Chapter 33 Ah Tang by the Riverbank, Come Back With Me
"Senior brothers, what are you trying to do?" This time, Lin Shutang tugged at Song Ying's sleeve. She moved a little closer, hoping to see on Song Ying's face that she was just overthinking things.
But Song Ying just stared at her quietly. The glow of the wall lamp shone on his face, and his calm, unwavering gaze seemed to be brewing an unknown storm.
Lin Shutang was terrified; this senior brother was a complete stranger to her.
Her throat tightened slightly, but she forced herself to remain calm as she spoke, "Senior brother, you're joking with me, right?"
"Shutang, don't worry about it. Just know that after this, you will be free." Song Ying raised her hand to brush away the stray hairs from Lin Shutang's forehead, and a smile finally appeared on her face.
“Senior brother, Shen Yun hasn’t found us yet. If we leave, as long as we leave Yujing, the world is vast, and he won’t be able to find us.” Lin Shutang was completely anxious, her fingertips curling around his clothes. “Or, we can go to Beiwu, Xiyue, anywhere is fine! Didn’t we used to travel all over the country like this?”
"Shutang, are you worried about Shenyun?" Song Ying looked at her, her smile gradually fading, her voice soft and gentle, but her eyes were filled with heartache.
It was as if Lin Shutang showing concern for Shen Yun was something utterly despicable.
Lin Shutang's eyes reddened. The disappointment in her senior brother's eyes pierced her deeply, as if countless needles were pricking her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.
She didn't quite understand why she felt this inexplicably strong emotion, but she didn't dare to look Song Ying in the eyes anymore.
He lowered his head and whispered in a barely audible voice, "No, I just don't want to hurt anyone."
Hearing her answer, Song Ying laughed again, somewhat disapprovingly saying, "How can that be considered harming someone?"
"Has Shutang forgotten how he treated us in the past?"
Lin Shutang's gaze involuntarily fell on Song Ying's neck, a thousand words stuck in his throat, and suddenly he couldn't say anything.
She lowered her eyes, and her voice became muffled, "Senior brother, I don't believe Shen Xiuyan."
“He is a very cunning person. I’m afraid that if you cooperate with him, you may not be able to protect yourself.”
"Does Shutang trust his senior brother?" Song Ying asked.
"Of course I believe my senior brother." Lin Shutang nodded.
"Then you wait for your senior brother. Once he's finished dealing with these matters, he'll take you away." Song Ying became serious, unusually resolute.
Seeing that he couldn't reason with him, Lin Shutang had no choice but to try a different approach and tentatively asked, "Then, senior brother, what did you do to Shen Yun?"
Song Ying smiled, about to speak, when the carriage suddenly lurched, almost throwing the two of them off.
Song Ying steadied himself, his face showing impatience, and asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"
The coachman, still in shock, turned pale with fright at the sudden appearance of the group of people in front of him.
Before he could answer, Shen Yun spoke first, with a hint of mockery, but upon closer listening, one could hear the gnashing of teeth hidden in her voice, "Lord Song, what a coincidence."
Lin Shutang's body tensed up suddenly, and her breath seemed to be stuck in her throat.
As past memories surfaced one by one, Lin Shutang trembled uncontrollably.
Having fled all this way, the belief I held onto has crumbled, and it seems that only now, belatedly, has fear begun to rise within me.
Song Ying looked at her with some heartache, patted her back reassuringly, and asked calmly, "Does Lord Shen have something to say?"
"Can't we catch up with Lord Song if there's nothing else to do? Or..." Shen Yun's lighthearted voice came from outside, deliberately drawing out the last syllable, and he chuckled, "Is Lord Song having trouble speaking?"
As if struck by those words, Lin Shutang suddenly looked up, stood up abruptly, and started to walk out.
Anyone could hear the hidden meaning and warning in Shen Yun's words. His presence here must mean he was absolutely certain that she was in the carriage.
Lin Shutang dared not hide here any longer and use Song Ying as a shield, putting him in danger again for her sake.
Song Ying raised her hand and grabbed her wrist, then silently shook her head.
"Senior brother, you really can't do anything about it, can you?" Lin Shutang smiled resignedly.
Song Ying's throat tightened, and his determined eyelids drooped. Under the current circumstances, he really couldn't take Lin Shutang away.
Regardless of how many men Shen Yun brought, Lin Shutang was Shen Yun's lawfully wedded wife, and as an outsider, he had no right to interfere.
Even if the matter were taken to the Emperor, he would still be in the wrong.
"Shutang, don't worry. Even if your senior brother can't take you away today, as long as tomorrow comes, you will..."
“My lady, we’ve had enough of catching up. It’s time to go home with me.” Shen Yun’s voice came from outside the carriage, interrupting Song Ying’s words.
Seemingly able to see through the curtains into the carriage, Shen Yun stopped pretending and her smiling tone genuinely suppressed a hint of impatience.
Even their way of addressing each other became extremely intimate, as if silently urging and reminding them of their respective identities.
Lin Shutang pulled out his hand, took off his cloak, and turned to get out of the carriage.
The curtain was lifted, and the person he had been searching for all day finally appeared before him.
She removed her jewels and wore a light blue cotton dress. Her usually serene eyes were now expressionless as she looked up at him, and she walked towards him with an air of resignation.
