Chapter 78 Return

“Your Majesty, why are you angry?” Shen Qiangwei said with a wry smile and wiped her tears. Didn’t he know the Empress probably had an affair with Shen Qianshan? Now that he was clear about it, why was he so angry?

Shen Qiangwei didn’t want to admit that Shen Zhongbai still loved the Empress. But if he loved her, why did he do everything he could to hurt her?

Shen Qiangwei didn’t know if a man believed he had a claim to something, he would be possessive about it. Even if he didn’t love her any longer, he still hoped she would be loyal to him forever.

If she failed to live up to his expectation, he would rather destroy her.

“Don’t you know what I think about?” Shen Zhongbai said coldly. He regarded Shen Qiangwei as his intimate, but unexpectedly she was so stupid.

Shen Qiangwei lowered her head. If something was admitted, it would prove she was not a patch on the Empress, so she didn’t want to admit it.

“Where was the woman caught from the Empress locked?” Shen Zhongbai asked, clenching his fists and gnashing his teeth.

That woman was really something. He didn’t plan to have her at his beck and call, but she could be used to pin down the Empress. If he didn’t take some measures against the Empress, she might lose her head.

Shen Qiangwei smiled and said, “She is locked in the Manyue Tower. You know what it is. So long as a person is taken there, he will disclose whatever he knows. Your Majesty, it… is exactly what you want, isn’t it?”

In fact, Shen Qiangwei didn’t know what Shen Zhongbai wanted. Maybe he just wanted to find the evidence of the Empress’s affair with the Ninth Duke and then arrest them. If so, she could climb up to the position of the Empress that she had been dreaming of day and night.

At the thought of it, Shen Qiangwei became excited and told Shen Zhongbai, “Those guys may mess it up. Do you need me to interrogate her?”

Then she flexed her wrists but was stopped by Shen Zhongbai. He seemed to be protective towards her, “You don’t need to. Send Xiaoxiang to do it. It’s the time for her to show her loyalty.”

Xiaoxiang… The girl was not clever at all. But she was also Shen Zhongbai’s woman. Did his women all serve this purpose? Did they all work for him but get no benefits?

Women in the palace wanted nothing but the Emperor’s love, which could allow them to do whatever they liked. But the one that stood in that high position was Gu Qiang.

“Xiaoxiang…”

Without finishing her words, Shen Qiangwei fell silent.

That girl had been in the palace for only three months, so perhaps she even didn’t know what the Empress looked like. Though she was quite capable, she was not smart enough.

“Believe her. Let her do it.” Shen Zhongbai said. Then he stood up and walked towards his study.

Shen Qiangwei didn’t catch up with him. She was clear that Xiaoxiang might have been abandoned by him.

This man…

Gu Qiang was sitting on the corridor of the inn at dusk. The people coming and going made her more restless. With no more information about Gu Huaian now, she thought of the long story told by the Empress.

In the letter, she got to know a girl named Shen Meng was Gu Huaian’s confidante. The Empress didn’t talk much about their relationship, but Gu Qiang found Shen Meng had a special feeling towards her brother after she met Shen Meng. She didn’t want to get to the bottom of it. For someone, it was hard enough to survive. Because of it, if he or she fell in love with someone else, there was no ground for blame. However, it was almost impossible for Gu Huaian to survive.

She was sitting there in a trance, with no facial expression. Jin Ye, standing at the end of the corridor, told Gusu Liang, “Look at your Lady. She is like a fool and should not be the duke’s cup of tea. But why is he enchanted and willing to take all risks for her? Haven’t he seen other women?”

Gusu Liang’s face became pale in anger. She pointed at Jin Ye and cursed, “Do you need a spanking? My Lady is just in a bad mood. You will be punished one day because you underestimate her.”

That was true. Even if Gu Qiang was lost in her thought, she looked pretty. Many men slowed down to watch her when approaching her.

When Gusu Liang was just done, a cup flew out through the opening of the window. Jin Ye dodged in time. The cup flew past before his eyes, and he caught it.

Then he said, “Our master has come back. Let’s go inside.”

Shen Qianshan leaned against a chair at the window. His hand remained the pose of throwing the cup, but his eyes were fixed on Gu Qiang, who was sitting in the corridor and staring blankly.

Sitting there, she had no facial expression, just like a statue. Her fair complexion could make one hold the breath, and she was so beautiful that others couldn’t take their eyes off her.

