NOVPUBShen Roujia looked at Xu Chen warily. “What do you know?”
Xu Chen chuckled. “I know everything.”
Shen Roujia’s expression softened as she thought for a moment. “Even if you do know something, the Crown Prince must know too. Asking you seems unnecessary.”
Xu Chen admired her clarity of thought but didn’t show it. Instead, he lowered his gaze. “You want to leave here, just like the late Empress.”
Shen Roujia’s head snapped up. “What did you say?”
Xu Chen raised an eyebrow slightly. “Why would a woman appear perfect before a man, hiding all her flaws? It’s because there’s no love.”
“The difference between you two is that you express these emotions, while she… it’s a pity.”
Shen Roujia noticed that Xu Chen’s words echoed Yun Jin’s sentiments. Clearly, they had both experienced those past events.
Shen Roujia voiced her bold thought. “The late Empress’s virtues and kindness were a façade. She stayed by the Emperor’s side for years to complete a mission.”
“Even giving birth to the Crown Prince was for her family’s sake?”
Xu Chen hadn’t expected Shen Roujia to boldly state these matters directly.
He stared at her. “I never said that.”
Shen Roujia pondered, realizing that after the Empress’s death, the Qiao family had arranged for Miss Zhao Huan’er, now Concubine Jia, to take her place.
Shen Roujia fixed her gaze on Xu Chen. “Tell me more, and I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”
Xu Chen laughed heartily. “The last person who dared speak so boldly to me has long turned to dust. Interesting, very interesting.”
Shen Roujia was baffled. What script is Xu Chen following? He’s not acting like a typical lunatic or an overbearing boss.
She awkwardly smiled. “So, no meal then?”
Xu Chen’s face turned slightly sour. “Is that what I meant? Go on, I’ll pretend I didn’t see you tonight.”
The breeze by the lake alleviated the heat. The dry grass, unattended, contrasted with the lush willow trees by the lake.
Shen Roujia took a deep breath. “So, you’re not going to tell me? Fine, I’ll find out myself.”
Xu Chen frowned. “Is it necessary?”
Shen Roujia scratched her head. “You and the Crown Prince are close, yet you don’t know? He promised that if I uncover the truth, he’d grant me a divorce.”
Xu Chen was incredulous. “What? He agreed to such a request?”
Shen Roujia raised her chin. “Anything is possible.”
Shen Roujia managed to leave the palace and went straight to House of Elegant Flowers.
A place like a song and dance house staying lit through the night was normal.
But…
Shen Roujia frowned deeply at the sight of Tao Hua asleep.
“Tao Hua, Tao Hua!”
She shook him awake.
Tao Hua, without any trace of sleepiness, asked hoarsely, “Huh? What brings you here?”
Shen Roujia handed him the balm box. “I can’t investigate this elsewhere. Check it for me.”
Tao Hua couldn’t help but laugh. “Now you think of me for such matters.”
He took one of the half-empty boxes and examined the patterns. “It looks quite old.”
