Chapter 23: Watching the Show

When Shen Shurong arrived, she only saw Bai Sanzhu. She could see his nervousness. He was only ten years old, but he was smart. If he had been born into a wealthy family, he would have shown his talents early.

Bai Sanzhu’s nervousness was mixed with shock. How could there be such a fair and beautiful fairy in the world?

Shen Shurong gave a friendly smile. “Don’t be nervous. I heard you like new and interesting things. You can ask for any materials you want. You can make whatever you want.”

“Your father and family will be assigned work on the manor. Everyone will get one tael of silver per month. Your two nephews will be tutored in reading and writing.”

Bai Sanzhu was stunned. Was this really happening?

“Of course, nothing is free. The things you make belong to me. If I’m satisfied, I’ll give you an extra reward.”

Hearing that it wasn’t a free gift, Bai Sanzhu felt a little more at ease. “Thank you, noble benefactor.”

“Hmm,” Shen Shurong patted Shen Qi’s arm. “Brother, this place is yours from now on.”

“Don’t worry, little sister.” In the carriage, Shen Qi already knew what his little sister was up to. For the safety of their family, he would do his part.

In the afternoon, Shen Shurong returned to the city alone.

The capital had been abuzz lately. First, yesterday, a man surnamed Duan was beaten until he was barely alive and thrown at the Duan family’s doorstep.

His family was furious and wanted to report it to the officials, but he stopped them, forbidding them to spread the news.

Today, there was even more sensational news. Someone dared to visit a brothel without paying. It was the most popular brothel in the capital, Drunk Spring Fragrance.

The man was stripped naked and beaten, then recognized at the brothel’s entrance. Wasn’t that Jia Caiyong, the second son of Minister Jia?

Ye Man learned about it and hid in her boudoir, weeping. They were about to get married, but she discovered what kind of man he was.

Shen Shurong hadn’t expected it to happen this way. Her man was fast, precise, and ruthless!

It was just that this Drunk Spring Fragrance brothel, hmmm, Xie Yunzhao, he was bold!

Xie Yunzhao was immersed in the satisfaction of a mission successfully completed. Rongrong would know, and she would definitely praise him.

Shen Shurong didn’t have time to find him now. She went to personally persuade Ye Man; it was better to discover this before marriage than after.

Ye Man listened and agreed. Of course, if she discovered this after marriage, her entire life would be ruined. “Junzhu, I don’t want to marry him!”

Shen Shurong smiled, she supported her.

Jia Caiyong went crazy with anger, wanting to tear down the brothel. He didn’t know how he got in, and he had lost his money in the brothel. He told them his father’s name and position, but he was still beaten.

The worst part was that they stripped him naked.

Minister Jia locked him up at home. Wasn’t that humiliating enough?

He rushed to meet with Ye Man’s family, but there was nothing to say. They wanted to break off the engagement, so he could only agree.

Shen Shurong was happy. This would prevent Ye Man from being given to the dog prince by Jia Caiyong.

She wanted to distract her thoughts, so she took her lady friends out to watch a play. As soon as they entered the theater, before they reached their private box, they saw Xie Yunzheng.

He never watched plays. Why was he here?

He had been watching her since she entered, or rather, he had been waiting for a chance encounter since she left for the Ye family.

Perhaps he had an appointment with someone. Shen Shurong wanted to pretend she hadn’t seen him, but then she saw him walking towards her.

Xie Yunzheng stared at her intently. “Junzhu is also here to watch the play?”

“Heir Xie.” Ye Man’s eyes, slightly flushed, darted between the two, then she decisively left first. “Junzhu, I’ll go check on Xiao Qiao.” She walked towards the private box.

Only they and their servants remained in the corridor. Shen Shurong didn’t want him to see through her, so she smiled faintly and nodded. “Heir Xie is also here to watch the play.”

Xie Yunzheng looked at Shen Shurong with deep affection. She knew he never watched plays. “I came because I wanted to see someone.”

