Chapter 262: Chapter 205: Finally Meeting Face to Face

The person who arrived was a servant from the Shen Family. As soon as he entered, he knelt on the ground, looking frantic, and said, “Prince, Princess Consort, something’s wrong. The Fifth Young Madam has been captured by Chunyu Che’s people.”

Shen Ruoxi was stunned upon hearing this, her face full of disbelief, thinking she must have misheard, “What did you say?”

The servant quickly replied, “Chunyu Che’s people came with an imperial decree from our Emperor to capture the Fifth Young Madam, without giving us any chance to speak. A few fierce women just took her away directly.

The First Young Madam told us to stop them and said that if anything went wrong, she would personally plead guilty to the Emperor.

But we were simply not their match. After capturing the Fifth Young Madam, they left without a trace.

The First Young Madam was so anxious that she nearly fainted, which is why I hurried to report to you.”

Shen Ruoxi frowned tightly. Her Fifth Sister-in-Law had clearly agreed to meet him, yet Chunyu Che still made such a move.

But soon, she figured out the key to the situation.

Chunyu Che just wanted to put on a full performance, making everyone believe he was bringing her to account.

In this way, once they left, everyone would think he took the Fifth Sister-in-Law away from Dayi, rather than the two having any personal relationship.

Realizing this, she also had a good idea about who spread those rumors yesterday—it was undoubtedly Chunyu Che.

“Alright, we understand. Let’s return to the Shen Mansion,” Shen Ruoxi said.

When Shen Ruoxi and Jun Moling returned to the Shen Mansion, Madam Yang’s face was as pale as paper, and she sat in the hall, weeping uncontrollably.

Seeing Shen Ruoxi and Jun Moling arrive, she could no longer restrain her inner grief, tears streaming down her face, “Ruoxi, you’re here. Fifth Sister-in-Law was taken away by that scoundrel Chunyu Che. I went to the inn to ask for her back, but they kept the doors shut and wouldn’t let me in. I had no way, so I thought of coming to you.”

“Sister-in-Law, don’t cry. Fifth Sister-in-Law will be okay,” Shen Ruoxi softly comforted her.

“How can you say it will be okay? This is a crime against the Monarch! Even though Chunyu Che isn’t our Monarch, he came to our country, and we have to give him an explanation.

Ruoxi, my heart is in turmoil,” Madam Yang’s voice trembled, gripping Shen Ruoxi’s hand tightly as if it was the last straw.

Shen Ruoxi gently held her hand, giving her strength, “Sister-in-Law, don’t worry. Trust me, Fifth Sister-in-Law really will be alright.

Chunyu Che’s actions are just for a show, and if he really intended severe punishment, he wouldn’t have sent just a few women, and the Emperor wouldn’t easily issue a decree.

Rest assured, Chunyu Che doesn’t dare act recklessly.”

“Really?” Madam Yang’s eyes still held doubt, her expression full of anxiety.

Shen Ruoxi assured her, “Really, there will be no trouble.”

“That’s good, that’s good,” Madam Yang murmured.

…

Ms. Zou pushed her to the side of Chunyu Che’s bed, and after everyone left, she felt her heart begin to pound violently.

The low-hanging curtain seemed like a layer of mist, obscuring her vision.

However, she could clearly feel Chunyu Che rise and slowly lift the curtain.

Her heart grew even more tense, as if it might leap out of her throat.

“Don’t move, let’s just talk like this,” Ms. Zou said urgently, her voice carrying a slight, barely noticeable tremor.

Chunyu Che’s hand paused slightly, but ultimately continued to lift the curtain, then quietly gazed at her.

She was undeniably beautiful, but compared to Shen Ruoxi’s stunning beauty, she was a bit less striking.

Even in that cave, at first, he only thought of her as the widow of the Shen Family’s Fifth Master, Shen Ruoxi’s Fifth Sister-in-Law, and he was solely focused on making sure she stayed out of danger, without any inappropriate thoughts.

But when did everything change?

A single kiss—it sounded truly laughable—somehow enchanted him like a spell, and his heart could never let her go from that moment on.

“Are you so afraid to see me?” Chunyu Che’s voice broke the brief silence.

Ms. Zou steadied herself, trying to calm down, “Monarch of Beichang, if you have something to say, just say it. I think you may have misunderstood something.”

Chunyu Che was slightly taken aback, seeing her eyes that dared not meet his, he smiled lightly, with a touch of helplessness, “What did I misunderstand? Did I misunderstand you when you pulled me off the cliff?”

Ms. Zou was momentarily stupefied, “Do you truly want to hold me accountable for pulling you off the cliff?”

Chunyu Che’s expression was calm, but his tone carried a subtle air of finality, “What do you think? Doesn’t a murder require responsibility?”

“You…” Ms. Zou was both angry and annoyed, her chest heaving violently.

She knew in her heart he wouldn’t really mind such matters, he was just intentionally provoking her.

“We both survived, why don’t you come back to Beichang with me!” Chunyu Che’s gaze was determined and steadfast, as if he had long made up his mind.

Ms. Zou suddenly raised her eyes to look at him, but when she met his clear, sincere eyes, she immediately backed down, averting her gaze in panic.

She said, “Chunyu Che, I won’t go back to Beichang with you. We don’t belong in the same world, let alone the deep enmity between us.

I came here just to see you, to say thank you.”

“Thank you? I don’t need that. Why did you kiss me then? You think you don’t need to take responsibility after a kiss?”

Chunyu Che pressed on relentlessly, steering the conversation back to this topic that made Ms. Zou extremely embarrassed, causing her face to flush instantly.

Ms. Zou steadied herself, easing her embarrassment, and said softly, “At that time, I thought neither of us would survive, and you said you’d never had pity from a woman, so I acted impulsively.

Chunyu Che, I earnestly wish you a prosperous future, to strengthen Beichang and let its people live in peace and prosperity.

If my actions caused you trouble, I apologize to you now.”

Chunyu Che looked at her resolutely, speaking sincerely, “Do you think I really want to bring you into my harem?

I just want you to be able to do something you like.

I’m merely a stepping stone, using this excuse to take you away.

You can go wherever you want and see the world outside. If I leave, I’m afraid you’ll never have another chance like this.”

Ms. Zou smiled faintly, a certain resignation in her expression, “But my leg isn’t good now, I need time to recover, so I won’t go with you.”

Chunyu Che patiently persuaded, “Do you really want to give up this rare opportunity?

You can take your time to recuperate, the scenery along the way is breathtaking.

By the time we get close to Beichang, you will be able to walk. Once you miss this village, there won’t be another inn. I understand what you are thinking, you’re probably feeling quite stifled staying in that deep courtyard.”

Ms. Zou, once lively, found the Shen Mansion somewhat stifling, but keeping her husband’s memorial tablet and her daughter made life bearable.

However, the allure of the world outside was indeed strong.

“I…” Ms. Zou hesitated, deeply torn in her heart.

Chunyu Che suddenly asked, “What is your name?”

Ms. Zou was stunned. Ever since she got married, no one had asked her name. With her husband’s surname first, she was just Mrs. Zou of the Shen Family.

This was the first time someone had inquired about her name.

Her thoughts seemed to drift back to the distant past, and she slowly said, “Zou Ruoxian, because my father is a military general, my mother hoped I’d be gentle and elegant, but she never expected that I was more mischievous than a boy when I was young.”

As soon as she spoke, Ms. Zou realized it was inappropriate and quickly shut her mouth, feeling a pang of regret—why was she telling Chunyu Che all this?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep