Chapter 86 The Abandoned Eldest Daughter Makes a Comeback (10 Chapters)

Xiao Yuheng tapped his fingers lightly twice on the armrest of the dragon throne, and said in a deep voice:

"Your Highness is right. There are indeed many suspicious points in this matter. The Ministry of Justice and the Censorate will now conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the truth. As for Shen Qing, he will be suspended from his duties for the time being. Once the matter is clarified, I will make a judgment according to the law."

Xiao Chengxu's cold gaze swept over the assembled officials in the palace.

"I hope you all know that the law is the cornerstone of the nation, and justice is what the people desire. I will never allow anyone to trample on the law and disrupt the court."

The court officials looked at each other in bewilderment. They had originally thought that His Majesty would only reprimand Shen Zhengde a few times and at most no longer give him important positions. They were just following the crowd. Who knew that His Majesty would actually prepare a thorough investigation and even have the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate work together.

How did such a trivial matter escalate to this point?

I'm afraid His Majesty's true intentions lie elsewhere.

Many veteran officials had a variety of thoughts running through their minds, but they stood silently with their eyes lowered, not uttering a word.

Xiao Chengxu was also slightly taken aback, but quickly realized what was happening.

He originally planned to gradually suppress the Shen family, but now it seems that he can't slow down any longer.

They got off too easy.

Only those who have climbed to a high position know how desperate it is to watch yourself slowly fall, gradually heading towards a dead end, and yet be powerless to do anything about it.

...

At the same time, Shen Yunzhen also took some people out for a stroll.

She was a playful person by nature, and having lived in primitive society for many years, she was already incredibly repressed.

Yesterday, Xiao Chengxu not only arranged a personal maid for her, but also arranged for several guards to come over after he returned. Shen Yunzhen took them with her when she went out.

Most of these guards had accompanied Xiao Chengxu to the manor yesterday and had already seen Shen Yunzhen's stunning beauty, so they were now somewhat able to put up a fight.

They understood how much Xiao Chengxu valued Shen Yunzhen, and coupled with the inexplicable feelings growing in their hearts, they were determined to do everything in their power to protect her.

She only brought one maid, named Bihe.

Bihe was twenty years old, with a pretty face. She was quiet and reserved, but very organized in her work.

Of course, another reason Shen Yunzhen chose to take her out was that she was quite familiar with the capital.

As soon as Shen Yunzhen stepped out the door, she noticed that someone was looking at her.

Shen Yunzhen followed the direction of her gaze and saw several ordinary-looking, low-key men huddled in a corner, staring intently at her with expressions of amazement on their faces.

Shen Yunzhen glanced at the grand gates and courtyards around her, paused slightly, and then continued walking forward.

Behind her, two guards stepped forward in unison, tied up the still-dazed people, and quickly escorted them away from the scene.

It wasn't until Shen Yunzhen was completely out of sight that people came to their senses.

"Hey, what are you doing? Why are you grabbing me? Let me go..."

Some of the people who had been standing in more secluded places also came to their senses at this moment, took one last long look at the figures that had already walked away, and quickly ran outside.

As soon as Shen Yunzhen stepped into the street, she was greeted by a lively and bustling atmosphere.

The street is lined with shops, their signs are dazzling, and shouts of vendors rise and fall.

Shen Yunzhen wore a moon-white brocade dress with lifelike begonia flower patterns embroidered on the hem. Gold and silver threads shimmered in the sunlight, swaying gently with her steps. The begonia flowers swayed gracefully in the wind, like a beautiful painting slowly unfolding.

She was like a celestial maiden who had mistakenly descended to the mortal world; with each step, she was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples of tranquility to spread outwards.

The vendors forgot to call out their wares, and pedestrians stopped to chat...

Shen Yunzhen seemed oblivious to these stares, walking calmly down the street, occasionally stopping to browse shops that caught her eye.

All eyes were fixed on her, and for a moment, the noise on the street subsided, leaving only gasps and low exclamations. Many people dropped what they were holding without even realizing it.

After strolling around casually, Shen Yunzhen walked across the street without lingering. People turned around and followed her, whether they were vendors or pedestrians, dazzled by her.

More and more people gathered, growing from just a few to a large, bustling crowd. The streets were teeming with people, creating a peculiar scene as they followed behind her.

The guards immediately became alert, their hands on the hilts of their swords, ready to draw their blades without hesitation should anyone make the slightest move.

