NOVPUBAfter hearing Xu Shiyi’s report, Xu Zening’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly.
“Did she really say that?”
Xu Shiyi nodded, “Your Highness, are you sure this won’t interfere with your plans?”
Xu Zening waved his hand dismissively.
“Gu Qianqiu is a stubborn old man, not easily swayed by threats or flattery. I’ve been looking for a chance to engage with him. As long as she doesn’t do anything strange, let her have her fun.”
Xu Shiyi’s expression remained indifferent, “Understood.”
Xu Zening picked up a memorial and suddenly paused, “However… The mess in the Gu family might be too much for her to handle alone.”
He closed the memorial and thoughtfully patted it with his palm, “Alright, when she goes, you blend in with the servants. If things go awry, step in.”
Xu Shiyi’s face darkened visibly, “Your Highness, you want me to pose as a servant?”
Xu Zening looked him up and down, seeing his tall and imposing figure and the perpetual scowl on his face.
“Tsk, you’ll fit right in.”
Xu Shiyi’s face turned even darker, but he dared not defy the order. He replied through gritted teeth, “Understood…”
The Gu Residence’s setup was indeed grand, with guests lining half the street.
Shen Roujia watched the long line of carriages with growing boredom and sighed.
“If I had known, I would have taken a longer nap.”
Xiao Fu opened a food box with a smile, “Your Highness, there are some cherry pastries inside. Would you like some to pass the time?”
Shen Roujia rested her cheek on her hand and glanced at the pastries.
Faced with the delicious treats, she remained unmoved.
“I’m not in the mood to eat…”
She pushed aside the curtain and looked at the sky, “Let’s turn back and see if my second sister has left yet.”
Xiao Fu hesitated, “Is that alright?”
Shen Roujia waved her hand, “What’s the harm? The Gu family is busy with reception at the front, let’s go.”
Xiao Fu quietly instructed the driver.
Behind them, Xu Shiyi, who stood a head taller than the others, frowned, completely unaware of what Shen Roujia was planning.
Shen Roujia naturally ran into the Shen Residence. The servants, long used to her antics, greeted her and then went about their business.
Shen Roujia couldn’t find Shen Siqi. She later learned that Siqi had been invited to a book club and was stuck in the same traffic jam they had just left.
The convoy was so long that she hadn’t noticed the Shen family carriage.
Shen Roujia felt deflated, “Great, wasted trip.”
Xiao Fu called for the driver to turn the carriage around.
Just then, Gu Zhi hurriedly approached from outside.
“Jiao Jiao, why did you agree to attend the Old Madam’s birthday celebration? I just saw the guest list and found out…”
Shen Roujia’s eyes widened, “How did you know I was here?”
She glanced at Xiao Fu, who quickly shook her head, “Your Highness, I didn’t tell anyone.”
Gu Zhi caught her breath, “Jiao Jiao, don’t worry about how I found out. You really shouldn’t go today.”
Shen Roujia calmed herself and then slowly smiled, “Zhi Zhi, don’t worry about me. I can handle it.”
Gu Zhi became even more anxious, “You can’t handle those people. This mess is too dangerous for you to get involved.”
Shen Roujia took a deep breath to reassure her, “Zhi Zhi, I know you consider me a friend, and I feel the same. That’s exactly why I can’t ignore what you’re going through.”
Gu Zhi fell silent, her expression troubled.
Shen Roujia sighed softly, “Zhi Zhi, don’t carry everything on your own. It’s too exhausting.”
