“Great minds think alike. I think so too.” Just because we can’t punish Dongfang Zhan now doesn’t mean we can’t in the future. If the case drags on, it will remain unsolved and can be reopened at any time to catch the real culprit. It’s not too late to arrest and punish Dongfang Zhan when he loses power.
"In that case, your abilities, Prince Nangong, will be questioned." Shen Lixue looked at Nangong Xiao with a half-smile. If a case drags on for months, years, or even longer without being solved, the ability of the person investigating the case will definitely be questioned.
Nangong Xiao waved his folding fan, unconcerned: "It doesn't matter. In the eyes of the ministers, I am just a playboy, a womanizer, and an incompetent fool."
As night fell completely, strings of lanterns were lit in the Holy King's Mansion, illuminating Maple Pine Courtyard as bright as day. Servants went in and out of the dining hall, setting out one exquisite dish after another, and the aroma of food wafted through the air, making one's mouth water.
Nangong Xiao glanced at the fragrant dining hall, his eyes darting around, then stood up and walked forward: "This young master hasn't had dinner yet, and I'm starving, so I won't stand on ceremony."
This fellow treated Maple Pine Courtyard as his own home, and without the host's invitation, he went to the dining hall to eat without any ceremony.
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow, just about to call him back, when a guard hurried over: "Princess Consort, your letter."
"Who sent it?" Shen Lixue had few friends in the capital and didn't know who would send her a letter in the middle of the night. The white paper was folded very carefully, showing that the writer was very meticulous.
"It's a guard." The guard presented the letter and withdrew.
Shen Lixue opened the paper and read it carefully. A hint of a smile flashed in her cool eyes, and the corners of her slightly pursed lips lifted up slightly.
"What does the letter say?" Dongfang Heng looked at her smiling face, puzzled. He took the letter and read only a few words: "Tomorrow afternoon at three quarters, tea tasting by Qingshui Lake." It was signed Chu Youran.
"Chu Youran, isn't she the daughter of Governor Chu who voluntarily requested to go instead of becoming Dongfang Zhan's concubine?" Nangong Xiao leaned closer, glanced at the letter, and muttered to himself.
"Several months have passed, yet you still remember it so clearly." Shen Lixue looked at Nangong Xiao, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"She's a beauty, and I, this young master, am most interested in beauties." Nangong Xiao lightly covered half of his face with a folding fan, lowered his voice mysteriously, and his beautiful peach blossom eyes sparkled: "Are you good friends?"
"Don't even think about it, she already has someone she likes." Lin Yan and Chu Youran are a perfect match, and Nangong Xiao shouldn't break them up.
Shen Lixue folded the letter and glanced at him sideways: "Besides, you're engaged and will be getting married in a year. It's time to settle down."
Nangong Xiao disagreed: "That shrew Dongfang Yu'er and I can't stand each other. We won't get married. After the emperor abdicates and the new emperor ascends the throne, we will break off the engagement. She can go her own way, and I will go my own way. We'll have nothing to do with each other."
"If you break off the marriage arranged by the Emperor, both of your reputations will be damaged."
Shen Lixue is a modern person and doesn't care much about the reputation of being annuled. Nangong Xiao and Dongfang Yu'er are native Qingyan people and don't care about their reputation either.
"I am a spoiled brat, and Dongfang Yu'er is a shrew. Our reputations are already tarnished, so it doesn't matter if they get any worse." Nangong Xiao lightly waved his folding fan, a smug yet charming smile playing on his lips.
"Nangong Xiao!" The woman's charming yet angry voice rang out, and a sharp whip lashed down at Nangong Xiao.
Nangong Xiao sighed helplessly, casually raised his hand to grab the long whip, and raised an eyebrow at the angry pretty face on the other side of the whip: "Dongfang Yu'er, why are you so persistent? Wherever I go, you follow."
"Because your mouth is so foul, it forces people to come out." It's one thing for him to admit he's a playboy, but he also dragged her into it. If she doesn't teach him a lesson, who knows how he'll slander her.
With a flick of her wrist, Dongfang Yu'er withdrew her long whip. Her crimson robes traced graceful arcs in the air, and the golden bells on her dark hair jingled as she lashed the cyan whip at Nangong Xiao once more.
Nangong Xiao's martial arts skills were far superior to Dongfang Yu'er's. Adhering to the principle that a good man does not fight with a woman, he glanced at the long whip casually, turned around slowly, and the long whip brushed past his clothes and hit a big tree next to him.
The tree snapped in two, its thick trunk falling and shaking the ground. Nangong Xiao frowned deeply: "Dongfang Yu'er, you shrew, how could you be so vicious? You want to kill someone!"
"This princess is going to kill you and rid the people of this scourge!" Dongfang Yu'er roared, her beautiful eyes burning with rage, and her sharp whip whistled towards Nangong Xiao once again.
"Dongfang Yu'er, you're courting death, and I, the young master, will grant your wish." Nangong Xiao snapped his fan shut and swung the handle at Dongfang Yu'er's whip.
In an instant, figures in blue and red crisscrossed, whips and fans clashing back and forth, striking and blocking, with gusts of wind howling, dazzling the onlookers.
