Chapter 98 – Brother Shen, Let Me Show You a Trick!

Shen Nian was slightly startled. They had just discussed settling the score yesterday—had she already handled it by this morning?

He pulled Xia Tian’s hand over, worried. “You can’t be so reckless next time. You still need to be careful and have a proper plan. You just acted openly in front of everyone—if someone had seen you, it would’ve been over.”

Even though she had sounded so confident yesterday, he still wasn’t completely reassured.

He hadn’t expected this girl to take action so quickly!

While he had a vague idea of her abilities, he had never seen them in action. He didn’t know how exactly she had done it.

And he was worried that she might become arrogant because of her special abilities, underestimating others and eventually falling into someone else’s trap.

“You must protect yourself first. Revenge can wait. Understand?” Shen Nian’s tone was serious.

“Got it. Don’t worry,” Xia Tian quickly promised. “I won’t put myself in danger.”

“You swear?”

“I swear!”

At that moment, she felt like Shen Nian was just a kid—childish and stubborn.

To ease his mind, she pulled her hand back, leaned in close, and whispered, “Brother Shen, let me show you a trick!”

With that, she reached into her left sleeve and pulled out a teacup.

Shen Nian’s eyes lifted slightly, and his mouth unconsciously feel open as he stared at Xia Tian’s hand.

He stared blankly for a moment, then came to his senses and quickly looked around—no one was nearby. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

He grabbed Xia Tian’s sleeve and checked—it was wide and empty.

He looked back at her, completely confused.

Xia Tian’s lips curved into a smile. She motioned with her chin, “Go on, open it.”

Suspicious, Shen Nian lifted the lid of the teacup. Inside was steaming hot tea.

Xia Tian then gestured again. “Cover it.”

Shen Nian obeyed.

As soon as he placed the lid back on, Xia Tian said, “Now open it again.”

Shen Nian lifted the lid once more—the tea was gone.

He stared at the empty teacup, then at Xia Tian, then back again, disbelief written all over his face.

This trick went far beyond his comprehension. She hadn’t even moved, and yet the tea had vanished.

After a long pause, he finally found his voice. “How did you do that? You’re not… actually an immortal sent from the heavens, are you?”

He had once suspected this girl was some kind of hidden master, otherwise how could she have medicine that could bring people back from the brink of death?

But she was far too young. At most, he’d assumed she might be the descendant of some reclusive expert.

He’d even had Mu Feng investigate her family. She really did grow up in the Xia family. Unless she was switched at birth, it didn’t make sense.

Later, when he saw her phenomenal painting skills, he had concluded that she must be descended from some extraordinary figure. After the initial shock, that explanation felt reasonable.

But now, this new trick completely threw him off again. Who exactly was she? How could she conjure things out of thin air—and then make them disappear?

Seeing Shen Nian’s stunned face, Xia Tian chuckled and teased, “That’s right. I was sent by Heaven to help you.”

Shen Nian paused, then thought about it—and realized it made sense.

Ever since he was poisoned and declared incurable, it was this girl who showed up and saved him.

Why else would Mu Yang have found her, of all people?

She must have been sent by the heavens to save him!

And if that was the case, then nothing she did would be strange.

With that thought, he suddenly grabbed Xia Tian’s hand again, this time tightly, his voice slightly tense, “Then… you won’t leave me in the future, right?”

“I won’t.” Xia Tian was momentarily stunned—she hadn’t expected that to be his takeaway.

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Hearing that she wouldn’t leave, Shen Nian suddenly pulled her into his arms. His voice was low as he whispered in her ear, “Then I won’t let you leave me, either.”

Xia Tian’s body stiffened slightly. Wait—did this joke go too far?

Shen Nian hugged her briefly, then let go, and said sternly, “What you showed me today—don’t let anyone else see or know, understand?”

“Got it,” Xia Tian replied lightly.

Only then did Shen Nian let go of her hand. The two of them continued to discuss their follow-up plans in low voices.

Shen Nian told her to pretend like nothing had happened and just go along with Madam Liu’s arrangements for the day. They’d think of a way to remove her from this whole housekeeper business later.

That was what Xia Tian had in mind too. After their talk, she stood up and went to report to Madam Liu and make her rounds at a few designated spots.

Once Xia Tian left, Shen Nian thought for a while and then called for Mu Feng. “Go find Mu Chen—and avoid drawing attention.”

“Yes,” Mu Feng answered and quietly slipped away.

By the time Mu Feng and Mu Chen returned, the sky was already bright.

The three of them met in the study, and Mu Chen updated Shen Nian on the situation with Qingye.

Shen Nian paced as he thought, then instructed, “Have someone watch that old woman and those two men closely. Don’t alert them.”

There were a lot of people at the residence today, so for now, they’d just observe. He wanted to see if Madam Liu would make any further moves.

After a moment of thought, he added, “Also have someone keep an eye on Shen Ke. Don’t get too close—just report back at the first sign of anything unusual.”

“Yes, young master,” the two replied, and went off to make arrangements.

Shen Nian straightened his clothes and headed to the front courtyard. Today was Shen Ning’s wedding, and guests would be arriving soon.

As the heir of the marquis household, he had to be at the front gate to greet them.

Meanwhile, the people Mu Chen had sent to track the two men from last night reported back an hour later—they couldn’t find them anywhere in the entire residence.

Mu Chen told them to keep looking. If they found them, they were to monitor them. If not, report back again later.

The man nodded and left.

Mu Chen went to inform Shen Nian. Shen Nian told him to continue watching. If the two never showed up again, they’d deal with it then.

In his heart, he already had a hunch—it was unlikely those two had escaped. Most likely, Madam Liu had already silenced them.

He thought for a moment and summoned Mu Chen again. “Make sure someone’s watching that old woman closely. If she dies too, there’ll be no one left to testify.”

As for Shen Nian’s arrangements, Xia Tian didn’t bother getting involved. She spent the whole morning dealing with the visiting noblewomen.

She stayed by Madam Liu’s side as she greeted guests. Each time someone came, Madam Liu would introduce her. Her face hurt from smiling, and she barely listened to a word being said.

Some ladies praised Madam Liu’s kindness for bringing her along. Others, who were more status-conscious, said Madam Liu had really lowered herself—how could just anyone catch her eye?

If it weren’t for the fact that today was Shen Ning’s big day, Xia Tian would’ve flipped the table.

Seeing she was unhappy, Madam Liu even feigned concern, “These ladies don’t know the situation. Don’t take their words to heart.”

Xia Tian smiled sweetly. “You’re right, Mom. When I was in the village, my grandma always said—when someone gets bitten by a dog, they don’t go biting the dog back.”

Madam Liu froze, her smile nearly slipping. This damned girl—did she say that on purpose? Is that even an appropriate metaphor?

She looked at Xia Tian’s innocent face and didn’t even know how to get angry.

Xia Tian watched Madam Liu’s shifting expression and sneered inwardly. Did she really think she could just take advantage of anyone she pleased?

Afraid Xia Tian would say something even more outrageous, Madam Liu didn’t dare keep her by her side any longer. She sent her off to entertain the young ladies who had come along.

Out of sight, out of mind. That girl really had a way of choking her with just her words.