Chapter 86 is fair.
Zhuang Dongqing tried several times to ignore Li Zhuo's scrutinizing gaze, but it was still quite difficult.
He didn't know how Li Zhuo did it, but he could always find Li Zhuo looking at him with a smile. It was a particularly fake smile, different from Cen Yan's sarcastic sneer. It was devoid of any emotion, like a mask on his face, forcing a social etiquette posture, which made Zhuang Dongqing extremely uncomfortable.
"Does the Third Prince have something to discuss with me?"
Without much self-control, Zhuang Dongqing blurted out the question when they were standing quite close together.
Li Zhuo pretended not to understand again, "What is it?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "You've been looking at me the whole time."
Li Zhuo raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise, and said, "Oh? Really?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Cen Yan is right. Li Zhuo is quite deserving of a beating in some ways.
Zhuang Dongqing couldn't hide her feelings; as soon as her gloomy expression appeared, Li Zhuo burst out laughing.
This time the smile was more genuine, but it carried a strong sense of amusement, which Zhuang Dongqing didn't like.
Li Zhuo: "I never expected Young Master Zhuang to be so witty."
"Having spent two years in the Prince's mansion, his horizons have broadened. Now he even takes the initiative to strike up a conversation when he sees me."
Zhuang Dongqing gave a forced smile, "The saltworks have many official duties. As the imperial envoy, the Third Prince can take a closer look."
Li Zhuo paused, his gaze sweeping over the ground, and suddenly said, "I must say, your expression does resemble Cen Yan's."
"..."
Zhuang Dongqing could only manage an awkward laugh, "Really?"
The meaning has changed, and it's not so similar anymore.
Li Zhuo glanced at him a few more times, then leaned close to Zhuang Dongqing's ear and tapped his shoulder with his fan, saying in a seemingly intimate tone, "Actually, I was thinking about your relationship with Cen Yan..."
"oh……"
He held his nerve at the crucial moment.
When Zhuang Dongqing is surprised, she appears rather dazed, and if she tries to conceal it, it's not easy for others to read her thoughts.
Of course, this excludes close relatives.
After saying that, Li Zhuo immediately began to scrutinize Zhuang Dongqing's expression.
Feeling a growing sense that the other party was deliberately trying to trick her, Zhuang Dongqing became increasingly disgusted. Without making a sound, she took a step to the side, creating some distance, and frowned.
"Why are you standing so far away? Come here!"
A powerful voice suddenly rang out from ahead, and Zhuang Dongqing felt a sense of relief.
He immediately responded, lowered his head, and stepped forward, standing close to Cen Yan and Li Yang.
Cen Yan didn't look at Zhuang Dongqing right away. Instead, he glared at Li Zhuo from afar and said coldly, "Is there something about me that you're interested in, Third Prince? Just ask me directly. We grew up together, so there's no need to be so coy."
Li Zhuo: "..."
Li Zhuo: "I only exchanged a few words with Young Master Zhuang."
Cen Yan didn't mince words, "What do you have to say?"
Zhuang Dongqing just kept her head down.
Li Yang silently took a step in front of him, afraid that Cen Yan would turn around and scold him.
The next moment, Cen Yan turned to look at Zhuang Dongqing, but saw Li Yang standing in front of Zhuang Dongqing. "...What's wrong with you now?"
Li Yang: "?"
He made a curt remark and left it at that, not pressing the matter further, before turning back to continue his inspection of the salt fields.
Li Yang: "??"
I didn't understand, but I was quickly distracted by work.
After that, Li Zhuo didn't have much time to keep an eye on Zhuang Dongqing anymore. They were both imperial envoys and had come together. Cen Yan had delegated some of his tasks to him. They weren't important, but they required him to run around, which was a way of keeping him out of the way. Li Zhuo understood the intention behind it, but unfortunately, he hadn't done much during the flood, so he could only reluctantly agree.
It wasn't until lunchtime that Cen Yan had a chance to talk to Zhuang Dongqing.
Leaving Li Yang aside, they naturally asked about what happened that morning.
Zhuang Dongqing told her everything in detail.
Cen Yan paused slightly as he picked up some food, then placed it in Zhuang Dongqing's bowl, saying naturally, "They must have become suspicious."
“I know him, and he knows me. It’s not a clever move to strike on a pleasure boat, nor can it be a sure thing. He must be suspicious.”
Zhuang Dongqing: "Huh?"
Cen Yan tapped the rim of his bowl. "Eat."
"oh oh."
Zhuang Dongqing picked up the bowl. After a busy morning, the food entered her mouth... Mmm, it smells so good.
Zhuang Dongqing Kuku Xuan.
Seeing that Zhuang Dongqing's appetite was unaffected, Cen Yan smiled and put the matter aside, focusing on eating first.
Once they had almost finished eating, the conversation was brought up again.
Cen Yan: "Didn't you say before that he asked about your identity and suspected that you were An'an's uncle?"
"yes."
Cen Yan: "That's just how he is. He always focuses on other people's secrets and secrets. If anything seems unreasonable, he will definitely pay attention to it."
