In Su Xiaoqi's heart, Zhang Yu had not been by her side for very long.
However, she felt she knew her reasonably well.
The four individuals, Feng, Yu, Lei, and Dian, their abilities and temperaments were as their names suggested.
Zhang Feng was said to be someone whose skills in gathering information and escaping were maxed out.
Zhang Yu, on the other hand, was a person of steady disposition, acting with the gentleness of wind and rain, which suited Su Xiaoqi’s temperament perfectly.
Zhang Lei's temper was somewhat more volatile, but fortunately, his skills were formidable; the other three were no match for him in a one-on-one fight.
As for Zhang Dian, his abilities were decent, but he was the most low-key and reserved, and disliked speaking.
As the old saying goes, someone who couldn't even manage a fart in half an hour.
And at this moment, even the usually steady Zhang Yu was showing signs of panic.
Su Xiaoqi had a strong premonition that something bad had happened.
She glanced at Zhang Yu, silently forbidding her from speaking in front of the Old Madam.
Whatever it was, she didn't want to disturb the elderly lady at this time.
The Old Madam needed rest.
The two walked into the courtyard, and at Su Xiaoqi's signal, Zhang Yu could no longer contain herself, and spoke directly, "Mistress, some unpleasant rumors have started circulating outside."
Su Xiaoqi knitted her brows. "What rumors?"
Zhang Yu then recounted precisely what she had heard when she went out to find Shen Yun, presenting it to Su Xiaoqi.
Many rumors were now circulating, all of them slandering Shen Yun's reputation.
They said he, a young scholar from a rural area, had obtained money from somewhere and come to the capital to buy estates.
Given his background and origins, the money was definitely not legitimately obtained.
Of course, these words were not enough to make Zhang Yu anxious.
She was worried about what came after.
Among these rumors, another one was circulating.
It said that at the end of the first lunar month, there had been an ambush on the essential route into the capital.
The traveler's money had all been robbed, and the person was dead.
Shuntian Prefecture had not yet apprehended the culprit.
And at this time, Shen Yun, this poor scholar, had suddenly become wealthy, making it difficult not to connect the two events.
Su Xiaoqi's eyes flickered, and she looked at the bluestone and pine trees in the courtyard. Her heart, which had been somewhat anxious, was now inexplicably soothed by the verdant, upright pines.
She let out a cold snort. "Since they say he's a poor scholar, why focus only on him being poor and not on him being a scholar?"
In the eyes of the world, weren't scholars all people without the strength to even lift a chicken?
How could he have ambushed and killed someone?
Furthermore, the case Zhang Yu mentioned wasn't about them ambushing others.
It was about them being ambushed, but because their skills were good, they had retaliated and killed the assailants.
Unfortunately, those individuals were all assassins, and not a single one had survived.
Up until now, they hadn't found any clues.
They had thought this case was over, but unexpectedly, it had been brought up again at this crucial juncture.
Su Xiaoqi's eyes widened suddenly, and she looked at Zhang Yu. "What did Shen Yun say?"
"Master has already sent Zhang Feng to investigate this matter."
Su Xiaoqi nodded. "That case was handled so discreetly, and they didn't leave any survivors. It stands to reason that it shouldn't have gotten out.
Now that it's being discussed, it means that those spreading the word must know some details.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to tell it so vividly, as if they had witnessed it themselves."
Therefore, if Shen Yun followed this lead, he might be able to uncover the origins of that group of assassins.
Zhang Yu nodded, saying that Master had precisely that intention.
"Did he say if this matter is related to the heir of Yong'an Marquis?" Two incidents erupting simultaneously seemed too coincidental, making it difficult not to consider if there was any connection.
Zhang Yu shook her head. "The heir of Yong'an Marquis is so foolish and incompetent, someone who makes a spectacle of himself in public. He should not be the one behind the assassination."
Su Xiaoqi nodded, admitting that she had merely asked a perfunctory question.
It was obvious that while they had some minor disagreements with Liu Yuanming, it had not escalated to the point of life and death.
"Alright, let them investigate." Su Xiaoqi then asked Zhang Yu what Shen Yun had said about her staying overnight at the Duke's mansion.
