Chapter 51 Straight to the Point: Ah Ci, you are the best person in the world!
Qi Jingxuan jumped up, ready to give Xu Jinyu a good beating. Xu Jinyu quickly dodged, saying repeatedly, "How was I supposed to know he was the person you're talking about! If I had known earlier... if I had known earlier, I would have stopped him from entering the capital no matter what!"
He only returned to Beijing today. After returning, he told Qi Jingxuan about Lin Si's matter, and then continued his investigation.
Although Lin Si has been arrested, and the matter seems to have made a major breakthrough, as Qi Jingxuan said, it is uncertain whether Lin Si will speak or when he will speak, so we cannot place all our hopes on him.
In order to find out the mastermind as soon as possible, Xu Jinyu continued his investigation without stopping. Just as he was about to go home for lunch, he saw the carriage of the Prince of Ping's mansion speeding past him.
He thought something had happened to Qi Jingxuan, so he hurriedly chased after him, jumped into the car, and asked him what was wrong. Then he heard that a young master had come to the Shen family and was Miss Shen's childhood sweetheart.
Upon hearing this, Xu Jinyu was furious! Her brother was getting married in three days, and now this childhood sweetheart had suddenly appeared, brazenly entering the Shen family compound. Did he intend to steal the bride?
No matter what this person is here for, he has to come and see, lest his own brother suffer a loss.
To his surprise, when he arrived, he discovered that his so-called childhood sweetheart was none other than Gao Zheng, who had ridden in his carriage and traveled with him all the way to the capital.
Xu Jinyu was stunned for a moment. While nimbly dodging Qi Jingxuan's punches and kicks, she asked Gao Zheng, "Brother Gao, what are you doing here... what is your relationship with the Shen family?"
Gao Zheng originally had a good impression of Xu Jinyu, but seeing that he and Qi Jingxuan seemed to be good friends and that he was behaving so improperly, fighting and making a ruckus in someone else's house, Gao Zheng frowned.
“My father worked with Uncle Shen when he was in Yueming Prefecture. I am an old acquaintance of Shen and the Shen family.”
Although he disliked Xu Jinyu's words and actions at this moment, the other party had been very friendly to him during the journey to the capital, so he still patiently replied.
Xu Jinyu suddenly realized, and hurriedly pushed Qi Jingxuan, pulling his arm and whispering, "Did you hear that? It's just that his father and Lord Shen know each other, and they only met back in Yue Ming's residence. How can that be considered childhood sweethearts?"
Only those who grow up together are childhood sweethearts. According to Gao Zheng, he and Shen Yan had only known each other for three or four years at most, which could not be considered childhood sweethearts.
Qi Jingxuan was taken aback upon hearing this, and then stopped chasing and hitting. He looked at the guard who had followed him in, and lowered his voice as well: "Didn't you say you were childhood sweethearts?"
The guard was also stunned for a moment, then pointed to another person next to him: "Brother Shan... said it."
Yan Shan's heart tightened. He glared at the guard, thinking to himself, "I only asked him to deliver a message, to tell the prince that a handsome young man has come to the Shen family. How come this brat even included that childhood sweetheart thing he was muttering about?"
He quickly put on a smile and said, "Your subordinate... Your subordinate was just talking nonsense, who knew this brat would take it seriously."
Qi Jingxuan glared at him irritably, let out a soft snort, straightened his clothes and stood up straight, no longer fighting with Xu Jinyu.
Hearing the commotion, Shen Mingshan and Su Shi rushed out and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the scene, saying repeatedly, "Let's talk things out and not resort to violence."
Qi Jingxuan chuckled and obediently responded. After greeting the two of them, he wanted to take the opportunity to complain that Gao Zheng had been talking badly about him behind his back.
But after glancing at Su's belly, he was afraid of disturbing her peace, so he gave up.
Shen Yan was used to Qi Jingxuan's antics every time he came, and she knew he wouldn't really fight with Xu Jinyu, so she wasn't too nervous. She reassured him, "Father, Mother, it's okay, they're just playing around."
"Yes, yes, we were just kidding."
Xu Jinyu quickly echoed.
Madam Su nodded, glanced at the group, and said, "Let's not stay here, let's go inside and talk."
The Shen family's courtyard was not large to begin with, and with everyone gathered here, it felt even more cramped.
Shen Yan and Gao Zheng were talking alone earlier, so it wasn't convenient for them to go inside. Now that there are so many people around, why don't we go inside and sit down to talk?
However, the main room and Shen Mingshan's and Su's living room were connected. If they talked in the main room, it would inevitably disturb Su's rest. So Shen Yan took them to the outer room of the west wing.
