Chapter 214 I am willing, I want you

Emperor Longqing paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, seemingly contemplating his final decision.

The hall was quiet, with only the occasional popping of candle flames, which made one feel inexplicably depressed.

Shen Chu knelt quietly on the ground, her thumb gently rubbing her index finger together inside her sleeve.

Why did His Majesty suddenly change his mind after clearly rejecting her memorial?

What happened during the hours she was drunk and asleep?

After a long silence, the Longqing Emperor finally spoke:

"Shen Chu, if I were to allow you to use the investigation of the Ning'an Marquis's residence as a pretext to find out if the Crown Prince harbors any disloyal intentions, would you be willing?"

Startled, Shen Chu looked up abruptly, meeting the stern and cold gaze of the Longqing Emperor, and quickly lowered her eyes again.

"Does Your Majesty wish for me to secretly monitor the Crown Prince?"

Emperor Longqing's expression darkened slightly. "It's not surveillance, but rather to have you keep a closer eye out while you're investigating the case, to see if there are any unexpected discoveries."

Chen Chu hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Why is it 'Chen'? Isn't there the Flying Eagle Guard?"

The Longqing Emperor sat down on the dragon throne, but instead of answering the question directly, he asked in return:

"You said you're willing and able to do it, right?"

Shen Chu clenched her fist.

This may be the only chance to clear my family's name.

She must catch her.

Shen Chu took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "I am willing and able to do it."

The Longqing Emperor said, "Because it involves the Crown Prince, I will not issue any official decree for you to investigate, nor will I give you any tokens."

This matter must be kept secret from everyone; everything must be done in the dark.

Once you find any clues, report back to me privately immediately. Are you willing to do that?

"If you wish, I will grant you permission to investigate the case of the Marquis of Ning'an's residence."

My initial aspirations sank deeper and deeper.

Ten years have passed since my father's case of treason, and most of those who knew about it back then died in the bloody battle of Liangzhou.

It is very difficult to investigate.

That's why she submitted a memorial requesting His Majesty's approval for her to reinvestigate the matter.

Only with His Majesty's imperial decree could she demand the cooperation of various departments and even have the right to request access to their relevant records.

For example, the defense deployment maps preserved by the Ministry of War.

Now His Majesty has ordered him to conduct a private investigation, which means there will be many difficulties ahead.

But His Majesty finally relented, and she would persevere no matter how difficult it was.

Shen Chu pursed her lips and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing."

The Longqing Emperor gave him a deep look, and then said:

“Shen Chu, you should think this through. Back then, Shen Zhixing betrayed the country and the three clans of the Marquis of Ning'an were executed. Now he still carries the reputation of a traitor.”

If you insist on clearing the name of the traitor, and this news is leaked, it will likely lead to many people impeaching you.

Since I haven't given you an imperial edict, I can't protect you then. Do you understand what that means?

After a moment of silence, Shen Chu nodded gently.

"I understand. If this matter is leaked and someone impeaches me, I am willing to take full responsibility."

Emperor Longqing was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting him to be so insistent.

"Why is Minister Shen so persistent in investigating the case of the Marquis of Ning'an's residence?"

Shen Chu looked puzzled.

"As an imperial censor of the Censorate, now that I have discovered suspicious points, shouldn't I reinvestigate them?"

"If I knowingly fail to investigate suspicious aspects of the case, I would be betraying Your Majesty's trust."

After a long silence, the Longqing Emperor sighed with mixed emotions, "Good, I did not misjudge you."

"Alright then, I will specifically instruct the sixth prince to secretly lend you a hand."

Shen Chu bowed slightly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Alright, I'm tired, you may leave."

Remember, don't let anyone know about this except for Lao Liu.

Shen Chu took his leave.

When I came out, I saw Sun Yan standing straight in the shadows not far away.

She walked over quickly.

"Commander Sun? What are you doing here?"

Sun Yan peeked out and glanced around.

"Your Highness, please leave me to look after things. Did Lord Shen's audience with the Emperor go smoothly?"

