Volume 1: Loss and Gain, Swan's Pregnancy on the Head (Character Handwritten) Chapter 63: Can Only Temporarily Avoid

  Watching Mu Siyao turn around and leave, Shen Huan felt a bit helpless. She couldn't grasp what this man meant, but at the same time, she knew he didn't have malicious intentions. He was indeed kind-hearted, after all, regarding Zhao Xi'ao's part, he intentionally reminded her, making Shen Huan feel flustered while also gaining some insight.

  He can see her younger brother's feelings for her, what about others?

  As she walked home, Shen Huan's mind was still a bit dazed. The moment she pushed open the gate, she saw Li Shi and Zhao Xiuzhuo's worried gaze, and she was still somewhat stunned.

  "Daughter, little uncle, why are you sitting in the courtyard? The sun is still shining now."

  "Waiting for you?"

  Shen Han walked towards Li with a smile, and the corner of his eye also swept towards Zhao Xiuzhuo. Seeing the concern revealed in his eyes, Shen Han only felt a chill run down his back to the top of his head, as if he really couldn't hide it anymore. At this moment, Hu Youxuan was leaning against the door frame with a smile on his face, and Shen Han didn't know if it was because of his own guilty conscience, but seeing the smile on his face made him feel like there was some other deeper meaning behind it.

  "What am I waiting for?"

  It's clear that Li knew it wouldn't be easy to fool Zhao Xiuzhu, especially since he had already disguised himself to rescue her in the past. Although others didn't know, Li was well aware of this. Now, with him personally intervening to settle the matter, Li couldn't possibly be naive enough to think that Shen Han and Mu Siyao's encounters were just a few coincidences.

  Although, that is indeed the fact.

  "Come in with me for a moment, Han'er."

  Mrs. Li looked at Shen Huan again, then turned her head to glance at her own son, and the worry in her heart couldn't help but grow. At this moment... she couldn't go and disturb Zhao Xi's mind, so it was naturally impossible for her to ask him about the truth of the rumors. However, she wasn't someone who could do nothing about anything either.

  She nodded slightly, and Shen Huan followed Li's back without any extra reaction. Zhao Xiuzhu wanted to follow up, but was stopped by Li: "Xiuzhu, go check if the firewood in the kitchen is enough, if not, help me move some from the backyard."

  As soon as this was said, Zhao Xiuzi couldn't keep up with him. He knew that Li Shi had never been willing to let him do a little work, and this time he took the initiative to speak out, it was not because there was no firewood, but because he didn't want him to participate, and he couldn't help but feel a little nervous, so he couldn't help but take another look at Shen Han.

  This one glance, just this one glance, made Li's heart fill with anxiety in an instant, and the expression on his face was also somewhat repressed. Zhao Xiuzhuo saw the situation and could only turn around to go to the kitchen, while Hu Youxuan rubbed his nose and returned to the room.

  "Mother, just say what you want to say, don't hide it."

  She entered Li's room, seemingly unsure of how to start the conversation. After all, this daughter-in-law had been at the Zhao residence for some time and hadn't done anything out of line. Instead, after the big argument, she had genuinely settled down to live her life, never asking a single question about the eldest son. This kind of daughter-in-law was indeed not easy to find fault with. She could also see that her younger son had taken a liking to her, and as his mother and future mother-in-law, what should she say?

  At the time when Li didn't know how many rounds she had walked back and forth in front of Shen Han, Shen Han reluctantly took the lead to speak. Seeing Li's unbearable expression, she simply told herself frankly: "I and Mu Siyao have indeed only met a few times, I don't know why he would help us either, maybe it's because he saw that we were being bullied, as someone by the crown prince's side, he has an obligation to plead for the people."

  Shen Han chose not to ask her directly if she was worried about something between herself and Xiao Shu, but instead used Mu Siyao as an entry point. Not only would it not be awkward, but it would also open up a conversation. She smiled at Li Shi and got up to pull her hand down: "Mother, I roughly know what you're worried about, but I'm afraid my thoughts aren't comprehensive enough. If you have any ideas, please tell me."

