The old marquis was eager for someone to break the deadlock, so he quickly spoke up after seeing the servant enter.
"What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"
The servant wiped the sweat from his brow. "Reporting to the old Marquis, a young gentleman has arrived outside, claiming to be the one from the palace, and requests that the Marquis go to greet him."
The person in the palace could only be the new emperor, and the one who could make Zhong Chen personally go to greet him must be the new emperor. Otherwise, who would have the audacity to walk directly to the gate of the Yong'an Marquis's residence and ask the Yong'an Marquis to come and greet them?
Having figured this out, the old Marquis stood up immediately, his face filled with urgency. "Quickly, quickly, eldest brother, we'll go with you to welcome the Emperor in!"
Everyone was stunned and subconsciously looked at Shen Yunxi, not expecting that the Emperor would condescend to come to the Yong'an Marquis's residence.
Logically speaking, the new emperor did not show much favor to the Yong'an Marquis's family. It was common knowledge throughout the capital that he disliked Shen Yunxi, so his visit to the Yong'an Marquis's residence today was truly puzzling.
Shen Yunxi was also somewhat surprised. In any case, Junxuan had never set foot in the Yong'an Marquis's residence before, so his visit today was indeed rather unusual.
However, his arrival also has its advantages; perhaps he can use someone else to do his dirty work.
Shen Zhong knew that now was not the time to deal with Shen Leyi. The Emperor was waiting outside, and they naturally couldn't finish dealing with their family matters before inviting the Emperor inside.
“Father and Yunxi will come with me. The others don’t need to follow. Go to the front hall and wait.” He said heavily.
Since Junxuan told him to go out instead of going in directly, it meant he was traveling incognito and not making a big fuss.
The old Marquis is the highest-ranking elder in the Yong'an Marquis's mansion, and Shen Zhong is the current Marquis of Yong'an. Shen Yunxi is his betrothed, so it is the best choice for the three of them to come and greet him.
The others could only swallow their opinions and watch angrily as the three left to greet Jun-hyun.
As expected, Junxuan stood with his back to the gate, his hands behind his back, looking straight ahead. He appeared aloof and detached, exuding coldness and nobility.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject greets you." Zhong Chen immediately stepped forward and bowed, and Shen Yunxi and the old Marquis followed suit.
Junxuan turned around and said indifferently, "No need for formalities. Today I am traveling incognito. The Lotus Festival is almost over. It is already dusk. I just happened to arrive at the Yong'an Marquis's residence, so I thought I would like to have a meal here. I wonder if you would welcome me?"
Although Junxuan was asking whether Shen Zhonghuan was welcome, it was clear that he wasn't asking a question, but had already made a decision: even if it was inconvenient for the Yong'an Marquis's residence, it had to be convenient.
"It's certainly convenient. Your Majesty, please come in. My family has not yet had a meal. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, it would be wonderful if you could have a meal and return to the palace," he said with a heavy smile.
The old Marquis also smiled broadly, "That's right, Your Majesty, please come inside."
Junxuan responded and walked inside, his gaze seemingly never falling on Shen Yunxi from beginning to end.
However, after entering the courtyard, Junxuan spoke to Shen Yunxi, "Miss Shen, I have never been to your Shen family before. Please lead the way. Thank you for your help, Miss Shen."
What could Shen Yunxi do?
Of course, she led Junxuan to the front hall, wondering what his purpose was in coming here, but it couldn't be for her. She didn't think she had the ability to do so. Perhaps he had some political matters to discuss with her father.
"Your Majesty, please come in." Shen Yunxi led Jun Xuan in, pondering as they walked.
However, since Lin Chen didn't come with Jun Xuan, Shen Yunxi unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know how to face Lin Chen now.
Unable to give him the response he wanted, and unwilling to hurt such a good person, she needed to figure out how to make him give up. She wasn't Lin Chen's woman, and didn't deserve his deep affection.
Junxuan could sense that Shen Yunxi was absent-minded, but he didn't say anything and followed Shen Yunxi to the front hall.
Before long, upon arriving at the front hall, everyone inside bowed to Junxuan.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Junxuan walked straight inside, lifted his long robe, sat at the head of the table, and looked at the people who were bowing with a deep gaze. "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" everyone said in unison.
"I'm just here for dinner at the Yong'an Marquis's residence today. Please, everyone, don't stand on ceremony and sit down," Jun Xuan said, his gaze falling on Shen Yunxi. "Miss Shen, please sit down as well."
Everyone expressed their gratitude in unison and sat down in their chairs after hearing Junxuan's words.
Shen Li suppressed his excitement. He hadn't expected Jun Xuan to come to the Yong'an Marquis's residence. Whatever the reason, it would enhance the status of the Yong'an Marquis's residence.
In this way, he can quickly gain a foothold in the court and inherit the Yong'an Marquis's mansion in the future.
Ever since Shen Li became sensible, he knew that he would be the future master of the Yong'an Marquis's mansion and would become the next Yong'an Marquis, since Shen Anyu, that fool, could not possibly succeed to the position of Yong'an Marquis.
However, he also knew that he had to make a good impression on Shen Zhong, otherwise he might pass the title of Marquis to Shen Tang. After all, not everyone could directly designate who would inherit the title of Marquis like the late emperor did.
Shen Zhong only has a mentally challenged son and two daughters. If there are no unforeseen circumstances, the position of Marquis should be chosen from the two brothers, Shen Li and Shen Tang.
Shen Yunxi carefully observed everyone's expressions before speaking softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Seeing that Shen Yunxi's expression was indifferent and Lan Pei's face was not so good either, Jun Xuan seemed to have thought of something and suddenly looked at Shen Hong with a puzzled expression.
"To be honest, the reason I came to the Yong'an Marquis's residence today is because I saw something that surprised me greatly. I didn't expect that this Fourth Miss would still be standing here peacefully. I can't quite understand it," Jun Xuan said lightly.
Upon hearing Gao Junxuan's words, everyone felt their hearts pounding like drums. Could it be that the Emperor had discovered something amiss at the Yong'an Marquis's residence?
But he was talking about Shen Leyi. Could it be that Shen Leyi accidentally offended the Emperor?
Everyone was worried that Shen Leyi might have angered the Emperor, fearing that the Emperor would investigate the entire Yong'an Marquis's mansion because of her, which would be a real problem.
"Oh? What did Your Majesty see?" Shen Yunxi asked.
Of all those present, Shen Yunxi was the most composed. She didn't believe that Junxuan would come to the Yong'an Marquis's residence for no reason, nor did she think that Shen Leyi's matter could attract his attention.
Junxuan chuckled lightly, "Speaking of which, it happened today. Shaoyue and I were admiring the lotus flowers in the pavilion when we happened to see Miss Shen Si and Miss Shen Liu admiring the purple lotus flowers together. Just as I was about to go over and admire the flowers with them, I saw... I really didn't expect that Miss Shen Si would be so audacious."
Upon hearing this, Shen Leyi turned pale and knelt on the ground, trembling all over.
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