Chapter 123 - Argument

Angry? Shen Xiuqi widened her eyes in question. Did she say something wrong?

Qi Zheng was indeed really angry. He Chen’s name had been in his mind since a year ago because Shen Ziqiao had mentioned him more than once in her letter to Shen Zikai. Qi Zheng had found out that Old Madam Pan had the intention of marrying Shen Ziqiao to He Chen through Shen Zikai. He felt threatened.

Jin people had attacked Dazhou’s caravan this time. Someone must’ve colluded with them and leaked the news on purpose. In reality, he never really felt suspicious of He Chen. However, he was just upset by how nervous Shen Ziqiao felt.

But it was more so worry and uncertainty than anger.

When he left the capital, he was sure that Shen Ziqiao had feelings for him. However, the two just didn’t make anything official. If she really felt something towards He Chen...

No, it can’t be!

When he hugged her this morning, he could tell that she didn’t reject his closeness. If she did like He Chen, why would she allow him to kiss her?

Qi Zheng stopped his angry steps and stood still, forcing himself to calm down.

As Qi Zheng left Shen Ziqiao’s room, He Chen coincidentally came from the other direction only to see Qi Zheng walking off.

He Chen glanced at his figure in deep thought for a bit.

Shen Ziqiao walked out to see He Chen standing by the door in a daze. She walked over questioningly. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, nothing.” He Chen snapped out of his trance and lightly shook his head. “I heard that the Ninth Prince was injured heavily so I wanted to take a look. Third Miss Sheng just got a scare so why don’t you go and comfort her?...”

Have her go and comfort Sheng Peiyin? Then she should be the one frightened.

“Go ahead.” Shen Ziqiao waved her hands, not agreeing to his suggestion.

He Chen tilted his head to look at her. “Jiao Jiao, do you and Sheng Peiyin have some...enmity?”

Oh look at that. You finally guessed it. Shen Ziqiao smiled. “We just had some argument in the capital. Oh right. I haven’t thanked you yet. Thankfully, you were there last night.”

“I naturally have to protect you since you’re in my caravan.” He Chen said in a deep voice. In reality, he didn’t save her last time. It was actually Qi Zheng.

“No matter what, thank you.” Shen Ziqiao smiled.

He Chen glanced at her sincere smile and there was a strange feeling inside. “We’re going back to Minyue in a few years. You… are you going back with us?”

“Of course.” Shen Ziqiao said. Why would she stay here? It wasn’t like she knew how to fight. “But that soon?”

He Chen smiled. “There’s still a lot to do in Minyue.”

Shen Ziqiao hummed in agreement and realized that this was the first time she had talked to He Chen that peacefully. “Oh, one more thing. Besides you and my third uncle, who else knows that we’re transporting rice to the northwest?”

“Everyone else that knows about it are my trusted aides. They’ll never betray Dazhou.” He Chen’s gaze was cold and he said this in a determined tone. He had faith in his trusted aides. They definitely would never betray Dazhou.

“I’m not suspicious of you but don’t you find it strange? Have you never wondered why we got attacked?” Shen Ziqiao asked.

Of course he did but he didn’t find out who it was yet.

“We have to find out who it is otherwise they might do something bad to the Twenty-four Companies.” Shen Ziqiao said. Once there was a traitor in the Twenty-four Companies, the court may not be as lenient on it anymore.

He Chen nodded. “Understood, I’ll go find Third Sir Pan later on.”

He was about to leave when he saw Qi Zheng returning and staring at them coldly.

“Deputy General Qi.” He Chen greeted Qi Zheng.

“Eldest Master He.” Qi Zheng lightly nodded and walked over. His pitch-black eyes landed on Shen Ziqiao’s puckering lips.

The two men greeted each other before it became silent. They couldn’t find a common topic at all.

“Come here, I have something to talk to you about.” Qi Zheng looked at Shen Ziqiao and said in a deep voice.

Shen Ziqiao pursed her lips, unhappy with Qi Zheng’s forceful attitude. Couldn’t he talk to her in a more peaceful attitude?

It wasn’t like she owed him anything.

He Chen knitted his brows. He naturally could tell that Qi Zheng...was really possessive towards Shen Ziqiao. However, did she not feel disgusted?

In the past, she’d be leaving already if he scolded her, ignoring him.

But now...

Although she looked unhappy, there was no anger in her eyes. She’d only do this towards someone familiar.

He felt as if someone was cutting him. He Chen hurriedly said, “I still need to go to Ninth Prince’s place. I’ll be going.”

He Chen bolted.

“Hey…” Shen Ziqiao stopped him in confusion. But it seemed like He Chen didn’t hear her and already vanished.

Qi Zheng held her hands and stared fixated. “I have something to talk to you about.”

“I don’t.” Shen Ziqiao shook his hand away moodily. “Nor do I want to listen to you.”

“Jiao Jiao!” Qi Zheng restrained her arms and said coldly, “You don’t want to talk to me but you had a fun time talking to He Chen!”

Shen Ziqiao replied moodily, “Right, I just like chatting with him. What does that have to do with you?”

