Chapter 257: Something Isn’t Right!

Chapter 257: Something Isn't Right!

In fact, Tang Shuyi had felt something was off the first time she received a letter from Xiao Huai. With her memories of a past life, she knew that Xiao Huai had been genuinely devoted to his original self, and the couple’s relationship could be described as exceedingly close.

Xiao Huai was often away from home, but whenever he returned, as long as he was at the mansion, he would be inseparably close to his original self, even conducting his work from the study in Shi'an Garden. The study in the front yard was seldom used by him.

Such a clingy couple wouldn't have been cold in correspondence; this was especially true for the first letter after being 'dead' for three years.

Moreover, in both the first letter and the subsequent ones, Xiao Huai addressed her as "Madam," a formal and distant title rather than a personal name or term of endearment. He referred to himself as "I," not "your husband," and signed off simply with his name, Xiao Huai.

Their meeting today was even more unsettling. Seeing her and Yuzhu, Xiao Huai showed no excitement, rather a hint of nervousness, which was illogical. A couple reunited after death and over four years apart would be expected to show overwhelming emotion, or at least some physical contact, but they maintained a distance of at least two feet at all times.

After sensing something was off with Xiao Huai, she didn’t try to keep her distance on purpose, yet it seemed that Xiao Huai was intentionally keeping away from her.

Why?

Had Xiao Huai's affections shifted elsewhere?

Four years ago, he was injured and saved by a woman, with whom he developed feelings over time. Xiao Huai is considering a divorce? Tang Shuyi's mind raced with dramatic scenarios, reminiscent of soap operas and novels from a previous life.

Actually, it might be quite good if Xiao Huai's affections had shifted. They could amicably go their separate ways, each finding their own peace. That would allow her to live a carefree life. However, if Xiao Huai intended to divorce her, he could forget it. With her, there would only be a separation or she would be the one to initiate the divorce.

With her mind a clutter of thoughts, Tang Shuyi ordered the kitchen to prepare the favorite dishes of Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming. As for Xiao Huai, a man accustomed to the battlefield, he surely could eat anything.

………

Xiao Huai's study was accompanied by a separate courtyard. After all, as a commander controlling troops, the study was a critical place. Even though he didn't spend much time there, the security was always tight whenever he returned to the estate.

He followed the servant into the courtyard and, after a brief survey of the layout, had a rough idea of where the study was located. However, the clever servant led the way to a room in the east wing, pushed open the door, and said, "My Lord, please rest here. Your bath should be ready shortly."

Xiao Huai hummed in acknowledgement, then gestured for the servant to leave. The servant bowed respectfully and exited. Standing in the center of the room, Xiao Huai glanced at the sparse furnishings and zoned out for a moment before slouching into a chair to rest with his eyes closed.

Something was definitely off about the lady of the "Xiao Huai" household.

He had heard early on about the harmonious marriage of the Marquis and Marchioness of Yongning, akin to a pair of celestial beings. He had once witnessed Xiao Huai going out of his way to pick up his wife from a banquet, their every move radiating affection.

But today, this lady seemed like a different person entirely, her gaze as indifferent as towards a stranger, not to mention affection—she even appeared to be somewhat guarded around him.

Puzzled, deeply puzzled indeed!

Yes, he was not the real Xiao Huai; he was Prince Li Chengyun.

Four years ago, upon hearing of the beautiful scenery of Mount Wuyun in Liangzhou, he took people with him to visit. Unexpectedly, he was ambushed upon arriving at the mountain and was pushed off the cliff to his death. At the moment of his last breath, his soul drifted out of his body.

Then, he watched as those who ambushed him found his body at the bottom of the cliff and dismembered it piece by piece, throwing the remains into the river.

He knew that the current Emperor, Li Chengyi, had long wanted him dead, but he had not anticipated such a twisted execution of his demise.