The west wing was originally where Imperial Physician Zhou lived. Now that Madam Su's pregnancy is more stable and Shen Yan is about to get married, there are many rewards from the palace and betrothal gifts from the Prince's Mansion. In addition to Shen Yan's dowry, the Shen family's courtyard is really too small to accommodate everyone. So Imperial Physician Zhou simply moved back to his own home and vacated the west wing.
The west wing is currently unoccupied, but it's suitable for temporarily entertaining guests.
Shen Yan took the lead and walked towards the west wing, and Qi Jingxuan immediately followed.
Xu Jinyu hurriedly followed, leaving Gao Zheng at the very back.
He looked at the three people who had already stepped into the room, and felt a pang of sadness in his heart.
Although she knew that Sister Shen hadn't brought him inside to talk earlier because he was an outsider and it wasn't convenient for her to be alone with him in the room, she brought them inside as soon as Prince Ping arrived.
He knew they were engaged and would be getting married in a few days, so there was no need for so many formalities, but...
But he was still sad.
He was the one who met Shen Meimei first, and he was the one who... fell in love with her first.
Gao Zheng's eyes reddened, but unwilling to show weakness in front of Qi Jingxuan, he suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and followed.
He was the last to enter the room, and both of Shen Yan's seats were already taken, so he had no choice but to sit down opposite her, the seat furthest away from her.
After Qi Jingxuan sat down, he first poured a cup of tea for Shen Yan, then poured one for himself. While pretending to sip, he glanced outside to make sure that Shen Mingshan and Madam Su had returned to their room and were no longer outside. Only then did he slam the cup on the table and question in a low voice, "You surnamed Gao, what did you mean by that just now? I have never met you before, why did you speak ill of me in front of Aci?"
Although Gao Zheng had been to the capital several times, he had never met Qi Jingxuan before, and his impression of him came from the opinions of officials and the common people, so it was not very good.
Having met him in person today, I can confirm that the rumors are indeed true. How could such a person be worthy of Aci?
Seeing that Qi Jingxuan still had the nerve to question him, he smirked and retorted, "What did I say wrong? Isn't Sister Shen in this predicament because of the Prince? Besides his good background, what makes the Prince a good match for her? Are you skilled in literature, martial arts, or do you have any other notable abilities?"
Qi Jingxuan choked, not knowing how to refute for a moment, and could only turn to look at Xu Jinyu.
Xu Jinyu shrugged, gave him a "I can't help you" look, and then went back to drinking her tea.
Shen Yan disliked the tense atmosphere and Gao Zheng's questioning of Qi Jingxuan in her name. She frowned and said, "Brother Gao, don't say that. I'm just an ordinary person. There's no such thing as being a good match or not."
"No, that's not true!"
Before Gao Zheng could speak, Qi Jingxuan exclaimed, "Aci, you are the best person in the world!"
Shen Yan: "..."
Gao Zheng: "..."
Gao Zheng stared at Qi Jingxuan in disbelief, his mind blank for a moment at Qi Jingxuan's sudden words.
Prince Ping... Prince Ping, is this... just sweet talk? Is it deliberate flattery? Is it just saying this to please Aci?
Although he also felt that Shen Yan was indeed the best woman in the world, shouldn't such words be whispered between husband and wife? Why could he say them so seriously and solemnly in public?
Qi Jingxuan, used to saying such things, didn't see anything wrong with it. After speaking, he turned to Gao Zheng, his neck stiff, and said, "Whether she's worthy or not is a matter between me and Aci, what does it have to do with you?"
"Lord Shen and his wife have both agreed to this marriage, and so has Aci. Is it your place to question me?"
Gao Zheng was stunned by what he had just said, and after hearing this rebuttal, he was speechless.
Yes, marriage is a matter of parental arrangement and matchmaker's words. Aci's parents have agreed, and she herself has agreed. So how can he, an outsider, have the right to speak?
Moreover... and Prince Ping actually addressed Aci by her childhood nickname, and Aci didn't seem to react to it at all.
Not only did she not react to this, but she also only felt somewhat helpless about what Prince Ping had just said, without showing any displeasure.
Gao Zheng's hands, resting on his knees, gradually clenched, and the redness in his eyes became more and more obvious.
Although he often called Shen Yan "Aci" in his heart, he didn't dare to call her that in person. He could only call her "Sister Shen".
Now that Prince Keping and Aci are engaged, he can openly and affectionately address her in this way...
What he didn't know was that Qi Jingxuan was also annoyed by the nickname "Sister Shen" at that moment.
Sister Chen, sister Chen, what sister or not sister?
Aci was an only child with no siblings. This person was a complete stranger to her, so why was he calling her "Sister Chen"?