Chen Chu paused slightly, and the doubt that had been lingering in her mind suddenly found its answer.

"Did the Sixth Prince go to see His Majesty? What did he do?"

Sun Yan lowered his voice and recounted what Pei Yuan had done.

Shen Chu remained silent for a long time.

Pei Yuan took away the information about the Eastern Palace gathered by the Flying Eagle Guard, which made His Majesty believe that the Crown Prince possessed a mysterious power.

His Majesty suspected that the Crown Prince harbored rebellious intentions, which is why he agreed to let him use the investigation of the Ning'an Marquis's residence as a starting point to monitor the Crown Prince.

If even the slightest rumor about the Crown Prince gets out, it will disrupt the current political situation.

That's why His Majesty refused to issue a decree, but instead allowed him to investigate secretly.

In His Majesty's heart, was Father wronged, and were all the people of the Ning'an Marquis's mansion wrongfully killed?

This matter is far less important than whether the Crown Prince harbors rebellious intentions.

Shen Chu closed her eyes, feeling an indescribable sadness and oppression in her heart.

"Young Master Shen, are you alright?"

Seeing that Shen Chu remained silent for a long time, Sun Yan scratched his head anxiously.

Jinbao said that His Highness is a low-key person and is unwilling to reveal what he did for Lord Shen behind his back.

These servants have to be high-profile in their work.

He even gave him detailed instructions on how to speak to Master Shen.

Sun Yan recited the lines that Jin Bao had prepared in a dry and monotonous manner.

"Having followed Your Highness for so many years, this is the first time I've seen Your Highness go to such lengths to arrange everything for one person."

Lord Shen, you must thank His Highness properly.

Chen Chu snapped out of her daze, took a deep breath, and said, "Alright, please convey my gratitude to His Highness for me."

Sun Yan shook his head and refused, "Passing on thanks is not sincere. Lord Shen, please thank me in person."

"Oh, by the way, His Highness's birthday is in five days."

Sun Yan abruptly gave a brief instruction, then turned and ran off in a flash.

Shen Chu lowered her eyes. Was it Pei Yuan's birthday?

She can finally investigate her father's case.

Should we prepare a gift for him as a thank you present?

She was still pondering this question while lying in bed.

The bedding was covered in the pine scent of Pei Yuan, dry and refreshing, and smelled wonderful.

Shen Chu turned over, clutching the blankets, and fell into a deep sleep.

In her dream, she asked Pei Yuan what birthday present he wanted.

Pei Yuan gripped her waist and pressed himself against her, his voice hoarse.

"I want...you!"

Shen Chu was startled awake from her dream, only to find that it was already broad daylight.

Recalling Pei Yuan's burning gaze in her dream, which was almost melting, she couldn't help but pat her face.

Wake up, Chenchu, you still have a lot to do.

Once she had cleared her head a bit, she got up, packed her things, left Qinghe Palace, and returned to the capital.

Upon returning to the Marquis of Changning's residence, Hongxiu was overjoyed to see her come back.

"Young master, you're finally back."

He grabbed her sleeve and checked her over from head to toe, then Hongxiu frowned and pouted.

“Young master, you have lost weight. If the eldest young master saw you like this, he would surely be heartbroken.”

Shen Chu was overjoyed, "Senior Brother has arrived in the capital? When did he arrive?"

Hongxiu said, "The day before yesterday, they said they were delayed on the road, which is why they arrived late."

The eldest son wants you to inform him as soon as you return so he can come and examine you.

Chen Chu grabbed Hongxiu and said, "Let's go see him now."

"Who are you going to see right after you get back?"

Aunt Qiao came back from outside carrying her favorite scallion chicken and stopped Chen Chu.

"Don't go out yet, I have something to tell you."

"Auntie, can't we talk about this when we get back?"

"No, this is urgent."

Aunt Qiao disagreed and insisted on pulling Chen Chu into the house.

The first thing he said upon entering the room was, "A-Chu, let's tell the Marquis about your disguise as a man."