Chapter 304 The Second Thing Awaits Me
Qiutang Lake is located in the east of the city. The lake is clear and the scenery is pleasant.
Shen Chu stood in the pavilion by the lake, watching the shimmering waves on the water, just like her heart.
"Why did you bring me here, brother?"
Luo Heng whistled.
Not far away, an exquisite painted boat emerged from the lotus flowers and slowly approached them.
Luo Heng looked at him with concern, "I know you're in a bad mood, so I brought you out to relax. This place is quiet, and few people come here on weekdays, making it perfect for relaxation and sightseeing."
This is the Luo family's pleasure boat. I've prepared tea and snacks on board. Today, let's take a boat trip on the lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
"Big brother will always be with you. Forget all the unhappy things, okay?"
Shen Chu forced a smile. "Thank you for your concern, brother."
Luo Heng stepped forward and patted her on the shoulder, "Achu, forget about him, there's no possibility between you two anymore."
Chen Chu felt a tightness in her chest, and that helpless pain washed over her again.
Along with this came a strange sense of irritability.
She didn't want to talk about Pei Yuan right now.
The painted boat then arrived in front of them.
She almost staggered as she boarded the painted boat.
Luo Heng was about to board the boat when Chen Chu suddenly spoke up, "Big brother, why don't you go back first? I want to be alone here, is that alright?"
Luo Heng's raised foot froze in mid-air.
He slowly put his foot down, and his face regained its gentle, jade-like smile.
“Then I’ll wait for you in the pavilion. It’s a secluded place, and I’m worried about leaving you here alone. When you want to come back, I’ll have the boatman take you back, and we’ll leave together.”
Shen Chu shook her head, insisting that he leave.
"I am not unarmed, brother, don't worry. I will send someone to deliver a message to you when we get back."
Luo Heng had no choice but to leave first.
Before leaving, he reminded Chen Chu, "Your brother is here for you. Don't worry about anything. Your brother will always protect you."
The painted boat was exquisite, with a square table placed under the delicate four-cornered pavilion.
Tea and snacks were laid out on the table, and soft cushions were thoughtfully placed under the table.
Chen Chu sat on the soft cushion, leaning against the pillar behind her, and closed her eyes to rest.
A gentle breeze caressed my face, and all around was quiet, so quiet that I could clearly hear the sound of oars hitting the water and the approaching footsteps.
Footsteps?
Shen Chu opened her eyes in a daze.
A tall figure bent down and walked into the pavilion. Sunlight shone from behind him, bathing him in light and shadow, making him appear like a ball of intense heat, obscuring his features for a moment.
Shen Chu subconsciously raised her hand to shield her forehead, and only then could she see who it was.
Her eyes, always exquisitely beautiful and shimmering like peach blossoms, had a deep blue shadow beneath them.
His thin lips parted slightly, his voice dry and hoarse.
“A-Chu”.
Chen Chu's heart trembled slightly, and she slowly sat up straight.
"Your Highness."
Pei Yuan stared intently at her, his eyes swirling with emotion.
"You won't even call me Sixth Brother anymore?"
Shen Chu lowered her eyes to conceal her emotions, poured a cup of tea, and handed it over.
“Your Highness is now a prince, while Shen Chu is just a minor censor. If you still call him Sixth Brother, it would be quite presumptuous of you.”
Pei Yuan didn't take the teacup, his gaze fixed on her with an indescribable stubbornness.
"You promised that no matter who I am, you would call me Sixth Brother."
Shen Chu's hand holding the tea trembled slightly, and the tea spilled all over her hand.
Fortunately, the tea wasn't too hot.
She gently placed the teacup in front of Pei Yuan and took out a handkerchief to wipe the water off her hands.
Looking up, she saw Pei Yuan still stubbornly staring at her, and she sighed inwardly, ultimately unable to persuade him otherwise.
Well, we're about to part ways. What difference does it make whether I call him Sixth Brother or not?
"Sixth Brother."
"Hmm." Pei Yuan's lips curled into a smile.