Of course, he felt hatred, but he also found it ludicrous, especially his own naivety. He never wanted the burdensome throne, deliberately staying away from court affairs and even refraining from marriage and having children, just to alleviate Li Chengyi's suspicions. He wanted Li Chengyi to be the emperor while he enjoyed his own life.

Looking back, he realized how naive and foolish he had been.

With a selfish and petty-minded person like Li Chengyi, how could he not strike down someone he perceived as a threat, regardless of how uninterested in the throne he seemed?

Perhaps heaven itself did not want to let Li Chengyi off easy. After witnessing his body being dismembered, a strong force whisked him away, and upon waking, he found himself in the body of Xiao Huai. But without Xiao Huai's memories, he couldn't contact the Northwestern army or Xiao Huai's family in the capital.

Coincidentally, at that time, he was captured by the state of Rouli and conscripted into the army, starting his undercover life. He managed to return to the capital once, meeting his birth mother and informing her about becoming Xiao Huai.

His mother held him and wept for a long time before saying, "We should be grateful to Marquis Yongning and to heaven. Without heaven and the Marquis, you could not have come back to life."

Of course, he was thankful to Xiao Huai. Now that he had taken Xiao Huai's place, he would shoulder the responsibilities that Xiao Huai was supposed to bear.

During that return to the capital, aside from his mother, he met with no one else. His cover would surely have been blown if he encountered any of Xiao Huai's acquaintances. With his mother's help, he obtained Xiao Huai's manuscripts and began practicing his handwriting upon his return.

It's normal for a person's character and habits to change over three to four years, but handwriting is more immutable. He had to make Xiao Huai's handwriting his own.

Thus, a year later, his handwriting was indistinguishable from Xiao Huai's. When a good opportunity arose, he returned to the Northwestern Army. Xiao Huai's prestige in the Northwest was indeed exceptional. Upon his arrival, he swiftly gained control of the army with little effort.

With the defense plans and military secrets of the Roully Kingdom in his hands, the campaign against Roully was effortless. Thus, the war was brief. As soon as it ended, he led his troops back to the capital because there lay his mother, Xiao Huai's family, and his enemies.

The only troublesome matter was how to face Xiao Huai's wife.

Xiao Huai's three children, he could treat as his own, guiding and supporting them, raising them to be talented. But how to face Xiao Huai's wife? He could not possibly treat her as his own.

Moreover, from what he observed now, this wife seemed different from the rumors, her feelings for Xiao Huai seemingly altered.

Truly a difficult predicament!

A knock, "knock, knock, knock," sounded at the door. Xiao Huai straightened up and uttered a faint "come in," after which the door opened, revealing a servant bowing at the threshold, "My lord, your bath is ready."

Xiao Huai stood and followed the servant to the bathhouse. He undressed and stepped into the tub, enveloping his body in warm water, and he sighed in comfort.

At this moment, the voices of a young servant and a maid drifted in from outside:

Servant: "Are the clothes for the lord prepared?"

Maid: "They are ready. The lady had many of the lord's clothes placed here beforehand."

………

Xiao Huai, soaking in the tub, pursed his lips—his wife seemed intent on having him stay in the study!

PS: I have mentioned before that the reason for introducing a male lead was to perfect the protagonist's life. Now to clarify why the male lead is the carefree King Li Chengyun as Xiao Huai and not Xiao Huai himself. I am aware that some readers have abandoned the book because the male lead isn't Xiao Huai.

My rationale for this setup is, firstly, the original Tang Shuyi is neither a scoundrel nor a bad person, and Xiao Huai's feelings for her are sincere, with mutual love between them. In this context, how should the female lead take over the original's man?

If the female lead continues to impersonate the original and stays with Xiao Huai, it would be unfair to her. If Xiao Huai falls in love with the female lead, what does that make of the original's feelings? Hence, my setting is that Xiao Huai has been body-swapped, no longer the original person. Then, the two fall in love and eventually come together.

As for the original Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai, they will have their own spin-off. You tell me, do you want to see their spin-off early or wait until the end?