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墨書 Inktalez
"Don't worry, Uncle. I won't cling to someone I don't like or use those underhanded tricks. I only submit to those who truly love me."
Upon hearing this, Shen Muhan's lips curled slightly, but he spoke softly, "Fortunately, I did cling to you once."
His voice was so low it seemed like a riddle, yet Xia Muxin clearly felt his lips move against her cheek. Frowning slightly, she asked, "What did you say, Uncle?"
Shen Muhan's gaze flickered as he loosened his hold on her and began to unfasten his belt. Seeing Xia Muxin staring at him in surprise, he chuckled and said, "I didn't say anything. Just get some rest."
As he spoke, he had already removed his outer robe and bent down to take off his boots.
"Uncle, are you sure I'm supposed to sleep in this bed too?" Xia Muxin's brows twitched as she shrank back toward the head of the bed, confused and uncertain.
"Why not?" Shen Muhan raised an eyebrow in response after removing his boots.
"Well... this is your home, Shen Manor. If word gets out, my reputation will be ruined."
It was only her first day at Shen Manor, and here she was being lured into his bed. He seemed completely unconcerned about Su Xiuning's situation; did he really think he could win this battle?
He thought about it again; the people in his family had not yet accepted her and seemed to harbor hostility towards her. In this situation, there was no way she could clear her name, even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
Others would only say that she was a shameless country girl seducing the Regent. They would never say that it was their Regent who had taken her away and forced her into bed.
Uh... no, no, no. Look at her, the more she thought about it, the more chaotic it became. What was this about being forced?
"Our reputation in Daimiao Village is already ruined, right? If we’re going to be disgraced, let’s be disgraced together."
Shen Muhan, however, reached out and pulled Xia Muxin into his arms. In a swift motion, he stripped off her outer garment and removed her shoes before pushing her onto the bed. With a sweep of his hand, the lights in the room went out.
"Uncle..."
"Be good, close your eyes and sleep. We have a big battle to fight tomorrow."
Xia Muxin's mind was a mess; after closing her eyes for a long time without falling asleep, she turned over to face Shen Muhan. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, he wrapped her tightly in his arms and placed his finger on her lips, soothing her with a gentle word. Moments later, Xia Muxin heard his steady breathing.
Sigh... After fighting with Ming Lie for so long and then encountering this situation upon returning, she must have been too tired. Xia Muxin dared not turn over or make any small movements for fear of waking him from his deep slumber.
The night was quiet and still.
The patrols at Shen Manor had just finished their shift when several shadows swiftly darted across the rooftops.
Their destination was the guest room prepared for Xia Muxin. At that moment, a faint light still flickered in the room, and through the paper window, a silhouette could be seen busily working on some needlework.
Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew in through the window, causing the candle flame to flicker wildly. The tightly shut window was blown open by the wind. The silhouette sitting at the head of the bed looked up at the dark night sky for a moment before putting down what she was doing and walking toward the window.
A head peeked out from the window, followed by a delicate female voice:
"Strange, it's not raining or windy tonight, yet this wind feels quite odd."
After saying this, he closed the window and secured it, then stretched lazily, yawned, and bent down to blow out the candle. Instantly, the entire room was plunged into darkness.
A moment later, the figure in black moved forward in the night. Suddenly, a blinding light shot through the window. With a soft sound, the previously closed window swung open again, and several shadowy figures silently entered the room through the window.
In the dim light of the night, the person on the bed slept soundly, breathing evenly, completely undisturbed by the intruders. One of them approached and directly pressed on the sleeping person's acupoint before proceeding with their actions.
In less than a moment, several figures leaped out of the window and vanished into the darkness...
Suddenly, a fierce wind howled, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The door of Shen Manor was knocked loudly, echoing through the night, and distant noises could be heard.
The butler led some servants to open the door, but before they could see who it was, they were knocked to the ground.
"Where is your Marquis? I demand to see your Marquis!"
Suo Ao's voice was deafening as he shouted at the butler with fury.
This commotion woke even those who were most familiar with each other at that moment.
