Chapter 46 Enjoying the Blessings of Both Women

"What did you say!"

"Didn't I tell you to find a carriage and wait for Shen Yishu? Everything was going well, how on earth did he... and how was he saved by Xiao Ze!"

Dou Hongyan rose in confusion and hurriedly pursued, "Tell me quickly what is going on. Has the operation begun?"

It was possible for anyone under the sun to save Shen Yishu.

The only exception was Xiao Ze; he was far more likely to push Shen Yishu under a carriage himself.

Realizing that Dou Hongyan had misunderstood, Xiyue paused for a long breath and said, "It—it's like this. It wasn't His Highness who extended a helping hand; rather, through a twist of fate, the Eldest Master was taken away."

"That's more like it." Dou Hongyan sat back down.

She motioned for Xiyue to continue, "He took Shen Yishu away?"

"Yes. The Eldest Master was about to reach the spot we arranged, when suddenly His Highness's men appeared and took him directly. Although the Eldest Master holds a grudge against His Highness, he dared not disobey and had no choice but to give up seeing the Third Prince."

"The streets were bustling and full of eyes, and we feared that acting rashly might accidentally injure His Highness, so we had to temporarily abandon the plan and never found another opportunity."

Hearing this, Dou Hongyan furrowed her brow and said in a deep voice, "What a pity."

How could this man's life be so tenacious that even a meticulously pre-arranged carriage met with an accident?

However...

She arched a brow in thought for a moment, and her red lips curved pleasurably once more.

***

As far as she knew, Xiao Ze harbored no benevolent intentions.

Abruptly taking Shen Yishu away probably meant his purpose was far from kind.

Perhaps his objective was identical to her own, and all roads led to the same end regarding Shen Yishu.

She confirmed, "Where did the two of them go, and what did they do? What was Shen Yishu's demeanor when he came out? Were there any unpleasant moments?"

"None."

Xiyue also found it bizarre.

Not only did Shen Yishu part ways with the Crown Prince safe and sound, but even upon leaving the tavern, he looked thoroughly... pleased with himself.

She relayed the scene she had witnessed today to Dou Hongyan, who gave a knowing, light laugh and leisurely leaned back against the chair.

"Mistress, should we continue making arrangements?"

Having failed this time, Xiyue tried to salvage her success rate. "Your subordinate will definitely cripple the Eldest Master next time!"

"No need, you are no longer required."

Dou Hongyan smiled faintly, waving her hand mysteriously. "You may withdraw; this matter is not urgent for now."

She had roughly guessed Xiao Ze's motive.

It seemed he still couldn't resist making a move, though he had grown a bit smarter this time.

***

Administering a non-fatal, chronic poison to Shen Yishu—one that would confine him to a sickbed without killing him—was essentially no different from what she intended to do.

Since Xiao Ze had already struck, she could take a temporary respite.

Dou Hongyan no longer dwelt on it, contentedly lying in the courtyard to bask in the sun. With a languid expression, she waited lazily until sunset before returning to her chambers.

Yet moments later, riding on the very last sliver of the setting sun, Xiao Ze vaulted through Dou Hongyan's window.

Hampred by his performance earlier in the day, Dou Hongyan wore a beaming smile and found Xiao Ze rather pleasing to the eye today.

Unable to resist praising him, she said, "Did you go to see the Marquis today? I think this move was exceptionally well-played. I heard he was riding high when he left—"

Before Dou Hongyan could finish, however, she was interrupted by Xiao Ze's gloomy voice: "What do you mean by saying these things?"

He paced forward step by step, his brows lowering darkly.

Seeing Shen Yishu during the day was already nauseating enough, and yet Dou Hongyan actually seemed to take pleasure in it...

With a hoarse voice, he demanded, "What? Seeing me living in harmony with him, do you expect to enjoy the best of both worlds? Do you think I will never lay a hand on him again in the future?"