In a private room on the second floor of the Yuebin Teahouse on Fangshui Street, Shen Yun watched Zhao Xiaohua kneeling on the low couch before him.
She tilted her head up slightly, her apricot eyes filled with deep affection. He met her gaze, his brows furrowed, his expression indifferent. He said displeasedly,
"If you have something to say, then say it."
Four words, colder than they could possibly be.
Zhao Xiaohua was stunned for a moment, her gaze slowly withdrawing from him. Her heart felt heavy, and she took several deep breaths.
It was as if she wanted to expel the stale air from the depths of her heart.
But the more she breathed, the more turbid the air accumulated in her heart.
With each breath, she found it harder to breathe.
She wanted to stand up to catch her breath, but Shen Yun, without even sitting down, stood at the door and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving. Don't come looking for me casually in the future."
He did not want to see her.
"Brother Yun... why are you so heartless? You hurt me so deeply. Don't you remember anything about our past?" Zhao Xiaohua said sorrowfully.
She had felt deeply fortunate and proud countless times for being reborn into another life.
She had also intended to change everything from the past to live a better life.
In fact, she had succeeded.
Relying on what she knew and her unremitting efforts, she had achieved it.
But whenever she was in front of Shen Yun, she felt a deep sense of frustration.
Why did he forget? Why didn't he remember?
Clearly, in their past lives, they had been together.
Although they had no conjugal affection, she had at least been by his side as a concubine.
He had taught her to read and even allowed her to casually read books in his study.
Apart from the matters between a man and a woman, everything else had happened.
In the past, her desires were few. To be able to follow a man like Shen Yun, who was renowned in court and handsome, and merely be his maid, taking care of his daily life, was enough to make her feel happy.
After her rebirth, her first reaction was to want to be by his side as before, to serve him and care for him her entire life.
However, in the quiet of midnight dreams, she recalled Shen Yun at that time, who was absolute in his pronouncements in court, who held power in his hands, and whose influence permeated the government.
She suddenly felt envious.
From time to time, she would wonder if she could also achieve something great, becoming his equal in power, then perhaps she wouldn't have to be his personal maid anymore, but could become his wife.
She remembered that in their past life, besides marrying the useless Su Xiaoqi, he had never married any other woman.
Being by his side had made her very content back then.
But now, she wanted more. She wanted deeper communication with him, wanted to be held in his arms late at night, wanted to walk hand in hand with him.
In their past life, without her help, he had still reached that point.
In this life, with her extraordinary encounter assisting him, he would surely do even better.
Perhaps they could even imagine life within the deep palace walls.
After all, as books said, were dukes, marquises, and generals born to their station?
Zhao Xiaohua's thoughts had wandered too far, her face flushed with excitement. Shen Yun, standing by the door, had completely lost his patience.
Frowning displeasedly, he turned to open the door. He was leaving. No matter how important the matter she had to tell him, he no longer wanted to hear it.
Seeing this, Zhao Xiaohua became anxious. She quickly said, "Stop, Brother Yun, wait for me. Don't go, I really have something important to discuss."
"Miss Zhao, you can just call me Physician Shen. My wife doesn't like you calling me that."
"Your wife, your wife... she's not here." Zhao Xiaohua was somewhat dejected.
At such a good time, why did he have to mention that jealous woman?
Speaking of Su Xiaoqi, she was one of those people whom Su Xiaoqi couldn't understand or fathom.
Clearly, in their past life, she had been such a detestable woman.
In this life, she had changed. Her personality had changed, and her way of interacting with people had completely transformed.
Even her abilities had become more formidable.
However, she had tested Su Xiaoqi a few times, and Su Xiaoqi didn't seem like someone who had lived another life.
The feeling she gave off was very strange.
She even suspected that Su Xiaoqi might not belong to their world; everything about her was too miraculous.
Zhao Xiaohua persuaded, "Brother Yun... no, Physician Shen, don't you ever find your wife's situation strange?"
Su Xiaoqi had many suspicious aspects.
This was something Zhao Xiaohua could see, and naturally, she was aware of it.
However, he had never felt any danger or threat from her.
On the contrary, she was less threatening than Zhao Xiaohua.
This woman was completely different from when she was in the countryside.
It was as if she had been replaced by someone else.
She had become decisive and much more intelligent.
Furthermore, according to the information brought by Wang Enze, it was discovered that she had connections with many hidden forces in the capital, making her an individual not to be underestimated.
Time and circumstances.
Shen Yun was not a timid person.
When the enemy was stronger, he would also become stronger, rather than retreat.
If Zhao Xiaohua knew at this moment that Shen Yun had, at some unknown point, already classified her as an enemy, would she be furious enough to die?
However, she now saw clearly that trying to win back Shen Yun's heart was impossible. He was already deeply captivated by Su Xiaoqi. She would have to take it step by step later.
After all, there was still a very, very long time between them.
She began to speak about the important matter.
It concerned the affairs in Bazhou.
"I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince already knows that you captured his people and rescued them," Zhao Xiaohua said directly.
Shen Yun raised an eyebrow.
"You didn't tell him, did you?" This matter was personally handled by Shen Yun. He knew how secretly they had operated.
It was impossible for it to have leaked so easily.
Shen Yun didn't believe it. Zhao Xiaohua felt somewhat troubled.
Moreover, he had directly suspected her.
"I didn't say it; I heard it. The Crown Prince plans to deal with Wang Enze and Lu Mingyang first," Zhao Xiaohua wanted to tell him that she had deliberately concealed it for him, and he should be grateful to her.
After a long consideration, seeing Shen Yun still looking unconvinced, Zhao Xiaohua couldn't hold back any longer.
"I knew about this whole matter, but I didn't reveal you. Take care of yourself. His Highness the Crown Prince is the emperor destined by heaven. After Emperor Xingzhao passes away, he will inherit the throne. If you want to continue to serve as an official in the court, I advise you not to provoke him."
Shen Yun gave her a cold glance. So, it was about this matter.
He had thought it was something important. It seemed that from now on, he couldn't believe a single word from this woman.
However, if the Crown Prince truly knew what they had done, then precautions must be taken.
After leaving the teahouse, Shen Yun summoned Zhang Lei and asked him to go to the Wang and Lu families.
When he returned home, Shen Yun and Zhang Lei arrived almost at the same time.
Zhang Lei immediately reported that Minister Wang had already been informed.
"What about Academician Lu?"
"Academician Lu could not be notified. He was just summoned to the Eastern Palace to see the Crown Prince."
"Not good..." Shen Yun clenched his fists, a wave of distress washing over him.
He had rushed Zhang Lei to deliver the message, but it was still too late.
He feared that Academician Lu Mingyang was in grave danger this time!