Chapter 88 She fell in love with him
"Lord Shen."
"Fourth Sister".
"Thank you for what happened last time—"
"You go first—" they both said in unison, then smiled at each other.
Shen Yanzhou was handsome and refined, and rarely showed his emotions. However, her smile was so bright that even a single glance gave him the illusion that the world had lost its color.
He couldn't suppress the smile on his lips, his voice gentle, "...The county gazetteer that Fourth Miss looked at last time was really quite interesting, it aroused my curiosity. I'd really like to borrow it to take a look? I wonder if it would be convenient?"
Dou Wenyi looked up at him in surprise, trying her best to appear calm and composed, "It is convenient, but I still need to go back and look for it carefully."
"Fourth Miss, please don't worry. I just had a sudden whim, and it's alright if I can't find it." Shen Yanzhou confirmed his suspicions and hurriedly spoke up.
Upon hearing this, Dou Wenyi's tense back instantly relaxed. Where would she find any county gazetteer?
However, Shen Yanzhou was always perceptive, and it was hard to say whether he had already noticed her difference. Even though she had lived two lives, in front of truly intelligent people, she was as simple as a blank sheet of paper, easily seen through.
Just as she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard Shen Yanzhou gently call her, "Fourth Miss."
"Um?"
Shen Yanzhou's eyes flickered. "My father has returned to the capital safely... If you encounter any trouble, just send someone to the Shen residence to find me. I will definitely risk my life to help you."
Huazhou was indeed struck by an earthquake, causing heavy casualties among the people... This news has already reached Tianning City.
If it weren't for her timely advice, the consequences would have been unimaginable. She has already saved the Shen family twice!
Shen Yanzhou believed that she must understand his unspoken words. After these few interactions, he felt an indescribable intimacy.
Dou Wenyi understood immediately, her face flushed slightly, and she smiled awkwardly, "You're too kind. Did the incident at Chaotian Temple cause you a lot of trouble last time? Thanks to you, I had the opportunity to get rid of the bad reputation of being a 'jinx'."
Shen Yanzhou paused, his expression very restrained, and after a long while, he said gently, "I heard that Xie Guidu has broken off your engagement?"
Dou Wenyi's heart skipped a beat. His voice was flat, revealing no emotion. Could it be that he also cared about her private affairs?
“…Yes.” Dou Wenyi lowered her eyes, her ears burning slightly, and replied softly.
Shen Yanzhou's gaze was deep as he carefully examined her from head to toe.
With skin as white as snow, an elegant demeanor, and stunning beauty, she must have been extremely popular with the sons of powerful and wealthy families in the capital.
"You and Shuli have similar personalities. She has very few close female friends, and she often talks about wanting to be friends with you, but she's too timid to send you an invitation. I wonder if she might have the honor of becoming your friend..."
“I like Shu Shuli too, I’m willing!” Dou Wenyi answered very quickly, almost blurting it out.
Shen Yanzhou was taken aback, and the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up. She didn't seem to be against coming to the Shen family, so did that mean she was also willing...? A secret joy rose in her heart.
Suddenly, he raised his hand and brushed it through her hair. Dou Wenyi froze and subconsciously took a step back.
Shen Yanzhou opened his palm, and a withered branch lay quietly in his fair palm.
"I'll bring you the cloak from last time another day," Dou Wenyi said with an embarrassed smile.
Just as Shen Yanzhou was about to speak, he heard someone cough heavily not far away.
Shen Yanzhou and Dou Wenyi looked up almost simultaneously, and following the sound, they saw Crown Prince Pei Siyan standing not far away.
Dou Wenyi was startled.
Pei Siyan was wearing an ivory-white dress, with cloud patterns as the background, which was elegant and otherworldly, making him look like a banished immortal from the heavens.
He slowly walked over to them and saw her fair face filled with surprise and astonishment. He couldn't help but chuckle, "Have I disturbed you two?"
Dou Wenyi's pupils reflected the man's cold and aloof face, her head buzzing. She was just about to curtsy and greet him.
Shen Yanzhou stepped forward, blocking her path. "Your Highness, this humble subject greets you and wishes you good health!"
"I'm just taking a casual look, no need to be nervous."
Pei Siyan waved his hand, dismissing their formalities, but his gaze fell on Dou Wenyi behind him.
Dou Wenyi subtly took two steps back and stood still, not daring to move again.
She was quite embarrassed. She never expected that Shen Yanzhou would come to the kiln with the yamen runners, and she never expected that she would be caught red-handed by Pei Siyan after just chatting with him for a few words.
Even though she and Xie Guidu had severed all ties and broken off all relations, Pei Siyan was still quite bothered by it. If he knew that she had some feelings for Shen Yanzhou... who knows how crazy he would go!
Hopefully he didn't hear anything.
"I suppose Lord Shen has almost finished investigating the case of the private fireworks shop?"
Pei Siyan's tone was sarcastic, and to her ears, it carried a hint of accusation.
Shen Yanzhou spoke calmly and unhurriedly, “Your Highness, it was precisely because of the case of the illegal cannons that I had a few more words with the Fourth Miss. The Dou family's kiln has been found to be hiding gunpowder.”
"Oh?" Pei Siyan's expression was not good.
He had to find out about her from an outsider, that's really something!
Shen Yanzhou sighed with a complicated expression: "This case involves a wide range of people. I'm afraid it will implicate important figures in the capital, and then it will probably end up being left unresolved."
When walking in the halls of power, who wouldn't want to seek profit and avoid harm, and to live in harmony with the world?
Pei Siyan sensed a hidden meaning in his words and snorted coldly, "Lord Shen is deeply favored by the Emperor. If everyone in the court fears the powerful and ignores matters of state, where will the Emperor's authority be? Human sentiment is no greater than the law of the land. I hope Lord Shen will uphold justice and not show favoritism."
Shen Yanzhou smiled meaningfully, "With Your Highness's words, I am relieved."
Pei Siyan lifted his eyelids, his expression indifferent, "Yi'er, what else were you talking about just now?"
Shen Yanzhou frowned slightly as he recalled the way he looked at Dou Wenyi. Even though they were related, such an intimate way of addressing each other would damage the woman's reputation!
Dou Wenyi's face turned pale, and she wished she could shut Pei Siyan up.
Pei Siyan smiled faintly and asked, "Yi'er, why are you unhappy? You can talk about a case with such smiles, why are you giving me such a hard time?"
Dou Wenyi stared at him, only to see the intimidating ferocity on his brows and the cold smile that didn't reach his eyes.
It sends chills down your spine!
"Your Highness is too kind. Wenyi remembers that there are still many things to attend to at the kiln, so I will take my leave now."
Dou Wenyi clenched her fists tightly, and before he could react, she turned and walked straight into the house.
The two men stared at her departing figure. Suddenly, Pei Siyan spoke up, "Lord Shen, you are young and promising, why are you still not engaged?"
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