Chapter 251 Rivals
The crowd paused, turning around to see Zhang Chengxian dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit with silver patterns embroidered on the cuffs, shimmering in the sunlight. He had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, sword-like eyebrows, and bright eyes, exuding both heroic spirit and unrestrained elegance.
Dou Wenyi's heart tightened, fearing that Zhang Chengxian would bring up the matter of breaking off the engagement at this critical juncture.
She advised, "Chengxian, some things are not urgent. Even if you take a step back, it won't hurt. But if you really back down, there will be no room for maneuver. Consort Shu is very worried about you. Let's talk about it when we get back."
Shen Yanzhou paused, then squinted at him. “Brother Zhang, there are too many people around here. Why don’t we brew a pot of tea and find a quiet place to talk? This isn’t the place to talk.”
Zhang Chengxian flicked his sleeves and suddenly laughed, "Why are you all so worried? I just wanted to remind you that Pei Shuyue is precocious and mischievous, so don't spoil her too much."
Dou Wenyi was completely stunned, wondering what Zhang Chengxian was planning.
Hearing this, Pei Shuyue was displeased, and strong dissatisfaction flashed in her eyes. "Brother Chengxian, why are you talking badly about me? How have I been naughty?"
Zhang Chengxian affectionately ruffled her hair. "Yes, yes, you're not naughty. You're just naturally active. There are too many rules in the palace, which has wronged you. You should have come out and had some fun a long time ago."
As he spoke, he lightly punched Shen Yanzhou on the shoulder. "Brother Yunzhi, we've only been apart for a few months, why are you being so formal? You know I like to drink alcohol, why tea? Let's have a few drinks together later."
"Alright." Shen Yanzhou was slightly taken aback, but seeing that he didn't mention the matter of breaking off the engagement at all, he felt a little relieved.
They had a heart-to-heart talk all night at Fanlou, which brought them much closer afterward. During Zhang Chengxian's campaign against Prince Chen, the two even corresponded privately.
Zhang Chengxian admired his extensive knowledge, and Shen Yanzhou appreciated his open-mindedness and resilience, so they naturally became friends.
Zhang Chengxian raised his chin, looking at Shen Lishu with a half-smile, "You're Shen Lishu? I met you at Fanlou last time..."
“What Fanlou? I’ve never been to Fanlou.” Shen Lishu’s face suddenly flushed, and she interrupted him directly.
"Why didn't you go? You're still wearing..."
"Shut up!"
Zhang Chengxian suddenly realized that young women all cared about their reputation, so he swallowed back the words he was about to say. "Next time, if that unlucky thing bothers you again, just slap her. Why waste your breath talking to her?"
"Mind your own business!" Shen Lishu seemed to have lost her temper and was very rude to him.
Zhang Chengxian ignored him, and his next words were even more shocking: "With your skinny arms and legs, you probably can't win a fight. Just mention my name when you need help, and I'll protect you. Your brother and I are good brothers, let's see who dares to bully you in Tianning City!"
Shen Lishu: "..."
Although he gave a perfectly reasonable reason, his words seemed more like he was deliberately using Shen Yanzhou as a pretext.
The attempt to cover up the truth only makes it more obvious and invites further speculation.
Dou Wenyi's lips curled up, and she couldn't help but wonder, did Zhang Chengxian not want to break off the engagement at all?
He even had a very good impression of Shen Lishu and wanted to try to get to know her.
Thinking of this, she subconsciously glanced at Gu Yufeng, and sure enough, his brows were almost furrowed.
He is a formidable rival that Zhang Chengxian cannot afford to ignore.
If Zhang Chengxian fails to seize the opportunity, given Shen Lishu's naivety, once she is moved, she will be fixated on that person...
The undercurrents between them had no effect on Pei Shuyue; she was extremely excited. "Sister-in-law, let's go and fly them! Look how high those kites are flying! I want to fly them that high too!"
"Okay, let's go."
When they arrived at the hillside, they saw many people flying kites. The kites were of various styles, beautiful and exquisite, flying freely in the azure sky, as if carrying free hearts.
Gu Yufeng handed the prepared kite to Shen Lishu, his eyes gentle. "This butterfly kite is small and agile, and it's easy for it to take flight. Would you like to give it a try?"
“Okay.” Shen Lishu naturally took the kite from his hand, her fingers accidentally touching the back of his hand.
Gu Yufeng's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his eyes showed restrained yet obvious emotions, but Shen Lishu was completely unaware.
Gu Lingrong couldn't stand it anymore and grabbed her arm, whispering a reminder, "Lishu, this kite was made by my brother himself. Look at the bamboo frame, he carefully polished it for many days. And the colorful paintings on the butterflies were all painted by him. He wasn't good at painting, so he specially consulted an artist and ruined several paintings before he finally made it."
Upon hearing this, Shen Lishu's face instantly flushed red, and she felt that the kite in her hand was burning hot.
She lowered her eyes. "It's so precious. It would be such a pity if I broke it or if the thread suddenly snapped."
Gu Lingrong smiled meaningfully, "What's a pity? As long as you have fun, my brother would be happy to do it even if he had to do it a hundred times!"
Shen Lishu felt uneasy. She had already accepted the kite, and if she refused it now, she would lose face for Gu Yufeng. She could only pretend that she knew nothing and began to fiddle with the butterfly kite.
At this moment, Shen Yanzhou found several kites from somewhere and distributed them to everyone, but when he got to Meng Jingshu, one was missing.
Shen Yanzhou remained calm. "Look at my memory, I didn't even count the number correctly. Jing Shu, I remember you prefer quiet and never like playing with these little things. Do you want to play with this kite?"
Meng Jingshu forced a smile. "I'm not playing. I'll just watch you guys play."
Pei Shuyue got her hands on a hawk as she wished. Her eyes were filled with excitement, and she was eager to try it out. Without thinking twice, she started letting out the line, and in no time, the spool of line became a tangled mess.
"Brother Yanzhou...please come and help me!"
"good."
Upon hearing the call, Shen Yanzhou turned around without hesitation and ran to Pei Shuyue to help her fly the kite.
Meng Jingshu's hands, hidden beneath her sleeves, were clenched tightly in her palms. She had assumed Shen Yanzhou was in love with Dou Wenyi, but now that she was the Crown Princess, a relationship between Shen Yanzhou and her was no longer possible.
But why is it still so difficult to get close to him?
She can't compete with Dou Wenyi, can't she even compete with a seven or eight-year-old girl?
Dou Wenyi noticed Meng Jingshu's gloomy expression and looked thoughtfully at the carp kite in her hand.
Shen Yanzhou is always meticulous in his work; he couldn't possibly have misremembered their number. Could it be that he did it on purpose?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
