Chapter 34: A Visit

Si Qingyu felt somewhat uncomfortable as a woman staying in a man’s bedroom. By the time she wanted to follow him, he had already disappeared. She could only quietly wait in the courtyard.

It was already the third quarter of the You hour (5-7 PM). As it was the peak of summer, the sun was still shining. Si Qingyu sat at the stone table in the courtyard, half-squinting her eyes to enjoy the quiet sunset.

Just as she was about to doze off, Luo Shaoxuan came into the courtyard with a tray of food, smiling at her. He placed the dishes one by one in front of her: “Ziliang, try the dishes I made and see how they are?”

There were three dishes and one soup, all nicely presented and appetizing. Si Qingyu nodded, picked up the chopsticks, and took a bite of the vegetable dish placed at the front, gently chewing it in her mouth.

Luo Shaoxuan sat beside her with an expectant expression, his eyes soft as he looked at her: “How is it?”

“Very good.” She said, it was indeed quite good. She didn’t know his cooking skills had already become so good. In the past, they either ate at a restaurant outside or she cooked. She rarely had the chance to taste his cooking.

Seeing her satisfaction, Luo Shaoxuan was very happy. The unpleasantness from earlier immediately dissipated. It wasn’t that no one had praised him before; many had complimented him. But they couldn’t compare to her saying it tasted very good.

He tilted his head slightly, propping his chin with one hand, looking at her affectionately: “Then eat more. If you like it, I’ll make it for you every day from now on.” He suddenly paused for a moment, then smiled sweetly: “I’ll only make it for you.”

Make it for her every day?

Si Qingyu looked at him, somewhat at a loss for words: “That’s not necessary…”

Before she could finish, she saw him looking at her pitifully.

She pressed her lips together, half-lowering her eyelids as she looked at the food: “What I mean is, you have your own matters to attend to. There’s no need to waste time catering to me…”

“It’s not a waste of time.” Luo Shaoxuan looked at her deeply, his dark eyes profound: “For me, as long as the time is spent on you, it’s the most worthwhile.”

Hearing his straightforwardness, Si Qingyu felt her heart skip a beat for a moment.

She gave a light cough to calm the ripple in her heart. With a tranquil gaze, she looked at him and changed the subject: “Aren’t you going to eat?”

Luo Shaoxuan propped his chin and looked at her intently, shaking his head. Then he seemed to think of something and nodded, with a hint of playfulness: “I want you to feed me, ah.” He said, slightly opening his mouth towards Si Qingyu, asking to be fed.

Si Qingyu looked at him somewhat blankly. Was his hand broken or what?

Ignoring him, she continued eating on her own.

Luo Shaoxuan closed his mouth, puffing his cheeks slightly. He directly sat next to her, took the chopsticks from her hand, picked up the vegetable dish in front of them, and brought it to her lips: “Then I’ll feed you.”

Can’t he let her eat in peace? Si Qingyu felt a vein popping on her forehead. She said through gritted teeth: “Can you let me eat quietly by myself?”

“Just one bite, okay? Just eat this one bite.” Luo Shaoxuan looked at her pitifully.

She endured it and opened her mouth to eat the food.

Luo Shaoxuan was finally satisfied. He obediently placed the chopsticks back in her hand and continued to watch her eat.

Suddenly, someone walked into the courtyard. Si Qingyu looked over and remembered it was the woman who had opened the door for her earlier. She was probably the other housekeeper who had survived the sword’s edge, as those people had mentioned.

The housekeeper walked up to Luo Shaoxuan, bowed to the two of them, and then approached Luo Shaoxuan and said something.

The smile on Luo Shaoxuan’s face slowly faded. He nodded indifferently: “Understood.” Then he turned to look at Si Qingyu and smiled again: “A guest has arrived at the manor. I’ll go for a moment and come back right away.”

Si Qingyu nodded lightly: “Go ahead. I can manage on my own.”

He nodded and left with the housekeeper. Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he paused and turned back with some concern: “If you feel tired after eating, you can take a nap in my bedroom. Remember to wait for me to return and don’t wander around.”

An unmarried man who had just lost his fiancée speaking to another woman in this way was truly ambiguous. The housekeeper couldn’t help but glance between them, starting to speculate who this woman was.

