Chapter 136 Shen Chu cried out like a pitiful little thing.

A hint of annoyance flashed in Shen Chu's eyes as she secretly regretted saying the wrong thing.

"Although I couldn't see her full appearance or know whether her skin was rough, I heard her voice."

Her voice was as melodious as a nightingale's song, certainly not as unpleasant as His Highness described.

As soon as she finished speaking, her face flushed.

Shen Chu, what are you saying?

Who would boast that their voice is like a nightingale's song when they're doing *that*? This made her involuntarily recall her own voice from that time.

At that time, she was nervous and afraid that Pei Yuan would recognize her voice, so she deliberately controlled herself and did not make a sound.

But when he couldn't control himself, he couldn't help but make sounds that were different from his usual voice.

Well, as long as it doesn't sound bad, that's all that matters.

A wave of heat rose from the base of her ears, instantly spreading to her face.

Pei Yuan stared at his wide-eyed, flushed face, and a jumble of images flashed through his mind.

The images were blurry, but the sounds were exceptionally clear.

That night, he seemed to be very eager to take and possess her. Several times, Shen Chu cried and said no more under him, her sobs sounding like a pitiful little thing.

The memory suddenly crashed into his mind, like a huge rock hitting his heart, making him tremble violently.

He unconsciously took a step back.

Chen Chu blinked, stepped forward, and looked at him pleadingly, "Your Highness, please, please lower the price."

His voice trailed off unconsciously for a moment, making Pei Yuan's body tremble, as if he could hear his own cry from that night again.

His earlobes suddenly felt hot, and he turned his head somewhat awkwardly, growling, "Alright, it's just a jade pendant. If you want it, take it."

Shen Chu was stunned, then overjoyed, and grabbed Pei Yuan's hand, "Really? Your Highness really agreed? And the price?"

Pei Yuan lowered his eyes, looking at the small hand that was tightly holding his.

Unlike his long, rough hands, Shen Chu's hands were small and soft, with a slightly fleshy feel. Apart from the calluses on the fingertips where she held the pen, the rest of her hands were even more delicate than a woman's.

He unconsciously squeezed back, then snorted irritably, "It's just a jade pendant. You can take it if you want. Consider it money I used to buy your calming purse."

Does that mean I don't need money, I'll just give it to her directly?

Chen Chu gripped her hand even tighter. "Your Highness, you are such a good person."

A blush crept onto the kind man's face, and he asked awkwardly, "How long are you going to hold on?"

Shen Chu was stunned for a moment, then lowered her eyes and realized that she had been holding Pei Yuan's hand the whole time.

boom.

Her face instantly turned bright red, and she hurriedly let go of his hand, her embarrassed eyes darting around.

The maid in the next private room quietly covered the small hole used for eavesdropping and left without a sound.

Xie Qingqiu had just finished playing a piece when he received a standing ovation.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to change clothes, she went downstairs and whispered to the maid, "What are Your Highness and Lord Shen talking about?"

The maid reported, "I was afraid of being discovered by His Highness, so I didn't dare to get too close. I only vaguely heard that Lord Shen wanted to buy the Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade Pendant, and His Highness has already agreed to give the jade pendant to Lord Shen."

hiss.

Xie Qingqiu was removing the fake nail clippers she used to play the piano when she heard this and immediately scratched her finger.

"Young lady, are you alright?"

Xie Qingqiu shook her head, lowered her head and sucked on the wound that was glistening with blood, a hint of jealousy flashing in her eyes.

She begged the Sixth Prince for a long time before he finally agreed to take her to the Green Jade Pavilion to buy the Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade Pendant.

The sixth prince bought the Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade Pendant at the Green Jade Pavilion, thinking it was a birthday gift for himself.

Unexpectedly, he gave the jade pendant to Shen Chu.

On what grounds?

She whispered to the maid, "Go now..."

The atmosphere in the private room became awkward for a moment. Shen Chu put her hands behind her back, cleared her throat, and said, "I'll give you the money instead. After all, Your Highness spent so much of it."

Pei Yuan looked down at his hands, where the soft touch seemed to linger.

He didn't listen carefully to what Shen Chu said at all. "Huh? Whatever. Well... the jade pendant is with Jin Bao. I'll get it for you later."

If there's nothing else, I'll be going.

After saying that, he strode away, moving so fast it seemed as if someone was chasing him.

After the heat on Shen Chu's face gradually subsided, she patted her still slightly pounding heart.

Pei Yuan actually agreed to give her the jade pendant, which really surprised her.

I thought I'd have to argue with him and end up paying a hefty sum.

Before coming to Qingfeng Tower, she specifically borrowed 20,000 taels from Li Chengxuan.

She wondered why he had suddenly changed his mind, but couldn't figure it out even after pondering for a long time.

It's probably because of Princess Qinghe; after all, in terms of seniority, Princess Qinghe is Pei Yuan's paternal aunt.

As Chen Chu emerged from the private room, Jin Bao greeted her, holding a box.

"Young Master Shen, this is what His Highness instructed me to bring over."

"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Jinbao." Chen Chu took the box, opened it, and glanced at it. It was indeed the Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade Pendant, and she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

She handed over the prepared silver notes, saying, "Please give this to His Highness, sir."

Jinbao smiled and refused to accept it, saying, "I dare not make decisions for His Highness. If Lord Shen wants to give money, please present it to His Highness in person."

Shen Chu asked, "Where is His Highness?"

Jin Bao said, "His Highness has returned to the Flying Eagle Guard on business."

Having no other choice, Shen Chu had to put the silver notes away and planned to send them to Pei Yuan the next day.

She took the ice flower hibiscus jade pendant directly to the Qinghe Princess's residence.

Princess Qinghe was very excited when she saw the ice flower hibiscus jade pendant. "I'm finally back. I must hurry and send the jade pendant to my husband to wear."

Zhou Jun stopped her and reminded her, "Mother, you still owe Brother Achu an apology."

Princess Qinghe looked embarrassed and turned to Shen Chu, saying in a low voice, "I misunderstood Lord Shen earlier, and I apologize to you."

Shen Chu smiled and said, "I accept the princess's apology."

Princess Qinghe's expression stiffened for a moment, then she forced a smile, took the jade pendant, and left.

Zhou Jun felt somewhat guilty, so he personally escorted Shen Chu out and apologized again.

Shen Chu patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Fortunately, it didn't delay the prince consort's treatment."

The Zhou family's mistake in sending the wrong gift was merely an error, but the Marquis of Changning's malicious seizure and sale of the jade pendant demonstrates his despicable character.

Just when everyone thought the matter was finally over, Princess Qinghe came to visit again at dawn the next day.

"Chen Chu, what do you mean?"

Princess Qinghe stormed in, furious, and hurled a jade pendant at Shen Chu.

“If you don’t want to return my family’s jade pendant, just say so. We’ll consider it as us going bankrupt to repay the life-saving grace for my son.”

But you brought us a fake jade pendant to fool us. How malicious your intentions are!

Did you know that after the prince consort wore the jade pendant last night, not only did his condition not improve, but he also vomited blood?

"Shen Chu, how could you be so cruel? Yesterday I thought I had misunderstood you and sincerely apologized."

Shen Chu held the jade pendant in her hand, her expression changing slightly.

Was the jade pendant Pei Yuan gave her fake?