Chapter 63: Sharing One Husband

Shen Shuangning herself didn't believe that answer.

"I guess the Heir Apparent wants to use this to threaten me."

Xiao Jingyuan heard this, his brow slightly furrowed imperceptibly, and said: "I am not as vile as you imagine."

Shen Shuangning stared at him, full of vigilance, and said: "I don't really know the Heir Apparent."

Xiao Jingyuan tugged at the corner of his mouth: "Is that so?"

He rose from the bed without warning, his tall figure instantly blocking the light behind him, Shen Shuangning found herself in a shadow and instinctively stepped back.

Almost simultaneously, he grabbed her wrist with one hand and pulled her forward, his eyes sharp, his tone even colder, making one feel as if plunged into an icy cavern.

"But I think the Fourth Miss understands me well."

Xiao Jingyuan is very perceptive.

Shen Shuangning's heartbeat, which had just calmed, began to race again, her eyes flickering slightly, and she said: "Working with someone as suspicious as the Heir Apparent, I naturally have to put effort into figuring him out; to hear him say this, I feel quite honored and startled."

At first hearing, there seemed nothing wrong with her words, but how could she know he was naturally suspicious?

Xiao Jingyuan stared at her face, as if trying to see something in it.

Shen Shuangning quickly composed herself; rebirth is something that, even if Xiao Jingyuan were extraordinarily clever, he could never guess.

Unless he too is reborn, of course, which is even more impossible.

Shen Shuangning somewhat stiffly changed the subject: "The Heir Apparent still hasn't answered my earlier question."

Xiao Jingyuan, however, released her and sat back down, his expression inscrutable.

Seeing this, Shen Shuangning couldn't help but doubt: "You wouldn't really......"

Xiao Jingyuan almost immediately retorted: "Don't be self-indulgent."

Shen Shuangning is certainly not the type to be self-indulgent, but Xiao Jingyuan is too strange.

She couldn't find a suitable reason to explain his behavior.

Neither wanted to continue on this topic.

Shen Shuangning said: "Since it was wrong from the start, let's just let it be wrong; treat that day's incident as if it never happened, and don't bring it up again—I don't want this to affect my relationship with the Young Marquis; frankly, the Heir Apparent probably doesn't want to be a villain either."

Xiao Jingyuan seemed to chuckle slightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

This was clearly what he had originally hoped for, but now that she actually said it, he couldn't feel happy.

Meeting Shen Shuangning's steadfast gaze, Xiao Jingyuan tugged at the corner of his mouth and replied, "Good."

Shen Shuangning then felt relieved; she knew Xiao Jingyuan had many unpleasant habits, but he was a man of his word.

Afterwards, Shen Shuangning bandaged his wound, and Xiao Jingyuan finally relaxed his mouth.

"Officer Shen will be fine; you needn't worry."

Shen Shuangning finally smiled on her face: "Thank you, Heir Apparent."

Xiao Jingyuan showed little expression, then rose to change clothes.

Shen Shuangning still had things to say to him, so she sat on the bed waiting for him to come out.

But just then, a knocking came from outside the door, a woman's voice.

Song Xizhi stood outside the door and said: "Heir Apparent, the Princess Consort has made soup; I'm bringing it for her."

Shen Shuangning's face changed, and she sprang up!

How could Song Xizhi come at this time?!

No, no, absolutely cannot let her see her here!

A man and woman alone in a room is already improper, and besides, Xiao Jingyuan has just finished bathing; if she were to jump into the Yellow River, she still couldn't wash it clean!

Shen Shuangning really feared she would barge in directly; in panic, she hurried into the inner chamber.

Who knew Xiao Jingyuan hadn't even finished dressing; however, Shen Shuangning had no intention of peeking, and she straightaway hid behind the screen.

Xiao Jingyuan naturally had already heard Song Xizhi's voice; he had nothing to worry about, and he leisurely finished dressing.

Qingfeng learned that Song Xizhi had come, and only then suddenly remembered that the Fourth Miss was still with the Heir Apparent!

So he rushed over.

"Miss Song, give me the soup; I'll take it to the Heir Apparent. He's busy."

