Since moving into this home, Wei Zimiao seemed to have little presence, yet he was like a leopard lurking in the shadows, taking in every subtle shift around him.
He had naturally noticed the recent unusual behavior between Li Yue Shu and Shen Wei.
"Heh, looks like there's a good show about to unfold."
The guard behind him didn't quite catch his words and stepped forward with a question, "Young Master, do you have any instructions?"
Wei Zimiao smiled faintly, handing the sweat-stained handkerchief to the guard, "Prepare hot water for a bath. I have matters to attend to later."
Though the guard didn't know what he intended to do, he didn't pry and hurried off to prepare the bath.
After bathing, when Wei Zimiao emerged again, Li Yue Shu was sitting alone, reading a book. Shen Wei, however, had disappeared somewhere.
Wei Zimiao, his hair still damp, walked directly to Li Yue Shu's side, "Madam Shen is truly never idle. During this rare opportunity to rest, you're still reading medical texts."
This book was a gift from Ji Mo Bai.
Li Yue Shu had given him some modern medical books, so he naturally reciprocated.
Li Yue Shu's gaze shifted from the book, and she smiled faintly, "For me, reading medical texts is also a form of rest. On the other hand, Young Master Wei, at this hour, aren't you usually with Ling'er?"
Wei Zimiao smiled gently, "Seeing Madam Shen alone here, I naturally had to come and keep you company."
As he spoke, his eyes held a tender warmth that could easily captivate anyone who looked too long.
Li Yue Shu, however, calmly withdrew her gaze and returned to her medical book.
Wei Zimiao wasn't offended. His smile seemed to grow even more gentle, "Madam Shen has always been kind to Young Master Shen, but it seems there's been a disagreement recently. I wonder what he did to make Madam Shen so angry?"
Li Yue Shu's eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she remained unresponsive, though a slight tension tightened in her chest.
Wei Zimiao was not one for idle chatter. Whatever came from his lips usually held at least two meanings.
Seeing her stillness, Wei Zimiao propped his chin on his hand, gazing at her with a smiling, somewhat roguish air.
"It seems Madam Shen has already realized she's been deceived. Let me guess, was it during that encounter with the bandits last time?"
Li Yue Shu subconsciously raised her eyes, a flicker of anger within them.
Wei Zimiao, however, seemed utterly oblivious and continued, "It appears I guessed correctly. Let me guess again, was the reason he revealed himself to save you?"
The medical book in Li Yue Shu's hands slammed shut with a sudden force, "When did you find out?"
A thought suddenly struck her, and her expression shifted, "Last time during your two guards' martial arts competition, that knife they threw nearly injured me. Was that intentional?"
Wei Zimiao didn't answer, but the smile on his face grew more inscrutable.
His demeanor was tantamount to an admission.
He leaned back slightly, his expression unchanged, "Does Madam Shen recall the scene on the day the pharmaceutical factory opened?"
Li Yue Shu narrowed her eyes slightly, not understanding his intent.
Wei Zimiao didn't prolong the suspense and stated directly, "On the day the pharmaceutical factory opened, Uncle Liu set off firecrackers. Madam Shen covered the ears of your youngest son, and Young Master Shen covered yours. Did I recall this correctly?"
Li Yue Shu frowned, not responding, still unsure of his meaning.
Wei Zimiao's lips curved into a slight smile as he looked directly at her, "Actually, before Young Master Shen covered your ears, I saw him, without even looking up, catch a flying firecracker with his bare hands."
Li Yue Shu froze, "Just... because of that?"
Wei Zimiao raised an eyebrow, "Madam Shen, those involved are often blind, while outsiders can see clearly. Once you see the first hint of something, it's not difficult to find evidence."
This was a statement Li Yue Shu couldn't refute.
It was precisely because she had noticed the initial signs that she had realized how many inconsistencies Shen Wei had revealed in their daily interactions.
After a moment of silence, Li Yue Shu spoke again, "What have you found out?"
Given Wei Zimiao's nature, if he harbored suspicions about Shen Wei, he would undoubtedly investigate him in secret.
Wei Zimiao shrugged his shoulders, "If I had found anything, I wouldn't be waiting for Madam Shen to discover it herself."
Li Yue Shu fell silent for a moment.
Wei Zimiao, who had been closely observing her reaction, spoke again after a brief pause, "Having known Madam Shen for so long, I know you detest deception. However, the secrets surrounding Shen Wei are such that even I cannot uncover them. He is certainly no ordinary person."
"He must have his reasons for hiding things from you. Perhaps Madam Shen should ask him directly and give him a chance to explain?"
Li Yue Shu's eyelashes trembled. Looking at the man before her, who was as refined as jade, she couldn't fathom his motives for acting this way.
"I recall Shen Wei has always harbored hostility towards you. Why are you speaking up for him?"
Wei Zimiao smiled faintly, his perfect facade concealing all his emotions, "Let's just say I am benevolent and kind, and I don't wish to quarrel with a fool!"
Li Yue Shu's brow twitched.
Benevolent and kind?
He was more like an old fox wearing a rabbit's skin!
Just as Li Yue Shu was about to speak, a figure suddenly came running from a distance, "A Shu!"
Shen Wei appeared from nowhere, smiling at the two of them, "What are you two chatting about?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Wei Zimiao with an expression of clear hostility.
Li Yue Shu didn't reply, instead looking at the man before her with a contemplative gaze.
Wei Zimiao, however, turned his head to face Shen Wei and replied, "We were discussing matters of Hongning City."
Shen Wei looked confused, his expression genuine, "What about Hongning City?"
The news he had received indicated that the situation in Hongning City had been resolved perfectly, and the Crown Prince was already preparing to return to Chongzhou. Had something else happened?
Wei Zimiao's smile remained unchanged, making his thoughts difficult to decipher, "We were marveling at how, if a person truly wished to deceive, even those closest to them would fail to see through the act."
Shen Wei's brows furrowed involuntarily, a subtle sense that his words were amiss creeping in.
Before he could ponder further, he saw Wei Zimiao speaking with a pained expression, "The wet nurse who cared for me for over twenty years turned out to be a spy arranged by someone else. My sister, whom I finally found and who seemed so obedient and lovable, was also merely acting."
He sighed, "As Madam Shen said, deception and betrayal are the most unforgivable things in this world."
Shen Wei's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively glanced at Li Yue Shu, only to see her flipping through her medical book again, appearing as if she hadn't heard Wei Zimiao's words.
Despite her expressionless face, Shen Wei felt a chill emanating from her.
"Madam Shen also said earlier that if someone dared to deceive her like that, she would never let that person off easily," Wei Zimiao suddenly said, pulling Shen Wei back from his thoughts.
Li Yue Shu looked up at Wei Zimiao, her expression a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
When had she said that? This guy was clearly embellishing!
Li Yue Shu closed her medical book again, "I truly detest deception and betrayal the most. If there are difficulties, you can tell me directly, rather than treating me like a fool and tricking me."
Hearing this, Shen Wei suddenly found himself hesitant to look at her.
He paused for a moment before asking, "A Shu, if someone truly deceived you due to difficult circumstances, what would you do to them?"