Chapter 187 Jealousy
The Imperial College is going to have a small exam soon, so Shen Qingbai has been studying harder and he doesn't even go home for his ten-day break.
Shen Ning couldn't dissuade him, so she could only personally prepare some warming and nourishing pills and send them to him.
Outside the Imperial College gate, she handed the box of pills and snacks to Shen Qingbai, and reluctantly reminded him, "Studying is important, but your health is even more important. Don't neglect one for the other."
The boy's eyes were a little blue, but overall he was in good spirits and looked good, which was why Shen Ning was not too worried.
Hearing Shen Ning's instructions, Shen Qingbai smiled, his eyes curved: "I know what's going on, sister, don't worry... How have you and Anan...been these past few days?"
Prince Ding's engagement was a major event, and the entire Imperial College was discussing it.
Of course, most people said that the Shen girl was not worthy, but the marriage had already been decided, so naturally no one dared to say anything in front of Shen Qingbai.
Moreover, when those people met Shen Qingbai, they were more polite than usual.
Shen Qingbai didn't care about what others said, but he was a little worried that his sister would be affected by those rumors.
Seeing the young man's concerned eyes, Shen Ning smiled and said, "I'm the same as usual here, nothing has changed. I'll go to the Silk Shop after delivering the medicine to you... You don't have to worry."
He is still busy with business, which shows that he is indeed not affected.
Shen Qingbai finally breathed a sigh of relief. After hesitating for a moment, he pondered and said, "Sister, I don't think Anan will..."
Before he could finish his words, he saw the curtain of Chen Ning's carriage being lifted. His Royal Highness Prince Ding leaned out with an ambiguous expression: "You always mention me. Does Qingbai miss me?"
The words Shen Qingbai wanted to secretly remind his sister got stuck in his throat: "Why is Brother Anan here? Why didn't you come out just now?"
Shen Ning didn't know how to answer for a moment. After all, she couldn't say that His Royal Highness Prince Ding seemed to be particularly idle these days, with no work in the palace and no affairs in the army, and he followed her in and out all day long.
They even call it a nice way of concealing the truth.
Even if Shen Ning was slow, she began to sense something subtle after being suddenly kissed by Xiao Nanchen that day.
She coughed lightly and said, "Well, this is the Imperial College after all, we shouldn't be too conspicuous."
This is also true, and Shen Qingbai could only swallow back the words that reminded his sister to "be careful" of Anang.
In fact, Shen Qingbai did not reject Xiao Nanchen, or rather, he was actually happy to see his sister and Anan Ge finally get married.
It’s just that Brother Anang seems to be trying to trick his sister. Men understand men best, and Shen Qingbai is afraid that his sister will suffer.
But at this moment, he saw his sister Shen Ning turned around and rolled her eyes at His Royal Highness Ding Wang: "Didn't you say don't show your head."
His Royal Highness Prince Ding showed a hint of guilt and grievance, and tried to defend himself: "Qingbai has been talking about me, so I will meet him."
After being glared at by Chen Ning, Xiao Nanchen retreated back to the carriage in disappointment.
Shen Qingbai suddenly smiled.
Perhaps he was overthinking it. After all, his sister was not the type to put herself in a difficult position. And looking at Anan's current demeanor, he didn't seem like someone who could bully others by taking advantage of his power.
At this time, a voice sounded: "Qingbai."
Pei Yuanzhou came from the other side with a lunch box in his hand. When he saw Shen Qingbai and Shen Ning, he stopped to say hello.
Shen Qingbai responded: "Mr. Pei."
Pei Yuanzhou nodded towards Shen Ning again: "Mr. Shen Xiangjun."
Thinking of recent events, his eyes flickered slightly, and then he smiled and said, "I haven't congratulated the Lord yet. The Lord will marry His Royal Highness Prince Ding someday. I hope Pei can have the honor of asking for a glass of wedding wine."
Before Shen Ning could speak, the carriage curtain was opened again.
His Royal Highness Prince Ding spoke with an extraordinary demeanor, looking down at people from a superior position: "Mr. Pei, you are too polite. When the king and Shen Xiangjun get married, they will definitely invite you."
That look was that of a winner looking superior.
Shen Ning: ...
Shen Qingbai coughed lightly.
Pei Yuanzhou smiled flawlessly, "Thank you very much, Your Highness."
A moment later, the carriage drove away from the Imperial College. Shen Ning looked at the noble and steady His Royal Highness Prince Ding across from her, and finally couldn't help but say, "Why did you say such a thing as inviting him?"
His Royal Highness Prince Ding raised his eyes, his whole body tense. "Why can't we invite him? Pei Yuanzhou may be of low status, but my Prince Ding's Mansion can still afford a glass of wine for him... Or do you not want him to come?"
Shen Ning looked at him silently: "Didn't we say we were going to pretend to be in love...do you need to be so involved in the role?"
His Royal Highness Prince Ding froze for a moment.
The smell of vinegar hit my head and I forgot about it carelessly.
"I……"
He wanted to say something else, but across from him, Shen Ning had already turned his eyes away and ignored him.
