Chapter 273 The Sixth Prince Couldn't Have Fallen in Love with You, Could He?

The following day, Han Feng came to detoxify Shen Chu and Aunt Qiao.

He wasn't surprised to see Pei Yuan in Shen Chu's courtyard.

While washing his hands to prepare, he muttered something to Chen Chu with a hint of bitterness.

"You actually remembered the time when you were detoxifying so clearly, that's quite thoughtful of you."

Chen Chu's feelings were somewhat complicated.

Pei Yuan's behavior these past few days has left her quite puzzled.

For example, he became increasingly unrestrained in his speech, and even when she deliberately said things like "homosexuality," he wouldn't fly into a rage and leave like before.

Instead, he simply looked at her intently, gave a soft hum, and let it go.

He would help her out of trouble, remember what she said, and do what she wanted to do.

All of this made her feel inexplicably uneasy.

What exactly does Pei Yuan want to do?

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and lie down!"

Pei Yuan's voice sounded behind her, and then he reached out and supported her arm.

Shen Chu was lost in her own thoughts when she subconsciously took a step back, avoiding Pei Yuan's hand.

Meeting his slightly raised, thick eyebrows, she gave a dry laugh, "I'm not so weak that I need someone to help me."

At this moment, Sun Yan reported from outside, "Your Highness, His Majesty summons you to the palace immediately."

Pei Yuan's face darkened.

Shen Chu quickly said, "His Majesty must have something urgent to attend to. Your Highness, please go quickly so as not to delay and cause His Majesty to blame you."

Pei Yuan frowned and insisted on helping her lie down properly.

"I'll go to the palace first and take a look. I'll come back to see you later."

Shen Chu nodded and watched him leave.

Han Feng watched Pei Yuan's departing figure, then approached Shen Chu with a strange expression.

"Ah Chu, could it be that the Sixth Prince has fallen in love with you?"

Shen Chu was startled. "Impossible, Senior Brother, don't talk nonsense."

Because of the Third Prince's affair, Pei Yuan felt an extreme aversion and hatred towards homosexuals.

How could he possibly fall in love with her as a "man" right now?

Han Feng frowned. "How is it impossible? The Sixth Prince I know is a free-spirited, cold, and ruthless commander of the Flying Eagle Guard."

But look at how attentive and reluctant he was to you just now—how is that any different from being deeply in love?

"That's because we've been through so much together, and we've faced life-or-death situations hand in hand several times. He..."

Shen Chu thought about it seriously for a moment, "Hmm, it's probably a kind of brotherly affection."

"Brotherly affection?" Han Feng twirled the silver needle. "I don't think brotherly affection is like that."

Ah Chu, I'm serious, if he's really good to you, you might want to consider it.

Shen Chu's mind was in turmoil, but he still firmly believed in his judgment.

She shook her head and smiled bitterly, "Senior Brother, don't talk nonsense. There's no way there's between us."

Han Feng sighed, "That's true. Once you revert to your female identity, the fact that you disguised yourself as a man to serve as an official in the court will be impossible to hide."

Even if you fake your death and return to the capital as a woman, as long as someone sees you, they will still suspect your identity and eventually uncover your past.

not to mention......"

He paused, not daring to say that Pei Yuan had said he didn't like children.

Little did they know that Shen Chu had already overheard these words in secret.

She could guess what Han Feng was going to say from his first words, and a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.

Her disguise as a man and her child are the biggest obstacles between her and Pei Yuan.

She initially entered the court as an official to seek justice for her father and family. Now that she is about to succeed, she should consider faking her death as planned.

As for the entanglement with Pei Yuan that night, just consider it a dream.

Taking a deep breath, she said softly, "My family's case has already started the trial. I estimate that it will be resolved in less than a month."

"Senior Brother, we can start considering our plan to fake our death now."

Han Feng's gaze fell on her abdomen.

"In another month, the baby in your belly will be five and a half months old, and it's already starting to show."

"In my opinion, since the case is already under trial, why don't we just fake our death and go back to Medicine King Valley to recuperate?"

Shen Chu disagreed.

"Everything I've done over the past ten years has been for this one thing. I'm about to succeed, and I have to witness that moment with my own eyes."

"At that time, I will rebury all the remains of my family members to comfort their souls in heaven."

“But your belly… Although your official robes are very loose and can cover your belly, in special circumstances, it is still easy for people to notice that you have a big belly under your official robes.”

Shen Chu gritted her teeth and said, "I'll make an excuse that I caught a cold and stay home as much as possible. I'll also ask the inspector for leave. If I really have to go out, I'll wrap my stomach with a bandage."

Han Feng knew he couldn't persuade her, so he could only sigh helplessly.

"Pretending to be sick is a viable strategy. If the illness lasts a long time, it's a good opportunity to fake death."

-------

While Shen Chu and Han Feng were discussing faking their deaths, two people were crouching in a corner outside the Changning Marquis's residence, peeking out.

It was those two Taoist priests, one tall and one thin.

The skinny Taoist priest stared in the direction of the Marquis of Changning's residence, his eyes gleaming with a greenish light.

"Senior brother, luckily I'm quick-witted and remembered who that person is. He's not Shen Chu at all. So, will we be able to have a full meal for lunch today?"

I want to eat lamb spine, stuffed lamb belly, mixed beef tripe, and drink ginseng chicken soup.

Glug.

The Taoist priest couldn't help but swallow, and then raised his hand to pat the thin Taoist priest.

"Keep an eye on him. When Shen Chuyi comes out, we'll rush up and stop him. As long as he doesn't want us to reveal his identity, he'll have to treat us like royalty from now on."

A greedy smile flashed across the skinny Taoist's face.

The two of them squatted side by side in the corner, staring intently at the gate of the Marquis of Changning's residence.

A morning has passed.

The two were sweating profusely from the scorching sun, feeling dizzy, weak from hunger, and exhausted.

The thin Taoist licked his chapped lips. "Senior brother, are you sure Shen Chu is going out today?"

"Of course, I've inquired about it. After Shen Chu passed the imperial examination with top honors, he became an official in the Censorate and had to go out every day."

"But we've been waiting all morning."

The Taoist priest glared at him. "What's the rush? Good things come to those who wait."

As soon as he finished speaking, a blue-curtained carriage drove out of the Changning Marquis's residence.

The Taoist priest jumped to his feet excitedly, shouting, "Quick, they're out! Charge!"

The two stumbled out and rushed toward the carriage.

“Chenchu, come out, an old friend has come to see you.”

"Chen Chu, do you still remember your fellow disciples at Baiyun Temple?"

The carriage suddenly stopped.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing an impatient, beautiful face.

The two Taoist priests looked at each other in bewilderment.

That's incredible! How come there's a woman sitting in the carriage?

The two of them suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed in front of the carriage.

Shen Qingshuang looked disgusted and ordered the coachman, "Where did this filthy wretch come from? What do you want with Shen Chu at the Marquis's residence?"

Didn't you know he'd already moved? And these so-called old friends? Quickly drag them away..."

She suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Baiyun Temple?

Isn't that the Taoist temple where Shen Chu was fostered?

Shen Qingshuang had a sudden inspiration and quickly called out to the coachman.

"Wait, bring these two men into the manor and wake them up. I have some questions for them."