SFS Chapter 147 Flirting and Showing Goodwill
Chapter 147 Flirting and Showing Goodwill
Consort Ling had always wanted to win over the Duke's Mansion and hoped that the Duke's Mansion would support Prince Yu, so she wanted the Duke's Mansion's title to be inherited by the second branch of the family.
Now that Zhao Yi has become the heir to the title, Consort Ling and Prince Yu have made no move because they believe that Zhao Yi will not live long and will not be involved in any conflicts of interest, so they can tolerate him.
Once Zhao Yi's illness is cured, given Emperor Jing'an's favor towards him, it will definitely make Consort Ling and Prince Yu wary.
They can't win him over, so they'll definitely get rid of him as soon as possible.
"Second Master, even if this matter doesn't involve Prince Yu, I used the disaster in Qingzhou to bring down Marquis Chengen. Prince Yu will definitely not be able to escape unscathed and will certainly take action against me."
Shen Qingtan analyzed her situation: "Once that time comes, the situation will probably get out of control and will be beyond our control. There will definitely be many crises."
"Now the initiative is in our hands, and we can minimize the danger."
Shen Qingtan said, then grasped his index finger and shook it: "With you by my side protecting me, nothing will happen."
Zhao Yi had never been in contact with Prince Yu, but he knew that Prince Yu was an extremely dangerous figure.
Nothing in this world is absolute, and he dared not take the risk with her.
But what she said made sense, after all, the disaster in Qingzhou was a matter of great importance.
Pull out the radish and bring out the mud.
With the Marquis of Chengen fallen from grace, Prince Yu will likely be unable to clear his name.
Rather than waiting for Prince Yu to make the first move, they should lure him into the game.
"Don't make any rash moves. Just follow my instructions. I'll arrange for a few people to follow you. Wherever you go, don't avoid them." Zhao Yi instructed, "I'll arrange for a few people to follow you. No matter where you go, don't avoid them."
After a pause, Zhao Yi frowned and said, "Try not to go out until this matter is resolved."
Seeing that he had relented, Shen Qingtan nodded: "I won't do anything reckless."
Zhao Yi said helplessly, "That would be best."
Shen Qingtan blinked and muttered, "I don't think I've ever broken my promise to you, so why is my credibility so low in your eyes?"
Zhao Yi glanced at her: "Unless you put yourself in danger."
Shen Qingtan: "..."
She was in the wrong and lacked confidence.
If you look at it from another angle, if Zhao Yi were to put himself in danger, she would probably be worried and nervous too.
Because I care so much, even if I'm 90% sure, I'm still afraid of that 10% chance of misfortune happening.
"Shall we go to West Mountain tomorrow?" Shen Qingtan gently poked his shoulder with her finger. "How many days off do you have?"
Zhao Yi grasped her fidgeting fingers: "Two or three days."
Over time, he gradually figured out her personality.
If she feels guilty, she likes to make some intimate gestures as a way of showing goodwill and seeking reconciliation.
If he accepts this advances, she will take advantage of it and try to climb the social ladder.
Thinking of this, Zhao Yi asked gently, "How many days would you like to stay?"
Seeing that he wasn't angry, Shen Qingtan happily took his arm, rested her cheek on his shoulder, tilted her head slightly, and looked at him with her eyes crinkling.
"Three days?"
She held up three fingers.
Zhao Yi's lips curled up slightly: "Alright, then I'll stay for three days."
Shen Qingtan released Zhao Yi's hand and called Liu Yue and Ting Xue in: "Second Master and I will be leaving for Xishan tomorrow and will stay there for three days. You two should hurry up and pack your luggage."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yue was overjoyed and went to pack her trunk.
Tingxue followed with light steps: "Second Master is really good to Second Madam. I've never seen any other master take his mistress out for a walk."
Liu Yue deeply agreed and was glad that her master had not married Zhao Jue.
Tingxue gestured towards the second wife's house with her lip: "I wonder how jealous that person will be when they find out."
Liu Yue scolded in a low voice, "Don't gossip and cause trouble for Second Madam."
Tingxue pouted and fell silent.
-
Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi went to Xishan without deliberately concealing their whereabouts, and went to ask the old lady and the first lady for permission at night.
Zhao Yi used the excuse of taking leave to recuperate in Xishan to take Shen Qingtan to stay for a few days.
Madam Zhao and her first wife were delighted with this and readily agreed.
The next morning, the couple set off for Xishan.
Zhao Yi had a vague premonition that this trip to Xishan was not just to relax; she probably had other plans in mind.
He saw two carriages parked at the entrance. One was the one they were riding in, and the other was the carriage carrying the trunks, as well as the one that Tingxue and Liuyue were riding in.
"Tan'er, didn't you invite Fourth Aunt?" Zhao Yi stared intently at her. "Are you going to the Qin residence to pick up Miss Qin?"
"I've been invited." Shen Qingtan saw through the man's little scheme at a glance. He clearly guessed that the Fourth Madam wouldn't go, but he still had to ask again in a roundabout way.
Her eyes flickered slightly as she deliberately said, "Fourth Aunt said we should go to West Mountain first, and she'll go afterward. Yaoyao too, we don't need to pick her up."
Zhao Yi paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Alright."
After saying that, he got into the carriage.
Shen Qingtan followed him into the car and sat down next to him, yawning sleepily.
She hadn't slept well last night and was feeling sleepy. The bumpy carriage made her drowsy, so she leaned her head against his shoulder to catch up on her sleep.
Zhao Yi felt a slump in his shoulder and turned his head to see that she had fallen asleep with her head resting on his shoulder.
The carriage was so bumpy that her head slid down little by little.
He stretched out his arm and pulled her into his embrace, so she could sleep more soundly.
An hour later, the carriage stopped at the entrance of Xishan Horse Ranch.
Shen Qingtan slowly woke up, opened her eyes and saw Zhao Yi's chin. She was stunned for a moment before realizing that she was sleeping in his arms.
"Have we arrived yet?" Shen Qingtan didn't move, leaning softly against his chest: "Fourth Aunt said that we need to ask someone to make an appointment for accommodations here in advance, otherwise we won't be able to find good places to stay."
Zhao Yi gave a soft "hmm": "I arranged for Jiang Mu to come over yesterday."
Shen Qingtan snapped out of her daze and got up from his arms: "Which room are we staying in?"
Zhao Yi replied: "The Forget-Worry Tower."
Shen Qingtan was stunned. Wasn't this the house recommended by the Fourth Madam?
Could it be that the Fourth Madam wasn't lying to her, but rather that she was overthinking things?
The two people got off the carriage.
The vast horse ranch came into Shen Qingtan's view, and she saw people riding fine horses galloping away, carefree and unrestrained.
Zhao Yi saw her standing still, watching the rider on the horse, dressed in riding attire, unrestrained, roaming freely in this vast world.
He said gently, "You can invite Miss Qin to come to the horse farm with you next time."
Shen Qingtan raised an eyebrow: "After you recover, can't you keep me company?"