  Looking at Shen Huan, Li knew she was afraid of hurting her feelings and being anxious, so she took the initiative to be the bad guy. She could only say helplessly: "Of course I believe you, but... Huan'er, didn't you realize that Qiao'er is now old enough to get married? Alas, it's all my fault as a mother. He has reached the age of marriage, but since he is the eldest son and just settled his own marriage with you a few months ago, and he is also focused on the imperial examination, I didn't think of finding someone for him, so...

  "Mother, I understand your concerns, so what do you plan to do?"

  "I... There have been rumors about you two, although Mother knows it's impossible for anything to happen between you, but he's still young and the only ones around are your aunt and uncle, so it's hard to avoid him..."

  "Mother, I know. Don't ask him about this matter for now. He's busy with the imperial examination recently. It's better to keep some things in mind for now. Even if we need to discuss it, let's wait until he finishes his exam and then we can talk about it slowly."

  Mr. Li's concerns were also here, Shen Han thought of this point, she was very happy, but still didn't put her mind at ease: "I'm just worried that Qiao Er might..."

  "Otherwise, I'll go back to my parents' home for a while? Maybe it's just that the more time we spend together, the more misunderstandings little uncle has, and if I leave for a bit, things might get better."

  When Shen Huan heard Li's words, she couldn't help but think of Mu Siyao's warning and his resolute back when he left. For some reason, she wanted to distance herself from Zhao Ye Qiao, creating some space between them in their complicated relationship that was hard to explain or cut off. Anyway, distance might be helpful.

  "Is...that not quite right?"

  Looking at Li's face with a much more relaxed expression, yet having to say such polite words, Shen Han couldn't help but feel a bit bitter in her heart. When people don't need to make choices, you'll think that the people around you are all about the same.

  But when you need to make a choice, who isn't choosing the person closest to them? In that case, in order to widen the distance between Shen Huan and Zhao Xi'ao, apart from making her leave, is there another way? The answer is naturally no.

  "There's nothing good or bad, Mother, just tell me some things that pregnant women should pay attention to. I'll go back and take care of my sister-in-law at the same time. You saw it too, our relationship wasn't very good before, but this time she came to see Xiao Xuan, we got along much better than before. Actually, I want to go back, can't just get married and then ignore everything, still have to go back and move around, if there's anything, everyone will take care of each other."

  Shen Han's idea of returning to her mother's house was partly to avoid Zhao Xi Qiao, but also because she wanted to borrow Hu Xiao Yan's belly to practice her special abilities. Previously, she had only come into contact with women who were about to give birth, and now that there was a newly pregnant woman in her own home, it would be a good opportunity to experiment. She wondered what kind of sensations her hands with special powers would experience at each stage of the fetus's development inside the womb, and what differences there would be between them.

  Of course, she couldn't tell Li this. As long as the words were smooth enough and considering Li's concerns about his son, her return to her parents' home would definitely be no big deal.

  Moreover, Young Shu should prepare well for the exam, and it's not good to bother him again. This time, he can come back with me, which is also a way to settle things.

  "including children..."

  "Mother, don't be embarrassed, I have ulterior motives. From now on, you'll have to get up early to make breakfast yourself, and you'll also have to take care of all the big and small things at home."

  Li felt a bit sour in her nose, she knew this time was her own selfishness, but Shen Han didn't mind, instead stood from her perspective to think about the problem, and attributed all her anxiety to herself, which made Li also feel some guilt.

  "When are you going back?"

  "When it's time for dinner, tell Yuxuan, and we'll set off tomorrow"

  "Or I'll go send..."

  "Mother, why don't you stay and take care of little uncle? He's focusing on his exams now. If you don't stay to take care of him, you won't be at peace either, will you?"

  Shen Huan flatly refused Li's proposal to see her off, actually she didn't have anything to worry about. The unintentional touch last time might be a coincidence, even if it was Hu Youxuan's deliberate act, she wasn't afraid anymore. Anyway, everyone was on the road, and last time when she went back to her hometown with Li, she knew they were all on the main road, what could he do to her?

  Moreover... Shen Huan had a very strange feeling, the reason why she felt so safe was that she could sense Mu Siyao's existence, and she had a strange feeling that he would follow her secretly.

