Chapter 24: Caught in the Act

Shen Shurong pressed her lips together, her eyes darting over him. “We’ve just gotten engaged. How loyal can you be after just a few days? Perhaps you’ve been to those places before!”

Xie Yunzhao was about to swear his loyalty, but he paused. He had indeed been there, but he hadn’t called for any girls, did that count?

He squeezed closer with a pitiful look. “Rongrong, I told you, don’t be angry, okay?”

Shen Shurong frowned at him. Had he really been there before?

“That was my business. I just went to check the accounts; I never called for any girls. I won’t go again.”

Shen Shurong felt embarrassed. “What do you do at a brothel?”

Xie Yunzhao didn’t know how to explain. “Just, you know, to make money.”

Seeing her expression, he felt she didn’t believe him. “I don’t have a lot to inherit, and I need to think about myself. This also counts for our future, Rongrong, don’t be angry, okay?”

Shen Shurong knew he had his own resources, but she hadn’t expected a brothel to be one of them. “So, can you guarantee you won’t go again?”

This time, Xie Yunzhao dared to swear. “I promise. If I step in even a little, may the heavens strike me down…”

“Alright, I believe you.” Shen Shurong pulled his hand down.

Xie Yunzhao took the opportunity to hold her hand, soft and small, he really wanted to take a bite.

He looked at her little face and asked, “You’re not angry anymore?”

“Mm, as long as you keep yourself clean, I won’t be angry.”

“Absolutely,” Xie Yunzhao felt relieved. “I thought…” He didn’t finish his sentence. He shouldn’t mention Xie Yunzheng.

Shen Shurong was curious. “What did you think?”

“It’s nothing; I just… saw…” No, she would definitely think he didn’t trust her.

“Did you see Xie Yunzheng?” Shen Shurong raised her eyebrows, feeling a pang of jealousy. “What were you going to say?”

Xie Yunzhao hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Xie Yunzheng is engaged now. You have me; you can try to… let go.”

Shen Shurong nodded. “I will let go.”

Xie Yunzhao’s head shot up. Rongrong said she would let go of Xie Yunzheng? “Really?”

“Of course.”

Xie Yunzhao felt joy swell within him. He was about to grin when he heard,

“Of course, it will take some time. You won’t mind, will you?”

The sparkle in his bright eyes dimmed instantly. “I don’t mind.” How could it be so quick? Even if she said she would let go, it was probably just to comfort him.

After all, he hadn’t let go of Shen Shurong for four years, and his feelings for her only deepened.

Thinking this, Xie Yunzhao’s lips drooped. Would Rongrong feel the same way, finding it harder to forget him?

With him right in front of her, Shen Shurong also missed him dearly. Her eyes rolled, and she suggested, “Brother Yunzhao, I’m tired. Can I lean on you for a bit?”

Xie Yunzhao would never refuse. He sat closer to her, leaning against the carriage wall.

Shen Shurong nestled into his left side, feeling the robust heartbeat beneath her ear.

The man smiled contentedly, careful not to move too much for fear of disturbing the delicate figure in his embrace.

She didn’t reject him, was willing to marry him, and even thought about their future children. Compared to before, a glance from her was a luxury, and seeing her now with Xie Yunzheng was too much.

After a long day, Shen Shurong fell asleep.

The carriage had already arrived at the Grand Princess’s residence. Jinzhi didn’t allow anyone to follow them, and Yinzhi lifted the curtain of the carriage, revealing the Junzhu asleep on Xie Yunzhao’s shoulder, who held onto her tightly to prevent her from toppling over.

He lowered the curtain and turned to Suihan, shaking his head. They would just have to wait.

Shen Shurong woke up half an hour later, slightly pulling away from the man behind her. “We’ve arrived. Why didn’t you wake me?”

Xie Yunzhao’s cheeks flushed. He raised his arm, which had gone numb. He still hadn’t had enough of holding her. “It’s nothing. If you want to sleep, just sleep.”