"Master said that since the Old Madam is old and her bones are injured, she should be cared for here. He will take care of the estates and other matters."
Hearing this, Su Xiaoqi couldn't help but lower her head and chuckle.
She imagined Shen Yun maintaining a straight face and a calm, composed demeanor when he said this. She chuckled again and said that since that was the case, she was happy to be a hands-off manager.
Despite this, Su Xiaoqi still had to make many plans for this matter.
The voices of the two were kept very low.
They did not attract the attention of anyone in the Duke's mansion.
However, in the evening, Shen Yun still made a trip to the Duke's mansion.
Seeing him being led in by Zhang Yu, Su Xiaoqi was startled.
She was tending to the Old Madam as she took her medicine and looked up to see Shen Yun standing before her.
"You, why are you here? I told you..." Su Xiaoqi hadn't expected him to come to the Duke's mansion after she had already sent Zhang Yu to pass on a message. In her surprise, she stood up abruptly.
Shen Yun smiled at her, but then bowed deeply to the Old Madam and politely inquired about her health.
He also asked how she was feeling and if she felt any discomfort.
Shen Yun was already exceptionally handsome, and when he spoke so gently, he was simply captivating, especially endearing.
The Old Madam stopped Su Xiaoqi and chuckled.
"Heh heh, what are you saying, girl? Xu Chi is here to visit you properly, and you treat him like this." As people age, they enjoy seeing young couples showing affection and love for each other.
Though she chided Su Xiaoqi at the moment, her expression towards Shen Yun was one of joy.
She then simply declared that since Shen Yun had come, he might as well stay here for the night."
As the Old Madam spoke, she beckoned to Nanny Lin and asked her to arrange a guest room for Shen Yun in the front courtyard.
She also called for Madam Wen to accompany her and directly dismissed Su Xiaoqi to go and talk with Shen Yun.
"Then I wish maternal grandmother a good rest. Call me anytime if you need anything." Su Xiaoqi, still preoccupied with what Zhang Yu had mentioned earlier, did not stand on ceremony with the Old Madam.
After bowing, she led the way out of the room.
As soon as they reached the corridor, Shen Yun suddenly reached out and clasped Su Xiaoqi's hand.
"Oh, no." Su Xiaoqi glanced around, seeing several maids wearing water-red, pink, and green jackets passing by. She felt a bit embarrassed and tried to shake her arm free, but unexpectedly, Shen Yun tightened his grip.
"My wife, why are you so nervous? We are husband and wife, so being more intimate is of no consequence."
Although women in the Daliang Dynasty had restrictions, they were no longer as strict as before.
Moreover, they were in the courtyard, and it was not improper.
Coupled with Su Xiaoqi's mind still on the previous matter, she did not argue with Shen Yun further, but eagerly asked him how the matter had been handled.
Shen Yun turned his head to look at Su Xiaoqi. The woman before him was wearing a simple cotton outfit, with no discernible patterns or decorations, appearing extremely plain.
However, the light and elegant clothing greatly complemented her temperament, and coupled with her fair skin and clear, bright eyes, she unconsciously captured his attention.
He tightened his grip on her hand, his feelings of affection involuntarily softening.
"It's alright. Let them spread those words; they won't affect us."
Su Xiaoqi was puzzled. "How can that be? If this rumor continues to spread, won't it ruin your reputation?"
One must know that for scholars who seek official positions, reputation is of utmost importance.
If one's reputation among the common folk is poor, the nobles in the palace will also be aware of it.
Shen Yun patted her hand reassuringly. "It won't last too long."
Seeing that her brow was still furrowed and she was still worried, Shen Yun knew that she cared about him. Feeling pleased, he drew her into his embrace, resting his chin on her forehead and nuzzling her gently.
He told Su Xiaoqi that he had already instructed Zhang Lei to do something, and believed that it would be resolved soon.
Su Xiaoqi asked curiously, "Do what?"
Shen Yun's eyes moved slightly, appearing somewhat troubled and helpless. After a moment's thought, he said, "My wife will know soon enough."
He hoped that when she found out, she would still treat him as before. Otherwise, to deal with a mere Liu Yuanming and damage his image in his wife's eyes would be too much of a loss.