Chapter 204: Chapter 204: "You Haven’t Colluded With Him, Have You?

All he knew was that a fire had ignited within him, searing its way through his limbs.

It left his mouth dry and his throat parched.

It made his stomach clench.

On the other side of a partition screen, Chen Minrou remained oblivious. Her hand went to the sash at her waist, and with a gentle tug, her long dress slid to the floor.

Zhao Shijie’s back went rigid. He hastily averted his gaze, turning to look out the window.

The fair skin of his neck and ears flushed red from suppressed desire.

When Chen Minrou emerged in her riding habit and saw his state, she thought he was feigning shyness. Her brows furrowed in annoyance.

’He’s twenty-five or twenty-six, yet he’s still acting like a boy of seventeen or eighteen.’

She pretended not to notice, turning her face away as she announced, "I’m going out with Yaoyao for a while. You can get back to your work."

He had recently been reinstated and was swamped with work.

Yet he still seized every opportunity to appear before her.

At night, he would return home to sleep no matter how late it was, as if terrified that if she went a single day without seeing him, she would forget she even had a husband.

Chen Minrou hadn’t yet sorted out her own feelings, and the sight of him was an irritation. He gave her no space, pressuring her at every turn, which only aggravated her more.

After she spoke, she turned to leave.

A hand seized her wrist.

Zhao Shijie said, "I’ll go with you."

Hearing this, Chen Minrou opened her mouth to refuse, but he continued, "The Capital City hasn’t been safe lately. His Highness won’t let Cui Lingyao go to the Suburban Garden by herself; he’ll definitely be with her. Are you sure you want to go alone?"

Not to mention, it would be awkward for her to tag along with a married couple by herself.

Just the thought of Xie Jinbai’s cold face...

...

Chen Minrou hesitated.

Zhao Shijie tightened his grip on her wrist. "His Highness knows I’m home today. He intended to invite me along, so it won’t be an intrusion."

The only reason it wasn’t stated outright was that Cui Lingyao had left the decision to Chen Minrou.

If she was willing, she could come with her husband.

If she wasn’t, she could come alone.

Of course, if she felt awkward about disturbing the couple’s private time, she could also politely decline the invitation.

In any case, she had given her friend plenty of options.

There was no pressure on her at all.

Chen Minrou understood. After a few moments of hesitation, she chose the first option.

She would rather take him out than stay home, staring at him in silence.

With other people around, it would at least be a bit more peaceful for her.

Chen Minrou just wanted some peace and quiet. She needed time to calm down and seriously consider what frame of mind she needed to be in to continue on with him.

...

「Outside the Zhao Mansion.」

An ink-black carriage was parked discreetly.

A moment ago, the gatekeeper had relayed a message from Chen Minrou, saying she would arrive after a change of clothes.

Cui Lingyao lifted the carriage curtain and peered outside, asking the man beside her, "Do you think Minmin will come alone, or with Zhao Shijie?"

Xie Jinbai was sipping his tea. At her question, he said, "With Zhao Shijie."

His answer was swift and decisive.

Cui Lingyao paused, turning to look at him. "How can you be so sure?"

Even she, who knew Chen Minrou better, couldn’t be certain.

Xie Jinbai set down his teacup and smiled at her. "Because she’s a little afraid of me."

Cui Lingyao: "..."

’He’s certainly honest.’

’In fact, he could drop the "a little."’

If she came alone, she would have to face Xie Jinbai’s cold glares and wouldn’t be able to relax and enjoy herself.

Cui Lingyao tutted and frowned. "She’s the only close friend I have. Can’t you tone down that intimidating aura of yours? Do you have to be so scary?"

Scary...

Xie Jinbai felt wronged. "I never scare people."

Those who needed killing, he would kill without a second thought.

What was the point of scaring them?

’To tip them off beforehand?’

He wasn’t one to do something so foolish.

Cui Lingyao was growing even more exasperated. It felt like talking to a brick wall. She decided to just ignore him.

Cutting the conversation short, she lifted the curtain again to look outside.

Xie Jinbai rested a hand on the small table and tapped it lightly with a bent finger. When she looked back at him, he said, "Just wait patiently. Why be so restless?"

He couldn’t stand seeing her focus on anyone or anything else.

Especially with such an eager expression.

’Those beautiful, almond-shaped eyes should always, always, always be looking at him.’

’Her heart and her gaze should be filled with him and him alone.’

Cui Lingyao saw right through his little trick. After a moment’s thought, she lowered the curtain and asked him seriously, "How much do you know about what’s going on between Zhao Shijie and Minmin?"

Just as he’d wished, her dark, shining eyes were now fixed completely on him.

Xie Jinbai answered without reservation, "The Yulin Guards are divided into two sections: the Light Department and the Dark Department. You know a little about the Light Department. The Dark Department is responsible for intelligence gathering. From the nobles of the Capital City down to every prefecture and county in Great Yue, across every trade and profession, it is all-pervasive."

Therefore, anything worth knowing, he could find out.

It just depended on whether he wanted to.

Cui Lingyao was stunned.

’Isn’t this basically an ancient version of an intelligence agency?’

She blinked, then asked tentatively, "Then do you know why Minmin suddenly grew so cold toward Zhao Shijie?"

The topic was related to her ’death’ three years ago. Though much time had passed, it was still a sensitive subject for Xie Jinbai.

He was silent for a few moments, but still answered her honestly.

He recounted what Zhao Shijie had said that day, then asked her, "Hasn’t Chen Minrou told you this?"

’Of course she did.’

’She told me all this and more, including that strange dream she had.’

’But Chen Minrou probably hadn’t told anyone else about that part, so no matter how powerful and well-connected the man before her was, he wouldn’t know about it.’

Realizing this, Cui Lingyao perked up and lowered her voice. "Do you think Zhao Shijie really meant what he said? Was he actually thinking of taking a concubine?"

As if worried about eavesdroppers outside the carriage, she spoke in a conspiratorial whisper, leaning her head closer.

Her soft, sweet fragrance wafted over him. Xie Jinbai calmly lowered his gaze. "It’s hard to say."

"How can it be hard to say? He’s one of your men, isn’t he? With your ability to read people, and as a man yourself, if you put yourself in his shoes, you should be able to guess what he was thinking, right?"

Cui Lingyao didn’t believe him and shot him a suspicious look. "Don’t tell me you’re in cahoots with him."

...’In cahoots.’

Xie Jinbai chuckled. "Who taught you to use idioms like that? Cui Mingrui?"

"Don’t change the subject!"

Cui Lingyao said, "I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you. Must you keep beating around the bush?"

’So serious.’

’And all over someone else’s love life.’

Xie Jinbai had no reservations and asked her directly, "Do you think Zhao Shijie’s affections have ever strayed?"

Cui Lingyao slowly shook her head. "His feelings for Minmin... as of now, they probably haven’t changed."

She was very precise, using the words "as of now."

To a casual listener, it would mean nothing.

But Xie Jinbai was incredibly sharp. He instantly caught the nuance, and his eyes flickered.

He thought for a moment, then asked, "Then why do you think he wanted to take a concubine?"

"For an heir,"

Cui Lingyao said, "Back then, Minmin’s difficult childbirth took a toll on her body. He couldn’t withstand the pressure from his elders, and he also wanted a son to inherit his title. So, the thought of taking a concubine crossed his mind. He didn’t know how to bring it up, so he resorted to... making a threat."

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.