Chapter 253 Fair Competition

"Li Shu, are you inside?" Gu Yufeng's voice rang out from outside the carriage.

Shen Lishu's heart pounded like a drum, and she visibly panicked, as if she had been caught red-handed for making a mistake, and her first instinct was to hide.

"Have you run into some trouble?"

The man's voice rang out again, but he didn't get a response from Shen Lishu. A corner of the car curtain was lifted, revealing a refined and handsome face.

Gu Yufeng was stunned for a moment, staring intently at his face, and then carefully examined the carriage. Sure enough, it bore the Zhang family's insignia.

Zhang Chengxian raised an eyebrow, his eyes gleaming with amusement, and a hint of coldness appeared on his lips. "Lord Gu, she twisted her ankle."

Shen Lishu forced a smile and said somewhat awkwardly, "It's nothing serious, Brother Gu. I broke the kite string. I'm so sorry for spoiling your fun..."

It's really embarrassing to twist your ankle while flying a kite.

"It was just a little toy to play with, why do you care? Are you really alright?" Gu Yufeng's brows were covered with a layer of frost.

He believed that with his own abilities, he could also become a famous general on the battlefield!

Zhang Chengxian glanced at Shen Lishu with a half-smile, "The foot injury can't wait, let's go to the clinic first."

Before Shen Lishu could react, he lowered the carriage curtain, the wheels rolled, and he disappeared onto the main road, leaving Gu Yufeng standing there, seething with anger.

An unnamed fire was stirred in his heart. He had always thought that Zhang Chengxian's outstanding military achievements at such a young age must be due to Pei Siyan's influence. At this moment, his desire to surpass him had reached its peak.

——

Pei Shuyue ran towards Dou Wenyi, her cheeks flushed like red apples, her eyes shining, "Sister-in-law, did you see that? My hawk is flying so high!"

Dou Wenyi took out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat and laughed, "Look at you covered in sweat, little Yueyue is really something."

Pei Shuyue was extremely excited, "Sister-in-law, it's Brother Yanzhou who has been helping me the whole time, but I'm smart, I learn very quickly!"

Her gaze followed the kite in the sky downwards and landed on Shen Yanzhou not far away. His slender fingers precisely controlled the kite's spool, and he looked over with a smile in his eyes.

He walked towards them while reeling in the line.

At this moment, a servant from the Shen family rushed over and said, "Young Master, Miss has twisted her ankle. General Zhang has taken her to the clinic."

Shen Yanzhou frowned slightly and exchanged a glance with Dou Wenyi.

"Shall I go take a look first?"

"Young Master Shen, don't be in such a hurry." Dou Wenyi smiled meaningfully, then turned to Pei Shuyue and asked, "Little Yueyue, do you still want to play with kites?"

Pei Shuyue nodded, and Shen Yanzhou handed her the spool of thread. Pei Shuyue happily ran off.

Dou Wenyi asked gently, "Do you think Zhang Chengxian is a reliable person?"

Shen Yanzhou hesitated. He understood her unspoken meaning perfectly. To be fair, in the past few months of getting to know Zhang Chengxian, Shen Yanzhou had changed his prejudice against him and had grown to admire him more and more. But if he were to become her brother-in-law, things would be a different story.

That marriage was originally arranged to appease the emperor, and it was done temporarily out of necessity.

He never considered having Zhang Chengxian as his brother-in-law. If he really had to choose someone reliable and steady, he would prefer Gu Yufeng, since he knew him well and he and Shen Lishu were childhood sweethearts.

Shen Yanzhou suddenly realized that he seemed to be quite picky about his brother-in-law.

The Shen family initially chose Dou Mingxiu because they valued his talent, but they misjudged him; he was not a good man.

Zhang Chengxian was originally a playboy in Tianning City. After his family suffered a great upheaval, he turned over a new leaf and reformed. However, he had no idea what kind of person he was when it came to relationships, whether he would be fickle in the future, or whether he would take a concubine.

Shen Lishu was timid and had never suffered any hardship in the Shen family; she had long been spoiled by her family. She was naive and knew nothing of the dangers of the world. He dared not imagine what kind of torment Shen Lishu would suffer if she entrusted herself to the wrong person.

Shen Yanzhou shook his head. This concerned Shen Lishu's lifelong happiness, so he dared not be careless in the slightest. "I don't know him very well."

Dou Wenyi said calmly, "You're just worried. We thought Zhang Chengxian would break off the engagement, but what he just said clearly shows he has no intention of doing so. Zhang Chengxian is impulsive; if he really didn't want to go through with this marriage, he wouldn't have compromised himself."

"He has a clear sense of right and wrong, and he is an excellent person. If he truly loves Shen Lishu, he will give her his whole and passionate heart. I think they are a perfect match."

Shen Yanzhou was slightly taken aback; Dou Wenyi rarely spoke so highly of others.

"Who did he marry in his previous life?"

Dou Wenyi looked melancholy and sighed, "He had never married before I died."

Shen Yanzhou's expression changed slightly. Ever since she confided in him on New Year's Eve, he had really wanted to ask her what his fate was, but after careful consideration, he didn't want to dwell on the question anymore.

The unknown is also a kind of life; he just wants to follow his heart.

“Zhang Chengxian may seem like a playboy, but he is loyal to his feelings and is not the type to be fickle. Once he falls in love with someone, I believe he will cherish her like a treasure. I have always hoped that he can truly find his own happiness.”

When Shen Yanzhou heard these words, he inexplicably heard another meaning: was she trying to comfort him indirectly?

Zhang Chengxian, just like me, is in love with her...

He had only met Shen Lishu a few times, could he really change his heart so easily?

impossible!

Thinking of this, Shen Yanzhou said calmly, "In that case, he is even less reliable."

Dou Wenyi shook her head. "It's not like that. I know Li Shu is simple-minded. The most suitable husband for her is definitely a man who can truly love her, protect her from the wind and rain, and be responsible. Even if we use your standards to measure and evaluate, can we give Zhang Chengxian a fair chance to compete?"

Shen Yanzhou frowned slightly, "In her previous life, Shen Lishu married..."

He stopped halfway through his sentence. In his previous life, Li Shu must have married that bastard Dou Mingxiu, and probably had a very miserable life.

Dou Wenyi naturally understood his subtext. "Moreover, Shen Lishu seems to be somewhat different towards Zhang Chengxian. She is much more distant towards Commander Gu. However, I always feel that she hasn't yet figured out her feelings. Perhaps we should observe her secretly first. If Shen Lishu really has no interest in Zhang Chengxian, then that will be a different story."