However, Shen Yan didn't react to this and even called Gao Zheng "Brother Gao," so he couldn't say anything and could only swallow his anger.
Seeing that the two were arguing endlessly over trivial matters, Shen Yan had no choice but to forcefully steer the conversation back on track and bring up the matter of the Marquis of Cheng'an's residence.
Of the four people in the room, three were involved in the incident, and the only one who wasn't had already learned the whole story, but wasn't clear on the details.
Shen Yan carefully recounted all the details she could, and then said to Gao Zheng, "I heard that Brother Gao is going to the capital to take up a post at the Dali Temple. According to my and the Prince's speculation, there should be people planted by the mastermind in the Dali Temple as well."
"The news of your visit to my home today will likely reach their ears soon, and they may try to find out about the relationship between our two families. Brother Gao, you'd better be careful in your actions at the Dali Temple in the future, lest you get involved innocently."
The main reason she told Gao Zheng these things was this: if she didn't tell him and let him speculate wildly, he might be taken advantage of by someone with ulterior motives.
It's better to make things clear so he'll be on guard and won't be easily deceived.
Upon hearing this, Gao Zheng said seriously, "You and I... the relationship between our two families, what's the point of talking about being involved? Now that I know about this matter, I will definitely investigate it thoroughly."
Shen Yan didn't want to drag him into this, so she frowned and shook her head, saying, "Brother Gao, this matter has nothing to do with you, you don't need to do this. The person behind it must be in a high position and have great power. If you rashly intervene, it will not only implicate you, but may also implicate the entire Gao family."
“That’s right,” Qi Jingxuan added coldly from the side, “Don’t meddle. We’ll find out the truth ourselves!”
Gao Zheng still looked at Shen Yan with a solemn expression and said in a deep voice, "Sister Shen, you are underestimating me by saying that."
"Those people I investigated before, those people my Gao family investigated before, how many of them held high positions and wielded great power? If we shrink back because of this, how could my Gao family have gotten to where we are today? How could I dare to continue on this path?"
After he finished speaking, he turned to look at Qi Jingxuan and sneered, "Your Highness speaks so casually; I wonder what you've found out by now?"
Qi Jingxuan was stunned, and then choked up and couldn't speak for a long time.
He found out about Lin Si, and Xu Jinyu also found out about him. It was Gao Zheng who helped them find out.
Gao Zheng scoffed and ignored him, then said to Shen Yan, "Don't worry, I won't act rashly. When I get back, I'll tell my father about this and discuss countermeasures with him to see what to do next."
"You know my father. Although he's not very interested in criminal investigation, he's actually quite talented. And after being forced to learn by my grandfather for so many years, he's quite capable. Wasn't it him who investigated Liu Yuan?"
"With his help, we'll definitely be able to find out the truth much faster and bring the mastermind behind your misfortune to justice. Then..."
He thought that perhaps by then Shen Yan wouldn't have to stay in the Pingjun Prince's Mansion anymore and could leave Qi Jingxuan.
But he also knew that once he married into the royal family, it would be almost impossible to leave. Saying such things now would only cause his sister Shen more trouble and would not do any good, so he swallowed his words back.
Shen Yan still felt it was inappropriate, but Gao Zheng insisted, so she could only say, "Then listen to what your uncle has to say. If your uncle says it's not feasible, then don't force it."
Gao Zheng nodded, then asked Xu Jinyu about the events at the Cheng'an Marquis's residence that day, confirming some details, until he could ask her nothing more before stopping.
Although the conversation wasn't pleasant, they managed to clear things up. When they left, Qi Jingxuan and Gao Zheng still didn't like each other, while Xu Jinyu was caught in the middle and felt quite awkward, wishing she could drag Qi Jingxuan away as soon as possible.
But Gao Zheng hadn't left yet, so Qi Jingxuan refused to leave first. He waited until Gao Zheng had said goodbye to the Shen family couple and left first before leaving with Xu Jinyu. Before leaving, he didn't forget to instruct the guards who stayed at the Shen family's place to tell him immediately if they saw Gao Zheng coming.
Yan Shan nodded vigorously upon hearing this, thinking to himself that sending someone to inform the Prince today was indeed the right thing to do. Although there were some errors in the transmission, it was clearly necessary to be wary of that young master Gao.
Fortunately, the Prince and Miss Shen will be married in a few days. Once Miss Shen marries into the Prince's mansion, it will be much more difficult for Young Master Gao to visit her under the guise of visiting an elder. The gates of the Prince's mansion are not so easy to enter.
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Author's Note: Gao Zheng: Straight ball foul! Foul!
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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