The Marquis doesn't support his beloved wife's ambitions, so I'll take the imperial e

Since that day, a strange balance has been formed between Qingyun Pavilion and Yingxian Tower.

Xiao Qingyan did not mention returning to the capital again, nor did he interfere with any of Qingyun Pavilion's business.

He spent most of his daytime hours in the top-tier room of Yingxian Tower, occasionally visited by black-clad night hawks who would appear like ghosts to deliver or retrieve urgent secret letters. He seemed to genuinely have his own important case to handle, and was merely using Yunyang County as a temporary foothold.

Jiang Zhenxue was happy to have some peace and quiet.

With that living devil no longer hovering around, the air feels much fresher.

She devoted all her energy to the business, and after Wenjian Society became famous overnight, Qingyun Pavilion's revenue hit new highs every day.

She struck while the iron was hot and launched several new value-added services, such as customized reading plans for VIPs and regular small poetry and prose gatherings, taking the word "high-end" to the extreme.

The sun shone brightly that afternoon. After checking the morning's accounts, Jiang Zhenxue, carrying a bowl of carefully prepared medicinal food, pushed open the door to Shen Yu's room in the backyard.

"Xiao Yu, it's time to take your medicine."

Shen Yu was able to sit up with the help of soft pillows. On the small table in front of him lay a well-worn copy of "Spring and Autumn Annals." When he saw Jiang Zhenxue enter, he immediately put down the book, his eyes, which always carried a hint of melancholy, unconsciously following her figure.

"Sister Jiang, I told you I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me every day." The boy's voice was still a little hoarse from his illness, but his tone was full of remorse.

"What do you mean by taking care of me?" Jiang Zhenxue handed him the bowl of medicine, then sat down on the round stool by the bed, picked up a book from his desk and flipped through it. "You're my partner, and now you're family. It's only natural for me to take care of you while you're sick."

She paused, then added, "Besides, I'm not taking care of you for nothing. You need to get well soon, then memorize all these books and understand them thoroughly. You'll repay me tenfold, a hundredfold, in the future. I, Jiang Zhenxue, never do anything that doesn't benefit me."

She spoke casually, as if discussing a business deal, yet skillfully defused Shen Yu's embarrassment and guilt.

Shen Yu lowered his head and silently drank his medicine. The slightly bitter medicine slid down his throat, yet it seemed to carry a hint of warmth. He knew that Sister Jiang always had a way to put his mind at ease.

"Sister Jiang," he said, handing the empty bowl back to her after finishing his medicine. After hesitating for a moment, he couldn't help but ask, "That person... is he really not leaving?"

The "that person" he was referring to was self-evident.

Although Xiao Qingyan has not set foot in Qingyun Pavilion these days, the invisible pressure is like a large net, covering the entire Yunyang County.

Kang Mingyan dared not come again, and even Aunt Zhang, who delivered vegetables every day, became cautious.

"Whether he leaves or not is his own business." Jiang Zhenxue took the bowl, her tone indifferent. "He has his own path, and I have mine. As long as he doesn't come and vandalize my shop, I'll pretend he doesn't exist."

"But..." Shen Yu's brows furrowed tightly, his handsome face showing a worry beyond his years. "He is no good. If he stays here, it's like a wolf guarding a rabbit hole, ready to pounce at any moment. Sister Jiang, I... I'm still worried."

He was worried about her.

He had seen the way that man looked at Sister Jiang—that naked, undisguised possessiveness terrified him. That wasn't love; it was imprisonment.

Jiang Zhenxue felt a warmth in her heart when she saw the worry in his eyes, but she deliberately put on a stern face.

"You're worried?" She raised an eyebrow. "What are you worried about? Do you think I can't handle it, or do you think that in your current sickly state, you can rush out and take a knife for me?"

"I..." Shen Yu was speechless, his cheeks flushing slightly.

"Xiao Yu, listen to me." Jiang Zhenxue's joking expression vanished as she looked at him seriously, each word clear and distinct. "We are currently playing a very large game of chess. You are the most important piece in my hand. And I am the one who sets up the chessboard."

"I'll handle the ups and downs on the chessboard. Your only task now is not to worry about me, not to think about how to fight a tiger, but to calmly hone yourself into the sharpest sword."

She reached out and pointed to the mountain of books in front of him.

"These are your whetstones. Every page you read, every word you memorize, adds a touch of sharpness to this sword. Only when you can stand on the throne in the imperial palace, at a height that even men have to look up to, will you truly be qualified to protect me."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it struck Shen Yu's heart like a heavy hammer.

He stared at her, at her clear, firm eyes that seemed to see through everything, and suddenly understood something.

Yes, Sister Jiang never needed his cheap, impulsive protection. What she wanted was for him to become a truly strong person who could stand shoulder to shoulder with her and shield her from the wind and rain.

"I see."

Shen Yu nodded slowly, and the flame in his eyes, which had been dim for many days, was rekindled.

He stopped thinking about that terrible man and stopped wallowing in helpless worry.

He reached out and picked up the book "Spring and Autumn Annals" again, his fingertips solemnly tracing the words on the pages.

"Sister Jiang, don't worry." He raised his head to meet Jiang Zhenxue's gaze, his eyes filled with an unprecedented firmness and determination. "I will study, I will study with all my might. One day, I will become your support, not your burden."

"Okay." Jiang Zhenxue smiled, a smile as bright as the warm spring sun.

She stood up, holding the empty bowl, and turned to walk outside.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself," her voice came from the doorway, carrying a gentleness she herself didn't realize. "You have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time. Just focus on your studies. If the sky falls, I'll hold it up."

The door was closed gently.

Shen Yu stared at the tightly closed door for a long time before finally looking away. He took a deep breath, banishing all distracting thoughts, and once again immersed himself in the vast and boundless sea of ​​ancient texts.

He knew that the only thing he could do for her now was to live up to her expectations.

As Jiang Zhenxue stepped out of the room, the smile on her face faded.

She looked up and glanced in the direction of Yingxian Tower, her mind clear.

Peaceful days are only temporary. A man like Xiao Qingyan has limited patience.

He is currently holding back only because he is preoccupied with matters in the capital. Once he has the time, this seemingly peaceful standoff could be shattered at any moment.

All she can do is to strengthen herself as much as possible within this limited time, and gain more leverage for herself.

"Is Manager Kang here?"

A clear voice suddenly rang out in the lobby.

Jiang Zhenxue snapped out of her thoughts and looked in the direction of the sound. She saw a young scholar dressed in a blue robe standing in front of the counter, holding a gold-embossed invitation in his hand, with a look of urgency on his face.

"That's me, young master. What brings you here?" Jiang Zhenxue stepped forward, a polite smile returning to her face.

The scholar's eyes lit up when he saw her, and he quickly handed over the invitation: "I am the young master of Zhiweizhai. My father has heard that Qingyun Pavilion is renowned for its literary atmosphere, and has prepared a small banquet to invite Manager Jiang to our residence for a chat. I wonder if Manager Jiang would do me the honor?"