Chapter 36: Cousin

The Grand Princess covered her lips and laughed, “Why not?” A strong woman and a weak man.

Elder Shen stood up angrily, “Did you have the same thought back then, Grand Princess?”

“Are you saying I wasn’t thoughtful enough, that I didn’t arrange things for you?”

The Grand Princess was stunned. How did this relate to her? “No, I have you, and that’s enough.” One was already too much to handle.

Elder Shen blew on his beard and glared at her. The servants in the room snickered. The Prince Consort was jealous, losing his composure.

The next morning, Shen Shurong got up early, did a simple hair and makeup routine, and quickly arranged for a carriage to take her out of the mansion before the Commandery Princess Consort arrived.

Xie Yunzhao’s dark circles were prominent. He hadn’t slept well since Rongrong hadn’t visited for three days, and last night, Qingying brought back news that made him lose sleep. 

Sitting at the round table for breakfast, he had little appetite.

His mind was filled with images of her taking the initiative to hug him, giving him the pouch, the warmth of their interaction, and then her words to Xie Yunzheng, treating him like a brother.

When Shen Shurong arrived, Qingzhu and Qingying weren’t as enthusiastic as yesterday.

Not that they were cold, but they greeted her formally, inviting her into the room, but their expressions were too indifferent, like they were treating an ordinary guest.

Suihan and Yinzhi also noticed something was wrong. Usually, they would serve tea and snacks, and Qingzhu and Qingying would keep her company, but today there were only snacks, and the two were diligently guarding the door.

Shen Shurong entered the room, only the two of them. She thought he would act like a spoiled child, hug her, and find an excuse like last night.

Instead, he politely invited her to sit on the couch. Between them was a square table, filled with her favorite snacks and fruits.

Shen Shurong looked at Xie Yunzhao, then at the square table, her eyes widening. Had everything become so formal overnight?

Could it be that Xie Yunzheng’s words had affected him?

“Brother Yunzhao, you don’t hurt anymore?”

“Mm, it doesn’t hurt anymore.” Xie Yunzhao sat with his head lowered, his heart in turmoil. He didn’t want to make things difficult for her, he wanted to tell her… that if she didn’t want to be close to him, she shouldn’t force herself.

If she didn’t want to come, she didn’t have to. She shouldn’t be afraid of his suspicions.

But he couldn’t bring himself to say it. He was afraid that if he did, she really wouldn’t come again.

Something was wrong. Shen Shurong knew him well. Even if Xie Yunzheng had said something, he wouldn’t care, let alone listen.

What was going on? Was he hiding something from her?

She stood up and paced around the room twice.

Xie Yunzhao didn’t know what she was doing, but he kept his eyes on her.

She wore a purple cloud-patterned brocade dress, her skirt flowing as she walked, graceful and vibrant. Her hair ornaments were less elaborate than usual, probably because she had left in a hurry.

Xie Yunzhao’s gaze wouldn’t leave her.

Just as Shen Shurong reached the door, he suddenly stood up, his voice urgent and fearful, “Rongrong, where are you going?”

Shen Shurong turned back, a smile curving her lips, “I see you’re not talking, and you’re not hurting anymore, so I’m not really needed here.” She pretended to open the door and leave.

Xie Yunzhao quickly walked over and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, burying his face in her neck, not wanting her to leave.

How could she not be needed here?

It was him, he was the one who was clinging to her!

Feeling his breath on her neck, his body trembling slightly, Shen Shurong didn’t know what he was worried about. “Did something happen?”

Xie Yunzhao shook his head, his heart heavy with a sense of blockage. Was he forcing her again by following his heart?

Shen Shurong suddenly had an epiphany. Maybe Xie Yunzheng had also talked to him, saying it was useless.

So, he had listened?

No wonder the three of them had acted differently today.

In everyone’s eyes, Xie Yunzhao was inferior to Xie Yunzheng, even to the academically gifted students at the academy. At least they were focused on their studies and didn’t cause trouble.

If she explained herself now, saying that she liked him, saying she disliked Xie Yunzheng, he wouldn’t believe her, and probably no one in the entire Great Zhou would believe her.

Especially since she was happily engaged as Xie Yunzheng’s fiancée for four years.

He didn’t trust himself now, and she wasn’t angry.

However, she couldn’t give him enough confidence, as a few words from Xie Yunzheng could sway his judgment. It was her fault for not doing enough.

She hadn’t shown him enough favoritism.

“I’m afraid my mother will be watching me again, so I ran out early this morning without having breakfast.”

Xie Yunzhao’s heart tightened. How could she skip breakfast?

“I intended to have it here, but Suihan said… said that the Duchess would laugh at me, so I had breakfast at Xu’s and came here once it was almost time.”

Xie Yunzhao took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling visibly.

If she didn’t want to come, she could have easily waited for the Commandery Princess Consort to come, giving herself an excuse not to come.

But she hadn’t; instead, she got up early to avoid her mother and didn’t even dare to have breakfast at the mansion.

In his mind, two little figures were fighting furiously. Was this forcing her?

Was this making things difficult for her?

Shen Shurong leaned against his chest, looking up at him, “Brother Yunzhao, who am I? Have you ever seen me compromise for anyone since we were young?”

Xie Yunzhao shook his head. She was the Yongjia Junzhu of the Grand Princess’s estate, a figure who commanded respect even from the Third Commandery Prince and the Crown Prince. The Emperor had even granted her the title of Junzhu. She didn’t need to pretend in front of him, nor did she need to feign politeness.

The man was overjoyed by her explanation, tightening his arms around her waist.

Gazing into her enchanting peach blossom eyes, her small cherry lips parting and closing, made his heart bloom with joy.

His gaze was hot as fire, as if he were in the furnace of the Supreme Laozi, making her feel weak all over.

Shen Shurong’s overwhelming affection surged up; she tiptoed and kissed the corner of his lips.

That light touch stirred the man’s heart, Rongrong had kissed him, and this wasn’t an act.

Xie Yunzhao’s mouth went dry. He licked his lips, wondering if he could also…

Lost in his thoughts, his head slowly lowered. Shen Shurong bit her lip, her cheeks flushed. Was he going to kiss her?

She slightly tilted her head back, closing her eyes.

Xie Yunzhao saw this, feeling as if he had been spurred on, his heart racing wildly.

Rongrong didn’t seem to mind…

Bang, bang—

When their lips were just a finger’s breadth apart, a knock sounded at the door.

They quickly separated and stood up straight, their faces flushed to the roots of their necks.

“What is it?” Xie Yunzhao’s eyes flashed with annoyance. He wanted to see who was ruining his moment.

“Second Master, the cousin has come to see you.”

Shen Shurong turned to look at him. Which cousin?

“It’s Cousin Li Shuang from Aunty San’s family; she arrived yesterday afternoon.”

Shen Shurong frowned. Why was she arriving in the capital at this time?

She remembered that Li Shuang had come during her wedding to Xie Yunzheng and had stayed at the Duke of Lu’s Mansion for two years.

At first, she thought it was for the purpose of becoming a concubine for Xie Yunzheng, but no one had mentioned this to her, and their relationship was quite good. Shuangshuang often came to chat with her.

Later, she was taken back by Aunty San to get married, and their correspondence dwindled.

She was glad to see an old friend ahead of time, but now she still had to pretend they weren’t close. “She must be here to visit you; please let her in.”

“Alright.” Xie Yunzhao, now knowing that Shen Shurong didn’t dislike him, felt in good spirits, his voice much lighter. “Please have my cousin come in.”