Although the two maintained a distance on the surface, the attitude of everyone in the Prince's Mansion towards Zhuang Dongqing was unlikely to change. Cen Yan would not insist that everyone treat Zhuang Dongqing as a retainer, so it was only a matter of time before Li Zhuo noticed something amiss, something Cen Yan had known from the beginning.
Zhuang Dongqing felt a little uneasy. "Then what should we do? Just let him keep watching like this?"
He always felt that being found out was not a good thing.
Cen Yan was also aware of the advantages and disadvantages involved.
But Zhuang Dongqing didn't share his concerns.
Regardless of future prospects, it's just my personality.
Cen Yan stared at Zhuang Dongqing for a while, then suddenly her eyes curved into a smile. Just as she was about to speak, Liu Qi hurriedly entered the room, her face filled with anxiety.
He brought back some news.
Upon hearing this, Cen Yan repeated, "Will the Eighth Prince perform the ancestral worship ceremony on behalf of the family this year?"
Liu Qi nodded, "It was just announced at the morning court session this day."
Cen Yan frowned: "Who was it last year? The third or the fourth?"
Liu Qi: "After the death of the deposed crown prince, the eldest son was chosen. The first year, the third prince went to worship the ancestors, and the second year, the third prince and the fourth prince worshipped the ancestors together."
This time, however, they specifically chose the eighth prince, who was neither here nor there.
Glancing around, Cen Yan lowered his voice: "How is His Majesty's health? Has His Majesty summoned the alchemists?"
Liu Qi: "They say he's much better, he hasn't been taking much medicine lately, and he's full of energy."
"The sorcerer has already entered the palace, but it is unclear whether he has been summoned."
Cen Yan lowered his head and finished the last bite of his meal. After putting down his chopsticks, he asked, "The flood has been reported. What was His Majesty's reaction?"
"Oh, this was already decided the day before yesterday. It is said that you and the Sixth Prince have both made contributions. Once things are settled in Hangzhou, your contributions to the salt inspection and disaster relief will be rewarded together after you return to the capital."
Thinking of something, Liu Qi hesitated before speaking.
Cen Yan glanced at him and said, "Speak."
Liu Qi swallowed and said in a low voice, "The scouts said that His Majesty mentioned the young prince during his visit, saying that after you return to the capital, you must meet the young prince."
Cen Yan fell silent.
Zhuang Dongqing also keenly sensed something and stared at Cen Yan.
Cen Yan waved his hand, and Liu Qi, being obedient, went downstairs.
After Liu Qi left, Zhuang Dongqing spoke up, "Is something wrong?"
Cen Yan lowered his eyes: "No, morally speaking, I grew up in His Majesty's presence, so it is only right that I bring my child to him to see him."
There's not much to say when elders want to meet younger people.
that is……
Cen Yan said softly, "There have been too many developments in the court lately."
“If His Majesty is truly in good health, then even if he supports the Eighth Prince, he can still firmly maintain control of the situation. I’m just afraid…”
The fear is that Emperor Shengwu has lost complete control of the situation. The third and fourth princes have become too deeply entrenched in the capital in the past two years. If the situation of the two tigers fighting each other is broken, it may lead to another coup.
At this point, Cen Yan frowned again, "So why did Li Zhuo come out at this time?"
This is unreasonable.
Zhuang Dongqing whispered, "The salt inspector's money?"
Salt taxes were substantial, and almost every official involved made a fortune from it; there was a lot of profit to be made.
If it were said earlier that Li Zhuo's aim was to win over the wealthy merchants of Jiangnan and amass wealth for his grand ambitions, that would have been plausible. But now... looking at the situation in the capital, it seems that the gradual approach has passed, and it's more like a juncture where a single move can determine life or death...
Cen Yan shook his head. "It doesn't seem like it, but let's take another look."
"The truth will always come out eventually; if someone is up to something, they'll always slip up."
Having said that, he put those things aside and returned to the matter of Li Zhuo.
Cen Yan asked with a smile, "Don't you want Li Zhuo to find out?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "You... your smile is very malicious..."
Cen Yan rested his chin on one hand and said with a playful tone, "Qingqing is so smart, she can even see that."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
He beckoned to Zhuang Dongqing with his finger.
Zhuang Dongqing hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer and whispered a few words in Cen Yan's ear. Zhuang Dongqing stared wide-eyed at Cen Yan in disbelief.
Cen Yan remained calm and composed, saying, "Don't be so skeptical."
"You'll see once you try it."
Zhuang Dongqing was even more confused. Was this something she could try?
Cen Yan understood his gaze and smiled confidently, "Of course."
*
While they were having a meal, Li Yang and Li Zhuo both received news about the Eighth Prince's ancestral worship ceremony this year.
Li Yang's retainers also sensed something was amiss.
Unfortunately, the initial plan was to proceed gradually, and now that they haven't returned to Beijing for two years, they are powerless to intervene.
We can only wait and see.
When it was Li Zhuo's turn, one of the cups in his hand was crushed.
Although he had somewhat anticipated it, it didn't stop him from going berserk, smashing a lot of things. Only after Li Zhuo vented his anger did he calm down.
