Chapter 401: Chapter 400: You Actually Care About Him
Few words were needed to fully expose the compromising deeds of the Shen Family.
Shen Zhushi was not at all afraid, nor concerned about the consequences.
Her father was a Prefect, and she had long understood the true nature of those close to her. Shen Qu was nothing to worry about; the main estate hadn’t yet fallen into Shen He Wen’s hands. He couldn’t possibly, nor dare to do anything to her!
How could Shen Zhushi bear to swallow this insult?
Her anger was extreme, with no outlet for her fury.
The servants in the courtyard didn’t even dare to breathe heavily, all terrified into prostration.
Looking at Shen Xue-shi, her whole body was as if encased in ice. She was helplessly cold.
She suppressed her fear, attempting to feign composure.
"From where did you hear such idle gossip? Insulting my reputation? Come, follow me inside."
The old woman behind Shen Zhushi said.
"Our Miss was just about to enter, and the servants here were quite the obstacle. Now that the disgrace is uncovered, you’re willing to let our Miss in?
"It’s better to speak here! After all, our Miss is straightforward, but whether you are or not is questionable."
Shen Xue-shi felt a headache so intense it could burst.
She took a deep breath, angrily shaking off the hand of the old woman beside her.
Not many people knew about her affair, only this old woman did, always helping cover for her.
The old woman, heart pounding with fear, hurried to dispel all the servants on the ground, not forgetting to sternly warn them.
Seeing this, Shen Zhushi merely sneered coldly.
"Now you remember your dignity, why not let them listen as well?"
"You believe those kind of words?" Shen Xue-shi’s lips were very dry.
With no one else around at the moment, Shen Zhushi spoke without restraint.
"Back then, you seduced Shen Wei with even more tricks than those prostitutes in the brothel. Don’t forget, it was my family’s master who pulled the strings back then."
Shen Zhushi stepped forward quickly, her anger burning more intensely.
"Now unable to bear the loneliness, you resort to your old tricks, why wouldn’t I believe it?"
"You—"
"What, nothing to say now?"
Facing Shen Zhushi’s aggressive confrontation, Shen Xue-shi momentarily didn’t know what to say.
At that moment, Yingwu made her move.
She picked up a stone and fiercely threw it at a specific spot.
Shen Xue-shi felt a painful sensation in her knee joint, and momentarily unable to stand steadily, she lunged towards Shen Zhushi, who was close enough to swallow her whole.
Yingwu moved like a fleeting shadow, and Shen Hua was completely unable to catch her, only hearing a crisp slap sound.
’Smack’
After hitting, Yingwu quickly retreated.
Shen Zhushi was infuriated, nearly unable to keep standing due to Shen Xue-shi’s disturbance, and just as she pushed her away, she was slapped.
For a moment, she was stunned.
The slap mark was so beautifully formed. It quickly swelled.
She came to her senses, went crazy, and grabbed Shen Xue-shi’s hair.
"You dare to slap me?"
"How dare you, a slut, to hit me?"
"Xue Mouyan, what are you? I will absolutely not spare you!"
Shen Xue-shi’s scalp was painfully tugged, she gasped in pain. Her fury rising, she grabbed Shen Zhushi’s flesh tightly, twisting it hard.
"Blaming me?"
"I haven’t even blamed you!"
"Back then, Wen Lang and I had already agreed upon our mutual affection! It was you who intervened, having a Prefect as a father, important! It was because of you he didn’t want me!"
"If it weren’t for me, your second branch’s income would be a problem! Zhu Juan, everything is your fault, you caused this!"
For a moment, the situation was utterly chaotic.
The old women also started fighting. Those filthy words sprang one after another.
Shen Hua listened carefully, yet didn’t expect that coming here on a whim, she would hear such words.
Somehow, she was very calm.
She even thought, if Shen Zhushi exerted some more effort, Shen Xue-shi’s head might be bald.
That would be just right to become a nun.
————
In the Third Prince Mansion in Shengjing City.
Xie Xun and Ji Teng sat opposite each other.
The room was still visibly simplistic, but the two were unconcerned, talking about matters.
Xie Xun relayed to him the fishy business detected at the Ministry of Justice Prison, adding detailed accounts of other matters.
Ji Teng, however, listened absentmindedly, until a Hidden Guard respectfully entered.
"Sir, this is a letter intercepted en route to Hengzhou from the capital."
Ji Teng received it.
He casually asked, "Guess who?"
Xie Xun: "The Fourth Prince."
Ji Teng smiled, not needing to guess to know the content inside. He put away the letter, and took out another one prepared earlier.
With Cui Yun in Hengzhou, he naturally could ensure his safety in Shengjing.
The Hidden Guard took it, to replace the previous letter and send it out.