Song Xizhi said softly: "Is the Heir Apparent receiving a guest?"

Qingfeng broke out in a cold sweat, his expression somewhat unnatural: "Yes."

Song Xizhi didn't ask further, only saying: "I'm just delivering the soup; I won't disturb the Heir Apparent."

Having said that, she didn't even glance at Qingfeng's expression, and pushed the door open straightaway, carrying the soup in.

Song Xizhi, upon entering, immediately scanned the interior, as if looking for something, her eyes somewhat cold.

Just as she was about to walk into the inner chamber, she saw a man's figure emerge from within.

Song Xizhi immediately composed herself, stopped her steps, and put on a gentle smile, calling: "Heir Apparent."

Who knew Xiao Jingyuan would coldly reply: "Who gave you permission to come in?"

Song Xizhi's smile froze, and she stammered nervously: "I, I only came to bring soup to the Heir Apparent......"

Qingfeng, who had hurriedly followed behind, took in the indoor situation, saw no sign of Shen Shuangning, and was momentarily stunned.

"Has the Fourth Miss left?"

Xiao Jingyuan wore a loose dark silk robe, his hair unbound, half-damp black hair hanging loose behind him—one could tell he had just finished bathing.

Song Xizhi's cheeks flushed slightly.

Xiao Jingyuan didn't overly reproach her, saying: "Just put it down and leave."

Song Xizhi, fearing to displease him, placed the soup on the table, then turned back and said with a gentle, concerned expression: "Heir Apparent, remember to drink it while hot; even when busy, you should rest—you haven't returned to the prince's residence for several days, and the Princess Consort misses you greatly."

When mentioning the Princess Consort, Xiao Jingyuan's eyes softened somewhat, and he said: "Tell her I'll return in a couple of days."

Song Xizhi nodded with a smile, and as she was about to leave, she seemed to recall something and casually asked: "Outside the Office of Pacification, I saw a maid of Ning's younger sister; did she come looking for the Heir Apparent?"

Xiao Jingyuan grunted and said, "She came for Vice Minister Shen."

Song Xizhi narrowed her eyes: "I see."

She said no more and took her leave.

Soon after, Shen Shuangning heard Xiao Jingyuan's voice.

"Come out."

Shen Shuangning then stepped out from behind the screen; this time Xiao Jingyuan did not mock her as before, merely sitting pale-faced beside the table and gesturing for her to come sit.

Shen Shuangning walked over and said, standing, "The mastermind behind Commandant Sun is someone else."

Xiao Jingyuan lifted his gaze.

Shen Shuangning said, "I'm not defending the Third Prince—at least he was involved in the gambling house, so he's not innocent. But the person behind him remains hidden; the gunpowder uncovered by the Drunken Cloud Pavilion may not be the whole amount."

Xiao Jingyuan slowly furrowed his brow, not rushing to speak.

Shen Shuangning said, "If the Heir Apparent trusts me, you can send someone to inspect the Imperial Mausoleum; perhaps you'll find something. The Heir Apparent needn't ask how I know—I won't tell you; I have my own ways of obtaining information."

Knowing this would arouse Xiao Jingyuan's suspicions, she still said it, for on her way here she had come to understand a principle.

The State Duke's residence lies amid the court's machinations; if the situation turns turbulent and villains prevail, throwing the realm into chaos, then the residence she wishes to protect will become but an ant in the flood of history.

By comparison, Xiao Jingyuan's suspicions seem trivial; in time he will realize she means no harm.

However, she would never reveal the matter of her rebirth to him.

Shen Shuangning had braced herself for Xiao Jingyuan to press her for details, but to her surprise he asked nothing and simply let her go.

Shen Shuangning increasingly felt that Xiao Jingyuan today was unlike his usual self—something was off.

Lost in thought, she unexpectedly bumped into Song Xizhi.

Shen Shuangning startled, not expecting her to still be at the Office of Surveillance.

After a moment, she wondered whether the other had deliberately been waiting for her here.

Song Xizhi caught sight of the red mark on Shen Shuangning's neck, and recalling that Xiao Jingyuan had just bathed, she found it hard not to imagine more; her almond eyes gradually reddened as she clenched her fingers.

