Chapter 41: Choosing one is fine.
Zhou Fuguan: "Your Highness, Lu Wensheng is usually arrogant and reckless, and acts violently. Now he has damaged the palace gate and assaulted a scholar, corrupting the court's discipline. He is no longer fit to be a candidate for the Hanlin Academy!"
Shen He nodded, then slowly walked up behind Lu Wensheng. His tone was soft, but his voice was firm: "The palace gate was damaged the night before. It wasn't Lu Wensheng who did it. If you insist on pursuing this matter, I should be the one sentenced to hanging."
As soon as he finished speaking, countless tiny beads of sweat instantly appeared on Zhou Fuguan's forehead, and his knees buckled as he knelt on the ground: "This old minister is terrified!"
Shen Hegui lowered his eyes and exerted pressure: "Can this matter at the palace gate be let go?"
Zhou Fuguan lowered his body even further, cold sweat pouring down his face, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Highness is magnanimous! This old minister... this old minister was confused for a moment! But Lu Wensheng did indeed insult the scholar."
Lu Wensheng wiped away real tears, wanting to rush forward and kick this old man who was avoiding the main issue down the steps: "When people get old, they lose their teeth first, but you're losing your teeth and ears at the same time!"
If Chen Xin hadn't embezzled the money meant for buying musk and Sichuan pepper, and had replaced the camphor and nanmu wood bookshelves with ordinary ones, those books wouldn't have gotten infested with insects!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Shen Hegui timely stopped the impulsive Lu Wensheng, pulled her into his arms, patted her twice with a stiff but gentle touch, then leaned down and whispered in her ear, coaxing, "Don't be impulsive, I will stand up for you."
Suddenly falling into Chen Hegui's arms, Lu Wensheng stiffened for a moment, then relaxed instantly.
With such a good opportunity, she was determined to make sure that she was now a member of Shen Hegui, not some nobody in Yanjing, in front of the high-ranking officials of the court.
Think of something and act on it.
Lu Wensheng took the opportunity to hug Shen Hegui's waist, buried her face in his chest, and began to feign pitifulness and cry, "I didn't want to act impulsively, but their officials are all higher-ranking than me, and they have more relatives and friends than me. I was young and impulsive, and I couldn't stand it, so I only hit the younger one a little. Immediately, the older ones came. And the older ones weren't satisfied with that, they even formed cliques and instigated the censor to impeach me! That Chen Xin is fat and strong, and when I acted impulsively, my hand hurt too! It's impossible to please everyone, and it's impossible to appease everyone's anger. Your Highness, please punish me! If you stand on my side today, I might die a violent death in the street tomorrow!"
Zhou Fuguan suddenly looked up and angrily said, "Lu Wensheng, stop talking nonsense!" He crawled to Shen Hegui's feet and said in fear, "Your Highness, please understand, I have not formed any cliques for personal gain, nor have I ever intended to harm any official of the court!"
Forming cliques for personal gain and plotting against court officials are both serious crimes. If both are committed, beheading or exterminating the entire clan would not be excessive.
Lu Wensheng wiped his tears on Shen Hegui's coat, turned his head and cried, deciding to add some serious details: "I'm talking nonsense! Do you dare to swear to your ancestors that Chen Xin got his official position through his own abilities? Did the previous Hanlin Academician die a natural death? Don't you have tens of thousands of taels of silver hidden under your pond!"
Zhou Fuguan was shocked, filled with a mixture of shock and anger, and a strong sense of guilt and fear welled up within him.
He never expected that Lu Wensheng would know about his dirty deeds in the past. He could deny the first two things because they were just empty words, but the silver at the bottom of the pool was irrefutable evidence. If His Highness led people to search for it, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Thinking of this, Zhou Fuguan hurriedly wiped the cold sweat from his face with his sleeve. He bowed deeply and said, "Your subject dares! Your subject will go back and swear an oath! Please grant your permission, Your Highness!" The ancestors will surely forgive him!
Taking in Zhou Fuguan's disheveled state, Lu Wensheng curled her lip and glanced at him with disdain.
Her mental fortitude is terrible! Sweating so much even before being caught red-handed is tantamount to an admission of guilt. Since Shen Hegui chose to side with her, she could help him out, even if it was just a drop in the ocean, it was better than nothing.
Gradually, whispers and conversations began to rise from the surrounding area.