"How’s Cui Yun doing there?"
Ji Teng slowly lifted his gaze, "You seem to care about him."
Ji Teng with implied meaning: "This trip, he especially sent Miss Shen, I see the lover has intentions, and the concubine is willing, Ah Xun, what do you think?"
Xie Xun sneered coldly.
"I don’t think so."
Ji Teng raised his hand and poured a cup of tea: "Lady Cui came to discuss the marriage proposal with you, I already know about this."
"Since you are such close friends with Eldest Young Master Shen, why not take up the responsibilities of an elder and agree to it?"
Stop fantasizing about Shen Hua then.
This brought a moment of suspicion to Xie Xun’s face.
There was no other reason, Ji Teng was genuinely nosy about Cui Yun’s affairs! Even with the biggest incident involving Yan Wei and the other residence previously, he didn’t seem to care that much.
Xie Xun felt annoyed whenever he heard about Cui Yun.
Especially knowing that Yangyang was chased down by Cui Yun halfway.
He was reluctant to talk about these matters.
Yesterday, Mrs. Cui proposed a marriage, he responded vaguely, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but he faintly felt that this was a trap set by Cui Yun.
"Lately, I’ve noticed something off about Commander Yan, should we have someone keep an eye on him?" asked Xie Xun.
Upon hearing this, Ji Teng did not want to talk further.
Seeing his expression, Xie Xun choked up.
"Ji Wang is tougher to deal with than you and I thought, he’s kept quite a few private soldiers. There are also many important officials who follow him."
Ji Teng: "Indeed."
He smiled slightly: "The Commander Yan you mentioned earlier is one of his subordinates."
This statement made Xie Xun furrow his brows.
"Isn’t Yan Kun one of the Crown Prince’s men?"
"You’re wrong."
"Yan Kun is a man Ji Wang placed by Ji Zhui’s side."
Upon knowing this, Xie Xun couldn’t help but be taken aback.
If that’s the case, it shows how big a game Ji Wang is playing.
He wanted to say more, but then saw Ji Teng glancing at the sky and slowly standing up.
"Aren’t you leaving?"
Xie Xun: "... I just arrived moments ago."
"It’s time for you to leave."
Ji Teng: "I need to step out."
"Is something happening in Shengjing again?"
Ji Teng nodded.
"Miss Wei went drinking with the Seventh Princess Consort."
He seemed troubled.
"She doesn’t hold her liquor well, she gets drunk after a few drinks, I’m worried so I have to check on her."
Xie Xun: ...
Absurd.
Ji Teng looked at him gently: "I really envy you, Ah Xun, you never have to worry about such things."
————
Meanwhile, Cui Yun had already arrived in Hengzhou.
He did not have a moment of leisure. After meeting with the agents he had installed in Hengzhou, he sent people to the locations marked on the maps to search. By day, he conducted business dealings as Yang Yu, by night, he conducted secret investigations within Hengzhou City.
As expected, the accounts of various officials in Hengzhou were very clean.
The cleaner it appeared, the deeper and bigger the waters, he suspected.
At night, he tiredly returned to the large mansion he specifically bought here.
As the son of a wealthy merchant, Yang Yu evidently would not stay in an inn when coming to Hengzhou, but rather splurge on a sufficiently grand residence.
In the coming days, he would openly send people to deal with private properties and shops to the extreme, to fish for information.
Cui Yun’s expression was indifferent as he took off his luxurious robe and changed into casual clothes.
Ji Qing hesitated again.
"Master, I found out something today."
"You might not know, Yang Yu likes the company of women. He’s a regular at the brothel."
Going to such a place naturally involves summoning prostitutes, and given his master’s aloof demeanor, it might be problematic...
Sure enough, Cui Yun frowned.
"Why didn’t you mention this before?"
Ji Qing: "The Third Prince was afraid you wouldn’t approve, so he kept it secret, and I couldn’t find out."
But he... had just received a letter from Ji Teng.
His voice was weak: "The Third Prince said that the best brothel in Hengzhou is Qin Chu Pavilion. To prevent any leaks when you visit... he will help conceal this matter from Miss Shen."
He had not only to go there but needed to throw around large sums of money frequently.
Cui Yun’s face was extremely grim, like frost hitting the face.
It goes without saying, he really doesn’t like Ji Teng!
The temperature inside the room suddenly dropped.
It was unknown how much time passed before the man finally spoke.
"Has there been any letter from Fengzhou?"
"No."
Ji Qing thought of how Cui Yun had sent a letter to Shen Hua upon arriving in Hengzhou, but there had been no response from there till now.
Cui Yun’s unemotional gaze shifted.
Ji Qing shivered:... But there can be!!!
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