Chapter 10 The Gamble

Familiar strokes, simple and forceful writing, and the signature ‘Yu Qingwu’ at the end, clearly caught the eye.

“Yes, I wrote it.”

Yu Qingwu smiled lightly, turned her head, and calmly looked at the man.

“Your Highness, according to the laws of my dynasty, what is the punishment for beating officials' family members in the street?”

“Tonsure? Or exile for thousands of miles?”

Yu Qingwu smiled, her eyes meeting Xie Jin Yan's phoenix eyes, which were filled with anger. Before he could speak, she touched her nose, pretended to be thinking, and said gloatingly, “According to our little junior sister’s style, she would definitely beat someone severely.”

“So, it should be exile for three thousand miles, enslaved for life. Little junior sister might lose her life in the capital this time.”

She drawled out the ending, smiling enchantingly and triumphantly.

There was even a hint of malice revealed.

As expected, seeing her like this, the man who had been as gentle as water a moment ago, changed his expression.

A layer of ice formed in those narrow phoenix eyes, and he stared at her silently.

Being stared at by him like that, Yu Qingwu felt a chill down her spine. Even though she was already mentally prepared, she couldn’t help but shrink back. Perhaps because of her weak body, or because the movement was too big, she suddenly leaned backward uncontrollably.

Xie Jin Yan quickly supported her waist, his face close to hers, and coldly looked at her, “Senior sister, give *gu* an explanation.” (*Gu* is a formal, archaic first-person pronoun used by royalty)

His words were accusatory, but his hand heavily pinched her waist.

Yu Qingwu had just recovered from a serious illness, and she was so hurt by his pinching that tears almost came out.

She frowned and glared at Xie Jin Yan unhappily, “You’re hurting me…”

Her voice was delicate, and her expression was charming.

It was clearly a complaint, but it revealed a bit of seductive charm.

She was delicate and easily bullied, gentle as water, as if the woman with malicious eyes just now wasn't her.

This woman was becoming more and more adept at softening her tone.

Xie Jin Yan was half appeased by her teasing. He raised his hand and gently pinched Yu Qingwu's cheek, scoffing, "Senior sister is getting more and more capable. You did something wrong, and a cry of pain is enough?"

“Then what does Your Highness want?” Yu Qingwu bit her lip, a bit of enchanting anger appearing in her eyes, and coldly snorted, “Could it be that you want to kill me?”

Kill her?

Wouldn't that just confirm that A Yue was important to him? Would Shen Rou let A Yue go? Would the Shen family let A Yue go?

And if something happened to her, the Shen family would definitely find an excuse to avenge their cousin, and righteously put A Yue to death.

Now, she had successfully shifted the hatred and gained an extra life-saving charm.

This woman had been plotting against A Yue, and him, from the beginning.

She was truly shrewd and vicious.

Xie Jin Yan felt that his senior sister should be taught a good lesson, preferably one that would keep her bedridden for half a month…

But looking at the woman's sickly, delicate, and soft appearance, he couldn't bear it.

“Senior sister, never again.” After a moment of silence, Xie Jin Yan stood up, warned Yu Qingwu, and stepped out of Qingning Pavilion.

Yu Qingwu didn't answer, only leaned on the table with her cheek propped up, smiling as she watched Xie Jin Yan leave. It wasn't until he completely disappeared from her sight that she slowly withdrew her smile. The small hand clutching the chopsticks slowly loosened, and her palm was full of sweat.

At the moment she was exposed, Yu Qingwu was actually very scared. She was afraid that Xie Jin Yan would really kill her for A Yue.

But his reaction proved that she had won the bet.

This man, who once hated her the most, perhaps, really had some feelings for her.

In that case, the things that followed might not be so difficult.

Yu Qingwu breathed a long sigh of relief and lowered her head to continue her dinner.

After finishing dinner, she called Xun *momo* in and asked her about Gao Minyue's situation. (*momo* is a respectful term for an older female servant)

Xun *momo* had given the letter to Xie Jin Yan in front of Yu Qingwu, and at this moment, she was a little afraid to face her. She bowed with a trembling voice and said that A Yue had been taken back to the residence, but she had been tortured in prison and was half-dead.

"Okay, I understand." Yu Qingwu showed a satisfied smile, signaled Xun *momo* to help her into bed, and gently instructed, "By the way, Xun *momo*, don't prepare His Highness's meals in the future. I think he will be spending the next month or two with Gao Minyue in Chunfang Pavilion."

"How can that Gao compare to you, miss? She is just a mad woman! I don't know what His Highness is thinking, how could he indulge her so much!" Xun *momo* scolded angrily for a few words. When she looked at Yu Qingwu, her eyes unconsciously revealed guilt. She hesitated and said, "And you, miss, why didn't you find someone to write for you? Why did you have to write it yourself? And even write your full name on it."

"Aren't you, giving people evidence? This old servant wants to hide it for you, but I can't hide it." Xun *momo* patted her thigh, feeling disappointed.

Looking at Xun *momo*'s expression, Yu Qingwu couldn't help but sigh. As expected, beauty is produced by comparison. Xun *momo* didn't like her very much before, but since A Yue came, Xun *momo* treated her more and more like her master.

Smiling shallowly at Xun *momo*, she suddenly remembered something, raised her head and asked, "By the way, *momo*, speaking of the Shen family, I heard His Highness say a few days ago that Shen Zongyuan is going to take Ning Wang's youngest daughter, Liang Ruowei, as a concubine. Doesn't Liang Ruowei have a husband? How did she become Shen Zongyuan's concubine?"

"Why is miss suddenly asking about this?"

Xun *momo*'s face changed drastically. The angry expression just now instantly sank down, as if she had been asked about something extremely terrifying. She gave her a deep look, full of unspoken fear, "Miss, it's best not to ask too much about things that have nothing to do with us."

After saying that, Xun *momo* turned off the light, as if afraid that Yu Qingwu would ask any more questions, and hurriedly stepped out of the room.

Yu Qingwu lay on the bed, looking at Xun *momo*'s panicked figure as she left, her mood becoming complicated.

It was just taking a concubine, so why did Xun *momo* show such a 'terrified' expression?

Yu Qingwu had no interest in the gossip of those high-ranking officials and nobles, but she had a great interest in the Shen family and the Liang family. After all, even if she caught a little bit of evidence, there was a chance to bring ruin to their families.

Maybe… that person knows? She had to make a trip to the Rongguo Duke's residence!

Having made up her mind, fifteen days later, just after the splint was removed, Yu Qingwu went to the market to buy mung bean cakes and went to the Rongguo Duke's residence.

She came early. As soon as she entered Hongxiang Courtyard, she saw Shen Ke coming out of the bedroom.

Yu Qingwu smiled and walked gracefully towards him, "Second cousin."

"You… why are you here?" Shen Ke's eyes were still sleepy, and there was a hint of panic in his expression.

Yu Qingwu's eyes swept over his bitten lip, and she secretly glanced at the room. She saw a familiar purple figure walking to the door, and then hurriedly retreating back into the room.

What courage, having an affair right under Shen Lin's nose.

Yu Qingwu sneered in her heart, hooked her lips, stepped forward and took Shen Ke's arm, staring at him playfully, and asked in a delicate voice, "Second cousin, let me ask you a question. Tell me, who is more beautiful, me or Qin Yiliu?"