The newly transferred official from Beijing asked, "Who is Chen Xin? I saw a memorial impeaching Lu Wensheng. Is it him?"
The old minister said, "Yes, Chen Xin's conduct is not very good..."
Shen Hegui had observed Zhou Fuguan's performance and already had a clear understanding of the situation.
He did not respond immediately, but instead took two steps back with Lu Wensheng to get away from Zhou Fuguan before calmly instructing: "Send someone to investigate the accounts of the Hanlin Academy and the damage to the library. In the next half month, bring over all the documents written by Chen Xin and the documents of the officials who are close to him."
Shen Hegui lowered his gaze, glanced at Lu Wensheng's fair profile, then looked away uncomfortably. He turned to Feng Gou and said, "Have Luo Jiangsheng search the Zhou residence. Don't miss a single piece of land except for the pond. You go too. If it's true, report back immediately!"
Feng Gou: "Yes, sir!"
Lu Wensheng quietly clung to Shen Hegui, thinking to herself: What a shrewd person! She didn't mention at all that Zhao Bianxiu had someone else write for him, but Shen Hegui was able to instantly think that even close relatives needed to be investigated. And what if a lot of money really was found in the land? This dirty money was related to her relatives... Tsk! No, for safety's sake, her family needs to hire a male nurse.
Shen Hegui glanced at Zhou Fuguan, who was slumped on the ground, and gently patted Lu Wensheng's shoulder, signaling her to let go and stand up straight.
Thinking of the mission, Lu Wensheng straightened up and immediately said, "Birds of a feather flock together. Your Highness is just as good-looking as me, and you are insightful and discerning. You are a good match for me!"
Shen Hegui curled the corners of his lips, and most of the unpleasantness that had accumulated throughout the afternoon dissipated in an instant: "It's chilly outside, let's go inside." He allowed Lu Wensheng to hug him, as if it wasn't so hard to accept. Slender yet soft, like a sugar cake.
Lu Wensheng stepped aside: "Your Highness, go first. I'll follow you in." It's quite improper for a subject to walk in front of the Crown Prince.
With Shen Hegui ahead and the other officials behind, Lu Wensheng quietly asked Xiao Yuan, "How's it going? Is the progress bar at one-sixth?"
Xiao Yuan denied it: [It's cheesy pickup line, not flattery! It's still 6/0.]
Lu Wensheng fell silent, suddenly feeling that this task was a bit too difficult for him, and started to have wicked thoughts again.
She tried to negotiate: "Can we try something else? I've hardly ever heard any sweet nothings, let alone cheesy ones."
Xiao Yuan: [No. But I can give you an example: watch where you're going, don't keep bumping into my heart. Feel my clothes, aren't they the kind that would make a boyfriend?]
Lu Wensheng's heart skipped a beat: "What's the difference between this and confessing my feelings! If Shen Hegui really falls for me, I'll be the first to stew you!"
Xiao Yuan felt wronged: [...]
Its host is a girl, and it's perfectly normal for a girl to confess her feelings to a boy and say sweet words!
Zhou Fuguan was taken to a side hall and guarded.
After wrapping up the matters discussed in the afternoon, and considering that the news of the search of Zhou's residence should not be leaked, Shen Hegui ordered dinner for the officials, allowing them to fill their stomachs and stay in the palace for a few more hours before returning home.
Standing to the side, Lu Wensheng looked at the group of new faces and couldn't help but think of himself four years ago. He casually said, "Why don't you gentlemen stay the night? Everything in Yanjing is expensive, especially accommodation. I'm sure those with little money can only choose to stay in remote places temporarily. If you stay for a few hours and then rush home, you'll probably have to get up and rush to court soon after you lie down."
Shen Hegui's brow twitched slightly, and he readily accepted the advice: "That makes sense, it was my oversight." He turned to Feng Yi and said, "Go and make arrangements to properly settle the officials."
Upon hearing this, the officials fell silent for a moment, then a subtle commotion arose among them. Several officials who had not been in Yanjing long, whose families were poor, and who were staying in remote inns, were particularly moved, their eyes slightly red. They looked at each other, and all saw the surprise and relief in each other's eyes.
Someone bowed deeply first and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness and Lord Lu!"
As soon as someone started, a chorus of thanks followed. Instantly, an invisible warmth filled the hall, and the previously restrained atmosphere became much more lively.
