Chapter 88 seemed to be saying that she couldn't escape at all.
Upon hearing this, everyone present followed Xie Yanzhi's gaze and looked over.
Shen Qingnian's fingers clenched the hem of her skirt, unsure whether to stand or sit.
Seeing Xie Yanzhi looking at Shen Qingnian, Chen Jiangyuan said, "This is Madam Fang, the manager of Su's Fragrant Beads Shop."
Seeing this, Shen Qingnian had no choice but to bow slightly to Xie Yanzhi.
Seeing that Xie Yanzhi was staring at Shen Qingnian without even blinking, Old Madam Chen had some guesses in her mind.
Men are always easily captivated by beautiful women, and even this aloof prince is no exception.
But if the young master truly has feelings for Lady Fang, then what about her grandson...?
Madam Chen glanced at Chen Jiangyuan again and sighed inwardly.
Regardless of whether the young master took a liking to Lady Fang, she would never allow Chen Jiangyuan to marry Lady Fang.
In just a few breaths, Madam Chen had already weighed the pros and cons.
She took out the fragrant beads and said with a smile, "Madam Fang's skills are superb. Look at these fragrant beads, I like them very much."
Xie Yanzhi looked at the fragrant beads in Madam Chen's hand and remembered the one Shen Qingnian had given him before.
However, he had already ordered it to be burned.
Governor Chen looked at the string of beads and could tell that a lot of effort had been put into it; it was clearly not an ordinary item.
He stroked his beard, nodded, and thought that Madam Fang's incense beads were extremely well made.
But seeing that she was wearing a veil, I couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.
A merchant's wife, who spends all her time in public, why is she still wearing a veil?
Moreover, not showing one's true face in front of the Crown Prince is a breach of etiquette and utterly disrespectful.
It seems that this lady is not a very reliable person.
Xie Yanzhi saw Chen Jiangyuan looking at Shen Qingnian with a smile in his eyes, but his eyes turned icy.
In just a moment, calm returned.
Beneath the thin veil, her fair face was faintly visible, making it difficult to see clearly.
Xie Yanzhi glanced at her indifferently: "So it's Madam Fang."
"But Madam Fang is slender and skilled at making incense beads, which is very similar to my cousin."
Only then did everyone realize that Xie Yanzhi had mistaken Fang Niangzi for his cousin.
Shen Qingnian's expression stiffened when he heard him say the word "cousin".
He has several cousins who know how to make incense beads! He must be referring to her.
Seeing that he was still staring at her, she wasn't sure if he would suddenly get up and pull off her veil.
"Are you really not my cousin?"
Everyone heard Xie Shizi ask another question, and then they saw a hint of deep affection in Xie Shizi's originally cold and hard eyes.
It seems that his cousin must be the one Xie Shizi is thinking of.
Everyone then looked at Madam Fang.
Upon hearing that someone has mistaken her for someone else, Madam Fang should remove her veil and prove herself.
But all they heard was Madam Fang's calm reply: "The young master has indeed mistaken you for someone else."
The crowd exchanged bewildered glances; this woman was indeed quite brave.
Not only did she dare to directly say that Prince Xie had mistaken someone for someone else, but she also showed no intention of taking off her veil.
When Shen Qingnian replied, she did not deliberately muffle her voice to avoid arousing suspicion from Chen Jiangyuan and the others.
She had thought it through. Even if Xie Yanzhi recognized her, at least they were currently at the Chen residence.
He can only cause her trouble after she leaves the Chen residence.
Upon hearing this, Xie Yanzhi looked somewhat dejected, as if he had truly mistaken the person for someone else.
He said to Shen Qingnian, "Even Fang Niangzi's voice sounds like hers. I really can't tell them apart. Please don't be offended, young lady."
After he finished speaking, he turned around and glanced at Shen Qingnian.
Shen Qingnian felt relieved; Xie Yanzhi seemed not to recognize her.
Although she felt that Xie Yanzhi already knew it was her.
Governor Chen secretly gave Old Madam Chen a wink.
Madam Chen understood immediately and said with a smile, "Madam Fang, could you please take off your veil so that the young master can see if you are indeed that cousin?"
After she finished speaking, she glanced at Xie Yanzhi and saw that although his face was cold and stern, his eyes were always on Fang Niangzi.
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingnian understood that Old Madam Chen wanted to curry favor with Xie Yanzhi, but she had no intention of indulging him.
After a moment's thought, Shen Qingnian said apologetically, "I have a lot of red rashes on my face and it is inconvenient for me to see people. Please forgive me, Your Highness and Madam."
The old lady understood perfectly well that all women care about their appearance.
Who would want outsiders, especially the young master, to see their face covered in a rash and looking so disheveled? She gave her son a reassuring look and stopped trying to persuade Shen Qingnian to remove the veil.
When Chen Jiangyuan heard Shen Qingnian say this, he knew that she was unwilling to remove the veil.
After all, when he went to the incense shop to find her in the morning, her porcelain-white face was clean and rosy, looking delicate and flawless, without a single blemish, let alone a rash.
