Chapter 28 Pear Garden

Chapter 28 Pear Garden

Shen Nanzi returned to the Jingwang Mansion with a lingering grudge, the ice skating trip amplifying her suspicions.

She didn't want to know the truth, yet she desperately wanted to uncover it; this twisted feeling was like a pretzel.

After finishing copying the punishment, I began to observe Xie Yan, his attire, his clothes, his mood, including what he said when he went to court.

It seemed to confirm her eagerness; heaven rewards those who persevere.

She noticed that Xie Yan would often spend some time at the Pear Garden before returning to Prince Jing's residence.

This pear orchard was Xie Yan's villa. Back then, he refused to return to Prince Jing's mansion and lived here instead.

Shen Nanzi had never been inside; she only knew what the gate looked like and knew nothing about what was inside.

Why is this place so attractive to him?

Shen Nanzi was very curious, knowing that she couldn't just walk in openly.

So, one afternoon, with the help of the biting wind, they scaled the high wall and jumped into the pear orchard.

The Pear Garden isn't very big, and besides being quiet, it doesn't have anything particularly special about it.

Apart from the gatekeeper, there were hardly any servants in the courtyard, which made it easy for them to spy on the area.

We entered the house without any problems. Was there anything special inside? There was a faint scent of ambergris.

Shen Nanzi opened the wardrobe, and a red dress caught his eye.

This vibrant and distinctive color is only worn at weddings.

She unfolded it; the smooth texture and exquisite embroidery, judging by its size and length, clearly indicated that it was Xie Yan's garment.

Shen Nanzi remembers that although the color was the same when they got married, the embroidery on it was different.

Moreover, his clothes are still at the bottom of her trunk, folded together with his wedding dress, and would never appear here.

"What's going on?" she couldn't help but ask.

"It seems like it's not finished yet," Lie Feng reminded him.

Shen Nanzi looked at the lower half of the dress, and sure enough, the embroidery on top was not yet finished.

"Is this an unfinished wedding dress?" she asked Lie Feng. "Why would there be a wedding dress in Xie Yan's courtyard?"

“The wedding dress doesn’t fit, or something else.” Lie Feng couldn’t think of anything either, and pointed to a drawer below, “What’s in this drawer? And it’s locked.”

Shen Nanzi lowered her eyes, and there was indeed a drawer half a foot below her.

Can you open it?

"I'll give it a try." Lie Feng took out his tools, moved a few wires around, and with a "crack!" the drawer was pulled open.

The exquisite jewelry inside was presented to Shen Nanzi, including hairpins, hair ornaments, earlobes, and necklaces.

It is a set of women's jewelry with gold filigree and gemstone embellishments, gorgeous and dazzling.

There is also a gold crown inlaid with tourmaline next to it, which is obviously part of the same set, except that this one is for men to tie their hair up.

Shen Nanzi raised her eyes and glanced at Lie Feng.

"This is a complete headdress, like one used for a wedding."

"Hmm!" Lie Feng nodded slightly. "But aren't Miss's and Prince Jing's things kept at Prince Jing's residence?"

Yes! They were indeed placed in Prince Jing's residence, and the styles were all different.

Shen Nanzi blinked unconsciously, as if something was about to burst out.

"Liefeng, do you think he was going to marry another woman, but the marriage didn't happen?"

The biting wind was silent.

Shen Nanzi muttered to herself, "Back then, I clearly inquired and found out that he didn't have a woman he liked!"

"But what about all this?"

Lie Feng looked at her sad expression.

"Miss, it's not what you think. I just don't like this style, so I've left it here."

"But..." He treasured them so well; it's obvious he cherished them very much.

Given his terrible marital relationship with her, how could he possibly cherish her?

Shen Nanzi knew this was definitely not prepared for her!

"What year did the Second Princess get married?" It had been so long that Shen Nanzi couldn't quite remember.

"Before you and His Highness get married."

"That doesn't prove anything," Shen Nanzi said, though she was reluctant to admit certain things. "You agree, right?"

“Let’s go, Miss,” Lie Feng said, not wanting her to continue being sad. “There’s nothing else to see.”

After a moment, Shen Nanzi nodded, "Alright, let's go back to the manor."

The two turned around and saw Xie Yan standing at the door.

His face was extremely ugly, and his handsome eyes were filled with anger.

At this moment, Shen Nanzi had only one thought: run!

Lie Feng understood her intention and immediately jumped out of the window. He turned around, stretched out his hands, and told Shen Nanzi to jump without worry.

The moment Shen Nanzi's legs climbed onto the windowsill, Xie Yan grabbed her arm.

"Chen! Nan! Zi!" A voice filled with anger and warning rang in my ears.

She turned her head, put her legs down, looked at him with a big smile, and stroked the neatly pressed collar of his shirt. "You're back!"

I won't bother you anymore!

Xie Yan pulled her body inside and slammed the window shut, blocking the view of the biting wind.

"Who sent you here?" he gritted his teeth, his expression as if he wanted to devour her.

"Can't I come here?" Shen Nanzi looked clearly guilty.

"This is also part of the Jing Prince's estate. As the matriarch, why can't I come here?"

She was still trying to defend herself.

"Didn't I tell you not to come here again?"

Shen Nanzi was speechless. He really forbade her to come to Pear Garden again. That year, they had just gotten married when he went to quell the rebellion.

He was gone for half a year, and after returning, he lived in this pear orchard.

She waited for him outside the gate of the pear orchard many times.

Afterwards, he agreed to return to the Prince Jing's residence, and she was forbidden from coming here again.

It is true that she has broken her promise.

"Then tell me, what's the deal with those formal dresses, headdresses, and crowns in your closet?"

Xie Yan's expression changed. "Who gave you permission to touch it?"

Shen Nanzi looked at the fierceness in his eyes, as if she had touched his sore spot.

It was as if if she said another word, she would be strangled.

"Did you prepare this for Xue Qingning?" Shen Nanzi seemed to already know the answer, but she needed him to admit it himself.

Xie Yan's expression grew even uglier. "Shen Nanzi, do you know what nonsense you're spouting? How dare you tarnish the reputation of the Second Imperial Sister-in-law?"

Shen Nanzi felt a tightness in her chest, a sense of helplessness as if she had been deceived: "How could I have tarnished her reputation? It was clearly you who were being dishonest first."

"You had her clothes tucked into your cloak, you rode together on horseback late at night, and you always defended her in your words."

"Xie Yan, your actions have clearly crossed the line between uncle and sister-in-law, yet you shamelessly talk about reputation in front of me?"

"Don't you find it ridiculous? Or do you think I'm blind and deaf, or an ignorant block of wood?"

"Xie Yan, you're having an affair with Xue Qingning!"

"Shut up!" Xie Yan grabbed her by the neck, veins bulging on his forehead. "Shen Nanzi, if you can't control your mouth and keep talking nonsense outside, your brother's days in court won't be easy."