Chapter 35: A Chasm

Qingzhu felt a pang of worry for her sisters.

Xie Yunzhao snorted, “What time is it? How could Suihan be out of the estate?”

“I understand, Young Master.” There was no way to avoid punishing the Junzhu; it was inevitable.

On his way back to Zhaohui Courtyard, Xie Yunzheng suddenly changed direction.

Shen Shurong’s carriage had already traveled a street but suddenly came to a halt.

Suihan lifted the curtain to look out. “Why did we stop?” Upon seeing the man in front of the carriage, she quickly lowered her voice. “Master, it’s Heir Xie.”

Shen Shurong felt a surge of anger. What did he want now? “Is there something?”

“You shouldn’t be here at this hour.” Xie Yunzheng’s tone was firmer than usual.

Shen Shurong rolled her eyes. “I know.”

Xie Yunzheng’s gaze, previously lowered, lifted suddenly. She… listened to him?

A flicker of expectation surged in his heart. Would she tell him the truth? “Are you… feeling something for him?”

Shen Shurong knew very well; he wasn’t truly unable to let go of her. It was more about his competitive spirit.

He was just hoping, wishing she would feel miserable for not being able to have him, distancing herself from and even disliking Xie Yunzhao, living forever in a state of love unfulfilled.

“Brother Zheng thinks I should just die, right?”

Xie Yunzheng quickly waved his hands. “That’s not what I meant.”

“He’s protected me like a brother, and the person who will spend a lifetime with me is him. Am I supposed to ignore that?”

Xie Yunzheng’s eyes sparkled. Did she mean to treat Xie Yunzhao like a brother?

If that were the case, he was genuinely afraid—afraid that her heart would no longer be with him.

“I understand now.”

Shen Shurong casually spoke to the outside of the carriage. “Our engagement is already a thing of the past. Now, we can only watch from afar to maintain peace.”

Xie Yunzheng suppressed his reluctance and nodded in agreement. “I won’t cause you any more trouble. I’ll watch from a distance.”

“Let’s go.” Shen Shurong scoffed inwardly. He wouldn’t be able to let go, would he? For the rest of his life, he probably wouldn’t.

Xie Yunzheng stepped aside, allowing the carriage to pass first.

Chi Yu followed him back to the estate, hesitating to speak. “Young Master…”

“Speak.”

“By blocking her carriage like this, what if someone sees…”

“Those two maidservants; no one knows it’s her. Even if they do, they wouldn’t dare speak of it.”

“Yes, Young Master. The Junzhu has her own difficulties.”

Xie Yunzheng smirked slightly. “I was wrong to think she had changed her mind. I only just learned how difficult her situation is.”

Chi Yu raised an eyebrow; if it was spoken of, perhaps the Young Master wouldn’t be as controlling in the future.

…

At Linfeng Residence, when Qingying returned, Qingzhu was guarding outside.

Xie Yunzhao heard his footsteps and got off the bed.

Qingying angrily leaned against the doorframe, slamming it with a thud, startling Qingzhu. “What’s wrong? Who made you angry?”

Qingying suppressed his frustration but didn’t want to say, “Nothing.”

“Didn’t you go to send the Junzhu off? What happened? Hurry and tell me!”

The people inside paused.

“The Heir chased after her.”

Qingzhu was taken aback. “How dare he? He just said the Second Master doesn’t care about the Junzhu’s reputation, but isn’t it inappropriate for him to meet her privately?”

“That’s a minor issue.” Qingying puffed out his cheeks, feeling it was unfair for the Young Master!

“How is that a minor issue?” Qingzhu was baffled. What could be worse? “Did he get into the carriage? Did he meet the Junzhu alone?”

“No.” Qingying glared at him. If he dared to do that, he would definitely show himself and confront him, no matter his status as Heir; it was too much.

Qingzhu felt relieved. “Then that’s good.”

“But…” Qingying lowered his voice, leaning closer to Qingzhu. “The Junzhu said she only sees the Young Master as a brother.”

Qingying hadn’t wanted to say it, but he felt suffocated by it. “It’s a shame the Young Master has saved her so many times.”

Qingzhu’s heart raced with indignation, realizing the gravity of the situation. “Don’t let the master know about this.”

“Of course, I’m well aware. If it weren’t for worrying about the Young Master, I wouldn’t want to protect her at all; I would’ve turned back to the estate.”

Qingzhu pinched his arm. “We’ve known this for a long time, haven’t we? How could she forget so quickly… Well, in time, she will.”

Qingying sighed softly. Qingzhu was right; they all knew the Junzhu wouldn’t forget the Heir so easily, but he still felt compelled to speak up for their master.

The two of them were so focused on their concern that they didn’t realize the people inside were fully aware of everything.

Xie Yunzhao sat back on the bed, knowing he shouldn’t think too much, but his heart… ached.

When they were first engaged, he thought that as long as he could marry her, it didn’t matter who she had feelings for.

Later, when she referred to him as a brother, he accepted it, believing it was better than nothing.

But during their time together, his heart had grown greedy, wanting to possess both her and her feelings.

Was her affection for him merely a front, a performance to quell his doubts?

Was he not enough? He shouldn’t have put pressure on Rongrong; he shouldn’t have made her afraid.

What difference did it make if he wasn’t in her heart?

He was still her husband, and she was his wife, separated by an insurmountable chasm.

He had to be magnanimous and easygoing; just having her nearby was enough.

After comforting himself repeatedly, Xie Yunzhao still felt a sharp pain in his heart.

At the Grand Princess’s residence, Shen Shurong sneaked back in, and such small movements would not escape the notice of the true master of the Grand Princess’s estate.

“Look at this foolish girl; it’s almost dark when she returns!” Elder Shen paced back and forth in the room.

The Grand Princess calmly sipped her tea. “Don’t scold her in my room; go and scold her in her own courtyard.”

Elder Shen was furious, turning in circles but then hesitating, finally sitting heavily in a chair. “Girls these days are so bold!”

“Learning from whoever they see; when she was supposed to marry Yunzheng, she never behaved like this!”

The Grand Princess patted his hand, trying to calm him down. “There’s a decree for marriage, and the wedding date is approaching; it’s not a big deal. Besides, she is a Junzhu and will eventually manage the entire treasury. She should be a bit bolder; that’s what makes her capable.”

“Is it necessary to also find two male concubines for Yongjia?” Elder Shen squinted at her, puzzled.