao Lian instantly became furious. He pointed at Shen Yao's nose and cursed, "Shen Yao, I'm annoyed right now. You'd better shut your mouth, or don't blame me for being impolite."
"Yo ho!"
Anyone can make threats. Shen Yao wasn't afraid of him and immediately retorted, "Are you getting angry out of embarrassment? You did something wrong, yet you're still acting so self-righteous. If I were your father-in-law, I'd whip you with my belt..."
As Shen Yao continued speaking, she suddenly glanced around and saw Liu Heng, who was supposed to be leaving, waving at her.
So Wei Luo knew she was here.
Seeing that Zhao Lian was about to explode, Shen Yao knew when to stop and quickly made her escape.
*
Inside the carriage, Wei Luo rested his chin on his hand, eagerly awaiting the return of his beloved.
As soon as Wei Luo saw Shen Yao step into the carriage, he immediately pulled her into his arms, his voice so tender it could melt your heart, "Ah Yao~"
"Hmm." Shen Yao gave a soft reply, feeling a little awkward with Liu Heng beside her. Wei Luo glanced at her, and Liu Heng obediently got out of the car and waited.
Shen Yao asked curiously, "How did you know I was here?"
Wei Luo smiled and said, "I still recognize your carriage." Then he asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for someone."
"Has it been found?"
Shen Yao nodded, then shook her head. "She was inside. I called her for a long time but she wouldn't open the door." Shen Yao looked at Wei Luo and sighed. "So I came out."
Unable to hide his disappointment, Wei Luo moved closer to her, "Do you need my help?"
“No need.” Shen Yao blurted out. Perhaps because her refusal was too decisive, she saw Wei Luo’s expression change slightly, so she explained, “These are matters between women, Your Highness should not interfere.”
Upon hearing this, Wei Luo looked up and stared at her for a long time before finally managing to smile and say, "I thought A Yao was hiding something from me."
"No, there is nothing I have hidden from Your Highness."
Shen Yao's tone was firm, but after speaking, she suddenly remembered the matter of snatching the book, and her expression instantly darkened. Wei Luo noticed this and asked with a smile, "Is there anything else?"
"No, it's nothing really..."
Looking into Wei Luo's eyes, Shen Yao hesitated for a moment, but finally told him everything, "I just went in and heard from the servant that Zhao Lian is going to organize people to steal books and tigers. Do you want to make some preparations?"
“…What?” Wei Luo exclaimed in surprise, “How dare they?”
Shen Yao said, "You dared to do it before you came, but you probably wouldn't dare now."
She drew back the curtains; the sunlight outside was bright. Even if someone wanted to steal the book, they would have to do it in the middle of the night.
What Shen Yao thought of, Wei Luo naturally could also think of. After a few moments of contemplation, he tapped on the window to start the carriage.
Shen Yao asked, "Where are we going?"
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard's headquarters."
Shen Yao: "Am I going too?"
"If you're not going, I'm just giving you a ride home."
"...What about the Military Affairs Office? What if someone tries to steal the book?"
Wei Luo laughed and said, "Zhao Lian shouldn't do such a stupid thing again. As for the others, arrest them one by one."
His tone was somewhat laced with resentment, and Shen Yao shivered as she listened.
The carriage traveled north until it reached the main residence of the Shen family. Wei Luo then let Shen Yao get out of the carriage, saying, "I'll come to the study tonight to find you."
"Oh, that works too."
As soon as Shen Yao watched Wei Luo leave, she immediately took a step and flew into the Shen family home.
"Father, Mother, I'm back."
The servants said that the master and mistress were in the main hall, so Shen Yao hurried over and found the whole family there.
Master Shen asked first, "What are you doing back here?"
"I'm coming back to find my older brother."
Shen Yao looked at Shen Fan, "Big brother, I have something to say to you."
"Oh, go ahead and tell me."
Shen Fan calmly sipped his tea, unhurried and composed.
Shen Yao looked anxious and gestured for him to get up with her, "Let's talk outside."
Once outside, Shen Yao didn't waste any time and told him directly, "The Crown Prince already knows about your theft of the forbidden books."
"Today, the Crown Prince personally led Guo Zheng to question Zhao Lian. He knelt on the ground like a grandson. Now Zhao Lian will definitely not dare to make any further moves. You must not act rashly and be used as a pawn."
Shen Yao spoke in one breath, and immediately felt relieved.
Shen Fan was completely confused and stood there stunned for a long time. After a while, he looked at Shen Yao's face and asked suspiciously, "How did you know?"
