Chapter 23: The Path Begins to Diverge
Shen Yurou’s frown deepened. She slowly placed the teacup in her hand onto the table. The crisp sound echoed lightly through the room.
"You are saying they are sleeping in the same room?" Her voice was calm.
Chuntao, who was kneeling on the floor, lowered her head even further. "Yes, Elder Miss."
The room instantly fell silent.
Shen Yurou’s fingers tightened around the armrest of her chair. Ever since learning that Shen Taotao had survived the poisoning, she had been unable to sleep peacefully.
Not because she felt guilty. But because the situation was gradually slipping beyond her control.
Originally, the marriage should never have happened or perhaps more accurately, even if it did happen, it should have ended quickly.
After all, nobody understood better than Shen Yurou how much Xie Rong despised the Shen family. Yet reality had completely exceeded her expectations.
Not only had Shen Taotao survived. She had successfully entered the Xie residence.
And now...
"Young Master Xie moved her into his own courtyard?" Shen Yurou asked.
"Yes, Elder Miss." Chuntao answered immediately." Young Madam moved there yesterday."
The smile on Shen Yurou’s face finally disappeared completely.
The room grew colder. She had initially assumed that Xie Rong would ignore Shen Taotao. At best, they would become a couple in name only.
Yet sharing a courtyard and sleeping in the same room were entirely different matters.
Shen Yurou slowly lowered her eyes. In her previous life, she had been the one who married Xie Rong.
She still remembered entering the Xie residence with hope in her heart. Only for that hope to disappear little by little.
Xie Rong had ignored her. The servants respected her title but never treated her warmly. Even the vast Xie residence had felt cold and empty. Despite carrying the title of Young Madam Xie, she had lived like a guest who did not belong.
Then one day, she died—Poisoned.
Even until her last breath, she never discovered who wanted her dead.
Yet now... The person who had taken her place was Shen Taotao. Not only had Shen Taotao survived the poisoning.
She was living in Xie Rong’s courtyard. Sleeping in the same room as him.
The more Shen Yurou thought about it, the tighter her grip on the teacup became.
Why? Why was Shen Taotao receiving everything she had once longed for?
"Did you hear anything?" Shen Yurou suddenly asked.
Chuntao hesitated. Then she carefully recalled everything she had witnessed.
"This servant only heard Old Madam Xie mention that Young Madam suffered from back pain and did not sleep well before rushing back here."
The moment those words left her mouth, Shen Yurou’s expression darkened further.
She was not an ignorant young girl. Naturally, she understood how such words could be interpreted.
Only after a long silence did she finally say, "Continue watching them." Her voice had become noticeably colder. "I want to know everything that happens inside the Xie residence."
"Yes, Elder Miss." Chuntao carefully stood up.
Shen Yurou slowly looked down at the tea in her cup. A feeling she greatly disliked had begun to emerge.
Uncertainty.
Because the future she remembered had turned out to be completely different.
"Elder Miss..." Chuntao’s hesitant voice suddenly broke the silence.
Shen Yurou frowned. Only then did she realize the servant was still there.
"What is it?" Chuntao lowered her head.
"This servant wishes to ask about the matter the Elder Miss promised before..." Before she could finish, a loud crash suddenly echoed through the room.
Smash!
The teacup shattered against the floor beside Chuntao. Several fragments scattered across the ground.
Chuntao immediately lowered her head further.
"Finish your task first." Shen Yurou’s voice was cold, "Or are you expecting a reward for bringing me useless information?"
The room instantly fell silent.
Chuntao’s face paled, "This servant does not dare."
"Then stop wasting my time." Shen Yurou looked away impatiently, "I want to know what happens inside the Xie residence."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Especially between Shen Taotao and Xie Rong."
"Yes, Elder Miss." Chuntao sighed weakly.
Only after hearing the answer did Shen Yurou wave her hand dismissively. The meaning was obvious. Leave immediately.
"Yes, Elder Miss." Chuntao quickly bowed her head and retreated from the room.
The moment the door closed behind her, another set of footsteps approached from outside.
A servant’s voice soon followed, "Young Master Lu has arrived."
Almost instantly, the irritation on Shen Yurou’s face disappeared. The coldness in her eyes softened.
By the time the man stepped into the room, a gentle smile had already appeared on her lips.
"Husband." Shen Yurou rose from her seat, "You’re back."
Lu Wenyuan’s gaze immediately landed on her. His brows furrowed slightly, "Did something happen?"
Shen Yurou shook her head. Then she walked toward him.
"You came back later than usual today." As she spoke, she carefully adjusted his sleeve. "Are you tired?" The concern in her voice sounded completely natural.
Lu Wenyuan looked at her for a moment before gently holding her hand.
"That should be my question." His brows remained slightly furrowed, "How are you feeling today?"
Shen Yurou blinked. "Hm?"
"You have not looked well since we got married." His gaze lingered on her face, "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
For a brief moment, Shen Yurou’s smile softened. Then she shook her head, "I am fine."
Only after hearing her answer did Lu Wenyuan seem somewhat relieved. However, a moment later, his brows furrowed again.
He slowly looked around the room. Then toward the familiar courtyard outside, "Yurou."
"Hm?" Shen Yurou raised her eyebrows slightly.
"How long are we planning to stay at your parents’ residence?"
The question instantly caused the smile on Shen Yurou’s face to pause.
Before she could answer, Lu Wenyuan continued. "Or is my family’s residence not to your liking?"
Shen Yurou blinked. Only then did she realize what he was actually worried about.
Lu Wenyuan lowered his eyes slightly, "I know it cannot compare to the Shen residence."
His voice remained calm, but she could hear the hesitation hidden within it.
"But it is where we should be living after our marriage."