Chapter 13: Explanation

Shen Shurong was laughing inwardly, but kept an innocent expression. “What is it? Did I say something wrong?”

Xie Yunzhao’s neck had turned red, and he didn’t know how to respond. His gaze darted away. “It’s nothing. I won’t keep any more pets, and I won’t grill fish for you either. We’re even now.”

Shen Shurong grabbed his hand and pulled it down. “Brother Yunzhao, we were very close when we were little. We can be like that again.”

Xie Yunzhao gave a faint tug at the corner of his lips. What did she mean by that—just like when they were kids, treating him like a Big Brother?

“Alright.” Just a brother, then. Better than nothing at all. Gritting his teeth, Xie Yunzhao silently tried to encourage himself.

So reluctant—Shen Shurong absolutely adored this side of him. She wanted nothing more than to curl up in his arms and feel the passion burning in his heart.

She pulled him to sit on a stone bench, and they chatted about childhood memories and silly little stories. When she found out he’d been whipped a few days ago after she fell  into the water, her heart twisted in pain. “Does it still hurt?”

Xie Yunzhao looked at her, her delicate brows knitted high in worry. He wanted to say it didn’t hurt, that it had all been worth it—but what slipped out instead was one single word: “Yes.”

Shen Shurong bit her lip, and two tears slipped free, pushed out by that one word. She owed him so much.

Xie Yunzhao panicked—he hadn’t meant to upset her. He hastily pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping away her tears. “I was teasing you. You know my Father’s been beating me since I was little. I’m used to it.”

The more he tried to comfort her, the more her tears fell. If there were no second chances, they would have never had the chance to be together.

Perhaps, in their past life, she should’ve insisted on marrying him, regardless of whether he was the Heir or not.

Xie Yunzhao grew even more flustered. He stood in front of her and crouched down slightly to wipe her tears, coaxing her gently, “Don’t cry. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Hit me—just hit me, and once you’re done, no more crying, alright?”

With his soft coaxing, Shen Shurong could no longer hold back. She threw her arms around his waist. She had already married someone else, and yet he had continued to love her all this time.

They had missed each other for so long, and still, he had waited for her.

In this lifetime, besides guarding the financial storeroom and settling her accounts, she would help him reclaim the title that had been stolen from him. His hatred—hers to avenge as well!

Her tears soaked into his robe. Xie Yunzhao didn’t know where to place his hands. The person in his arms seemed uneasy—maybe holding her tighter would help?

Not far away, Suihan was beaming with joy while Yinzhi looked on in surprise. The two of them turned their backs, whispering.

“Did the Junzhu … accept the Second Young Master?”

Suihan nodded. “You may call him the Master-in-law now.”

Yinzhi understood. She and Jinzhi had both noticed how the Junzhu  had welcomed Suihan’s presence these past few days. Perhaps she had guessed right about her mistress’s heart.

“The Master-in-law is about to move the entire treasury of the Duke of Lu’s Mansion over here.”

“Four years ago, before the Heir was decided, the Second Young Master already treated the Junzhu  differently.”

Yinzhi suddenly recalled as well. “You mean… he’s always felt that way? But when someone else was granted the title of Heir, that’s why he…”

“The Junzhu  only cried on the day she fell into the water.”

With that one sentence, clarity dawned on Yinzhi like a jolt of cold water. If the Junzhu  truly couldn’t let go of the Heir, why would she stop crying as soon as the imperial decree arrived? Why would she no longer speak of dying?

Jinzhi had cried herself into swollen lantern-eyes, and now it was clear—how foolish she had been. Only after someone pointed it out did she finally understand.

So, was that why the Junzhu  had kept to herself these past few days, refusing to see anyone or deal with outside affairs? She’d been hiding this all along?

“Does the Second Young Master know?”

Suihan shook her head. “It’s better if he doesn’t. Otherwise, he’d surely not believe it, and it would only make the Junzhu  feel worse.”

Yinzhi nodded. “Yes, this way is best.”

After crying for a while, Shen Shurong felt much better. Realizing she was still holding onto him, she stepped back from his embrace, sniffling. “Sorry, I lost my balance.”

The soft, delicate figure pulled away, leaving Xie Yunzhao with an emptiness in his chest. He coughed lightly. “Ahem, I understand. You’ve just recovered—you’re still weak.”

“Mm.” Shen Shurong sat back down. Xie Yunzhao followed suit, but he no longer dared to speak carelessly.