"Don't worry about that. Just don't go against the Crown Prince."
As a political enemy of the Crown Prince, everything he did revolved around one word—gambling.
Shen Fan gambled, and so did Master Shen. Seizing every opportunity to strike at the Crown Prince was the Shen family's top priority.
Shen Fan lowered his eyes to hide the undercurrent in them, and when he looked up again, his face was full of smiles. He said to Shen Yao, "I know, I won't do anything foolish, don't worry."
Shen Fan smiled. Usually, when he showed this kind of smile, Shen Yao knew that it meant he was just being perfunctory. Her heart sank, and when she spoke again, her tone was very serious.
"Brother, don't you think I'm too young and treat me like a child? I'm telling you this very seriously now, the Crown Prince already knows about this. Don't touch forbidden books or tigers."
Shen Yao stared directly into his eyes. Perhaps her gaze was too sharp, because Shen Fan turned his face slightly away and nodded cooperatively, "Alright, since you've brought it up, I won't get involved in this matter."
He said he wouldn't get involved, but Shen Yao always felt that he was hiding something. However, Shen Fan didn't speak up, and Shen Yao's questioning was fruitless, so she simply stopped asking and took her leave.
Shen Fan did not try to stop him.
Shen Yao felt that something big was about to happen.
*
Back at the Dashilan Study, half the afternoon had already passed.
The sun was hanging in the sky, but the temperature had already dropped, and the snow on the ground slowly began to freeze.
Two carriages were parked in the courtyard. One was brought by Xu Xuan's servant, and the other looked unfamiliar.
Shen Yao was still wondering when the servant came over and said hurriedly, "Madam Shen, you're finally back."
"What's wrong?"
For some reason, looking at his face, Shen Yao felt a sudden panic.
"Madam Liu just arrived and is currently arguing with the young master upstairs. You should go and take a look."
Shen Yao's expression changed slightly, "...I shouldn't interfere in this matter!"
As the two were talking, a commotion drifted down from the second floor. Shen Yao's expression immediately changed, and she hurriedly tried to leave, but the servant was quick and grabbed her clothes first.
"Let go of my hand."
"I won't let go. If Madam Shen doesn't agree, I'll die rather than let her go."
"Stubborn!" Shen Yao stomped her feet in frustration.
During the scuffle, Liu Ru strode downstairs, and both men looked at her.
After bowing, the servant quickly left, leaving Chen Yao standing there, resentfully saying, "I went to call you this morning, but you wouldn't open the door. Why are you finally coming now?"
Liu Ru smiled and her almond-shaped eyes curved as she laughed. "I just didn't want to see you. As for Xu Xuan..." She looked up and tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I came to see him this afternoon because I was in a better mood."
She went straight to a stool and sat down, tucking the stray hairs from her forehead behind her ears, then looked up at Shen Yao with a probing gaze.
Shen Yao felt a chill run down her spine. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
The look was like that of someone staring at a criminal.
Liu Ru smiled and said, "I never thought that someone would actually like you?"
"...What are you talking about?"
Shen Yao looked puzzled.
Liu Ru lowered her head but did not explain. Instead, she changed the subject, "I have already decided to leave the capital and return to Hangzhou alone. I will leave after the New Year."
As if struck by lightning, Shen Yao almost forgot to breathe.
Liu Ru continued, "I just brought this up with Xu Xuan, and we had a fight. I asked him to write a letter of release from his concubine, but he refused. If you have time, please try to persuade him. I would be very grateful."
She stood up, took a booklet from her sleeve, and stuffed it into Shen Yao's hand. "These are all things Xu Xuan likes and dislikes. Now that he's living here, you can cultivate your relationship."
After giving her instructions, Liu Ru left without looking back.
Shen Yao opened the booklet and saw that it recorded Xu Xuan's living habits, from clothing, food, housing, and transportation to hobbies.
Liu Ru knows Xu Xuan very well.
And what about Xu Xuan?
Shen Yao smiled and shook her head, then closed the booklet and threw it into the charcoal fire to burn.
She doesn't love Xu Xuan; all this is useless.
Coughing came from upstairs. Shen Yao didn't want to go up, so she called a servant, "Go up and check on your young master, see how he is?"
Liu Ru wanted to release the concubine's letter. Knowing Xu Xuan's temper, she estimated that he was furious at this moment and would be scolded if she went up to him.
She didn't want to put up with this.
But this time, Shen Yao guessed wrong. The servant went up and came down again, his expression unchanged.
Xu Xuan didn't seem to lose her temper...
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