His Royal Highness Prince Ding immediately shut up. After a moment, he poured Shen Ning a cup of hot tea with a normal expression: "It's hot...you should drink more water."
Very innocent, very calm, as if nothing had happened.
Only after Shen Ning's carriage left did Shen Qingbai return to the dormitory with a large lacquered wooden box.
His dormitory was called Mingxin Hall, which was a small courtyard with several houses, some for three people, some for two people, and some for single people.
Emperor Jiaping was a man of letters, and Lord Xu was also a strict person. Therefore, the dormitories in the Imperial College were divided entirely according to the scores of daily quizzes and tests.
Shen Qingbai's talent was among the best in the Imperial College, and he was assigned a single room, but there were other classmates in the courtyard, and they had a good relationship on weekdays.
Not long after he returned to his dormitory, several classmates from other dormitories in the yard gathered around him as if they were familiar with the place.
"What delicious food did our sister bring you again?"
"The sweet-scented osmanthus dumplings my sister made last time were so delicious... Are they available today?"
Shen Qingbai was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He opened the food box and let them pounce on the food like hungry wolves.
Most of the people in the Imperial College are descendants of powerful officials. Some of them may flatter the powerful and look down on the weak, but most scholars still want to be respectable.
Since Shen Qingbai entered the Imperial College, from the time he first showed his talent to the time when his talent became well-known, his classmates have always been polite to him. In addition, now that everyone knows that Shen Qingbai's sister will become the future Princess Ding, they all treat him even more warmly.
Several young men sat together and gobbled up the snacks brought by Shen Ning... Among them was Shen Chong, another man who was nicknamed "Shen's Twin Heroes" by his classmates together with Shen Qingbai.
Shen Chong's talent is above average, and he is gentle and warm-hearted, so he has good interpersonal relationships.
When Shen Qingbai first entered the Imperial College, he said, "We all have the surname Chen, maybe we were from the same family a hundred years ago," and was very warm to Shen Qingbai.
But Shen Qingbai already knew that Shen Chong was actually Shen Xiuhe's concubine. He knew it clearly in his heart, but he pretended to be flawless on the surface.
Shen Chong was also very amazing. These days, he treated Shen Qingbai like a classmate and friend, and there was no sign of anything unusual. At this moment, he was eating and chatting like the other people.
But after everyone else left, Shen Chong made an excuse to stay until the end.
When only he and Shen Qingbai were left, Shen Chong smiled and took out an exquisite little box. When he opened it, he found a box of incense.
"Qingbai, this is a gift from a relative. It's called Baixiangjiang, and it can refresh the mind and calm the eyes... Since there are only two boxes, I couldn't take them out just now, so I'm giving this one to you."
Chen Chong had a baby-like face and looked very pleasing to the eye. "You've been studying very hard these days and haven't gotten enough rest. I've eaten so much of your food, so I'm giving this to you as a token of my gratitude..."
Shen Qingbai's eyes flickered slightly, and then he smiled and refused: "Brother Shen Chong, you are too polite. This incense seems to be very valuable. I won't accept it without merit..."
But before he could finish his words, Chen Chong held his hand and said, "Qingbai, don't refuse me, otherwise you won't treat me as your classmate or friend."
Shen Qingbai paused, then smiled and said, "Then Qingbai will respectfully obey your command."
Chen Chong smiled and said, "That's right. Okay, I'll go back first. I also use this incense. I feel my mind is much clearer these past two days while studying. If not, I'm afraid I would be embarrassed on the exam at the end of the month."
After saying that, Shen Chong waved his hand and walked away with a smile.
After leaving Shen Qingbai's room, the smile in Shen Chong's eyes became strange.
Shen Ning pressed on step by step, and there was nothing she could do to her. But was there nothing she could do to Shen Qingbai, who only knew how to study?
The Daxuan Dynasty strictly prohibits Wuyou Powder. Once Shen Qingbai becomes addicted and is discovered, his life... will be ruined.
By then, with a brother who is addicted to Wuyousan, let’s see what face Shen Ning will have left.
On the other side, after Chen Chong disappeared, Siyue stepped forward, picked up the Hundred Fragrances Incense, smelled it, frowned, and paused for a moment. He lit it directly, but then his expression changed and he immediately extinguished the incense.
"Sir, this incense contains Worry-Free Powder."
Shen Qingbai's expression suddenly turned cold.
Wuyousan... a dirty stuff that was strictly prohibited by the Daxuan Dynasty. It was introduced from the French merchants in the early years and was once loved by many powerful and wealthy people.
It is said that after taking a small amount, one will feel excited and energetic at first, and taking more will make one feel ecstatic and lustful. Most importantly, this thing is extremely addictive.
April's expression was gloomy: "Young Master?"
Shen Qingbai closed the box calmly. "Chen Chong gave me such a valuable gift, how could I not reciprocate?"
The boy spoke in a gentle tone, as if genuinely discussing the proper exchange of gifts for a close friend: "Go and get it. Buy the most expensive and purest one and give it to him as a return gift."
April nodded: "Yes."
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