Chapter 145 Strike the snake at its seven-inch mark, strike the man at his softest spot

Zhang Yongliang's eyes darted around. "What rumors? Who in the whole capital doesn't know that you're always pestering the Sixth Prince?"

She pestered the Sixth Prince to help her with the dragon boat race, pestered the Sixth Prince to take her to Jingguo Temple, and pestered the Sixth Prince for the jade pendant.

Shen Chu, it's one thing for you to be shameless, but why should Qingqiu suffer along with you?

You... oh, ouch!

Chen Chu rolled up a book and slammed it hard on Zhang Yongliang's mouth, causing him to scream in pain and dare not curse anymore.

"Even if you don't tell me, I can guess what happened. It's just that I felt sorry for the beautiful woman when she was crying, so I came to stand up for Miss Qingqiu."

She tapped the book twice more, watching Zhang Yongliang's mouth twitch in pain, and said with a smile:

"Does Miss Qingqiu know that you're so trying to slander me? Will she even give you a second glance because of it?"

"Oh, I almost forgot, Miss Qingqiu only has eyes for the Sixth Prince. Someone as ugly and foul-mouthed as Prince Zhang would probably make anyone vomit if they even glanced at him."

Zhang Yongliang was so angry that his face contorted. "Nonsense! I have regular features. How dare you say I'm ugly?"

Chen Chu pouted, "Whether a person is ugly or not depends on comparison. Compared to the Sixth Prince, compared to me, do you think you're ugly beyond belief?"

“I…” Zhang Yongliang was speechless.

Compared to the two most handsome faces in the entire capital, he could only be described as ugly.

Shen Chu gave a cold laugh, "Fool, you've been used as a pawn without even realizing it. Do you know how stupid you are?"

"Chen Chu, I am, after all, the heir of the Marquis of Changxing's mansion. How dare you insult me ​​like this!"

Shen Chu sneered, "Heh, you can insult my homosexuality, so why can't I call you ugly? And what about the prince? For making irresponsible remarks about court officials and the current prince, I can still impeach you and your father."

"You...you...."

"What do you mean, 'I'? I'm just being too kind by teaching you how to be a decent person on behalf of your father. Remember this: eat less and talk less in the future, lest you get beaten up for your foul mouth."

As she spoke, she smacked Zhang Yongliang on the lips with another book.

Zhang Yongliang's mouth was swollen from being slapped, and he looked at Shen Chu with such hatred that he wanted to jump up and tear him apart.

"Chen Chu, we'll see."

"Heh, you probably can still walk, but you definitely won't see him. My score with you is settled, but let the Sixth Prince settle the score with you for speaking ill of the Sixth Prince."

Shen Chu stood up and instructed Hong Xiu, "Send these people to the Flying Eagle Guard and hand them over to the Sixth Prince. Inform the Sixth Prince of what happened."

After a pause, she suppressed her irritation and said, "Tell the Sixth Prince that if he cannot resolve his romantic entanglements, I will personally go to Qingfeng Tower to demand justice."

Pei Yuan had just taken her to Qingfeng Tower in the morning to retrieve the jade pendant, and by the afternoon, rumors were circulating that she was harassing the Sixth Prince.

This matter is absolutely related to Xie Qingqiu.

Hongxiu had just returned from buying fried cakes next door when she saw Chenchu ​​being bullied. She immediately rolled up her sleeves and pulled Zhang Yongliang and the other three out of the pile of books.

When Zhang Yongliang and the others heard that they were to be sent to the Flying Eagle Guard, they were terrified and turned pale.

“Chen Chu, we’re talking about you, not the Sixth Prince. What right do you have to send us to the Flying Eagle Guard?”

"Whether it matters or not is not up to you. Hongxiu, see her off." Chen Chu waved her hand.

"Alright." Hongxiu ripped off Zhang Yongliang's belt and neatly tied a knot.

