After a satisfying meal, Zhang Daozong leaned back in his chair, tilting his head as he observed Shen Yun.
As he watched, his eyes narrowed, "Your luck has improved recently, kid. You look much more agreeable."
Even though he had been handsome before, there had been a gloomy aura about him that made people feel uncomfortable.
Shen Yun smiled. Being in the midst of it, he naturally understood what Zhang Daozong was referring to.
The cause was indeed his young lady.
His mindset and changes were all due to the change in his wife's attitude towards him.
In the past, he had always felt that other than his mother, sister, and brother, there would be no one else in this world that he would care about.
But Xiao Qi appeared.
She let him know that there could be many beautiful things in this world.
He had even begun to look forward to their future together.
Having a few children, boys resembling him, and girls resembling Xiao Qi.
They would raise them together...
Working when the sun rose, resting when it set.
"I had originally wanted to talk to you about it, but it seems you already have your answer, so this old Daoist doesn't need to nag." Zhang Daozong saw through his thoughts and pointed it out directly.
Shen Yun smiled without speaking.
Su Xiaoqi listened, utterly confused. What riddle were these two playing?
"The title of Zhuangyuan is just the beginning. Can you guard your original intention?" Zhang Daozong suddenly roared.
Su Xiaoqi was startled by the sudden sound and involuntarily looked at Shen Yun.
She heard him say leisurely, "All that has passed is but prologue, all that is to come is to be expected."
"Hahaha, then this old Daoist is relieved. Off to Bei Chu!"
Shen Yun took Su Xiaoqi's hand and they got up together, "Junior respectfully sees you off."
Seeing Shen Yun's respect for him, Su Xiaoqi also softly said, "Farewell, Daoist."
Zhang Daozong picked up the wine jar on the table, filled his hip flask, and went downstairs singing.
"Hahaha... I dwell in shady groves, yet never see the sky; the path is treacherous, and I come alone. I stand alone on the mountain's peak, where clouds drift gently far below... The wind rustles, the trees sigh."
"Daoist Zhang is going to Bei Chu, why is he singing about 'Jiuge · Shan Gui'?" Su Xiaoqi couldn't understand Zhang Daozong.
But for some reason, she felt a sense of awe.
As Zhang Daozong's figure disappeared, Su Xiaoqi and Shen Yun, leaning by the window, saw Zhao Xiaohua.
She stood in the middle of the street, looking around as if searching for someone.
Suddenly, a figure flashed by, and she followed.
Su Xiaoqi followed the direction she chased and saw an old beggar in tattered clothes.
It was obvious she was looking for Zhang Daozong, but due to her unfamiliarity with him, she mistook someone else for him and followed.
"Logically, she shouldn't know Daoist Zhang," Su Xiaoqi said.
Zhang Daozong was somewhat famous in Mianzhou City, but he had never operated formally, and he was a free spirit who disliked making deliberate friends. Someone like Zhao Xiaohua would definitely not appeal to him. In fact, they were both only from Mianzhou City.
"There's something off about her. My lady, it's best to keep your distance," Shen Yun said softly, gazing straight ahead.
Su Xiaoqi's heart skipped a beat. She thought Shen Yun knew nothing, but unexpectedly, he had seen everything long ago.
He could even detect something amiss with Zhao Xiaohua, with whom he didn't interact much. Then what about her, who he spent day and night with?
Had he also seen something?
Su Xiaoqi's lips moved slightly, wanting to say something, but in the end, she didn't.
The relationship between her and Shen Yun was very harmonious now, and she felt comfortable interacting with him. She didn't want to break this comfort.
However, if she didn't say anything, she felt she would be letting down Shen Yun's trust in her.
This was not a small secret.
"Husband, I, I mean, if I also..." Su Xiaoqi frowned, her face full of melancholy.
Alas... she still wouldn't say it.
Shen Yun sensed her hesitation, and his heart stirred. He knew what Su Xiaoqi wanted to say, but thinking of her worries and fears, he stepped forward and hugged her, coincidentally interrupting her intention to speak.
"My lady, are you wondering when we'll see Daoist Zhang again?
He told me when he was leaving that we can only meet again when we have children. When do you think we'll have children..."
