Chapter 217 A-Chu's Secret, Marquis Changning's Suspicion

Marquis Changning shook off Aunt Qiao's hand, his face full of displeasure.

"What important thing is it that you have to say it now? Can't you wait until I've dealt with this unfilial son?"

Aunt Qiao panicked, "It will be too late by the time you finish cleaning up."

She clutched Changning Marquis's sleeve tightly, "My lord, please have pity on A-Chu, she..."

Actually, there's a secret I've never told you...

"Auntie." Shen Chu was stopped by the guards, her face slightly darkened.

"What did you forget to promise me?"

Aunt Qiao stamped her foot, "Ah Chu, what time is it? Let's not hide it from the Marquis anymore."

Shen Chu clenched her hands, her heart filled with extreme gloom.

Her aunt's heart and eyes were completely occupied by the Marquis of Changning, and she was really afraid that her aunt would directly reveal her identity as a woman disguised as a man.

Marquis Changning's gaze swept over the two of them. "What kind of riddle are you two playing?"

What's the secret? Tell me quickly!

Aunt Qiao, holding her handkerchief, saw that Chen Chu's eyes were full of pleading as she kept shaking her head slightly at her, and she couldn't help but hesitate.

Just then, someone rushed in from outside, interrupting Aunt Qiao's words.

"My lord, something terrible has happened!"

He was Shen Yan's servant.

"On the way back from the academy, the carriage suddenly overturned, and the prince hit his head and broke his skull."

Marquis Changning was furious and kicked the servant over.

"If you've hit your head, go get a doctor! You heartless idiot, what's the use of reporting to me?"

"Could it be that I, Your Excellency, go and bandage the young master and prescribe medicine?"

The servant was kicked so hard he rolled on the ground, clutching his backside and slunk away.

Marquis Changning frowned and turned to Aunt Qiao.

"By the way, what did you just say? What secret?"

Aunt Qiao pursed her lips.

After all, it was a secret kept for many years, and the words that were about to be spoken were interrupted.

My anxiety had forced me back a bit of my rationality, but I needed to muster up the courage to speak again.

With so many people in the courtyard, if she were to reveal A-Chu's true identity, her entire family would be branded with the heinous crime of deceiving the emperor.

Thinking about it, she felt a chill run down her spine.

She took Changning Hou's hand and said with a smile:

It's the Marquis's birthday in a few days, and Ah Chu told me today that she wanted to prepare a special surprise for you.

She wanted to buy the Golden Jade Pavilion as a birthday gift for the Marquis.

Jin Yu Lou?

Marquis Changning's eyes lit up for a moment.

That was a famous gold and jade jewelry workshop in the capital, with booming business; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it made a fortune every day.

but.....

Marquis Changning frowned as he looked at Consort Qiao.

"What's so big a secret about buying a shop that it's worth you two being so nervous and speaking in riddles?"

Aunt Qiao said, "Isn't this to give the Marquis a surprise?"

Furthermore, seeing that the Marquis was about to use family discipline on Ah Chu, I was naturally anxious and thought of telling the Marquis about it.

"My lord, please spare him, considering A-Chu's filial piety towards you."

She tugged at the Marquis of Changning's hand and whispered coquettishly, "I was just worried about Achu, so I spoke a little too fast in my haste."

Ah Chu had just returned from Changsha Prefecture, exhausted from the long journey, and hadn't even had a hot meal yet when she got home.

The Marquis was so hostile towards her, he seemed more like an enemy than his son.

Marquis Changning stared at Aunt Qiao without saying a word.

Aunt Qiao lowered her eyes and sighed, "A-Chu didn't grow up by our side. She must have suffered a lot when she was young to grow up to be the way she is now."

As parents, we've already lost money on him, can't we show him a little more compassion?

If there's anything you've done inappropriately, Your Excellency can teach you patiently. Don't resort to family discipline at the drop of a hat; it's terrifying."

Marquis Changning stared intently at Aunt Qiao, his mind filled with doubts.

