Chapter 19: Is that ray of warmth related to Shen Chu?
Chengxuan was somewhat dissatisfied, "We're already so familiar with each other, why do you still always call me Young Master?"
I'll call you Achu, you can call me Axuan.
After saying that, she looked at Chen Chu with expectant eyes.
Helpless, Shen Chu had no choice but to change his form of address to "Brother Chengxuan".
Li Chengxuan smiled happily.
He was the only son left in his family and had no brothers or sisters since childhood. Now, being called "Brother Chengxuan" by Chen Chu made him feel very comfortable.
"I'll protect you if anything happens in the future."
Shen Chu's lips twitched slightly.
Li Chengxuan patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I have already shown the Emperor your case analysis annotations, and the Emperor praised you for your talent."
Ah Chu, you still haven't told me why you want me to show this to His Majesty?"
Shen Chu smiled bitterly and recounted how Marquis Changning had gone to the Ministry of Personnel to register her non-participation in the civil service examination.
"I don't want to enter the Hanlin Academy, and now that I can't participate in the selection examination, I can only find a way myself."
Li Chengxuan frowned. "But that's probably not enough, is it? Although His Majesty praised your case annotations, he probably didn't expect to send you to the Censorate."
Shen Chu smiled slightly, "So I need to ask Young Master Chengxuan... no, Brother Chengxuan, for another favor."
Li Chengxuan was overjoyed to be addressed as "Brother Chengxuan" and quickly promised:
"Tell me what kind of help you need, and I'll do anything I can without hesitation."
Shen Chu whispered something in his ear.
Li Chengxuan laughed, "This isn't difficult at all; leave it to me."
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After Shen Chu left Yihu Chun, Li Chengxuan listened to the music for a while longer before preparing to leave.
As soon as the door opened, a guard stood at the entrance.
"Young Master, our Sixth Prince invites you."
Li Chengxuan's expression changed slightly, and he asked with a forced smile, "What business does Your Highness have with me?"
"You'll find out when you get there, young master."
Li Chengxuan was taken to the private room next door.
Pei Yuan was leaning against the bed, toying with a sky-blue teacup in his hand. Hearing the noise, he glanced over.
With just one glance, Li Chengxuan was almost scared to his knees.
The sixth prince's gaze is terrifying.
His fear of the Sixth Prince was deeply ingrained, mainly stemming from a childhood visit to the palace where he witnessed the Sixth Prince beat a lively and adorable puppy with a stick.
He was eight years old at that time, and the sixth prince was nine.
The sixth prince's eyes, gripping the stick, were filled with a sinister glint, as if he had crawled out of hell.
He was so frightened that he fell ill after returning home and had a fever for several days. Ever since then, whenever he saw the Sixth Prince, he couldn't help but think of that look in his eyes, and he would tremble from the bottom of his heart.
"Your Highness...Your Highness."
"Hmm, tell me, what did Chen Chu ask you to do?"
Li Chengxuan's eyes darted around. "No... I didn't do anything, just drank tea and... played..."
Bang.
The teacup in Pei Yuan's hand turned into tiny foam, which drifted into the air.
Li Chengxuan was so frightened that his face turned pale and his legs went weak.
He recalled Shen Chu's bravery when facing the Sixth Prince, and suddenly felt courageous. He straightened his neck and shouted, "It was just for fun. I'm not afraid of Your Highness. Yes, I'm not afraid of you."
"Oh? Quite tough." Pei Yuan chuckled, dusted off his hands, and looked over with a casual glance.
"I wonder if they're just as assertive elsewhere?"
Li Chengxuan was stunned for a moment, then followed his gaze and realized where Pei Yuan meant by "other places".
His expression changed, and he instinctively squeezed his legs together and covered his private parts with his hands.
Waaah, he can't withstand the Sixth Prince's fists here.
Li Chengxuan gave a dejected account:
"It's nothing. My family is hosting a flower viewing banquet in a couple of days, and Achu asked me to find a way to bring His Majesty to my house."
Waaah, Ah Chu, don't blame your brother. He's the only son left in your family.
He still needs to keep him to carry on the family line.
Li Chengxuan silently regretted his actions, unaware of the slight flicker in Pei Yuan's eyes.
By the time he realized what was happening, the guards had already escorted him outside.
He walked out in a daze, wondering what Pei Yuan was planning to do, and for a moment he didn't think to tell Chen Chu about it.
