Su Xiaoqi’s observational skills were undeniable. Since Shen Yun said so, and with such certainty, she felt there must be something amiss.
She hesitated, “Should I get out of the carriage to ask him?”
Xiao Yi was a rare good friend of the original owner. Since she had taken over the original owner’s body, her intention from the moment she knew them had been to take good care of them. She would create conditions if none existed before. To give them a place to shelter from the wind and rain, she had given them the large courtyard she had purchased. She had even specifically invited so many teachers and scholars to instruct them. All this was to ensure they had a bright future and could live the lives they desired. All along, she had played the role of an elder sister very well. Especially Xiao Xique and Xiao Yi, their relationship with her was extremely close. If Xiao Yi were to become estranged from her for any reason, she thought she would be heartbroken. Therefore, to prevent such a thing from happening, she wanted to go and clarify things with Xiao Yi. To tell him that no matter what, he could talk to her, tell her. As long as it did not violate conscience or morality, she felt she wouldn't mind.
But Shen Yun said no. “If it’s not a big deal, and Madam rushes over like this, he might overthink it.”
Su Xiaoqi hesitated even more, but was also worried, “If it truly is something important, and he doesn’t say it for a moment, won’t that…” She worried about Xiao Yi getting into trouble, and also that he didn't trust her.
Shen Yun advised, “Why not trust him this once?”
His words struck a chord with Su Xiaoqi, and she agreed. There still needed to be more trust between them.
Shen Yun persuaded Su Xiaoqi. He brought her back home. However, though he said that, he turned around and instructed Zhang Feng to go out immediately and keep an eye on Xiao Yi. Because Xiao Qi had a close relationship with Xiao Yi, his investigation into Xiao Yi was thorough. In the early stages, Xiao Yi showed no problems. But in the past few days, his men reported that a stranger had entered through the west gate of the capital to see Xiao Yi, and that Xiao Yi had hidden him in his home. This news itself was suspicious, but ever since the person entered Xiao Yi’s home, they had not come out. Even meals were delivered by the household servants. Therefore, the information Shen Yun could obtain was very limited. The person was under surveillance anyway. It could be considered that everything was temporarily under control.
However, the situation in the capital had been very delicate recently, with many inexplicable people appearing, which was very suspicious. Therefore, Shen Yun told Su Xiaoqi not to rush to ask Xiao Yi. Firstly, it would alert the target, and secondly, these matters were still under control, and he was confident that he had sufficient ability to ensure Xiao Qi would not be harmed in any way. But since Xiao Qi wanted to find out what Xiao Yi was hiding, he could only break the stalemate with that person first. He dispatched Zhang Feng to investigate. He believed that results would be obtained quickly.
Facts proved that it was indeed the case. Zhang Feng returned less than half an hour later. However, he had not returned with information. He rushed back to tell Shen Yun that the person they were looking for was coming to their house. “He came by carriage. He was covered up tightly, so I couldn’t see anything,” Zhang Feng, being from Bashu, spoke with a Bashu accent.
Shen Yun nodded, signaling him to go back and rest. He would prepare to receive guests. Su Xiaoqi also received word from Zhang Yu that Xiao Yi had arrived. “Xiao Yi is here, didn’t we just see him? Why is he here?” Su Xiaoqi was a little confused. Soon, she remembered what Shen Yun had told her that day. She perked up, changed into guest attire, and went to the front courtyard’s flower hall. When she arrived, she saw Shen Yun also approaching at the entrance. She then understood that arranging the person in the flower hall was his idea. The couple exchanged glances and at the same time looked at the two people sitting in the flower hall.
Su Xiaoqi recognized Xiao Yi. But she was bewildered by the person sitting in the other armchair next to him. He was tall and burly, with dark skin, and some parts of his cheeks were cracked. His hair was neatly tied up, without a single stray strand falling down. He had sharp eyebrows and commanding eyes, radiating an aura of heroism. His eyes had been fixed on her ever since she entered. His gaze was as if she owed him a million taels of silver. However, from this, Su Xiaoqi realized that he knew her. She quickly tried to search the original owner’s memories. Who could he be? Su Xiaoqi frowned deeply, thinking seriously. However, this appearance drew a cold laugh from the man, “Xiao Yi, you saw it with your own eyes, you said she was thinking of me. Look at her, even if I stand in front of her, she might not recognize me. Today, consider me to have come in vain. I shouldn’t have come at all.” The man was very angry and stood up abruptly. His hawk-like eyes flicked from Su Xiaoqi to Shen Yun. Seeing that the fabric of their clothes, though not obvious, was of excellent quality, and with the woman being pretty and the man handsome, they made a good match, the man became even angrier. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with suppressed rage.
The man’s gaze was too imposing. Su Xiaoqi couldn’t ignore it. But she really couldn’t remember who he was. However, she knew she should know him. Because the original owner felt a sense of familiarity towards him. But for some reason, he was sealed in the original owner’s memories. Just as she was about to ask Xiao Yi who he was, she saw a figure block her path. It was Shen Yun, who had also noticed the man’s gaze. It was as if he wanted to devour his wife. This was in his own home, and he dared to look at his wife like that. How could he tolerate it? “Who are you?” Shen Yun asked, suppressing his anger, with a frown.
Xiao Yi saw that both sides were getting angry and suddenly realized that he might have done the wrong thing. He quickly stepped forward to bow, wanting to persuade Shen Yun to sit back down. But Shen Yun’s sharp gaze fixed on him, rendering him unable to move. At this moment, Su Xiaoqi also seized the opportunity to ask him, “Xiao Yi, he is your friend, what is his name?” Xiao Yi quickly replied, “He, he is…” But before he could finish, he was interrupted by the man, “A good ‘who am I’, Su Xiaoqi, you actually don’t recognize me anymore?” The man, with red eyes, was full of questioning. Su Xiaoqi looked bewildered, “I, I should know you, but I just can’t remember who you are.” At this moment, Shen Yun suddenly realized and whispered, “He is probably Xiao Ze.” Su Xiaoqi’s heart skipped a beat. She was very familiar with the name Xiao Ze. She often heard Xiao Xique and the others mention him. But was he really? She instinctively looked at Xiao Yi. Shen Yun had never met Xiao Ze, and his previous words were just a guess. She could only place her hope on him. Xiao Yi nodded, “Madam, this is Elder Brother Xiao Ze.” His tone was somewhat strained. He hadn’t expected things to escalate to this point. He was merely doing what a friend should do – hosting his best brother. It was just that he had never expected Xiao Ze to be so emotional when he saw Sister Xiao Qi. Thinking carefully, he suddenly understood. Elder Brother Xiao Ze used to be close to Sister Xiao Qi, and the two had long since promised to marry each other.