Inside the bedchamber, the air was cool and refreshing. Shen Zhiyi didn't dare to look around and just kept her head down eating the crispy pastry. But then she heard Kong Qing say, "Your Highness, Xu Ben and the others have been waiting for you. They are currently talking with the young master. Would you like to see them?"
Xu Ben?
Chen Zhiyi paused slightly in his hand movements.
This seems to be one of Zhou Xuance's subordinates. In his previous life, when Zhou Xuance suddenly passed away and his deputy betrayed him, Xu Ben saved the crown prince with the courage of ten thousand men, but he himself died for his country. At that time, His Majesty specially posthumously honored him.
"I am unwell and will not see you." Zhou Xuance stroked the white porcelain teacup.
not see?
Shen Zhiyi glanced at him subconsciously.
Why did he want to see me?
Zhou Xuance, perceptive as ever, seemed to see through her thoughts. "Miss Chen, are you wondering why I am seeing you?"
Shen Zhiyi remained silent, but then heard him say softly:
"Because in my eyes, Miss Shen is different from others."
"You are special."
“Even if my brother were to come, I might not see him. But if it were you… I’m always available.”
Chen Zhiyi felt a chill run down her spine.
If these words had come from Xiao Zhongxuan's mouth, she would have thought they were just sweet talk. But coming from the mouth of Zhou Xuance, who was gloomy, unpredictable, and ruthless, a chill ran down her spine.
That's terrifying!
If he wanted to take my life, he could have just said so. Why bother saying such terrifying things to frighten me?
Zhou Xuance continued, "After all, His Majesty is not very clear about the important matters of my army, but Miss Shen knows them. Naturally, I dare not neglect you."
Chen Zhiyi smiled sullenly.
To cast a spell on oneself—is that what you call daring not to be negligent?
He probably wishes he could kill himself.
"Miss Shen, do you know anything else about my army?" Zhou Xuance looked at her seriously.
"This General Xu Ben is a good man."
Zhou Xuance laughed out loud; his voice was low and magnetic, yet it sent shivers down one's spine.
"Miss Chen, don't just stand there, keep eating." He said, getting up and telling Kong Qing to have someone prepare water, probably for a bath.
After he left, Shen Zhiyi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
A scourge can live a thousand years; I still hope he can live a long life.
——
Shen Jingchuan searched everywhere for his sister without success, and only felt relieved when he saw that she had returned safely.
"Where did you go?"
Before Shen Zhiyi could speak, Kong Qing answered for her: "This subordinate is accompanying Miss Shen to admire the lotus flowers in the backyard."
"Have the lotus flowers in the backyard of the Imperial Uncle bloomed yet?" A slightly childish voice rang out, and Shen Zhiyi looked closely and saw a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old jumping out from the side, dressed in a gorgeous robe made of light blue brocade.
Shen Zhiyi hurriedly bowed and said, "This humble woman greets the Seventh Prince."
"Greetings, Sister Shen."
Zhou Yuanchen is the youngest son of the current emperor, and is the most innocent and carefree.
"Are you here to visit your uncle as well? But they said he is unwell and not fit to receive guests." The Seventh Prince smiled at her.
Shen Zhiyi gave a sullen smile:
They're taking a bath right now.
"So Miss Shen is here too." As another voice rang out, someone stepped out.
The crown prince was also there.
Besides him, there were also the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince.
Zhou Xuance was not only the regent, but also the uncle of several people, so it was only natural for the younger generation to visit him in his illness.
As Shen Zhiyi bowed, the Third Prince smiled and said, "If Sister Zhiyi likes lotus flowers, there are several twin lotus flowers in my manor that will soon bloom. A lotus appreciation banquet will be held then. If you have time, you can come and have some fun."
"Thank you, Third Prince."
“Admiring lotus flowers is rather boring; let’s go horseback riding instead,” the prince said.
...
Shen Zhiyi is not a fool; in her previous life, she was the Crown Prince and the Third Prince vying for power.
One was His Majesty's eldest son, who was deeply loved by the Emperor, and the other was the Empress's legitimate son.
Shen Zhiyi glanced at the Fourth Prince and nodded slightly to him.
The fourth prince was in a wheelchair and had a distinctive face; the imperial physician diagnosed him with a congenital defect.
His birth mother was His Majesty's cousin, who gave birth to two princes. However, the second prince died before his first birthday. Although the fourth prince had no chance of ascending the throne, he was able to live a life of luxury.
At this moment, the Crown Prince suddenly looked at her and asked, "Sister Zhiyi, do you prefer riding a horse or admiring the lotus flowers?"
The question was suddenly thrown at her, and Shen Zhiyi was taken aback.
The Third Prince chuckled softly: "Brother, why make things difficult for her? I respect all of Sister Zhiyi's decisions."
Chen Zhi's breathing became slightly shallow.
In his previous life, he was confined to the inner quarters and had no idea that the conflict between these two had already been laid bare.
As she pondered how to respond...
Shen Jingchuan was about to speak,
"Sister Shen, will you come with me to see the lotus flowers again?" The Seventh Prince, being young, grabbed Shen Zhiyi's hand and left this place of trouble.
——
When they left the Prince's residence, the Seventh Prince was still clinging to Shen Zhiyi. The nanny serving him tried to persuade him to no avail, and could only beg Shen Zhiyi to spend more time with him. The brother and sister had no choice but to take him back to the residence first.
After returning to the manor, Shen Zhiyi took him for a stroll in the garden. The Seventh Prince looked at her innocently and asked, "Sister Shen, would you choose the Crown Prince or the Third Prince?"
Why should I choose them?
"Many people in the palace are saying that after your divorce, you'll marry one of them." The Seventh Prince held a freshly picked pomegranate blossom in his hand, looking at her intently. "Which one of them do you like more?"
Shen Zhiyi's heart skipped a beat, but she just smiled and said, "Little guy, how old are you? Why do you care about these things?"
"It's a pity that I'm too young, otherwise, I could marry you too."
He even made her laugh out loud.
The little guy looked at her seriously, "Sister Chen, don't laugh, I'm serious."
"Neither the Crown Prince nor the Third Prince is suitable for you."
Shen Zhiyi bent down, her gaze level with his. "Then tell me, who is suitable for me?"
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