Chapter 104 Not letting him see the tear stains on her face
Shen Qingnian felt a bitter taste in her mouth as she looked at Chen Jiangyuan's expression, as if he wanted to stand up for her.
Xie Yanzhi is even crazier than before.
She could sense that Xie Yanzhi's possessiveness towards her seemed to have intensified.
He captured Ling'er, who was like a sister to her, to control her, and burned down the shop. Wasn't that all to force her to bow down to him?
If Chen Jiangyuan gets involved again, he will surely anger Xie Yanzhi. At that time, he will probably become the next Ling'er.
Thinking of this, Shen Qingnian's body trembled slightly.
Watching helplessly as those around her suffered because of her, and being powerless to do anything about it, was an experience that was incredibly painful.
She could no longer bear the torment of her conscience.
The best course of action now is to let Chen Jiangyuan know that she was not forced into this situation, and to keep his distance from her and stop interfering in her affairs.
Shen Qingnian whispered, "Young Master Chen has misunderstood. I have no difficulties. The young master helped me, so I am willing to become his... servant."
Shen Qingnian still found it hard to say the word "slave".
Xie Yanzhi looked at Chen Jiangyuan and said, "Young Master Chen, did you hear me clearly? I have not forced anyone to do anything against their will."
He turned back to look at Shen Qingnian, a hint of impatience flashing across his face: "Hurry up and drink my tea?"
Shen Qingnian broke free from Chen Jiangyuan's hand, picked up the teacup on the table, and brought it to Xie Yanzhi's lips.
Xie Yanzhi opened his mouth and took a sip of tea, some of which spilled out. He then pushed the teacup to the ground, where it shattered into several pieces.
He raised his eyebrows and said, "So bad at serving people?"
"Then I won't be a maid!"
Upon hearing this, a look of panic crossed Shen Qingnian's face. She was determined to become a concubine if she didn't want to be a maid.
Xie Yanzhi stared at her, and she suddenly understood what he meant. She slowly knelt down on the ground, her knees cut by shards of a teacup.
Shen Qingnian frowned, biting her lip without making a sound.
When Chen Jiangyuan saw that her knee was bleeding, he called out, "Madam Fang!"
Then she said to the young master, "Since Madam Fang is not good at serving people, why don't I give you two considerate maids, and you can reward me with Madam Fang?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Yanzhi snorted coldly: "You ask me about this maid. If she agrees, then take her away."
"Madam Fang?"
Chen Jiangyuan called out to Shen Qingnian, looked at her earnestly, and gestured for her to nod quickly.
Shen Qingnian knew in her heart that Xie Yanzhi would not let her go so easily; he just wanted her to reject Young Master Chen in person, to destroy her spirit.
How despicable!
Shen Qingnian said calmly, "Young Master Chen, I only wish to stay by the young master's side. Please do not force me."
"Did you hear that?" Xie Yanzhi looked up at Chen Jiangyuan.
Then he said to Shen Qingnian, "Go down and take your medicine."
“Yes,” Shen Qingnian said, enduring the pain as she got up and walked outside.
Chen Jiangyuan's gaze followed her until she completely left the room.
Once outside the house, Shen Qingnian walked slowly along the corridor, supporting herself with her steps. Taking too big a step would hurt the wound on her knee.
As I walked through the garden, someone suddenly blocked my way.
Chen Jiangyuan emerged from a side path and grabbed Shen Qingnian: "Miss Shen, Prince Xie is not here right now. Tell me the truth, did he force you?"
Shen Qingnian did not expect Chen Jiangyuan to be waiting for her here.
Hearing Chen Jiangyuan's concerned words, she felt both surprised and touched.
But she sensed a familiar gaze behind her, and cold sweat broke out on her brow.
If Xie Yanzhi sees her and Young Master Chen in this state, and her answer doesn't satisfy him, Young Master Chen might get into trouble.
Just as Shen Qingnian had imagined, not far away, a pair of dark eyes were hidden in the darkness, staring straight at them with the gaze of a hawk.
Xie Yanzhi was surprised to see this scene. He was also waiting to see Shen Qingnian ask Chen Jiangyuan for help.
If she dares, he will make her regret it.
Shen Qingnian took a step back, deliberately widening the distance between them.
After composing himself, he said calmly, "I did it voluntarily; Prince Xie did not force me."
She chose to become a concubine rather than a maid.
Chen Jiangyuan saw a hint of helplessness and disappointment flash in Shen Qingnian's eyes, and he felt that Shen Qingnian was hiding something from him.
He persisted, saying, "How can you be content to be someone's servant? Don't you want to open a shop and be a free and independent shopkeeper's wife?"
Shen Qingnian said, "Young Master Chen is joking. I am a helpless woman, and opening a shop back then was out of necessity."
"Now, thanks to the young master's kindness in taking me in as a maid and providing me with protection, isn't this better than that of the shopkeeper's wife who has to show her face in public and live in fear?"
Disbelief was evident in Chen Jiangyuan's eyes. Was this still the strong and beautiful Fang Niangzi? He couldn't accept it for a moment.
He stared at Shen Qingnian, trying to find something on her face.
But she remained calm and showed no unusual expression.
Chen Jiangyuan said, "If you didn't want to open a shop, you didn't have to become a servant to the young master. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Did you really never know how I felt?"
Upon hearing Chen Jiangyuan's sudden declaration of his feelings, Shen Qingnian felt incredibly flustered, wondering if he had heard her.
Shen Qingnian looked at Chen Jiangyuan, hardened her heart, and said directly: "How can Young Master Chen, the son of a mere prefect, compare to the lofty and noble Prince Xie?"
"Your Highness Xie and I are like the difference between clouds and mud!"
Shen Qingnian paused, then uttered the last heartless sentence with difficulty: "Instead of climbing the social ladder to the young master, I'm trying to climb onto Young Master Chen's side. Do you think I've lost my mind?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jiangyuan was struck dumb. Why had Madam Fang changed like this overnight?
Prince Xie also said her name was Shen Qingnian, so Chen Jiangyuan asked again, "You told me your name was Fang Weiqing, but Prince Xie said you are Shen Qingnian. Who exactly are you?"
Seeing that he was still persistent, Shen Qingnian sighed inwardly. She had to completely cut off his hopes.
She feigned a look of disdain and said, "I am Shen Qingnian."
Do you know why I told the Crown Prince but not you?
"Because you don't deserve it!"
After saying that, Shen Qingnian turned her head away, hiding her face in the darkness so that he wouldn't see the tear stains on her face.
Chen Jiangyuan was so shocked that he took a step back, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief, as if a knife had been plunged into his heart, leaving it bleeding.
Why, why isn't she Fang Weiqing? If only she had always called herself Fang Weiqing!
Madam Fang would never say such hurtful things.
He was indeed overestimating himself; Xie Shizi's daughter was far superior to him.
He didn't know why he was doing this.
Perhaps she had always disguised herself well, but now that she had met Prince Xie, her true colors had been revealed.
"Young Master Chen, please return!" Shen Qingnian's cold voice rang out.
He had been standing with her long enough, and she was afraid that the person behind her might lose control and suddenly do something to hurt Chen Jiangyuan.
Chen Jiangyuan bowed to Shen Qingnian and said, "I, Chen, will help Miss Shen achieve her wish and soon climb the social ladder to marry the young master Xie!"
After saying that, he left, looking dejected.
Looking at the sorrowful shadow under the moonlight, Shen Qingnian shed tears and silently said in her heart: Young Master Chen, I'm sorry!
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