“I know you’re upset because of Uncle Shen’s matter, but drinking is bad for your health, so you should drink less.”
Lin Tingwan's voice carried a hint of reproach, but more so, it was filled with concern.
Looking at Shen Huaixu's face, which was slightly flushed from the alcohol, she felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.
She knew that Shen Huaixu's pain at this moment could not be soothed by a few words.
In the Shen family's courtyard, the moonlight, as clear as water, fell on Shen Huaixu's shoulder, but it could not dispel the gloom in his heart.
The wine jug in his hand was already more than half empty, and the wine slid down his throat, but it could not fill the emptiness in his heart.
Shen Huaixu turned his head slightly to avoid Lin Tingwan's gaze and said in a low voice, "What else can I do if I don't drink?" His voice carried a hint of helplessness, as if he were stating an unchangeable fact, "There's nothing I can do."
He gently pulled his hand away from Lin Tingwan's, sat back down on the stone bench, picked up the wine pot, and poured himself another cup of wine.
The wine sloshed in the glass, much like his restless heart at that moment.
Lin Tingwan didn't try to persuade him anymore. She just stood quietly beside Shen Huaixu, watching him drink one glass after another.
Her eyes held a hint of heartache, as if she could feel the pain in Shen Huaixu's heart.
She said softly, "Huaixu, if you have something on your mind, you might as well say it. It might make you feel better."
Shen Huaixu remained silent for a moment, then shook his head, not intending to say anything more.
He raised his head, his gaze falling on Lin Tingwan's face, and smiled slightly, a smile tinged with bitterness: "Why has the princess left the palace?"
Lin Tingwan sat beside Shen Huaixu, the moonlight shining on her face, revealing a faint blush.
Her eyes held a hint of resentment, and her voice was low and somewhat embarrassed: "I've been looking for you all afternoon. I heard that you went home as soon as you left the Imperial Study. I was really worried, so I had to find an opportunity to have Lord Lu bring me out."
As she spoke, her face flushed slightly, as if bathed in the moonlight with a shy blush.
She's a young woman after all; it's not quite right for her to be so eager to pursue someone.
She lowered her head, her fingers gently twisting the hem of her clothes, her voice even softer: "I... I'm afraid you might do something rash if you're alone."
Shen Huaixu felt a warmth in his heart. Looking at Lin Tingwan's slightly shy face, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
He said softly, "Princess, you cannot stay away from the palace for too long. You should return as soon as possible."
His voice carried a hint of concern, yet he didn't want Lin Tingwan to get into trouble because of him.
Just then, a deep male voice suddenly came from the side: "This humble servant came out under the pretext of visiting Li Lang of the Ministry of Revenue, and needs to return to the palace as soon as possible to report back."
His voice carried a hint of respect, yet also a touch of helplessness.
"I understand," Lin Tingwan replied somewhat impatiently.
She had just left the palace and hadn't even had a chance to properly comfort Shen Huaixu before being urged to go back.
Upon hearing the name "Li Lang of the Ministry of Revenue," Shen Huaixu's eyes suddenly cleared.
"Is this Lu Xiuyuan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Lord Lu?"
His pupils contracted slightly, as if he had caught a glimmer of light hidden in the darkness.
Of course he remembered Li Lang of the Ministry of Revenue, the one who openly denounced the Minister of Revenue in the imperial court.
He had thought the matter of the refugees was settled, but Li Lang's name gave him a new glimmer of hope.
Visiting Li Lang?
Shen Huaixu frowned, pondering his guess over and over.
His mind raced as he recalled Li Lang's various actions in court and his relationship with the Ministry of Revenue.
Suddenly, Shen Huaixu thought of something, and his heart began to pound violently, as if a force was surging in his chest, giving him a glimmer of hope.
"Indeed, it is my duty."
Lu Xiuyuan answered in a deep, resonant voice, which conveyed a sense of composure.
There was a hint of relaxation in his eyes. He had finally fulfilled Shen Jintang's request and brought up the matter of Li Lang from the Ministry of Revenue in front of Shen Huaixu.
If Shen Huaixu were so inclined, he would surely investigate.
Now that you've told him the truth, Shen Jintang's plan is already more than halfway to success.
He was originally thinking about how to tell Shen Huaixu about this matter discreetly, but he happened to run into Lin Tingwan and took the opportunity to tell her.
"Lord Lu is busy with official duties, so Princess, please return to the palace with Lord Lu. There is nothing of great importance here."
Shen Huaixu's voice was gentle yet firm. He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on Lin Tingwan, his eyes filled with concern.
He knew, of course, that it was not easy for Lin Tingwan to leave the palace, but at this moment, he had to prioritize the overall situation.
Upon hearing this, Lin Tingwan's expression showed a moment of hurt.
She finally managed to get out because she was worried about Shen Huaixu. Now that they've just met, why is he telling her to leave?
Her eyes dimmed slightly, as if a bucket of cold water had extinguished the passion in her heart.
However, Shen Huaixu did not notice the strange expression on Lin Tingwan's face. He simply said to Lu Xiuyuan, "Lord Lu, your trip was delayed because of the princess, but the princess was also delayed because of me. So, it is my fault in this matter."
His voice carried a hint of apology, as if he were apologizing for his recklessness.
"To make amends, I will take care of visiting Li Lang on your behalf. I am outside the palace, so it will be more convenient for me than for Lord Lu."
A resolute glint flashed in his eyes. He knew this was an opportunity, an opportunity he couldn't afford to miss.
Lu Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow. Hard work pays off, and this was exactly what he wanted!
"Then I will trouble you, Minister Shen."
Lu Xiuyuan cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards Shen Huaixu, then lowered his head without making a sound.
"Princess?"
Seeing that Lu Xiuyuan had agreed, Shen Huaixu turned his attention to Lin Tingwan. He noticed that Lin Tingwan looked somewhat dazed and seemed not to have heard what they were saying.
Shen Huaixu called out softly, his voice tinged with concern: "Tingwan?"
Lin Tingwan snapped out of her reverie, her gaze falling on Shen Huaixu's face, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
If she hadn't misheard, Shen Huaixu had asked her to return to the palace as soon as possible because he was worried about her, and he had taken the initiative to visit Li Lang because he considered her one of his own, all to prevent others from discovering that she had sneaked out of the palace.
They probably wanted to prevent her from being punished if she were discovered.
Actually, he had feelings for her too, didn't he?
Otherwise, I wouldn't have thought of asking her to help me get an audience with His Majesty the moment something happened.
"good."
Lin Tingwan understood everything and smiled. Her smile was one of relief, as if she had let go of a burden in her heart.
She nodded slightly, then turned and followed Lu Xiuyuan out of the courtyard.
As Shen Huaixu watched Lu Xiuyuan and Lin Tingwan leave, his eyes gradually turned cold.
We need to go and check on Li Lang; having another helper means having more hope.
At the same time, he also wanted to teach that selfish person a lesson.
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