Chapter 59

When Shen Yu woke up, there was a young maid beside her, appearing to be around ten years old.

“Who are you?”

The girl blinked. “I’m Erya, here to take care of you. Would you like some water?”

Shen Yu liked her eyes; they were clear and bright, without any ulterior motives.

“Mm.” Shen Yu pushed herself up from the bed, accidentally pulling at her back, which made her hiss in pain.

Erya hurried over with the water. “Don’t move around. The doctor has already seen you and said you need to rest.”

“The doctor?” Shen Yu was startled and instinctively covered her neckline.

“Yes,” Erya innocently said. “The one sweeping found you had a high fever and told Xifeng. The doctor came to check your pulse and said you just need to take medicine for a few days.”

Shen Yu cautiously asked, “Besides checking the pulse, did he do anything else?”

Erya thought for a moment and said, “No, after checking your pulse and giving you medicine, the doctor left, and it’s been me here ever since.”

Erya was chosen by Xie Tingzhou himself, with clear and simple thoughts due to her young age. She wouldn’t make anyone uncomfortable. Taking care of Shen Yu’s daily life was already enough.

Qing Pu Ju’s White Feather stood on the windowsill, closely watching the dog inside the room. Dahuang was very clever, sticking close to Xie Tingzhou.

Xie Tingzhou stood with two straight guards, one Xifeng and one Changliu, with Dahuang crouched at his feet, showing some signs of taking advantage of his master’s status.

“How’s Beilin Palace?”

This was clearly not asking about Beilin Palace, but rather about the person living in Beilin Palace. It was quite implicit.

Changliu glanced at Xifeng and hinted, “It’s much better. She has a good appetite and gets along well with Erya.”

Xie Tingzhou held a teacup, sliding his finger along the rim.

Of course she did. It seemed like she got along with everyone. On the way to the capital, she never had any conflicts with anyone. Even the waiters smiled a bit more when they saw her. She seemed to be naturally likable.

Xie Tingzhou contemplated Shen Yu and Shen Yu.

These two names were so similar. Shen Yu disappeared on the border, and Shen Yu appeared by his side, which inevitably made him think.

He put down the teacup. “Go find out about this Shen Yu.”

“Yes,” Xifeng said.

Changliu tentatively said, “I know some things about Miss Shen.”

Xie Tingzhou raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?”

Changliu said, “I came to Shengjing earlier than you guys. When I had nothing to do, I wandered around the streets and heard a lot of things. Miss Shen from the Shen family is a cripple.”

“A cripple?” Xie Tingzhou’s brow furrowed lightly.

Changliu nodded and continued, “Yes, it’s said that she was injured on the battlefield. Last year, the Prime Minister’s family came to propose marriage to Mr. Jiang. If it weren’t for Mrs. Jiang discovering that she was a cripple, this marriage would probably have happened already.”

“Are you sure?”

“Sure!” Changliu said firmly. “This is something that almost everyone in the capital knows. Just ask anyone randomly, and they’ll know. But later, there was news that Mr. Jiang personally clarified that he didn’t reject Miss Shen because of her condition. It was Miss Shen who refused the marriage proposal herself. He even said that if Miss Shen agreed, he could marry her at any time. Your Highness, do you know how many young ladies’ hearts were shattered by this?”

Xie Tingzhou rotated his teacup. Could it be that he was wrong? It wasn’t her?

Then who was she?

…

Li Jifeng missed his close friend and came to the Wangfu whenever he had free time.

“It’s more comfortable here with you.”

Li Jifeng leaned back comfortably on the soft couch, breaking off a piece of pastry and tossing it to Dahuang.

Xie Tingzhou wrote on the documents without lifting his head. “Can it compare to Zuiyun Tower?”

“That’s naturally incomparable,” Li Jifeng tossed a piece to Dahuang and said, “The Zuiyun Tower is full of delicate ladies. Hey, where did you get this dog? It’s too ugly-looking. I’ll find you a better breed.”

Dahuang whimpered and didn’t eat the treat, instead running back to Xie Tingzhou’s side to nuzzle his leg.

Xie Tingzhou glanced down and chuckled.

Birds of a feather flock together. No wonder he liked Shiyu. This temperament was indeed somewhat similar to Shiyu’s.

“It understands,” Xie Tingzhou said.

“What’s the big deal if it understands?” Li Jifeng shrugged. “It’s just a beast.”

Xie Tingzhou didn’t respond, finishing one document and switching to another.

Li Jifeng, for some reason, stared at him for a while, then suddenly said, “I’ve noticed you’re in a good mood. Why’s it different from the other day when you were so desperate for alcohol?”

Before Xie Tingzhou could respond, Li Jifeng’s eyes lit up. “Have you figured something out? Or did you succeed?”

Xie Tingzhou warned him with a glance.

Li Jifeng smirked mischievously, “Changliu.”

Changliu was already at the door and peeked in. “Ninth Highness.”

Li Jifeng asked, “What about the one in the cell?”

Changliu stole a glance at Xie Tingzhou and saw no displeasure, so he said, “He’s been released.”

Li Jifeng smirked knowingly, “Then bring him here so I can get a good look. I didn’t get a clear look that day.”

Xie Tingzhou put down his pen and looked at him. “What are you planning to do with him?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t compete with you for him,” Li Jifeng said cryptically.

Changliu said, “Ninth Highness, I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

“Why not? Does Xie Yun want to keep his mistress hidden away in the Golden Room? Am I not even allowed to take a look?”

“No, no,” Changliu waved his hand. “It’s just that he still can’t get out of bed.”

Li Jifeng was struck as if by lightning, dismissed Changliu, and then turned stiffly to Xie Tingzhou, clapping his hands as he spoke.

“It’s really deceiving, Xie Yun. A trapped beast is indeed dangerous. I see that person is already frail. Why didn’t you go easy on him the first time? Now he can’t even get out of bed. You’re really ruthless.”

Xie Tingzhou knew immediately that something was wrong. “It’s not what you think.”

Li Jifeng got off the couch, approached, and blinked at him. “Then what is it?”

Xie Tingzhou tossed his pen aside, leaned back in his chair, and said, “It was from whipping. Want to try it?”

Li Jifeng was dumbfounded, pointing at Xie Tingzhou. “I’m your brother, and you’re thinking of whipping me? I never thought you’d be that kind of person. Your tastes are too heavy.”

Xie Tingzhou was too lazy to explain further and called out, “Changliu, throw him out for me.”