Shen Shurong wanted to say, “Don’t rush; it’s not time yet. We have to wait until after the wedding.”

“Lu Ziqian invited us out to play. Do you want to go?”

Suddenly, Shen Shurong remembered that to be a good wife, she hadn’t ridden a horse since she was fourteen, and her archery skills needed some practice. “Let’s go horseback riding. It’s been a long time since I’ve played.”

“Great, I’ll arrange it.” Xie Yunzhao grinned as he stepped down from the carriage and helped her down.

Just as Shen Shurong’s feet touched the ground, she felt a sudden numbness and stumbled right into Xie Yunzhao’s arms. She swore it wasn’t on purpose this time.

Xie Yunzhao stood firm, holding her upright.

“Cough, cough…”

A deep, rumbling cough interrupted them. Shen Yunzhao and Shen Shurong looked over together. “Grandfather?”

Shen Shurong quickly stood up straight, and Xie Yunzhao hurriedly took two steps back, bowing respectfully. “Greetings, Elder Shen.”

Both of their faces turned as red as fire.

“Yongjia, come back.” Elder Shen glared at Xie Yunzhao, clearly displeased. How dare he touch his granddaughter before they were even married?

Shen Shurong winked at Xie Yunzhao, lifted her skirt, and dashed back to the residence.

Seeing her playful demeanor, Xie Yunzhao felt a ticklish sensation in his heart, but he didn’t dare to act recklessly and could only suppress his laughter.

“In the future, unless necessary, you should come less often. After all, you’re not married yet, and you need to consider Yongjia’s reputation.”

“I understand, please rest assured, Elder Shen.”

“Mm, you may go back.”

Elder Shen only had this one precious granddaughter. He was already unhappy about her marrying this scoundrel, and lately, Xie Yunzhao had been visiting frequently.

Once Elder Shen entered, Xie Yunzhao finally let go of Shen Shurong. He let out a soft breath; he had always feared him when they were studying together, and that fear hadn’t lessened now, especially since he was Rongrong’s grandfather.

Xie Yunzhao rode back to the family estate with Qingzhu, both silent, his mind filled with Shen Shurong’s question about whether he minded she hadn’t let go of Xie Yunzheng.

When they arrived at Linfeng Residence, Qingzhu poured him some tea. “Second Master, the Young master went to the theater; it seems he did it intentionally to show you.”

Xie Yunzhao thought so too. “The Junzhu knows he’s engaged. She can’t completely let go of him yet.”

“Their wedding is only a month later than yours. Once you are married, the Junzhu will naturally let go.”

Xie Yunzhao sighed. It was tough! “In the future, just inform me about the happenings at Drunk Spring Fragrance. The Junzhu cares, and she doesn’t want me to go there.”

Qingzhu’s eyes brightened. “Second Master, this means the Junzhu still cares about you.”

Xie Yunzhao turned back, is that so?

“If she doesn’t want you to visit the brothel, it shows she cares about you.”

Xie Yunzhao’s eyes gradually lit up. “You mean she’s jealous?”

“Of course. You mind her still having feelings for Xie Yunzheng, and she minds you going to the brothel. It’s the same; they’re both jealous.”

Xie Yunzhao straightened up. Qingzhu made a good point. “She leaned on me in the carriage today, and then she fell asleep.”

Qingzhu only knew the Junzhu had fallen asleep; she didn’t realize the nature of their position. “Congratulations, Second Master! The Junzhu clearly does not reject you. This is a good sign of acceptance!”

Xie Yunzhao could no longer sit still. He began pacing back and forth. Did this mean she had feelings for him too?

Could he bite her hand? Could he kiss her…?

“Just remember that Elder Shen will be watching you.”

Xie Yunzhao’s fantasies came to an abrupt halt. He couldn’t keep seeking her out; he could go out to play, but Elder Shen couldn’t possibly follow him everywhere, right?