Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 41 An Exorbitant Demand

"Impossible! You're asking for the moon!" Xia Shiyin's expression changed drastically after hearing Shen Li's words, and she almost shouted the words out.

Shen Li leaned back on the couch and drank tea.

"Shen Li, your appetite is far too big. That's the Inner Cabinet, not your Shen family's backyard. Do you think you can just let whoever you want in?" Xia Shiyin lowered her voice again, but her anger was clearly visible.

"Court matters can only be discussed in the court. If you are unwilling, then disregard what I said. If Your Highness has nothing else to attend to, please leave. I am about to begin painting for the Imperial Concubine." Shen Li rose to see the guests off.

Xia Shiyin realized she had lost control, and calmed herself down, saying, "Sister Shen, I came with sincerity. You have to let me go back and give me an explanation. I'm begging you as your older sister."

Seeing that she seemed moved by her words, Shen Li said seriously, "Each serves their own master. Does Your Highness think the Empress and the Crown Prince will allow me to make decisions?"

Xia Shiyin was stunned for a moment, and it seemed to make sense.

"Don't blame me for not making you explain; this is the only loophole I can leave. Your Highness, please leave." Shen Li saw the guest off again.

Xia Shiyin indeed left this time. Fifteen minutes after she left, a loud noise of things being smashed came from the main hall. Along with Consort Zheng's anger, a group of palace servants were beaten with sticks.

Screams echoed throughout the courtyard.

Peony was startled and whispered, "Miss, what are they doing now?"

Shen Li continued painting, but a slight smile curved her lips: "Remember, never get angry in front of others, because that's tantamount to telling them you're helpless."

Peony nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"Go out of the palace later and deliver a message to my husband for me."

"It's not that I'm being lazy, it's just that this is too blatant, isn't it?" Peony found it unbelievable.

Now people don't even keep secrets when they're sending messages?

“That’s a good word.” Shen Li smiled broadly: “Some things have to be done openly. You go and convey the message in person.”

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Dali Temple.

Gu Chang'an, dressed in a scarlet official robe, sat behind his desk, his brows furrowed as he read through the confessions.

"Not enough, continue the interrogation." Gu Chang'an threw the confession on the ground.

"Yes, yes, I'll go right away." The warden wiped the sweat from his brow, kowtowed, and hurried off.

After the man left, Gu Chang'an's brows did not relax. He said to the shadows in the room, "You've done a good job investigating here. Tell your men to continue the investigation. Keep a close eye on Prince Yi's side personally."

Based on his understanding of the King of Chess, this man was ruthless and vindictive, and would certainly not let such a loss go unpunished.

He need not worry about dealing with the Crown Prince, but Ah Li is still in the harem, and he dares not be negligent in the slightest.

"Yes, the brothers below have been keeping a close watch, and I will not let my guard down. Rest assured, sir." Shadow said, glancing at Chunsheng, who was serving by the desk.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Chunsheng advised, "Sir, the carriage back to the manor is ready. You may stay tonight..."

"I won't go back. I'll go to the prison tonight and interrogate you personally." A hint of malice flashed in Gu Chang'an's eyes.

Anyone who dares to touch his Ah Li will be severely punished by him.

“We can’t possibly interrogate all the prisoners in one batch after another. You haven’t been home since Madam entered the palace. How can your health take this?” Chunsheng said anxiously.

Outsiders only see that the adults in their family have the power of life and death, but they don't know how much effort the adults have put into it.

Especially with his wife away, the master had to do everything himself, and he couldn't eat or sleep well all day long, so his eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion.

"Alright, I'll try to persuade you to go back now." Gu Chang'an remained unmoved. At this moment, staying here was the only place he felt at ease. He was determined to do something for A-Li.

Chunsheng looked at Yingzi with a helpless expression. This wasn't the first time his master had acted this way; he had never listened to anyone except his wife.

"My lord, Miss Peony requests an audience," came the servant's voice from outside the door.

Gu Chang'an immediately raised his head, his expression solemn: "Please come in."

The shadow disappeared silently into the shadows of the room, as if the person had never been there at all.

"My lord." When Peony came in, Gu Chang'an had already come out from behind the desk.

"No need for formalities, Ah Li, is something the matter?" His eyes were filled with deep concern.

"Miss has a message for me to convey in person." Peony lowered her head as she spoke, as if she was thinking about how to phrase it.

Gu Chang'an didn't urge him. His hands were clenched tightly in his sleeves, so much so that his knuckles turned white.

What could be so important that Peony herself had to convey it to us?

“Miss said… she misses you.” Peony seemed to muster up her courage to raise her head, and her face flushed after she relayed the message.

Gu Chang'an was visibly stunned, and even Chun Sheng and the shadowy figure hiding in the shadows were taken aback.

Why go through all this trouble just to deliver this one message?

Gu Chang'an clenched his fists even tighter, but unlike before, there was no longer worry or tension in his eyes. Instead, there was a blush at the corners of his eyes, and his ears were also slightly red.

"Is there nothing else?" His tone softened involuntarily.

"Yes..." Peony said, forcing herself to speak, "Miss asked me to ask, do you miss her?"

She really couldn't understand why she had to say it out loud; couldn't she just write it down?

Gu Chang'an's eyes widened again, then he coughed and said, "I...I'll write her a letter, can you help me..."

"No, Miss wants you to say it, and I will relay it." Although Peony didn't understand, she carried it out very thoroughly.

Gu Chang'an's ears turned visibly red. He took a breath before saying, "I think about it every day."

"If that's the case, then don't worry me. Eat well and sleep well, or I'll really get angry." Peony left with her last words, bowed, and turned to leave.

Gu Chang'an stood there for a long time before he came to his senses. Unlike his previous fatigue and tension, his bright eyes were now full of sparkling light.

Ah Li cares about him a lot.

The shadowy figure quietly left the room. He had a wife to care about, so why was he worrying about anything? Now he's been thoroughly humiliated.

But then again, getting a wife is really a good thing.

Gu Chang'an felt a little unsure what to do with his hands, so he finally scratched the back of his neck and said to Chun Sheng, "Have a carriage waiting outside. We'll go back to the manor to rest today."

"Okay." Chun Sheng readily agreed: "Shall we leave now?"

"Go to the jail, we'll go back after the interrogation." Gu Chang'an said, and strode out. He wanted to finish quickly and not delay his rest.

"Ah... we're still interrogating him..." Chunsheng looked completely bewildered.