Shen Lixue blinked and lowered her voice, "You Ran, do you have someone you like?"
Chu Youran was of marriageable age. When she heard that her parents wanted to arrange an engagement for her, she was neither happy nor pleased. Instead, she rushed to find her and tried to find a way to cancel the engagement. This was the only reason for her visit.
"Hmm!" Chu Youran was taken aback, then nodded, her face instantly turning red, and her voice becoming barely audible.
"Then why don't you let your sweetheart propose?" If your daughter has someone she likes, as long as he is a good person and his conditions aren't too bad, her parents shouldn't object.
"I don't even know if he likes me!" Chu Youran's bright eyes dimmed instantly. Her father was a scholar who hated his children making promises to each other without their consent. Besides, she didn't know if the person she liked liked her back, so she didn't dare tell her father that she had someone in her heart.
Shen Lixue: "..." So it was unrequited love.
"Then hurry up and ask him. If he likes you too, have him come to your house to propose marriage right away!"
Chu Youran sighed softly, "He has something to do and has left the capital. He won't be back for half a month!" The moment her father wanted to arrange a marriage for her, she thought of him, but he had already left the capital.
Shen Lixue frowned. If the man returned in half a month, Chu Youran's marriage would definitely be arranged, and perhaps even the wedding date would be set. There would be no room for reversal: "What time did you agree to go boating on the lake?"
"Wei Shi (1 PM to 3 PM) is almost here!" Chu Youran didn't want to go boating on the lake, but she was forced to go.
"I'll go with you!" Shen Lixue looked down at her fragrant purple Xiang dress embroidered with delicate flowers, her eyes darting around. "But I need to change my clothes!"
Half an hour later, a luxurious painted boat was moored by the rippling lake. A handsome man dressed in white stood on the deck, facing the wind. His eyes were as black as lacquer, his lips were red and his teeth were white. A black mustache above his lips added to his calm charm. He gently waved an antique fan in his hand, exuding elegance and nobility.
Chu Youran walked over, stared at the man in white from left to right for a long time, and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Li Xue, I didn't expect you to be so...handsome in men's clothing!"
"Is that so?" The man in white—no, Shen Lixue—looked at her clothes and then touched the fake mustache on her lips. Many people in the capital knew her, and a fake mustache would help her deceive people.
Dongfang Heng had a closet full of white clothes. She randomly picked one out and had Qiuhe and Yanyue quickly alter it to her size to deal with the man. Wearing men's clothing was more convenient than women's clothing.
"Look, someone's coming!" the maid whispered.
Shen Lixue glanced to the side and saw three young men walking towards the shore. The one in the lead had a handsome face, wore an expensive brocade robe, and a magnificent crown. He had a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth and was full of arrogance. The two young men beside him were dressed simply and were his attendants.
Li Fan! The person Chu Youran is going to marry is actually him!
Shen Lixue narrowed her eyes slightly. Chu Youran's father seemed to be a governor, guarding the people of this region. It would be best if his daughter married into the place he guarded, so that she could have her family to take care of her. Chu Youran said that this marriage was arranged by her father's good friend. She thought it was because her father loved his daughter and wanted her to marry well, but now it seems that things are far from that simple.
Chu Youran is her good friend, and Li Fan is Dongfang Zhan's man. In other words, they are enemies. Marrying her friend to her enemy is not right.
"Miss Chu!" Li Fan walked up the wooden stairs to the deck and greeted Chu Youran gently. His eyes subtly surveyed her beautiful eyebrows, her bright eyes, her cherry-red lips, her slender neck, her full breasts, her tiny waist... The more he looked, the more satisfied he became. In the end, a glint of lust flashed in his eyes that he could not hide.
This woman must smell wonderful.
Shen Lixue coughed lightly, waved her folding fan, and walked over slowly: "Is this Young Master Li?" Fortunately, she had accompanied Chu Youran to the lakeside; otherwise, Chu Youran might not have returned alive.
Li Fan was admiring the beautiful woman when a fan blocked his view. He frowned in displeasure, then followed the fan to the holder, Shen Lixue. He frowned and asked, "Who are you?"
"Big brother!" Chu Youran blinked and called out softly, affectionately taking Shen Lixue's arm.
"Young Master Chu, aren't you in Jiangnan?" Li Fan frowned as he looked at Shen Lixue. Since he wanted to marry Chu Youran, the Li family had naturally investigated everything about the Chu family thoroughly. Chu Youran did have an older brother, but he was clearly working in Jiangnan, so why did he suddenly appear in the capital?
"My little sister is getting engaged, so I came here specifically to congratulate her. I just arrived this morning!" Shen Lixue's eyes darted around, her words perfectly tactful.