The fan handle tapped against his palm, and none of the staff dared to speak.
After a long while, Li Zhuo let out a long breath and muttered to himself, "It's alright. Anyway, I'm not in the capital, so I can still fool him. I don't believe that the fourth brother won't retaliate after being slapped in the face like this."
He paused, lowered his voice, and said in a blasphemous tone, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Do you really think you can live forever if you keep shouting that?"
Those nearby staff members, having overheard a few words, immediately knelt down.
Li Zhuo didn't call out either.
After adjusting himself for a while, he forced a smile and said, "Let's go see what's wrong with Cen Yan."
But things didn't go as Li Zhuo had hoped.
With a playful and amused attitude, Li Zhuo wanted to see how Zhuang Dongqing could hide again. By the afternoon, Cen Yan stopped chasing him away, and the interaction between the two puzzled Li Zhuo once again.
Cen Yan held Zhuang Dongqing's arm as they walked together.
They weren't being affectionate, but they didn't shake hands; they just held each other's forearms through their clothes.
To say they've grown distant, Li Zhuo had never seen the ill-mannered Cen Yan be this close to anyone.
Cen Yan was poised and confident, but Zhuang Dongqing would tense up every time Cen Yan grabbed him.
Li Zhuo: "..."
During the patrol, once out of sight, Cen Yan would subconsciously look for Zhuang Dongqing's location and ask someone to get closer.
The two were in a similar state to when they held hands.
Cen Yan was very natural, while Zhuang Dongqing was always stiff.
Li Zhuo: "..."
When Li Zhuo saw Cen Yan casually tug at Zhuang Dongqing's outer robe, he finally couldn't help but look at his staff and ask expressionlessly, "Are they acting like I am?"
The staff member wiped his sweat, also completely baffled.
If we're talking about closeness, the Prince of Dingxi's behavior does seem quite friendly.
But judging from the young master's reaction, the two are not very familiar with each other.
Staff member: "Could it be a natural reaction?"
Li Zhuo: "Heh."
"You don't have to go blind."
Staff member: "..."
Li Zhuo had already lost interest.
But due to his personality, he decided to finish monitoring everything today first.
However, he soon realized that this was a mistake.
After leaving the saltworks, Cen Yan and Li Yang took the saltworks' account books with them. They loaded the account books into the carriage, one box after another. Li Yang was responsible for checking the ink marks in the account books to prevent forgery. Liu Qi checked the carriage, Hao San went to count the manpower, and the prefect greeted the imperial envoys and also left in a sedan chair.
Soon, those who were supposed to leave left, and those who had things to do went about their business. Only Li Zhuo's group, Cen Yan, and Zhuang Dongqing remained on one side of the saltworks entrance.
The corner is covered with dense willow trees. When a person stands below, the willow branches hang down like silk ribbons, obscuring the view and making it difficult to see clearly.
From a distance, Li Zhuo glanced at Cen Yan and Zhuang Dongqing again.
They were the only two left, and they were still talking.
Li Zhuo took a step forward, and suddenly, Cen Yan looked over and stared directly at him.
Li Zhuo was stunned for a moment, and then he saw Cen Yan rest his chin on Zhuang Dongqing's shoulder, very intimately. Zhuang Dongqing couldn't see his expression, but his posture was very unnatural. Cen Yan just smiled at him like that.
Li Zhuo: "..."
If this wasn't acting, he'd just twist his head off and let Cen Yan kick it!
From a distance, Cen Yan said two words, and Li Zhuo understood his lip movements.
Li Zhuo was furious. He flicked his long sleeves and shouted, "Back to the manor!"
He stopped pretending, flew into a rage, boarded the carriage, and left first.
Zhuang Dongqing couldn't see what was happening behind her. "Is it...is it okay? Can I turn around?"
Cen Yan: "He seems to be coming over, otherwise I'll just carry you."
Zhuang Dongqing: "?"
Before Zhuang Dongqing could refuse, she heard a soft laugh beside her ear.
He only realized later that Cen Yan was teasing him.
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Turning around, he saw Li Zhuo's carriage rolling away. After a moment of silence, he looked at Cen Yan.
The idea came from Cen Yan, and it seems to have worked.
The theory is this: since there are already suspicions, the more Zhuang Dongqing avoids Cen Yan, the more suspicious Li Zhuoyue will become. It would be better for them to be more open and intimate, and Li Zhuoyue would think they are fooling him.
Zhuang Dongqing was a little confused: "What was his reaction when he left?"
Cen Yan thought for a moment: "Exasperated?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "Huh?"
Zhuang Dongqing didn't understand. "What do you mean? You got angry because you didn't guess correctly?"
That can't be right.
Cen Yan didn't hide anything from Zhuang Dongqing. Seeing that no one was around, he took Zhuang Dongqing's hand and gently stroked it, saying casually, "Oh, I gave him a two-word evaluation. He should have understood lip reading and is angry now."
Zhuang Dongqing was bewildered. "What did you say?"
Cen Yan laughed and uttered two words, "Idiot."
"Isn't that a very fair assessment, Qingqing?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
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