The sun was shining high, and the streets were decorated with lively and festive decorations. Under the shadow of the sun, there were fluttering colorful flags swaying in the wind.
The whole city was empty, and everyone ran to watch the crown princess's canonization ceremony.
There were no customers in the shop.
Shen Que was sitting in an armchair, drinking tea slowly and looking through the catalog of new styles. Standing next to him was the shopkeeper, and the two communicated from time to time.
She holds a red pen in one hand and draws circles from time to time. Her face is calm and pure, and her eyes are focused and determined.
Mutam, who was sitting opposite him, was a little absent-minded. His eyes moved away from her face and fell on the shadow of the sun outside the shop. The flowers and trees were luxuriant, the flags were fluttering, and the sound of music in the distance all reflected the supreme power. Honor and universal joy.
Li Luansong got engaged. Logically speaking, he should be happy. From then on, he had no love rivals.
However, he was not happy, but worried.
Ever since he followed Shen Que out of the house early in the morning, he had been worried that she would be sad or that she would fall in love with the situation. He originally wanted to persuade her to stay in the house today while he played chess with her and asked her to give lessons, but Shen Que insisted on going out.
She seemed very calm along the way. She got on the car calmly, calmly looked at the street scene outside the window, calmly went to the shop and did everything step by step, methodically and without any trouble.
But he was still worried, worried about the undercurrents under this calmness, worried that she would feel uncomfortable, cry, or faint if she couldn't bear it.
"That's it. Let's negotiate the price down to another 20%." Shen Que closed the sample book and handed it to the shopkeeper, "If the other party doesn't agree, then give him a few days to think about it. No one except Shen Ji can offer this price." When you come out, you must feel confident."
The shopkeeper responded, turned around and left.
"Amu, what do you think?" Shen Que picked up the tea cup and asked Mutam, "The stuff is really good."
She seemed in a good mood.
There was no response from the other party. Shen Que raised his eyes and saw that Mutam was looking at the sun shadow outside in a daze.
"Amu." She called him again. Only then did Mutam come back to his senses and then showed his usual smile:
"Master called me."
Shen Que shook his head and asked, "What's wrong with you? You're so distracted. You didn't rest last night, okay?"
Mutam looked at her expression and really couldn't see anything unusual.
She was sitting facing the light, her eyes were like autumn water, with shimmering light. Although she had not applied makeup, her cheeks were pink and white, and her complexion was extremely good.
"No." Mutam finally felt relieved, "Master, I was worried that you would be sad."
Shen Que stood up with a smile and did not answer him: "Let's go, it's noon, let's go eat noodles."
It was a small mom-and-pop shop on the corner of the street. The owner was from Bashu and was good at making noodles. Shen Que always liked to come here to have a bowl.
"Master." Mutam sat her down and handed her the chopsticks. "I feel relieved to see that Master is as usual."
"Thank you." Shen Que smiled, took a big mouthful of noodles and said, "Look, I have a good appetite."
Mutam also laughed and took a big mouthful of noodles:
"I heard that the ceremony was very grand. I guess this should be the canonization ceremony."
"You didn't go to the ceremony, is that appropriate?" Shen Que asked him, "This kind of ceremony is not often seen."
Mutam shook his head and said: "I want to accompany the master."
Shen Que stopped laughing and continued eating noodles.
Seeing that she was in a good mood, Mutam thought for a moment, then took advantage of the victory and said, "Master, have you really given up?"
Shen Que lowered his eyes and ate the noodles, thought for a while and said, "I don't know what letting go means. It would be false to say that I don't feel anything at all. However, everyone has their own choice, and the road is walked step by step. "
Mutam pondered this sentence, half understanding it.
"Master, I actually..."
"Amu."
Shen Que raised his head and interrupted him, "I know what you want to say and what you are thinking, but I can't."
"Why? How am I worse than Li Luansong?" Mutam was a little anxious.
Shen Que shook his head, "Don't compare with anyone, you are you, you have your advantages and strengths."
"Then why exactly?"
"Because I don't want to make the same mistake again."
"But I am not Li Luansong." Mutam said, "I will not force you, and I will not be so domineering. Master, I have always admired you and admired you. I think you are a different woman."
"Amu." Shen Que smiled, "Maybe you don't understand me. I'm just an ordinary woman, an ordinary citizen. To me, there is no difference between choosing you and Li Luansong. You are both superior. The gap between me and the royal prince also exists between you and me, and I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes.”
"I know you are afraid. I will wait slowly until you change your mind." Mutam was very stubborn. "I just ask you to look at me and give me a chance."
"Master." His tone was almost pleading, "Do you really want to leave here? Then why not consider going to Soto Country and come with me. We originally planned to go, didn't we? It's just that it's a little earlier now. If people’s calculations are not as good as God’s calculations, then just go there early and reap the rewards early.”
His suggestion stunned Shen Que, but he couldn't think of a reason to refute it, so he could only say: "I'll go back and discuss it with Dad. As for the rest..."
"Let's not talk about anything else. Let's get down to business first." Mutam was very happy.
Shen Que felt relieved.
