CHAPTER 548: CHAPTER 537: DID I OFFEND YOU?

Their devotion was so intense that it was just short of burning three sticks of incense!

Ji Qing, with keen eyes, said, "My lord, the priceless ice box that was placed on the tea table is also gone."

It had become a single seed.

"Yes, it was also her handiwork."

Ji Qing: ...

Very quickly, he dared not say more and cautiously glanced towards Cui Yun.

Cui Yun, showing no emotion, walked around the room once. The suppressed, unknowing excitement of Ni Kang echoed in his ears.

"Miss Shen originally wanted to take another stone, but I saw it and naturally stopped her. She also found it inappropriate, so she switched to cherry seeds."

"Upon leaving, she asked me to tell Young Master Cui that she took the item. If you wish to retrieve it, that’s fine—there’s already clay and seeds. Just wait until the cherries grow and present them to her as a tribute; then everything is negotiable."

Ji Qing couldn’t help but cry out softly, "How can cherry seeds produce peaches? Isn’t this making things difficult for my lord?"

Ni Kang: "You’re foolish."

Cui Yun let out a cold snicker: "Her meaning is crystal clear—no chance of getting it back."

Ji Qing: "..."

Cui Yun’s gaze finally rested on the couch.

The medical texts he read every night had also been moved.

It seems that the little thief named Shen deliberately wanted to take them, but upon opening and finding the contents headache-inducing, begrudgingly put them back.

Well, as for the pens, ink, paper, and inkstones in the room, they were all still there.

However, the rest of the small and moveable precious items were all gone, not a single one left.

Cui Yun let out a cold snicker again.

He turned and quickly headed outside, but didn’t get far before he stopped abruptly in his tracks.

Ji Qing, who was following close behind, nearly bumped into him.

"My lord?"

Cui Yun casually strolled back: "Not going anymore."

"An expert!"

Ni Kang was overjoyed; he put a hand on Ji Qing’s shoulder, "With Miss Shen making such a move, she’s clearly provoking him. I believe she’s definitely waiting for him to come over."

But Cui Yun didn’t play by the rules. By not going, he could certainly drive her mad with impatience.

As he said, Shen Hua had already exhausted herself with repeated trips to Cui Yun’s room to move items.

Yet inside her heart, she felt triumphant.

After resting for a moment, the girl got up from the bed as soon as she heard the news of Cui Yun returning to the mansion. She dressed in her beautifully exquisite clothes, picked up a small stool, and sat outside the courtyard, prim and proper, waiting.

She was waiting for Cui Yun to settle the score.

This time, Shen Hua planned to leave Cui Yun with no way out!

She had thought of a hundred ways to deal with Cui Yun. With cold elegance and nobility, she remained unmoved even as the glaring sunlight turned her little face red with heat.

Shen Hua waited a long time.

From high spirits to numbness.

As the sun set, she still saw no sign of anyone; she sat there, lonely and forlorn, lost and sad. Perhaps realizing that Cui Yun would not come, she slowly stood up, picked up the stool, and headed heavily to his courtyard.

If the mountain won’t come to me, I will go to the mountain.

And so, Shen Hua sat at the entrance to Cui Yun’s courtyard.

At her arrival, Ji Qing hurried to report to the person inside.

"My lord! Miss Shen is here!"

Cui Yun was not surprised at all.

Shen Hua put on a show, waiting a long time again.

Clearly, she had seen Ji Qing run over! Why hasn’t Cui Yun appeared yet!

Thus, Shen Hua, with a face full of indescribable annoyance, once again picked up the small stool and sat outside his room.

Fearing that the person inside had not noticed, the girl deliberately kicked the door, making a loud noise.

At last, she got a response.

"What have I done to offend you?"

Shen Hua immediately responded cheekily: "Are you satisfied with what you’ve seen?"

As she spoke, she raised her little finger, "Brother Cui of the Cui family, you won’t blame me, will you."

————

Shen Zhi had stayed in his room for the past few days, not venturing outside. Without the help of others, within just three days, he watched with wide-open eyes as five healthy larks all fell down twitching.

