Chapter 18: Murder and Robbery

Shen Shurong bit her lip. She hadn’t come up with a reason yet, but in his eyes, it didn’t matter.

To say she wasn’t touched would be foolish. “Does it look like we’re about to break off the engagement?”

They were alone in the room, sharing a meal at the same table, their hands intertwined.

Xie Yunzhao’s ears turned slightly red. He was afraid, and he shook his head. “No.”

“Will it be difficult?”

“No, it’s easy for me.”

If it was done, Ye Man wouldn’t become the Crown Prince’s plaything again. Their destinies had changed. Shen Shurong smiled and leaned over to look at him. “Why don’t you ask me why?”

The young girl suddenly leaned closer, looking up at him with a mischievous smile. Xie Yunzhao’s heart skipped a beat again. “Do whatever you want. There’s no need for a reason.”

Shen Shurong deliberately glared at him and said, “What if I want to commit murder and robbery?”

“I’ll do it for you.”

Shen Shurong’s heart swelled with sweetness. She believed him.

Looking at his slightly flushed cheeks and handsome lips, she desperately wanted to kiss him.

But she was afraid of scaring him, so she held back.

“Let’s eat. There’s a lot to do today.”

Xie Yunzhao released her hand. Seeing that she had an appetite, he ate with peace of mind.

Ye Man and Qiao Yue had been waiting for several days and were eager to come. Xie Yunzhao found a place for them, then went to the treasury’s account room with the servants.

It had been a long time since they last met. Shen Shurong felt grateful for heaven’s blessings.

She held Qiao Yue’s hand and went to the corridor to chat.

Qiao Yue was younger and had a lively personality. She envied Shen Shurong and chatted with her, “Commandery Princess, I heard that His Majesty granted you a separate mansion. Only princesses have this privilege. How nice.”

Ye Man was also happy for her. “Yes, I thought it was a pity that you were not going to marry Heir Xie. Now it seems even better. As the daughter-in-law of the Duke of Lu, you have the joy of a mansion of your own.”

Qiao Yue asked in a low voice, “So, does that mean Xie Yunzhao is marrying into your family?”

“Many people would be willing to marry into the Commandery Princess’s family. Although Xie Yunzhao is the son of the Duke of Lu’s Mansion, he doesn’t have a title. It’s considered a step up for him.”

Shen Shurong knew they didn’t think highly of Xie Yunzhao, but it didn’t matter. The less people knew about him, the better.

“Don’t talk about me. How are you two doing lately?”

Qiao Yue pouted. “Not good.”

Ye Man’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Just so-so.”

“Sister Man is getting married soon, so she’s been very busy lately.”

Shen Shurong smiled softly. Her own marriage wasn’t guaranteed. “Little Qiao, why aren’t you doing well?”

“You remember the young scholar my father liked? He hasn’t contacted me lately.”

That wasn’t right. Shen Shurong recalled that the young scholar had doted on Little Qiao in her past life. Before their wedding, he showered her with little gifts and love poems every day, never letting her feel neglected.

After their marriage, he often accompanied Little Qiao to the Duke of Lu’s Mansion. Whenever Little Qiao came to visit her, he would go to see Xie Yunzheng.

Ye Man poked her still chubby cheeks. “Maybe he’s busy. It’ll be fine after a while.”

Qiao Yue pouted. “Maybe.”

Men aren’t worth worrying about. Sometimes, when you see enough, your heart naturally becomes broader. Shen Shurong suggested, “I’m going out today. You two should come along.”

“Great!”

Xie Yunzhao had thought he would be going out alone with Rongrong, and he shot a glare at Ye Man and Qiao Yue when no one was looking.

Thinking that Rongrong had been so upset about Ye Man that she didn’t have an appetite for breakfast, he was even more angry.

“Young Master, please take the carriage. The Commandery Princess dislikes your tan.”

“Scram. She’s just afraid I’ll get darker.”

Qingzhu laughed. “Yes, yes, please get in the carriage.”

“What carriage? Bring me an umbrella.” How could he protect Rongrong by riding in a carriage?

The three young ladies rode in a carriage, followed by an empty carriage, as they headed towards the west of the city.

Shen Shurong lifted the carriage curtain and saw the young man riding a tall horse, holding an umbrella above his head.

She burst out laughing. Xie Yunzhao turned around, grinning. “Rongrong, don’t worry. This way, I can protect you and you won’t get tanned.”

Qiao Yue and Ye Man also leaned over to look, bursting into laughter. Where had they ever seen someone riding a horse with an umbrella?

The gazes of passersby were mostly drawn to Xie Yunzhao, but he seemed oblivious.

Along the way, they were spotted by a few familiar young masters, who teased him. “Second Young Master Xie, who are you trying to be, holding an umbrella?”

Xie Yunzhao raised an eyelid. “Am I a man or not? You wouldn’t know until you get beaten up.”

Ye Man looked at the Commandery Princess. Don’t you discipline him?

Shen Shurong chuckled. “He’s doing what I asked.”

Ye Man was speechless. “He really listens to you.”

Qiao Yue leaned over. “He doesn’t just listen; he only listens to the Commandery Princess.”

Shen Shurong chided her. “Isn’t your little scholar the one who listens most to you?”

Qiao Yue stuck out her tongue, remembering that he had been quite obedient, considering their recent lack of contact.

They chatted and laughed along the way until they reached the refugees in the west of the city, their laughter vanishing instantly. The three ladies were stunned.

In both her lives, this was the first time Shen Shurong had seen such a sight. The words gaunt and shuffling suddenly took on a tangible form.

Their clothes were patched with countless pieces, some even torn, and some were barely covering them.

The makeshift shelters, battered by wind and rain, were on the verge of collapse.

Some were selling themselves to bury their fathers, others were begging for medicine for their children.

In the stench of the drainage ditch, children were fighting with dogs for scraps.

Every scene stood in stark contrast to the joyous festivities in the palace yesterday.

They were out of place here.

“How… could this be?”

“I’ve only heard my father describe it, never seen it for myself.”

The young ladies’ voices were choked with sobs.

Xie Yunzhao grabbed Shen Shurong’s arm, shielding her from the approaching crowd.

“It’s not safe here. Shall we go back?”

Shen Shurong held onto him. “Brother Yunzhao, I want to walk around a bit more.”

Xie Yunzhao protected her as they walked in. More and more people came forward, holding bowls, and those who were already kneeling bowed even more frequently. It was obvious that they were either rich or noble, and they only needed food.

Ye Man and Qiao Yue were nauseated by the pungent smell and, holding onto their maids, returned to the carriage, unable to continue.

Shen Shurong endured all the discomfort. What was this? Compared to human hearts, it was the purest thing.

Xie Yunzhao saw her enduring, and his heart ached. What was she trying to do?

She could tell him anything, she didn’t need to experience this firsthand.

“Brother Yunzhao.”

Xie Yunzhao leaned over slightly. “What is it?”

“In the past, the people of Great Zhou lived in peace and prosperity, with a harmonious world. They used to have happy marriages and many children. Now, they have lost their homes and become refugees. It’s not even certain how long the sun will shine on them.”

“If this continues, will our descendants be able to enjoy the peace we had in the past?”

Xie Yunzhao hesitated. His descendants would be fine as long as he was alive, but it was hard to say if they would be protected once he was gone.

Shen Shurong raised her eyes and stared at Xie Yunzhao. “I want to use the treasury to rebuild their homes.”

She was going to take a different path, wanting to give him a hint, hoping he wouldn’t think she was strange.

Xie Yunzhao was moved. He knew she was kind and beautiful, but he didn’t know she had such a compassionate heart. “Whatever Rongrong wants to do, I’ll be with you.”