Volume One, Chapter 20: Young Master Shen, How Wicked You Are

Qin Xianxian joked, nearly swallowed alive by the intense gazes of the three around her. She gave an awkward laugh and placed her hand on her knee. “Just trying to help you, cousin, with your love life!”

“My dear cousin, you do love to tease,” Zhao Wanwan murmured, her cheeks flushing crimson. She gently pushed Qin’s hand away, then secretly glanced at Chen Chou across from her. Their eyes met briefly before both quickly looked away.

Qin Xianxian noticed the subtle exchange and sighed inwardly.

So, two people in love are that obvious to outsiders.

She then glanced at Shen Qingli beside her.

Since he returned to the courtyard, he hadn’t uttered a word, merely sipping tea silently.

Tilting her head, Qin Xianxian realized his cheeks were flushed.

Curious—why was he blushing along with those two?

“Mr. Shen, do you have a fever? Your face looks quite red!”

Before she finished speaking, Chen Chou’s expression flickered in surprise. He turned toward Shen Qingli. “Young Master, did something just—”

He was cut off by a subtle kick to his leg and the piercing gaze from Shen Qingli, which instantly silenced him.

“What just happened?” Qin Xianxian frowned.

“Nothing, just feeling a bit warm. Since there’s nothing more to discuss here, I won’t keep you.” Shen Qingli set down his teacup and stood abruptly, his vision momentarily darkening.

Noticing his unsteady step, Qin Xianxian quickly rose and steadied him.

Her slender, soft hand touched his arm; her shoulder leaned against it.

Shen Qingli closed his eyes briefly, inhaled deeply, then opened them slowly and commanded, “Chen Chou, come help him.”

“Oh! Right!” Chen Chou, lacking tact, was about to stand.

Qin Xianxian swiftly pressed Chen Chou’s shoulder to keep him seated, then gave him a sly look.

This foolish boy—such a fine opportunity for solitude, and he’s about to miss it.

“I got this. You stay and chat with my cousin.”

At that moment, Shen Qingli inwardly rolled his eyes. He reached to pry off the hand resting on his arm, but couldn’t.

Qin Xianxian held on tightly, then began guiding him toward the courtyard gate, glancing back to remind, “Cousin, please take good care of Mr. Chen.”

Zhao Wanwan watched blankly as Qin Xianxian dragged him away and then responded in a daze, “Alright, got it.”

Once outside in the corridor, Shen Qingli’s steps were slightly unsteady—not serious, but the presence of another made him restless.

Seizing a moment when she wasn’t looking, he quietly withdrew his arm.

That wouldn’t do!

Just earlier in the carriage, she’d been wary of him; if he lost control again, it might be impossible to see her again.

“Mr. Shen, are you really feverish? I should’ve had Mr. Chen check you just now.” Though returning now seemed inappropriate.

“I’m fine,” Shen Qingli muttered, then looked at her. “Is there water? I want to wash my face.”

“Ah???”

Though skeptical, Qin Xianxian led him to the nearest kitchen.

“Second Miss!”

“Second Miss!”

…

They encountered quite a few people on the way, all of whom Qin Xianxian gently dismissed.

Inside the kitchen, she scooped water with a ladle and handed it to him.

“Do you want a cloth?”

“No.”

He bent slightly and cupped water to splash on his face. The moment the water touched his cheeks, it splattered to the floor and trickled down his chin and neck, finally soaking into his robes.

He repeated this twice. When he straightened, the redness had mostly faded.

Qin Xianxian racked her brain for medical knowledge and then pulled out a handkerchief from her bosom.

“Mr. Shen, cooling a fever this way isn’t scientific.”

“Scientific?” Shen Qingli took the cloth, staring at her in puzzlement.

“Uh—unreasonable!”

He wiped his face with the cloth and smiled faintly. “Second Miss Qin, there are many unreasonable things in this world.”

For example, how he inexplicably contracted that cursed Hehuan Powder!

“True enough.” Qin Xianxian raised her chin and noticed he was about to slip the handkerchief into his pocket.

Frowning, her lips pursed slightly in displeasure. “Mr. Shen, you still haven’t returned the last handkerchief, and now you want another? My money doesn’t just blow away in the wind.”

Her expression was amusing, and Shen Qingli couldn’t help but chuckle.

The last time was deliberate; this time, truly unintentional.

He handed the cloth back with a radiant smile.

Qin Xianxian took it back, her mood brightening. “Just joking. Let’s go—I’ll see you out.”

They left the kitchen and strolled down the corridor.

“Second Miss Qin, were you trying to set up Chen Chou and Miss Zhao just now?”

“An onlooker sees clearly. Mr. Shen should have noticed the affection between them. I wasn’t so much matchmaking as helping them face the truth sooner.” Qin Xianxian walked ahead, her step light.

Shen Qingli looked at her retreating figure, his expression unsettled.

Indeed, an observer sees most clearly.

He could discern the bond between Chen Chou and Zhao Wanwan, yet not perceive so much as a hint regarding her.

“Second Miss Qin, would you marry someone you do not love?”

Her footsteps faltered at his question.

He drew beside her.

Qin Xianxian’s head drooped, her expression hidden, and she murmured, “Of course not. But there are many things beyond our control.”

For example, the fixed plot of this book. No matter how hard she tried to alter it, certain events were inevitable.

Suddenly, she looked up at him. “If Mr. Shen were a woman, and had to marry someone she disliked, what would she do?”

Shen Qingli’s gaze was complicated. He truly didn’t want to teach her, fearing the plan might backfire on him someday. Yet after a long silence, he relented. If he revealed it to her, it no longer served him.

“I have a plan, flawless and foolproof.”

Qin Xianxian’s eyes lit up. “I’m all ears!”

“There is a family heirloom acupuncture technique at Chen Chou’s home. With silver needles piercing specific points, one’s breath can weaken within twelve hours, the pulse vanishing as if dead, undetectable to ordinary eyes.”

At this, Qin Xianxian froze, then cautiously spoke, “Then, stage a great fire as a ruse, leaving no remains. A perfect escape.”

Shen Qingli’s expression sharpened as he looked into her eyes, his beautiful gaze narrowing slightly. “Second Miss Qin, you think just as I do.”

“…”

Case solved! So it was his handiwork…

Apparently, Zhao Wanwan never truly died in the original story but escaped using Shen Qingli’s stratagem, then eloped with Chen Chou.

Such a meticulous scheme—no wonder no one in the Qin household suspected a thing.

If she didn’t die, then no ghosts.

It seemed the original heroine did have some connection with him after all; at least, he had scared her into a severe illness…

Qin Xianxian’s gaze toward him suddenly deepened with a subtle, indescribable meaning. Then she spoke softly:

“Mr. Shen, you’re truly unscrupulous!”

“…”