Su Xiaoqi kept her head down, not daring to look up at all.
She wanted to escape.
Shen Yun asked no more questions, his dark, deep eyes fixed on her intently.
They had been chattering non-stop moments ago, but now, silence fell between them.
There was nothing more terrifying than an awkward silence.
After much thought, Su Xiaoqi casually conjured an excuse.
But Shen Yun’s intention to probe was not so easily evaded.
He swept Su Xiaoqi into his arms, settling her onto his lap. He then looked down at her seriously, his gaze intense, and said with utmost solemnity, "Wife, you are my wife, and I am your husband. We are one. You can trust me completely."
Shen Yun's voice held a captivating quality that made Su Xiaoqi's heart pound wildly. She murmured to herself, "Can, can I trust you?"
"Of course. You are the one I hold dearest to my heart. I cherish you as my life, and I would lay down my life for you."
Shen Yun's promise was brief yet profound.
Su Xiaoqi's heart tightened for a moment, then loosened.
She already had her answer.
"I, I do have a space. I don't know how I got it, and I can't explain it clearly.
But I can indeed store many things..."
Su Xiaoqi tried her best to explain what a space was, but as she spoke, she realized how inadequate language was.
She could not accurately describe what a space was in words.
Shen Yun nodded upon hearing that Su Xiaoqi’s meaning was similar to his own. He wanted to hear more, but then his brow furrowed, and he stopped her.
"Wife, stop. Someone is here."
Shen Yun gently placed Su Xiaoqi down and quickly pursued, only to see a black figure flashing by.
Without a word, he let out a whistle, and Zhang Lei sprang forward.
He blocked the figure's path.
Shen Yun then leaped onto the rooftop, positioning himself behind the intruder.
Blocked from both sides by Shen Yun and Zhang Lei, the figure had nowhere to go and could only leap downwards, heading straight for Su Xiaoqi.
"Wife, be careful!" Shen Yun cried, anxious that the intruder might harm Su Xiaoqi.
However, Su Xiaoqi was not someone to be easily captured.
Her movements were agile; with a low sweep of her body, she evaded the intruder’s outstretched hands and, in the same motion, kicked his knees.
"Ah..." the figure cried out, collapsing onto his knees.
Su Xiaoqi clapped her hands and approached him, recognizing him instantly. "Eh, Qi Yunwei... Qi Yunwei, is that you?"
The person subdued by the three of them was none other than Qi Yunwei, whom they had met a year ago and had not seen since.
Shen Yun also recognized him, observing his attire.
Dressed in black martial arts attire, with a black headscarf and wielding hidden weapons, he was clearly engaged in some clandestine activity.
"Madam Shen, Brother Shen, ah, you two, you two, please listen, this is a misunderstanding." Seeing familiar faces, Qi Yunwei suddenly perked up and tried to explain as he got to his feet.
Zhang Lei, thinking he was about to launch a sneak attack, kicked him hard in the center of his thigh again.
Fortunately, Shen Yun reacted quickly, grabbing Qi Yunwei and pulling him away, preventing Zhang Lei’s kick from connecting.
Otherwise, his 'little brother' would have been in dire straits.
It wasn't that Shen Yun didn't think Zhang Lei was quite vicious.
But he understood Zhang Lei's motives.
Perhaps feeling embarrassed that someone could infiltrate his premises and overhear his conversation with his wife under his watch, Zhang Lei had wanted to teach him a lesson.
However, Zhang Lei did not know Qi Yunwei's identity. Shen Yun, having been in the capital for so long, knew it very well.
He was definitely not someone to be offended lightly.
In mere moments, the situation on the field had shifted. Qi Yunwei looked at the person who had extended his leg towards him with lingering fear.
This man was truly reckless.
At the same time, he respectfully cupped his hands towards Shen Yun. "Thank you, Brother Shen, for saving me."
"I dare not accept thanks from Prince Chu, the hostage of Northern Chu." Shen Yun said with a touch of indifference.
It was clear he did not wish to associate further with Qi Yunwei, or rather, his real name, Chu Yunwei.
Although they seemed to have been on good terms when they first met.
But a person who was unwilling to reveal his true name made it difficult for Shen Yun to feel any closeness.