Xie Yanzhi twirled the ring on his finger and said coldly, "Since Madam Fang is having some trouble, she should return as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Shen Qingnian could hardly believe that he had let her off so easily.
But since he told her to leave, she left quickly.
So she bowed to everyone again and walked gracefully toward the gate of the Chen residence.
"Madam Fang, I'll see you off!" Chen Jiangyuan turned around and was about to chase after her.
But Governor Chen grabbed him.
Chen Jiangyuan understood his father's look. With Prince Xie here, Governor Chen forbade Chen Jiangyuan from escorting Shen Qingnian back, fearing that he might offend the important person.
Seeing this, Xie Yanzhi pressed his lips together, his expression revealing a hint of disdain.
He's quite the romantic.
Chen Jiangyuan watched Shen Qingnian's figure gradually disappear into the distance, sighed heavily, and went to have tea with Xie Yanzhi.
In the end, Governor Chen simply instructed his steward to send a carriage to take Shen Qingnian back.
Shen Qingnian stumbled back to the shop. While in the carriage, she realized that Xie Yanzhi must have recognized her.
I just don't know why he didn't expose her.
Shen Qingnian spent several days in fear and anxiety, but Xie Yanzhi did not reappear.
Shen Qingnian was absentmindedly kneading the incense balls in the copper basin while pondering.
Could it be that Xie Yanzhi was really just passing through and has already returned to the capital?
Did he not actually recognize her?
Or perhaps she broke his heart by running away, and he let her go?
"Miss, the glutinous rice ball is ruined!" Ling'er noticed and reminded her.
She sensed that her mistress had been rather sullen these past few days.
When kneading the incense balls, I didn't knead them with the same care as before.
She finally couldn't help but ask, "Miss, you've seemed a bit restless these past few days."
Shen Qingnian realized that the incense ball in her hand had been kneaded for too long and was no longer moist, with some cracks appearing in some places.
She quickly moistened the incense ball with some water and kneaded it again. When she heard Ling'er ask this question, she said calmly, "The young master has come to Yunzhou."
With a "bang," the wooden plate in Ling'er's hand fell to the ground, and the incense beads inside rolled all over the place.
The eldest son has arrived in Yunzhou?
What if he catches the young lady?
Miss's perfume shop business has just started to pick up, is she going to have to abandon the shop and run away again?
As Ling'er picked up the incense beads, she asked, "Miss, should we still run away?"
Compared to this shop, the young lady probably would rather be taken back by the eldest young master.
Shen Qingnian sat behind the counter, resting her hand on her forehead, a faint look of sorrow on her face.
If Xie Yanzhi really came to arrest her, he clearly recognized her, so why hasn't he shown up for several days?
Just as I was pondering this, a hearty laugh came from outside.
"Young Master, we've arrived at Madam Fang's shop." Shen Qingnian looked up and saw Chen Jiangyuan standing to the side, gesturing for Xie Yanzhi to enter the shop first.
Shen Qingnian was caught off guard. By the time she realized what was happening, her face was already in his eyes.
She was somewhat flustered.
Xie Yanzhi's gaze turned slightly cold, exuding a chilling and oppressive aura that sent shivers down her spine.
She looked away, her mind in turmoil.
Xie Yanzhi's gaze towards her was clearly sinister, and the slight upturn of his lips hinted at a half-smile.
Shen Qingnian knew that was his usual way of trying to cause trouble.
"Madam Fang!" Chen Jiangyuan finally came over and rescued her from Xie Yanzhi's abyss-like gaze.
Shen Qingnian looked up and saw Chen Jiangyuan already standing in front of her.
“Madam Fang, Young Master Xie saw Grandmother’s fragrant beads and liked them very much.”
“I’ll bring him to your shop to have a look.”
As he spoke, Chen Jiangyuan looked at her with a smile in his eyes, as if he were asking her for credit.
After all, he brought her such a wealthy customer!
Looking at Chen Jiangyuan's appearance, Shen Qingnian felt quite helpless.
Seeing that Shen Qingnian stood there motionless and without saying a word.
They assumed she was overwhelmed with joy and speechless with happiness.
Chen Jiangyuan nudged her arm and winked at her: "Quickly bring out all the best-quality fragrant beads in the shop for the young master to see."
Then, quite considerately, he said, "The Crown Prince is a kind and approachable person, so you don't need to be afraid."
Shen Qingnian did not believe a single word Chen Jiangyuan said.
She felt as if Xie Yanzhi's first glance upon entering the room had pierced through her.
His expression appeared calm, but in reality, it concealed a hidden danger.
She looked at Xie Yanzhi again, and when their eyes met, Shen Qingnian found that Xie Yanzhi's eyes were clear and without any dangerous aura, as if what she had just felt was just her imagination.
“Your Highness, this one is good.” Chen Jiangyuan noticed that Shen Qingnian was only looking at Xie Yanzhi.
He suddenly sensed that something was off about the atmosphere between the two of them.
