Beauty system explanation: [-100 means 100 points less than 0... not at all. This is the first time this system has seen a target's gratitude value for the host be so low. Are you sure you don't have any grudge against her?]

Lou Xinlan was also puzzled: [I just blocked her path for a moment, there's no real grudge.]

Seeing that she still didn't understand the seriousness of the matter, the system said seriously:

Do you know what -100 means? It means you gave Sheng Qiyue 20 taels of silver, and not only was she not grateful, she even wanted to kill you.

The system had never seen anything so outrageous: [Think about it again, before you met me, had you really never seen Sheng Qiyue?]

[Indeed not!] Lou Xinlan was about to cry: [She doesn't appreciate me, what can I do?]

[Then find a way to make her grateful to you.] The beauty system said: [See what she needs, and then cater to her needs.]

Lou Xinlan was depressed. What was her status? What was her status? If her cousin hadn't taken a fancy to her, Sheng Qiyue would still be an ordinary woman in poverty. It wouldn't be worth her attention.

Oh, right, an ordinary woman!

Lou Xinlan said: [I have a solution.]

…………

Shen Shaoyan began to study in an earnest manner. Three days later, he told He's mother that he wanted to go to the study to look up books.

He's mother was a little embarrassed: "The study is guarded by someone, and only your father can go in. You should ask your father about this."

Shen Shaoyan looked unhappy: "You asked me to study, and I wanted to go into the study room but you kept making excuses. If you don't want to support me in studying, just say so. I won't study anymore!"

He angrily threw the book down and walked away.

He's mother stamped her feet in anxiety and asked someone to go to the yamen to call the prefect over.

"What's in your study? You don't let anyone in every day. Your son wants to go to the study to read, but I don't let him in, so he says he doesn't want to study anymore. What do you think I should do?"

The prefect has also heard about his son's recent changes. It would be a lie to say that he is unhappy. Who doesn't want their children and grandchildren to have a bright future?

He asked, "Did Wenmao really say that?"

"How could it be false?" He's mother glared. "I'm not saying anything more than taking out any important things from inside and putting them somewhere else. The study is an essential place for studying. Stopping Wen Mao is like blocking his future path. Think about it yourself."

"It's nothing important." The prefect remained calm after being scolded by his wife, obviously used to it. "If you need any books, I'll ask Yuan San to go in with him and get them."

He's mother then called Shen Shaoyan over.

Shen Shaoyan glanced at the prefect with his eyes slanted, curled his lips in dissatisfaction, and looked away. The prefect almost laughed out of anger, as he was still angry.

He Wenmao was an out-and-out playboy. His favorite things to do were to visit women and gamble. Because of this, he was often scolded by the prefect.

Not long ago, He Wenmao had sex with ten women in a brothel at night. When the news got out and the prefect found out, he was so angry that he chased him to the brothel with a whip, which was quite a spectacle.

Since then, the father and son have been in a cold war, and neither of them is willing to bow their heads first. Therefore, today is the first time that Shen Shaoyan has met the prefect.

He had a square face, clear and firm eyes, and a posture as straight as a pine tree. He did not look like a treacherous official who would embezzle and accept bribes.

You can't judge a person's character based on appearance alone, Shen Shaoyan wondered if he would know after investigating.

He said nonchalantly, "Old man, what shameful things are there in your study? Could it be that you're hiding a beauty? You must have something to hide by not letting my mother and I in."

When He's mother heard this, her heart skipped a beat and she subconsciously looked at the prefect.

The prefect was furious. "Do you think your father is just like you, spending his days in debauchery? I have many worries. There is nothing in my study except books."

After hearing this, He's mother felt relieved. She said that he wouldn't do that, and he had concubines, so what's the point of hiding from her.

Shen Shaoyan was skeptical. "Isn't it said that books are full of beauties? You've read so many books, but haven't you seen a single beauty?"

"You kid, that's not how you should interpret this." The prefect shook his head. "Forget it, if you want to go in, go in. Let Yuan San go in with you. Just tell him to find it for you."

A dark light flashed in Shen Shaoyan's eyes, and he looked unyielding as he muttered, "What do you mean by accompanying me? I think he's just here to monitor me."

"What are you talking about?" The prefect frowned.

"I'm not wrong." Shen Shaoyan stiffened his neck: "You don't believe me, and you want to make me uncomfortable everywhere. You are my father, and you have such a great authority. I am your son, not a prisoner in your jail."

The prefect's brows were knitted tightly together. "I'm doing this for your own good. If you didn't have such weak self-control, why would I worry so much? And in the end, is this how you miss me?"

Shen Shaoyan didn't say anything, but his unruly look perfectly portrayed the image of a rebellious son.

When He's mother saw that the two of them had started arguing again, she hurriedly stepped in to try to stop them.

"My dear, I see that Wenmao has been studying seriously these days. He just went to the study. If he doesn't like Yuan San's company, then don't bother. It's not a big deal anyway. It's better for the family to be harmonious and peaceful. There's no need to quarrel and make a fuss."

Shen Shaoyan: "It's still my mother who loves me!"

The prefect blew his beard and glared at him. He's mother quickly pulled him back and whispered in his ear.

"Don't you know your son's temper? He loves to go against you. The more you tell him not to do something, the more he'll insist on doing it. There's no point trying to stop him. It's better to just go along with him. He'll figure it out in a few days."

The prefect was a little doubtful, his brows furrowed so tightly that they could pinch a fly to death. After a long while, he finally nodded and said to Shen Shaoyan, "Wait here. I'll go inside to sort out the documents. You can come in this afternoon."

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