Chapter Sixty-One: Conspiracy

  Followed Mu Siyao to the second floor of 'Fangxiang Building', where there was a small private room facing the street, with an independent room on one side and a rooftop on the other. The guests sitting in the private room could push open the inner railing of the rooftop and go out to enjoy tea together.

  'Fu Xiang Lou' is a famous tea house in Fulaizhen, Shen Huan herself also likes to drink tea, but since coming to this ancient era, one thing after another has left her no time to indulge, not to mention the Zhao family's financial situation, which doesn't have much money for her to spend on drinking tea and leisure. This is her first time coming to such a tea house, and she feels a few parts happy in her heart.

  At least... the heart that was originally eager to quickly sever ties with Mu Siyao didn't seem so urgent anymore. Was it that she didn't want to sever ties, or was the temptation of this tea house too great? Shen Huan didn't want to think about it and was too lazy to think about it. Anyway, now she could do what she liked, why not do it? Why not enjoy herself?

  "You're quite good at enjoying yourself."

  The two sat down for a while, and apart from asking the shopkeeper for a pot of good Bi Luo Chun tea and some small pastries, Mu Siyao didn't say another word. This situation had never happened before. Since they got to know each other, it was almost always Mu Siyao who spoke and Shen Han who listened, occasionally expressing his dissatisfaction and anger.

  But like the silence now, Shen Han felt an unprecedented pressure, even if the place where she was staying was elegant and made her feel relaxed, she couldn't relax.

  "Huh?"

  "This place isn't bad."

  "Deeply Hidden"

  "Huh?"

  Shen Han made an effort to find a topic, earlier she would lie and say that he had something important to discuss with her. Firstly, she didn't want him to have any conflicts with Zhao Xi Qiao, secondly, she really felt that she should clarify things with him, otherwise he would keep coming over and causing trouble, and she probably wouldn't have a peaceful day again. Previously, she didn't know about his powerful background, but now that she did, perhaps others would think it was a good thing, but for Shen Han, it wasn't. Having dealings with people from the imperial court was more troublesome than dealing with ten or a hundred Liu families.

  Especially... he is still a person by the prince's side... As long as the prince does not become emperor for one day, he will be involved in the party struggle. This kind of open and secret struggle between princes has been unavoidable since ancient times.

  "Are you really not going to consider it?"

  "What's on your mind?"

  "Are you worried I'll cheat you?"

  Mu Siyao's eyes were serious and solemn, no longer carrying the smile he wore in front of others. Shen Huan felt a little unaccustomed to it at first, she didn't understand why he was being like this, but...she had to admit that under this oppressive atmosphere, she really couldn't think of any words to refuse him.

  Fortunately, the shopkeeper arrived in time to pour tea and serve snacks, slightly breaking the oppressive atmosphere. Shen Huan let out a slight sigh of relief, feeling that she couldn't continue like this, and if she couldn't refuse him, they wouldn't be able to go back to being strangers like before.

  "I say, Mu Siyao, what's your intention in chasing after me, a weak woman like myself?"

  Since she couldn't face his gaze seriously, Shen Huan could only initiate a conversation with a joking tone. She admitted to herself that she was quite cowardly, but when facing a man who had an even stronger presence than Zhao Xiǎoqi and made her feel even more pressured, she really couldn't remain calm.

  She wasn't without pressure when it came to Zhao Xiuzhuo, but she knew that their identities were already set in stone. Zhao Xiuzhuo was a reader of sacred books and wouldn't have the courage to cross the moral line, so as long as she continued to pretend to be stupid, there was nothing to worry about.

  But Mu Siyao was different, this wasn't something she could pretend to be ignorant of, or easily brush off with a few casual words.

  "What do you think... I have some ulterior motive towards you?"

  Finally, a hint of playfulness flashed across the face that had never shown any other expression. Shen Huan saw this and immediately continued to tease him, regardless of whether they would have any further entanglements in the future. At least for now, she didn't really dislike this man, but instead found him quite likable. At least... when she was in trouble, he chose to help her in his own way, even if it was with an ulterior motive.

  Shen Han raised an eyebrow, picked up a piece of sesame cake and put it in her mouth. She had never been a pretentious woman. Since Mu Siyao had designs on her, she didn't need to learn from those little ladies' coquettish ways. With the rare opportunity to have someone treat her to good food and drink her favorite tea, there was no need to pretend to be a lady.

  "What intention can a man have when he frequently harasses a woman and occasionally shows kindness?"

  "So you're saying you think I'm interested in you?"

  After being told by Shen Huan, he really did think about this issue. Why would he be so concerned about a woman who had married and become a widow? Saying it was love at first sight was really too far-fetched. Not to mention that she didn't even believe in herself, but... what other reason could there be, that made him, an indifferent ghost who rarely paid attention to anyone, start wanting to appear in front of her frequently, and even, as she said, choose a childish way that she hated, just to make her notice his existence?

  So, Mu Siyao didn't dwell on it anymore. Moreover... Shen Huan's raised eyebrow movement made him slightly surprised, her naturalness and lack of any intentions towards him made him feel a bit defeated, but also added a few points to his interest.

  "Pfft, I'm neither a stunning beauty nor a renowned lady, how could you possibly be interested in me? I..."

  "What if... I said yes"

  Just as she was about to finish speaking and take a sip of the fragrant tea, Mu Siyao snatched the conversation away from her and said something that almost made Shen Huan spit it out. Shen Huan couldn't help but glare at the man in front of her, fortunately, she hadn't taken a sip yet, otherwise, spitting it on his face would be justified, wasting this Bi Luo Chun tea would make her strangle the man who made her waste it.

  "Things can be eaten casually, tea can be drunk casually, but words cannot be spoken casually."

  Taking a deep breath, Shen Huan quickly withdrew her gaze from Mu Siyao's body, which had only lasted for less than three seconds. She couldn't understand why this man, who was usually so gentle and refined, looked so serious now, as if someone owed him money that hadn't been repaid.

  But... the serious and thoughtful feeling revealed in those eyes made Shen Han also somewhat entangled, pondering in his heart whether he might have a chance, perhaps, probably being serious?

  "I thought about it seriously, and the possibility you mentioned is really quite large"

  Pfft~~~ Shen Huan wasn't laughing this time, but actually spat out the tea she had just swallowed, however, Mu Siyao's reaction was quick, in the instant she widened her eyes in shock, she dodged to the side and avoided Shen Huan's fountain attack, at an angle where she couldn't see, she slightly curled up the corner of her mouth.