The bed canopy overhead bore familiar patterns, and the room was filled with the thick scent of benzoin incense.The curfew had already passed. Outside, the faint sound of a cart rolling by could be heard, but it soon drifted away.The candle burning in the room had already melted halfway. Su Zheyun turned over in bed—a rare bout of insomnia.She bit her lip, meticulously replaying everything in her mind: where had she slipped up?They had only met a few times: the first time in the study with him and Li Jin, then on the day she bid farewell to Hulan, and later when he helped her find a house…Suddenly, something flashed through her mind. Su Zheyun sat up abruptly—she knew. It was Hulan.That day at their parting, Hulan had called out to her from outside the carriage in the Shuo language, telling her to be careful not to get the scab on her arm wet.She frowned. Could it be because of that?From a single sentence, he deduced that Hulan had personally seen the wound, and from there, suspected her male identity?A chill ran down her spine, goosebumps rising on her arms.If that were truly the case—if he had formed suspicions from such a trivial detail—then his mind was truly meticulous.Su Zheyun felt a measure of admiration, and Jiang Weixu's assessment from yesterday now carried real weight.Dealing with a clever person is exhausting. Of course, having a clever person as an enemy is even more so.Fortunately, for now, Shen Bingwen bore her no ill will. But what about later? If she ever inadvertently offended him and earned his resentment, would he turn his blade toward her?She turned over to the other side; even the usually soft bedding felt uncomfortable against her now. A single candle flame flickered in the room, illuminating the uneven surface of the wall.Having just escaped the tiger's den, only to walk into the wolf's lair. But rather than worrying about the future, she should really consider—should she go to his place for dinner tomorrow?On the other side of the wall, the two of them each lay awake, troubled by different matters.The moon hung low over the willow tips, and as the night deepened, someone finally sank into a heavy sleep.In her drowsy haze, she thought: So the benzoin incense really worked.
Chapter 15: Truth and Falsehood — You Went to All That Trouble Just to Tell Me a Story…The air after the rain still carried a hint of dampness, but once the sunlight broke through, that faint discomfort gradually faded away.Su Zheyun's escape from catching a cold was purely a stroke of luck. She had warmed herself by the fire at the temple, and upon returning to the residence, she was given a thick bowl of ginger soup that burned all the way down her throat. Still, the soup did work its magic—warmth radiated from within, allowing her to sleep soundly.She slept until the sun was high in the sky, and after having lunch, she asked Steward Zhou for a carriage, packed up the last of her belongings, and headed to her "new home."The eastern part of the city was bustling with merchants, their clamor filling the air, which made property prices lower than elsewhere. Su Zheyun pushed open the black wooden door. The courtyard had already been swept clean, and though the edges of the tables and chairs had some chipped paint, they were at least neat and tidy.She set down her luggage and immediately set to work tidying up. In less than an hour and a half, the house was mostly in order. She dabbed at the fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead with a handkerchief."Zheyun." A familiar voice came from the doorway. Su Zheyun broke into a smile as a tall, upright figure appeared before her."I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Shen Bingwen walked in with a fresh fish and some pastries, smiling warmly. "A housewarming gift—may you have abundance every year and sweetness in all things."Su Zheyun happily accepted the gifts and invited him to sit. "Mr. Shen, you've come at an inconvenient time—I only have plain water to offer."She poured water into a white porcelain teacup. As her fingers brushed against the thin cup wall, she could still feel a trace of warmth."I'm not picky. A sip of water is plenty."His handsome eyes curved into a slight arc as he set down the teacup and surveyed the room's furnishings. "Are you satisfied with this place? The main room is a bit small, but you can fix up the side room for your sister later.""It's all good—everything is wonderful. I'm very satisfied." Su Zheyun refilled his cup with hot water. "When my little sister comes, I'll have to bring her to your home to thank you properly.""Zheyun, no need to be so formal. Just call me Bingwen. I have no siblings of my own—when your sister arrives, could I be her adopted brother?""Of course. With such a capable brother, she'd be overjoyed." Su Zheyun smiled, but her tone shifted slightly. "Though you should take that fresh fish back. I don't know how to cook, and I wouldn't want to waste it.""That was thoughtless of me," Shen Bingwen said, his eyes sweeping the room. "Then why not buy a maidservant? It would be convenient for managing daily needs."Su Zheyun lowered her head in thought for a moment. In the past, she hadn't bought a maidservant because she had no money, and also because Su Wenyu did the cooking at home. Now that she had some money on hand, she could indeed buy a kitchen maid to do the cooking."Bingwen makes a good point. I'll go to the hiring agency one of these days to buy one—though I'm not sure what the price would be.""Young maidservants go for about seven taels of silver, usually bought to grow up alongside the young master. Those a bit older cost around twenty taels. If you're short on funds, Zheyun, you could also hire an older woman."Su Zheyun smiled and shook her head. An older woman was cheaper, true, but harder to control. If she were to reveal her identity as a woman, she'd be as good as dead.Still, twenty taels of silver was indeed a significant expense. She sighed inwardly—she'd finally gotten some money, only to lose most of it to the Crown Prince's scheming. It seemed the matter of a maidservant would have to be considered more carefully.Her gaze drifted out the window, where a few potted plants stood tall against the breeze.Could it be that she was destined to clash with everyone surnamed