Chapter 8 Regent Chu Jichen

Shen Qingci stopped and then clearly saw the person in the wheelchair in front of her.

wheelchair……

And this face, so handsome it's almost demonic.

There is only one person in the world who fits both of these characteristics.

Yes... Regent Chu Jichen.

How did he end up here?

The thought had barely crossed her mind when she quickly realized that this was the Shen family's property that had been seized! And in the dead of night!

The only reason Chu Jichen would be here is...

"Is Your Highness following me?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Jichen's cool gaze fell on her. He lifted his eyelids, spoke indifferently, and said in a slightly hoarse voice: "I wasn't following you. It was the Yongning Marquis's residence. There are my people there."

Shen Qingci's heart skipped a beat!

Does the Marquis of Yongning have his people in his residence?

Is this something that can be said without any reservations?

The rumors that Regent Chu Jichen was ruthless, decisive, and arrogant were indeed true.

Chu Jichen pursed his thin lips slightly: "Tomorrow is the day of Huo Yunzhan's funeral. They saw you leave the mansion late at night and head straight for the Shen family, so they thought you were having second thoughts."

Shen Qingci was stunned, but quickly figured out the cause and effect.

After all, the fact that she had attempted suicide twice during the two months that Huo Yunzhan had faked his death was already common knowledge throughout the city.

Everyone praised her for her deep affection and loyalty to Huo Yunzhan!

But during the day, she was so desperate for Huo Yunzhan that she suddenly agreed to marry him.

And coincidentally, tomorrow is Huo Yunzhan's funeral day. She suddenly left the mansion that night and went straight to the Shen family, which had been sealed off for more than half a year.

All these abnormal signs, as observed by Chu Jichen's spies in the Marquis's mansion, indeed made it seem as if she had lost all hope and cared nothing more than to return to the Shen mansion and quietly seek death.

This misunderstanding... could be quite serious.

Shen Qingci took a deep breath: "I have no intention of dying!"

Chu Jichen nodded: "I've discovered it."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "You're here to wait for Huo Yunting."

Shen Qingci was taken aback. Chu Jichen's words sounded like they had a deeper meaning.

Is she overthinking it?

"I did come to wait for him." As soon as Shen Qingci finished speaking, she saw Chu Jichen's eyes suddenly darken. That didn't seem quite right either.

"I suspect the Huo family is involved in the accusation of treason against my father, so during the day, I deliberately went to Huo Yun..."

Shen Qingci paused slightly: "In front of Huo Yunting, mentioning the Shen family might provide some evidence that my father had previously investigated."

“I came here specifically to see if he would come to the Shen residence to search for me.”

"He really came!"

Seeing that Chu Jichen's expression had softened, Shen Qingci was worried that he would misunderstand again, so she quickly explained, "Since I have agreed to marry you, I will definitely keep my promise."

Chu Jichen nodded: "That's good."

"Are you investigating the Shen family's affairs?"

"Yes." Since Chu Jichen had already seen it, she had no reason to hide it.

Chu Jichen looked up towards the direction of the study in Qingsong Courtyard: "I've been investigating that matter for the past six months, and there has been some progress."

Shen Qingci was stunned, somewhat incredulous: "Really?"

“Of course it’s true.” Chu Jichen lowered his eyes: “I can give you all the clues I’ve found, but… it has to be forty days from now, when you marry me!”

Seeing Shen Qingci's surprised and confused expression, Chu Jichen said calmly, "If you want to get the clues, then live well and wait to marry me."

Shen Qingci was taken aback. Was this person still worried that she might do something rash?

Can……

Although Chu Jichen was disabled and unable to have sexual intercourse.

But he was a powerful regent with an unparalleled face, and if he wanted to, there would certainly be women willing to marry him and go through fire and water for him.

But why did he choose her, a widow who had been married and pregnant?

They even sent people to keep an eye on her, suspecting she was suicidal, and personally came to the Shen residence to check on her...

Shen Qingci was somewhat confused. She was certain that she and Chu Jichen had never crossed paths before.

Shen Qingci had too many questions in her mind and was about to ask when Chu Jichen raised his head and glanced towards the main courtyard: "I had my men put a cat in the courtyard when I took you away."

"But... if Huo Yunting was brought here by you, he is very likely to become suspicious."

