Chapter 47: Let Him Fall Gravely Ill

Dou Hongyan: "..."

She fell into a heavy, profound silence for a moment, watching as Xiao Ze's eyes turned bloodshot, looking so furious he could almost devour her whole.

She quickly hastened to smooth things over: "Your Highness has misunderstood. Surely Your Highness went to see him precisely to poison him? I think this approach is exceptionally brilliant, as it can both dispel Shen Yishu's guard and, without anyone noticing, gradually drive him to a lingering, incurable illness."

Dou Hongyan took the initiative to clasp Xiao Ze's ice-cold hand, smiling as she leaned in close, pressing one palm against his chest to soothe him. "Previously, I was even worried that if Your Highness were to poison him directly, it would inevitably entangle you in the aftermath. That truly would have been a loss outweighing the gain."

The chilling, oppressive aura around her vanished almost instantly.

The body beneath her palm remained rigid and, on the surface, indifferent, but the wave of pleasant warmth emanating from him could not be faked.

He was happy just like that?

Dou Hongyan raised her eyes in teasing amusement, casting a swift glance at the taut lower half of Xiao Ze's face, and let out a suppressed chuckle.

She simply stood on tiptoe and planted a light kiss on his cheek.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a fleeting trace of a smile on Xiao Ze's face, which he quickly and forcefully pressed down.

Amusing herself, she secretly observed Xiao Ze's volatile emotions shifting back and forth, laughing inwardly.

Yet, her amusement did not last long.

After calming his breathing for a moment, Xiao Ze lowered his gaze to find her expression full of mischievous cunning, and instantly his guard rose. "When I make a move against Shen Yishu, naturally I have my own plans. That does not mean you can act however you please."

He narrowed his eyes to warn Dou Hongyan: "Behave yourself properly in the Marquis's Estate. If I discover you harboring any sly little schemes, you had better prepare yourself thoroughly."

"Oh..."

Dou Hongyan's lips drooped.

Her amusement vanished.

Now, with him acting all cold, baring his teeth, and issuing threats, he was not even half as interesting as he had been a moment ago.

With supreme perfunctoriness, she lowered her head to lean against Xiao Ze's chest once more, and muttered casually: "Understood. Since Your Highness has already taken care of it, naturally I have no need to do anything further."

***

Listening Rain Courtyard.

"I heard that my husband was unable to see the Third Imperial Highness today, but instead met the Crown Prince?"

Liu Xin'er's eyes were filled with adoring aspiration, reflecting only Shen Yishu. Tugging on his sleeve, she asked with deep admiration: "Quick, tell me, what did you and His Highness the Crown Prince talk about?"

"Naturally, it was matters that men ought to discuss. What do you understand of affairs in official circles?" Shen Yishu said with self-satisfaction.

Then, pulling Liu Xin'er into his embrace, he sighed with deep emotion: "It seems that apart from the initial lack of smoothness, my return to Capital City is indeed what the public hoped for. Their Highnesses still remember me in their hearts."

Doesn't this prove that he was truly a person of consequence?

Having been away from the capital for many years, it seemed that the capital indeed could not function without him.

He failed to notice Liu Xin'er's gloomy expression. Completely immersed in his own complacency, he suddenly recalled something Liu Xin'er had said before: "You mentioned earlier that Heng'er is studying at the Imperial Academy?"

"No, this won't do. That enrollment quota cannot be wasted on Heng'er. Now that I have returned, naturally we must have our own clever and perceptive child attend the Imperial Academy."

Shen Yishu lifted Liu Xin'er's delicate chin, feeling quite satisfied within. "The child of you and me will certainly be no worse than hers."

On the following day, Shen Yishu sought out Dou Hongyan.

He once again demanded that his three sons be admitted to the Imperial Academy.

Dou Hongyan could not even be bothered to roll her eyes. She turned around and replied without looking back: "The Imperial Academy is out of the question. If you are truly sincere, go invite that tutor from before."

"However—"

Her voice paused, and she turned back to say with a meaningful look: "Master Wang does not teach mediocre minds. This time, keep your sons well-behaved, lest you anger the tutor into leaving once more."

"You—"

Shen Yishu's face turned pale. Recalling unpleasant memories, he stiffened his neck and retorted stubbornly: "The children born to Xin'er and me are every bit superior to your Heng'er. When Master Wang sees them, he will only cherish their talent!"

Master Wang it is, then!

Fearing that Dou Hongyan would use his past mistake of driving Master Wang away to taunt him again, he hurriedly turned and left.

After many years, Master Wang was once again invited into the Marquis's Estate.

Upon seeing the tutor, Shen Yishu inevitably felt a guilty conscience. On one hand, he convinced himself that his children would surely surpass Shen Yuxiang; on the other hand, he did not dare face Master Wang, so he simply took the opportunity to go out and amuse himself while his children were receiving instruction from the master.

He was not able to enjoy peace for many days. On this particular day, just as Shen Yishu arrived at a teahouse, his family's page boy came chasing after him, shouting at the top of his lungs to stop him: "Eldest Master, this is terrible! Please hurry back and see for yourself—Shun'er has been beaten by the tutor!"

Amused gazes drifted over from around the teahouse.