Shen Shurong felt nauseous again. He could fake affection. “I assume Heir Xie has decided on his marriage and has an appointment with his fiancée. Yongjia won’t bother you.”

She turned to leave, but a voice full of urgency came from behind. “Wait, it’s settled, but I avoided those you dislike.”

Shen Shurong wanted to laugh. She did dislike many people because of him, but it didn’t matter anymore.

“It’s… the daughter of Minister Li. She grew up with her grandmother in the countryside and just returned yesterday. You haven’t met her.”

Why did he choose the daughter of the Minister of Personnel among the many women not in the capital? It was all for himself, wrapped in grandiose words to avoid her dislike. “Congratulations, Heir Xie. They are still waiting for me; I will go in now.”

In truth, she didn’t want to congratulate him. The marriage was decent, and their paths had crossed; perhaps she wouldn’t have the upper hand after all.

Xie Yunzheng felt uncomfortable. Even if she frowned or hit him a couple of times, it would provide some comfort.

But she just said congratulations?

After watching her enter the private box, Xie Yunzheng sat alone in the adjoining room.

Xie Yunzhao was bored at home. Rongrong hadn’t summoned him in two days. Lu Ziqian had invited him out to play, but he hadn’t gone.

“What are you waiting for?”

Xie Yunzhao glared at him. Someone without a wife knew nothing.

Qingzhu hurried back and whispered in Xie Yunzhao’s ear that Xie Yunzheng was in the theater where the Junzhu was.

Xie Yunzhao jumped up. “See them off!” He stepped out of the courtyard.

Lu Ziqian was confused. Why was he sending someone off again?

After watching two plays, he had planned to cheer Ye Man up, but instead, she cried even harder.

Why couldn’t the lovers in the play end up together?

Why were there so many misunderstandings?

Shen Shurong felt awkward; she hadn’t expected things to turn out like this.

Just as she exited the theater, she saw a tall and graceful man standing beside a brown horse.

Excited, she almost ran over but suddenly remembered Drunk Spring Fragrance and withdrew her gaze.

Xie Yunzhao didn’t see Xie Yunzheng and felt relieved, but then noticed Rongrong ignoring him. He didn’t even get to say his excuse, “I passed by, saw your carriage, and came to pick you up.”

Ye Man and Qiao Yue saw him coming and covered their mouths, laughing. “Junzhu, we’ll take our leave first.”

Shen Shurong nodded but still didn’t acknowledge the man beside her.

As the carriage approached, Shen Shurong dodged the man’s hand and let Yinzhi help her onto the carriage.

Xie Yunzhao grew more flustered. Had she met Xie Yunzheng? Was she ignoring him now?

What had he said? Or did she know about his engagement and was upset?

Xie Yunzhao walked alongside the carriage, lowering his head to hide his sour feelings.

Just as the carriage was about to leave, Xie Yunzheng walked out from the entrance. The brothers looked at each other with the same intensity as enemies.

Xie Yunzhao stepped onto the carriage. He was her fiancé!

Xie Yunzheng narrowed his eyes, gripping his hand tightly, wanting to pull him down.

When Shen Shurong saw him enter, she turned away and ignored him. “What are you doing here?”

“I… I came to pick you up.” Xie Yunzhao didn’t dare mention Xie Yunzheng.

“Why aren’t you at Drunk Spring Fragrance?” Although she knew he only had eyes for her, just thinking about him being in that kind of place made her uncomfortable.

Xie Yunzhao was momentarily stunned. Was Rongrong not angry because of Xie Yunzheng?

Did she think he had gone to Drunk Spring Fragrance?

He hurriedly sat down, facing her to explain. “Rongrong, even if you gave me a thousand chances, I wouldn’t dare go to Drunk Spring Fragrance.”

“Oh? So you don’t want to go, but you’re too scared?”

“No, no, no.” Xie Yunzhao waved his hands vigorously. “I could never go drink at Drunk Spring Fragrance. I am absolutely loyal to you!”