Chapter 36 The horse kicked the sixth prince in the groin

Sun, the official in charge of the case, was drinking tea in his duty room while listening to his subordinates flatter him.

"What new top scholar? He still has to listen to your arrangements, sir, and obediently go and organize the files."

"Sir, your show of force is quite effective."

A wave of praise gradually dissipated the anger that had been building up in Sun's heart.

He snorted and slowly took a sip of tea.

If it weren't for Shen Chu's sudden appointment, he would have been steadily promoted to the rank of Vice Censor-in-Chief, a fifth-rank official.

That damned Shen Chu took his place; how could he not hate her?

Chen Chu should just honestly and diligently work in the institute, collecting dust and organizing files.

"My lord, someone from the palace has arrived. His Majesty has summoned Lord Shen to the palace."

puff.

Sun, who was holding a mouthful of tea, suddenly spat it out.

"What? His Majesty summoned him to the palace?"

The subordinates looked at each other in bewilderment.

"My lord, will he go to the palace and complain to His Majesty?"

Sun's face suddenly turned pale.

Shen Chu wouldn't really tell on him, would he? He wouldn't dare!

Shen Chu was completely bewildered by His Majesty's sudden summons.

She smiled and handed a red envelope to the eunuch who had come to summon her, "May I ask, Your Majesty, is there something urgent that Your Majesty has suddenly summoned Chen Chu?"

The eunuch squeezed the red seal and said with a smile, "Today, the Sixth Prince was reading to His Majesty, but His Majesty complained that the Sixth Prince's reading was dry and his speaking was even more devoid of emotion. This reminded me of what Lord Shen mentioned at the Princess's residence the other day, that he had traveled around a lot."

Therefore, we have chosen Lord Shen to enter the palace and recount his travel stories to His Majesty. Lord Shen need not worry.

Shen Chu became even more worried after hearing this.

"His Highness the Sixth Prince is here too?"

"Yes, His Majesty summoned the Sixth Prince to the palace to discuss the marriage between the Prince and your sister. He said that he will issue an imperial decree to grant the marriage today. I would like to congratulate Lord Shen in advance."

Chen Chu paused slightly; this was hardly a surprise.

Despite the huge scandal that has occurred at the Marquis of Changning's residence, the emperor is still willing to let his son marry Shen Qingshuang.

Is Pei Yuan His Majesty's biological son?

It seems that her trip to the palace was definitely not just a simple travelogue.

Pei Yuan must have deliberately tried to make the emperor think of her.

Shen Chu entered Longquan Palace with a heart full of trepidation.

"Your humble servant, Shen Chu, respectfully addresses Your Majesty."

"Rise, Minister Shen." Emperor Longqing raised his hand and said with a smile, "I called you here to tell me some stories. The stories told by the Sixth Prince are dry and boring, and they give me a headache."

Shen Chu subconsciously looked at Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan leaned casually against a pillar, his legs crossed, his right foot tapping the ground loosely. He looked somewhat lazy and unreliable.

I never expected him to be so unrestrained in front of His Majesty.

Seemingly noticing his scrutinizing gaze, Pei Yuan raised the corners of his eyes, curled his lips into a smile, and silently uttered a few words.

Shen Chu understood his lip movements; he meant it was time.

If she doesn't help him refuse the marriage proposal to Shen Qingshuang today, he'll expose himself.

This man.

"Young Minister Shen?"

Shen Chu snapped out of her daze and met the displeased look in the eyes of the Longqing Emperor. She quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was just thinking about what I should say to Your Majesty."

The Longqing Emperor's expression softened slightly, and he pointed to a book on the table, "Let's talk about this one."

A collection of annotations on Buddhist temples throughout the world.

When she opened the book and saw the three large characters "Jingguo Temple" prominently displayed on the first page, her brow twitched slightly.

It's obvious without even thinking that Pei Yuan chose this book.

Shen Chu suddenly closed the book and said with a smile, "When I was young, I traveled around with my master and even went beyond the Jade Gate Pass to the Western Regions. Why don't I tell Your Majesty about the Buddhist temples in the Western Regions?"

The Longqing Emperor was very interested and said, "Tell me about it."

"In the Western Regions, there is a Chongguang Temple, which is said to be the oldest temple in the area. The buildings inside..."

Shen Chu picked out interesting things to tell, and the Longqing Emperor listened with great pleasure.

"Now that you mention it, I'm tempted to go and experience the customs and culture of the Western Regions."

Pei Yuan chuckled, “Father, the Western Regions may have their charm, but when it comes to grandeur and magnificence, the Buddhist temples of our Great Wei are far more impressive.”

Shen Chu couldn't help but retort, "Our Great Wei's Buddhist temples are magnificent, but the Western Regions' Buddhist temples are cleverly laid out and exquisitely decorated, and are equally worth seeing."

