Chapter 56

With Meng Xin Yi around, Shen Yao Xing’s days were not so dull. Even without leaving the manor, the two could chat well together.

However, since she had come all this way, Shen Yao Xing still planned to take her out for a walk. They put aside their studies and quietly slipped out the back door of the manor.

The bustling streets were filled with constant hawking, offering all sorts of food, drink, and entertainment.

Though she said she was taking someone out to play, Shen Yao Xing was actually much more excited than her companion. Having been cooped up at home for various reasons, being able to get out for some fresh air was naturally wonderful.

The two walked around the Southeast Street, and Shen Yao Xing led her into the Yu Bao Pavilion. As soon as they were shown to an elegant room, they were attracted by the commotion outside the window.

On the spacious street below, a young girl in luxurious clothing was ordering her followers to punch and kick a woman dressed in coarse cloth. Many people gathered around whispering, but no one dared to intervene.

Meng Xin Yi looked down at the scene below, her smile unchanged: “I’d heard that in the capital, only the powerful are recognized. It seems that’s not false.”

Shen Yao Xing watched silently beside her, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Indeed, such bullying of commoners by the powerful happened almost daily in the capital. Those who had lived in the capital for long were likely already accustomed to such sights.

Meng Xin Yi shifted her gaze from the street to the young girl’s profile, asking curiously: “I didn’t expect you to be from an official’s family. Why have you never mentioned it before?”

“What’s there to mention?” Shen Yao Xing was still holding the candied haws she had just bought, her gaze still on the scene below. She watched as the richly dressed young girl, having vented her anger, finally left the woman alone and swaggered away with her entourage.

Only then did she look away, sitting down on a chair by the window. She took a bite of the candied haws, her eyes somewhat blank: “It’s not something to be happy about…”

None of this was what she wanted. What she wanted was a life free from constraints, not forcing herself to do things she was completely unskilled at every day like now.

“You can strut around the capital and you’re not happy?” Seeing the young girl’s mood seemed low, Meng Xin Yi sat beside her and teased.

Shen Yao Xing gave her a sidelong glance, not wanting to continue this topic: “Order whatever you want to eat, it’s my treat today.”

Just as she finished speaking, Shen Yao Xing suddenly heard a familiar voice from the corridor outside the room. She quickly got up and went to open the door, turning her head to look for the source of the sound.

Sure enough, it really was that woman Chu Yi.

She had just come up to the second floor, turning back eagerly to say something to the person behind her. Although this woman flirted with everyone daily, Shen Yao Xing had never seen her so attentive to anyone before, which made her rather curious.

Her gaze fell to the top of the stairs, just as that person stepped onto the last step. The familiar snow-white silver-edged hem of the robe made her heart skip a beat, and Shen Yao Xing’s gaze moved up blankly.

He wore a thin veil over his face, his long eyes slightly lowered, as if listening intently to the person beside him. His black hair had been carefully combed and tied back, revealing white, lustrous ears. The half-hidden face was faintly visible, breathtakingly beautiful.

Chu Yi spoke softly beside him, as if afraid of startling the man. Glancing up, she caught sight of the young girl at the door, and after a brief pause, broke into a bright smile: “Little Xing Xing, why are you here too?”

Shen Yao Xing tugged at the corners of her mouth. She noticed the man’s gaze sweep over her, then, as if he didn’t recognize her, move away indifferently without lingering for even a second.

Chu Yi discreetly sized up the person beside her, then smiled at the young girl: “I have an appointment with Gentleman Yin today, so I won’t join you.”

“Oh, oh, no problem, carry on.”

Shen Yao Xing nodded hurriedly, standing there stiffly as she watched the two pass by their room. She could still smell the cold fragrance emanating from the man’s body, particularly pleasant.

After the two had disappeared into a room at the end of the corridor, Meng Xin Yi poked her head out, quite curious: “Was that Gentleman Yin?”

“Mm.”

The young girl’s voice showed no emotion. Meng Xin Yi turned to look at her, even more curious: “Isn’t he supposed to be your husband-to-be? How is he now with another woman, and so openly?”

The woman’s words grew increasingly suggestive, looking at her as if she had been cuckolded several times over. Shen Yao Xing was somewhat exasperated, scratching her neck as she explained: “Our engagement has been called off. He’s free to do as he pleases.”

She just hadn’t expected the two of them to get together so quickly.

Meng Xin Yi crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, her face full of amusement: “I had just heard about your upcoming marriage when I arrived, how did it get cancelled so quickly?”

Shen Yao Xing’s expression was hard to describe. She slowly sat back down on the chair, and after some thought, decided it was best not to say anything.

After all, she should still leave him some face. Otherwise, if he found out later that she had told others, he might get angry and chase her around with a knife.

Seeing the young girl didn’t want to say more, Meng Xin Yi wasn’t interested in pressing the matter. After the food was served, she found an appropriate moment to speak: “In a couple of days, I’ll be going to Jiao Huang City again.”

The young girl, who had been eating happily, looked up in confusion: “Didn’t you just come from there? Why are you going back?”

“I still have unfinished business. This time I just came to see you on the way.”

On the way?

“You came to the capital for business?”

“Mm.” Meng Xin Yi nodded.

“So you’ll leave once you’re done?” Shen Yao Xing suddenly felt the food wasn’t so tasty anymore.

The woman nodded again, looking up at her: “This time in Jiao Huang City, I have an important matter that needs your help. Can you come along?”

Shen Yao Xing smacked her lips: “I’d like to, but my mother won’t let me leave the capital.”

Meng Xin Yi thought for a moment, then tentatively suggested: “Why don’t you try talking to your mother again?”

Although this was a last resort among last resorts, Shen Yao Xing still wanted to try. After all, she truly had no interest in those official matters, and continuing to force herself would only be a waste of time.

Back at the manor, Shen Yao Xing had barely sat down when she was summoned by her mother. She didn’t need to guess to know that her mother had found out about her sneaking out today.