Chapter 288 In A-Chu's heart, His Highness is the most important.

Just as Shen Chu was about to ask Pei Yuan, an urgent voice came from behind her.

"Achu!"

Luo Heng and Li Chengxuan walked towards them side by side.

Li Chengxuan looked Shen Chu up and down.

"You look pretty good; it seems you've been resting well at home these past few days."

Shen Chu smiled, "Yes, eat well and sleep well."

She turned to Luo Heng and asked, "When Physician Han performed acupuncture on me a couple of days ago, I described my elder brother's symptoms and asked Physician Han to make a house call."

How have you been feeling these past two days, brother?

Luo Heng's eyes flickered slightly, his feelings a mixture of emotions.

That day, fearing that Pei Yuan would catch up with him as he sped past and that his plan would be ruined, he secretly used his internal energy to deliberately make himself sweat profusely and pretend to be in excruciating abdominal pain.

He deceived Shen Chu.

But Shen Chu still remembered him and specially asked Han Feng to take his pulse.

Although he had told himself countless times that he would never regret it, Luo Heng still felt a pang of regret standing in front of Shen Chu.

"Doctor Han said there's nothing wrong, no need to take medicine, just pay attention to your diet."

Shen Chu nodded. "That's good."

Li Chengxuan nudged Shen Chu with his elbow.

"I never imagined that you would be the grandson of the Marquis of Ning'an and the youngest son of Prefect Shen."

Such a big thing and you didn't let a single word out? Do you not consider us brothers anymore?

Shen Chu smiled, "It's not that I deliberately kept it from you, but it involves too many people, so I didn't dare to say anything. Please don't mind."

Li Chengxuan pouted and made a heart-clutching gesture.

"I always thought I was your best brother, but look what happened. You didn't tell me such a big secret, but the Sixth Prince knew it."

It seems that in your heart, the Sixth Prince is the most important person, Ah Chu. You've hurt me so much.

Shen Chu looked embarrassed.

"You can't say that."

Li Chengxuan looked aggrieved.

"Alright, tell me, in your heart, who is more important, me or the Sixth Prince?"

Chen Chu...

"Second brother, when did you become so childish? You even have to compare this?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a low, cold snort sounded from behind him.

"Yes, I'm curious too. In your heart, who is more important?"

Shen Chu felt a chill run down her spine and looked at Pei Yuan standing in the shadows.

"Why is Your Highness getting involved in this?"

Pei Yuan's eyes narrowed at the corners, his expression a half-smile.

"Tell me, who's more important? You can only choose one, hmm?"

The last syllable carried a faint smile, like a feather brushing against the ear, sending a tingling sensation through Chen Chu's heart.

She glanced at Li Chengxuan, then at Pei Yuan, and offered a suggestion with a smile.

"How about you two play rock-paper-scissors? Whoever wins is more important."

Pei Yuan's face darkened, and he glanced at Li Chengxuan indifferently.

"You dare compare yourself to me?"

Li Chengxuan shuddered, feeling that he must have just eaten the gall of a bear and the heart of a leopard.

How dare you provoke the Sixth Prince!

He hunched his shoulders, closed his eyes, and said without hesitation:

"Naturally, it's Your Highness. Your Highness knows A-Chu's secret, but I don't."

It's clear that in A-Chu's heart, His Highness is the most important person.

Pei Yuan smiled with satisfaction at Shen Chu.

"No need for rock-paper-scissors, the answer is already there."

Chen Chu.......

As expected of you!

Luo Heng, who had been silent all along, suddenly chuckled.

"If knowing A-Chu's secret is the most important thing, then in A-Chu's heart, I should be the most important person."

He dusted off his clothes and winked at Chen Chu.

"There are also secrets between me and Achu."

Shen Chu gave a wry smile, "Why is Big Brother joining in the commotion too?"

Pei Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, and his gaze toward Luo Heng turned colder.

Li Chengxuan looked hurt. "Brother, do you know any other secrets about A-Chu?"

What is the secret? Tell us quickly!

Luo Heng refused, "Since it's a secret, it can't be said casually."

Li Chengxuan was greatly shocked. "Achu, just how many unspeakable secrets do you have?"

Shen Chu felt extremely guilty, especially when she looked up and met Pei Yuan's deep eyes. She quickly looked away and coaxed Li Chengxuan:

"Brother Luo was just joking with you, you actually took it seriously."

