Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 91
Shen Yu faced the direction where the Prince Zhenbei disappeared, and performed the kowtow for the third time…
The first kowtow, thanking the prince for providing him with a place to stay, luxurious clothes and food, and teaching him literature and military tactics…
The second kowtow, thanking the prince for giving him a name, allowing him to share a bed and grave, and building a mirage of growing old together…
The third kowtow, the prince’s stern reprimand shattered his illusions, making him wake up suddenly, realizing that they were now even.
Shen Yu’s bundle was heavy with a large ingot of official silver, as if he had regained his self-respect from the dust…
The dignity of a slave was almost non-existent, but at least he didn’t owe anything anymore…
When the Prince Zhenbei liked him, he was his guardian deity, ensuring his safety and well-being, and he lived without worries; but when the prince didn’t like him, he was his nightmare, trampling him all over…
As he walked out of the mansion, it was the third month of spring, and the harsh winter had passed. Shen Yu smelled a fragrance of flowers.
Facing the bustling crowds of people and vendors, Shen Yu squinted, feeling like he, who had always been accustomed to darkness, suddenly gained freedom and entered another world…
A horse galloped through the bustling market and stopped in front of Shen Yu. It was Song Qing…
“Where are you going?” Song Qing asked anxiously…
Shen Yu adjusted his bundle and replied with gestures, “Back to the Shen Mansion. The prince gave me a lot of silver, which should be enough to redeem me and my mother.”
“You haven’t been around the Northern Capital, do you know the way back to the Shen Mansion?”
Shen Yu was at a loss. He didn’t know. For him, the streets and alleys were a maze, completely unfamiliar, and he couldn’t move an inch…
“Get on the horse, I’ll take you there!”
Just as Song Qing reached out his hand, a colorful embroidered ball chased after him, panting and shouting…
“Master Song! Don’t you know how to cherish precious jade? Riding a broken horse so fast, it’s hard for me to catch up!”
Hong Lian, hands on his hips, gasped for breath, his face flushed, wiping away sweat haphazardly…
“I haven’t run so much in a year… you damn!”
“What are you doing here again?”
Song Qing was annoyed. Shen Yu was no longer in the mansion, yet Hong Lian kept bothering him.
“I’m here to keep an eye on you, afraid that you’ll elope. If I come late, will you leave with him?”
Hong Lian glared at Shen Yu as if he were the culprit for his husband’s misbehavior…
“Nonsense!” Song Qing was annoyed. “Why do you care where I go?”
Hong Lian acted as if it were only natural, saying, “Do you think I want to meddle in your affairs? Guess what, if you leave with him, will the prince let you two live for a few more days?”
Song Qing was stunned. He hadn’t considered this so thoroughly. Given the prince’s temperament, he wouldn’t spare those who betrayed him. His momentary impulse might have harmed Shen Yu…
“I’m sorry, Yu’er…” Song Qing felt too guilty to speak…
“It’s alright.” Shen Yu gestured with his hands, “Thanks to Brother Song’s continuous care. If you encounter any difficulties at the Shen Mansion, feel free to come find me!” Song Qing hastily replied…
Shen Yu smiled faintly, nodding. If everything went smoothly, he would take his mother away from the Northern Capital, the farther the better, preferably back to their hometown in Yunmeng…
“Stop being so clingy in front of me, making me sick!”
Hong Lian’s eyes were blazing…
Song Qing couldn’t be bothered to deal with him, so he hired a carriage for Shen Yu, and they departed with a clatter. Only then did he collect his thoughts and ride back to the mansion…
“Song Qing! Has your conscience been eaten by dogs? You let me run out, and now you’re making me walk back?!”
Hong Lian was furious, calling him out by name…
…
As the carriage approached the Shen Mansion, Shen Yu became increasingly anxious…
He got off the carriage with a pounding heart, and ran to the door of the mansion to ring the bronze bell…
The doorkeeper Shen Yu recognized, named Gui Zi, Shen Yu had a good memory, and this person was one of the few servants who tried to strip him of his clothes back then. Shen Yu naturally remembered…
Gui Zi was stunned when he saw Shen Yu, and after a moment, he recognized Shen Yu as the mute slave who used to live in the backyard woodshed. He had become even more stunning, making Gui Zi stare blankly, thinking that there was a fairy calling at the door in broad daylight…
“Aren’t you the little mute?” Gui Zi laughed, showing his black teeth, looking Shen Yu up and down with lecherous desire…
“I’m looking for my mother.” Shen Yu gestured…
“Aren’t you the prince’s favorite?” Gui Zi asked, “How come you still have the guts to come out?”
Gui Zi stared at Shen Yu, as if he wanted to strip him with his eyes. He had failed to do so in the past, but now Shen Yu looked even more alluring, arousing sinful thoughts in Gui Zi. Perhaps he had been moisturized by the prince too much, Shen Yu swayed gracefully, and Gui Zi’s brain heated up, forgetting himself…
“I’m looking for my mother!” Shen Yu gestured again…
“Are you talking about that old lady?” Gui Zi guessed, “No problem, as long as you let Brother enjoy himself, Brother will take you to find your mother!”
Gui Zi couldn’t help but fantasize. How enchanting and bone-chilling was this beauty, even the prince couldn’t bear to let go? If he could taste a bit of it, it would be worth dying for…
Shen Yu wasn’t the ignorant little mute anymore. He could tell from Gui Zi’s lewd face what vile thoughts he was having.
“Are you daring to touch the prince’s people?!”
Shen Yu made a stern gesture, feeling bitter in his heart. Even if he had left the mansion, he still had to survive under the protection of the Prince Zhenbei.