Shen Yu hurriedly tied his belt and rushed over. Upon seeing Suo Ao, he respectfully said, "Brother-in-law!"
Shen Yu was a military general with a straightforward personality and no guile. He had anticipated Suo Ao's arrival and did not rush to explain but waited for him to ask questions.
"Lord Shen, I am not worthy!"
Suo Ao coldly glared at Shen Yu and replied in a distant and harsh tone.
"Where is Shen Muhan? That wild woman, I came here to clarify why my perfectly fine daughter returned home covered in injuries and crying like a mess within just an hour. The doctor said she was poisoned, and that poison... Moreover, you all remained indifferent and just let her be sent back like this. What are your intentions? I always thought we were close relatives. Although my position is not as high as yours, Marquis, I regarded you as family. Yet, you treated my daughter so ruthlessly. How am I supposed to face her? How will she face the world in the future?"
Suo Ao was the type of person who was always in a hurry, impatient and unable to tolerate anything. At this moment, however, he was earnestly questioning.
"Brother, don't rush. We are investigating this matter as well."
Su Tian disregarded the servants' advice and put on a light-colored cloak before walking over. She had heard Suo Ao's words clearly; the sibling relationship between them had always been good. Moreover, Su Tian's life had been saved by Suo Ao, which made her and her husband respect him even more. However, one thing must be separated from another; they couldn't let Shen Manor suffer unjustly, so she spoke up to mediate.
Yet her good intentions only made Suo Ao angrier. He drew his weapon and said sternly:
"Sister, no matter what you say today, I must catch this murderer. Someone, search thoroughly; do not leave any corner unchecked."
Hearing his command, those behind him immediately ran around Shen Manor.
Su Tian wanted to say something else when Shen Muhan's voice came from behind:
"Yes, search carefully. I can't wait to find that culprit and give my uncle and cousin justice."
Upon hearing Shen Muhan's words, Su Tian fell silent and stood beside Shen Yu, waiting for news.
Shen Muhan also approached, locking eyes with Suo Ao while a mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Seeing Shen Muhan's calm demeanor made Suo Ao feel inexplicably guilty; he lowered his head and waited quietly for news.
Xiuxiu had said that she had never left Shen Manor; she merely put a fallen bird back in its nest. Then a sudden gust of wind knocked her down from the tree, and she was diagnosed with poisoning. As a father, he only wanted to seek justice for his daughter...
"I'll tell you this, Suo Ao: I know very well what your Old Immortal is planning. Tell him not to have such delusions; even if we confront each other in court tomorrow, I won't let his auspicious plans succeed. The Shen Family will not marry anyone from the Ouyang Family."
Old Master Shen was quite angry today. Although Shen Muhan had made mistakes first—after all, he brought someone back without clarification and accepted her as a daughter-in-law without informing the family—and that girl was indeed too sharp-tongued for his liking at the moment. However, Old Immortal's words struck a chord with him; he admired her boldness and applauded her courage to speak out against authority. Yet for his family’s daughter-in-law, she should at least be a lady of noble birth or someone with talent from a scholarly family. Instead, she was just a rough country girl; he still held reservations about that.
However, Su Xiuning had always been someone he disliked. In any case, he would not allow the orphan of the Ouyang Family to enter the Shen Family's door.
Soon, one by one, people began to approach and report to Suo Ao, all stating that they had found no clues.
Seeing that most of the people had returned, Suo Ao realized that no useful information could be gathered this way, so he said in a commanding tone:
"Have you all checked thoroughly?"
"Reporting to you, my lord, there is still one room we haven't investigated."
As soon as he finished speaking, his guards exchanged glances, and then the leader stepped forward bravely to speak.
"Oh? Which room is that?"
Suo Ao initially thought it must be Old Master Shen's room, and his question was merely a formality. If the servants had answered that, he would have certainly left with his men. To his surprise, they pointed to another location—the room that Shen Muhan had arranged for Xia Muxin.
"Regent, I apologize!"
- End of Chapter -
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