"Even though you and Shen Qingye are in cahoots, don't let the little fairy's feelings go to waste."
Gu An leaned against the door frame, one leg bent, arms crossed, her golden hair ribbon fluttering in the wind.
Shen Qingcheng lowered his eyes and looked at the dagger not far away.
"You mean... she did it on purpose?"
Even if you forget that he's your older brother, will you still subconsciously protect him?
Perhaps recalling some unpleasant memory, Shen Qingcheng's fingers trembled uncontrollably.
"What else did you think?"
Gu An was very displeased. "You can't even see that? You're such a blockhead. Is it something to be proud of for a young lady to shout when she needs to use the toilet? But it is proud of a fairy to shout."
He thought for a moment, then bared his teeth and threatened menacingly, "I'm telling you right now, if you dare to think she's being vulgar, even if you're her older brother, I'll sever both of your tendons, you hear me?"
Gu An may not seem very bright, but he is actually very perceptive.
He also realized that the relationship between Shen Jiao and the Marquis of Anbo's mansion was not simple.
Even as a child, Shen Jiao had many people willing to protect her and speak up for her.
Shen Qingcheng looked at Gu An, feeling genuinely happy for Shen Jiao, yet also a little saddened by Shen Jiao's forgetfulness.
Receiving no response, Gu An waved his fist in the air.
"Hey, don't think I'm afraid of you just because you're a young master. Speak up, did you even hear me?!"
After Gu An finished speaking, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "If my father had been born a lifetime earlier, I would still be the young master. What's with all the arrogance? Being the young master isn't such a big deal."
Shen Qingcheng quietly watched the ferocious young master Gu.
He would do the same when he teased the kitten, and when he heard Gu An's stubborn muttering, he couldn't help but laugh.
Shen Qingcheng was known as the "Jade-Faced Asura" in the military camp because of his stern demeanor and decisive nature.
A sudden smile is like withered trees coming back to life in spring, or a gentle autumn moon shining in the desolate desert, illuminating the silent night.
The Gu family's bodyguards were accidentally captivated by the sight and secretly lamented that their young master would miss out on such a treat.
Actually, Miss Shen and Prince Shen are quite similar; they're both incredibly good-looking.
Gu An clenched his fist: "Speak up, did you hear me?"
Shen Qingcheng sealed the acupoints to stop the bleeding, and said softly, "Yes, I heard you."
In an instant, Prince Shen reverted to his usual aloof and unapproachable demeanor.
"That's right, that's right, that's more like it."
Gu An was satisfied, smiling to reveal eight pearly white teeth. He hummed a little tune he had learned from somewhere and walked away happily.
Seeing that Gu An had left, Shen Qingcheng also prepared to return to the inn.
Unexpectedly, Young Master Gu peeked out from behind the door like a ghost, his ponytail swinging back and forth, quite lively.
Gu An was a little exasperated. "What are you still standing here for? Are you planning to take root, sprout, blossom, and bear fruit? Hurry up and follow me. I'll take you to Brother Liang to get your wound bandaged. You're such a grown man, and you still need others to worry about you. Aren't you ashamed?"
Shen Qingcheng instinctively wanted to refuse.
But then he thought that if he stayed, he would have a chance to talk to Shen Jiao privately.
Shen Qingcheng remained silent for a moment, then finally followed.
...
With the help of Shen Qingcheng's token, Shen Qingye and Shen Yu made their way smoothly into the Third Prince's residence.
The Third Prince's face was still injured from being pinched by a crayfish, and he was talking to Shen Qingye and his sister, separated by a screen depicting a landscape and a beautiful woman playing the zither.
Despite this, the Third Prince learned from his guards that Shenyu was a beautiful and charming girl.
He loves beautiful women; he has no other hobbies but a gentle and considerate one.
Inside the room, incense smoke curled from the burner, candlelight flickered, casting shadows of several figures in the hall, and the soft, melodious voices of women rising and falling.
The Third Prince's expression changed from flippant to serious, and his tone became urgent, "Is Miss Yu'er's method truly feasible?"
Shen Qingye put down his teacup and spoke first: "Of course, my Yu'er is well-read, so her method must be the best."
The guard beside the Third Prince frowned and was about to reprimand Shen Qingye for his lack of manners.
The Third Prince waved his hand, silently saying: "Enough, business is more important."
Chen Yu sat upright, with gentle features, looking every bit the part of a well-bred lady, her tone calm and composed with confidence.
She chuckled and said, "This method is based on my years of experience reading books. There are treasures in books, beauties in books, and I believe that there is truth in books as well. What do you think, Third Prince?"
The third prince propped his head up with one hand, gesturing for the concubine kneeling at his feet to feed him a grape.
He pondered for a moment, then immediately stood up. “In that case, I would like to ask Miss Yu’er and your brother to stay at the Prince’s residence for a few days. I will go to the palace early tomorrow morning to discuss this with my father. If the solution is feasible, I am sure my father will reward Miss Yu’er handsomely.”
Shen Yu pursed her lips. "Then I will trouble the Third Prince. However, Yu'er does not need any additional reward. Consider it as serving the people of Southern Xinjiang and atoning for my elder sister's sins."
The Third Prince's eyes lit up: "I didn't expect Miss Chen to have such a magnanimous heart at such a young age. To be honest, I have never seen a girl like Yu'er before. I admire her greatly."
"You flatter me, Third Prince. It's not that I'm being magnanimous, but I simply feel that as a human being, this is how I should act."
Shen Yu slightly raised her chin and gently adjusted the pearl flower in her hair.
The third prince admired the scene for a long time through the screen, where he could barely make out the figures.
Then he asked, "By the way, who is the older sister that Miss Yu'er mentioned?"
Shen Qingye pursed his lips; no matter when, mentioning Shen Jiao always made him unhappy.
He frowned: "Who else could it be but that girl from out of town who interfered with the sacrifice a few days ago?"
The three prince's smile froze as the two chilling figures flashed through his mind, and his expression instantly darkened.
Those two killed nearly half of the guards in his Three Emperors' Palace; he could not let them go!
The third prince clenched his fists tightly, and the concubine was so frightened that she dared not raise her head and immediately pressed her forehead to the ground.
Shen Yu immediately stood up and bowed deeply to the Third Prince, her eyes red as if she were torn by a thousand conflicting emotions.
"Yu'er doesn't want any reward. She only asks the Third Prince for one thing: her sister has done something wrong and should be punished, but please consider Yu'er's helpful suggestions and punish her leniently."
She paused, sighed, and then spoke with a hint of self-deprecation.
"Forget it, Yu'er, how can you say such things? It's really asking too much of you. If everyone pleads like this, what will become of the laws of Southern Xinjiang? Third Prince, just punish my sister according to the rules of Southern Xinjiang as a warning to others."
Shen Qingye wanted to say something, but he only opened his mouth without making a sound.
Why should he plead for Shen Jiao?
Yu'er is right. Shen Jiao made a mistake and should be punished. If she is not punished properly, she will not learn her lesson!
Shen Qingye and Shen Yu then stayed at the Third Prince's residence.
Early the next morning.
The Third Prince, having obtained a brilliant plan, was overjoyed and couldn't wait to enter the palace to meet the Emperor of Southern Xinjiang.
The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang was having a meal with his pregnant concubine and sent the Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department to deal with her.
"Third Prince, please return. Master Gu came yesterday. The Gu family will be fully responsible for the Youlan River matter. His Majesty hopes that the Third Prince will do his best to assist in his duties."
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