Chapter 9: Deceiving His Cousin, Pei Yuan Closes Into Shen Chu

Shen Chu wrote a letter requesting not to take up an official post due to illness. The letter began with the request to be submitted to the Ministry of Personnel.

"You unfilial son, how dare you threaten me with not being allowed to serve in the government?"

Marquis Changning's eyes were filled with anger, unable to understand why Shen Chu resisted taking a concubine.

She's just a woman. If you like her, pamper her a few more days; if you don't, just leave her in the backyard.

Madam Shen was also very angry after reading the letter. "Does he think he can just refuse to accept the bride? Does he think he can rebel against him?"

"You don't need to worry about this. I'll handle it. Today, I'm going to make him take Yu Fang as a concubine."

"Someone, go and fetch Miss Biao."

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Shen Chu sent Hongxiu to deliver the message, while she went to the library to find two books about the laws of the Great Wei Dynasty to read.

The Marquis of Changning considered himself a man of refined taste, so he built a library in his mansion, which housed many rare books.

Of course, all of these were bought with Aunt Qiao's money.

Shen Chu was engrossed in searching for the book she wanted to read when she suddenly heard a gasp behind her.

She turned around, and a pink figure rushed straight towards her.

Chen Chu leaned against the bookshelf.

The pink figure cried out and fell to the ground.

The kind of prostration.

"Cousin, why didn't you help him up?"

The pink-clad figure straightened up, looking at Chen Chu with a sorrowful expression, her eyes slightly red, as if she was about to cry.

Chen Chu narrowed his eyes slightly, "Cousin Yu Fang?"

Zhao Yufang's eyes lit up, and she quickly stood up, tugged at her new pink dress, straightened the jewels in her hair, and curtsied with her fingers forming a lotus shape.

"This is a new embroidered purse by Yufang, a gift for my cousin."

Shen Chu was chilled to the bone by her winding, unpredictable tone. Then, seeing the purse with mandarin ducks playing in the water right in front of her, she quickly took a step back.

“I have my own money, so my cousin doesn’t need to worry.”

Zhao Yufang cupped her hands in her hands, looked up and kept winking at Chen Chu, sending him flirtatious glances.

"Yu Fang has fallen deeply in love with my cousin ever since she met him. Why are you being so polite with me, cousin?"

Without a word, she shoved the purse into her hand.

Shen Chu didn't answer. "How did my cousin know I was in the library?"

Zhao Yufang stammered, "I...I asked the servants, and they said they saw my cousin coming this way."

A cold glint flashed in Shen Chu's eyes.

It seems that the Marquis of Changning is determined to make her take Zhao Yufang as a concubine, and is even going so far as to create opportunities for her personally.

She looked at Zhao Yufang and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Cousin Yufang likes me?"

Zhao Yufang blushed and said, "My cousin is a top scholar in the imperial examination and is also exceptionally handsome. I have never seen such a good-looking person in my hometown."

And most importantly, she had never seen such a wealthy and luxurious life in the Marquis's mansion even in her hometown.

She had many sisters, but her great-aunt said that only one could be sent to the Marquis's mansion, and she had to use a lot of scheming to get this opportunity.

The thought of marrying the handsome Shen Chu and living a life of wealth and luxury in the Marquis's mansion made Zhao Yufang laugh in her dreams.

My great-aunt said that she must finalize the marriage between my cousin and me today, or she will have to be sent back to her hometown.

With this thought in mind, Zhao Yufang steeled her resolve and reached for her belt.

Once her cousin saw her body, he would have no choice but to marry her.

Just as Zhao Yufang's hand touched her belt, Shen Chu swiftly threw a book at her.

The book hit Zhao Yufang right in the tiger's mouth, and she cried out in surprise as her hand immediately lost its strength.

"Is my cousin trying to seduce me by taking off her clothes?"

Shen Chu looked surprised.

Having her thoughts exposed, Zhao Yufang, being a young girl who had just come of age, was both ashamed and embarrassed. "I...I didn't, I didn't."

Chen Chu smiled and said, "It would be best if it weren't for that. If my cousin really took off her clothes, she would be harmed by the old lady and ruin her own future happiness."

Zhao Yufang looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"If I see my cousin's body, you will lose your chastity. An unmarried woman who loses her chastity can only become someone's concubine."

"The old lady's actions clearly indicate she intends for my cousin to be my concubine, not my wife."