Jin Ye stood there with fear. Obviously, his slander about Gu Qiang was heard by his master. How could he explain to escape from the punishment of his master?

However, Shen Qianshan didn’t blame Jin Ye. Not everyone liked Gu Qiang. People in the world were different. He paid close attention to her, but it was impossible for her to be admired by everyone.

Shen Qianshan poured another cup of tea, took a sip, and said, “Gu Huaian will be found soon. Protect him secretly and wait for my order.”

He said calmly. Jin Ye nodded and moved away.

Gusu Liang remained there. She was the happiest one among those under Shen Qianshan. It might have something to do with her character. She was generous. Perhaps a person wouldn’t be hurt without any desires.

She grew up around Shen Qianshan with Sun Linhua, but they are extremely different. She was as pure as water, while Sun Linhua was filled with desire. The latter even wanted to get something that didn’t belong to her, which was not reasonable. Gusu Liang was clear that Sun Linhua was in a pickle. Now that Sun Linhua worked for the duke, she shouldn’t dream of marrying him. Why didn’t Sun Linhua understand such a simple truth? Gusu Liang used to regard herself as a stupid girl, but now she knew she was wise and just looked stupid.

“Does Gu Qiang behave differently these days?” Shen Qianshan asked.

Gusu Liang shook her head. Gu Qiang was mysterious, but Gusu Liang didn’t want to know what her mystery was. That was her life. Gusu Liang had no place to evaluate her.

Shen Qianshan nodded. Anyway, so long as he was able to control Gu Qiang, that was enough.

Gu Qiang reached the Shen Family that night. Its gate was closed as usual. She knocked and it was opened by the woman that she met before. Seeing Gu Qiang, the woman was surprised and then stepped aside.

Gu Qiang entered. She hadn’t visited the Shen Family before. It was a scholarly family and gave her a special feeling, which indicated the source of Shen Meng’s temperament.

Shen Meng was drinking tea in the main hall. Seeing the comer, she was as surprised as the gatekeeper. Then she asked, “Your Highness, what brought you here?”

The girl was not very friendly. She was even kind of cold and arrogant. Of course, as the eldest daughter of the prime minister and an infanta, she was eligible to be haughty.

Gu Qiang sat down by Shen Meng. A servant girl served tea, but Gu Qiang didn’t take it. Instead, she asked, “Miss Shen, do you know where my brother is?”

Shen Meng shook her head blankly and said, “Didn’t Mr. Gu return to the capital with you?”

It meant Gu Huaian didn’t come here for Shen Meng. Gu Qiang’s intuition seemed to be false, but she couldn’t accept it. If he didn’t come for Shen Meng, he must have another purpose. Gu Qiang didn’t know what it was, but she was determined to find it out.

No matter whether Gu Huaian wanted to survive, Gu Qiang would try her best to protect him. After all, he was the most important family member of her in the world.

He was the only one that she could rely on.

Gu Qiang pressed her lips. Now that Gu Huaian didn’t come here for Shen Meng and she had arrived here, she should negotiate with Shen Meng about something first.

“Miss Shen. As far as I know, you have an important thing. You know it is ominous. How are you going to destroy it?” Gu Qiang came straight to the point. If she didn’t make it clear, she didn’t know if she would have another chance to see Shen Meng.

Shen Meng’s cup fell on the ground and was broken into pieces. Then she looked at Gu Qiang and asked, “Who are you?”

The woman once warned her to beware of Li Cangsi. Now the question she asked involved a secret of the Shen Family. It was sure that others had no idea of it.

“I mean if that thing is not useful and even will put your life in danger, it’s better to destroy it.” Gu Qiang explained slowly.

Shen Meng tried to control her facial expression. Then she rubbed her hands and told Gu Qiang, “Don’t talk nonsense. I have nothing. I’m just an ordinary girl. Now I grow up and desire nothing but a peaceful life. So long as you don’t mess up my life, I will be grateful.”

Shen Meng appeared calm. She was not afraid of being found out nor scared any longer. She smiled, instead. It seemed that she had seen through Gu Qiang’s intention.

“Miss Shen, it doesn’t matter if you don’t believe me. Your life has nothing to do with me directly. So long as you…” Gu Qiang paused. Shen Meng looked at her silently.

“So long as my brother is not involved, that’s OK. You know, he attaches great importance to friendship. Since you never hope your life is influenced by others, don’t implicate him.” Gu Qiang said.

Then she stood up slowly and went out.