He is very smart, knows how to be devious and how to save the country through twists and turns. As long as Shen Zhen can agree to go back with him, then he will definitely have a way for him to stay in Soto Country and become his princess.
At this time, there were gradually more people outside the shop. Everyone seemed to have returned from watching the ceremony, and they were communicating with each other. A few words fell into his ears, and Shen Que pieced together a complete canonization ceremony.
The ceremony ended in a haphazard manner, and His Royal Highness the Prince's engagement failed. Because the bad behavior of Yang Xiao and Yang Zhi's father and daughter was made public, Yang Zhi became the target of public criticism.
"I really didn't expect that such a noble princess could do such a despicable thing. She has such a vicious mind."
"I can't even imagine what Daye will be like in the future if she becomes the Crown Princess."
"Didn't this man kill himself too? Let's keep some moral integrity."
…
Another woman who lost herself in love. I heard that Yang Zhi had admired Li Luansong since she was a child... Shen was indeed a little absent-minded, but he was also shocked when he heard Yang Zhi crashing into the pillar.
Did Li Luansong still kill her in this way?
Everyone said that there was a river of blood on the spot...
Feeling unspeakable bitterness in my heart, I didn't even eat any noodles, so I hurriedly pedaled away.
Pretending to be tired, he lay in the room all afternoon but never closed his eyes. The tragic scene always appeared in my mind, and my heart kept beating.
It wasn't until Shen Fu came to see her that Shen Que got up.
"I heard Amu say you're not feeling well." Shen Fu sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to touch her forehead.
"I'm fine." Shen Que said, "Maybe I was scared."
"Is it because of Yang Zhi?" Shen Fu asked.
Shen Que nodded, holding the corners of the quilt with both hands, and said nothing.
"You haven't heard about this kind of thing since you were a child. If someone's chicken or duck dies of illness, you will feel uncomfortable for a long time, not to mention..." Shen Fu said slowly, "After all, there are things in this world that we cannot control. Look away. some."
Shen Que nodded, "I know, these things have nothing to do with me."
"Dad." She raised her head, "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better, I've put on weight." Shen Fu said with a smile, "Why, you want to leave in a hurry, are you ready for the things at hand?"
"Yes, everything is ready. Dad, Mutam told me that we can go to Soto Country. What do you think of it?"
She looked at her father and actually had a tendency in her heart.
"My dad thinks it's great." Shen Fu said, "It's just that my dad doesn't want to go. My dad is old and wants to go sightseeing. You can decide on your own about the store and business. If dad wants to go, Old friends catching up.”
"Then..." Shen Que hesitated.
"Go ahead. Haven't you always had the ambition to expand the Shen family's business further? If you want to broaden your horizons, then go ahead."
*
At night, the moonlight shines down, and there is a brilliant candlelight in front of the window.
Yang Zhi woke up and found herself lying on the bed, with a tall figure standing in front of the window with his hands behind his back.
"Daddy, here is my daddy."
"You're awake." Li Luansong turned around and walked to her bedside, "He is in prison."
Yang Zhi's pale face immediately shed two traces of tears. She lifted the quilt and knelt in front of him:
"Your Highness, everything was my daughter's idea. Please let me go."
Li Luansong took a few steps back, sat down in an armchair, and said in a cold voice: "The crimes he committed are far more than what you know. In these years, he has been away from the court but colluded with the courtiers, and repeatedly attacked the court against His Majesty. His crimes are unpardonable."
"Then..." Yang Zhi looked at him, "If I die, can I..."
"Can't."
Li Luansong looked at her, "Even if he dies, he will still be whipped."
Yang Zhiran was stunned. She couldn't bear it any longer and burst into tears, "If I had known this, I would have been killed. And I have to watch my elderly parents suffer like this. I..."
"I will not let you die." Li Luansong said, "Because some people don't want me to treat you so cruelly."
"So His Highness saved me?"
"Yes. However, death penalty can be avoided and life penalty cannot be escaped."
Without any other words, he stood up and left. In the empty palace, only the guards and two maids were left looking at Yang Zhi, waiting for her fate.
Cining Palace.
The queen looked at her son kneeling in front of her and sighed:
"We don't want to interfere in your affairs. Today's situation is really inappropriate. Song'er, you have been too hasty and insistent on doing things recently. If something happens to Yang Zhi today, have you ever thought about it? Shen Que's life will be different. Are you feeling better?"
Li Luansong lowered his head and said nothing. In fact, the moment Yang Zhi hit the pillar today, he had already reflected on his mistake. Even though Yang Xiao and Yang Zhi's father and daughter were really hateful, the slap given to them in public was too violent. , which was more uncomfortable for her than death.
That night, Li Luansong returned to the study and received a letter from Shen Fu, and then he remembered that he had not seen him today.
Opening the letter, my heart skipped a beat.
The letter was written in a hurry, and the last word was folded before it was dry and was a little blurry.
The letter said that Shen Que planned to go to Soto Kingdom with Mutam. Although it was a previous plan, the time was moved forward. After much thought, the veteran thought that he should tell His Highness. If His Highness has something to say, please make it clear. I'm afraid it will take too long to leave...
