Chapter 299 Shen Chu Prepares to Reveal Her Female Identity
Han Feng put the half-embroidered bib aside and dragged the chair next to Chen Chu.
"Let me ask you this: how do you expect him to answer you?"
Shen Chu was stunned for a moment.
Han Feng counted on his fingers and said, "If he answers that he likes you, but right now you're a man in front of him, he doesn't know you're a woman."
So if he answers that he likes you, it only means that he is gay and likes a man.
Which man do you think would have the courage to openly admit to being gay?
Shen Chu frowned slightly.
"Are you saying that he's actually unwilling to admit it because of my status as a man?"
Han Feng shrugged.
"I can't really say for sure. I just feel that the way he treats you doesn't seem like he doesn't care about you."
But there must be a reason why he denies it now.
Think carefully, before that, did he exhibit any strange behavior?
Chen Chu rested her chin on her hand and thought about it carefully.
"By the way, he asked if Brother Luo had given me a pair of Guanyin statues, and also asked why I wasn't wearing them."
I said that Luo Heng and I were sworn brothers, so it wouldn't be appropriate for us to wear a pair of Guanyin pendants, and that was all.
Han Feng slapped his thigh.
"Yes, that's definitely where the problem lies. Think about it, you told him that Luo Heng gave you a pair of Guanyin statues, but you felt it wasn't appropriate for you and your brother to wear the same pair, so you refused."
Isn't this blatantly telling him that you have no interest in homosexuality?
The Sixth Prince must be worried about this, which is why he didn't speak his mind.
Shen Chu was initially skeptical.
"You mean he said that because of what Brother Luo said? Brother Luo is also very surprised. He doesn't have much of a personal relationship with the Sixth Prince, so why would he suddenly bring up the matter of giving me the Guanyin?"
Also, this afternoon, Brother Luo said some things to me that belittled the Sixth Prince. I don't know what he's trying to do.
Han Feng rolled his eyes. "What else could he be thinking? I bet Luo Heng likes you and is just trying to sow discord between you and the Sixth Prince."
"Brother Luo likes me? No way..."
Shen Chu wanted to deny it, but then she suddenly remembered that Luo Heng had given her a pair of jade Guanyin statues last time.
Could it be that Luo Heng really... has feelings for her?
Just as he was hesitating, he heard Han Feng say, "I think you should first reveal your identity as a woman to the Sixth Prince."
Shen Chu blinked.
"But if he really doesn't have those kinds of feelings for me, wouldn't it be very awkward for me to say that I'm a woman?"
"Then why don't you just tell him directly? Give him some information indirectly and test his reaction."
Shen Chu's eyes brightened slightly.
"That works too. I'll test him out tomorrow."
Han Feng nodded, "And also, you..."
"What?"
Han Feng gave her a deep look, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
This was the first time he had ever seen his junior sister so conflicted and anxious about a man.
Based on my experience, my junior sister probably already has feelings for the sixth prince, but she's just unaware of it.
"Senior Brother, what do you want to say?"
Never mind, let's not try to enlighten our junior sister.
If Pei Yuanzhen is not moved by her, it will only cause his junior sister more heartache.
Han Feng raised his hand and rubbed her head, then shook his head and smiled.
"It's nothing. I'll arrange the trip to Yangzhou. Go and ask him. If the Sixth Prince really has no interest in it, we'll set off for Yangzhou immediately."
At night, Chen Chu tossed and turned, and it took her a long time to fall asleep.
She dreamt of the scene at Jingguo Temple that night.
Pei Yuan's strong arms were tightly wrapped around her slender waist, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, down his bronze chest, and finally landed on her fair skin.
She could barely withstand Pei Yuan's strength and passion, but she could only grit her teeth and dare not make a sound, for fear that Pei Yuan would recognize her.
Finally, she was driven to tears and couldn't hold back her sobs, letting out low whimpers like a pitiful little thing.
The scene then shifts to Pei Yuan's expressionless face.
"I consider you a good brother and a good friend, so don't overthink it."
She suddenly woke up from her dream and found that it was already broad daylight outside.
