Chapter 24 How about Lord Shen and I admire the flowers together?
Shen Qingshuang took a deep breath and quickly adjusted her facial expression, "Your Majesty, Chen Chu is my elder brother."
The Longqing Emperor stroked his beard. "Your elder brother is exceptionally talented, and I imagine you are no less so."
Shen Qingshuang almost broke her own fingernails.
I never imagined that I would have to rely on Chen Chu to make an impression on His Majesty.
What do you think of my sixth prince?
Shen Qingshuang's heart nearly jumped into her throat.
She glanced quickly at Pei Yuan, her face flushing red, and said shyly:
"His Highness the Sixth Prince is exceptionally brave and talented, a top-notch young talent."
The Longqing Emperor scrutinized her face for a moment, then nodded and said, "Not bad, you may leave."
Shen Qingshuang's heart was pounding. Was His Majesty going to bestow a marriage upon her and the Sixth Prince?
Is she about to become the sixth prince's wife?
Upon seeing this scene, Shen Chu couldn't help but look at Pei Yuan.
Pei Yuan's brows furrowed slightly, his face cold and stern, clearly indicating his strong reluctance to participate in this marriage.
She couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude.
Serves you right! You got yourself into trouble for laughing at me earlier.
Just as he was happily contemplating whether he should also put on a mocking face, he heard the Longqing Emperor suddenly ask:
"Young Minister Shen, tell me, aren't your sister and my sixth prince a perfect match?"
The scene fell silent for a moment.
What does Shen Chu have to do with her?
He felt all eyes were on him, with two of them being the most intense.
Shen Chu slightly raised her head to look over.
Shen Qingshuang's eyes shone brightly as she stared straight at her, practically screaming "perfect match" on her face.
On the other side, Pei Yuan's narrow eyes looked at her coldly, his entire face conveying only one message: You dare to say you're a good match?
Shen Chu inexplicably felt a chill on her neck.
She quickly looked away, revealing a gentle and warm smile.
"Your Majesty, I cannot answer this question at the moment. Perhaps I should try having a dream about it when I return?"
The Longqing Emperor looked puzzled. "Why dream? Is there some answer in the dream?"
Chen Chu said seriously, "Well, I'll go back and ask the Old Man of the Moon in my dreams if he tied a red thread between my sister and the Sixth Prince."
Once I have understood, I will immediately report back to Your Majesty.
The Longqing Emperor was amused. "You little rascal, you know how to make excuses. Are you afraid I'll play matchmaker for you?"
Shen Chu smiled and shook his head, "Your subject dares not. Under heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are his subjects."
"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven; you can see whether my sister and the Sixth Prince are a good match. I, your subject, lack such discernment and can only consult the God of Marriage."
The Longqing Emperor was very pleased by these flattering words and did not insist on asking Shen Chu any further questions.
Shen Chu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Receiving Shen Qingshuang's indignant gaze, she couldn't help but curl her lips and look up at Pei Yuan.
Pei Yuan had already withdrawn his gaze and said to Emperor Longqing, "Father, it's past noon. Shall we return to the palace?"
The Longqing Emperor stood up and said, "Just have the Imperial Guards escort me back. You can stay here and have some fun."
He patted Pei Yuan on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "You should get to know the young people better and stop going to brothels all the time."
Pei Yuan bowed. "Yes, I respectfully see Father off."
The Grand Princess of Chengyang personally saw Emperor Longqing off.
The scene immediately became lively.
Many people gathered around Marquis Changning to offer their congratulations. His eldest son had been appointed as a fifth-rank censor, and his daughter was expected to marry the sixth prince. It was truly a double blessing.
Marquis Changning was so happy he couldn't stop smiling.
Shen Qingshuang dismissed the several young ladies who came to offer their congratulations, and walked shyly toward Pei Yuan.
"Sixth Prince, the crabapple blossoms at the Princess's residence are in full bloom. Would I have the honor of accompanying you to admire them?"
Pei Yuan said calmly, "This prince does not like crabapple blossoms."
