After being rejected, he emptied the mansion and went into exile

Shen Zhizheng looked at the woman he hadn't seen for some time, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Shall we go for a walk?"

Strange to say.

Previously, Song Yingxue seemed to be able to easily appear by Shen Zhizheng's side.

But ever since returning from the manor, Song Yingxue seems to be constantly busy.

He didn't know what he was busy with.

He even began to wonder if she was avoiding him.

Before she...

Shen Zhizheng recalled the people who had brought him various foods, handkerchiefs, and cared for him in his daily life...

There were many affairs at court during this period, but he couldn't help but ask himself these questions late at night when all was quiet.

What exactly has changed?

He wasn't sure if his feelings for Song Yingxue were romantic.

He was to go to war with his troops the next day, and she didn't seem to care much about his departure.

This made him a little angry.

I don't know if I'm angry at myself or angry at Song Yingxue.

He originally wanted to ask the woman some questions, but seeing her smiling and about to go back to her room, he didn't think much of it and was already standing in front of Song Yingxue.

It would be good to take a walk together; perhaps he could glean from Song Yingxue's few words what she truly meant for him.

As for why he was so concerned about what Song Yingxue really thought of him, he didn't know either.

There's always a sense of resentment, confusion, and uncertainty in my heart.

Song Yingxue was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "Okay."

The servants in the Shen household were used to seeing Miss Song following behind Lord Shen, so no one said anything.

In addition, the general and others from the manor will be going on an expedition tomorrow, and the servants are busy running around in a chaotic manner.

Shen Zhizheng stopped at the flower hall.

Shen Zhizheng gestured for Song Yingxue to sit down, and Song Yingxue did not hesitate.

The scene was somewhat deserted.

In the past, Song Yingxue would always be the one to lighten the mood between the two of them, but now Song Yingxue seemed to be hiding something and didn't say a word.

Shen Zhizheng didn't look at Song Yingxue, but instead looked at the flower bushes to the side.

Now that winter has arrived, most of the flowerpots have been moved into greenhouses.

Whether it was due to the servants' negligence or because these few potted flowers were not delicate, they still survived peacefully here.

Song Yingxue cleared her throat, "Lord Shen..."

Even though Song Yingxue was quick-witted, she couldn't figure out what Shen Zhizheng wanted to say to her at this moment.

Could it be that they've discovered her plan?

She dared not say more, fearing that Shen Zhizheng would notice something amiss.

"Have you been very busy lately?"

Shen Zhizheng looked at the withered flowers and broken willows not far away, and his words were indeed directed at Song Yingxue.

busy?

It's very busy.

She was busy preparing her plans.

She thought of something and teased, "Is it because you haven't seen me lately that you're feeling bored?"

Shen Zhi looked over expressionlessly, glanced coldly at Song Yingxue, and then turned away.

But on the other side, where Song Yingxue couldn't see, Shen Zhizheng's ears quietly turned red.

Song Yingxue had gotten used to Shen Zhizheng's boring nature, but she wasn't angry.

I don't know what I was thinking, but I suddenly started laughing to myself.

Her laughter seemed to have a magical power, calming Shen Zhizheng's somewhat agitated heart.

"Is my lord worried about the expedition?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhizheng turned around and looked at the person opposite him, without objecting.

"I believe that you, sir, will surely turn misfortune into good fortune and achieve a resounding victory!"

Shen Zhizheng seemed to have heard something, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"It's kind of you to say such things to a mere scholar like me."

Song Yingxue, however, said with dissatisfaction, "Lord Shen, don't underestimate yourself. When you volunteered, didn't you also say, 'The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen'?"

"Your Excellency is wise and resourceful, upright and incorruptible; those cunning and eloquent individuals will surely be subdued by you."

When Song Yingxue spoke, her eyes were bright, and she looked at Shen Zhizheng with a certain emotion that was not obvious, giving people the feeling that this woman was already deeply in love.

Shen Zhizheng was flustered and hurriedly looked away from the woman.

How could Song Yingxue not have noticed it?

She laughed unrestrainedly, and the busy servants around her thought that Miss Song had heard something funny.

Shen Zhizheng changed the subject, "You grew up in the Western Regions, do you know what kind of behavior their soldiers usually have?"

Song Yingxue, still smiling, asked, "Is my lord asking me for a favor?"

Shen Zhizheng moved his lips, but when he met the cunning look in the eyes of the person in front of him, he couldn't help but give in.

"Yes, please."

Song Yingxue knew Shen Zhizheng's character; he wasn't just saying that to appease him.

On the contrary, he was very serious in begging her.

She pretended to ponder and said, "Speaking of the soldiers of the Western Regions..."

Shen Zhizheng was listening attentively when Song Yingxue suddenly changed the subject, saying that she couldn't explain it in just a few words.

"How about this, I'll go back and write it down clearly, then I'll send it to you, sir?"

Shen Zhizheng naturally wouldn't insist, but he said, almost as if possessed, "I'll be leaving at dawn tomorrow."

Song Yingxue nodded; she knew, even better than anyone else, the departure time.

"Lord Shen should get some rest."

Shen Zhizheng didn't say what he wanted to say, and he didn't even know what he wanted to say.

Song Yingxue's words, "Take a good rest," left him speechless.

Was it all just his imagination?

Song Yingxue didn't have those kinds of feelings for him?

After all, although Song Yingxue always revolved around him, she had never made their relationship clear.

You haven't said that, have you?

Song Yingxue sensed Shen Zhizheng's low spirits and wanted to reveal her plan, but fearing complications, she kept quiet.

She wanted to catch Lord Shen off guard.

But then I thought, does Lord Shen's unusual behavior today mean that he has already fallen for her?

Shen Zhizheng paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

Well, her future is uncertain, and she doesn't even know if she can come back safely from the battlefield. It's good that she can think this way.

Less entanglement is not a bad thing.

If Song Yingxue knew what Shen Zhizheng was thinking at this moment, she would definitely tell him her plan immediately.

The two sat for a while longer, then Shen Zhizheng excused himself, saying he needed to make some preparations, and left first.

Song Yingxue sat on the stone bench, lost in thought for a moment.

Shen Jinyao and Xiang Hongxuan, who were in the study, were unaware of what was happening outside.

The room was eerily quiet at that moment.

Shen Maoshan, sitting to the side, seemed lost in thought.

Shen Jinyao coughed lightly and said, "Father, I know I was wrong."

Upon hearing this, Shen Maoshan was taken aback.

My eldest daughter has been like this for the past few years.

She knew what she shouldn't do, and what was dangerous, but she still did it anyway.

Going to the battlefield is not a game.

He originally intended to publicly berate Xiang Hongxuan and Shen Jinyao in front of so many people, showing them no respect whatsoever.

He then summoned the two men to his study.

Who would have thought that they were all quicker to admit their mistakes than the last.

"Jin'er, you can go out now. Hongxuan and I have something to discuss."

Shen Jinyao nodded obediently.

The Marquis had remained silent in the main hall, so he probably knew that the situation was settled, but he was not as easily fooled as his wife.

When Shen Jinyao pushed open the door, she saw Madam Shen, who had been waiting for a long time.

"Mother."

Madam Shen's eyes were red, clearly she had been crying.

Shen Jinyao thought that Madam Shen had a lot to say to her, but Madam Shen was unusually silent.

I helped her pack her things and pulled her aside to remind her of the things she needed to pay attention to on her back.

Finally, Madam Shen couldn't hold back any longer and asked the question she had always wanted to ask.

"Jin'er, tell your mother the truth, have you and General Xiang consummated your marriage?"