As Shen Zhiyi left the library with Zhou Xuance, she saw her elder brother looking for her. She hurriedly ran over and called out, "Brother!"

"Where did you go?"

"Miss Shen has been reading in my library for a while," Zhou Xuance explained. "It's getting late; it's time for dinner."

The Shen siblings walked behind him, and Shen Jingchuan said in a low voice, "You don't look well."

"Is there?"

"Did he make things difficult for you?"

"No, it's probably just that the library is too stuffy and hot."

It was early summer, and as we passed the lotus pond at the Prince's Mansion, lotus leaves were already floating on the water. The water was so clear that koi carp could be seen playing. Every step revealed a new scene, a design reminiscent of the gardens of Jiangnan, which was quite unique.

The regent has good taste, but...

He's rather vicious.

She hadn't harmed him, yet she poisoned herself.

Thinking about it, it's understandable. Given his reputation, it's already merciful that she didn't arrest, interrogate, torture, or force him to confess after she had spied on his military affairs.

Since there were only three of them, they ate at a round table. Zhou Xuance directly poured wine for the two of them from the wine pot, saying, "This wine is made from green plums picked in early summer. Young Master and Miss Shen, please have a taste?"

The Shen siblings were flattered and overwhelmed.

The Regent Prince is the Emperor's younger brother. He has been eccentric since childhood. The fact that the Regent Prince personally poured wine for him is a privilege that few people in the entire country would receive.

"Your Highness..." Shen Jingchuan wanted to refuse, "I'll do it myself."

“You are my savior, you deserve this cup of wine.”

Shen Jingchuan was also helpless.

Shen Zhiyi had flirted with Xiao Zhongxuan while drunk last time, and was worried about making a fool of herself by drinking too much, so she didn't want to drink. But the cup in front of her was poured by the Regent himself.

She dared not refuse the gift from her superior.

All I could do was pick up my glass and drink the wine.

The wine is clear and bright in color. The green plums neutralize the spiciness of the wine, making it more sweet and sour on the palate.

"If it weren't for the young master's rescue during this trip to western Sichuan, I'm afraid I wouldn't have made it back to the capital alive." Zhou Xuance stroked his wine cup.

"Your Highness is too kind. It's all because Your Highness is blessed with good fortune and a long life." Shen Jingchuan was extremely respectful and humble.

"Young Master, there's no need for you to be modest. I'll toast you again with this cup of wine."

...

Shen Jingchuan clearly sensed that the Regent's attitude towards him was somewhat unusual.

Although the two had no personal relationship, as military commanders, they inevitably came into contact. He was arrogant, unconventional, and had a high opinion of himself, so he never gave people a friendly look.

He was the one who started the conversation at today's meal.

seem……

Intending to get closer.

As Shen Jingchuan drank his wine, he thought to himself:

Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of ulterior motives or theft!

But the Regent Prince is at the height of his power and immensely wealthy. What could one possibly want from him or the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?

Is it simply because they share similar interests and feel they met too late?

Kong Qing stood to one side, her face full of helplessness:

My good prince

Your attempt to curry favor is rather obvious.

In the past, you looked down on this young master of the Shen family because Shen Jingchuan also became famous at a young age, and the two of them joined the army, so naturally people would compare them.

"Why did Heaven create both Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang?" Whenever his prince heard this, he would chuckle and say, "Shen Jingchuan? Nothing special."

And what was the result?

Slap in the face.

Now they praise him as a born general, exceptionally brave and valiant.

It's true that times have changed.

Don't you feel any pain in your face?

When has his prince ever treated anyone like this? Kong Qing looked Shen Zhiyi up and down. She wasn't exceptionally beautiful, but she had a good temperament. There were so many young ladies like her, and he had never seen the prince fall for any of them.

Why is Miss Shen treated so differently?

Could it be that his family's prince...

Do you like married women?

Do you like this sneaky feeling?

The saying goes, "A wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as a stolen one." Does this saying also apply to my own prince?

Kong Qing thought of this and suddenly shivered.

Zhou Xuance was trying to curry favor, and Shen Jingchuan didn't want to offend him, so he drank a few more cups. Shen Zhiyi also drank quite a bit, and she was secretly observing the regent.

No dish should be eaten more than five times.

After a meal, I still didn't know whether he preferred spicy, sweet, or sour flavors.

It was truly watertight.

He kept pouring them drinks, but he barely drank any; he was truly cunning.

After finishing their meal, Zhou Xuance said frankly, "It's getting late, and the Prince's residence is in a remote location. Why don't you and Miss Shen stay overnight at the Prince's residence?"

"I have already troubled Your Highness for a long time today, and I dare not stay any longer." Shen Jingchuan was a little drunk, but his mind was clear. "Thank you for your hospitality today, Your Highness. If Your Highness has time, please come to the Duke's Mansion another day, and I will invite you for drinks again."

“Okay, it’s a deal.” Zhou Xuance nodded.

Shen Jingchuan didn't take the polite words to heart.

After all, this regent rarely went out, so why would he have the time or inclination to visit his home?

After getting into the carriage, Shen Jingchuan still felt a headache coming on. Unexpectedly, the wine was sweet at first taste but had a strong aftereffect. The Regent even specially sent Kong Qing to escort them home.

"Everyone says the Regent is unpredictable, but after spending time with him today, I think he's not so bad," Shen Jingchuan said frankly. "It seems that rumors shouldn't be taken at face value."

Shen Zhiyi's head was also spinning.

elder brother……

Those are all fake!

He's no good person at all.

——

Duke's Mansion

Shen Zhiyi escorted her elder brother back to his room and instructed the maid to prepare a hangover soup. She watched her brother drink it before returning to her own courtyard. As soon as she entered, she saw Xiao Zhongxuan sitting in the courtyard.

Under the moonlight, dressed in white, she exuded a gentle and refined air.

He smiled at her, stood up, and walked towards her. "Have you been drinking?"

"Just a few cups." But the wine had a strong aftereffect, and Shen Zhiyi felt a little lightheaded. Hongrui and Lühe automatically avoided her when they saw the two talking.

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