Shen Qingshuang's smile froze slightly. "I wonder what kind of flowers Your Highness likes? I would like to admire them with you."
"It doesn't matter what kind of flowers I like; what matters is the person who accompanies me to admire them."
Pei Yuan's lips curled slightly, revealing a smile that made Shen Qingshuang's heart race.
The next moment, Pei Yuan continued, "Young Master Shen, how about accompanying this prince to admire the peonies?"
Shen Qingshuang's face immediately turned pale.
She turned and glared angrily at Shen Chu.
Shen Chu was whispering with Li Chengxuan...
Pei Yuan has harmed her again.
She refused without even thinking.
"Your Highness, please find someone else to discuss matters with Brother Chengxuan."
"Oh?" Pei Yuan glanced coldly at Li Chengxuan. "What are you two talking about? Tell me."
Li Chengxuan shuddered, and the familiar sense of fear made him blurt out, "It's all over."
Chen Chu.....
"Li Chengxuan, what kind of ambition do you have?"
Li Chengxuan muttered under the cold stare of the Sixth Prince, "Achu, how dare I show any pride in front of him?"
"Even if you're useless, you can't sabotage me! I don't want to go flower viewing with him."
Pei Yuan walked over with his hands behind his back. "If Lord Shen is unwilling, then Chengxuan can accompany this prince."
Li Chengxuan was startled and quickly pushed Chen Chu forward, "Chu said he would be happy to accompany Your Highness to admire the flowers."
Chen Chu stumbled and fell forward.
A long, strong hand supported her.
Once she regained her footing, Chen Chu quickly pulled her hand away from Pei Yuan's. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Pei Yuan glanced at him indifferently and walked forward first, saying, "Let's go."
Shen Chu glared angrily at Li Chengxuan.
Li Chengxuan clasped his hands together and looked at Shen Chu with a pleading expression.
If he were to accompany the Sixth Prince to admire the flowers, he would have nightmares for half a month.
Helpless, Shen Chu withdrew her gaze and followed Pei Yuan's steps.
Shen Qingshuang was left standing there, watching Shen Chu and Pei Yuan leave together, and she tore the handkerchief in her hand to shreds in anger.
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Princess Chengyang's peony garden was clearly meticulously maintained, containing a wide variety of precious peony species. It was not open to the public at will, making it a very tranquil place.
Smelling the rich floral fragrance in the air, Chen Chu looked up and saw Pei Yuan leaning against a pillar of the pavilion, casually plucking a golden peony. She couldn't help but secretly purse her lips.
How rude! That's the Yao Huang peony, the king of peonies, worth a fortune!
"I am in a bad mood today. If we were to talk about the Jingguo Temple incident in casual conversation, do you think Father would be able to keep his position as a fifth-rank censor if he found out that Lord Shen committed murder and framed someone?"
Pei Yuan casually plucked a petal from his hand, then turned to look at him with a half-smile.
Shen Chu's expression changed slightly.
This is a blatant threat.
She rubbed her fingers together, silently cursing Pei Yuan's ancestors for eighteen generations.
"What does Your Highness wish to do?"
Pei Yuan walked over, looking down at her with undisguised smugness in his peach blossom eyes. "Not pretending anymore?"
As he suddenly approached, his cool, masculine scent instantly filled her nostrils, causing Chen Chu's face to flush. She took two steps back before regaining her footing.
"Sixth Prince, what do you need me to do to make you forget about Jingguo Temple? Just get straight to the point."
Pei Yuan smiled, twirling a flower as he watched Shen Chu secretly grinding her teeth.
Tsk, is the little fox about to show its fangs?
"Young Master Shen seems quite insincere. Never mind, this prince has never liked to force others."
Shen Chu... you call this not forcing me?
She forced a smile. "No, Your Highness is quite willing. You've mistaken me for someone else."
"Hehe, seeing how sincere you are, I'll reluctantly ask you to do something for me."
Shen Chu... My hands are so itchy, I want to kill someone.
"Your Highness, please speak."
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