"Mother, I recall this marriage was arranged with your cousin's wife's daughter, named Wang Hehua. Third brother disagreed back then, and the marriage almost fell through, but Wang Hehua came to our door herself, saying she would only marry Third Brother."
"At that time, to facilitate this marriage, we secretly wrote the marriage certificate behind Third Brother's back. Do you still have that marriage certificate?" Shen Wang's eyes lit up, somewhat eagerly.
Mother Shen nodded blankly, "But he is already married to Li Yue Shu, this marriage is no longer valid."
"Who said it's not valid?" Shen Wang excitedly slapped his thigh. "When Third Brother had his accident, the Wang family did not come to break off the engagement. It was you who bought Li Yue Shu back because you didn't want Wang Hehua to suffer."
"The marriage certificate is still here. As long as Wang Hehua marries in, Li Yue Shu will be a concubine! With her personality, she definitely won't agree."
"When it escalates, Li Yue Shu will have to seek our help, or Third Brother will have to divorce her and return to the Shen family. Either way, it's a good thing for us!"
Shen Wang was rarely so quick-witted, and he immediately felt that he had completely grasped Shen Wei and Li Yue Shu.
Mother Shen was a little bewildered and couldn't find any reason to refute his words.
But the thought of Shen Wei returning to the Shen family made her tremble.
"This matter happened two years ago. Hehua is probably married by now," Mother Shen was still a bit apprehensive. "Li Yue Shu and her husband are not easy to deal with. How about... how about we just forget it?"
Hearing this, Shen Wang's expression turned cold.
He glared at Mother Shen angrily and snorted, "Chengcai's fate is unknown, and I've become this neither-man-nor-woman appearance. It's all because of Li Yue Shu. How can you tell me to forget it!"
"If you don't do this, I will!"
Shen Wang angrily pushed Mother Shen's hand away and ran out.
Mother Shen wanted to chase after him but could only see his retreating back.
Seeing this, a sense of worry filled her heart.
She was Shen Wei's biological mother. He dared to arrange for someone to do such a thing to her. If Shen Wang's plan failed, then...
Mother Shen shivered, completely unable to imagine the consequences.
...
Shen Wei did not mention his mother coming to find him to anyone, mainly because he felt it was unnecessary.
He no longer had to pretend to be foolish, and Chai Yang Xinghe could report matters directly when he appeared. Life seemed much easier than before.
However, the news brought by Chai Yang Xinghe each time was not good.
"Master, the Crown Prince has sent news of you back to Chongzhou, but it has not spread among the common people. I fear those people will make a move."
Shen Wei knew very well that "those people" referred to those who wanted him dead. The peaceful days here would likely be shattered soon.
The best solution now was for him to reclaim his identity and appear openly in Chongzhou.
It's just...
Shen Wei couldn't help but turn his gaze towards the figure busy in the kitchen, his handsome eyes flashing faintly.
She had said that the time he reclaimed his identity would be the time they discussed their divorce.
Shen Wei's thin lips pressed together, and he lowered his eyes. "Send more men. Once assassins are found approaching Tongmu County, kill them without mercy!"
Chai Yang's pupils contracted.
The best course of action at this moment was for the Master to return to Tongmu County. Adding more men was only a temporary fix and might even allow a stray fish to find their way here at any moment.
The Master would never make such a disadvantageous choice before.
Chai Yang couldn't help but follow his gaze to the kitchen, and it seemed he suddenly understood something.
"Master, are you waiting for Li Yue Shu to go to Chongzhou with us?"
Shen Wei snapped back to attention and turned to look.
He was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Her ability is unmatched in the entire realm. If we can recruit her, it will be like adding wings to a tiger."
"Master just wants to recruit her?" Xing He suddenly exclaimed, his face full of shock.
Shen Wei didn't understand why he was looking so shocked and frowned slightly. "Is there a problem?"
Xing He was speechless and couldn't help but look at Chai Yang beside him.
Something's not right. Didn't they say the Master had feelings for Li Yue Shu?
Chai Yang was also a little confused and asked cautiously, "Is Master's special treatment of Li Yue Shu solely because he wants to recruit her?"
Shen Wei nodded. "Her abilities are extraordinary. I have never encountered such talent by my side."
Hearing this, Xing He couldn't help but frown.
It seemed to make sense, but he still felt something was not quite right.
Shen Wei noticed his hesitation and narrowed his eyes. "What do you think is the reason?"
Xing He answered without thinking, "We thought Master liked her!"
Shen Wei's expression froze.
Like?
He instinctively turned his head to look at the kitchen.
Li Yue Shu was no longer visible at the kitchen door, but Shen Wei seemed to see her figure before his eyes. Every frown, smile, and movement seemed to be right there.
Chai Yang rolled his eyes at the quick-tongued Xing He, then cautiously looked up at Shen Wei's expression.
As expected, the Master's expression was clearly not simply about wanting to recruit Li Yue Shu.
The Master trusted Li Yue Shu so much, there must be evidence proving she wasn't a spy.
He had been secretly watching her for a year and naturally knew what Li Yue Shu was capable of.
A woman like her deserved to stand by the Master's side.
Thinking this, Chai Yang gathered his thoughts and began to speak. "Master always subconsciously protects her, risking exposure to help her resolve the Li family's troubles, repeatedly missing opportunities to return to Chongzhou, and even explaining to her about Hong Dai's schemes."
"Now that Master no longer needs to feign foolishness, he still often stays by her side, helping her with tasks, with a familiarity and expertise that truly resembles a well-acquainted couple."
"Xing He and I have followed Master since childhood, and this is the first time we've seen another side of Master, which is why we assumed Master liked her."
Apart from reporting important matters, Chai Yang rarely spoke so much at once.
Although he and Xing He were Master's subordinates, they had followed Master through life and death over the years, and there was a bond of brotherhood. Otherwise, they wouldn't have secretly considered whether Li Yue Shu was worthy of the position of their future mistress after sensing Master's feelings.
It was precisely because of this relationship that when these words came from Chai Yang's mouth, Shen Wei's first reaction was not to refute or question, but a feeling as if he had been struck by lightning.
He liked Li Yue Shu?
Shen Wei raised his hand to touch his chest.
Thinking of this possibility, he felt no aversion at all, only that his heart seemed to beat a little faster.
Shen Wei turned his head blankly, "What does liking feel like?"
Chai Yang Xing He: "..."
Xing He coughed dryly, covering his mouth, somewhat embarrassed. "Master, neither of us has even touched a girl's hand since we were little. How would we know what liking is!"
Shen Wei's lips curved downwards, looking quite displeased.
Chai Yang Xing He, seeing the meaning in his eyes: "..."
Clearly, the Master himself didn't know!
As the three of them stood stunned, Li Yue Shu came out of the kitchen carrying a pot of vegetables and saw them at a glance.