  "Then be careful on the road, after dinner I'll make some more pancakes for you to take with you in case you get hungry along the way."

  "Thank you, mother"

  "It's nothing, actually it's an imposition on you."

  "Let's go out first, otherwise Xiao Shu will definitely be worried."

  During dinner, Shen Huan brought up the topic of going back to her parents' home. Hu Youxian was a clever person and before Shen Huan could even ask him anything, he put down his chopsticks and responded: "Speaking of which, last time my sister and brother-in-law came over, I didn't get a chance to have a good chat with them. Now that I'm about to become an uncle soon and Xi Cao is also getting married, I won't stay behind to bother you all. Why don't I accompany Er Jie back instead? It'll be safer for her on the road too."

  He's so wishy-washy, Shen Han couldn't help but say that hearing such words at this moment is actually quite delightful. At least it saves her the trouble of having to bring it up herself. After all, the feeling of him bringing it up himself is naturally very different from the feeling of her bringing it up, and the difference is huge.

  One is that he himself wanted to go home and take a look back, the other is that there was a feeling of being driven away by others, such a result is naturally what Shen Huan would see.

  "It's okay like this, I've also walked from Fulaizhen to Qingfengzhen once, if it were just me myself, I might still get lost."

  "It's just a big road that leads all the way to the bottom, where can you get lost? But with You Xuan together, I'm also more at ease. Later I'll go and prepare some dry rations for you guys."

  Upon hearing this, Shen Huan shook her head and said: "I'll go myself, you still have to take advantage of the daylight to do more work, don't stay up late stitching by lamplight, it's not good for your eyes."

  Shen Han's reminder finally made Zhao Xiuzhuo look up at her, but until she finished eating and started clearing the table, Zhao Xiuzhuo didn't say a word. At the dinner table, he remained silent, not responding or reacting in any way. After dinner, he also sat silently to one side, watching Shen Han busily cleaning up, everything was just like usual, without any change.

  Change... is forever just each other's mindset.

  When you like someone, everything they do seems endearing. When you want to avoid someone, no matter how far away they sit or how quietly they behave, it feels like a pressure, and even their ordinary gaze can feel especially piercing and painful.

  "Second sister..."

  Shen Huan was washing dishes in the kitchen when Hu Youxuan's voice sounded behind her, and she was slightly surprised that he had come in.

  When she heard the rustling sound behind her, she felt inexplicably tense, thinking it was Zhao Xiuzhu who had walked in, but unexpectedly it was Hu Youxuan. Not to mention that her tension was for nothing, just the fact that Hu Youxuan would appear here was already enough to pique her curiosity - he hadn't set foot in the kitchen since arriving at the Zhao's house.

  "How did you get in? Is there something wrong?"

  "Why did I suddenly want to go back?"

  "I said so, didn't I? Eldest sister is pregnant, and as her younger sister, I should go back to take a look. Anyway, there's nothing much going on at home, and staying here won't be of much help either. After Young Uncle finishes his exams, it's not too late for me to come back."

  Shen Han spoke while turning around to continue with her actions, lowering her head and sidling up to Hu Youxuan. Even if she felt a bit guilty, she was certain he wouldn't notice, and as she spoke, she couldn't help but feel somewhat justified and confident.

  But Hu Youxuan understood that she couldn't be going back home for this reason, and in the afternoon Li had pulled her into a room to discuss something secretly. Now that she was bringing it up again, he found it hard not to think that Li must have sensed Zhao Xiuzhu's thoughts and wanted her to go home to avoid suspicion.

  Even though he hadn't had much contact with Shen Han before, strictly speaking, they could still be considered relatives on her mother's side. If she was really being sent back to her parents' home in such a way because of this inexplicable relationship, Hu Youxuan couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. Earlier at the dinner table, he had remained calm and expressionless not because he was slow-witted, but because he didn't want to make things difficult for Shen Han before understanding the true situation.

