The butler's face changed drastically, and he knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the ground.
He said in a panic, "This servant offended Your Highness unintentionally. Please forgive my rudeness."
Li Zhanjue's gaze fell on his trembling back, his tone amused, yet it inexplicably sent a chill down one's spine.
"Uncle Fu, she is right about one thing. Can you guess what it is?"
"This servant...this servant does not know," the steward replied cautiously.
"You are indeed getting old and too senile. Now you've even started making mistakes that only petty people would make."
"..."
"Alright, you should go back to the countryside to enjoy your old age now. You may retire."
"……yes."
The housekeeper was unwilling, but knowing Li Zhanjue's decisive nature, he still reluctantly left the room.
Bai Cha, who had been standing silently to the side, suddenly spoke up.
“Your Highness, while what Uncle Fu did was inappropriate, that woman was far too presumptuous.”
Li Zhanjue put away his smile and continued with the official duties he had not yet finished.
Is this the first time you've met her?
Qingcha: "No, but she'll ruin everything."
"What makes you say that?" Li Zhanjue asked without even looking up.
"That brainless country bumpkin is stuck by Shen Yan's side. Lord Shen is His Highness's most trusted and capable assistant. What if she causes trouble again one day and someone gets a handle on her..."
Li Zhanjue put down his calligraphy brush and looked up at Qingcha, who was talking at length.
"idiot."
Qingcha thought he was talking about Meng Qingluan, and quickly said, "Your Highness also thinks that woman is a fool, right?"
"You, I'm talking about you."
“Me? Your Highness…” Qingcha asked, puzzled.
"Who else could it be but you? Use your pig brain to think. If she hadn't kicked Uncle Fu out today, but instead kept him in the mansion, that would have been truly foolish."
After pondering for a moment, Qingcha lowered his head.
"You foolish lackey."
Li Zhanjue turned his eyes, "However... since she dares to be so presumptuous, then I must see just how clever she has become."
"..."
There was something off about the tea.
His Highness praised her for her improved intelligence while simultaneously going to settle scores with the person in question…
Last time, it was also for no reason. He climbed onto the roof of a young couple's bedroom and, like a philanderer, eavesdropped on their intimate conversations.
He's increasingly unable to understand his master's behavior...
…
Meng Qingluan knew that Shen Yan was going to the palace today to participate in the imperial examination.
The results were released that same day, and Shen Yan was undoubtedly at the top of the list. He was summoned to the palace today.
To be honest, Meng Qingluan was a little nervous.
What if he encounters the Imperial Concubine?
Meng Qingluan received the news at noon.
—Shen Yan shone brightly in the palace examination, stood out from the crowd, and immediately gained the emperor's appreciation, being appointed as the top scholar.
According to tradition, the top scholar in the imperial examinations was required to serve in the Hanlin Academy for several years before being sent out of the capital to gain experience and take up a post, and then return to the capital to be entrusted with important responsibilities.
Shen Yan was immediately granted an official position, becoming a fourth-rank civil official.
Meng Qingluan was relieved to know this, knowing that he would definitely be home late tonight.
night.
Shen Yan was helped into the bedroom. The young man, who usually exuded an aura of books and ink, was now reeking of alcohol.
Shen Yan's face was flushed. She avoided the crowd's help, but her eyes remained clear, showing no signs of being drunk. She deliberately stumbled and shakily pushed open the door.
Seeing this, Meng Qingluan quickly took him and led him to sit down on the bed.
Just as she was about to get up, Chen Yan put his arm around her shoulder and clung to her like a sloth, making it impossible for her to move.
Chen Yan said coquettishly, "Luan Luan, don't go, stay with me."
Meng Qingluan rolled her eyes. "How am I supposed to get the hangover soup if I don't leave? How can you sleep tonight if you don't drink the hangover soup? Be good and let go of me."
Shen Yan didn't let go, and his hands were excessively wrapped around Meng Qingluan's neck. He didn't look like the majestic Lord Shen, but like a spoiled fairy.
"I don't want to drink, I just want you. With you, I can fall asleep."
Shen Yan looked up at her, his cheeks flushed, a pink hue spreading across his fair neck. A tipsy smile played on his lips, his eyes hazy, a few stray strands of hair partially obscuring them, adding to his dreamy appearance.
Meng Qingluan couldn't help but swallow hard; it looked so tempting.
Shen Yan now looks just like a fox that has just transformed into human form, her every smile and frown exuding both innocence and allure.
If he hadn't been helped into the house, Meng Qingluan would have suspected that this guy was taking advantage of her being a sucker for good looks and had deliberately dressed himself up like this under the guise of being drunk.
Meng Qingluan tried her best to resist the temptation of his good looks and gave him a push.
"Stop cheating! If you don't drink the hangover soup and wash up properly, I'll find you smell like alcohol."
"Don't even think about cuddling me while we sleep. I'm afraid the smell of alcohol will keep me awake in the middle of the night."
Shen Yan glanced at her resentfully, and as if to prove something, he moved closer to Meng Qingluan and gently breathed on her face.
Meng Qingluan could not help but smell that his breath did not smell of alcohol, but rather a faint minty scent.
"What did you eat? Why do you taste mint in your mouth?" Meng Qingluan asked.
Shen Yan stared at her dazedly, then pressed her down on the bed, burying his head in the crook of her neck.
"I ate a mint in the carriage, and it didn't smell bad."
Meng Qingluan habitually raised her hand to touch the back of his head, causing him to comfortably half-close his eyes.
"It doesn't smell bad, but I still find you unpleasant. I won't find you unpleasant if you drink the hangover soup," Meng Qingluan said deliberately.
Chen Yan's eyes drooped, and he shook his head in dissatisfaction.
"No. You said you disliked me, but I brushed my teeth in the carriage. I don't smell bad. My breath smells nice. Luanluan, if you don't believe me, try it, okay?"
As Chen Yan spoke, he shakily stuck out a small section of his tongue, revealing its bright red color.
This move... is so sassy...
But Shen Yan's eyes remained clear, as if he had no idea how exciting his actions were.
Meng Qingluan had a headache; only today did she truly understand how unreasonable people who drink can be.
Meng Qingluan patted his cheek. "Take it back, or I'll chop your pig liver off."
"Hmm..."
Chen Yan, intimidated, withdrew his tongue and sullenly rested his head on her neck.
He complained softly, "How will you know if my breath smells good or bad if you don't kiss me? You naughty Luanluan..."
Meng Qingluan lowered her eyes to look at him, "What did you say?"
"It's nothing..." Shen Yan's survival instinct was strong.
"Madam, the hangover soup is ready," Yingbang's voice came.
"good."
Meng Qingluan glanced at Chen Yan, who was buried on her body, and spoke casually.
"You naughty little dog, aren't you going to get up? Aren't you ashamed if Yingbang sees you like this?"
Shen Yan's cheeks flushed even more, and she retorted in a low voice.
"Aren't you ashamed..."
Meng Qingluan pushed him away, "I'm ashamed, get up."
"..."
Yingbang brought in the hangover soup and saw that the two of them were disheveled, and that her mistress's hairpins had been moved.
Her face flushed red, and she hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to look any further.
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