It was as if he were some kind of monstrous flood.
Shen Yun lowered his gaze, sitting on his horse looking down at her, and memories of the past came flooding back.
The villa, the Duke's mansion, the city gate—how many times had he caught her, and she always looked so disheveled and pitiful? Why didn't she learn her lesson?
Isn't he good enough to her? Why does she always want to run away?
Even though he has nothing, he always has this stubborn and unyielding attitude.
So all these years of obedience and ingratiation were just a facade?
Shen Yun gripped the reins tightly, feeling as if his chest was on fire. As he watched her descend the last step of the ladder to the clouds, his hand gripping the carriage wall suddenly tightened, and his brows furrowed in pain.
Shen Yun almost instantly jumped off the carriage, took two steps toward her but then suddenly stopped, staring at her coldly.
Lin Shutang bit her lower lip, tears glistening in her eyes, and limped toward him.
Each blow felt like an excruciating pain.
Lin Shutang had been traveling all day, and she was on edge, gritting her teeth and pushing forward.
But now that last bit of hope was gone. After sitting in the carriage for a while, when she stood up again, the long-lost pain returned. Whether it was psychological or not, Lin Shutang felt as if her ankle was about to split open.
The tears flowed even more freely and silently.
The riverside at night should be filled with the sounds of wind and cranes, and the rustling of reeds.
But at this moment, the surroundings seemed eerily quiet.
Everyone held their breath, no one dared to make the slightest movement, and time seemed to stretch on indefinitely.
Shen Yun stood quietly in place, watching Lin Shutang walk towards him. He was expressionless, only coldly watching her tears fall, then glancing at her ankles, unmoved, indifferent to the point of being almost heartless.
Lin Shutang's eyes were red from crying. It was unclear whether it was because she was in too much pain or because she was unwilling to accept the reality of being caught by Shen Yun again. Her movements were as slow as a snail.
Yingxiao and the others looked around furtively, glancing at each other, none daring to step forward and help the lady.
They couldn't figure out what the prince was thinking, after all, when had the prince ever been so cruel to his wife?
Fortunately, these men were all men and it was inappropriate for them to help a lady, so they were not accused of being tactless.
Yingxi, standing to the side, was suffering terribly, looking up at Shen Yun with some uncertainty, not understanding what her master meant.
The questioning gaze finally landed on Yingxiao, who shook his head, equally puzzled.
Even though Yingxiao considered himself Shen Yun's confidant and knew her well, he was often baffled when it came to matters concerning his wife.
Yingxi was undoubtedly an outstanding bodyguard; her martial arts skills were never inferior to those of the men. Therefore, she was able to stand out in the bodyguard camp, and Yingxi was always proud to be a woman.
For the first time in my life, I feel that this identity is such a hot potato.
After some deliberation, Yingxi finally stepped forward to help Lin Shutang.
The gaze of Shen Yun behind her felt like needles piercing Ying Xi, making her feel extremely uncomfortable. Fortunately, Shen Yun didn't say anything and turned to get into the carriage.
"Shutang".
Song Ying had been standing by the car door watching, and seeing Shen Yun's cold indifference towards Lin Shutang, she felt indignant and finally couldn't help but call out to her.
I wonder what kind of life Lin Shutang has been living all these years.
Lin Shutang stopped in his tracks.
Shen Yun immediately slowed down, and no one noticed.
Yingxi looked at Lin Shutang with some concern. At this moment, it would be best for Madam not to speak with Lord Song.
Lin Shutang turned to look at Song Ying.
"Shutang, I..."
"A-Tang, come back with me." Shen Yun's cold voice came from behind, cutting off Song Ying's words.
Lin Shutang immediately turned pale and hurriedly turned around. She quickened her pace as she walked towards Shen Jun, as if afraid of angering him.
Shen Yun entered the carriage first, while Lin Shutang stood hesitantly outside the door, his heart pounding like a drum, making his chest ache.
Her body's instinctive reaction made her tremble uncontrollably. The past vividly resurfaced before her eyes. She didn't want to be in the same enclosed space as Shen Jun; she would die!
Shen Yun looked up at her, his dark eyes like those of a wild beast stalking its prey in the night, carrying an undeniable aggression and aggressiveness.
The voice that came out was extremely cold, as if all patience had been exhausted: "Come in."
Lin Shutang desperately suppressed her legs, which wanted to escape, and moved slowly.
As Shen Yun watched, the ferocity in his eyes grew stronger. He suddenly stood up and grabbed Lin Shutang's arm, pulling her inside.
He slammed the car door shut with a loud bang. He pinned Lin Shutang against the car wall, his eyes blazing with fury. "Lin Shutang, you've really grown bold, haven't you!"
Lin Shutang trembled with fear, her head held down and forced to stare directly at Shen Yun. Tears welled in her eyes as she called his name in a trembling voice, "Shen Yun..."
"Did I say that if you dare to run, I'll break your legs?"
He lowered his eyes, his gaze slowly moving from Lin Shutang's eyes to the tip of her nose, watching her tears slide down her lips and flow into her slender neck, which seemed to break at the slightest touch.
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Author's Note: Dare to be mean to your wife? [Question mark] You'll be sentenced to a life without a wife.
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