Li Chengxuan looked suspicious. "Big brother, are you joking?"

Luo Heng paused, then chuckled, "Of course it was a joke. What I really wanted to ask is, should we call you A-Chu or A-Mo from now on?"

Li Chengxuan looked unconvinced.

"Whether it's Achu or Amo, he's the one we've sworn brother to, so we'll just accept him as our brother."

Pei Yuan suddenly spoke, "Chen Chu."

Shen Chu was bewildered. "What?"

"His name is Shen Chu!"

Pei Yuan didn't look at her, left a sentence, and strode forward.

The three were left standing there, looking at each other in bewilderment.

------

Today's grand court assembly was unusually quiet, but beneath the surface of this quietness lay an undeniable undercurrent of turmoil.

The most prominent official in the court, Chief Minister Feng, was arrested and imprisoned by the Flying Eagle Guard, while the Crown Prince was confined to the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince's faction was leaderless, and each member was like a grasshopper hanging on the edge of a cliff, fearful and uneasy, yet dared not make any rash moves.

On the contrary, the people of Hengwang's faction were like fighting cocks, each stretching their necks, just waiting for the right moment to pounce on their opponent and take a bite.

The opportune moment is the pronouncement of the verdict at today's grand assembly.

He Zhengxiang, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, was the first to step forward and present the prepared case file to His Majesty.

"Your Majesty, I have thoroughly investigated and verified the crimes committed by the Feng family father and son. It all started ten years ago."

That year, rumors circulated throughout the court and among the people that His Majesty intended to make the Sixth Prince the Crown Prince. At the same time, the Feng family unexpectedly learned that a large number of treasures left over from the previous dynasty were hidden underground in the Ning'an Marquis's mansion.

In order to support the eldest son of the Empress to ascend the throne, the Feng family father and son devised a vicious plan targeting the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion and the Ning'an Marquis's Mansion.

The Feng family colluded with Li Ming, the deputy general of the Duke of Zhenguo, who stole the Liangzhou defense map and secretly passed it on to the Northern Rong people, leading them to enter the pass and massacre Liangzhou.

Afterwards, the Feng family colluded with Jiang Hongzhi, a salt merchant from Changsha, who imitated the notes of Shen Zhixing, the prefect of Liangzhou at the time, to falsely accuse Shen Zhixing of colluding with the Northern Rong and placing the Ning'an Marquis's mansion in a position of disloyalty and injustice.

Over the years, the Feng family has committed numerous heinous crimes, including colluding with foreign enemies, framing loyal officials, murder, arson, and greed for money.

Everything has been verified; Your Majesty, please make your decision.

Although the court officials were shocked by the result, Emperor Longqing had already learned of it from Pei Yuan.

Therefore, as soon as He Zhengxiang finished speaking, the Longqing Emperor immediately pronounced the verdict.

"By imperial decree, the Feng family shall be exterminated and their entire clan executed. The Crown Prince, influenced by the Feng family, has acted inhumanely. Therefore, he shall be stripped of his title as Crown Prince and imprisoned in the residence of the First Prince."

As for the Marquis of Ning'an's residence...

Emperor Longqing paused.

Chen Chu's heart jumped into his throat.

The Longqing Emperor did not pause for long before continuing:

"I was misled by the Feng family back then, which caused the Ning'an Marquis's Mansion to suffer an unjust injustice. From this day forward, the title of Ning'an Marquis's Mansion shall be restored."

"On an auspicious day, the reburial of the Ning'an Marquis's family members will be arranged. I will order the Ministry of Rites to renovate the Shen family ancestral tombs, rebuild the Ning'an Marquis's residence, and reopen the Shen family ancestral hall."

Chen Chu clenched her fists tightly and couldn't help but look up at the sky.

Tears kept falling.

The Longqing Emperor's gaze fell on him, but he changed the subject.

"Although I take care of the fact that you are the only surviving bloodline of the Marquis of Ning'an, you have committed the crime of deceiving the emperor by impersonating Shen Chu to participate in the imperial examination, and you must be punished."

However, considering your numerous meritorious deeds since entering the court, I will today, in front of all the civil and military officials, give you a lenient sentence.

"Guards, drag Shen Chu away and give him fifty strokes of the cane as a warning to others."

Shen Chu's face turned pale instantly.