"I advise you to go back to the Yongning Marquis's residence first."

“Okay.” Shen Qingci agreed, not in a hurry. Since she had already chosen to marry Chu Jichen forty days later, she would have enough time to figure everything out.

Including the regent standing before us, who seems to be carrying countless secrets!

Shen Qingci left in a hurry. After watching her figure disappear, a shadow guard emerged from the corner: "Why doesn't Your Highness personally escort Miss Shen back to the Yongning Marquis's residence? This is a... perfect opportunity."

Chu Jichen pursed his lips, his eyes swirling with emotion: "No rush."

He spoke in a low voice, as if talking to himself: "And she has just been through all that, I'm afraid that if I act too eager, I'll frighten her."

He would go crazy if the person he had finally waited for was scared away again, or if he missed his chance.

He maneuvered his wheelchair around: "Besides, I have more important things to do."

The guards quickly stepped forward and pushed Chu Jichen's wheelchair in: "What more important matter does Your Highness need to attend to?"

"Enter the palace!" Chu Jichen's eyes were deep and cold. "I will personally write an imperial decree to bestow marriage upon her! Give it to her!"

Although the marriage was rushed, he was determined to marry her, and he had to provide her with everything she deserved! He absolutely could not let her suffer any injustice!

Moreover, his informant, whom he had planted in the Yongning Marquis's residence, reported that Shen Qingci had gone to the old woman a few days ago to say that she wanted to leave the residence, but was refused.

Marquis Yongning wouldn't let her go either!

If there were such an imperial decree bestowing marriage upon them, Shen Qingci could leave whenever she wanted!

He wanted to see who could stop her! Who dared to stop her!

The guard was taken aback, somewhat astonished: "Now? Your Highness, wouldn't you like to check what time it is?"

Chu Jichen sneered: "Does entering the palace require writing an imperial edict and checking the time?"

The guards lowered their heads and dared not speak. They quickly pushed Chu Jichen away from the Shen residence, found a secluded place, got into a carriage, and headed straight for the palace!

Upon entering the palace, Chu Jichen went directly to the Imperial Study, took down a bright yellow imperial edict from the bookshelf, and began to write.

Just as the imperial edict was about to be finished, a palace eunuch's hurried greeting came from outside the imperial study: "Long live Your Majesty..."

Immediately, a figure in bright yellow rushed in—it was Emperor Yongming of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

Emperor Yongming had probably arrived in a hurry; his dragon robe was not yet fastened, and his hair was disheveled: "Uncle, why have you entered the palace in the middle of the night? Uncle, what are you doing here...?"

Chu Jichen lifted his eyelids slightly and casually put down his pen: "Writing an imperial edict, can't you tell?"

He picked up the imperial seal beside him, stamped it on the imperial edict, then rolled it up and put it into his sleeve pocket.

Emperor Yongming's forehead veins throbbed, and he took a deep breath: "What imperial edict did my uncle write?"

"Imperial decree of marriage." Chu Jichen narrowed his eyes: "I wish to get married, is that not allowed?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongming's anxiety eased slightly, and a sense of curiosity arose in his heart: "So it's an imperial decree of marriage. Who has taken a fancy to, Uncle? That you're so concerned about him that you had to come in the middle of the night to issue the decree?"

"It's a secret. You'll find out when I get married." After saying that, Chu Jichen drove his wheelchair away from the imperial study.

Watching the figure in the wheelchair walk away into the distance, Emperor Yongming angrily walked to his desk and swept everything on it to the ground: "Chu Jichen! I really want to... kill him!"

The eunuch beside him hurriedly closed the door to the imperial study: "Your Majesty! You mustn't speak carelessly! Be careful, the walls may have ears!"

Emperor Yongming took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and thought, "The regent has all the power. What a pathetic emperor I am!"

Sooner or later, he will tear this sinister cripple to pieces!

Emperor Yongming gritted his teeth and slammed his hand on the table: "Summon Consort Liu and Consort Wang to the Taiji Hall to serve me in bed together!"

He was dragged out of bed in the middle of the night and was furious with the regent. He needed to vent his anger on someone!

The eunuch acknowledged the order, bowed his head, and hurriedly left the imperial study to issue the summons. No one saw the fleeting contempt in his eyes.