HNYWEF -Chapter 137 Acting

Year 4 of the Zhenguan era, October 13.

The gates of the Marquis’ residence stood wide open.

Li Shimin stood outside the gate. Behind him were Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin. Further back stood Empress Empress Zhangsun and Li Lihua.

Cheng Yaojin’s head bandage had already been removed, leaving a bruise on his forehead. He didn’t care about it—his eyes kept drifting toward the courtyard.

Then he turned to Qin Qiong.

“Shubao, has Li Chunfeng arrived?”

Qin Qiong nodded.

“He should be here soon. I’ve sent someone to receive him.”

Li Shimin gave a low “mm.”

“Your Majesty, shall we go in?”

Li Shimin nodded.

The group walked inside.

Old Chen was standing under the corridor. Seeing them enter, he hurried forward.

“Your—”

Li Shimin waved his hand.

Old Chen understood and stepped aside.

Li Shimin walked further in.

Just as they passed the screen wall, a figure stood at the entrance of the main hall.

Zhou Yi.

He wore casual robes. His left arm, now fully healed, hung naturally by his side.

He stood there watching them, his face completely expressionless.

Li Shimin paused for a moment.

He had seen that face many times before—smiling, blushing, lowering its head.

But never like this.

Dark.

Terribly dark.

As if a layer of ash had covered everything beneath it.

Before Li Shimin could speak, a voice suddenly exploded.

“Father!”

Li Lihua rushed out from behind him and stood in front of Zhou Yi. She looked up at him, then suddenly turned around and glared at Li Shimin.

“Did you bully Brother Zhou Yi again?!”

Li Shimin froze.

Zhou Yi also froze.

Li Lihua’s small face was tightly tense, her eyes red, her voice trembling with tears.

“He already stopped talking properly last time, and now he’s like this! What did you do to him?!”

The courtyard fell completely silent.

Empress Zhangsun stood at the back without speaking, only watching.

Cheng Yaojin scratched his head, unsure what to say.

Qin Qiong’s gaze shifted back and forth between Li Shimin and Zhou Yi.

Li Shimin stood there, looking at his daughter’s angry face, then at Zhou Yi’s dark expression. His mind turned quickly.

Zhou Yi was also looking at him.

There was something in that gaze.

Something that couldn’t be said.

Something Li Lihua must not know.

Zhou Yi moved first.

His lips curled upward slightly.

It was stiff, forced—but still, a smile.

“Lihua… it’s nothing like that.”

His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn’t spoken in a long time.

Li Lihua turned to look at him.

“Then why are you like this?”

Zhou Yi opened his mouth, but—

Li Shimin cut in.

“It’s my fault.”

Li Lihua turned back to him.

Li Shimin wore a faint, bitter smile.

“I’ve been busy these past few days and neglected him. He’s just been sulking alone, that’s all. I came today to apologize.”

He stepped forward and stood in front of Zhou Yi.

Then patted his shoulder.

“I was careless.”

Zhou Yi looked at him.

Only Li Shimin could understand that look.

Zhou Yi nodded.

“Your Majesty is being too serious.”

Then he lowered his head and looked at Li Lihua.

“I’m fine. It’s just… my father’s situation these past few days. I feel a bit heavy-hearted.”

Li Lihua’s eyes grew even redder.

She reached out and grabbed his hand.

“Brother Zhou Yi, don’t be sad. Uncle Zhou will be fine.”

Zhou Yi’s hand stiffened for a moment.

Then he gently squeezed her hand back.

“Mm.”

Li Shimin stood aside, watching this scene.

An indescribable feeling rose in his chest.

Empress Zhangsun walked over and stood beside Li Lihua.

“Lihua, take your Brother Zhou Yi to see your Uncle Zhou.”

Li Lihua looked up at Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi nodded.

He led her by the hand toward the inner courtyard.

After two steps, he suddenly stopped.

He didn’t turn around.

He just paused there for a brief moment.

Then continued walking.

The two figures disappeared behind the curtain.

The courtyard fell silent again.

Li Shimin stood unmoving.

Cheng Yaojin leaned over and whispered,

“Your Majesty, you and that kid work pretty well together, huh?”

Li Shimin said nothing.

He stared at the curtain for a long time.

Then walked to the stone table in the middle of the courtyard and sat down.

Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong followed and stood nearby.

Empress Zhangsun also came over and sat beside him.

Li Shimin kept looking at the curtain.

“How is Zhou Xiong today?”

Old Chen stepped forward from the corridor and replied softly,

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the Marquis is still the same. He doesn’t speak—just sits by the window in a daze.”

Li Shimin was silent for a moment.

“If Li Chunfeng arrives, let him go in directly. No need to report.”

Old Chen acknowledged and stepped back.

Li Shimin sat there, staring at the curtain.

Lost in thought.

After a while, he suddenly spoke.

“That girl Lihua… really has sharp eyes.”

Cheng Yaojin chuckled.

“That’s right—takes after the Empress.”

Empress Zhangsun glanced at him.

Cheng Yaojin quickly shut his mouth.

Li Shimin ignored them.

He looked at the curtain and murmured softly,

“That kid… really is good at acting.”

No one responded.

Only the wind moved through the courtyard, lifting a few fallen leaves.

They spun briefly in the air, then settled back onto the ground.