"Pshaw, just some fancy trick."

"Everyone has a unique personality, Your Highness should allow different styles to exist."

Emperor Longqing glanced between Pei Yuan and Shen Chu and chuckled, "There's not much hatred between you two, so why do you always have to fight each other whenever you meet?"

Pei Yuan chuckled lightly, neither sarcastic nor ambiguous, "It's just a difference of opinion. Speaking of temples, I suddenly remembered that when I went to Jingguo Temple last time, I accidentally discovered something interesting."

He paused deliberately, turned his head and looked at Shen Chu with a faint smile.

Shen Chu felt a chill run down his spine; this was a blatant threat.

She looked up at Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan looked at her with a half-smile.

Time is up!

Shen Chu rubbed his fingers together, then suddenly made up his mind, knelt down on the ground with a thud, and said with heartache, "Your Majesty, I am guilty."

The Longqing Emperor looked bewildered. "What crime have you committed?"

“It is understandable that Your Highness and I are not on good terms. When I was riding through the streets earlier, I startled the horse, and it accidentally injured the Sixth Prince.”

The Longqing Emperor already knew about this matter. "Isn't this all in the past? Wasn't the sixth prince kicked in the chest? He's recovered from his injury now."

Shen Chu touched the ground with his head, his voice trembling slightly, "My horse not only kicked the Sixth Prince in the chest, but also... it also kicked the Sixth Prince in the groin."

Did he kick the sixth prince in the groin?

Emperor Longqing looked at Pei Yuan's crotch in shock.

Startled by the sudden look of concern, Pei Yuan instinctively squeezed his legs together, his face immediately turning dark.

"Chen Chu!"

Shen Chu looked guilty. "Sixth Prince, please forgive me for no longer being able to consider your feelings."

"Your Majesty, although I tried my best to rein in the horse, it was out of control. That kick was extremely precise and powerful. I'm afraid... I'm afraid it will affect the Sixth Prince in the future..."

"Sixth Prince, are you failing?" Emperor Longqing blurted out.

Pei Yuan...

Suddenly, Shen Chu rushed over and hugged Pei Yuan's leg, her voice trembling as she said, "Sixth Prince, you have your reasons for hating me. I shouldn't have kept this from Your Majesty."

Pei Yuan froze, his face turning as black as the bottom of a pot.

"release."

"Sixth Prince, have you had the imperial physician examine you? This matter cannot be ignored."

Pei Yuan lowered his eyes, watching the black official hat on Shen Chu's head sway back and forth, and squeezed out each word through gritted teeth: "This prince has no..."

Shen Chu looked up, her eyes devoid of any tears or fear, instead smiling silently as she reminded him: "Refuse the marriage."

Pei Yuan also understood her lip movements, his peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly, and a fierce storm began to gather.

Should we let him use the excuse that it's not going to work to refuse the marriage?

This is the solution he came up with for himself.

Okay, that's great.

Pei Yuan smiled coldly and kicked Chen Chu in the chest.

Unexpectedly, Shen Chu suddenly released his leg, turned around and rushed back to Emperor Longqing's feet, "Your Majesty, this concerns the health of the Sixth Prince. Please summon the imperial physician to examine the Sixth Prince."

If His Highness the Sixth Prince truly... I would be guilty beyond redemption, even unto death.

The Longqing Emperor had a headache.

"Someone, summon the imperial physician."

The imperial physician arrived quickly.

Emperor Longqing ordered, "Take the Sixth Prince to the next room for an examination."

Pei Yuan's face turned green.

Is it alright to have the imperial physician examine me?

This is an insult to any man.

Shen Chu kindly advised, "Sixth Prince, you cannot hide your illness from medical treatment."

Pei Yuan... I thank you.

"This prince cannot do without it."

"Sixth Prince, this is a matter of great importance concerning our heirs. Quickly have the imperial physician examine him," Emperor Longqing declared.

Pei Yuan looked at Shen Chu with a gaze that seemed to want to strangle her.

Shen Chu smiled gently, silently reminding him once again: refuse the marriage.

Pei Yuan sneered and pulled her into the inner room, gritting his teeth: "Lord Shen, come in and accompany this prince for an examination. Tell the imperial physician exactly where this prince was kicked by the horse."

The last few words were practically squeezed out through clenched teeth.

Hearing him grind his teeth, Shen Chu pulled her hand away and smiled slightly, "Your subject will do his best."

Pei Yuan's smile didn't reach his eyes. Taking advantage of the imperial physician turning around to wash his hands, he lowered his voice and said angrily, "Is this the way you came up with to refuse the marriage? Whether this prince is capable or not, the imperial physician can find out with a single examination."

This prince is very curious, how could the imperial physicians determine that someone as valiant as a god is incapacitated?