3 003

After a night of entanglement, Shen Shuyao confirmed one thing: Xie Yi had indeed been unfaithful.

Usually, such indiscretions happened at least twice, but last night only once—and it was at her initiative. Hmph, she shouldn’t have tested him; it only made her anxious.

The early morning air carried a slight chill. Shen Shuyao curled up beneath the brocade quilt, unwilling to rise. Through the curtain, she watched Xie Yi as he washed up. Only after such intimacy could she afford a bit of laziness, no need to play the virtuous wife.

Xie Yi glanced toward the bedside, catching sight of a pale wrist, then expressionless, averted his gaze and asked, “Did Mother come to speak with you yesterday?”

“She did.” She lifted the curtain, revealing a radiant face, her eyes shimmering.

“It’s about the second young master…”

“What about the second young master?”

Before Xie Yi could finish, she interrupted, sitting up with a slightly urgent motion. Realizing her overreaction, she smiled faintly and studied his expression.

Xie Yi paused, studying her for a moment. Finding no sign of abnormality, he silently withdrew his gaze. His expression remained calm, and Shen Shuyao relaxed slightly, about to ask what was wrong with the second young master, when she noticed Ruyi following Suihua and Lingchun through the door.

Her mood instantly grew complicated, her attention fixed on Ruyi, forgetting what she was about to ask. Xie Yi was preparing to dress in his court robe—usually, Shen Shuyao would assist, but in this case, it was Zhihui helping.

Ruyi, clever as she was, immediately seized the opportunity when she saw her mistress still in bed. She blocked Zhihui and stepped forward to help Xie Yi dress.

Zhihui’s expression shifted slightly. She glanced sideways at Shen Shuyao, who remained stern-faced, her eyes locked tightly on Ruyi. Her slender fingers gripped the brocade tightly, knuckles whitening.

The atmosphere grew subtle, tinged with suppressed tension.

Xie Yi lifted his chin, his narrow eyes watching her. He was used to her constant chatter; this sudden silence felt strange. But she wasn’t looking at him, rather fixated on the newcomer. Lowering his gaze, he realized he hadn’t seen this person before and frowned in puzzlement.

“New here?”

Ruyi bit her lip, cheeks flushing with shyness. “Yes, I am Ruyi, your servant.”

Xie Yi lowered his eyes, glancing over Ruyi’s head toward Shen Shuyao, silently questioning.

Unable to conceal the truth, she spoke honestly.

Shen Shuyao forced a smile without warmth. “Mother came yesterday afternoon, sympathetic to my troubles, and selected Ruyi to assist.”

With that, Xie Yi understood. His face darkened as he coldly commanded, “You may leave.”

His tone was icy, and they dared not delay, bowing their heads as they withdrew.

Shen Shuyao was perplexed—was he satisfied or not? She pursed her lips, wanting to say something, but several attempts failed; she waited for him to speak first.

Xie Yi remained silent, hurriedly dressed in his court robe, then said, “We’ll talk when I return.”

There was no time for trifles with court duties looming. Striding out, a cold, hard voice rang out from afar: “Ah Si, prepare the carriage.”

After Xie Yi left, Zhihui and the others entered again. Shen Shuyao remained in the same pose, noticing Ruyi’s downcast mood, she smiled gently.

“The young master has a cold temperament. Don’t take it to heart. With time, perhaps he’ll notice you.”

Ruyi looked up, her expression brightening with joy, nodding happily. Shen Shuyao observed this, then dismissed them. Instantly, her smile vanished, her face clouding as she turned to Zhihui.

“Is Xie Yi angry?”

Zhihui and the others had seen his cold, forbidding expression when he left—he was clearly displeased.

“It seems so,” Suihua replied softly.

Shen Shuyao scoffed, pulling her legs up and hugging them. “Men are so sentimental. You give him a concubine, and he’s still unhappy. Does he want more?”

Or perhaps he was still hung up on that courtesan, and seeing someone other than her riled him?

She curled her lips. There was no way she would let a courtesan into the house. Just one Ruyi was enough trouble; another courtesan and life would be unbearable.

After a moment of irritation, she suddenly recalled Xie Yi’s earlier words and asked, “Is the second young master coming back?”

Regarding Xie Jun, the second young master, Shen Shuyao’s youthful feelings had long since faded over the past year. Her interest now was likely born of stubbornness and lingering attachment.

“Yes. His birthday is next month; he’s bound to return.”

Xie Jun had been away traveling for nearly half a year; it was time for him to come back.

Stretching lazily, Shen Shuyao lay back down as Xie Yi left, saying, “Call me when it’s time.”

She still had to pay respects to Lady Lin—no room for carelessness.

—

After court, Xie Yi hurried home, the morning’s matters weighing heavily on his mind, making him irritable. Friends often teased him, saying Shen Shuyao was a virtuous and gentle wife who cared for him well, probably admiring him even before the Qionghua Banquet.

Such a wife should satisfy any man.

Xie Yi was satisfied, yet she was too virtuous—arranging someone to assist without consulting him left a bitter taste. He needed to find out what was really going on.

Halfway home, someone called out to him. Turning, he saw Fu Yingcheng approaching briskly.

“Lord Xie.”