He tilted his head slightly to look at her—her face was still flushed from crying. Yet even so, he still preferred seeing her smile. It was more beautiful than a field of blooming flowers.

…

At the Duke of Lu’s Mansion, Xie Yunzheng sat with a book in hand—though it was upside down.

He had gone over early in the morning and hadn’t returned since entering the Grand Princess’ Estate. Could Yongjia have kept him there?

Impossible. Even when forced by circumstance, she never wronged herself—especially not in the face of Xie Yunzhao.

Perhaps he was still waiting in the front courtyard. Or perhaps he was with Elder Shen, being lectured.

Surely… surely he couldn’t be spending all this time alone with Yongjia.

Chiyu came in, his expression grim. “Young Master, Second Young Master still hasn’t come out.”

Xie Yunzheng flung the book aside. Xie Yunzhao—shameless as ever!

“Perhaps the Junzhu  found out that Madam Liang was arranging a match for you, and got upset. A few days ago, some guards saw her chief maid snooping around.”

“Really?” She was jealous over him?

A glimmer of light appeared in Xie Yunzheng’s eyes. He stood up, gaze fixed intently on Chiyu.

Chiyu cupped his fists. “Young Master, more than one guard saw her, and it wasn’t just once.”

Xie Yunzheng sat back down, closing his eyes as a wave of relief washed over him.

The more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t help but chuckle softly. That little girl had retaliated against him.

And she had succeeded—quite spectacularly.

“So she does care. Next time I see her, I’ll explain everything.”

“Yes, Young Master. When the chance comes, you can tell her yourself.”

“I will. I’ll find a way to tell her today—I haven’t agreed to anything.”
 As long as she understood, maybe she wouldn’t be mad at him anymore. He really couldn’t take it.

After midday, each residence prepared their carriages. Shen Shurong gave a special instruction: “Big Brother Yunzhao has been sunburned. Let him ride with me.”

The maids chuckled.

Qingzhu and Qingying hadn’t expected the Second Young Master to spend the entire morning with the Junzhu —let alone that she showed no trace of displeasure about the broken engagement. Instead, she was even inviting him into her carriage.

The two bowed their heads, quietly happy for their master.

Xie Yunzhao touched his face. Was she concerned about his complexion? “Alright. I’ll go out less from now on.”

“In the future, whenever we go out, we’ll go together. I’m afraid of the sun—you’ll hold the umbrella for me. That way neither of us will get tanned.”

Today, Xie Yunzhao felt like he was floating in a bubble of bliss, soaring through the air, feet barely touching the ground. “I’m the best at holding umbrellas. I’ll make sure not a single ray of sunlight touches you—not a single drop of rain either.”

As long as she liked it, he would hold an umbrella for her all his life.

Shen Shurong shot him a look full of praise. See? So useful. Who said he wasn’t good enough?

The two of them laughed together.

The Grand Princess and Elder Shen’s carriage led at the front, with Shen Shurong and Xie Yunzhao’s following behind.

Qingzhu and Qingying led the horses, walking at the rear.

Three riders followed from even farther back.

He had entered her carriage—he had asked, and she hadn’t refused.

Or perhaps, she simply didn’t want others to see him walking beside her carriage.

Xie Yunzheng had thought she was still angry at him, but there was no need to go this far.

Chiyu and Chixiao trailed behind silently. The Young Master had lost to the Junzhu —no one knew better than they how difficult these past few days had been for him.

They couldn’t comfort him, because that might spark hope again.

As they reached the palace gates, Xie Yunzheng quickly spurred his horse forward and dismounted to pay respects to the Grand Princess and Elder Shen.

The two merely returned the greeting with a polite nod, waiting for Shen Shurong.

Xie Yunzheng stood by as well, only to see Xie Yunzhao step down from the carriage first. He reached out, firmly taking Shen Shurong’s hand to help her down, steady and gentle. Then he took the oil-paper umbrella from Suihan and opened it.

“Rongrong, now the sun won’t touch you.”

The Grand Princess and Elder Shen exchanged pleased smiles. This young man—he knew how to care for his wife.

Xie Yunzheng felt a chill wash over him, his teeth clenched from the cold. His hands balled into fists.

It had only been a few days, and he dared to hold her hand?

But what struck him the most—she wasn’t angry at him?

He called her “Rongrong,” and she allowed it?