Su Xiaoqi's face instantly turned red, and she glared at Shen Yun with embarrassed anger, "Shen Yun, you, you're being improper again."
"My lady, didn't you say it yourself? You and I are husband and wife, having children is a natural order, why is it improper?
Or is it that my lady is thinking of something improper now?"
Su Xiaoqi knew she couldn't win an argument with Shen Yun's sharp tongue.
But she could act cute. She took Shen Yun's sleeve and shook his arm, while with her other hand, she reached out to cover his mouth.
As they were laughing and joking, they heard a messy knock at the door, and then a slender, tall figure appeared before them.
He hadn't expected them to be playing around like this while talking so amicably, and for a moment, he didn't know whether to enter or leave.
Stuck at the doorway, he looked lost, and at the same time, an unbearable pain swept through him.
Su Xiaoqi, with her back to the door, turned her head to see who it was upon hearing the noise. Seeing the person, her face turned red, and she quickly pushed Shen Yun.
Shen Yun had already seen him. He was facing the door, so he saw him before Su Xiaoqi pounced. He deliberately didn't warn her and had no intention of hiding their relationship from Liang Jingchen.
He wanted him to know that Xiao Qi was his wife, and had nothing to do with him, so he didn't need to pine for her.
"Zhao Ye... No, Achen." Su Xiaoqi still hadn't gotten used to Liang Jingchen's name, and every time she saw him, she would subconsciously call him by his former name.
Fortunately, Liang Jingchen didn't mind this. He only felt sad that the relationship between the couple seemed to have grown even stronger.
When they were in Zhao Family Village, he had seen them interact, and their relationship seemed as cold as ice, with no genuine affection.
But now it was different. It must have been after the assassination attempt in the capital suburbs that Shen Yun took that blow for Xiao Qi.
He had heard from the nannies in the manor that a woman's heart was soft. No matter how cold she appeared on the surface, if someone treated her a little better, she would easily be moved.
Had he arrived too late!
Liang Jingchen felt very distressed, but he didn't want to cause trouble for Su Xiaoqi.
He stepped forward, pretending to be unconcerned, and said:
"I saw you earlier, and worried that there would be many people today, so I asked around and found out you were here."
Su Xiaoqi nodded, saying that she didn't know he was here either. Otherwise, she really should have invited him out for a drink. It had been a long time since they last met.
"Xiao Qi, it's only natural that you stay in your chamber. If I remember correctly, Shen Xiuzhuan knows this.
By the way, I just returned from outside. You got the top rank as Zhuangyuan, and even achieved Sanyuan Jidi. I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet." Liang Jingchen first said to Su Xiaoqi, then turned to Shen Yun.
"The Prince of Duan's manor also sent gifts," Su Xiaoqi stepped forward to add, implying that Liang Jingchen wasn't being remiss.
"The Prince of Duan's manor is the Prince of Duan's manor, and I am me," Liang Jingchen suddenly said sternly. Seeing the different expressions on Shen Yun's and Su Xiaoqi's faces, Shen Yun frowned, while Su Xiaoqi looked worried.
Liang Jingchen felt relieved. She still cared about him, otherwise, she wouldn't worry about his status in the Prince of Duan's manor.
"Xiao Qi, don't worry. I say this only to tell you that I consider you friends and sincerely came to congratulate you.
The Prince of Duan's manor sent gifts out of respect for the Duke of Yu's manor." It had nothing to do with Shen Yun himself.
Perhaps it did, but it might have been a matter of interest.
"Are you doing well in the Prince of Duan's manor?" Su Xiaoqi had always wanted to ask this question.
Liang Jingchen suddenly fell silent.
Was he doing well in the Prince of Duan's manor?
No one had ever asked him this question before.
They would only say, "You are from the Prince of Duan's manor, a member of the royal family. You have too many missed lessons. Have you finished practicing your sword? Have you finished your tasks?"
They would only urge him, including his father, whom he hadn't seen in over ten years – the Prince of Duan.
He absolutely forbade him to call him father; he was only allowed to call him Prince.
Only Xiao Qi would care about his well-being. In the midst of worldly affairs, her original intention remained unchanged.
She was still the kind-hearted, bright-smiling good girl from Zhao Family Village. How could he let go of someone like her?