Inside the house, Pei Yuan instructed his guard Sun Yan, "Go and investigate what has happened at the Marquis of Changning's residence these past two days."
Sun Yan went out for a while and returned quickly, recounting how Shen Chu had caused such a commotion at the Changning Marquis's residence the previous two days.
"I don't understand why Scholar Shen would want to have such a falling out with the Marquis's mansion. He will need the Marquis's mansion's support to advance his official career."
Pei Yuan stroked the jade fan, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"This Shen Chu is becoming more and more interesting. His actions seem to reflect some of my intentions."
Sun Yan scratched his head, "Didn't Your Highness used to dislike Scholar Shen so much? Why does it seem like you're getting more and more interested in him now?"
Pei Yuan's smile faded slightly as he suddenly remembered what happened at Qingfeng Tower that morning.
He has difficulty falling asleep, and once he does fall asleep, he is prone to nightmares, and after waking up, he becomes agitated for a long time.
But this morning, he inexplicably felt a warmth in his sleep, as if a gentle breeze had entered his dream, pulling him back from a nightmare.
Was that warmth related to Shen Chu?
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Before we knew it, we arrived at the Grand Princess's Flower Viewing Banquet.
A sea of flowers was planted in the residence of the Grand Princess of Chengyang, which was said to have been planted when the old Duke Protector of the State and the Grand Princess got married.
Every spring, when the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers, the Grand Princess of Chengyang would hold a flower-viewing banquet, inviting young men and women from noble families in the capital to attend.
The Marquis of Changning's residence naturally received the invitation as well, and the heir apparent, Shen Yan, even made a special trip back from the academy for it.
Shen Chu, Shen Yan, and Shen Qingshuang entered the Grand Princess's residence together.
Shen Qingshuang was a famous talented woman in the capital. As soon as she appeared, she was surrounded by many young girls and young men from aristocratic families.
"Miss Chen, have you written any good poems lately? Could you share one with us?"
Faced with numerous inquiries, Shen Qingshuang's beautiful face was etched with sadness.
Her maid, Qiuwen, curtsied to everyone, saying, "I'm sorry, everyone, my young lady has been feeling listless and depressed lately, and has no mood to write poetry."
"Who made Miss Chen angry?"
Qiuwen sighed and said with a worried look, "You all don't know, my daughter has been having a very difficult time these days."
My eldest son, relying on his academic achievement, completely disregards the elders and sisters in the family. He acts rebelliously, causing the elders to collapse in anger and bedridden.
Not only that, he... he even took advantage of the Marquis's favor to beat my daughter.
My poor daughter..."
"Qiuwen, stop talking." Shen Qingshuang frowned and interrupted Qiuwen, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. "Family scandals should not be aired in public. My brother is probably just in a bad mood. He'll be fine in a couple of days."
The crowd was filled with righteous indignation and began to condemn Shen Chu.
"How could Shen Chu be so despicable?"
"To actually hit one's own sister is utterly disgraceful."
"Although he was exceptionally talented and top scorer in the college entrance examination, he was a truly despicable person and a scoundrel."
"Miss Chen, don't worry, let us help you get revenge."
Shen Chu was unaware that she had incurred the wrath of the crowd, and she went to find Li Chengxuan as soon as she entered the mansion.
"Well? Is His Majesty able to come here today?"
Li Chengxuan was pacing anxiously when he saw him coming and quickly said:
"His Majesty promised me yesterday that he would come to visit my grandmother, but just now, Eunuch Cai, who is in charge of His Majesty's household, sent someone to inform him that the Sixth Prince has had to go to the palace for some urgent business, and His Majesty may not be able to come."
Shen Chu frowned; Pei Yuan had ruined her plans again.
Li Chengxuan slapped the back of his head, "Oh no, there's something I forgot to tell you."
He recounted the events of the past two days when Pei Yuan had interrogated him, and said with a face full of remorse:
"Ah Chu, it's all my fault. I should have just kept quiet."
Shen Chu patted his arm and comforted him, "It's alright. Now that things have come to this, we can only think of other ways."
Despite saying that, she secretly harbored resentment towards Pei Yuan.
Whether she can enter the Censorate depends on today. Everything is ready, but at the crucial moment, His Majesty doesn't come.
So who is she acting for?
Chen Chu walked into the garden, feeling utterly frustrated. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the stares of those around her.
Then someone placed a plate of exquisite dishes in front of her.
"Does Young Scholar Shen recognize this pastry? If you can tell me its origin, I, the young master, will reward it to you. How about it?"
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