Seeing his sour expression, Fu Yingcheng teased, “Bad mood? Quarreled with your wife? That shouldn’t happen; the young madam is so virtuous, she wouldn’t offend you.”

Xie Yi glanced at him, his face growing darker—obviously it was Shen Shuyao who upset him.

“Nothing. I’m heading home first.”

“Not going to the office today?”

Fu Yingcheng was surprised. Xie Yi usually went straight to the office after court; it was unusual for him to return home so early.

Carefully probing, he said, “Don’t tell me the young madam found out about me sending Miss Ruyan back? My fault, my fault.”

Ruyan was the courtesan from Chunfeng House. Mentioning that incident, Xie Yi had more to say.

“Next time, use someone else.”

Fu Yingcheng laughed, explaining his own reason, “My circle is full of scoundrels; you’re the only gentleman I trust.”

Xie Yi continued, “Yesterday, I abandoned her, then made a strategic retreat. It worked—Ruyan came looking for me today. They’re going boating tonight. You coming?”

Xie Yi stared coldly, expressionless. “I have matters to attend to.”

“When don’t you?”

Fu Yingcheng laughed, knowing his friend’s cold nature and disinterest in such pleasures, so he didn’t press.

Returning home, Shen Shuyao was lazily sunbathing. Hearing Zhihui’s report, she jumped up and obediently sat inside, pretending to drink tea.

When he entered, she lifted her chin and asked, “Why are you home so early?”

This was probably the earliest Xie Yi had come home since their marriage a year ago. Surprised, she hurried, “Did you forget something?”

Xie Yi raised a hand to dismiss everyone. Still in his court robe, he sat beside her and said sternly, “Tell me about this morning.”

Shen Shuyao sighed. It was all for her mother’s goodwill. She couldn’t refuse, lest she cause her mother illness—how unfilial that would be.

Her reasoning was sound; Xie Yi found no fault.

“Shen Shuyao, next time, can you discuss decisions with me first?”

She nodded repeatedly, looking obedient. “Of course, of course.”

His brow relaxed, his face softening. “Send her away.”

Shen Shuyao hesitated, blinking. “You don’t like her?”

Xie Yi turned his head, his expression darkening again. Why would he waste time on women? Did she think he was some lecher?

“Do you think I like her?”

Men never truly disdain beauty. Even if not interested now, who could refuse when it’s served at their lips?

Shen Shuyao smiled charmingly. “If you like her, then I like her too.”

Silence fell. Xie Yi felt a surge of frustration bottled up in his chest—neither rising nor falling—stifling him. It was an indescribable feeling. A wife should be dignified and considerate, always putting him first. Yet something was missing.

His face darkened to iron, his deep black eyes shadowed. After a long pause, he finally muttered, “Send her back where she came from.”

Before she could respond, he abruptly stood, face cold. “I’m going to the office.”

Shen Shuyao opened her mouth but said nothing as he left, making her even angrier than that morning.

She murmured, “How is he more sentimental than a woman?”

After a moment, she belatedly realized Xie Yi had passed the problem to her. Ruyi was already inside the Lan Garden compound—she was one of theirs now. How could she send her back?

If she did, Lady Lin would think Shen Shuyao was intolerant. No, she wouldn’t do that.

—

That afternoon, Lady Lin invited her over again. Shen Shuyao finally understood what had been discussed between Xie Yi and Lady Lin the day before.

“Yesterday, caught up in the excitement, I forgot to mention,” Lady Lin said with a faint smile, “Yi said your health isn’t fully recovered, so I’ll handle the second young master’s birthday banquet.”

“You haven’t organized anything since you came in a year ago. This time, watch closely and gain some experience.”

Shen Shuyao understood now. No wonder Xie Yi asked if Lady Lin had contacted her—it was about this. She had misunderstood.

“Better for Mother to handle it. I was worried before, but now it’s settled. With her in charge, it’ll surely be lively.”

The second young master’s twentieth birthday feast would naturally be grand.

“By the way, how is Ruyi?”

Shen Shuyao lowered her head, feigning difficulty. “My husband saw her this morning; it’s just…”

She trailed off, but Lady Lin was perceptive and understood. She waved it off. “Yi is a man in his prime; over time, he’ll glance around.”

Shen Shuyao said nothing, twirling a stray lock of hair and smiling bitterly. She couldn’t bring herself to say that Xie Yi wanted to send the girl away.

At dinner, Ruyi waited nearby. Xie Yi’s mood, already sour, grew heavier when he saw her.

He looked at Shen Shuyao, who quickly averted her gaze.

During the meal, Ruyi was attentive, shy yet timid, casting tender glances at Xie Yi. He pretended not to notice, but Shen Shuyao couldn’t help but observe. The more she looked, the less appetite she had.

After a long silence, Xie Yi spoke the first words of the evening: “Ruyi, come here later.”

The moment he said this, expressions among those present shifted.

Zhihui, Suihua, and the others immediately looked at Shen Shuyao, worry and indignation evident, their gazes fierce toward Ruyi.

As for Shen Shuyao, she swallowed hard and then sipped her soup as if nothing had happened.

She thought to herself: men, after all, are never truly indifferent to beauty.