Chapter 7

I hurriedly glanced at Xiao Heng. Seeing that he had already put on his mask, I breathed a sigh of relief.

The visitor was Xie Chenzhou.

He looked Xiao Heng up and down, intending to strike a superior pose. Unfortunately, Xiao Heng was taller than he was. Xie Chenzhou instead sat on a stone stool, his brows knitted.

“Shen Qingzhi, do you know what kind of man he is?”

“Qingtang says you indulge him and keep him by your side every day. Aren’t you afraid he has ulterior motives and will ruin your reputation?”

I slowly poured myself some tea and raised it to my lips.

“What does that have to do with you?”

Xie Chenzhou ground his teeth.

“I’m certainly not worried about you! I’m worried that if something happens, you’ll drag Qingtang into it!”

“Wearing a mask like that means either he’s hiding something or his face is too ugly to show.”

I gave a cold laugh.

“As long as my sister controls herself and stops ordering my servant around,”

“and controls you, so you stop coming here to annoy me,”

“the Shen household will have nothing to worry about.”

Something I said hit a nerve. Like the two roosters out back, Xie Chenzhou suddenly bristled.

“Do you think I want to come? I only feel sorry for you!”

“I’m here to see your sister. I was passing by!”

“Oh, speaking of which, you’re engaged to Lord Lu too, Second Miss Shen. How come he hasn’t visited you even once?”

Having finally found something to mock me for, he grew more enthusiastic.

“Learn from your sister. Then men might like you.”

“Though who knows whether you can learn. There’s a saying about an ugly woman copying a beauty’s frown, and another about forgetting how to walk while copying someone else’s steps…”

Xie Chenzhou suddenly stopped.

Because Xiao Heng, who had stood silently behind me, abruptly took the tea from my hand and threw it in his face.

“…”

“…”

Xie Chenzhou was stunned.

It took a moment before he turned in fury, staring at Xiao Heng with the same disbelief as me.

Xiao Heng’s iron mask concealed his expression, but cold hostility radiated from him.

These days with him had felt like playing house. I often forgot who he was. Only now did I truly feel the formidable presence of a future sovereign.

“Do you have a death wish!”

Xie Chenzhou had never suffered such humiliation. He swung a fist with all his strength, but Xiao Heng caught his wrist and held it fast.

Xie Chenzhou’s face went pale.

Born into a military family, he had fought in several battles alongside his grandfather and father, and considered himself an accomplished fighter. He had never expected to lose to a beggar he looked down on.

The pain grew. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Only when he could barely endure it did he swallow his humiliation and speak.

“Shen Qingzhi, tell him to stop!”

Seeing that he had learned his lesson, I said,

“Let go.”

Xie Chenzhou flexed his aching wrist, still defiant.

“For Qingtang’s sake, I’ll let this pass for now.”

“Once you marry into the Marquis of Yongning’s household, they won’t let you do as you please.”

“When disaster strikes their family, will you be able to count on this beggar to protect you?”

In his agitation, he had blurted out what would happen in the future.

A subtle change crossed Xiao Heng’s face behind the mask.

Just then, a servant ran toward us.

“Congratulations, Second Miss! The Marquis of Yongning’s household has sent the betrothal gifts!”