Chapter 20

Who knows who started the rumors, speaking extravagantly, reaching to the heavens and delving into the earth, just short of achieving immortality, becoming so exaggerated towards the end that it was unbearable to listen to.

However, this was a good thing for Shen Yao Xing, as at least these rumors could divert many people’s attention, allowing her some peace and quiet.

Perhaps because she had arranged things well, Shen’s mother was in a good mood. After eating her fill, she didn’t require Shen Yao Xing to return together, only instructing her not to play too late before letting Hei Sha and Bai Sha escort her back to the manor first.

The young girl rested her chin on her hand at the viewing spot, feeling gloomy.

Without Shen’s mother’s suppression, Qing Shu became lively. She looked at the table full of delicacies in the elegant residence, wiping her drool, and walked behind the young girl, carefully observing her expression: “Young Miss… what’s wrong?”

Shen Yao Xing tilted her head to look at the sky, lost in thought.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Qing Shu thought it was a waiter and went to open it, but unexpectedly found a woman in luxurious clothes, holding a jade fan, with alluring eyes standing outside, followed by two tall guards in blue robes with red trim.

Qing Shu recognized her as Chu Yi, the eldest daughter of the An Shi Marquis family, famous in the capital for her amorous nature, either immersed in the bower of bliss or on her way there. But hadn’t she and the young miss ceased contact long ago? How did she know the young miss was here?

The jade fan waved in front of Qing Shu, interrupting her thoughts. She hurriedly stepped back to bow, but was stopped by the jade fan pressed against her shoulder. Qing Shu froze, her face turning slightly pale.

Chu Yi’s smile remained unchanged as she flirtatiously winked at her: “Don’t be nervous, I’m here to see your young miss.”

Qing Shu stiffly turned her body slightly with the force of the jade fan, and the woman’s gaze moved past her to the young girl behind, who was resting her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

Chu Yi withdrew her jade fan, signaling the others to leave, then raised the corners of her lips mischievously, opening her arms enthusiastically as she walked towards the young girl: “Little Xing Xing, it’s been so long, I’ve been lovesick missing you!”

Shen Yao Xing glanced at the person dressed like a colorful butterfly, raising her foot to press against her abdomen, preventing the woman from coming closer.

Chu Yi looked at the foot on her stomach, then turned to the young girl with a somewhat aggrieved expression: “Little Xing Xing, don’t you miss me~”

She deliberately lengthened her voice, making Shen Yao Xing’s skin crawl. She frowned impatiently and clicked her tongue: “What are you doing here?”

“I miss you.” Chu Yi winked flirtatiously at the young girl.

Shen Yao Xing’s face darkened, wanting nothing more than to slap her face with a shoe.

Suddenly, the woman raised her hand and slowly stroked the ankle pressed against her abdomen, with practiced, teasing movements. The next moment, the foot on her stomach retracted, and in a flash, there was a dull pain in her abdomen.

“Puff” Chu Yi’s peach blossom eyes suddenly widened, and with the strong impact, she stumbled backward, finally kneeling on the ground clutching her stomach, supporting herself with one hand and coughing in pain, her dignified demeanor somewhat disheveled.

Hearing the commotion, the two people outside immediately kicked open the door, drew their swords upon seeing the situation, but were stopped by the woman kneeling on the ground with a raised hand.

“Get out!” Her voice was unlike the previous flirtatious tone, tinged with a hint of gloom.

The two guards exchanged glances, hesitated for a moment, then sheathed their swords and retreated from the elegant residence.

Chu Yi hissed in pain, clutching her stomach, narrowing her peach blossom eyes to glance at the expressionless young girl standing there, pitifully saying: “Is this Little Xing Xing’s welcoming gift for me? It’s quite heavy.”

Shen Yao Xing looked down at her coldly, snorting: “Who told you to get handsy? Look clearly, I’m not one of your pretty boys.”

Their relationship used to be quite good, and they played together the most in the capital. But later, for some unknown reason, this woman suddenly became infatuated with male beauty. Whenever Shen Yao Xing was with her, she would inevitably be taken to some improper places, surrounded by men on all sides, which was truly an eyesore.

That was bad enough, but this person even set her sights on her, getting drunk and handsy, daring to flirt verbally. Later, after beating her up, she stopped associating with her. Who knew what madness had possessed her today.

Chu Yi tilted her head, her expression quite serious: “I know you’re Little Xing Xing.”

“Heh” Shen Yao Xing raised her fist ominously: “So you’re asking for a beating?”

Having eased the pain in her abdomen, Chu Yi stood up supporting herself on a stool, saying shamelessly: “Hitting is affection, scolding is love. I’m delighted even when you beat me.”

“……”

This woman was definitely the thickest-skinned person she had ever met, impervious to weapons, and could even disgust you in the process. Shen Yao Xing was at a loss with her.

Pouting, she sat down at the dining table. By now, the dishes on the table were half cold, but Shen Yao Xing didn’t mind, picking up a piece of roast pork and biting into it. Feeling someone approaching beside her, she coldly glanced over.

Chu Yi innocently pointed at the seat next to her, and only after receiving permission did she slowly sit down, then rested her chin on her hand, tilting her head to stare at her.

The elegant residence was quiet except for the sound of the young girl chewing. The woman didn’t seem to find it boring, occasionally smiling and helping her pick up some food with chopsticks.

“When did you return to the capital?” Chu Yi asked casually.

“Just a few days ago.”

“Oh.” Chu Yi looked at the young girl’s profile, raising an eyebrow slightly: “Since you’ve been back for so many days, why didn’t you come find me?”

Shen Yao Xing glanced at her sideways, not knowing if this person was drunk that day, so she had no sense of propriety. She snorted and said irritably: “I couldn’t even leave the house these past few days, what do you mean find you?”

What she said wasn’t wrong, she had indeed been confined these past few days.

The woman suddenly raised her hand to her chest exaggeratedly, making a gesture of relief: “So that’s how it is. I thought you had forgotten about me, like back then when you left the capital without a word.”

Back then, Shen Yao Xing had actually wanted to ask her if she wanted to go out and explore together, after all, she loved to play too. She thought the two of them together wouldn’t be bored on the road. But that day, this person got drunk and handsy, making her so angry that she didn’t bother to ask. A few days later, she left the capital alone.

“Hey” Chu Yi suddenly called out to her.