Her expression, usually gentle, now looked somewhat gloomy; she said, word by word, "You are indeed in the Heir Apparent's quarters!"

Shen Shuangning silently thought, "Oh no," and indeed she had been misunderstood.

It's all that Xiao Jingyuan's fault!

"Elder Sister Song, it's not what you think—I and the Heir Apparent have nothing going on," Shen Shuangning said helplessly.

But no matter how she said it, the explanation sounded feeble.

Song Xizhi's tears then fell.

Seeing that Shen Shuangning did not believe her, a vague annoyance welled up inside her, and she grew too weary to explain further.

Song Xizhi quickly calmed down, without the hysteria one might expect, and merely looked at Shen Shuangning's face, asking, "Do you also like the Heir Apparent?"

A twitch crossed Shen Shuangning's cheek, and she almost immediately replied, "No!"

Her answer was firm and unequivocal.

Yet Song Xizhi seemed not to have heard, suddenly taking her hand and saying earnestly, "If you're willing, we could share a husband."

Hearing this, Shen Shuangning felt as if she had seen a ghost, her eyes widening.

She was stunned by Song Xizhi's "magnanimity," leaving her momentarily speechless; she stammered, "Share a husband?"

Song Xizhi didn't seem to think there was anything wrong; instead she felt Shen Shuangning was overreacting, wondering, "Right, Ning sister, you don't want to?"

Shen Shuangning exclaimed in disbelief, "Don't you like the Heir Apparent?"

Song Xizhi candidly replied, "Of course I do."

Shen Shuangning grew even more puzzled: "Then why......"

Song Xizhi understood her meaning and smiled: "For a man, having three wives and four concubines is quite ordinary; someone like the Heir Apparent, a dragon among men, could never have just one woman. Privately I may be a little reluctant, but I cannot demand that the Heir Apparent belong to me alone—that would be too selfish."

Song Xizhi added, "Frankly, although I have not yet married the Heir Apparent, I have long known that there is a beauty attending him closely—her name is Yao Niang, greatly favored by the Heir Apparent and also liked by the Princess Consort; alas, her lowly status means she can only be a concubine."

"The Prince's mansion has strict rules: one must marry before taking a concubine; once the Heir Apparent weds, she will gain proper standing. That is why I have long accepted this fact."

Shen Shuangning fell silent.

She finally understood why the Princess Consort was pleased with Song Xizhi.

A woman as understanding and sensible as Song Xizhi is the kind of daughter-in-law that many ladies, lantern in hand, cannot find.

Shen Shuangning could not find a reply.

Only then did Song Xizhi sigh, "I was angry just now, also angry that you kept things from me; actually I'm not a jealous person—the Heir Apparent is so outstanding, it's natural for you to like him. If I could become sisters with Ning sister, I would be glad. Compared to Yao Niang, I prefer Ning sister."

Upon hearing this, Shen Shuangning's brow jerked, and she suddenly realized that Song Xizhi's tone toward her was like that of a senior wife speaking to a concubine—and she was that concubine!

The irony is, she was once Xiao Jingyuan's legitimate wife, while Song Xizhi is the concubine who ruined their marriage!

Shen Shuangning suddenly felt a wave of nausea, jerked her hand back, stepped away, and said aloofly:

"Miss Song, let me state again: I do not like the Heir Apparent, and I am utterly innocent with him—nothing has happened. If you don't believe me, go ask him; he won't lie to you. If you want to share a husband, do it with Yao Niang instead. Farewell!"

Having said that, Shen Shuangning brushed past Song Xizhi's shoulder and hurried off, as if a ghost were chasing her from behind.

Song Xizhi turned, gazing at her retreating back; the smile on her face had vanished, replaced by a gloom.

Shen Wei saw Shen Shuangning actually at the Office of Surveillance and jumped in shock; he also indeed leapt up from his chair and hurried over.

"Good heavens, how did they drag you in too?!"

Seeing Shen Shuangning's grim expression, Shen Wei felt even more uneasy.

"Uncle Second, I've come to take you back home. Let's go quickly."