Chapter 218 I already know all your secrets

No sooner had Shen Chu returned to the courtyard than Hong Xiu came back.

Where did you go?

Hongxiu smiled and placed the newly bought red bean cakes on the table.

"After you were summoned away by the Marquis's men, many of the Marquis's men repeatedly appeared around me."

One minute they're saying the seaweed buns in the East Market are delicious, the next they're saying the mutton soup in the West Market is wonderful.

Tsk, when I heard that, I realized they were clearly trying to lure me out.

You were summoned by the Marquis, so you definitely can't go see the eldest young master today. I was actually planning to go and tell him anyway.

So I simply granted their wish and pretended to be led out the door.

"By the way, young master, what did the Marquis summon you for? He didn't give you any trouble, did he?"

Shen Chu recounted how the Marquis of Changning was preparing to punish him with family discipline.

"You were right to go see your senior brother today. I'm afraid the Crown Prince and the Marquis's men are secretly watching us."

It's not advisable for us to meet with our senior brother right now; let's find another time.

After hearing what Marquis Changning had done, Hongxiu was so angry that she cursed him.

"It's my fault. I thought you had just returned from Changsha Prefecture and were on the verge of promotion, so even if he was angry, he wouldn't make things difficult for you at this time."

Who would have thought... Sigh, it's true what they say, you can know a person's face but not their heart.

"Young master, what do we do next? If he continues to pressure you with such blatant threats, we'll be unable to accomplish anything."

Shen Chu narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold smile creeping onto his lips.

"Don't worry, he won't have time to pressure me for long."

Hongxiu's eyes lit up.

"Young master, what good idea have you come up with? Tell me in detail."

Chen Chu pinched the bridge of her nose. "Dealing with him isn't difficult; the real challenge is how to awaken my aunt."

Hongxiu pouted, "Forget it, with Aunt Qiao's mind and heart filled with nothing but the Marquis, I'm afraid she doesn't have any extra space for anything else."

When Shen Chu recalled Aunt Qiao's innocent and passionate love, her infatuation so intense that she was practically ready to bang her head against a wall for love, he suddenly felt a sense of unease.

Just then, the voice of Marquis Changning could be heard outside.

"You may all step back."

Shen Chu raised an eyebrow.

The next second, Marquis Changning pushed open the door and strode in.

The maids and servants waiting outside bowed and then took their leave.

Shen Chu frowned and glanced at him, but didn't say anything.

Marquis Changning stared at Hongxiu, who stood motionless behind her like a pillar, his gaze slightly darkening.

"You go out too."

Hongxiu frowned, her fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and she looked at Chen Chu with a questioning gaze.

"Young Master?"

Chen Chu smiled and nodded, "It's alright, you can go out now."

Hongxiu then gave a cold snort to Marquis Changning and turned to leave.

Marquis Changning's face turned ashen.

Shen Chu calmly put down the book in her hand. "Father, please say what you have to say."

Marquis Changning casually pulled up a chair, sat down, and stared intently at Shen Chu.

After a long silence, he finally spoke: "I already know all your secrets."

Shen Chu was so shocked she almost jumped up.

Her hand, which was hanging under the table, suddenly tightened around the hem of her dress, and a series of thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.

Did the concubine ultimately not be able to resist telling the Marquis of Changning the secret?

Auntie is confused.

How could you so easily reveal her identity as a woman disguised as a man?

She hasn't yet cleared the name of her father and the Ning'an Marquis's family, so what is she supposed to do now?

Despite feeling extremely uneasy inside, she still wore a faint smile on her face.

"What is Father saying? What secret? I don't understand."

Marquis Changning snorted coldly and slammed his hand heavily on the table.

"Now that things have come to this, do you still intend to hide it?"

You must tell me the truth today. If you dare to leave out even the slightest detail, I will truly punish you according to family rules.

Shen Chu's heart sank even deeper.

His voice carried a hint of resentment and hesitation.

"Did your aunt tell you everything?"

Marquis Changning stared at him seriously. "Otherwise what? Actually, even if your aunt didn't say anything, I could guess a thing or two."

Shen Chu paused slightly as she twirled her fingers.

How much can he guess?

That's not right. How could Marquis Changning possibly have guessed that she was disguised as a man?

Unless he's deliberately trying to trick himself into saying something.

Shen Chu took a deep breath and said with a smile, "Now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to confess to my father."

Marquis Changning's eyes brightened slightly. "Speak."

Shen Chu took a deep breath and slowly spoke:

"Actually, it's not that I don't want to hand over the witnesses and physical evidence to my father, it's just that all the evidence is in the hands of the Sixth Prince."

The Sixth Prince brought all the evidence to the Flying Eagle Guard. If Father wants it, why don't you go to the Sixth Prince?

"The Sixth Prince?" Marquis Changning frowned. "What does the Sixth Prince need this evidence for?"

Shen Chu sighed, "I don't understand this either, but the Sixth Prince has been in charge of the Flying Eagle Guard for many years and has never encountered a fiery sea cucumber like me."

"If Father wants witnesses and evidence, why not ask the Sixth Prince?"

Marquis Changning gave him a gloomy look, then turned and left.

Shen Chu's back was soaked with sweat.

It seems that Aunt Qiao did not reveal her true identity.

But the Marquis of Changning became suspicious of her.

This is not a good sign.

She secretly went to see Aunt Qiao.

"Madam, what did you say to the Marquis?"

When Aunt Qiao saw him, she grabbed his arm, her expression complicated.

“I thought my aunt would be unable to resist telling my grandmother about it.”

Aunt Qiao kept sighing.

"I almost revealed your background, but just as the words were about to come out, I suddenly remembered what I had promised you."

I promised you I wouldn't tell anyone for now, including the Marquis.

It was my fault back then; I was cowardly, which led me to send you to a Taoist temple to be raised.

Over the years, I've always felt indebted to you, which is why I wanted you to switch back to women's clothing as soon as possible and go back to living a normal life.

Since you don't want me to tell the Marquis, I think you must have your reasons.

So I hesitated for a long time and didn't dare to tell the truth.

Shen Chu breathed a long sigh of relief.

She took Aunt Qiao's hand and said solemnly:

"Auntie, please don't be anxious. His Majesty has given me an important task to do today, so now is not the right time to tell the Marquis."

Think about it, if we tell him now that I haven't finished my job, I won't be able to explain it to His Majesty.

He can't help me get out of this mess either; he'll only cause me more trouble, right?

"Why don't we wait until I finish my errands, then tell him, and we can figure out a solution together, okay?"

Aunt Qiao hesitated, "How long will it take you to finish your job? If it takes several months, your belly can't wait."

"Don't worry, Aunt, I know what I'm doing. But before I finish my business, you have to promise me you won't tell anyone a thing."

Otherwise, it could very well bring about our deaths, do you understand, Aunt?

Chen Chu thought about it carefully and said:

"Don't worry, it will take at least half a month, and at most a month."

"If my aunt wants to speak to the Marquis again later, I absolutely won't stop you."

Aunt Qiao agreed.

After leaving Aunt Qiao's courtyard, Hongxiu asked softly, "Young Master, will you really be honest with the Marquis about your identity?"

Chen Chu chuckled.

Honesty is no longer an option.

The Marquis of Changning has at most half a month to act recklessly.

She had already figured out how to awaken her aunt's romantic mind.