Chapter 294 Heartache, Luo Heng's Plan
Having knelt for too long today, and with her mind still unsettled, even after taking the medicine given to her by her senior brother, Chen Chu's legs were still trembling and her vision was blurring.
She gripped Pei Yuan's arm, struggling to keep her balance.
"I'm fine, let's continue."
As soon as I opened my mouth, I realized my voice was terribly hoarse.
Pei Yuan saw that her eyes were red and swollen and her face was pale, and his brows furrowed into a deep frown.
"Lord Yu, how long will it take for the burial ceremony to conclude?"
The Vice Minister of Rites, Lord Yu, who was in charge of the burial ceremony, hurriedly said:
"All the coffins have been placed. We can conclude here for today. We will erect a monument and hold a memorial service tomorrow."
Pei Yuan supported Chen Chu with one hand and said gently:
"Since we're almost done, you should go back and rest. I'll keep an eye on things here, don't worry."
Luo Heng stepped forward, his face full of concern.
"Ah Chu, His Majesty has appointed the Sixth Prince to oversee the relocation of the Ning'an Marquis's residence. The Prince will naturally do his best in this matter, so you can rest assured."
"Why don't Chengxuan and I take you back to rest first, and you can come back early tomorrow morning? If there's anything unsuitable, we can have the Ministry of Rites adjust it."
Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes as he looked at Luo Heng.
Luo Heng's lips curled slightly. "Your Highness, are you looking at me like that because I said something wrong?"
Pei Yuan scoffed lightly, ignoring Luo Heng, and turned to look at Chen Chu, his tone firm yet gentle.
"Go back, I'll take care of everything here."
Shen Chu felt that she really couldn't hold on any longer.
She forced a smile and said softly, "I'm leaving everything to Sixth Brother."
Pei Yuan nodded, raised his hand and gently patted Chen Chu's shoulder, his voice low.
"Go back and get some rest."
Li Chengxuan ran over, panting.
“Achu, I’ve ordered a bamboo sedan chair to carry you down the mountain.”
The ancestral graves of the Marquis of Ning'an were on a hillside. No one knew where Li Chengxuan got a bamboo sedan chair, but he insisted on helping Shen Chu into it.
Luo Heng, Li Chengxuan, and Zhou Jun escorted Shen Chu down the mountain.
By the time we reached the foot of the mountain, dusk had already fallen.
Their carriages were parked at the foot of the mountain.
Luo Heng said, "I'll take A-Chu back. A-Xuan and A-Jun, you should go back first. Your families will worry if it gets too late."
Li Chengxuan and Zhou Jun both looked at Shen Chu.
Li Chengxuan was the only son of the Duke of Zhenguo's family, while Zhou Jun was the only son of the Princess of Qinghe.
Ever since the two of them got drunk and injured someone, both sets of elders have set curfews for them, not allowing them to go home too late.
Exhausted, Chen Chu leaned against the carriage and waved his hand.
"You should go back first. I will host a banquet to thank my brothers another day."
"Ah Chu, why are you being so polite with us? In that case, we'll be leaving now and have my brother take you home."
Li Chengxuan and Zhou Jun left first.
Luo Heng and Shen Chu returned to the city by carriage.
Exhausted, Shen Chu quickly fell asleep amidst the rhythmic swaying of the carriage.
When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying in bed.
"You're awake. Are you feeling better?"
Luo Heng's concerned face appeared above his head.
Shen Chu blinked. "Is this Rongbaozhai?"
"Yes, you were sleeping so soundly that the carriage ride was uncomfortable, so I brought you to Rongbaozhai to rest for a while."
Shen Chu slowly sat up.
After a nap, my eyes were still red and swollen, and my voice was still hoarse, but I felt much better.
Luo Heng sat on the edge of the bed and suddenly asked:
"Achu, what are your plans for the future?"
Shen Chu paused slightly. "Plans? I petitioned His Majesty to allow me to go to Yangzhou to investigate the case and atone for my crimes."
Luo Heng's eyes darkened slightly.
