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

Chapter 141 A Blatant Lie

Ying'er's death was completely unexpected for Zhou Qianqian. How could she have drowned so coincidentally? It was obvious that there must be something fishy going on. Could it be that Shen Li had ulterior motives?

"Someone, order someone to leave the palace before the gates are locked and stand guard at the mass grave. Report back first thing tomorrow morning," she commanded.

Unable to enter or leave the palace at night, one can only wait until the next morning to receive news.

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.

Night falls at the Gu residence.

"Husband, it's time to take your medicine." Shen Li placed the prepared medicine on the small table and sat down beside him.

Gu Chang'an frowned almost imperceptibly, but still picked up the medicine bowl without hesitation, held his breath, and gulped it down.

"My husband is so good." Shen Li praised, then opened an oil paper package containing several plump apricots: "These were made last autumn, my husband, please have a taste."

"Mm." Gu Chang'an lowered his head and responded softly when praised.

He felt a little embarrassed by the praise, but Ah Li must have her reasons for saying it that way.

He picked up an apricot with his well-defined knuckles and put it in his mouth, then his expression softened: "Thank you, A-Li, you should try some too."

“I don’t really like sweets.” Shen Li handed him the candied fruit: “I packed some separately so you can carry them with you and eat them anytime.”

She knew Gu Chang'an liked sweets, but he wouldn't ask for them unless someone made them for him.

He has never known how to love himself.

"Did A-Li prepare this especially for me?" Gu Chang'an took the oil paper package, his expression filled with undisguised surprise, his eyes shining brighter than usual.

Shen Li nodded: "If my husband likes it, I will make some every year."

This was her first time trying to do it, and thankfully she did a pretty good job.

"I like her very much. Ah Li is so good to me." Gu Chang'an looked at her with a gaze that was both intense and tender. He couldn't even express his feelings at that moment in words. He just wanted to hold her tight.

Shen Li was almost melted by his gaze. His eyes were truly beautiful, like dark vortexes that could draw people in and make them sink with him.

"Ah Li, can I hug you?" He had already instinctively wrapped his arms around her, but at the last moment before getting close, he still asked the question.

Without saying a word, Shen Li leaned against his chest and closed her eyes; this was the only place where she felt truly at ease.

Gu Chang'an gently held her, as if cherishing a rare treasure.

After washing up and getting into bed, Shen Li suddenly remembered something and looked up from his chest to ask, "Husband, have you noticed that someone is missing from the manor today?"

She forgot to tell him.

"Hmm?" Gu Chang'an slowly opened his eyes, which had been closed, and took Shen Li's question seriously.

"Does your husband know about Ying'er's matter?"

Gu Chang'an looked confused: "What is it?"

"So the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review doesn't have any spies at home after all," Shen Li said, puzzled. "I've taken care of her."

"Is Ah Li going to break off all pretense?" This time it was Gu Chang'an's turn to be surprised.

"Let's see if he has the guts." Seeing his strong reaction, Shen Li added, "I didn't discuss this with my husband. Does he think I was reckless?"

"Losing her is indeed like losing a knife, but since A-Li wants his life, I will naturally have more knives." Gu Chang'an gently patted her back to comfort her, "The death of a girl is nothing, did she anger A-Li?"

"She hit my people, I couldn't stand it." Shen Li felt heartbroken just thinking about that scene.

"Are you calm now?" he asked patiently.

"Hmm." Shen Li seemed to have no reason to be angry anymore; the person was dead, and she couldn't just desecrate his corpse.

“Then she deserves to die.” Gu Chang’an asked again, “Does A-Li need me to do anything to clean up the mess?”

"No need, it's already been thrown out." Shen Li said, still a little embarrassed.

This is quite different from her persona of being weak and unable to take care of herself, and she might easily give herself away.

Hearing her voice weaken, Gu Chang'an smiled and said, "Ah Li acted decisively; I am ashamed of my own inferiority."

"Fine, laugh at me." Shen Li raised an eyebrow, pressed his shoulder, and kissed him.

"Um... Ah Li... I know I was wrong... Stop it."

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.

The next day at noon, Li Heng returned from the imperial court for lunch. As soon as he entered, he saw Zhou Qianqian sitting at the table. His already unpleasant expression turned even colder: "What are you doing here?"

He's been in a bad mood these past few days. The Lin family's great victory already made it difficult for him to marry Lin Wan'er, but with Zhou Zhen and Shen Zizai's commotion, his chances are practically over.

The thought of Lin Wan'er and the power behind her made Li Heng grit his teeth in hatred.

Shen Zizai was one thing, after all, he was a bookish, rigid thinker, but Zhou Zhen was clearly a seasoned veteran in officialdom, adept at weighing pros and cons, and this time he was obviously deliberately making trouble for him.

"Your Highness, please don't be angry. I have something important to tell you." Seeing that he was unhappy, Zhou Qianqian didn't talk about anything else and went straight to the point: "Yesterday, a letter came from the Gu family saying that Ying'er had drowned in an accident."

"What?" Li Heng was indeed too busy to argue with Zhou Qianqian.

Shen Li and Gu Chang'an were both his capable subordinates. Although Ying'er was just a palace maid, she was very useful in keeping an eye on them.

How could someone die so suddenly?

"Have you investigated what happened? I don't believe a young girl would drown for no reason." His face darkened.

The first thought that popped into my head was that Shen Li had betrayed me.

This was something he couldn't accept, either emotionally or professionally.

"I sent people to the mass grave to collect the body. The people I sent had a coroner examine the body, and he said that the person did not drown, but was strangled to death," Zhou Qianqian said.

"Strangled to death?" Li Heng exclaimed in surprise. "You mean the person was strangled to death and then thrown into the water to make it look like they drowned?"

“No…” Zhou Qianqian herself found it hard to believe: “I didn’t throw him into the water, but I’m telling you the truth, he drowned.”

Li Heng thought for a moment before saying, "You mean she told you someone died and asked you to collect the body, saying it was drowning?"

"Yes." Zhou Qianqian replied, "I don't know what she means either. Isn't it obvious that she'll be exposed? If she wants to kill Ying'er, she can just drown her. Wouldn't that save her trouble?"

“This is a provocation. She wants to let me know that she is dissatisfied with me,” Li Heng said after thinking for a long time.

Zhou Qianqian didn't think this was a discovery, because anyone with eyes could see that Shen Li wouldn't kill someone to relieve boredom when she was in a good mood; she would only do it when she was dissatisfied.

“It’s very likely that Ying’er was exposed, or perhaps my recent actions against Shen Zizai angered her.” Li Heng continued, “She’s openly telling me that she killed the person, and that she did it honestly and openly.”

"Is she trying to make an enemy of His Highness?"

“If she truly intended to be an enemy, she should have done as you said, drowned the person and then sent them back.” Li Heng shook his head slightly and said, “That way, even if you and I have some suspicions, we can’t do anything about it.”

“But her frankness shows that she is just being emotional.” Li Heng thought for a moment and said, “We can’t deal with Shen Zizai anymore, and we must do our best to win over Shen Li. We can’t send anyone to monitor her anymore.”