Qi Zheng’s expression turned ashen and veins popped on his forehead. Anger rose. He carried her over his shoulders and walked into the room in large strides.

“Ahh— Qi Zheng, what are you doing? Put me down, you bastard. I can feel the blood flowing to my brain!” Shen Ziqiao shrieked and punched Qi Zheng’s back hard.  

“Third Miss...Eldest Master Qi?” Hong Ying stared shockingly at this scene, not sure how to react.

Shen Ziqiao shouted, “Hong Ying, save me!”

Hong Ying immediately chased. “Third Miss!”

Qi Zheng kicked the door open and glanced coldly at Hong Ying as if his gaze was a millennium old glacier. Hong Ying’s face paled right then.

Bang. Qi Zheng shut the door.

“Qi Zheng, you bastard!” Shen Ziqiao hit him with her hands and feet.

“Stop messing!” Qi Zheng shouted and easily suppressed her, holding her tightly in his arms. “Let’s have a good talk.”

Shen Ziqiao said angrily, “Are you trying to talk to me nicely right now? Just who do you take me to be? You smile at me when you’re happy. You give me a stinky face when you’re not. You just kiss and scold me whenever you like. Just who gave you the right? Just who did?!”

“I didn’t insult you.” Qi Zheng said with a dark face.

“You did! You did!” Shen Ziqiao shouted.

Qi Zheng sighed and said gently, “I wasn’t, nor did I give you a stinky face.”

Shen Ziqiao glared at him and pursed her lips.

“I…” Qi Zheng’s face flushed for some reason. He hugged Shen Ziqiao tightly, afraid that she might push him away. “I miss you a lot.”

“Hmph!”  Shen Ziqiao didn’t understand him at all, still angry with his forceful attitude from before.

Qi Zheng’s chin leaned against her hair, lightly rubbing against it. His voice was soft ans hoarse, “Don’t be angry, okay?”

“I don’t like you like this.” Shen Ziqiao pursed her lips.

“Then...what do you like?” Qi Zheng said stiffly.

Like He Chen?

Immediately after, he said, “Don’t forget that you’re mine. Don’t think about marrying anyone else!”

Shen Ziqiao said faintly, “I don’t like you like this. You never ask about my opinion. That’s right. I do think you’re really good but I might not marry you. Why are you sure that I’ll marry you for sure? Do you think that I can’t marry anyone else but you?”

Qi Zheng hurriedly moved her away and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Jiao Jiao, that’s not what I mean. I’m just scared...scared that you’ll marry someone else when I’m in the northwest. That’s why...that’s why I...Besides you, I’m not close to anyone else. I don’t know how to make you happy. Even more, I don’t know if you feel the same towards me. Your elder brother said that you’re staying in Minyue and you’re going to get engaged to He Chen. You don’t know how much I’m controlling myself from forcibly taking you away from Minyue…”

Shen Ziqiao froze and stared at him. Was this a confession?

“Who said I’m going to get engaged with He Chen?” Shen Ziqiao asked.

“Your elder brother.” Qi Zheng replied.

Shen Ziqiao cursed Shen Zikai out and then pursed her lips. “Even so, you can’t treat me like this. Two parties are required for a relationship. Just because you like me doesn’t mean I have to marry and like you.”

Qi Zheng’s breath hitched. “Who else are you going to marry if not for me?”

This again! Shen Ziqiao glared at him.

“Jiao Jiao, I won’t wear a straight expression or be rude to you in the future anymore. Let’s be good. Don’t anger me either, okay?” Qi Zheng took in a deep breath and tried his best to say peacefully.

Shen Ziqiao stared at the nervous man. She actually wasn’t really that angry. She was just unhappy with his forceful attitude.

“Then am I in charge in the future?” Shen Ziqiao asked.

“Yes, I’ll do whatever you say.” Qi Zhen hurriedly said.

Shen Ziqiao casted a side glance. “Even if I don’t return to the capital in the future?”

Qi Zheng’s breath quickened and his chest heaved up and down. There was a nervous tone in his voice. “We’ll return to the capital to get married and then move out to live on our own. I’ll make sure you live as comfortable as you do like in Minyue.”

“But I like Minyue.” Shen Ziqiao said. She could feel the warm atmosphere from her family in Minyue. But when she was in the capital, she felt extremely exhausted.

“Jiao Jiao!” Qi Zheng felt anxious.

“Okay, that’s it. I’m going to look for third uncle and He Chen is definitely not a traitor. You can try investigating other people.” Shen Ziqiao said.

Qi Zheng felt depressed seeing that Shen Ziqiao brought the topic to He Chen again.

Shen Ziqiao smiled and tugged on his cheeks. “You still need to stay in Minyue for another year. Who knows what will happen in the future? Right.”

“As long as we chase Jin people out of the wasteland, we can return in triumph.” Qi Zheng said.

“I’ll be waiting.” Shen Ziqiao smiled.

She was willing to believe that he was her best male lead. She believed that he was worthy of her wait. She actually...already felt something for him but she didn’t dare to invest in her feelings.