Chapter 271 I'm sorry, I have someone I like.
Pei Yuan froze, his fists clenching instinctively.
Did his father discover his secret feelings for Shen Chu?
The voice of the Longqing Emperor came from the head of the table.
"Are you afraid that if Shen Chu were to marry into the Marquis of Weiwu's family, and marry the Marquis of Weiwu's daughter, he would be drawn into the chaotic factional struggles?"
Pei Yuan looked up in surprise.
The Longqing Emperor gave a soft hum.
"Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You used to hate Shen Chu to death, but these past few times when you've worked on cases together with Shen Chu, I've seen you two cooperate quite well."
"You've clearly changed your opinion of Shen Chu, and now you value his talent. You're worried that once he becomes the son-in-law of the Marquis of Weiwu, he won't be able to work with you on cases like before, right?"
Emperor Longqing glanced at Pei Yuan with an expression that said, "I have seen right through you."
He was willing to favor and give important positions to Shen Chu not only because Shen Chu was indeed talented and acted in a way that pleased him, but also because although Shen Chu came from a noble family, he grew up in a Taoist temple.
Shen Chu has a natural conflict with Marquis Changning and his relatives by marriage.
It can be said that Shen Chu had no foundation in the court and relied entirely on his favor.
As Shen Chu had predicted, he did not get close to the officials in the court.
As the commander of the Flying Eagle Guard, Pei Yuan could not get too close to any minister.
Therefore, he felt very comfortable with these two working together on the case.
Once Shen Chu becomes the son-in-law of Marquis Weiwu, with the restrictions of marriage and the intricate family ties within that marriage, Shen Chu will find himself in many situations beyond his control.
Emperor Longqing waved his hand and said, "Alright, I will not bestow a marriage upon Shen Chu. You can still work together on cases in the future."
Pei Yuan looked at his father's "I understand you" expression and silently loosened his clenched fist.
"Father is wise!"
Emperor Longqing was very pleased with the flattery, but suddenly remembered something and frowned as he looked at Pei Yuan.
"I allow you to get closer to him, but you must be careful not to spread any unsavory rumors about him."
"I'm already furious about that good-for-nothing third prince; there can't be any more scandals like homosexuality among the princes."
Pei Yuan's expression hardened, and a bitter look flashed across his eyes.
It's too late.
His sleeve was torn.
------
Back to Shen Chu, upon hearing Li Anning mention the arranged marriage, she was so anxious that her back was covered in sweat.
“Miss Li, I really can’t marry you. I’ll tell you the reasons later. Right now, I need to find a way to get into the palace and stop His Majesty from bestowing this marriage upon us.”
She spoke as she hurriedly walked out.
Li Anning trembled, her gaze towards Shen Chu filled with hurt.
"Why can't you marry me? Is it because I'm not good-looking?"
Shen Chu waved her hand, "No, you're very good-looking."
"So you think I'm not gentle and virtuous enough? You think I'm rude?"
"Of course not. Miss Li has a free-spirited, innocent, and lively personality. How could she be rude?"
"Then why can't you marry me?"
Li Anning reached out and blocked Shen Chu's way, stubbornly insisting on an answer.
Shen Chu rubbed his head, feeling a headache coming on, and could only grit his teeth and say helplessly:
"I'm sorry, I already have someone I like. You're a good girl, and you deserve someone better."
To everyone's surprise, Li Anning burst out laughing upon hearing this.
Chen Chu was completely confused.
After Li Anning finished laughing, he looked at her with a sly expression.
"Young Master Shen, if you're going to refuse me, please come up with a plausible reason."
Chen Chu...
That's a very plausible reason.
Li Anning said with a smile, "When you became the top scholar in the imperial examination and rode through the streets on horseback, so many girls threw handkerchiefs and sachets at you, but you refused to catch a single one."
This situation either indicates that the person is morally upright or has someone else in their heart.
You've made quite a splash in the capital these past few months, but you haven't had any romantic affairs or female confidantes.
I've noticed you usually only get close to the Sixth Prince and Steward Luo, so surely you don't actually like those men?
She spoke so eloquently that Shen Chu was speechless.
"Achu, what are you talking about?"
A soft, gentle voice suddenly came from the doorway.
Shen Chu turned around and saw Luo Heng, dressed in white, striding in.
"Brother Luo, what brings you here?"
Luo Heng took out a small box and handed it over.
"Here you go, I've specially brought you the Laughing Guanyin you wanted. You can't refuse it this time, can you?"
Chen Chu opened the box and saw that there was indeed a white Laughing Guanyin inside.
The Guanyin statue is sculpted with remarkable realism, its smile conveying both joy and anger, making it exceptionally beautiful.
She looked up, about to ask a question, when Luo Heng smiled.
"Don't worry, Chengxuan and Ajun have them too."
Chen Chu felt relieved and shook the box. "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Luo."
Luo Heng smiled and said, "I was on my day off today and I was going to the Inspectorate to find you, but I heard that you were also on your day off."
I came to give you the jade Buddha, thinking of taking you to Jingguo Temple to pray for the Buddhas' blessing for your future peace and prosperity.
If you have nothing else, shall we go?
Shen Chu hesitated for a moment, but Li Anning grabbed his arm and looked at Luo Heng with a suspicious expression.
She glanced at Shen Chu, then at Luo Heng, her eyes darting around.
Suddenly, she pulled Chen Chu back two steps, turned around, and whispered:
"Young Master Shen, you don't actually like men, do you? You like Steward Luo?"
“I…” Shen Chu opened her mouth, but did not deny it.
If Li Anning were to assume that she likes men, would that dissuade her from marrying her?
Thinking of this, she smiled slightly and did not deny it.
"Brother Luo is a very good person, and he's been very good to me too."
Li Anning's pupils contracted slightly, and her expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
I thought she would give up, but what Li Anning said next was even more shocking.
She stood with her hands on her hips, looking quite smug.
"Even if you like men, it doesn't matter. We'll compete fairly. I refuse to believe that I, Li Anning, can lose to a man."
Shen Chu was stunned.
Li Anning, however, turned to Luo Heng with a grin.
"I'm so sorry, Steward Luo, I had an appointment with Lord Shen today to go hiking and enjoy the view."
Luo Heng frowned and looked at Shen Chu.
"Is this really true?"
Shen Chu was both amused and exasperated.
Luo Heng's eyes flickered slightly, and he reached out and grabbed Shen Chu's other arm.
"Achu, the vegetarian food at Jingguo Temple is delicious too, shall we go together?"
Li Anning also pulled, "Young Master Shen, let's climb Mount Ersheng today. The scenery on the mountain is beautiful, like a poem or a painting."
One goes to Zola, and the other goes to the right.
Chen Chu, caught in the middle...
Luo Heng frowned at Li Anning, "How about this, we let Achu choose for herself, okay?"
Li Anning thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "That's very good, Lord Shen, you choose one."
"Would you rather go with Master Luo to Jingguo Temple to burn incense and pray, or go climb the scenic Ersheng Mountain? Which would you choose?"
Shen Chu's head was twice as big.
That's outrageous.
How did these two end up arguing with each other?
Shen Chu patted her head, then looked up to see Pei Yuan striding in from the doorway.
"Achu, what do you choose?"
"Young Master Shen, you choose."
Shen Chu glanced around a few times, and finally her gaze landed on Pei Yuan.
She chose...
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