Today marks the reopening of the Ning'an Marquis's residence, the hanging of the plaque, and the opening of the ancestral hall.
When Shen Chu arrived at the gate of the Ning'an Marquis's residence, Pei Yuan was already standing outside the gate.
Pei Yuan glanced at Chen Chu, then casually looked away and said to the Vice Minister, "Let's begin."
The new plaque was personally inscribed by the Longqing Emperor and then carved by craftsmen before being hung up.
Amidst the deafening sound of firecrackers, Shen Chu tore down the large red silk ribbon from the plaque.
The four large characters of "Ning'an Marquis's Residence" gleamed in the sunlight.
Shen Chu looked up for a long time, until her eyes became sore.
Pei Yuan's calm voice rang in her ears, "Let's go to the ancestral hall to pay our respects."
She snapped out of her daze and met Pei Yuan's gaze.
Pei Yuan turned and left with a calm expression.
After finishing the worship at the ancestral hall, Vice Minister Yu couldn't help but whisper, "Young Master Shen, you must have heard what's being said outside, right?"
Shen Chu paused slightly, "What does Lord Yu want to say?"
Minister Yu glanced at Pei Yuan's back in front of him, shrank his neck and whispered, "No...it's nothing. I certainly believe that Lord Shen and the Sixth Prince are completely innocent."
Shen Chu felt a slight chill in his heart.
Even Vice Minister Yu has heard the rumors about her and Pei Yuan?
She gave a slight smile. "Thank you, Lord Yu."
Vice Minister Yu waved his hand and led the people from the Ministry of Rites away.
Only Shen Chu and Pei Yuan remained in the large courtyard.
Pei Yuan, with his back to her, said softly, "I have already instructed the Ministry of Rites to renovate all the courtyards of the Marquis's residence as soon as possible, so that you can move in directly after you return from Yangzhou."
Shen Chu pursed her lips.
She won't be returning from Yangzhou, so she probably won't have the chance to stay at the Ning'an Marquis's residence.
She took a deep breath and stepped forward to stop Pei Yuan.
"Sixth Brother, I have something I want to tell you."
Pei Yuan stared intently at her. "What do you want to say?"
Chen Chu nervously twirled her fingers, then mustered her courage and said, "If I... I mean, if I weren't..."
"Sixth Prince, Lord Shen, His Majesty urgently summons you both to the palace."
A young eunuch rushed in from outside, panting and shouting.
Pei Yuan frowned slightly. "Now?"
The young eunuch shook his head. "Now is the time. His Majesty has decreed that you two enter the palace as soon as possible. His Majesty has urgent matters to discuss with you."
Pei Yuan turned to look at Shen Chu.
"What were you trying to say?"
Interrupted by the eunuch, Shen Chu's hard-won courage was instantly shattered.
She shook her head and said, "His Majesty summoned us urgently, there must be something urgent. Let's go into the palace first and talk about it when we get back."
"Alright."
The two entered the palace with the eunuch.
Upon entering the palace, they found Cai Chong, a confidant of Emperor Longqing, waiting for them at the entrance of Longquan Palace.
"Sixth Prince, His Majesty is waiting for you in the Imperial Study. Lord Shen, His Majesty wants you to go to the Hall of State Affairs first, where all the files of the Yangzhou case are located."
The two of them left in two different directions, one on the left and one on the right.
As soon as Pei Yuan entered the imperial study, he saw Emperor Longqing sitting at the head of the table, nodding to Cai Chong and saying, "Read the imperial edict."
Cai Chong picked up the imperial edict from the table. "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that the Sixth Prince Pei Yuan is intelligent and decisive, and has repeatedly performed outstanding feats. He is hereby specially granted the title of Prince Rui."
Chen Jiaying, daughter of Grand Secretary Chen, is gentle, kind, and humble, and is a suitable match for the Prince Rui. She is hereby bestowed the title of Princess Rui and ordered to choose an auspicious day for the wedding.
"Sixth Prince, no, Your Highness Prince Rui, receive the decree."
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