"I see!" Li Fan nodded in understanding. He looked closely at Shen Lixue: black sideburns, a full forehead, dark and lively eyes, and beautiful facial features. He was truly handsome and dashing. However, why did this face look so familiar? "Young Master Chu, haven't we met somewhere before?"
Shen Lixue smiled slightly and said calmly, "I just arrived in the capital today and haven't met Young Master Li before! Li Fan has only met her once, so it's impossible for him to remember her appearance."
"Really?" Li Fan frowned. Was this really the first time he had met her? But her face seemed familiar. He stared at Shen Lixue again, determined to find out the truth.
"When You Ran was seriously ill before, I accompanied her to the capital for medical treatment. Perhaps we met by chance then!" Shen Lixue smiled and replied perfunctorily, gently shaking her folding fan and creating a cool breeze.
"Maybe!" Li Fan nodded, then looked at Shen Lixue and Chu Youran. The man was handsome and the woman was pretty. Although they didn't look alike, they shared the special qualities of being handsome and beautiful. Standing together, they looked like a pair of celestial siblings. He felt a little regretful. It was a pity that Chu Gongzi was so handsome and turned out to be a man. If he were a woman, he and Chu Youran would be like twin sisters, and he could pick two at once.
"Young master, the boatmen are asking when the boat will set sail?" The servant, who had been by Li Fan's side for many years, saw him staring blankly at the beauty and knew that he was lusting after her, so he reported at the right time.
Li Fan snapped back to reality, his lecherous gaze sweeping over Chu Youran. He cleared his throat and declared loudly, "Let's start now! This young master wants to enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the lake with Young Master Chu and Miss Chu, while we drink and chat!"
With the pleasure boat docked at the shore, it was inconvenient for him to do anything. But once they reached the deeper part of the lake, everything would be under his command.
Chapter 166: The Foolish Palace
On the luxurious pleasure boat, all the servants and maids withdrew, leaving only Shen Lixue, Chu Youran, and Li Fan drinking and chatting on the deck.
"Young Master Chu, Miss Chu, please!" Li Fan held a small wine glass, smiling politely as he defered to Shen Lixue and Chu Youran. His courteous demeanor showed no trace of the lewdness and vulgarity he had displayed that day.
"Young Master Li, please!" Shen Lixue also picked up her wine cup and took a symbolic sip. The taste was mellow and sweet, the Qionghua wine that noble ladies were used to drinking. Looking at the table full of dishes, there were nearly twenty dishes, each of which was very exquisite and fragrant, making people's mouths water.
Li Fan put in a lot of effort to win Chu Youran's heart.
"Miss Chu, do you enjoy boating on the lake?" Li Fan's eyes automatically ignored Shen Lixue, who was dressed as a man, and fell directly on Chu Youran. His undisguised burning gaze made Chu Youran feel flustered. She put down her wine glass and whispered, "Not really!"
"What does Miss Chu usually like to do?" Li Fan was a playboy who frequented brothels and knew women very well. Judging from Chu Youran's words and actions, he knew she was a typical young lady from a respectable family. She lacked experience in dealing with men and didn't understand the wickedness of people's hearts. Such an innocent girl was the easiest to deceive.
"I used to be in poor health and couldn't go out often. I usually just read books, write poems, and paint!" Chu Youran smiled gently and answered truthfully.
"A talented woman who writes poetry and paints!" Li Fan exclaimed, his gaze towards Chu Youran growing even more intense.
"Young Master Li is too kind!" Chu Youran smiled awkwardly, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. This Young Master Li's gaze was excessively eager; he truly lacked manners.
“Miss Chu, look at the water, the waves are rippling, the mist is vast…” Li Fan pointed straight ahead, showing off his literary talent while subtly moving towards Chu Youran along the round table. A faint fragrance of women wafted through the air, and he was momentarily captivated. Subconsciously, he reached out to hold Chu Youran's small hand: “Such a beautiful moment, why don’t we…”
"Whoosh!" An ancient fan suddenly extended, blocking his demonic claws. He glanced sideways and met Shen Lixue's male face with a beard.
"Young Master Li speaks eloquently and possesses exceptional talent. I admire you!" Shen Lixue smiled slightly and gracefully sat between Li Fan and Chu Youran, her long ancient fan blocking his view of Chu Youran.
"Young Master Chu is too kind!" Li Fan said politely, but his brows were furrowed. He and Chu Youran were engaged, and the boat trip was to enhance their relationship. As her brother, he should go into the cabin and leave the private time on the deck to him and Chu Youran.
That guy surnamed Chu is really something else. Not only does he not avoid suspicion, but he also blatantly interrupts his and Chu Youran's heart-to-heart talk. He really has no sense of propriety at all. He can't just tell them to leave, otherwise, he'll offend his brother-in-law and complain to his future father-in-law, and the beauty he's about to win over will fly away.