Shen Ci looked at the person in front of him, his lips curling downwards imperceptibly: "Father."
Shen Chang looked him over, his tone softening slightly: "How have you been getting along with the princess lately?"
Shen Ci twitched his lips: "It's just like that."
Shen Chang frowned, then quickly relaxed and sighed, "Don't blame your father. This is His Majesty's will. Although I may appear to be in a position of power, His Majesty is the ruler, and we are both his subjects. How could I dare to disobey His Majesty?"
A hint of mockery flashed in Shen Ci's eyes, but he quickly lowered his gaze to conceal it: "I know Father's good intentions."
Shen Chang patted him on the shoulder: "You've grown up now, and you should understand a lot of things. No one can have a smooth life forever. Look at Chi Yan, how successful he is now, but he's still not..."
He suddenly realized something and fell silent.
Shen Ci raised his head in confusion, his eyes filled with suspicion: "What's wrong with Chi Yan?"
Shen Chang coughed softly, his eyes flickering as he turned his head away: "It's nothing. In short, you must remember what your father said. Our current status was given to us by His Majesty. Whether we live or die, it's all up to his word."
Shen Ci felt that Shen Chang seemed to want to say something just now. His gaze deepened. Was it related to Chi Yan?
But he couldn't understand why Chi Yan, now a close advisor to the emperor, would encounter any trouble recently.
Their conversation was interrupted when the gatekeeper announced, "Young master, Princess Yun'an invites you to her residence."
Shen Ci frowned subconsciously: "Okay, I understand."
Shen Chang sighed, "Go then. It seems the princess has a good impression of you; it's a blessing in disguise."
Is it a disaster that can't be avoided?
Shen Ci remained noncommittal, but his eyes turned cold as he turned to leave.
That's not necessarily true!
——
When Shen Ci arrived at the princess's residence, Yun An was surrounded by several entertainers, some playing music and others singing.
Someone was kneeling at her feet, feeding her grapes; the scene looked rather intimate.
Shen Ci's eyes turned cold imperceptibly as he stepped forward to bow, thinking to himself:
Is she no longer even willing to pretend?
Yun An slightly raised her eyelids and gave him a look, her eyes subtly scrutinizing him.
That's right, she specifically called Shen Ci over to test whether he knew about that matter or not.
After thinking it over, she still felt that Shen Ci's behavior of taking the initiative to invite her that day was a bit strange. This person always wanted to avoid her, so why did he take the initiative to invite her that day, and coincidentally run into that family?
"The third-ranked scholar has arrived." Composing himself, Yun An casually excused himself from formalities and offered him a seat.
After Shen Ci sat down, Yun An left him aside and focused on enjoying the performers' show.
Shen Ci was initially somewhat impatient, until his gaze inadvertently swept over someone, and his eyes suddenly paused.
He was still somewhat uncertain, and after taking a closer look, a strange look gradually appeared in his eyes.
It was only because that person's appearance bore a striking resemblance to his cousin, the Crown Prince!
He glanced at Yun An again; she seemed completely oblivious to the detail and appeared somewhat distracted.
He was momentarily at a loss for words, unable to fathom Yun An's intentions.
The performer flirted and joked with Yun'an, and although Shen Ci felt disgusted, he pretended not to see it.
Seeing his composure, Yun An became somewhat anxious. She impatiently pushed aside the servants below, her gaze falling on Shen Ci, and said in an unfriendly tone, "Shen Ci, why did you invite me to ride horses in the outskirts of the capital that day? If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have been injured!"
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