Early the next morning, Luo Lingfeng and his group bid farewell to Liuyun City and embarked on a journey to Yuqingzhou.
Luo Lingfeng's followers rode non-stop all night, arriving in Jiangning at dawn. After a short rest, he began to inquire about the exact location of the Shen Mansion and headed in that direction without hesitation.
Located in the heart of Jiangning's inner city, the Shen Mansion is a magnificent and imposing structure. Like a mighty lion entrenched within, or a sleeping tiger reposing within, the entire residence exudes an unparalleled aura of majesty.
On either side of the gate stood two stone lions, each ten feet tall. These lions were unique in shape, each with its own unique posture, and seemed to be lifelike.
The main entrance to the mansion was a vast, towering copper-iron gate, a full two feet wide and two feet high. A massive knocker hung in the center, gleaming with a cold metallic gleam. Directly above the gate hung a massive, gilded plaque, engraved with two gleaming golden characters: Chen Mansion!
The attendant stepped forward and gently knocked a few times on the intricately carved door. With a gentle click, the door slowly opened a crack, and a servant with a sharp gaze and a shrewd expression appeared at the doorway. The attendant stepped forward and said respectfully, "I am the attendant of the Sixth Young Master Luo of the Shangjing General's Mansion. I have come to see Master Shen today!"
Upon hearing this, the servant's face immediately lit up with respect. He quickly stepped aside and ushered the attendant in. He then led the attendant through several magnificent mansions and picturesque gardens. Every time they passed a mansion, the attendant couldn't help but marvel at its grandeur and beauty.
Finally, they arrived at an elegant study. The servant knocked lightly on the door, then pushed it open and walked in. A moment later, Master Shen came out with a happy look on his face.
Master Shen said to his attendant with a smile on his face, "Thank you for coming all the way here, young man! Please come into the flower hall and have a rest!" After that, he personally led the attendant into the flower hall and arranged for him to sit in a comfortable seat.
Then, Master Shen turned to the maidservant beside him and ordered, "Hurry and prepare a sumptuous breakfast for our distinguished guest!" The maidservant obeyed the order and left with swift and deft movements. Soon, a variety of exquisite snacks and teas were served, filling the table.
The attendant respectfully took out the letter Luo Lingfeng had given him and presented it to Master Shen: "This letter was specially entrusted by my son to me to pass on to you, Master Shen!"
Mr. Shen frowned slightly, but still took the letter and opened it to read. After reading just a few lines, his originally tense face relaxed, replaced by a smile full of joy.
Master Shen turned to the maid beside him and ordered, "Go and invite the young lady over!"
Not long after, Shen Yourong came to Mr. Shen under the guidance of the maid. Mr. Shen could not wait to hand the letter to Shen Yourong: "Rong'er, take a look quickly. This is a letter sent by the Third Young Master Luo from the General's Mansion."
Chen Yourong curiously took the letter and opened it to read. It read, "To Mr. Shen, everyone in the General's Mansion wishes Luo Lingliu and Miss Shen a long and happy marriage! We hope Mr. Shen will appease Luo Lingliu. The General's Mansion will certainly send someone to discuss the marriage someday! Sincerely, Luo Lingzhang!"
After reading the letter, Shen Yourong's lips curled up slightly, revealing a relieved smile. She then turned to the servant and ordered, "Send Boss Luo away quickly, and tell him that I have thought it through and will not force him to get married!"
The attendant quickly put the snacks and tea into his mouth, then bowed to Master Shen and said goodbye: "Master Shen! My Sixth Young Master and Young Miss have already left Liuyun City. Once they cross Yuqing Prefecture, they will come to the Shen Mansion to discuss the Second Young Master's marriage! I hope Master Shen and Young Miss Shen can do their best to appease the Second Young Master!"
Mr. Shen smiled and responded, "Then I'll trouble you. Don't worry, we will be waiting for your visit!"
After the attendants left, Master Shen gently stroked his beard, his eyes glittering with cunning and shrewdness. "Rong'er! Judging from the current situation, the General's Mansion doesn't seem to object to Luo Lingliu marrying into our Shen family! Luo Lingliu is indeed a business genius, and I am very satisfied with him! But... if Luo Lingliu has no feelings for you, then there is no need to force it! After all, a forced marriage is not sweet!"
Chen Yourong smiled and said firmly, "Father! I can sense that Luo Lingliu still feels differently towards me! It was just the ball-throwing incident that upset him! Then he lost to me in the account book competition, so he must have been a little angry!"
Mr. Shen looked at his stubborn daughter, shook his head helplessly, and sighed: "You! You have been competitive since childhood, and you want to do everything the best. But men all want face. If you beat him, where will he put his face! Alas!" He knew that his daughter had a strong personality, but he was also worried that her personality would lead to setbacks in her love life.
Shen Yourong, however, didn't take it seriously. She believed she was simply showing her true self and had done nothing wrong. She believed that those who truly loved her would appreciate her strengths and tolerate her weaknesses. However, she didn't realize that love isn't a simple competition, but requires the joint efforts of both parties.
At this moment, Shen Yourong was looking forward to her next encounter with Luo Lingliu with great joy. She firmly believed that as long as she persisted, she would be able to win his heart. As for Mr. Shen, he could only pray silently in his heart, hoping that his daughter would find her happiness as soon as possible.
Before nightfall, the general's carriage arrived at the gates of Yuqing Prefecture. Xiao Jinghan slowly drew back the curtains, gazed coldly at the gates, and said, "Li Mingjie, the prefect of Yuqing Prefecture, is the Prime Minister's cousin. He is a man of wicked intentions, treacherous, and cunning! His methods are sinister and ruthless! During the previous snowstorm, he dared to embezzle relief funds and grain without the court's knowledge, causing countless victims to become homeless and starving!"
Luo Lingfeng was also furious after hearing this, and angrily continued, "If he hadn't relied on the Prime Minister's support, he would have died no less than a hundred times already!"
The rage in Xiao Jinghan's eyes grew increasingly intense. "He's been tyrannical in Yuqing Prefecture, bullying the people and forcibly taking women. He's simply a lawless local tyrant! Even more despicable is that even the imperial envoy, Lord Liu, was murdered by him on his way back to the capital!"
Luo Lingfeng was shocked. "Could it be Lord Liu Zhiquan? I heard that he was unfortunately buried in an avalanche!"
Xiao Jinghan sighed, "That's not the case. Li Mingjie learned that Lord Liu had irrefutable evidence of his crimes, so he ordered his men to blow up the mountain wall on the road Lord Liu had to take back to the capital, causing an avalanche that killed Lord Liu!"
Luo Lingyue frowned. Did Xiao Jinghan come with them to Jiangnan just for this Li Mingjie? Did he want to get rid of the Prime Minister's men?
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