She had just eaten and wasn't hungry. She ate one sweet cake and then stopped, letting them continue eating the rest. She then went out of the house and called Shen Qinghe to a secluded spot.
"I heard you slapped their palms?" Meng Zhao asked bluntly.
Shen Qing frowned slightly. "They complained to you?"
Meng Zhao shook his head. "I asked myself. Do you know why they make money at the academy?"
Seeing him shake his head, Meng Zhao continued, "They know I'm coming to the capital to open a shop, and shops in the capital are expensive, so they want to save some money for me."
Shen Qinghe's gaze softened, and Meng Zhao continued, "I'm not saying you can't discipline children, but you should at least ask for the reason before you do. Moreover, physical punishment will only make children feel scared and will not correct their behavior. If you only use violence to suppress them and don't help them resolve their inner conflicts, it will easily make them rebellious and deliberately go against you."
Furthermore, once the relationship breaks down, the child will always think that telling you will only lead to further beatings, so they'll keep things from you. If something serious happens and things spiral out of control, you won't be able to help them even if you want to.
She said a lot, but Shen Qinghe remained silent and didn't even react. So she frowned and asked, "Did you hear what I said? If something really happens, it will be too late for you to cry then."
Shen Qinghe nodded, his tone tinged with remorse: "Yes, I understand. I was wrong to punish them without asking them clearly."
Hearing this, Meng Zhao was finally satisfied. Just as she was about to leave, Shen Qinghe suddenly said, "There's a courtyard house for sale in Qingshui Lane. The size and location are just right. After you've rested, I'll take you to see it, okay?"
Meng Zhao paused, frowned, and asked, "Can officials in the capital hold concurrent positions? Or have you changed careers and become a broker?"
She said such harsh things, but Shen Qinghe wasn't angry. He said gently, "I was just thinking that you're new to the capital and unfamiliar with the place, so it's inevitable that you'll feel uncomfortable. Staying in Qingshui Lane will make it easier for everyone to take care of each other. It's also a good opportunity for you to keep an eye on Qingze and Qingyu. They've always listened to you the most."
Meng Zhao's expression grew colder. "You teach others to be polite, but let me ask you, have you been polite yourself? I used to be your sister-in-law, and now I'm your godmother's goddaughter. I'm also two years older than you, but since we met, have you ever called me 'sister'?"
Shen Qinghe's expression was cold and he remained silent, but his hands, hidden under his sleeves, were clenched into fists and trembled slightly, as if he was trying his best to restrain something.
Before he could speak, Meng Zhao turned to leave. Just as she took a step, Shen Qinghe suddenly released his fist and grabbed her arm. The force was light, but enough to stop her in her tracks.
Meng Zhao frowned and shook off his hand. "What exactly do you want?"
He couldn't push her too hard. After what he said last time, she avoided him for two whole years. If he did anything excessive again, she might disappear from his world completely, and he couldn't bear the consequences.
Just as Meng Zhao was getting impatient, Shen Qinghe suddenly smiled and said softly, "If you want to hear, I can call out." After saying that, she leaned down slightly and said in a deep and gentle voice, "Sister, that courtyard is really nice. Let me take you to see it."
His voice seemed to carry a hint of seduction, and Meng Zhao couldn't help but tremble. She looked up and saw Shen Qinghe standing under the corridor, the sunlight shining on him and creating a faint halo around him.
Meng Zhao was genuinely angry at this moment. Heaven was so unfair, giving Shen Qing not only a brilliant mind but also such an exquisitely beautiful face. His entire face seemed to have been meticulously sculpted by the heavens, with eyebrows like distant mountains, a nose like a hanging gall, and lips like two pale red petals joined together, attracting everyone's attention.
What's most captivating about him are his eyes, which shimmer with a watery quality. When he gazes at you, it's as if he can steal your soul, making you involuntarily become immersed in them.
Meng Zhao felt a little flustered, and her heart raced. After she came to her senses, she immediately took a half step back, her voice trembling with panic: "We'll talk about it later." With that, she turned and strode quickly toward the main hall without looking back.
Back inside, Meng Zhao patted his chest. Humans are visual creatures; with that face right in front of him, no one who isn't blind would say they weren't moved.
But what makes humans human is their rationality and ability to weigh the pros and cons. The relationship between Shen Qing and her is already complicated, not to mention that his future career is destined to be extremely dangerous. If she gets too close to him, she will not only be involved in trouble, but also ruin her hard work.
What's a momentary flutter of the heart? It's just being blinded by a pretty face. It's more important to quietly make a fortune.
So Meng Zhao and his party stayed at the Shen family's house for the time being. The next morning, Meng Zhao got up and washed up, preparing to go out early to find a broker to look at the courtyard.
However, as soon as she stepped out of the room, Shen Qinghe stopped her. Meng Zhao couldn't help but feel helpless. "A high-ranking official of the imperial court, so leisurely? Don't you have to go to court?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qinghe smiled and replied, "I am just a minor official. I only need to go to the Hanlin Academy to perform my duties on weekdays and do not need to participate in the daily court assemblies. Yesterday, my mother specifically instructed me that since you are new to the capital and unfamiliar with the place, it would be inconvenient for you to go out alone. So she asked my superiors for leave and I will accompany you to go out for a stroll these few days."
Before Meng Zhao could even speak, someone rushed over from outside the courtyard. "Lord Shen, Lord Shen! His Majesty has summoned several Grand Secretaries to the palace for an audience, and has specifically chosen you to take notes. Please get ready and come with me to the palace!"
Shen Qinghe immediately frowned, but he also knew the priorities and knew that he probably wouldn't be able to go out with Meng Zhao today.
Meng Zhao nodded, a hint of smugness in her voice: "It's alright, it's alright, important business is more important, you go ahead, don't worry about me."
Shen Qinghe gave her a deep look, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just turned around and quickly went back into the house, took out his official robes, hurriedly got into the carriage waiting at the courtyard gate, and changed into the official robes in the carriage.
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