Chapter 86

Xie Tingzhou was not fully asleep. Upon hearing the sound of clanging armor, he got up from the bed, opened the window, and took a glance outside. He happened to see Shen Yu’s departing figure.

“What was she here for?”

The guard on duty under the eaves replied, “I didn’t ask in detail. She left as soon as she heard that Your Highness was asleep, saying she would come back tomorrow.”

Xie Tingzhou believed he understood Shen Yu well enough; she wouldn’t come if it wasn’t important.

After pondering for a moment, Xie Tingzhou donned his outer robe and opened the door.

The guard, seeing that he was about to go out, quickly fetched a cloak, “Your Highness, the night wind is strong.”

Xie Tingzhou did not refuse. He put on the cloak and stepped out of the courtyard.

After taking some medicine, he felt slightly fatigued. The distance from Qingpu Residence to Lu Mingxuan seemed a bit far, even though he himself had initially arranged it that way.

At that time, he had already developed some interest in her, which was why he had deliberately placed her farther away.

Lost in thought, he arrived at the entrance of Lu Mingxuan.

“Where is she?” Xie Tingzhou asked.

A dark guard replied, “Outside the East Gate.”

His voice was eerie, and those unaware might be frightened out of their wits in the dead of night.

Why was she at the East Gate in the middle of the night?

Outside the East Gate, Shen Yu was fretting over where to place the large pile of items.

Sometimes, being too wealthy can indeed be a burden.

Shopkeeper Lu said, “There are only a few hours until dawn. Why don’t we rest here and wait until the prince wakes up before proceeding…”

His words were cut off.

Shopkeeper Lu, facing the gate, saw Xie Tingzhou stepping out.

Although Shopkeeper Lu had never seen Xie Tingzhou in person, he could tell it was him by his distinguished presence.

“Your Highness,” Shopkeeper Lu lifted his robe and knelt down.

The people at the gate followed suit and knelt en masse.

Shen Yu turned around, slightly surprised, “Your Highness.”

Xie Tingzhou looked down at her and asked, “What brings you to me in the middle of the night?”

Shen Yu jogged over and whispered, “I have some everyday items I want to bring into the prince’s mansion, and I need your approval.”

“Everyday items?” Xie Tingzhou glanced at the endless row of carriages in the alley.

These were everyday items? Even a princess wouldn’t use so many on a regular outing. He doubted what was inside the carriages.

“Is that alright?” Shen Yu asked cautiously.

The lantern light at the gate was dim, making her eyes look even brighter, with a hint of anticipation.

Xie Tingzhou ordered, “Call some people to help move the items.”

The gatekeeper hurried to call for help.

As the carriages were unloaded, various objects were moved out, including vases, jade, and coral—items that could be family heirlooms.

Xie Tingzhou was momentarily speechless. He turned to Shen Yu, “You use these daily?”

Shen Yu blinked and said boldly, “For daily enjoyment.”

“With such a display, it seems you were indeed wronged during your journey to the capital.”

“It wasn’t too much of a hardship,” Shen Yu shamelessly said.

Xie Tingzhou chuckled softly, “Did you go back home?”

Shen Yu responded with a muffled “Mm.”

Xie Tingzhou sensed her slight displeasure, “Did you empty the storeroom?”

“No,” Shen Yu said, “I took my mother’s dowry. I won’t let it fall into the hands of others.”

As they entered, they saw the courtyard filled with items, awaiting instructions on where to place them.

If everything were displayed, the dazzling wealth could blind someone.

Xie Tingzhou thought for a moment, “Tell Uncle Zhong to clear out a storeroom tomorrow specifically for your things.”

“Is that okay?” Shen Yu asked, “Uncle Zhong doesn’t seem to like me very much.”

Xie Tingzhou looked at her. It wasn’t “doesn’t seem to like you,” it was “really doesn’t like you.”

Previously, she had claimed to be loved by everyone, but now she was facing reality and realizing her limits.

She was, after all, only seventeen, still a young girl like Chang Liu.

…

The next day, when Uncle Zhong came, Xie Tingzhou was in the study reviewing documents.

Uncle Zhong said, “I heard that Your Highness asked me to clear out a storeroom for Shi Yu.”

Xie Tingzhou didn’t look up, “Mm,” he said, “for her things.”

Uncle Zhong couldn’t see Shi Yu favorably and internally blamed him for the family’s future misfortunes.

He snorted, “How many things could a guard have? Enough to require a whole storeroom?”

Xie Tingzhou put down his pen and smiled, “Why don’t you see for yourself?”

Uncle Zhong instructed people to clear the storeroom and then went to Lu Mingxuan.

Chang Liu insisted on tagging along.

Before entering, Uncle Zhong said dismissively, “He’s just a guard. Even if he has things, they won’t be valuable. If they’re donkey carts or the like, what’s the point of putting them in the storeroom?”

With that, he pushed open the door, “I told you… Oh my!”

Seeing the courtyard’s scene, Uncle Zhong almost fell over, barely caught by Chang Liu.

They stood frozen at the gate like wooden posts.

Uncle Zhong, having seen much as the steward of the Northern Lin Prince’s Mansion, was still stunned speechless by the sight.

This setup nearly matched half the prince’s mansion’s storeroom.

Several rows of antique shelves were arranged like a maze in the courtyard, filled with priceless treasures.

Chang Liu’s jaw dropped. He walked a few steps forward, reaching out to touch, but Uncle Zhong slapped his hand, “Can you afford to break it?”

Chang Liu rubbed his hand, marveling, “Are these real? They look amazing.”

Shen Yu came out just then and generously said, “Pick one you like, and I’ll give it to you.”

“Really?” Chang Liu’s eyes lit up.

He was about to pick one when Uncle Zhong dragged him back, “You shouldn’t take something without earning it. Can you accept this?”

“Of course,” Chang Liu said innocently, “Shi Yu is giving it to me, not me taking it. Why shouldn’t I accept?”

Uncle Zhong almost stumbled in anger.

Shen Yu walked over, bowing to Uncle Zhong, “Sorry for the trouble, Uncle Zhong.”

Uncle Zhong snorted but didn’t forget his duty.

He turned and flung his sleeves, “Have someone count everything. Both sides should have a tally to avoid any losses during the move.”

Shen Yu complied and politely saw Uncle Zhong out.

After leaving Lu Mingxuan, Uncle Zhong was still puzzled.

How could a mere guard have so many treasures? He had heard that Shi Yu was found on the battlefield. Could he have been a bandit, amassing loot through robbery?

With the recent rise in banditry due to civil unrest, this was not impossible.

Chang Liu’s dreams of riches were dashed by Uncle Zhong, leaving him dejected. Suddenly, Uncle Zhong pulled him aside.

“What now?” Chang Liu asked despondently.

Uncle Zhong’s wrinkles deepened, “Who is this Shi Yu really? Could he be a bandit?”

Chang Liu liked Shi Yu, finding him handsome and friendly. He didn’t like Uncle Zhong’s gossiping.

Unhappy, he said, “Shi Yu was a guard of the late General Shen, valiant on the battlefield. I heard he killed over three hundred people in one breath.”

Uncle Zhong stroked his beard, skeptical, “With that frame, he killed three hundred?”

“Absolutely,” Chang Liu nodded firmly, “Even General Chang admired him and fought with the prince over him.”