Jiang?"If you don't mind, Zheyun, you could come eat at my place. I don't cook often, but I'm quite skilled at a few home-style dishes."His words were like sweet rain to someone parched in the desert. Su Zheyun's eyes brightened, and his image in her heart grew ever taller. "Really? Would that be too much trouble? I could just eat out somewhere.""No trouble at all. You're welcome to come to my home for meals anytime," he said, his smile gentle as sunlight fell across his face like flawless jade. "Eating alone is too lonely. Having you join me would be perfect."They chatted for a while, and the sun began to dip toward the west. Perhaps because of yesterday's rain, the sky at the horizon was tinged with a wash of orange and purple.Shen Bingwen picked up the hemp rope tied to the fish's gills—the carp had already been cleaned, scales scraped off to reveal the tender pinkish-white flesh beneath. "Let's go now. I'll show you what I can do."Scallions, ginger, and the carp went into the wok with a sizzle as oil splattered, white steam rising and releasing a rich, tantalizing aroma. Su Zheyun sat inside the house, taking in the surroundings. The layout of Shen Bingwen's home was essentially the same as hers, with items neatly arranged and shelves stacked with books.On the table beside the armchair lay a book with a maple leaf tucked inside. Su Zheyun opened it—it was a local travelogue, covered in dense annotations written in flowing running script.Steady footsteps approached as Shen Bingwen brought in the hot dishes. His wide sleeves were rolled up, revealing a stretch of arm—not as muscular as a martial artist's, but well-defined with elegant, proportionate lines."Sorry to keep you waiting." He smiled and set down the porcelain plate, the aroma of fish wafting through the air. Su Zheyun set down her travelogue and hurried over to help.The fish was pan-fried to a golden crisp. Su Zheyun picked up a piece and put it in her mouth—the flesh was tender, melting instantly on the tongue, truly exceptional. Her eyes widened slightly, her admiration unmistakable."Bingwen, you're incredible! This is truly something that should only exist in heaven—how many times in this mortal world can one taste such a dish!""Just an ordinary skill." He smiled faintly, picking up another dish and placing it in her bowl. "In the capital, eggplant is a favorite in autumn. Try some."The warm lamplight cast a golden glow over them both. Outside the window, a slender moon hung like a moth's brow, thin clouds drifting beneath sparse stars."You actually read travelogues? I thought you only read the classics of the sages."Shen Bingwen glanced back at the bookshelf behind him, a hint of a smile curling at his lips. "Whether something is worthy of the sages—that's decided in my heart. I don't just read travelogues; I enjoy legends, strange tales, and opera scripts alike. What do you like to read, Zheyun?"She chewed her rice thoughtfully for a moment. "Perhaps storybooks? Talented scholars and beautiful maidens, moonlit rendezvous among the flowers—those lingering romances that tug at the heart."Seeing that he was still staring at her, Su Zheyun lowered her head to eat, asking in a teasing tone, "What's going on? You seem a bit off today."Shen Bingwen lowered his gaze, his long lashes casting a shadow in the light. He pondered for a moment, then finally decided to ask.He set down his chopsticks, his expression turning somewhat serious. "I've been reading history recently and came across a story. Do you know what it is, Zheyun?""What is it?"She responded casually."It's the story of Lou Cheng of the Southern Qi."Her chopsticks froze mid-air. Su Zheyun looked at him, signaling him to continue."A woman named Lou Cheng disguised herself as a man. When the truth was later revealed, the emperor ordered her to return east and resume women's clothing. Zheyun, if Prince Duan were emperor, how do you think he would treat Lou Cheng?"Her heart suddenly tightened. Su Zheyun set down her chopsticks and looked at him, her eyes narrowing unconsciously."Dismembered by a thousand cuts? Executed along with her entire clan?"Shen Bingwen smiled faintly, picking up the teapot beside him to pour her a cup."No need to be tense, Zheyun. I mean no harm. If Prince Duan were emperor, Lou Cheng would simply return to being a woman. But if Prince Duan remains merely a prince, then it would be the Crown Prince who would want Lou Cheng dead."The teacup was pushed in front of her. A few tea leaves unfurled in the water, gradually swelling and expanding.Su Zheyun lowered her head in silence. Shen Bingwen said in a low voice, "A woman posing as a man, defiling the imperial attendants with her deception. If Prince Duan were to be attacked on these grounds, under the sacred judgment of His Majesty, only Lou Cheng would die."Su Zheyun's hand trembled. Tea spilled across the table, soaking the edge of her sleeve. She pushed the cup aside, lowered her head, and dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief. When she looked up again, her usually amiable eyes flashed with coldness. "So Master Shen went through all the trouble of inviting me here just to tell me this story?""No." Shen Bingwen sat up straight, his tone resolute, though his expression remained humble. "Zheyun, I told you—I consider you a friend." He met her gaze steadily, his eyes earnest. "I don't care about your identity or your purpose. I simply see you as a friend."The atmosphere fell into a stalemate. After a long moment, Su Zheyun rose, her expression returning to normal."I've troubled you enough. Thank you for the hospitality. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave.""Zheyun!"Behind her came the sound of a wooden chair scraping against the floor, followed by a slightly anxious voice, clear and distinct: "If you have nowhere to eat tomorrow, come to my home for a meal. I'll make you carp again."Su Zheyun didn't respond. She waved her hand dismissively behind her back and strode off, disappearing into the darkness.Autumn cicadas clung to the tree trunks, their cries echoing clearly through the night. A faint sigh of regret was so subtle that it didn't even stir the insects.Eagerness won't get you hot tofu—he felt a pang of regret. In truth, he had wanted to offer her advice.
Plotting with My Wife