Si Qingyu felt somewhat helpless at his tone, as if instructing a child: “I know.”

Only then did he leave with the housekeeper reassuredly. The smile on his face was no longer present as it had been in front of Si Qingyu. When he arrived at the main hall, he saw Jiang Yiheng sitting inside.

He walked up to him and politely bowed: “The visit of the Fifth Prince truly brings glory to Luo Manor.” He then slowly walked to the main seat and sat down.

The housekeeper hurriedly stepped forward to pour him a cup of hot tea.

Jiang Yiheng smiled gently: “Young Master Luo, there’s no need for such empty words with me.”

“Oh?” Luo Shaoxuan picked up the teacup, lowered his eyes to take a sip, and placed the cup back on the side table. He looked at him indifferently: “Then may I ask the purpose of the Fifth Prince’s visit?”

“With such a major incident happening at Luo Manor, I naturally came to visit you out of concern.” He said, casting a gentle gaze towards him: “But it seems I overthought. Young Master Luo doesn’t seem to have any heartache.”

Luo Shaoxuan was unfazed by his probing tone: “Once a person is dead, what use is there in being heartbroken? However…” He looked at Jiang Yiheng calmly, “I still have to thank the Fifth Prince for his concern.”

Jiang Yiheng smiled faintly, lowering his eyes. He picked up the teacup and gently touched the lid without saying a word.

Seeing him remain silent, Luo Shaoxuan paid no attention to him. His thoughts slowly drifted towards the courtyard, wondering if she was waiting for him quietly there. She probably was. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but raise the corners of his mouth.

At this moment, Jiang Yiheng, who had been silent, spoke up, his voice soft and questioning: “Actually, there’s one thing I’m quite curious about. I wonder if Young Master Luo can answer it?”

“Please ask.”

“Miss Mu has always been relatively gentle in her treatment of others. I truly can’t think of what matter would cause her to take such drastic action against the Luo family. Moreover, I’ve always felt that Miss Mu had genuine feelings for Young Master Luo, so why would she do such a thing?” He raised his eyelids and looked at Luo Shaoxuan, who sat on the main seat with a calm and indifferent expression: “Does Young Master Luo know the reason?”

A hint of mockery flashed in Luo Shaoxuan’s phoenix-like eyes, but it quickly returned to calmness. He appeared to ponder for a moment with a puzzled expression: “I also don’t know the reason. Perhaps she had some disagreement with my mother.”

A disagreement? What kind of disagreement would lead to the killing of his entire family? Especially when the wedding was approaching.

Jiang Yiheng knew he couldn’t get any answers, but he knew this matter must have a great deal to do with Luo Shaoxuan. But even if he knew, so what?

He couldn’t help but marvel at Luo Shaoxuan’s scheming. Not only did he “resolve” this engagement, but now with the death of the Luo family’s head, only Luo Shaoxuan remained in the Luo family. The position of the Luo family’s head and the vast family assets could only be inherited by him.

However… with the occurrence of this matter being so strange, even if the Empress no longer investigated thoroughly, would the Marquis’s Manor let the matter rest? That Miss Mu was the most favored daughter of the Marquis’s Manor.

He sighed. Forget it, what use was thinking so much?

He stood up and nodded to Luo Shaoxuan: “Since Young Master Luo is fine, I’ll take my leave. Let’s appreciate the plum blossoms together when we have time in the future.”

Luo Shaoxuan nodded to him with a faint smile and instructed the housekeeper beside him: “See the Fifth Prince out.”

“Yes.”

Jiang Yiheng took one last look at him and couldn’t help but mention: “I think the Marquis’s Manor won’t easily give up investigating this matter.” He wanted to remind Luo Shaoxuan that if this matter truly had something to do with him, he should be careful of the Marquis’s Manor. He really admired this extraordinary man, Luo Shaoxuan. If something really happened to him, he would feel somewhat reluctant.

“Thank you for the Fifth Prince’s concern, but I don’t understand what you mean?”

Jiang Yiheng didn’t say more and left the manor following the housekeeper. He knew Luo Shaoxuan understood what he meant.

