Zhang Yu noticed Su Xiaoqi's gaze and realized her behavior had been a bit excessive.
Blushing with embarrassment, she explained, "That, Master, please don't misunderstand. This servant didn't mean it that way. This servant simply dislikes these flower girls.
They come from humble origins, which is nothing in itself, but to act so shamelessly, that is truly despicable."
Zhang Yu had never looked down on flower girls, she simply disliked the vulgar conduct of that particular one.
Su Xiaoqi blinked, looking as if she was waiting for a story.
Zhang Yu was confused, and after a while, she only reacted when Guo'er, who was nearby, reminded her.
"Ah, Master, are you sure you want to hear? My story isn't exactly pleasant to listen to."
Besides, Zhang Yu didn't consider herself a skilled storyteller.
"Tell me, otherwise, I might just think you and..."
"Hey, hey, hey, Master, Master, don't speak carelessly! This servant and Master have nothing going on between them. May lightning strike me if it's not true! This servant still wants to get married someday."
Zhang Yu was truly a product of her upbringing within the organization; she lacked the delicate sensibilities of ordinary young ladies from sheltered families and had few conventions to adhere to.
What she said didn't seem to bother Su Xiaoqi.
It was as if her college classmates in the dormitory were bragging and gossiping, envisioning their future lives.
However, Guo'er, who had been raised under strict rules since childhood, was thoroughly startled.
She kept lifting the carriage curtain to peek outside.
Fearing that any passing maidservants or matrons might overhear and mistakenly believe her own master had said such things.
"Alright, don't be afraid. We'll get out of the carriage and talk inside with the door closed."
Guo'er's reaction prompted Su Xiaoqi to compromise.
Once they returned to their room, Su Xiaoqi urged Zhang Yu to speak.
This time, she didn't refuse again, knowing she couldn't resist.
Zhang Yu was an orphan, raised from childhood in a certain organization.
She underwent all sorts of training, which Su Xiaoqi already knew.
But actually, when she was little, she had a very happy and fulfilling family.
She had a mother who loved her, a father who could amuse her, and a little brother whose appearance she could no longer recall.
Their family wasn't wealthy, but they weren't poor either. They ran a fabric shop on the street and lived a simple, content life. The family was happy and joyful.
But all of this was destroyed by a flower girl who appeared out of nowhere.
She had met Zhang Yu's father at a banquet and later clung to him. She showed up at their home with a pregnant belly, insisting the child was his and demanding he take responsibility.
Otherwise, she threatened to hang herself in front of their door, taking both herself and the unborn child with her.
With no other choice, Zhang Yu's father took her into the household.
What followed was no longer a life. That flower girl, of improper background, had learned the art of enchantment.
Her honest and simple father was no match for her charms. Within a few days, he was so infatuated that he neglected his lawfully wedded wife and their two children.
All the delicacies and best provisions were reserved for her.
And they, the mother and her two children, were first ostracized, and then completely driven out to live in the woodshed.
Soon after, her mother died of melancholy.
It was also possible that the flower girl had caused her death through some scheme or even by poisoning her.
In any case, their siblings first lost their father, then their mother, leaving them with no final comfort.
Until one day, both of them were trafficked.
"You weren't very old then, were you?" Su Xiaoqi asked, a little curious.
Zhang Yu fell silent for a moment, her voice growing somewhat low.
"I was six years old. I had a good memory and recalled these events very clearly.
I was afraid of forgetting, so I wrote them down on paper whenever I had the chance. Before sleeping every night, and after waking up, I would recite them from memory. They are etched into my soul."
Especially the days after they were trafficked, life was simply unbearable.
Fortunately, she was rescued by people from the organization.
But her younger brother, she had no idea where he had ended up.
Zhang Yu's voice finally broke with emotion.
"It's okay, it's okay now," Su Xiaoqi said, hugging her and patting her back to comfort her gently.
She regretted asking her about these things.
But since she had asked, there was no point in regretting it.
Moreover, ever since Zhang Yu came to her side, Su Xiaoqi had long realized that she was the type of person who appeared strong on the outside but was actually very fragile within.
She always put on a facade of not caring about anything in front of Su Xiaoqi.
But she knew that deep down, she carried wounds.
It was just that she was unwilling to reveal them easily.
This was because, deep down, she felt they weren't close.
Therefore, this time, Su Xiaoqi had approached it with a probing intent.
She hadn't expected Zhang Yu to be willing to speak.
Perhaps it was the sachet sent by that flower girl that had been too much of a provocation, causing her to become vulnerable and develop a desire to confide.
"Master, this servant... this servant is alright now. My master said that the past is the past.
I can't change anything. As long as I grasp the present, and then find an opportunity to seek revenge, and then find my brother, everything will be alright."
Zhang Yu was still confident and optimistic at heart.
It was just that the scar from her childhood was too deep and too harsh.
Su Xiaoqi couldn't help but feel heartache for her.
After comforting Zhang Yu, she, in turn, began to worry about Su Xiaoqi.
"Master, that flower girl is so bold. Was she deliberately provoking you? What does she want? Does she intend to move in?"
"How dare she," Su Xiaoqi's willow brows furrowed, her voice not loud but her demeanor imposing.
"This estate belongs to the Su family, not the Shen family. If she thinks that by relying on Master's favor, she can just seize the property, then she's mistaken.
It was Shen Yun himself who insisted on registering this estate under her name back then.
At worst, I'll drive out you and Master together."
Su Xiaoqi said this with spirited confidence, for she was a homeowner.
Zhang Yu beamed with joy at her words, while Guo'er looked worried.
Didn't their master have too much courage? To even dare to drive out the masters.
The three of them were chatting animatedly, unaware that Shen Yun had been standing under the corridor for quite some time.
He felt a bit helpless, touching his nose.
He hadn't intended to eavesdrop; it wasn't a good reputation to have.
But this wasn't the right time for him to enter, so he was stuck under the corridor, unsure of what to do, caught in a dilemma.
Su Xiaoqi had heard the commotion outside the door long ago. She pretended not to know, deliberately saying, "If my husband is heartless, I will divorce him."
Well, that sounded worse and worse. Shen Yun cleared his throat heavily, signaling to the three inside that he had returned and they should stop talking.
Su Xiaoqi gestured for Zhang Yu and Guo'er to withdraw, but she herself looked towards the window, not even turning around.
"Wife," Shen Yun stepped forward, automatically tucking his tail between his legs, approaching cautiously to placate her.
Su Xiaoqi said stiffly,
"Husband, I'm sorry. I accidentally ruined the sachet your confidante gave you."
Hearing this felt as uncomfortable as eating a mouthful of undercooked rice.
Shen Yun shook his head, hugging Su Xiaoqi from behind. In his heart, he already deeply resented the woman named Fang Gu.
Hadn't he made it clear enough when he sent word to her today? He had absolutely no feelings for her and told her not to waste her efforts on him.
She should find another suitable partner as soon as possible.
"Wife, what sachet? Your husband never cared about such things," Shen Yun deliberately pulled her into his embrace.
He was very careful when he went out now, never letting women get close to him, lest he pick up some inexplicable scent and then incur the displeasure of his own wife.
Su Xiaoqi didn't want to pay him any mind, but Shen Yun took the opportunity to press against her from behind and seal her lips.