As the officials reached the door, Zhang Chanyi arrived late, carrying his medicine chest.
He immediately apologized, saying, "Your Highness, please forgive me for being late. A leaf was stolen from the century-old ginseng you keep in the animal garden by some little beast. The steward asked me to take a look."
Shen Hegui lowered his head and wrote something, his tone indifferent: "It's just a ginseng plant, no need to make a fuss about it."
Seeing that Shen Hegui did not pursue the matter of his late arrival, Zhang Chanyi raised his head and looked at Lu Wensheng.
Feng Daban's men hurriedly said that Lu Bianxiu was disfigured, but now he is perfectly fine? The wound on his face would have healed by now if he had arrived any later. On the contrary, there is blood on His Highness's clothes.
Zhang Chanyi was in a dilemma, unsure of who to consult first.
When Lu Wensheng met Zhang Chanyi's gaze, she felt uneasy because she suddenly remembered that a few days ago in the animal park, she had casually picked a familiar leaf.
Thinking about it now, it seems to be ginseng leaves. Every year, ginseng plants have their stems and leaves cut off to prepare for winter, but the one that Shen He Gui was cultivating was lush and leafy, which must have taken a lot of care.
A century-old ginseng root is not cheap, and out-of-season ginseng leaves must also be extremely valuable. So, what she was rubbing that day wasn't leaves, but silver?!
Thinking about it this way, Lu Wensheng's heart began to ache faintly.
Seeing Lu Wensheng's constantly changing expression, Zhang Chanyi mistakenly thought that Lu Wensheng was worried that he would expose her identity, so he decided to take her pulse first to put her mind at ease.
After placing the pulse pillow, Zhang Chanyi said, "Lord Lu, please put your hand on it."
Lu Wensheng's mind was filled with ginseng leaves, and she took the opportunity to ask in a low voice, "These fresh ginseng leaves must be very expensive in winter, right?"
Zhang Chanyi pressed Lu Wensheng's pulse and carefully examined the injuries on her face. He replied, "The medicinal effect of ginseng lies in the root, not the leaves. It's not expensive. However, no matter how well it's cared for in winter, it won't grow quickly and is prone to dying."
It turns out it wasn't worth anything. Lu Wensheng instantly stopped feeling heartbroken.
“Lord Lu is in good health and has no major problems.” Zhang Chanyi took out wound medicine from the medicine box and wrote a prescription for Lu Wensheng: “This is a mild tonic prescription, take it once a day, it will be good for your health. This is wound medicine, apply it to prevent scarring.”
Lu Wensheng unfolded the prescription and glanced at it. Seeing that it contained ingredients like red dates, goji berries, donkey-hide gelatin, and mugwort to regulate menstruation, he immediately stuffed the prescription into his sleeve and hid it.
"Lord Zhang is so thoughtful!" Lu Wensheng praised insincerely.
"You're too kind, Lord Lu!" Zhang Chanyi stepped forward with a smile to check Shen Hegui's pulse.
After the officials left, Shen Hegui kept writing. Lu Wensheng didn't want to disturb him, so he found a carpet with a pattern that suited his taste and sat down on it at the bottom of the steps of the inner hall.
There were stools in the Wenhua Hall, but since Shen Hegui did not offer seats, no one dared to sit down. In fact, she preferred to lie down rather than sit.
Propping her cheek against the step above, Lu Wensheng began to daydream and make up her cheesy pick-up lines, so much so that she didn't even notice when Shen Hegui walked up to her.
"What are you thinking about?" Shen Hegui didn't mind at all and sat down next to Lu Wensheng.
Lu Wensheng blinked, snapping out of his reverie and rambling, "I'm thinking about what to eat for breakfast tomorrow, and how much silver I can confiscate from Zhou Fuguan's house later."
Shen Hegui scrutinized Lu Wensheng's face: "How did you find out about what Zhou Fuguan did? Do you have any evidence?"
I hadn't looked closely before, but Lu Wensheng is actually very good-looking. He's several years younger than me, kind, and has a lot of ideas. He must be very likable!
When he raided the red-light district that day, he saw many young and beautiful men and women, but none of them could compare to Lu Wensheng in looks. These days, he had been thinking that if only there were a way to turn men into women. He had hated Lu Wensheng's gender, and he had hated his own gender. Of course, what he hated most was that he couldn't accept being the bottom.