Watching him leave, Luo Shaoxuan’s smile gradually faded. He naturally knew what he meant. The Marquis’s Manor was indeed a malignant tumor, but now was not a good time to make a move. He lacked an opportunity.

With his eyes half-lowered, he looked at the teacup in his hand, a hint of darkness in his eyes. Suddenly, the corners of his lips curled into a mysterious and unfathomable smile, making one’s heart tremble.

The housekeeper who had just seen Jiang Yiheng off returned to the main hall and saw Luo Shaoxuan’s eerie smile, which made her involuntarily feel fearful.

Luo Shaoxuan raised his eyes and looked over calmly: “What are you standing there for?”

The housekeeper quickly lowered her head and walked over: “Young Master, the Fifth Prince has left.”

“Mm.” He lightly rubbed the teacup: “Housekeeper Qian, how long have you been at Luo Manor?”

“In response to Young Master, it has been over three years.”

“Mm, quite a long time…” He paused here.

The housekeeper beside him had already started to break out in a cold sweat.

“Do you know why I kept you?” He asked.

The housekeeper’s cold sweat became more profuse, her head remaining lowered: “This servant doesn’t know.”

“Because you should be quite familiar with the Luo family, especially matters regarding the accounts?” Luo Shaoxuan looked at her calmly as she continued to sweat: “There’s no need to be so afraid. Wipe your sweat.”

“Yes, yes.” While responding, she used her sleeve to wipe the sweat.

Luo Shaoxuan nodded in satisfaction, the corners of his lips slightly raised: “That’s good. You’ll continue to manage the accounts and matters. Hire as many servants as needed. However…” Suddenly, he narrowed his long phoenix-like eyes and looked at her with a warning tone: “If I discover you harboring any ulterior motives, your fate will be even more miserable than theirs. Understood?”

She naturally knew who he meant by ‘theirs’.

“This servant understands, this servant understands. Thank you, Young Master, for your trust.” She nodded frantically, wishing she could swear her loyalty at this moment.

“Mm.” Luo Shaoxuan paid no further attention to her and got up to walk towards the courtyard.

On the other side, Si Qingyu had already started to feel a bit sleepy. She let out a small yawn and stood up to stretch her limbs. Looking at the sky, it had already darkened.

Why hasn’t he returned yet?

She was thinking of getting a room in the capital city tonight and returning tomorrow.

Just as she couldn’t help but yawn again, she finally saw Luo Shaoxuan’s figure appear at the courtyard entrance.

She didn’t have time to stifle the yawn and was caught in the act.

“Pfft…” Luo Shaoxuan looked at her with a smile in his eyes, covering his mouth and chuckling lightly.

Si Qingyu felt a bit embarrassed and quickly collected herself, looking at him: “You’re back.”

“Mm.” Luo Shaoxuan glanced at the stone table on the side, where some food remained: “Are you full?”

Si Qingyu nodded and adjusted her luggage on her shoulder: “Since you’re fine now, I’ll be leaving.”

Leaving? Didn’t she come to find him?

“Where are you going?”

Si Qingyu answered matter-of-factly: “I originally rushed over to see if your injuries were severe. Since you’re fine now, I naturally have to leave.”

Luo Shaoxuan’s eyes darkened slightly. He walked over to her and took her luggage: “Stay here tonight. It’s already very late.”

Why did his words make her feel a hint of strangeness?

“I plan to stay at an inn first and return tomorrow.” She said, reaching to take back her luggage.

Luo Shaoxuan naturally didn’t comply. He moved the luggage behind his back: “Why stay at an inn? Luo Manor has plenty of rooms.” Suddenly, he leaned closer to her, raising a shy yet alluring smile: “If not, you can also stay in my bedroom…”

Faced with his childish behavior, Si Qingyu maintained a wooden expression: “No need. A guest room will do.” She said while taking back her luggage from behind him.

Knowing she would answer this way, Luo Shaoxuan wasn’t disappointed. He walked over and lightly tugged on her sleeve, smiling at her: “I’ll take you there. It’s right next to my courtyard.” He said, pulling her sleeve as he walked forward. After leaving the courtyard and walking only a few steps, they arrived.

Indeed, it was right next to his courtyard. Only a wall separated the two rooms.