Chapter 34: A Lonely Man and a Woman

The two of them held each other tightly, the longing finally easing a bit, both wishing they could hold on to each other forever.

As they embraced, Shen Shurong began to playfully touch his Adam’s apple and trace the line of his jaw.

Xie Yunzhao caught her hand, holding it in his palm, not allowing her to continue. He was afraid of embarrassing himself.

“What? Can’t I touch?”

“It’s not that.” His voice was low and hoarse, tinged with a hint of pleading. “Wait until later.”

Shen Shurong chuckled softly, “Alright, I’ll let you hold me for a little longer, but then I have to go.”

Xie Yunzhao tightened his grip around her arm. “Holding you makes the pain go away.” His mind was filled with her sweet scent, and all thoughts of pain faded away.

…

In the study of Zhaohui Courtyard, a man stood with his hands clasped behind his back. “How long have they been in there?”

Chi Yu, trembling slightly, replied in a weak voice, “Young Master, it’s been… a little over a stick of incense.”

“Unbelievable! Does Xie Yunzhao even understand propriety and shame?”

Chi Yu didn’t dare speak. There was no need for him to remind the Young Master; the Junzhu had come on her own accord, and it had nothing to do with the Second Master.

Indeed, Xie Yunzheng was fully aware that she shouldn’t have come at this hour, especially not alone in a room with him.

“Young Master, the Second Master’s injury is severe; he must be resting.” He hoped to avoid angering him, as there was little he could do at this point.

Xie Yunzheng was acutely aware of his own discomfort, feeling as if countless poisonous scorpions were gnawing at him.

“Get out.”

Chi Yu exited the room and closed the door behind him.

Xie Yunzheng sat down, rubbing his temples. What could those two be doing alone in that room?

Xie Yunzhao was injured on his back; if they were hugging… or kissing… it wouldn’t touch the wound.

His head was about to explode. He couldn’t bear the thought of such contact. If they were truly to be married…

He couldn’t just stand by and watch, he couldn’t!

Chi Yu leaned against the door, considering that the Junzhu’s arrival at this time was only adding to the Young Master’s frustration.

Didn’t she have feelings for the Young Master?

Even if she was forced to marry Xie Yunzhao, she should still consider the Young Master’s feelings.

Suddenly, the door swung open from the inside, nearly knocking Chi Yu off his feet.

Xie Yunzheng pushed past him. “To Linfeng Residence.”

Chi Yu’s eyes widened. What would happen if the Young Master saw something he shouldn’t?

A servant from Linfeng Residence rushed into the courtyard to relay the message. Suihan quickly knocked on the door, and Qingzhu came to greet him. “Young Master, the Second Master is resting.”

“Get out of the way!” Xie Yunzheng barged into the courtyard.

“Junzhu, the Young Master has arrived.”

The two who had been embracing immediately separated, sitting side by side, feeling displeased at his arrival.

“Look at this,” Shen Shurong said, pulling a small pouch from her sleeve.

“Is this for me?”

Shen Shurong nodded, of course.

Xie Yunzhao took it as if receiving an imperial decree, his eyes shining with gratitude. “Thank you! You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble; be careful not to tire yourself out.”

“I know, I’ll be careful.”

Her small hand was suddenly held. “Will you come again tomorrow?” No one was watching outside.

Bang—

The door swung open with a bang.

Qingzhu and Qingying followed him into the room, their faces filled with apologies. “We’re sorry, Second Master, we couldn’t stop the Heir.”

Xie Yunzheng’s narrow, deep phoenix eyes fixed on the hands clasped together, a flicker of flame dancing in his gaze.

He then looked at Shen Shurong, who was disguised as a maidservant, sneaking into this room!

Shen Shurong looked up, meeting Xie Yunzheng’s furious expression. It was as if he were catching them in the act. What did it have to do with him?

“The Heir is truly polite!” Shen Shurong spoke first, her voice laced with displeasure.

Xie Yunzheng was already fuming with anger and hadn’t even spoken when she started criticizing him. “It’s getting late. The Junzhu should return to your estate.”

Hearing this, Xie Yunzhao stood up, blocking Shen Shurong. “She is my fiancée; it’s none of your business!”

Shen Shurong didn’t want to affect Xie Yunzhao’s recovery or have the Duke and Duchess disapprove of her. She pulled him down, speaking softly. “Brother Yunzhao, I really should go. I’ll try to come see you again tomorrow.”

Xie Yunzhao’s eyes, which had been clouded with displeasure after Xie Yunzheng’s intrusion, instantly brightened with anticipation. He said eagerly, “Okay, I’ll wait for you tomorrow.”

Suihan quickly stepped forward, helping Shen Shurong out of the courtyard.

Xie Yunzheng couldn’t help but notice that Shen Shurong didn’t even look at him as she left, making him feel even worse.

Once they were completely out of the courtyard, he walked a few steps towards the bed, his brow furrowed, his voice laced with reproach. “Do you know what time it is? You didn’t even consider her reputation?”

“You two, a lonely man and woman…”

“Stop it, don’t lecture me here about morals,” Xie Yunzhao impatiently cut him off, his cold gaze sweeping over him. “If it were another lady coming to see me, would you interfere?”

Xie Yunzheng lowered his head, one hand behind his back, his voice shaky. “She’s a Junzhu; she’s not an ordinary lady.”

“She’s a Junzhu, that’s true, but she’s my fiancée. We’ll inevitably be alone together in a room sooner or later. Will the Heir come to my courtyard to supervise every time?”

Xie Yunzheng looked back sharply. “Not yet. She was also my fiancée, but we never overstepped any boundaries.”

“I never had that ‘honor’ before,” Xie Yunzhao walked a few steps to the bed and sprawled carelessly. “Unfortunately, thanks to a polo match, I ended up like this, all for her.”

As he said this, a hint of tenderness and pride glimmered in his eyes. “You know she’s kind; she would feel sorry.”

“She just escaped from the Commandery Princess Consort’s watchful eye and rushed to see me.”

“She’s just grateful that you saved her. Don’t get so smug…” Xie Yunzheng’s head spun from anger, momentarily forgetting what he was saying, unconsciously refuting him.

Only after speaking did he realize his mistake. He no longer argued and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Xie Yunzhao watched his back, his eyes narrowed.

He was really quite angry, so much that he’d let his guard down.

He dared to still have his eyes on his Rongrong; he was truly deserving of death!

He didn’t care about the position of Heir, nor did he desire it. He had already yielded to him once; he wouldn’t yield again!

Qingzhu closed the door as he entered. “Second Master, I’m afraid he will not give up easily.”

“What if he doesn’t? I won’t give way to him anymore!”

“What about Lu Ziqian?” Qingzhu asked.

Xie Yunzhao closed his eyes and pondered. He had betrayed his trust, knowing that they were not close yet secretly conspiring with Xie Yunzheng. He didn’t know when it started.

He only played with Lu Ziqian and never mentioned anyone else.

“No need to deal with him. Keep him around; he’ll be useful later. The Junzhu will be here, so don’t let him see her.”

“Yes, Second Master. He sent a message today; do you want to meet him?”

Xie Yunzhao shook his head. If he were to confront him, he would be wrong, and it would be a gossip mill.

To let him off the hook would be unjust. “Not now. In your voice, send back a message, through his servants, saying I’m angry because of the Junzhu’s injury. I will find him when I’m done with my recovery.”

“Yes, Second Master.” As Qingzhu was about to leave, she suddenly remembered something. “Second Master, the people secretly assigned to protect the Junzhu hadn’t anticipated that she would disguise herself. Would she be punished?”