Chapter 153: Chapter 153: They are From Different Worlds
Zhou Anran’s mind turned completely blank. A moment later, upon realizing she was staring at him foolishly, she immediately retracted her gaze.
Since he was the Emperor, it would be offensive for her to keep staring at him. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, and she felt utterly at a loss.
It all seemed to make sense now...
The current Yuan Dynasty’s imperial family was surnamed Xiao.
Zhou Anran’s heart instantly felt as if something was squeezing it ruthlessly, extremely painful. Now, she was sure that the man in front of her was her husband, Xiao Wei.
Unexpectedly, he had such an identity.
It was also no wonder that he suddenly disappeared and never returned again. Subconsciously, she bit her lip until it was bleeding.
With such a status, a simple village woman like her wouldn’t suit his high status. And as for her children...
She inwardly shook her head frantically. Now, it no longer mattered whether Xiao Wei had lost his memory of their small family. With his high status, he wouldn’t lack women and children in the future.
Her heart felt like it was dripping with blood, but she forced herself to maintain a calm expression outwardly.
She didn’t want to be with a man who will have a thousand women in his harem nor she wanted her children to be constrained by the complicated life in the palace.
After the guards subdued the hysterical Sun Daniu who kept on cursing at the servant girl and Zhou Anran, they brought him away.
Zhou Anran made a decision in an instant. She had to pretend she didn’t know him. The one she married was that honest and kind Xiao Wei, not the Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty.
She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn’t notice it when he walked closer to her.
"Lady, how are you feeling?" His voice was neutral. His eyes held a hint of pity, but not an ounce of recognition in his gaze.
Zhou Anran gripped her garment tightly, slightly disappointed, but the feeling of relief immediately washed over her.
"I am sorry, we have frightened you. We will compensate for it." He continued. "I would like to invite you for a talk if it’s alright with you."
She lowered her head, pursing her lips. So... they were using her as bait to capture Sun Daniu, huh?
Hundred thoughts coursed through her mind. She lifted her head. Her pale and bloodless face made Xiao Yuanwei’s heart clench slightly. He frowned in displeasure.
Zhou Anran thought that the man was unhappy, so she immediately nodded. "This subject obeys Your Majesty’s command."
He was taken aback, and then realized that some of his guards had made a slip of tongue earlier. Alas, the words can’t be taken back. He already saw the hint of fear and wariness in the woman’s eyes.
"Let’s go," he said, not bothering to explain the unnecessary, keeping it in mind that he should remind the guards next time.
The servants supported Zhou Anran’s hands, and then led her to follow after Xiao Yuanwei.
On the way, Zhou Anran already considered all the countermeasures. Since he lived in the back mountain, the Hejia Village now didn’t seem that far anymore.
She might have to bring her kids to stay in the county...
Considering that Zhou Shiming also has been planning to harm her family, if she stayed longer in Hejia Village, who knows it might be Chen Huayun and Liu Hua plotting something against them next?
Not long after, they arrived in a courtyard.
"Please sit," Xiao Yuanwei told her, gesturing to the seat opposite of him.
Zhou Anran bit her lip, finding his actions increasingly familiar. Despite his noble identity, he didn’t put any airs at all.
She nodded, and then sat down stiffly. He also seemed to notice that she was uncomfortable, so he dismissed most of the servants and guards away.
The servants scattered away after they delivered the refreshment on the table.
"Your Majesty, what do you need this subject for?" She asked politely.
Xiao Yuanwei poured a cup of tea and shoved it in her direction. She only nodded and acknowledged his action with a small thanks but didn’t immediately take the cup.
The man was silent for a moment. "This county is full of human traffickers. The one we captured earlier is one of them. Thanks to you, we managed to catch him."
"I will offer you compensation for putting you in danger. State what you want." He told her straightforwardly.
Zhou Anran was momentarily taken aback, and her hands clenched tightly on her sides.
That tone, and the arrogance of the number one person under the heavens...
She took a deep breath, reminding herself that the person in front of her wasn’t her husband. Xiao Wei had been missing for almost four years.
He was the Emperor, so it was natural for someone like him to say such an arrogant thing... because he was capable of it too.
"This subject... this subject doesn’t want anything." She found her hands trembling slightly. That’s why she hadn’t dared to take the cup of tea, afraid it might spill on the table and embarrassed herself.
Xiao Yuanwei frowned slightly. He had noticed this woman’s oddity since the first time she laid eyes on him.
"Lady, may I know your name?" He found himself asking before he could control his own mouth.
Both of them were taken aback by the question.
"T-this subject’s name?" Zhou Anran stuttered slightly. She swallowed, hoping to get rid of all of the unease.
He nodded. Since he had said the words, it wouldn’t hurt to know, anyway. He was hoping the woman wouldn’t misunderstand his intention or it would have been troublesome.
However, he found out that he was overthinking it.
She wasn’t eager to tell him her name. Zhou Anran’s eyes flashed briefly with a hint of hesitation—he noticed it.
"This subject’s name is Zhou An..." She took a deep breath after she said that, hoping the name wouldn’t trigger his memory. She deliberately deleted the name he often used to call her as a nickname.
Xiao Yuanwei couldn’t understand the sense of loss welling up in his heart.
This woman didn’t seem to like his presence at all. His suspicion and puzzled feeling deepened.
"Mrs. Zhou, have we met before?" He asked.
Zhou Anran’s pupils constricted, and she shook her head again. She forced a smile. "This humble subject has never seen His Majesty before. I have been staying in this county my whole life."
Xiao Yuanwei’s frown deepened. A sudden piercing pain in his head nearly made him hiss in pain, but he held back.
His expression remained neutral as he told her. "We will still compensate you for the fright you have suffered today, Mrs. Zhou."
He waved his hand and got up from his seat. A few servants immediately flocked to the place. He said something to a few guards and servants before walking away.
Zhou Anran bit her lip, watching as the figure gradually disappeared from her sight. It was as if she was watching her husband for the last time.
Because... after this, they shouldn’t have any reason to meet each other again.
"Mrs. Zhou, we will escort you back to your room. Our Master has prepared the compensation for you." A guard opened his mouth.
The familiar servant girl also immediately grabbed Zhou Anran’s hand gently. "Let me support you, Lady."
Zhou Anran’s heart couldn’t help but soften when she saw her. She let the girl guide her back to her room.
Upon arriving inside, the servant girl immediately apologized, her face filled with guilt. "Lady, I am sorry for what happened... I-I didn’t know that there was such an audacious servant here. Now, she has been punished."
"It’s not your fault," Zhou Anran said. "What’s your name?"
"This servant’s name is Qingzhu..." she muttered.
Zhou Anran nodded, remembering her name although they most likely wouldn’t meet again.
It didn’t matter whether she and her husband were destined to have rocky paths of marriage as the female lead and male lead of a story in her youngest daughter’s storybooks.
In her subconscious mind, it was already planted with a resolve she wouldn’t share a husband with other women.
"Oh right, our Master also has arranged for a group of guards to help you find your children, Lady!" Qingzhu informed excitedly.
Zhou Anran breathed a sigh of relief. "When can we set off?"
Qingzhu immediately stood up straight. "Let me ask them."
In the silent room, Zhou Anran gathered her thoughts. She stared at the room, where each item looked more expensive than her own house.
She gradually walked out after taking her clothes with her. The servants had washed it.
Then, she turned to the direction of Xiao Yuanwei’s courtyard.
Not long after, a group of people appeared. Some were familiar faces, making her heart twitch. Besides Han Tingxun, there was also a familiar woman...
