Chapter 595: Chapter 595: A Play Within a Play

"After the Old Marquis of the Xie Family passed away, Second Young Master Xie’s situation became quite awkward. It’s remarkable he managed to endure it until now."

Yun Cheng couldn’t help but sigh when he thought of the mess the Xie Family was in.

His master and Second Young Master Xie were very close friends. Even without specific orders, Yun Cheng always paid extra attention to the Xie Family’s affairs.

Xie Pei’s funeral had just concluded, and Xie Anbai could no longer stay in the Xie Family’s home. But no one expected him to choose to leave the Capital City outright.

"Normally, besides the Xie Family, Second Young Master Xie has several other places he could go in the Capital City. He wouldn’t lack for a place to stay, but..."

Yun Cheng’s expression was a little awkward.

Shen Yanchuan understood what he meant. The places Xie Anbai could go were, without exception, the pleasure quarters.

In the past, if he was upset by something at the Xie Family home, he could have picked any one of them. But not this time.

Even the most heartless person wouldn’t set foot in the red-light districts right after their father’s passing.

But... Xie Anbai was still the Second Young Master of the Xie Family—pampered, debonair, and free-spirited. How could one not feel a pang of sorrow that in this vast Capital City, there was no place for him to call home?

Shen Yanchuan asked, "When did he leave?"

"He left through the city gates just as the sky was brightening this morning and hasn’t returned since."

Shen Yanchuan lowered his eyes, lost in thought.

He didn’t ask where Xie Anbai had gone, because that was Xie Anbai’s own freedom.

Besides, with Xie Anbai’s skills, he wouldn’t starve no matter where he went. Shen Yanchuan wasn’t worried about that.

He just found it strange.

"What was the reaction from the Xie Family?"

Yun Cheng shook his head. "Xie Anjun naturally feels like he’s removed a thorn in his side. As for Princess Huan Ning... she’s in constant conflict with Xie Anjun and couldn’t be bothered to deal with these matters."

Shen Yanchuan sat down and poured himself a cup of tea.

Wisps of white steam rose, and a refreshing, heart-gladdening fragrance of tea spread throughout the room.

Shen Yanchuan’s gaze sharpened. "This tea..."

"As expected, nothing escapes you, Master. This tea was a new year’s gift sent from Second Miss Ye’s tea plantation the day before yesterday. I thought that since this tea is priceless, it couldn’t be wasted, so I took some to brew for you specially."

Yun Cheng also greatly enjoyed the aroma.

"I heard that Second Miss Ye personally roasts a few packets of newly picked tea leaves every year. Even Lord Tang Zhongli treasures it, only bringing out a few leaves for holidays and festivals. Smelling it now, this tea is indeed mellow, fragrant, and clear. Truly a rare find!"

Yun Cheng looked at his master, his eyes filled with hope.

"In the entire Capital City, who can compare to you, Master?"

Shen Yanchuan found the words a bit strange, though he couldn’t pinpoint why. But the tea’s fragrance was indeed rich and mellow. He gave a reserved nod, raised the cup for a light sip, and then said faintly,

"It is good, but tea isn’t her only talent."

A wave of envy washed over Yun Cheng.

"That’s right. I almost forgot that you, Master, spent a long time with Second Miss Ye day and night in Jiangling. What’s a cup of tea in comparison?"

’Eating together, living together, sharing the same courtyard!’

The hand Shen Yanchuan used to hold his cup trembled slightly. He lowered his gaze and merely grunted, "Mm."

’Pulling out the arrow and applying the medicine herself was also a rare experience, but that’s not something to be shared with outsiders... This tea really is excellent, though. Much better than what Lian Zhou used to brew...’

Yun Cheng, of course, had no idea what he was thinking and turned the conversation back.

"...Right now, Princess Huan Ning is in an awkward position. Xie Anjun is terrified of being implicated by her, so they quarrel every few days, creating an irreconcilable scene. If he weren’t wary of her remaining status as a princess, Xie Anjun probably would have served her with divorce papers long ago. However, without Consort Ru and the Second Prince as her backers, Princess Huan Ning’s status has plummeted. I heard that Xie Anjun has already set up another courtyard outside the Duke Zhongyong Mansion and is keeping a mistress."

A half-smile played on Shen Yanchuan’s thin lips.

"His nerve has grown quite a bit. With Xie Pei gone, he now runs the Duke Zhongyong Mansion like his own personal fiefdom."

Before, Xie Anjun would never have dared to do such a thing. But now that there’s no one left to keep him in check, he’s become arrogant and unrestrained.

But to do something like this while still in the official mourning period... if Xie Pei knew from his grave, would he regret his decision?

Yun Cheng nodded. "Once Princess Huan Ning finds out, I’m afraid she’ll raise hell again."

Their union was once considered a match made in heaven, a perfect pair. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, it would all come to nothing, ending up in such a sorry state?

It was truly lamentable.

"So you’re saying the relationship between Xie Anjun and Princess Huan Ning is already beyond repair?"

Yun Cheng was taken aback and hesitated for a moment.

"Well... judging from the current situation, that seems to be the case. The Jiang family has fallen, the fates of Consort Ru and the Second Prince are uncertain, and Princess Huan Ning no longer has any value. Given Xie Anjun’s character, this outcome was to be expected..."

"If even you think so, then everyone in the capital probably believes the same."

Shen Yanchuan’s single sentence left Yun Cheng stunned.

He froze for a second, then suddenly understood, his eyes wide with shock. "Master, you mean... all of this is a deliberate act!?"

Shen Yanchuan slowly stroked his teacup.

"Xie Pei had high hopes for Xie Anjun, and not just because he was the eldest son of the primary wife. Although Xie Anjun cannot practice martial arts, he is an excellent writer. He has been cautious at every step for all these years and has never made a major mistake. Would such a person do all these things right after inheriting the title? Is he afraid that no one will find fault with him?"

"What’s even stranger is Xiao Jiayi. Since the incident, have you seen her running around trying to help her mother, the consort, or the Jiang family?"

It’s completely illogical.

Even if Xie Pei was unwilling to help, it’s impossible that she would just give up.

Given the personality of this once-favored Princess Huan Ning, she would never give up so easily without achieving her goal.

If she couldn’t persuade Xie Pei, she could still try to persuade Xie Anjun.

A look of doubt also appeared on Yun Cheng’s face,

"Now that you put it that way, Master, it is indeed a bit strange... Even Xiao Lansi, who despised Jiang Qingmei and Xiao Chengxuan, repeatedly pleaded on their behalf as part of an act. But Xiao Jiayi..."

Yun Cheng looked up, uncertain, and lowered his voice slightly.

"Master, are you saying... Xie Anjun and Xiao Jiayi have also been acting this whole time!? But... but why would they deliberately create this illusion of marital discord? It doesn’t seem to benefit them in any way..."

Shen Yanchuan suddenly said, "I previously asked you to investigate the dealings between Fan Chengzhuo and Xie Anjun. Did you find anything?"

Yun Cheng’s expression turned serious.

"On the surface, the two have no relationship. But... I just received a piece of information. Fan Chengzhuo’s cousin’s son was once recommended by Xie Anjun and now holds an important post in the military."

Shen Yanchuan’s eyes narrowed. "Who?"

Yun Cheng replied, "Zheng Baosu, the Beijiang Jingyuan Deputy General and General Xianwu."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.