She shared this doubt with Fu Jingshu.
Fu Jingshu said lightly, "That's hard to say. The complexity of the human heart is ever-changing, and acting is inevitable."
Shen Qingqing mused.
This made everyone seem suspicious, but would someone like Pei Ji lie to her just to ascend the throne?
She recounted what had happened in the study.
Fu Jingshu pondered for a moment and said, "Let's wait and see. We can't jump to conclusions until the end."
Shen Qingqing felt it made a lot of sense. "Then let's observe a bit longer."
As soon as she finished speaking, there was a knock on the door.
A servant announced, "Miss Shen, a guest has arrived."
"Who?"
"It's Miss Nicole."
Why was she here?
Shen Qingqing was puzzled but nodded. "Please ask her to wait in the conference hall. I'll be there shortly."
"Alright."
After the servant left, she turned and hugged Fu Jingshu.
"I need to go out for a bit."
"What's there to see?" Fu Jingshu was displeased.
Ever since she decided to investigate this matter, she had been busy beyond belief, and they hadn't had a proper conversation in a long time. Yet, the moment they met, she only talked about the case.
He couldn't say anything, as he had to help her analyze it.
Shen Qingqing hugged his neck and tilted her head to kiss his cheek. "Alright, I'll compensate you after this is all over."
Fu Jingshu looked down at her. "Really?"
"Really!"
Fu Jingshu confirmed again. "It's a deal, and you're not allowed to go back on your word."
"I won't."
Just as Shen Qingqing was about to leave, she was pulled back by a strong hand, and a passionate kiss landed on her, leaving her no room to maneuver or escape.
The kiss was lingering.
She was released with a blushing face, her eyes sparkling with allure. "I'm leaving now."
"Mmm."
His voice was also hoarse.
Shen Qingqing turned and left the room. Before entering the reception room, she patted her cheeks to cool down the heat before pushing the door open.
Nicole was sitting in a chair and looked up when she heard the movement. "You're here."
Shen Qingqing nodded slightly and walked over to sit down. She felt Nicole's gaze on her was a bit strange and had a bad premonition.
"You came..."
Before she could finish, Nicole blurted out, "Why is your face so red? And your lips look swollen. Did you eat something spicy?"
The heat on Shen Qingqing's face, which had already subsided, began to rise again.
"Oh! I get it!" Nicole exclaimed as if she had a revelation. "Did you just have a kiss?"
Shen Qingqing couldn't help but say, "Why does a beautiful word like that sound so strange coming from your mouth?"
Nicole pouted. "Do you kiss your husband?"
Shen Qingqing tutted. "Why are you asking so many details?"
"I'm curious," Nicole blinked and propped her chin with her hands. "I've dated several boyfriends, but none of them were Chinese. They were all passionate and unrestrained Koreans. But judging by you, your boyfriend must be quite open-minded!" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Otherwise, he wouldn't have kissed so well!
Shen Qingqing was full of helplessness, but the heat on her face slowly subsided. She realized that Nicole was purely curious here.
"What's the matter this time?"
Nicole's enthusiasm was interrupted, and she glared at her. "What else could it be? I just wanted to talk to you..."
"You want to talk to me?" Shen Qingqing's expression clearly conveyed, "Are we close?"
Nicole stammered, "Okay, I came to apologize."
Shen Qingqing nodded. "It's good you're telling the truth now."
Nicole had never apologized to anyone in her life. She quickly added, "And thank you. My father told me everything when he returned. It was you who cleared his name."
Shen Qingqing leaned back in her chair and nodded slightly. "You're welcome. I was just doing my job."
Compared to Nicole's eagerness, her attitude was rather indifferent, but Nicole didn't mind. She already knew this woman's personality and had come prepared this time.
"First, I want to say thank you, and then I want to say sorry!"
Shen Qingqing watched her calmly.
Being looked at like that, Nicole felt awkward and uncomfortable, with an urge to flee. But since she was here, she couldn't back down!
"I'm sorry!"
She suddenly bent down, appearing deeply repentant.
This posture made Shen Qingqing a little unaccustomed to it. She raised her hand. "Please stand up."
Nicole stood up, but her head was still bowed. "I was shallow and ignorant before, and I mistook you for an enemy. But now I know you're not a bad person. On the contrary, you're a very good person. I really shouldn't have bothered you."
Shen Qingqing found the label of "good person" quite discomfiting.
"You really don't have to say that. I'm not a good person either. I just do what I think is right."
Nicole was astonished. "You're so magnanimous!"
Shen Qingqing rubbed her forehead. "There's no need for such high praise."
"I'm not praising you!" Nicole said earnestly. "I truly admire you. You've let go of past grudges and helped my father clear his name. I'm truly grateful."
Shen Qingqing sighed. "I understand. Is there anything else?"
Nicole added, "I also brought you a gift!"
She picked up a square gift box from the table beside her. Inside lay a purple evening gown. She held the shoulders of the dress and unfurled it.
Instantly, it was like seeing a sky full of stars.
The light purple dress, under the light, exuded a faint glow, looking incredibly beautiful.
Shen Qingqing couldn't help but gasp. "Is this for me?"
Nicole immediately nodded and carefully handed her the dress. "This is my gift of apology. I hope you like it. It's okay if you don't..."
Although she said that, her hands holding the dress were trembling slightly.
She was clearly nervous.
Shen Qingqing didn't reach out for it, and Nicole didn't take it back, holding it out. Shen Qingqing's expression became more and more frozen and awkward.
Finally, Shen Qingqing reached out and took it. "Thank you."
These two words were no less than a pardon. Nicole let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Thank you."
Shen Qingqing, who was looking at the dress, was startled. "Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for accepting the dress."
Shen Qingqing shook her head and placed the dress back in the gift box. "Alright, the thanks have been exchanged. This matter is settled. Don't dwell on it too much."
"Mmm!"
Nicole looked at her, increasingly feeling that she had been narrow-minded and troublesome before.
After Nicole left, Shen Qingqing returned to her room with the dress and told Fu Jingshu about Nicole's visit. Fu Jingshu glanced at the dress indifferently.
"I'll have a custom one made for you tomorrow."
"That might not be a good idea..."
Shen Qingqing looked at the dress. It had been sent, clearly intended for her to wear to the Succession Assembly tomorrow. If she didn't wear it...
"Fine, I'll just wear it for one day."
Fu Jingshu said no more. Generally, once she made a decision, he would always support her.
Soon, the day of the Succession Assembly arrived.