Aunt Qiao had been with him for many years, and he knew her personality best.

Because she came from a merchant family and her shops were very profitable, in Aunt Qiao's eyes, any problem that could be solved with money was not a problem.

But when Aunt Qiao rushed over just now, she clearly said that she had a secret about Shen Chu to tell.

What secrets could Shen Chu possibly hold?

Marquis Changning began to make some plans in his heart.

There must be some untold secret between Shen Chu and Aunt Qiao.

Could there be some hidden story behind the Changsha case that he doesn't know about?

The more the Marquis of Changning thought about it, the more suspicious he became, but he looked helpless.

"Alright, since your aunt has pleaded for you, we'll spare you from the family punishment for now."

"Guards, lock the eldest son in the ancestral hall and make him reflect on his actions."

Shen Chu sneered, "Yesterday at Qinghe Palace, His Majesty praised me on the spot, saying that I handled the case well and that I would be rewarded in a few days."

I had just returned home when my father decided to punish me according to family law because of the case in Changsha Prefecture. He locked me in the ancestral hall to reflect on my mistakes.

If this matter were to reach His Majesty's ears, I wonder what His Majesty's opinion of Father would be?

Marquis Changning's expression suddenly changed, and his gaze towards Shen Chu was filled with a sinister look.

"You! You actually dare to use His Majesty to scare me?"

Shen Chu chuckled, "Does Father mean that His Majesty is not worthy to frighten you?"

"How dare you, you scoundrel! How dare you say such things? Do you want to get our whole family killed?"

"It was clearly you, Father, who first disagreed with His Majesty's judgment and interfered with the cases I handled. Who exactly wants to kill the whole family?"

"you!"

Marquis Changning was so angry he nearly fell backward.

Aunt Qiao quickly stepped forward and pulled him back, "Alright, Lord Marquis, don't be angry. I'll talk to A-Chu about it slowly."

"Hmph, it's all your fault for spoiling him into this arrogant and ignorant state."

Marquis Changning glared at Aunt Qiao, "Come inside and talk to me."

He pulled Aunt Qiao and turned to leave, but when they reached the corridor, he glanced at Chen Chu again.

"As for you, think carefully about whether what I said makes sense."

Shen Chu ignored his words.

She was more worried that Aunt Qiao might say something inappropriate.

She looked up and secretly gave Aunt Qiao a look.

Aunt Qiao pursed her lips, and before she could say anything, she was pulled away by Marquis Changning.

Marquis Changning took Aunt Qiao back to his courtyard.

Aunt Qiao glanced at his expression and whispered, "My lord, are you angry with me?"

Marquis Changning held her hand and smiled tenderly.

"I love you so much, how could I bear to be angry with you?"

"Just now, Ah Chu was being too naughty, and I scolded her a few times because I was angry. Yulan, you're not angry with me, are you?"

He looked at Aunt Qiao with tenderness and focus.

Aunt Qiao suddenly felt that all the thoughts in her mind had turned into mush.

Marquis Changning pulled Aunt Qiao onto his lap and gently massaged her waist with his large hands.

"There's no one else here. Can you tell me your secret now?"

Aunt Qiao was stunned. "Didn't I just say that?"

Marquis Changning chuckled and pinched Aunt Qiao's waist with his large hand.

"Yulan, we've been together for so many years, I know you better than I know myself."

What you were trying to tell me just now was clearly not about buying a shop.

You want to tell me Ah Chu's secret, right?

Aunt Qiao's body went limp from his pinching, and she let out a soft moan before collapsing into Marquis Changning's arms.

"Yulan, Achu is our child. You can't hide anything from me."

He's young after all, and hasn't experienced much. If he has any problems, he can talk to me, and I can help him make a decision. Don't you think that makes sense? Hmm?"

As he spoke, he vigorously rubbed Aunt Qiao's hands.

Aunt Qiao blushed deeply and looked at Marquis Changning with a dazed expression.

What the Marquis said isn't entirely unreasonable.