Chapter 10: You Really Want to Be Like a Dog Desperately Trying to Please Me

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A farce is destined to come to an end, and Shen Xue-shi, with an ashen face, is unwilling to stay any longer. She flicks her sleeves and is about to leave.

"Stepmother."

Shen Hua calls out to her with a smile.

"What else do you want?"

Shen Xue-shi's tone is harsh.

"You've given me such a big gift, Stepmother. Naturally, I should return the favor. Old Lady Xu, who used to serve you, was transferred to me, and she had many complaints. Considering her age, she's worth little and can't be sold to trouble the baby broker. You should take her back with you."

Old Lady Xu hasn't reacted till now, but her back has slightly hunched. Upon hearing this, her fingertips begin to tremble.

The reason Shen Xue-shi valued her was simply because she helped supervise Shen Hua. But now that Shen Hua is sending her back, will the Madam still show her a kind face?

"Are you deaf? Follow!"

Shen Xue-shi's face is dark.

"Do I need to bring an eight-carrier sedan chair to invite you back?"

"Stepmother." Shen Hua softly calls out again.

With a petty mind and even pettier patience, Shen Xue-shi nearly chokes on her breath.

Her eyes seem to burst into flames, wishing to swallow and burn Shen Hua completely.

"Isn't it enough already!!!"

"Zhaolu is my most cherished maid; she was once my right-hand woman. It's a waste of talent for her to sweep the floor in your courtyard. She is thorough in her work; Stepmother, you must treat her well."

Yicui hands over the selling contract of Zhaolu.

Shen Xue-shi: !!!

Understood! Once she returns, she will torment that damned Zhaolu!

Waste of talent?

From today, she will torture her while making her empty chamber pots!

"Housekeeper Wu."

Shen Hua's gaze shifts slightly, not in a friendly manner.

Housekeeper Wu is so embarrassed he wishes he could disappear into the ground.

"How many years have you been following my Daddy?"

He pauses, "Over twenty years."

"Twenty-three years, Daddy picked you up when you were on the verge of death, and you were hanging by a thread. He asked a doctor for you and kept you by his side, promoting you. Although I was young, I knew how to write the characters for 'wolf-hearted and dog-lunged'."

Housekeeper Wu cannot utter a word.

In this world, everyone acts for their own benefit; while Shen Wei treated him well, he has spent many years serving him loyally, which should count as repayment.

Shen Hua's tone is cold: "I heard your daughter-in-law is about to give birth any day now?"

"...Yes."

"Being about to become a grandfather, if I were you, I would start accumulating some karma for the sake of the descendants."

Shen Hua drops this remark, then with some effort gets up without looking at the two anymore, intending to return to her room.

Shen Qu, who had been quiet as if indulging Shen Hua, finally makes a move.

The smile at the corner of his mouth fades significantly.

"Shen Hua."

Finally, this person doesn't pretend to call her Yangyang anymore.

"Have you heard the rumors outside?"

"If there isn't your handiwork in this, brother doesn't believe it."

Shen Hua deliberately stirred up a storm in the city, certain that he would yield as she wished, causing Shen Xue-shi to compromise. Indeed, she played a big hand, even at the expense of ruining the Shen Residence's reputation.

Shen Hua presses her lips and remains silent.

Ruthlessness flashes across Shen Qu's eyes.

"I've redeemed the Eastern Pearl for you. I'm letting this go for now. But next time, it might not be the same."

His tone is full of gentleness, yet he bends down and unrepentantly stuffs the pearl into Shen Hua's hand, thoughtfully adjusting her cloak.

His hand brushes past Shen Hua. Despite the warmth, Shen Hua feels a coldness more piercing than the chill wind.

She quietly and unusually accepts his service.

"I've let you vent your frustrations, but you should have caused enough trouble. After all, you're a girl who has been raised with care, and even now, you don't understand the etiquette of rising and bowing at one's will."

The man's gaze carries a hint of danger, with a hidden light flickering in his eyes.

"Have you said enough?"

Shen Hua responds coldly.

She is confident that Shen Qu can't do anything to her.

Not only that, but he also has to painstakingly hang onto her life.

Shen Xue-shi's submission means nothing; Shen Hua has always hated Shen Qu and the second house of the family.

Facing Shen Qu's eyes, hers are clear and bright, maintaining her original pride in such situations, and her words further degrade Shen Qu to the extreme.

"The way you are coaxing me now really looks like a dog desperately wagging its tail just to please me."

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A low-profile carriage slowly exits Shengjing City. The accumulated snow under the wheels emits a soft 'creak creak'.

The carriage appears ordinary, but inside, it's a hidden treasure.

Spacious and bright.

On the rosewood tea table are plum-encrusted purple clay teapots. On the pine chess board, a few white jade chess pieces are casually scattered.

Brocaded curtains in dark purple, a carpet made of tiger skin...

Cui Yun sits upright, his demeanor cold and distant, embodying the elegance of a gentleman. His well-defined hands hold a book, occasionally turning a page.

"Cui Yun, have you been to see Ji Teng?"

The speaker on the opposite side is Ji Ge, sitting in a lazy posture.

Cui Yun doesn't respond, but Ji Ge doesn't blame him, instead continuing.

"He's so dark and thin, hardly like a Prince. At first glance, I thought he was a monkey. He's been a hostage for eight years, finally returning, yet he doesn't get a bit of Father's favor. He's been randomly assigned to a dilapidated residence."

Ji Ge is uneasy.

His birth mother was a mere talented person who died in childbirth. She was never posthumously bestowed a title.

Coincidentally, he was born during Ghost Festival, and Emperor He saw him as ominous since birth. Never affectionate, he was driven out of the Imperial Palace early and given a residence, so he wouldn't hover nearby.

But compared to Ji Teng, he is quite lucky!!

"The courtyard he sleeps in leaks. The residence has no serving staff, and he doesn't have a single copper coin on him. I secretly saw him eating grass roots in hunger last time."

Ji Ge sighs long and loud, while Cui Yun turns another page of his book.

"By the way, why are you heading to Fengzhou just fine?"

A myriad of speculations flash through Ji Ge's mind, suddenly he sits up straight.

Recently, a charming and talented Oiran has appeared in Baihua House in Fengzhou! He's also heard about it in Shengjing.

His voice involuntarily rises.

"You've got some nerve."

"I told you, there's no such thing as a man uninterested in women. You cultivating your character in Shengjing is just a façade. At heart, you're going a thousand miles to indulge with prostitutes. You must've had a tough time pretending."

How hadn't he thought of this way!!!

Look, how successful Cui Yun is.

In Shengjing, who doesn't praise him?

Cui Yun's eyes remain on the book, turning another page.

Ji Ge holds back a breath, lunging over.

With a 'snap', he closes the book in Cui Yun's hands.

"What's with your attitude! I'm talking to you!"

He's been talking the whole way!!! His mouth is dry!

Cui Yun frowns slightly, looking at Ji Ge puzzledly.

Then he raises a hand, leisurely removing a soft earplug made of cowhide from his ear. Inside, it's stuffed with thick cotton.

"You you you..."

Cui Yun moves his lips, showing no trace of guilt.

"Would the Seventh Prince trouble himself to say it again?"

Ji Ge: "Why should I say it again?"

Turns out, he's just been a fool, talking to himself the whole way. While Cui Yun, calm and composed, hasn't heard a single word?

Ji Ge: Fine, it's my own fault.

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