Shen Yunzhen also felt something was amiss, so she decided not to continue sightseeing. Seeing a teahouse ahead, she decided to go in, sit down, rest for a while, and continue her sightseeing after everyone had left.

"Sir, please come in..."

A guard pushed aside the stunned waiter and said in a low voice, "Master, the young master has reserved a private room here for a long time. You can go in and rest for a while."

These guards had been by Xiao Chengxu's side for a long time and knew his habits and where he frequented like the back of their hand. Now that they were following Shen Yunzhen, they used this familiarity and thoughtfulness on her without reservation.

After all, she is their master now, and they are willing to do so.

Shen Yunzhen nodded gently: "Lead the way."

The private room is on the third floor. Pushing open the door, you'll see carved nanmu wood niches embedded in the walls on both sides, with a few antique porcelain pieces scattered around. By the window is a set of rosewood tea table, on which sits a set of mutton fat jade tea set, lustrous and white, gleaming softly in the sunlight.

Several guards carefully searched the private room and, after confirming that there was nothing amiss, withdrew and stood guard at the door. Bihe then brought over some exquisite tea and snacks, gently arranged them, and quietly retreated to the corner of the wall, standing with her hands at her sides.

Shen Yunzhen picked up the teacup and took a small sip, the rich aroma of tea spreading between her lips and teeth.

She couldn't resist taking another sip before putting down her teacup and picking up a pastry to eat.

"Why are you blocking my way? Get out of my way."

Just then, a clear voice suddenly rang out from outside the door, its tone tinged with doubt.

"Third Young Master, my young master is not inside."

Outside the private room, Xiao Chengze looked at the guards and asked curiously, "I remember you all used to follow Second Brother, didn't you? If Second Brother isn't here, then what are you doing here?"

Xiao Chengze has no real duties, as he is not yet married and has not even been granted a separate residence. He is currently still living in the palace.

He usually loved to go out of the palace to eat, drink, and have fun, and Xiao Yuheng let him do as he pleased.

He had just stepped out onto the street when he noticed a strange phenomenon: a large group of people were walking slowly in one direction, but few of them were talking, as if they were on a pilgrimage.

Xiao Chengze was immediately intrigued and followed without hesitation.

After walking for a while, the crowd suddenly stopped and remained motionless for a long time.

Xiao Chengze thought for a moment, then squeezed to the front, only to find that the people at the very front were standing around a teahouse, doing nothing, just staring blankly inside.

As a prince, Xiao Chengze had personal protection and was in the capital city, so he naturally had nothing to fear, only the excitement of discovering a secret.

He stepped into the teahouse almost without hesitation.

Many people in the teahouse were stunned, and Xiao Chengxu became even more excited.

He immediately led his men to search the teahouse, but found nothing unusual. However, on the third floor, he saw the Crown Prince's second brother's personal guard.

Xiao Chengze immediately felt a little discouraged.

Now that my second brother is here, he will probably take over the affairs here as well.

But since he was already there, he still wanted to find out exactly what had happened and satisfy his curiosity.

As usual, he went straight over and was about to push open the door to the private room, but he was stopped as soon as he got close.

He also had a good relationship with his second brother, and he knew about his private room and often came here.

I've never been stopped before, this is the first time.

Xiao Chengze perked up.

Since my second brother wasn't inside, does that mean that everything outside was very likely caused by the people in the private room?

After all, he had checked other parts of the teahouse and found nothing wrong.

Xiao Chengze was extremely curious at this moment.

When questioned by Xiao Chengze, the leading guard did not answer directly, but instead said:

"Third Young Master, if you are looking for my young master, I will inform him when he has some free time."

Xiao Chengze rubbed his chin and glanced subtly at the guards following him.

"Oh, I see. Since Second Brother isn't here, then I'll..."

Xiao Chengze suddenly rushed forward.

The guards instinctively swung their fists, but then suddenly realized who the other person was and abruptly withdrew their force.

Taking advantage of this opening, Xiao Chengze's guards rushed forward and hugged the group tightly.

Xiao Chengze then pushed hard with both hands.

"Bang—"

With a muffled thud, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.

Xiao Chengze said smugly, "Let me see who's hiding inside..."

Upon seeing who was inside, Xiao Chengze's voice abruptly stopped. Immediately afterward, a blush spread across his face like wildfire, making him look like a perfectly cooked shrimp.

He never expected that the person inside was a woman, and a woman of such stunning beauty at that.