Shen Lixue watched as Nangong Xiao wielded his folding fan with unrestrained skill, each move sharp and fierce. However, he held back at crucial moments, never intending to injure Dongfang Yu'er, only wanting to teach her a small lesson.
She smiled gently, took Dongfang Heng's arm with relief, and walked slowly towards the dining hall: "It's getting late, let's go have our meal." As for the bickering couple behind her, let them fight it out; they'll stop on their own when they've had enough.
"Li Xue, you are more than seven months pregnant, and it is inconvenient for you to move around. It is best not to leave the manor. If Chu Youran has any difficulties, she can come to the Holy King's Mansion." The Fengsong Courtyard is surrounded by Dongfang Heng's confidants, so there is no need to worry about anyone eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Qingshui Lake has a different meaning for Chu Youran. Back then, Shen Lixue helped her deal with the scheming Li Fan there. This time, Chu Youran invited her to Qingshui Lake, which must also be because of relationship issues.
Could it be that Lin Yan, that blockhead, hasn't figured it out yet?
Seeing the meaningful smile in Shen Lixue's beautiful eyes, Dongfang Heng knew she was going to Qingshui Lake. His jade-like fingers gently stroked her swollen belly: "I have nothing to do tomorrow, so I'll accompany you to Qingshui Lake." She was seven months pregnant, and he couldn't afford to be careless. He didn't want her to wander around.
"No need. Chu Youran is an unmarried young lady. If you, a grown man, go there, how will she whisper secrets to me?" Dongfang Zhan will stop at nothing to rise to power, and Dongfang Heng will definitely have to find a way to scheme, plot, or restrain him. He's very busy, and Shen Lixue doesn't want to take up too much of his time.
"I'm worried about you going to Qingshui Lake." The capital city of Qingyan is in turmoil, with a storm brewing. The Holy King's Mansion is heavily guarded and very safe. Whether it will bring good fortune or disaster outside the mansion is unpredictable. Dongfang Heng is worried about Shen Lixue going out of the mansion alone.
"Dongfang Zhan, the struggle between the Crown Princes has been going on in secret and hasn't been brought into the open yet. Qingyan Capital is relatively peaceful. Send more guards and have Zimo protect me from the shadows. Nothing will happen, so don't worry."
Zi Mo is the most skilled bodyguard by Dongfang Heng's side. He has a very special way of communicating with the other bodyguards. As soon as something happens to him, the other bodyguards will immediately notice. It is not an easy thing to assassinate the Prince of An.
"Alright, but be careful, and come back soon." Dongfang Heng couldn't persuade Shen Lixue otherwise, so he had to nod in agreement. The person who would go to Qingshui Lake with her had quietly been decided in his mind.
"I know, the food is getting cold. Let's go eat quickly." Shen Lixue smiled and took Dongfang Heng's arm as they walked into the dining hall. Behind them, a strong wind blew, branches and leaves flew, whips whistled, fans fluttered, and the figures in snow-green and bright red darted back and forth, fighting fiercely.
Qingshui Lake is located in the suburbs of Beijing. A circle of weeping willows is planted around the lake. The soft branches hang down, which is beautiful and charming. The warm sunshine shines on the lake surface, reflecting golden light. A gentle breeze blows and ripples spread. It is so beautiful that people can't take their eyes off it.
When Shen Lixue arrived at the painted boat on the shore of Qingshui Lake, Chu Youran and Lin Yan were chatting on the deck.
"Young Master Lin is loyal to the country and fights on the battlefield. He is a rare young hero and someone You Ran respects. Last time in the teahouse, You Ran frankly said that she liked Young Master Lin. It was a bit presumptuous of her, but those were all from the bottom of her heart. Please don't take it as a joke, Young Master Lin."
Lin Yan smiled gently: "Miss Chu is bold and outspoken, a rare heroine among women in Qingyan. I have never taken those words as a joke. However, I have been fighting on the battlefield and rarely interact with women. I do not understand love and do not know what it feels like to like someone. I have always regarded Miss Lin as an ordinary friend and have not thought of anything else. Miss, you suddenly said that you like me. I am really at a loss and cannot give Miss Chu any answer for the time being."
"It's alright. Young Master Lin's feelings are a blank slate. It takes time to adjust. I won't force you. Tell me when you've thought it through."
Chu Youran's bright eyes sparkled with a gentle warmth, showing her understanding: "If Young Master Lin likes me, I will be very happy. If you don't, please tell me directly, and I will leave gracefully and not bother you again."
"Miss Lin, you flatter me. No man would dislike a woman as beautiful, gentle, and intelligent as you." Lin Yan was an only child with no siblings, no experience of being alone with a woman, and had never thought about marriage. He was completely stunned when Chu Youran suddenly said she liked him.
Chu Youran is a rare gem in terms of looks, talent, and personality, making her a perfect wife. In the past, he would have weighed the pros and cons and given her a clear answer. However, the union of Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue has given him a different perspective on marriage.
Marriage is not just about marrying a woman of equal social standing, nor is it merely a union of power and influence. It can also be about two people who love each other getting married and living happily ever after. He also planned to find a woman he liked and spend his life in love with her. He had never been in a relationship before and was unsure if he liked Chu Youran, so he could not give her a definite answer.