Zhang Yongliang and his three companions were already sore from being hit by the books, so they were no match for Hongxiu. In no time, they were tied up and herded out of Rongbaozhai like cattle.

Li Anning laughed so hard he almost fell over. "That's satisfying! This is exactly how you deal with a spoiled brat like Zhang Yongliang who talks big but doesn't listen to reason."

I knew that Young Master Shen was learned and knowledgeable, but I never imagined he would be so skilled at disciplining people.

She looked at Shen Chu with bright eyes, "Zhang Yongliang was almost spitting blood from anger just now. How did you manage to both teach them a lesson and make them so angry?"

Shen Chu smiled and said, "Just like striking a snake at its vital spot, you have to hit a person's weak point. Only when you hit their weak point will they feel both pain and anger."

Li Anning clapped his hands and said, "I understand. Zhang Yongliang comes from a noble family and has no worries about food and clothing. His only regret is that he is in love with Xie Qingqiu but cannot have her."

Lord Shen deliberately mocked his ugliness, and then said that no matter what he did, Miss Qingqiu wouldn't be interested in him, which naturally made him furious.

Shen Chu was completely innocent. "I was just telling the truth."

Li Anning wrinkled her nose and nodded seriously, "Yes, compared to Lord Shen, he is indeed an ugly monster."

The two couldn't help but exchange a smile.

Shen Chu cupped his hands in gratitude, saying, "I am deeply grateful for Miss Li's righteous help today."

Li Anning waved his hand, looking quite heroic, "Seeing injustice on the road, it's nothing to lend a helping hand."

Besides, my rudimentary skills weren't of any help; in fact, I had to be saved by Lord Shen.

She walked to the bookshelf and looked it over. "It's strange, really. The books at Rongbaozhai are always arranged neatly and orderly. How could they all fall down all at once?"

Shen Chu curled her lips and lied through her teeth, "Perhaps even God is on our side and can't stand Zhang Yongliang and the others."

Li Anning blinked. "Hmm, that must be it."

Shen Chu subtly changed the subject, "Miss Li, are you also here looking for books? Did you find any?"

Li Anning waved her hand, "Hey, I'm not cut out for reading. My dad made me come here to smell the ink, saying that smelling the ink might make me more refined."

To be honest, I think he's been daydreaming too much. Anyway, what book is Master Shen looking for?

Shen Chu couldn't help but chuckle, "I'm here to find a few books on the Northern Rong language."

"Young Master Shen, if you want to learn the Northern Rong language, you can come to me."

Shen Chu was taken aback. "Miss Li can speak the Northern Rong language?"

Li Anning nodded, "A few years ago, I stayed in Liangzhou with my father. I couldn't stay at home, so I always liked to run to the area outside the Great Wall."

Sometimes, you'd encounter merchant caravans heading to the Northern Rong or Northern Rong people who had lived in Liangzhou for many years, and that's how you learned the Northern Rong language.

This is like a pillow being delivered to you just as you're about to doze off.

Shen Chu was overjoyed, and upon hearing that Li Anning had also lived in Liangzhou for several years, she felt a surge of warmth and kinship.

"If Miss Li doesn't mind, then I'll have to trouble you."

Li Anning twirled the whip, his gaze sweeping over Shen Chu's face a few times, and said with a grin, "No trouble at all, no trouble at all. Come on, I'll accompany Master Shen to pick out some books first."

The two turned and went to find the book, chatting and laughing.

Behind the stacks of bookshelves was a hidden staircase. At the top of the staircase stood a tall, stern-faced man who watched Shen Chu's departing figure with a hint of interest in his eyes.

"Is this Shen Chu the top scorer in this year's imperial examination?"

"Yes, I am currently serving as an imperial censor in the Censorate. Recently, I have been inspecting various departments in the capital on behalf of His Majesty and have been getting very close to the Sixth Prince."

The man raised an eyebrow slightly. "Getting close to Pei Yuan? Heh, that's interesting. Looks like I'll have to find some time to meet this young Master Shen."