"Ah Chu, it's one thing to lie to others, but in front of your elder brother, you still won't tell the truth?"
Have you forgotten what I told you? You are, after all, a girl. You can't keep dressing as a man and getting by in the officialdom forever, can you?
"I suppose your entry into the court was also to seek justice for the Marquis of Ning'an's family. Now that you've achieved your goal, it's time for you to plan for your own future."
Shen Chu raised an eyebrow. "What does Big Brother mean?"
Luo Heng leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, saying, "Your trip to Yangzhou this time is an excellent opportunity."
Investigating a case is naturally extremely dangerous. We'll plan carefully and create an accident so you can escape.
"After some time, you can return to the capital as the granddaughter of the Marquis of Ning'an and the younger sister of Lord Shen. As long as we do it discreetly, no one will suspect your true identity."
A slight stirring appeared in Chen Chu's heart.
Luo Heng had actually guessed her and her senior brother's plan correctly.
However, returning to Beijing was not part of her plan.
She hesitated for a moment, but still didn't reveal the plan she and Han Feng had discussed to fake her death.
She and her senior brother hadn't finalized their agreement on this matter yet, so it wasn't appropriate to tell others right now.
"I understand what you mean, brother. Let me think about this some more."
Luo Heng's brows furrowed slightly, his expression gentle yet focused.
"What are you still thinking about? Are you worried about the future? Ah Chu, your older brother will take good care of you from now on, don't be afraid."
If you trust me, leave everything to me, okay?
Shen Chu was surprised, "Leave it to Big Brother? Is Big Brother also going to Yangzhou?"
Luo Heng smiled.
"Have you forgotten? My home is in Yangzhou. Although I can't be considered all-powerful in Yangzhou, I still have the ability to arrange things without anyone noticing."
Moreover, I have already requested permission from His Majesty to go to Jiangning next month with the Ministry of Works to help His Majesty search for gold mines.
Jiangning and Yangzhou are next to each other, so it will be very convenient to do things there. Ah Chu, all you need to do is tell me if you'd like me to make the arrangements for you.
Shen Chu smiled and said, "I appreciate your kindness, brother, but this matter needs further consideration. Let me think about it first."
"Okay, think it over carefully. I'll wait for your reply."
Shen Chu got up and took his leave.
Luo Heng saw him to the door and returned to his own courtyard, where he saw Wan Qiu dressed in men's clothing, standing under the eaves, looking at him with a complicated expression.
"Young Master, seeing Young Master Shen's extremely grief-stricken appearance today, must you feel sorry for him?"
Luo Heng's expression darkened slightly, and his voice became colder.
"Wanqiu, you have overstepped your bounds. Don't forget your place."
Wanqiu's expression changed slightly, and she bowed, saying, "This servant knows her mistake."
Luo Heng's expression softened slightly.
"Did you deliver the message I asked you to?"
"The message has already been sent to the eunuchs of the Sixth Prince's residence."
"Okay, everything is proceeding according to plan."
------
After Pei Yuan finished reporting the matter of the relocation of the Shen family's remains to the Longqing Emperor, it was already dark when he left the palace.
Jinbao trotted over and said, "Young Master Shen has been taken to Rongbaozhai by Luo Heng."
Luo Heng took him away?
Pei Yuan frowned slightly. "Go to Rongbaozhai."
Jinbao turned the carriage around and prepared to leave.
Pei Yuan then instructed, "Go back to the manor first and tell the kitchen to make some lotus seed and white fungus soup to soothe the throat. Sun Yan can accompany me to Rongbaozhai."
Shen Chu's eyes are swollen and her voice is hoarse from crying today. She can drink lotus seed and white fungus soup to soothe her throat when we take her back.
Pei Yuan entered Rongbaozhai, and the gatekeeper dared not stop him. He quickly led him to Luo Heng's courtyard.
As soon as Pei Yuan entered the room, he heard low voices coming from inside.
"Young Master, does Lord Shen like the Laughing Guanyin you carefully selected? Does he understand your feelings for him?"
Pei Yuan suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com