Zhao Yufang's expression changed slightly. "Impossible. My great-aunt promised me that my cousin would marry me."

“But your great-aunt has changed her mind now.”

Zhao Yufang tugged at the handkerchief in her hand, her expression constantly changing, before finally fixing her gaze on Shen Chu's face.

“My cousin is a man of exceptional talent and ability. Even if… even if it means becoming a concubine, Yu Fang would be willing.”

Chen Chu...

She rubbed her face. "What does my cousin think of life in the Marquis's mansion?"

Zhao Yufang thought for a moment, "Prosperity and wealth."

She never dreamed of such a life back in her hometown.

Shen Chu nodded. Of course she was rich. She spent her aunt's money, and neither Madam Shen nor Madam Chen cared. Everything she ate, wore, and used was of the highest quality.

"My cousin has only been in the capital for a short time and hasn't seen the real prosperity and wealth of life yet."

"Is there a life more luxurious than that of a marquis's mansion?"

"Of course there are. The Marquis's mansion can only be considered average in the capital. The ladies in the palace and the women in the princes' and princesses' mansions live truly prosperous lives."

I've heard that the imperial concubines washed their faces with milk, changed their clothes more than a dozen times a day, and had countless hair ornaments and jewelry.

Zhao Yufang couldn't help but show a look of longing on her face, "Is it really as good as you say?"

Shen Chu nodded earnestly, "Of course, my cousin is as beautiful as a flower, she deserves to live a life of luxury."

"If you become my concubine, you'll be confined to the back courtyard and never allowed to leave. Moreover, concubines are of lowly status; you won't even be allowed to attend banquets."

Zhao Yufang couldn't help but raise her hand to touch her face, overjoyed by Shen Chu's praise.

She also felt that she was the most beautiful among her sisters.

“But cousin, you’re so kind. Although I long for the kind of life you’ve described, I know I’m of low status and can’t possibly be worthy of such a person.”

Shen Chu said with a serious expression, "Cousin, please don't belittle yourself. You are the cousin of Marquis Changning and the grand-niece of the old lady. How can you say that your status is low?"

Not to mention the heirs of marquises, even princes and princes could try to get close to him.

"Not to mention how far away, we also have a heir apparent in our household. If you marry him, you'll immediately become a high-ranking lady, and all the people you associate with will be noble ladies."

Zhao Yufang looked conflicted. "But the young master isn't as handsome as you."

Shen Chu... So you want both good looks and wealth? Isn't that too greedy?

She shook her head. "That's because you haven't met enough people. There are plenty of people prettier than me."

"Really? I don't believe it." Zhao Yufang stared at Shen Chu's delicate features, her face full of suspicion.

Shen Chu said confidently, "Really, you haven't met the Sixth Prince yet, have you? The Sixth Prince is as handsome as a jade statue, as beautiful as Pan An. He is the most handsome man."

If my cousin wants wealth and power, she can choose to marry the heir apparent.

If my cousin wants someone pretty, she can choose the Sixth Prince. In short, any one of them is better than me.

My cousin, go back and think carefully about what I said. Don't just listen to the old lady's arrangements. If the old lady truly cares about you, she should be planning a better life for you.

Zhao Yufang was completely swayed, her face beaming with excitement, as if she could already see herself dressed in fine clothes, surrounded by servants, living a life of luxury and extravagance.

She couldn't help but smile broadly.

Thinking about it this way, Shen Chu really wasn't the best choice, and her great-aunt didn't truly care for her.

Having been successfully brainwashed, Zhao Yufang left without hesitation.

Shen Chu smiled and bent down to pick up the book from the ground.

A cold, mocking laugh sounded from behind.

A chill ran down her spine, and she whirled around. "Who?"

A tall figure emerged from behind the bookshelf, leaning casually against it, his peach blossom eyes filled with a familiar mockery.

"No wonder he's the top scholar, he has a silver tongue."

Shen Chu broke out in a cold sweat. What was Pei Yuan doing here? When did he arrive?

Despite her martial arts skills, she once again failed to detect Pei Yuan's presence.

Could this guy be a hidden master as well?

"Chen Chu was unaware that the Sixth Prince was here. What... what does Your Highness wish to do?"

Before she could finish speaking, she saw Pei Yuan suddenly stride over and approach her directly.

The man's icy aura instantly assaulted her nostrils, forcing her to press herself against the bookshelf, staring at Pei Yuan with a wary expression.