[Master, the person before you is Xiao Chengze, the male protagonist of this small world.]

The voice of 001 echoed in Shen Yunzhen's mind.

Shen Yunzhen immediately looked at Xiao Chengze's face, and only when she saw that his expression was normal did she feel relieved.

From now on, except for urgent messages, speak to me only when I am alone.

After all, higher-level systems have a high probability of being able to hear conversations between lower-level systems and their hosts.

Although the 001 level has been largely restored, which is already quite high, it's hard to guarantee that there aren't systems with even higher levels.

[Yes, Master. But you don't need to worry. After my examination, Xiao Chengze is a native of this plane and has not been replaced.]

Shen Yunzhen was a little surprised.

[You can detect this?]

Yes, Master.

[In that case, from now on, whenever incompatibility between the soul and body is detected, tell me. Remember, privately.]

"Yes, Master, I understand."

001's voice was sweet and obedient.

Shen Yunzhen nodded slightly in satisfaction before looking at the so-called male lead.

He was tall and handsome, with bright and deep eyes. Beneath his high nose bridge, his thin lips had beautiful lines. His long, black hair was carefully tied in a jade crown, with a few strands falling down, which further accentuated his delicate features.

He wore a light blue brocade robe with a matching ribbon casually tied around his waist. The jade pendant hanging from it swayed gently with his movements. He exuded an air of nobility and majesty.

Looking at Xiao Chengze in front of her, Shen Yunzhen subconsciously compared him to Xiao Chengxu.

Xiao Chengze's appearance is somewhat similar to Xiao Chengxu's, with delicate and handsome features, but their temperaments are completely different.

With his innate pride, Xiao Chengxu exuded an aura of authority even when he was just standing there.

Xiao Chengze, on the other hand, was much less imposing, but his every move exuded youthful vigor and proud confidence.

However, this vigor and confidence were now diminished, and Xiao Chengze was in an unprecedented predicament and at a loss.

"I'm so sorry..."

Xiao Chengze finally came to his senses. His eyes darted around, but he couldn't help looking at the fairy in the private room.

The guards at the door finally shed their human bundles, and one of them once again blocked Xiao Chengze's path, his tone less polite and even somewhat rude.

"Third Young Master, please leave."

Xiao Chengze knew he should leave, but he couldn't bring himself to do it, and even felt a subtle resistance in his heart.

Seeing that the guard was about to push him, he made a bold move in a moment of desperation.

Xiao Chengxu tilted his body and poked his head out from beside the guard.

"Can I stay? Don't worry, I won't do anything. It's just that drinking tea alone is a bit too boring. I can keep you company to relieve your boredom."

As he spoke, Xiao Chengze's face grew even redder, and his ears seemed to be burning.

People with status and position are ultimately different from ordinary people.

The common people who had followed along the way, despite having many delusions in their hearts, dared not do anything and could only watch from afar.

They understood perfectly well that such divine beings were from a completely different world than themselves, and to be able to see them even once was already a great fortune in their lives.

Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengze, however, decisively chose to get closer, and they had the confidence and resources to support their decision.

Even if they haven't figured out their feelings yet, they choose to trust their instincts.

Shen Yunzhen looked at the head that was burning red and casually replied, "Sure."

His tone was relaxed and comfortable, as if he had only agreed to a trivial matter.

Of course, for Shen Yunzhen, it was indeed a small matter.

Regardless of whether this person is the male lead or not, since he will marry her so-called sister in the future and is also a prince, she naturally wants to interfere.

Since she was destined to be enemies with the Shen family, she naturally wanted to reduce every bit of their support.

Shen Yunzhen was unaware that the Shen family had already been crippled by Xiao Chengxu, and even if she did nothing, Shen Yunshu's chances of becoming a prince's consort were slim.

"Really?"

Xiao Chengze was overjoyed, his eyes shining.

"certainly."

"Thank you." Xiao Chengze quickly passed the guards and sat down opposite Shen Yunzhen.

The guard glanced at Xiao Chengze reluctantly, then left the private room and closed the door.

Xiao Chengze sat properly opposite Shen Yunzhen, his hands placed obediently on his knees, his head lowered, only occasionally glancing at Shen Yunzhen with a slight upward tilt of his head.

That last thrust seemed to have exhausted all his courage, and now that his courage was depleted, he was gripped by an unprecedented level of restraint.

Shen Yunzhen rested her chin on her hand and said in a teasing tone, "If you want to see it, just look."