  Moreover... even if he also felt that she had an ambiguous relationship with Zhao Xiuzhuo, and also had some connection with Mu Siyao who had a strong background, she still had her own shining points. No matter how much Hu Youxuan struggled in the midst of the wind and dust, after thinking about it, he was still unwilling to make any discourteous moves towards her.

  "Don't give me such excuses, we're not fools. Nothing was said just to avoid embarrassing you and Auntie, but... I don't want Second Sister to suffer any injustice."

  At these words, Shen Huan's wiping motion paused for a moment, but she quickly put down the bowl and cloth, turned around to face Hu Youxuan, and said very seriously: "Youxuan, even if I didn't suffer any grievances, even if I really did have some grievances, I'm willing to swallow them. This matter doesn't need to be discussed further. Even if I don't want to swallow it, I'll take the initiative to clarify things myself. Do you understand?"

  Hu Youxuan smiled and took a step back, indicating that he had no malicious intentions: "Second sister is indeed an understanding person, not giving herself grievances nor letting others interfere with her own affairs. Since so, second sister must already know about Xiuzhuo brother's...".

  "You're not young anymore, I hope you'll be more mindful of what you say in the future. If your uncle has any improper thoughts about me, unless he told you himself, don't spread unfounded rumors. If he really did tell you, let's confront him right now. I'd like to ask him when he started having such thoughts about me."

  Shen Huan's anger left Hu Youxian stunned, he thought he was kind and wanted to remind her, but instead got Shen Huan's dissatisfaction, couldn't help but feel a bit resentful. However, her words made it impossible for Hu Youxian to refute, after all, this matter was just something he had observed, there was no real evidence, if it really blew up, he would become the one spreading rumors, he wouldn't do such a brainless thing.

  Just... a suppressed roar of anger from him made his heart feel unpleasant at the same time, and also had some resentment.

  "Although I don't have any real evidence, but as a man myself, I can see the emotions in Xiao Qiao's eyes when he looks at Er Jie."

  "What exactly do you want to say?"

  "Second sister, I didn't have any ill intentions. Why do you always seem like a hedgehog, raising all your quills against me? I was just trying to remind you that this time you can avoid it for the time being, but can you keep avoiding it forever? The engagement with the Zhao family is unfair to begin with. You are fully qualified to break off this relationship and go back home to be a good Second Miss Shen."

  She took a deep breath, she wasn't so self-absorbed as to think that she was like the female lead in those melodramatic TV shows, where everyone loved her and everything went smoothly. Even the people from her husband's family would take a liking to her. Maybe he was being kind, but hearing this just didn't sit right with her. After all, wasn't it said that "忠言逆耳" - faithful words are often unpleasant to hear? She could only say helplessly: "Cut off ties with the Zhao family and return to my maiden home as a divorced widow? You should understand, Xuan, for someone like me who's been married before, either I live a good life in my husband's household or I return to my maiden home and face cold words and treatment. Since my husband's family has treated me well, why would I choose the second path?"

  Looking at Shen Huan's helpless appearance, Hu Youxuan's initial anger was also swallowed back, and he could only say "sorry" before continuing: "I didn't intentionally want to provoke you, Second Sister. It's just that... I'm a bit worried. No smoke without fire, someone has already spread rumors about the ambiguous relationship between you and Xi Zhao. If I can see that he has those feelings for you, it means others might also notice, and..."

  "And what?"

  "I was able to confirm because I saw it with my own eyes, he got up early and the most important thing for him is reading books, but... before reading books, there's one more thing he needs to do..."

  Hu Youxuan's words had already made it clear what he was going to say, but Shen Han didn't interrupt him. Since she already knew, why would she still try to stop him? Wouldn't that be a sign of guilt and having something to hide?

  "Help you fetch water, so that you won't be too tired. Although it's a small thing, it's the most he can do for you in this environment."

  I'm really sorry for the long hiatus, I previously said I would update continuously.

  But the work is really too tiring, recently it's been unbearable, during night shifts I felt like I lost my soul.

  The cold hasn't gotten better until now, and getting a cold from air conditioning in the summer is really miserable.

  But I'll try to update more, don't leave me behind, I'll work hard and see if I can update more this month, maintaining a daily update of 5,000 words to make up for last month's hiatus.

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