Fortunately, the timing isn't right yet, so he can wait a while longer. Hopefully, after spending more time together, not only will their relationship develop naturally, but their sex life will also progress smoothly.
Lu Wensheng was unaware of Shen Hegui's dilemma. She shook her head and said, "I have no evidence of the death of the previous Hanlin Academician. As for Chen Xin's improper appointment and lack of virtue, Your Highness should be able to find out soon. As for Zhou Fuguan's corrupt and murderous deeds, they were all told to me by his lover in the red-light district."
Shen Hegui's eyes dimmed, and he suddenly thought of many things.
Human men are not inherently creatures of lasting affection; fickleness is their nature, and promiscuity is their instinct. Although Lu Wensheng likes him, how long can this liking last? What if a woman who is more to Lu Wensheng's liking appears? Will he turn back to the right path? What would be the point of his efforts then?
Shen Hegui asked casually, "Do you have many lovers in the red-light district?"
Shen Hegui suddenly jumped from the case to her personal affairs. Lu Wensheng was stunned for a moment before saying, "I wouldn't call us lovers. We just drink and eat together and exchange information. I'm only eighteen this year. If I mess around outside, my mother will beat me to death!"
Could it be that Shen Hegui mistakenly believes she's a womanizer, a good-looking but rotten person on the inside?
"Then you..." Shen Hegui paused, then asked the question he most wanted to ask, "Have you ever had a lover? Or a woman you loved but could not have?"
Lu Wensheng's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately declared, "No, absolutely not! I've never been in a relationship! Your Highness, rest assured, whether in the past or the future, my private life will always be clean and pure! And I will never be on the same path as those promiscuous officials." It's quite good that Shen He returned; he actually cares about the chaotic private lives of officials.
Lu Wensheng's statement pleased Shen Hegui greatly. A faint hint of pleasure flashed across his eyes, and the corners of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly. He then asked, "What is meant by 'mu tai dan shen'?"
Seeing Shen Hegui's doubts, Lu Wensheng raised his eyebrows and said, "From birth until now, whether mentally or physically, I have had no connection with any other woman."
Shen Hegui's handsome face was full of doubt, which was quite interesting. Lu Wensheng kindly explained: "Mother's mother, fetus' fetus, solitary figure, and body."
"I understand." Shen Hegui raised his hand and gently touched the edge of the wound on Lu Wensheng's face. "Coincidentally, I've also been single since birth. Does it hurt here?" It's good that it doesn't. He's not afraid of men competing with him, but he is afraid of women competing with him.
Lu Wensheng felt slightly uncomfortable, but he couldn't back down, so he calmly said, "It doesn't hurt. It's just a minor injury that will scab over by tomorrow."
Shen Hegui remained noncommittal: "Where is the medicine that Dean Zhang prescribed for you?"
“Here it is!” Lu Wensheng pulled a small blue porcelain bottle from his pocket.
Shen Hegui took the porcelain bottle very naturally, picked out a little milky white ointment, and carefully applied it to Lu Wensheng's wound. The slightly cool ointment slowly melted on his cheek. Shen Hegui's movements were gentle and tender.
"Even a small wound on the face must be taken seriously. If it gets infected and spreads internally, the consequences could be unimaginable," Shen Hegui whispered, his gaze focused intently on the wound.
Lu Wensheng tilted her head to make it easier for Shen Hegui to apply the medicine. Her eyes were smiling, and her voice carried an unconscious coquettish tone: "I know! My prince!"
The address "My Highness" felt like a feather, gently tickling Shen Hegui's heart. A look of immense pleasure flashed across his eyes as he handed the two manuscripts he had set aside directly to Lu Wensheng.
Shen Hegui's expression was gentle, and his voice was deep: "One is the appointment letter for the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and concurrently the Academician of the Hanlin Academy, and the other is the appointment letter for the Academician of the Hanlin Academy. You choose one." Originally, he planned to give it to them after they had made their choices in a few days.
Lu Wensheng: "?!"
Shen Hegui actually wants to promote her, one to the third rank and the other to the fifth rank. One is a high-ranking official, and the other is the position of that parasite Chen Xin. What should she do if she wants both?
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Author's Note: I'm going to sleep now~ I can't take it anymore, my bed misses me too [doge]. I have no emotional or physical ties with any other woman. (The phrase "sent oral sex" has been changed to "body".)
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