"Ah, Brother Shen, since you already know, I have no need to hide anything.
But my name..."
Chu Yunwei sounded helpless.
One day, they might know that he had never deceived them about his name.
Of course, at this moment, they probably wouldn't believe him no matter what he said.
Chu Yunwei stopped and began to observe Shen Yun.
It had been some time since they last met, and Shen Yun possessed an even more refined demeanor than before.
In the past, his simple attire could not conceal his inherent grace.
Now, clad in fine silk, while not extravagant, he already exuded the air of a powerful official.
Indeed, Shen Yun was still Shen Yun.
However, the woman beside him, his wife.
This point perplexed Chu Yunwei somewhat.
Clearly, Shen Yun had no wife by his side before.
He once had one, but after Shen Yun took office, his wife had tragically died suddenly.
The subsequent Shen Yun had then ascended step by step to the pinnacle of the court.
Entering the Grand Secretariat and becoming a Grand Secretary, wielding immense power.
From Junior Grand Secretary to Senior Grand Secretary, he held sway over the court.
Yet, he remained without a legitimate wife by his side.
Seeing the sudden unfamiliarity between Chu Yunwei and Shen Yun, Su Xiaoqi felt a bit out of sorts. She then said, "Light refreshments have been prepared in the hall. Why don't we eat and chat?"
Shen Yun hesitated. Those refreshments were carefully prepared by him for his wife.
He did not want Chu Yunwei to partake.
But he could not refuse his wife's request.
After pondering for a while, he agreed.
Chu Yunwei had been intently watching Shen Yun, and every flicker of hesitation on his face was not missed.
He was curious about Su Xiaoqi's charm that made Shen Yun so obedient to her.
Chu Yunwei's gaze falling upon Su Xiaoqi displeased Shen Yun.
He forcefully blocked Chu Yunwei, took Su Xiaoqi's hand, and kept her to his other side, preventing Chu Yunwei from peeking.
Su Xiaoqi smiled helplessly.
This Shen Yun was truly both willful and adorable.
The dishes served at the meal were all Su Xiaoqi's favorites.
Naturally, a good amount of chili had been added.
Chu Yunwei, being from the northern regions, could not handle such a spicy taste and was sweating profusely.
However, he was stubborn and endured the spiciness, finishing all the dishes at the table.
Su Xiaoqi could tell he couldn't handle spicy food from his appearance.
She was about to kindly remind him.
But Shen Yun squeezed her palm and said that Mr. Chu seemed to be enjoying the food very much.
It would be best not to dampen his spirits.
Su Xiaoqi chuckled secretly and ate her meal quietly.
After the meal, she had bitter buckwheat tea served to Chu Yunwei to alleviate the spiciness.
With a pained expression, he recounted the day's events thoroughly before Shen Yun could even ask.
"Entering Brother Shen's estate today was a measure of last resort, not intentional."
Shen Yun remained silent, signaling for him to continue.
"Ah, it's like this. This matter was originally just an internal conflict within Northern Chu."
After Chu Yunwei's explanation, Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun finally understood.
Chu Yunwei was being chased by someone and had been injured, making it difficult for him to escape far.
Seeing an estate in the vicinity, he had intended to seek refuge.
Who knew that as soon as he entered, they discovered him.
"Just entered?" Shen Yun asked.
He just wanted to confirm if he had overheard the conversation between him and his wife.
Chu Yunwei had indeed heard a few sentences.
But seeing Shen Yun's concern now, he dared not admit it and hastily nodded, saying he had just entered.
Su Xiaoqi had some inkling. Her hearing was exceptional, and before Shen Yun noticed, she had already heard some movement.
But at the time, she was captivated by Shen Yun's voice and didn't think much of it, assuming it was Zhang Lei and the others.
After all, with Zhang Lei outside and Zhang Yu inside, their defenses were considered quite rigorous.
Who would have thought that Chu Yunwei was so formidable, capable of bypassing both of them to get close to them.
Shen Yun didn't say much more, but it was evident he didn't quite believe Chu Yunwei's story.
However, he knew that even if Chu Yunwei had heard something he shouldn't have, he would certainly not dare to speak of it.