Chapter 82 Sending him an umbrella

Seeing that Wen Hengzhi was so responsive, Chen Lian was even more pleased with himself, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up, but he still pretended to be serious.

"Since you've said so, Hengzhi, I'll take you with me so you can see what it's like. But... I've been so good to you, so don't forget how you're going to repay me."

Looking at Wen Hengzhi's naive and unsophisticated manner, Shen Lian felt less jealous of him.

No matter how good-looking he is, he's still just a country bumpkin from some remote, impoverished area!

Chen Lian snorted coldly, recalling the day he first met Wen Hengzhi, which had given him quite a shock.

He knew this person might be quite outstanding, but he didn't expect him to be this outstanding.

If he were to pass the imperial examination, the title of "Third Scholar" would be absolutely his!

Looking at Chen Lian again, not only is one of his legs crippled, but his writing is also a mess.

If the two of them stood together, anyone who didn't know better would think that Wen Hengzhi was the legitimate son of the Bo Gong family.

The more Chen Lian thought about it, the more the jealousy she had felt earlier returned.

However, he couldn't show it on his face and could only suppress his displeasure, after all, he was still counting on Wen Hengzhi to complete his important task!

"Go and personally deliver this invitation to Shen Shu, so that I may see your skills."

"I don't expect you to take my sister in one fell swoop, but if you're kicked out with a big stick the first time you meet her, then you don't need to go to this chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, and you don't even need to stay at the patriarch's mansion. Just go back to where you came from. Do you understand?"

Wen Hengzhi was also a patient person. Seeing Shen Lian say this, he showed no displeasure on his face, but instead became even more respectful.

Because he knew that this was his only chance to rise above others; if he didn't get involved, where would wealth and status come from?

Wen Hengzhi cupped his hands and said, "Young master, rest assured, I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

After saying that, he took the invitation and turned to leave.

Chen Lian called out to him again, "Wait a minute, how can you go to see my sister looking like this?" As she spoke, she ordered a servant to bring a new set of clothes.

Wen Hengzhi did not refuse and silently changed into the new clothes.

The clothes made him look even more elegant and graceful, and Chen Lian's jealousy grew stronger as he looked at him.

I should have gotten him an ugly one!

"Alright, go ahead. Remember, my sister isn't like other women who are easily fooled. You'd better be careful."

Wen Hengzhi bowed again, then turned and left.

Wang Zhuo, the servant beside Shen Lian, said with some dissatisfaction: "Young Master, you're giving him too much credit. Is this going to work? His opponent is Marquis Dingyuan. What kind of person is he? Even if the Second Miss were crazy, she wouldn't choose Wen Hengzhi, would she?"

Upon hearing Wang Zhuo's words, Chen Lian revealed a sly smile.

“Wang Zhuo, what do you know? Don’t underestimate someone’s ambition. I think he can succeed.”

“Look at Wen Hengzhi’s mannerisms. How is he any different from Pei Jiming next door? Those young ladies in the city love this kind of style.”

"Besides, Wen Heng's family is poor and has no background. In order to climb up, he has to do whatever I tell him to do. If he doesn't want to be sent back, he can only try his best to help me achieve my goal. Even if he fails, he will just be kicked out, which won't affect us."

Chen Lian chuckled slyly, feeling that his plan was absolutely flawless.

"Young master is wise!"

After listening to Shen Lian's analysis, Wang Zhuo nodded repeatedly in agreement, his face full of admiration for his young master.

He thought to himself, "Young Master is very shrewd. He has taken advantage of Wen Hengzhi's ambition and ability without taking too much risk."

If it works out, everyone will be happy; if it doesn't, it's just the loss of an insignificant person.

"Wang Zhuo, do me another favor. Find a woman who was born on the same day, month, and year as Shen Shu. Remember, she must be poor and beautiful, understand?"

Wang Zhuo scratched his head, looking puzzled, and asked, "Young master, what do you need a woman like this for?"

Chen Lian rolled his eyes at him and said smugly, "Just do as I say, and it will be of great use in the future."

Wang Zhuo dared not ask any more questions, quickly agreed, and turned to do it.

...

Meanwhile, Wen Hengzhi had already arrived outside Shen Shuyuan. Seeing that there was no one guarding the door, he dared not knock on it easily and simply waited quietly outside.

The threat from Chen Lian echoed in his ears, and a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes.

He had thought that Shen Lian was just asking him to win over a shallow young lady, but when he arrived in the capital and heard Shen Lian talk about it, he realized that it wasn't like that at all.

Especially since it involves important figures from all sides, a single misstep could lead to utter destruction.

This heavy chain is being used against him.

But Wen Hengzhi was unwilling to give up. He had finally come to the capital, and if he didn't do as Chen Lian said, he would probably be kicked out tonight.

With the scientific expedition just around the corner, how could he bear to let go?

For now, we can only proceed with the sinking chain.

Wen Hengzhi stared at the tightly closed courtyard gate, pondering how to avoid offending Shen Shu.

Mother Fang frowned as she looked at Wen Hengzhi, who had been waiting outside the door for two hours.

"Second Miss, we don't know him at all. What is he doing standing here like an idiot at our courtyard gate? You guessed right, this person really does have ulterior motives. He's only been here a short while and he's already running towards us. Should I chase him away?"

What kind of trick is the eldest young master up to now? It's outrageous.

Shen Shu gently shook her head.

"Wait a little longer."

Wen Hengzhi waited outside the door for another two hours, and finally, his opportunity arrived.

Just then, Tang'er returned from Shenqiu Mountain with an umbrella, and they ran into each other.

She saw a young man standing outside the courtyard, not holding an umbrella and just getting soaked in the rain, and asked curiously, "Do you have something to discuss with our young lady?"

Wen Hengzhi quickly straightened his clothes and politely took out an invitation from his pocket and handed it over.

While the others were in the rain, the invitation was neat and tidy.

"The princess sent a letter to the Earl's residence, and the young master ordered me to deliver the letter to the second young lady. I would like to trouble you to deliver it to her."

Tang'er took it and carefully examined Wen Hengzhi: "Then why didn't you just send him in? What are you doing waiting here like an idiot?"

Wen Hengzhi lowered his eyes, not looking directly at Tang'er: "As an outsider, I cannot enter the inner courtyard at will, lest I break the rules. Therefore, I can only wait here for the servants to come and go so that I can hand it over to the Second Miss."

Wen Hengzhi spoke sincerely and was humble in his attitude.

Tang'er nodded upon hearing this, thinking that the young master was indeed well-mannered.

She took a closer look at Wen Hengzhi and saw that he was tall and had an extraordinary temperament. Although he was dressed simply, his handsome appearance was still evident.

"Alright, I'll take it in to Miss right away."

Wen Hengzhi cupped his hands in farewell and said, "Then I shall take my leave."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Tang'er thought this person was really strange, and hurriedly went in to tell Shen Shu about it.

Shen Shu took the invitation, opened it, glanced at it, and smiled gently.

"They do know how to judge things and know how to follow the rules."

It seems his older brother has finally learned to be more tactful and less direct; he's learned to be more indirect.

Tang'er spoke quickly and directly: "That's right. I think he has been waiting for a long time. Although it was drizzling outside, his clothes were almost soaked, but he didn't leave. He just stood there properly. I think he looks good and is well-mannered. He doesn't seem like a bad person."

Shen Shu pursed her lips slightly, her gaze falling on the invitation, lost in thought.

It seems this person cannot be dealt with using ordinary methods.

Shen Shu called Fang's mother over.

"Aunt Fang, go and bring him an umbrella."