Chapter 435: Chapter 434: I... I Haven’t Had My Fill Yet
The next morning.
The stillness was dispelled, and the light of dawn was not blinding. At daybreak, the dew was faint.
Shen Hua’s fever had subsided last night.
Urged by Ningzhu, the girl went outside and ran into Xie Xun having breakfast.
Shen Hua paused in her steps, looking around.
How could Xie Xun not know who she was looking for?
"He’s gone."
He didn’t mention that Cui Yun had specifically visited the Shen Residence before he left yesterday.
He had followed to see it.
Indeed, befitting of the Minister of Ministry of Justice, he was truly a ruthless character.
Shen Hua was stunned.
"Why did brother still let him go?"
The girl fiddled with the table.
"He had just arrived, and I... I hadn’t had enough of him yet."
Xie Xun was convinced but did not speak harshly, "Go out and see, an unmarried girl should not be as bold as you."
The breakfast was very abundant. All were Shen Hua’s favorites.
The courtyard was quieter than usual, knowing the embroidery ladies had been working hard these days, and she gave everyone three days off.
It was still early, and Shen Hua was not in a hurry.
"Yicui said she has shown the letter to brother."
Xie Xun’s eyes flashed but still gave a humble gentleman’s demeanor.
"Hmm."
Shen Hua struggled for a while.
"At that time, he was doing business abroad, personally transporting ten carts of embroidery to Hui State. He was kidnapped mid-journey. The escort master was no match. It required ten thousand taels of silver for ransom, and Shen He Wen went to pay the ransom."
"I only knew something unusual happened during the journey."
"When Shen He Wen returned, he was covered with injuries."
"He... was also personally inspected by Clan Elder Shen upon his coffin."
At that time, the girl felt as if the sky had collapsed. She had never witnessed such people changing faces. It was not too naive to say. How could she know it would be false then?
"Now thinking about it, there must be something fishy, probably the work of the second house, there was a mishap that allowed him to escape."
As for the rest, she knew no more.
Shen Hua dare not think deeply.
Shen Wei didn’t die, how could he be so heartless to disregard her in the previous life?
Maybe he was just squatting in the corner watching.
Watching her defiantly resisting without measuring her capabilities.
Watching her breaking down and despairing.
No wonder, the words by the grave yesterday, sounded so familiar.
Because she had heard them before.
The bracelet was still there then.
Only, at that time, the person he said sorry to was not Shen Zhi, but her.
The object of the burned paper money was also her.
"Leave these matters to me, Yangyang need not worry about them."
Xie Xun gently smoothed her hair.
Shen Hua felt reassured.
As if by having brother, or Cui Yun nearby, she could be completely unrestrained and wilful.
She knew, she would be protected.
And, without a scratch.
Soon, Shen Hua put the unpleasant matters out of her mind, intending to show off her achievements of these days.
"This time I picked carefully, prepared a large piece of embroidery and fifteen smaller pieces."
"The exhibition requires fifty taels of silver to enter; do you remember Er Rong? Fortunately, during these days he was loyal despite being in the enemy camp. He has always been helping to gather information, this time the embroidery workshop prepared ten large pieces and thirty small pieces. Not afraid to make a disgraceful display. It is said that many people will attend, and Er Rong has already gone early to choose spots."
Xie Xun pondered for a moment, finally shook his head helplessly: "I don’t remember."
"You always knew to study in the past, not touching matters of the embroidery workshop; each visit, you either look for me or Mama, it’s normal not to remember."
The two headed towards the back yard.
An old woman dressed in dark blue was carefully handling the embroidery.
"Why is it only Aunt Sun checking the count?"
Aunt Sun handled it delicately: "I am afraid of making a mistake. The people under me handle matters without care. How can I rest assured?"
"The participating embroidery workshops total over a hundred more than before, doubled in number. Known and unknown, all came to join the buzz, it shows everyone wants to compete for the top positions."
As she said this, she turned around, her words halted upon seeing Xie Xun, stuck in her throat.
Xie Xun walked up with Shen Hua, bowing his hands: "Aunt Sun."
Someone once showed her the same level of respect and greeted her in this manner.
Aunt Sun was momentarily dazed.
"This..."
Why follow Shen Hua’s call?
Aunt Sun disregarded the formalities and pulled Shen Hua to a corner.
"The Marquis who came last time, did it end?"
Shen Hua frowned: "We are still on good terms."
"Then who is this one?"
Looking at his demeanor, he is not an ordinary young lord.
She didn’t wait for Shen Hua to respond.
Aunt Sun’s face was filled with misery and bitterness.
"Are you confused!"
"The Madam passed away early, it’s my fault for neglecting your education. It’s true that having a daughter can attract many suitors, but... who taught you to flirt like this?"
Shen Hua was annoyed.
She stomped her foot.
"You misunderstood."
Aunt Sun didn’t believe it.
She had personally seen how Shen Hua was arm in arm and looking very intimate with Xie Xun!
The exhibition was held inside the largest auction house in Fengzhou.
Every year, for convenience, Shen Family would spend a large sum to reserve it.
By the time Shen Hua and others arrived, the place was already packed.
Er Rong had been craning his neck waiting, and hurriedly greeted Shen Hua upon seeing her.
"Miss, I couldn’t get a seat at the very front, but managed the fifth row."
Shen Hua was unusually reasonable: "To think it would be further forward, getting the fifth row is already quite an achievement."
Ten embroidery workshops’ spots were prepared per row.
This time, more than a hundred embroidery workshops came. It was good not to be at the very end.
It was considered middle.
While heading towards the spot, Shen Hua patiently explained to Xie Xun.
"When the time comes, each workshop will take the stage one by one according to the seat arrangement to display their embroideries. Many businesses, shopkeepers, and even nobles will come to buy for their collections today. Usually, the highest bidder gets it."
Xie Xun was somewhat aware of these things.
He smiled at Shen Hua.
"Usually?"
"I remember five years ago, one of your four-colored peonies was bid up to one thousand taels but you didn’t sell it."
He was at the academy at that time. It wasn’t until seven days later when he came back, that the girl’s lips were still pouting.
Aunt Sun thought even more highly of him.
He knew so well about Miss Shen’s matters, clearly showing his devotion.
"Of course, I wouldn’t sell that one."
"It’s just some mere money! Who doesn’t have some!"
Thinking back on it, Shen Hua was annoyed: "That fat man, even bringing his fatter son along!"
She still remembers, the man stroking his beard, one hand supporting his belly.
"Mrs. Shen, your daughter is quite skilled with her hands. Also quite handsome."
This was human language.
"You see my son, round face and big ears, you can tell he’s a fortunate lad. He matches your girl so well, why not settle a marriage arrangement for the two children?"
This was nonsense.
His son was even trying to come closer: "Shen, I will be good to you. Just like my Daddy is good to the concubines."
Before Ms. Shen Chun could react with a cold face, Shen Hua was already furious.
"You?"
"Looking like your father, it’s a stroke of luck if you can find a wife, let alone actually getting married."
"One thousand taels? Even if it was ten thousand taels, I wouldn’t care for it."
People were just starting to sit down when someone hurried over.
"Miss Shen."
The man bowed and nodded.
"I am the newly appointed Shopkeeper of Shen Family’s Embroidery Workshop."
"The gentleman had instructed a few days ago to prepare the most spacious spot in the first row for you. This exhibition is hosted by the Shen Family, how could we let you demean yourself by sitting here."
Shen Hua was not at all upset.
Her eyes shining brightly, she waited for Xie Xun to explode.
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