Chapter 174 Li Nanke, don't let me down!

A great Confucian scholar who repeatedly refused the emperor's request followed Li Nanke to the Marquis's residence!

Does this mean that the Marquis of Anping's residence had more prestige than the emperor?

Li Nanke's heart trembled, and her face turned a little pale.

Nene explained, "I didn't know he was Zhou Daru. I just saw him trying to kill himself and wanted to save him."

Shen Cong raised an eyebrow, a soft chuckle escaping his throat.

"You're scared already? Tsk tsk, why weren't you scared when we were bringing people back? Alright, my brother isn't that kind of narrow-minded person."

Li Nanke's eyes widened in surprise.

"You... Oh, so you were just trying to scare me with what you said earlier?"

Shen Cong's smile faded slightly, and he gave a soft hum.

"Intentionally? I'm teaching you not to be kind indiscriminately, and not to bring just anyone home, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."

Li Nanke puffed out his cheeks, recalling the time he had done a good deed by saving Princess Zhaoning, only to be abandoned in the woods by her.

Surprisingly, he didn't refute Shen Cong.

She rested her chin on her hand, her round eyes scrutinizing Chen Cong.

"Does Your Highness really believe that His Majesty is so magnanimous that he wouldn't care about such a thing?"

"Of course, Your Majesty has always been kind and benevolent. If you were truly petty, you and your mother would have been punished when you pretended to be stupid and hide your ignorance last time."

Besides, the Imperial City Guard has spies all over the country. Do you really think my brother doesn't know Zhou Huai'an's whereabouts?

However, seeing that he had suffered a major setback and was determined to die, they simply gave up the opportunity to make him the princess's tutor.

Li Nanke: "So His Majesty must already know that I brought the great scholar Zhou back to the Marquis's residence?"

Shen Cong nodded.

"The Imperial City Guard's spies compiled news daily. Urgent news was immediately sent to the palace, while general news was compiled the following day and written into a report by the commander before being sent in."

Even if my elder brother doesn't know, he'll find out by tomorrow morning at the latest.

Li Nanke breathed a sigh of relief. "Did Your Highness also learn about this from the Imperial City Guard?"

Shen Cong shook his head and glanced at Er Feng.

Erfeng immediately recounted how he had sent people to keep an eye on Marquis Anping.

"...I only discovered that the young lady had brought the great scholar Zhou back to the manor while I was keeping an eye on Marquis Anping."

Li Nanke was extremely shocked.

She was not shocked that Shen Cong had sent people to follow Marquis Anping, but rather surprised that he had not hidden this matter from her.

"Your Highness...why are you telling me all this?"

Shen Cong gave her a deep look. "Why do you think so?"

Li Nanke blinked and spread her little hands.

"If I could figure it out myself, I wouldn't be asking the prince."

Shen Cong seemed amused by her appearance, a smile spreading across his pale face.

"For no other reason than to see what else you can bring to me?"

Li Nanke's eyes darted around, and she gave him a sweet smile.

"Does Your Highness mean that I will be considered your partner from now on?"

"Partners?"

"Yes, Your Highness, look, I helped you earn money during the downpour, and you also helped my mother and me get rewards from our families."

I helped the prince find a way to alleviate the blood curse, and the prince also saved my father's and my lives one after the other.

"Can't we be considered partners?"

Li Nanke looked at him with a smile.

The little girl's eyes were clear and bright, like the stars in the sky.

Shen Cong unconsciously curled his lips, lowered his eyes, picked up a piece of camphor incense, opened the incense burner, and threw it in.

A gentle, cool fragrance slowly rose, and his hand unconsciously wandered over the incense burner before he looked up at Li Nanke.

"To be my partner, you..."

"I know Your Highness is probably thinking that I'm not qualified enough, right?"

Li Nanke pouted and interrupted him.

"But I will not give up. I will definitely make the prince personally approve of me."

The little girl clenched her fists, looking determined not to give up.

Shen Cong swallowed the words "You're probably going to suffer" that were on the tip of his tongue, and gave a soft chuckle.

"I'll be watching!"

"Li Nanke, don't let me down!"

"Your Highness, you'd better open your eyes wide and take a good look."

Li Nanke's eyebrows curved into a smile, and she smiled very happily.

If she wants to change the fate of her whole family and fight against Song Hui, this reborn woman, relying solely on the Hou family's own strength is too weak; she must have a powerful backer.

Especially since they had an unreliable grandfather like Marquis Anping!

Thinking of Marquis Anping, Li Nanke said, "Since Your Highness has sent people to keep an eye on my grandfather, could you please let me know if there is any news?"

Shen Cong did not refuse and glanced at Er Feng.

Erfeng immediately said, "Don't worry, Miss Ke'er, I will have someone notify you as soon as I have any news."

"Oh, and there's something else I need to tell you, young lady. If all goes as expected, His Majesty's decree to select study companions for the two princesses should be issued in the next couple of days."

Li Nanke frowned.

"It seems I need to prepare myself properly."

Shen Cong was somewhat surprised. "What? You've changed your mind and want to become Zhao Ning's study companion?"

Li Nanke made a face.

"I don't want to be her study companion. But I was exposed when I pretended to be stupid in front of His Majesty last time. If I pretend again when I enter the palace for the selection, it will really be considered deceiving the emperor."

She rested her chin on her hand and sighed like a little adult.

"I'm wondering if there's any way I can behave normally without being chosen as a study companion?"

"Oh? Have you thought of a good idea?"

Li Nanke's face was wrinkled.

"No, never mind, there's still time, I'll think about it slowly."

"By the way, about the kerosene by the Bian River that I mentioned to Your Highness last time, has Your Highness sent anyone to investigate?"

Shen Cong nodded.

"We've already sent people to investigate, but it will take a little more time."

As they were talking, Gui Liu came in from outside, carrying two small glass bottles in his hands.

Upon entering, he handed the medicine bottle to Li Nanke.

"Here, this red pill is for your grandmother to take care of her health. She should take one pill each morning and evening."

The black pills are for your father. He should take them three times a day, morning, noon, and night. It will take three months to see results.

Li Nanke was both surprised and delighted, and quickly thanked him.

"I didn't expect you to prepare the antidote so quickly, sir."

Gui Liu said, "I'm about to set off for Miao territory, so, little girl, I'm entrusting the prince's health to you."

Li Nanke pointed to the tip of her nose, looking completely bewildered.

"Entrust it to me? I... I'm not a doctor, I'm afraid I can't."

Gui Liu looked serious.

"Only you, me, Erfeng, and the Prince know about the Blood Curse. Among the four of us, you are the only one who can be said to understand the Blood Curse."

"If I don't entrust it to you, am I supposed to rely on Erfeng?"

Li Nanke glanced at Erfeng.

The second wind shook its head like a rattle drum.

"Don't look at me, I can't do it!"

Li Nanke pursed her lips. "Alright then."

Gui Liu beamed and immediately pulled out two notebooks from his pocket, stuffing them into Li Nanke's hands without a word.

"Good girl, I knew you could do it. This is a notebook I wrote over decades of medical practice, containing common ailments and their treatments."

This is a notebook I wrote over the years while taking care of the prince. It contains my notes on the prince's symptoms and medications when he fell ill.

Take a good look at this, I'll go back and pack my things now.

After saying that, Gui Liu jumped up, his messy, unkempt hair standing up, and disappeared in an instant.

Li Nanke opened the journal and glanced at it; her face immediately changed!