Chapter 44: Keep Fooling Around

Ever since the imperial physician examined him and prescribed a round of tonic remedies, Shen Yishu had been forcefully fed two bowls of ginseng soup. After regaining a ruddy complexion, he finally came to his senses, his throat parched and demanding water.

"My lord, you have finally awakened."

"Wuwuwu... Xin'er has been worried to death. I couldn't sleep a wink, constantly praying for you to wake up as soon as possible. Heaven be praised, heaven be praised."

"Water, right, I'll pour you some water right now."

"..."

After a flurry of activity, Liu Xin'er gazed at Shen Yishu with reddened eye rims and a face full of infatuation.

Bathed in such a gaze, Shen Yishu felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction. His entire body felt light and airy, nearly melting into the tender trap woven by Liu Xin'er.

He gave a light cough and asked, "Have you been the one taking care of me all these days?"

Liu Xin'er, who only made superficial appearances to sit here every day, replied, "My lord, you worried me sick! How could I possibly have peace of mind if I couldn't watch over you every single moment...!"

Seeing that she was about to cover her face and sob bitterly once again.

Filled with warmth and overwhelming emotion at how infatuated she was with him, Shen Yishu pulled Liu Xin'er into his arms as they exchanged sweet and tender sentiments.

After a long while, Liu Xin'er suddenly raised her head and said mysteriously to Shen Yishu, "There is one more matter. Please take a look, my lord."

She clapped her hands once.

Trembling as she waited behind the folding screen, Er'ya stepped out with an awkward and deeply uncomfortable gait in her completely brand-new attire. With her head lowered and a terrified expression, she dared not meet Liu Xin'er's eager gaze.

These clothes were all extremely pretty—things Er'ya had only ever dreamed of having.

Yet now that she suddenly wore them, she felt as though something was fundamentally wrong, especially the way her mother was looking at her... It bore no resemblance to the affectionate gaze of a mother tenderly looking at her daughter that Er'ya longed for.

On the contrary.

Beneath that kind of gaze, she felt thoroughly exposed, as if standing before a wild beast baring its fangs.

Shen Yishu's eyes lit up as he looked at his daughter with astonished admiration. "Is this Er'ya? Why has she become so pretty?"

"It is only natural that my lord's bloodline is exceptional. The Marquis's Estate is a place that nurtures people; once Er'ya returned to her ancestral roots, naturally she became beautiful."

Confirming that Shen Yishu was satisfied with Er'ya, Liu Xin'er's eyes rolled as she lowered her voice and used gentle, soft-spoken words to faithfully report that the steward of the Third Prince's Manor had visited.

She heavily exaggerated the Prince's Manor's regard for Shen Yishu.

"This... The Third Prince actually holds me in such high esteem?"

"Yet I..."

He frowned in troubled thought. "We are penniless. How are we supposed to reciprocate the Prince's Manor's generous gift?"

Just as Liu Xin'er had anticipated, Shen Yishu cast his gaze upon Er'ya.

Benevolently and earnestly, he masked his own greed, assuming the air of a deeply considerate father as he stated, "In a few years, Er'ya will be of age for marriage. It is time to find her a good match—ideally from a prestigious lineage, where she can live a life free from worries of food and clothing, even if it is just as a concubine."

Such fine looks, no matter to whom they were presented, would undoubtedly constitute a magnificent gift.

The two shared a tacit understanding, exchanging a knowing glance as they temporarily suppressed their predatory designs on Er'ya.

With a smile, Liu Xin'er added, "The family property of the Marquis's Estate is entirely in the hands of the Madam. Since she occupies the title of the Marquis's Estate, the money in her possession ought rightfully to belong to my lord."

"You are right. Let Dou-shi prepare this return gift."

Righteously rising to his feet, he declared, "I am going right now to demand that Dou-shi prepare a generous gift to be sent back to the Third Prince's Manor!"

Upon hearing Shen Yishu's righteous demand, Dou Hongyan was so infuriated she nearly laughed out loud. Without a moment's hesitation, she refused, "You maintain your own connections; let me prepare the gift, and it will only strip away your sincerity."

Are you kidding me?

Xiao Yanqing and Xiao Ze were irreconcilable enemies.

If that scoundrel of a man ever found out that she had actually sent gifts to the Third Prince's Manor, he would likely be so enraged as to have smoke billowing from all seven facial orifices.