He would no longer make any excuses for Shen Wei.

Shen Zhi’s smile seemed both mocking and not mocking.

"Young Master."

The servant knocked on the door from outside.

"Will you dine in your own courtyard today, or are you going to the main one?"

"Has Daddy returned?"

"He has."

But in a moment, the door was opened by someone inside.

Shen Zhi had a cold expression on his face as he quickly stepped outside.

Upon his arrival, Shen Wei was speaking softly to Chun Yun, the picture of affection.

But it was all an act.

Hypocritical and shameless scoundrels.

"Now that Brother Zhi has arrived, we can start the meal."

Upon seeing Shen Zhi, Chun Yun instantly smiled.

"Mama."

Shen Zhi greeted respectfully, "Where’s Yangyang?"

"These past days, she’s been pestering Young Master Cui, giving everyone a headache. I’m afraid she’s dining there again."

Shen Zhi slightly furrowed his brows, sensing something amiss, but soon he let out a sigh of relief. It was better that Shen Hua wasn’t here.

She was with Cui Yun, and Ni Kang was there to look after her. At least her life was not in danger, right?

Yet, Shen Wei’s smile became a few degrees more sincere.

The servant he sent to find out about Cui Yun’s identity had returned. People from Fengzhou might not recognize the Second Young Master from Marquis Yangling Mansion, but who in Shengjing didn’t know?

This was the progeny of Marquis Yangling Mansion! A noble heritage. Before, such things were unimaginable for him. But if Yangyang could impress in front of Cui Yun and become a concubine, it would be beneficial to the Shen Family without any harm.

However, these scheming thoughts he kept to himself, naturally, he wouldn’t disclose them to mother and son.

Relieved, he thought of another matter.

"Brother Zhi, why haven’t you gone to the academy yet? Don’t tell me you’re planning to be lazy?"

"I’ve already asked for leave from the teacher."

"Nonsense."

"You’re not sick, nor is there a disaster; even if the sky were falling, Daddy would be there to hold it up. Why aren’t you studying?"

Hold it up?

Even with him around, Shen Zhi was anything but reassured.

Unaware of Shen Zhi’s abnormal behavior, Shen Wei continued.

"You are the most sensible in our family, and should be the one Daddy relies on the most. Even though you’re smart, you can’t neglect your studies. Among the Shen Family’s younger generation, you are the most promising. You are expected to bring glory to our family’s name in the future."

"After you eat, go pack your things, Madam, help him with his luggage."

"I said, I have already asked for leave. Does Father not understand?"

Seeing his reaction, Chun Yun couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Shen Wei was also suspicious for a moment.

"You—"

He consoled, "Is it too much pressure?"

Shen Zhi just wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, "Does Father really not know? With how close you are to uncle, I thought you’d be aware."

He suddenly laughed out loud, "Uncle’s few cousins now don’t dare to step outside. Not just them, I too feel humiliated."

Chun Yun was puzzled, "What has happened?"

"It seems Mother is also in the dark; the second branch has kept it tightly sealed. But I suspect it won’t be long before the news spreads throughout Fengzhou."

Shen Zhi did not prolong the suspense.

"Three days ago, I found out from cousin Shen Qu’s mouth that uncle has shamelessly become an accomplice in keeping a concubine, hidden within his own residence. Is this the act of a noble family?"

Why mention Shen Qu? Because Yangyang detested Shen Qu the most.

Shen Wei’s pupils shrank sharply.

Chun Yun was in disbelief, "How can this be so absurd?"

"That’s not the only absurd thing. Uncle has developed a secret affection for both of them, and my aunt caught them in the act."

Shen Zhi put down his chopsticks with force.

"After all, I’m the one whom you sent to the academy to study saintly books."

"Uncle’s misdemeanor has implicated the Shen Family’s descendants. The second branch’s cousins are worthless, but I am the teacher’s favored student."

"How can I let such filthy people ruin me," he said coldly.

"I wonder whom uncle is trying to serve."

"After all, we have already split from the family. Such indecent and disgraceful matters, as a son, I find even mentioning them repulsive. What does Father think?"