Chapter 160: Both sides are handsome young men
When the inspection ended and they returned to the government office, the sun was already setting.
As soon as Li Yuanzhao and Xue Nanzhi stepped into the government office, they saw Chen Yanqing carrying a basin of still steaming warm water, who came to greet them.
After Li Yuanzhao washed his hands with a normal expression, Chen Yanqing quickly handed him a towel.
After Li Yuanzhao finished wiping his hands and entered the inner hall, and sat down in the main seat, Chen Yanqing brought in another basin of warm water.
He didn't say much, but walked to Li Yuanzhao's feet and knelt down on one knee.
He gently lifted the mud-covered soles of her shoes with both hands, carefully removed her socks, and placed her feet in warm water.
His fingers gently washed away every speck of mud from her feet and toes, with just the right amount of pressure.
After washing her feet, he wrapped them in a dry towel and gently dried them. Then he brought her clean socks and new shoes and helped her put them on.
After taking care of everything, Chen Yanqing got up and carried the basin of water out.
A moment later, he returned with a gilded tea tray, on which were two cups of freshly brewed pre-Qingming Longjing tea, and next to them was a plate of delicate osmanthus cake.
He first gently placed the teacup and tea snacks in front of Li Yuanzhao, and then served tea to Xue Nanzhi before bowing and stepping aside, standing with his hands at his sides.
The entire set of movements was so fluid and smooth that Xue Nanzhi, who was standing to the side, was stunned.
She secretly marveled: No wonder he is the princess's servant; his skill in serving others is unparalleled!
Honestly, if she didn't know that Chen Yanqing was the eldest princess's man, she would have wanted him too.
It doesn't matter how much it costs to poach them.
Having such a perceptive and meticulous servant who not only knows his master's preferences and habits perfectly but also knows exactly how to serve him appropriately, one can't imagine how comfortable life would be.
However... it's just something to think about.
She doesn't have the guts yet.
Li Yuanzhao acted as if it were normal throughout, not even glancing at Chen Yanqing twice.
After reporting the matter of the orphanage to Li Yuanzhao, Xue Nanzhi got up to take her leave.
As soon as he stepped out of the hall, he saw a tall and straight figure coming towards him—it was Shen Churong.
He was dressed in a royal blue brocade robe, with dark silver cloud patterns embroidered on the hem. His hair was tied high in a white jade crown, making him exceptionally handsome.
The boy's brows were furrowed with excitement, and he walked with a brisk pace, as if he had something joyful to share.
Only upon seeing Xue Nanzhi did he suddenly stop, clasp his hands in a respectful greeting, and say, "Madam Xue."
Xue Nanzhi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Greetings, General Shen."
To everyone's surprise, after finishing his greetings, Shen Churong didn't look at her again, but walked straight past her and into the room, his steps filled with undisguised eagerness.
Xue Nanzhi watched the blue figure disappear hastily under the porch and couldn't help but sigh softly.
What kind of life did I live for the first twenty years of my life?
How could I have never imagined that I could be like the Princess, surrounded by beautiful men and having such a wonderful life?
As soon as Shen Churong stepped into the inner hall, before even seeing anyone, she called out, "Sister!"
To be honest, if Li Yuanyou knew about this nickname, he would probably cry in his bed for days.
He considered himself to have the closest relationship with his elder sister, having grown up together since childhood, yet he had never called her "elder sister" so affectionately before, and usually addressed her as "elder sister" in a proper manner.
Shen Churong was just a cousin, yet he addressed him so naturally and smoothly.
Inside the hall, Li Yuanzhao had just put down his teacup when he heard the sound and looked up at the door.
Seeing the undisguised joy on Shen Churong's face, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's making you so happy?"
Shen Churong walked a few steps into the hall and stood in front of Li Yuanzhao, his chest rising and falling slightly with his rapid breathing.
Before Li Yuanzhao could even ask, he eagerly said, "My sister sent me to suppress bandits, and I led my men to turn the three prefectures upside down. Whether they were big bandits who ruled the mountains or small bandits who secretly robbed people on the road, we didn't miss a single one and arrested them all, throwing them into prison!"
He paused, then added, "I'm not bragging, but within these three states, I guarantee you won't find a single bandit!"
His words were clearly tinged with a desire for praise, much like a big dog that had just brought back a bone and was eagerly waiting for its owner to pet it, its whole body radiating the expectation of "Praise me!"
Li Yuanzhao smiled and said generously, "Well done."
When Shen Churong was praised like that, he touched the back of his neck shyly.
Standing behind Li Yuanzhao, Chen Yanqing watched this scene quietly, a strange bittersweet feeling welling up in his heart.
Especially when she saw that face, which bore a six or seven-tenths resemblance to her own, could so openly express its affection, it felt even more jarring.
In that instant, a thought suddenly popped into my mind.
Could it be that Li Yuanzhao kept him by his side because of his face, which resembled Shen Churong's?
Shen Churong didn't even notice Chen Yanqing and continued, "Now all the refugees outside the city have returned to their hometowns, and the disaster victims inside the city are digging ditches every day to earn money. Order has long been restored in all places. When I returned from outside the city today, I saw many disaster victims setting up simple longevity temples for my sister along the way, with incense in rough pottery bowls, saying that they were grateful for my sister's kindness and wanted to pray for your longevity!"
Li Yuanzhao listened quietly without replying, but the look in his eyes deepened.
Shen Churong continued, "But now that the food shortage has been resolved, this morning we received twenty cartloads of grain from the Cui family, saying they wanted to donate it for disaster relief. This..."
He spoke hesitantly, clearly puzzled by the move.
In his view, His Highness had already handled the disaster properly, and for the Cui family to interfere now was simply an attempt to steal credit. It was utterly despicable.
Li Yuanzhao said calmly, "Since the Cui family has such intentions, why refuse? Just accept it."
“Yes,” Shen Churong replied immediately.
He wanted to say something more, but Li Yuanzhao propped his forehead up with his hand and said lazily, "I'm tired today, let's discuss it again tomorrow."
Seeing this, Shen Churong quickly swallowed back the words he was about to say, bowed and said, "Then I'll take my leave."
He had just stood up when he couldn't help but look over, only to meet Li Yuanzhao's gaze.
She was watching him quietly.
His eyes were dark and unfathomable, as if veiled by a thin mist, concealing meanings he could not decipher.
Shen Churong panicked instantly, her heart raced, and she quickly looked away as if she had been caught red-handed.
Li Yuanzhao took in his momentary panic, and a slight smile played on his lips. "Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
Shen Churong lowered her eyelashes, her voice tense, "I... dare not disturb my sister's rest."
Li Yuanzhao narrowed his eyes slightly and said meaningfully, "When you're tired, there's more than one way to relieve fatigue than just resting."
After she finished speaking, she watched with great interest as Shen Churong's handsome face turned from white to red, from being at a loss to looking shy.
Although Shen Churong was still young, he was used to hearing the veterans say dirty jokes in the military camp, and he almost instantly understood the ambiguous meaning in her words.
However, he had been taught the way of the gentleman since childhood and adhered to the rules of etiquette and discipline. He believed that matters between men and women could only be done after marriage.
Even in the dead of night, when he tossed and turned, his mind wandering, in front of that hazy figure, he ultimately lost his nerve when he actually faced her.
I want to get closer, but I dare not overstep the bounds.
Though there are turmoil in one's heart, one can only pretend to be calm and composed on the surface.
Hearing Li Yuanzhao's words, his breathing became erratic, his Adam's apple bobbed twice, but he couldn't utter a single word.
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