Fearing that Madam Fang might slight Prince Xie and displease him, he took the initiative to smooth things over.
"Madam Fang, please tell the young master about this."
After Chen Jiangyuan finished speaking, he looked at Shen Qingnian.
Shen Qingnian forced a smile: "Your Highness is so noble. The fragrant beads in my shop are too ordinary and are not worthy of Your Highness."
She just wanted Chen Jiangyuan to take Xie Yanzhi away as soon as possible.
As she spoke, Shen Qingnian was about to put the incense bead back into the plate.
In that instant, Xie Yanzhi suddenly reached out and caught the fragrant bead: "This one is quite good. Madam Fang, don't underestimate yourself."
His eyes were fixed on her like that, making Shen Qingnian feel flustered.
What's even more unsettling is that, just as Xie Yanzhi took the incense bead, whether intentionally or unintentionally, his fingertips lightly brushed against the back of Shen Qingnian's hand, like a feather gently sweeping across it.
Shen Qingnian recoiled as if she had been electrocuted.
She immediately looked up at Xie Yanzhi, her eyes full of doubt and questioning.
But Xie Yanzhi's lips curled slightly, his eyes remained expressionless, and he spoke calmly:
"Since I have taken a liking to this one, there is no reason for me to let it go, regardless of whether it is ordinary or not."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingnian's face turned pale.
Is he saying he won't let her go?
Yes, given his personality, how could he let her go so easily?
She just didn't know why Xie Yanzhi didn't expose her in front of Chen Jiangyuan.
But she had a feeling that a downpour was coming.
Seeing her mistress's pale face, Ling'er couldn't help but feel a little resentful.
Young Master Chen really shouldn't have brought the eldest son along!
Ling'er felt that her peaceful days with her mistress were coming to an end.
"Does the young master want this one?" Chen Jiangyuan asked, noticing that Xie Yanzhi was holding the incense beads and hadn't put them down.
He figured that Prince Xie must like this one, and after hearing Xie Yanzhi say he wouldn't let go, Madam Fang had received money again today.
"Hmm." Xie Yanzhi put the beaded string directly on his wrist, then took out some silver and handed it over.
He hadn't hidden the incense bead well before, but now he was determined to keep this one tightly bound.
"Madam Fang, is this enough?"
Shen Qingnian looked at the silver he handed her, but couldn't bring herself to reach out.
And so it went, one reaching out, the other refusing.
Chen Jiangyuan watched anxiously from the side. He stepped forward, took the silver from Xie Yanzhi's hand, and stuffed it into Shen Qingnian's palm.
"Madam Fang, please keep the money safe!"
Chen Jiangyuan also felt that Fang Niangzi was acting strangely today. Usually, she would be very happy to receive a few copper coins from Fang Niangzi.
Seeing the money today didn't make me happy; in fact, I seemed quite nervous and uneasy.
Shen Qingnian did not want to get entangled with Xie Yanzhi any further, and simply said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Chen Jiangyuan was relieved after hearing Shen Qingnian's words.
But then Shen Qingnian said, "Our shop is closing."
Chen Jiangyuan knew that Madam Fang's implication was that they should leave as soon as possible.
He had never seen Madam Fang actively kick someone out before.
"It's still early, is there something you need, Madam Fang?" Chen Jiangyuan asked tentatively.
"My sister heard that a variety show troupe had come to Wutong Street, and she wanted to go and see it."
As Shen Qingnian spoke, she looked at Ling'er.
Ling'er nodded. Her mistress had already said that she would close early today and take her to see the variety show.
But, won't Miss anger the young master by blatantly driving him away?
Ling'er glanced at Xie Yanzhi cautiously and found that the young master's face showed no anger, nor did he frown as before.
She couldn't understand why the eldest son was different from before.
Just now, the eldest young master was calling Miss Fang "Madam Fang" along with Young Master Chen. Does the eldest young master not want to expose Miss Fang?
She was initially afraid when she heard from the young lady that the eldest young master had arrived.
It seems that the eldest son is not as easily angered as before.
Before Chen Jiangyuan could say anything, Xie Yanzhi spoke first: "It's alright. Now that I've bought the fragrant beads I want, I'll head back first."
After saying that, Xie Yanzhi walked towards the door.
Chen Jiangyuan glanced at the door and said to Shen Qingnian, "Madam Fang, I'll go see the young master off first."
His father instructed him to make sure he accompanied the young prince to enjoy Yuncheng, for the young prince was so promising at such a young age.
He dared not delay, so he followed Xie Yanzhi out.
After the two people left, Shen Qingnian finally couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed to the ground.
Upon seeing this, Ling'er quickly came over to support her, asking anxiously, "Miss, what's wrong?"
"Is it because of the eldest young master? I think the eldest young master seems to have changed a lot, and he is no longer as bad as before."
Shen Qingnian scoffed inwardly, a bitter feeling rising in her heart.
As Xie Yanzhi left, he glanced back at her and gave her a sudden smile, as if to say that she couldn't escape at all.
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