A bitter feeling welled up in Chen Chu's heart. He picked up the teacup in front of him and revealed his usual gentle smile.
"Let's offer tea instead of wine to congratulate Sixth Brother on finding a beautiful companion."
Pei Yuan's eyes darted around, and he raised his hand to stop her from holding up the teacup.
The man's warm palm pressed against her slightly cool fingertips, and Chen Chu's fingers trembled slightly as she subconsciously tried to pull her hand away.
However, it was not drawn.
Pei Yuan took her hand in his and asked in a low voice:
"Chen Chu, you don't actually want me to marry Chen Jiaying, do you?"
Chen Chu panicked for a moment, then quickly forced a bright smile onto her face.
"How could that be? Miss Chen is dignified, composed, and exceptionally talented. She and Sixth Brother are truly a match made in heaven... Hiss."
A sharp pain welled up in her heart again, and she squeezed out each word almost one by one.
Before she could finish speaking, a sudden pain shot through her finger, causing her to gasp and her words instantly turned into a question.
Why are you squeezing my hand?
Pei Yuan gave a soft hum, released her hand, and slowly uttered two words from his thin lips.
"fraud."
Chen Chu frowned.
Pei Yuan sneered, "Do you know why I hated you in the first place?"
Shen Chu blinked. "Because I wrote an article criticizing you?"
Pei Yuan shook his head, pointing to the smile on her face.
"I hate that you're so angry you want to kill someone, but you still have such a bright smile on your face. It's so fake."
Just like now, you clearly don't think that way, but you're still hypocritically congratulating me.
Shen Chu clenched her hands, and the smile on her face gradually faded.
Pei Yuan suddenly leaned forward, his face almost touching hers.
"Chen Chu, is it so hard to say you don't want to see me marry Chen Jiaying?"
Shen Chu subconsciously took a step back and leaned against the pillar.
He smiled bitterly to himself.
What's the point of telling him? Does telling him mean he won't marry me?
If I said that, would Emperor Longqing not drag the Ning'an Marquis's Mansion into the quagmire again?
There is truly no longer any possibility between her and Pei Yuan.
Shen Chu took a deep breath, looked up and smiled slightly.
"The bestowed marriage is a joyous occasion, but it's a pity that I'm about to travel far away to Yangzhou. Today, I'll bid farewell to my sixth brother."
She picked up the teacup and drank the tea in one gulp.
"Take care, Sixth Brother. We'll meet again someday."
She will never return to the capital; she and Pei Yuan will probably never see each other again in this lifetime.
Shen Chu lowered her eyes and glanced at her stomach.
Children, the man in front of you is your father, but unfortunately you will never see him again.
Chen Chu forcefully suppressed the stinging in her eyes and got up to walk towards the deck.
Her arm was suddenly pulled, and she staggered around, only to be pulled into Pei Yuan's arms.
The man's chest was hot and burning, his arms strong and powerful, holding her tightly and domineeringly.
She could even clearly hear Pei Yuan's strong and powerful heartbeat.
Her hands, hanging at her sides, were clenched into fists.
"A-Chu, you still owe me four things. Do they still stand?"
Shen Chu gave a soft "hmm," and asked, "What does Sixth Brother want to say?"
Pei Yuan's voice was low, hoarse, and firm.
"The second thing is to wait for me in Yangzhou. I will take care of things in the capital."
It was as if a pebble had suddenly been thrown into the center of the lake, and Shen Chu was shaken so badly that his whole body trembled slightly.
Does Pei Yuan know what he's saying?
Is that what she meant?
Her lips trembled slightly, "You...."
Pei Yuan released her, staring intently at her with a fierce look in his eyes.
"Chen Chu, you'd better not say anything I don't want to hear, and don't say any more nonsense congratulating me."
It felt as if countless fireworks were exploding in her heart. Shen Chu stared at him blankly, unable to utter a single word.
She had always believed that the person she longed for and waited for was her brother Zhan, but now she could no longer deceive herself.
She had truly fallen for Pei Yuan.
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