Chapter 38: Could Shen Shilang Be Jealous?

“Regarding her marriage, there’s much to consider. General Wei commands significant military power, so he can’t enter alliances carelessly. He must guard against the Emperor’s suspicion while avoiding aligning with the wrong faction. If General Wei wishes to remain neutral, he must carefully weigh his options.”

Su Jinshi nodded, “I see.”

Thinking the topic was concluded, she was surprised when Shen Shilang continued: “Remember when we encountered Wei Ruyan and Cheng Ruoyu fighting over a hairpin at the Treasure Pavilion? It was for the Flower Viewing Banquet, remember?”

Su Jinshi had already stopped feeling jealous.

Initially, she only meant to tease Shen Shilang playfully. But after hearing his explanation, she forgot her original intent.

Unexpectedly, Shen Shilang turned the tables on her.

Su Jinshi, though separated by the phone, began fidgeting awkwardly.

“I don’t really remember,” Su Jinshi stubbornly replied. “I don’t bother remembering unimportant people. Unlike you, who remembers so clearly.”

Shen Shilang paused briefly, then chuckled, his eyes crinkling as he nodded, “Indeed. I won’t remember such things in the future either.”

Su Jinshi huffed twice. Shen Shilang was… becoming increasingly better at this.

The carriage stopped at the Cheng residence. Shen Shilang alighted and presented his invitation.

Having achieved the top score in the provincial exams, people’s attitudes towards Shen Shilang had become much more respectful.

“Young Master Shen!” The Cheng family’s steward bowed deeply.

Shen Shilang humbly returned the gesture.

“Congratulations, Young Master Shen. You’ve truly brought honor to Chong’an!” Steward Lin said excitedly.

“Thank you, Steward Lin. It’s also thanks to Governor Cheng providing us scholars with an excellent study environment,” Shen Shilang smiled.

Steward Lin thought to himself that this young man was truly skilled with words, effortlessly praising Governor Cheng.

In the future, if he entered the officialdom, he’d surely be a person of great ability.

Wei Jianming arrived slightly later than Shen Shilang, as he was escorting Wei Ruyan.

However, he arrived early enough to witness Steward Lin’s respectful treatment of Shen Shilang.

As Steward Lin was about to lead Shen Shilang to the banquet, he spotted Wei Jianming and bowed, “Young Master Wei, congratulations to you as well.”

Steward Lin’s attitude seemed no different from his treatment of Shen Shilang.

Wei Jianming casually returned the gesture with a cupped fist.

Steward Lin wasn’t bothered; after all, the young man was from the Great General Wei’s family and naturally wouldn’t think much of a mere steward.

Smiling, Steward Lin called over another servant, “Please show Young Master Wei the way.”

Then, turning back to Shen Shilang with another bow, he extended his hand, “Young Master Shen, please follow me this way.”

Shen Shilang glanced at Wei Jianming, noting his face had turned black as coal. He cupped his hands, “How could I trouble Steward Lin to lead the way personally?”

“It’s my good fortune to guide Young Master Shen,” Steward Lin quickly replied.

So, Shen Shilang followed Steward Lin.

Wei Jianming angrily snorted.

Just for achieving top scholar in the provincial exams, these servants had become so shallow, ignoring him, the son of the Great General of Guide, to curry favor with Shen Shilang.

Steward Lin heard Wei Jianming’s angry snort, clearly meant for him to hear, but paid it no mind.

If it were anyone else, even the second-place candidate compared to Wei Jianming, he would certainly prioritize pleasing Wei Jianming.

But this Young Master Shen, though not from a prominent family, had shown in just this brief interaction that his future prospects were significant.

Shen Shilang wasn’t just academically gifted; he wasn’t burdened by the inflexibility of scholars and was quite adaptable.

With Shen Shilang’s knowledge, he would surely pass the metropolitan exams, perhaps even placing in the top three.

Once he entered the court, his future could be limitless.

Steward Lin had high hopes for Shen Shilang.

The Lu Ming Banquet was held in the garden. Despite being evening, the sun was still strong, so each seating area was shaded by gauze umbrellas.

Under each umbrella was a low table with cushions.

The tables were already set with fruit platters and snacks.

Steward Lin led Shen Shilang to his seat, which was arranged quite near the front.

Aside from a few examiners, he was the only one there.

As soon as he sat down, a maidservant came to fill his teacup.

Soon after, Wei Jianming arrived.

The servant led him to his seat, and Wei Jianming discovered his position was in the middle, quite far from Shen Shilang.

How did Shen Shilang get seated so far forward!

Wei Jianming snorted coldly, but before he could sit down, he heard someone call out, “Jianming!”

Wei Jianming looked up to see Liang Shigang, Ke Hongbin, Cheng Jianfeng, and Zhang Tianran had arrived.

Cheng Jianfeng’s rank was slightly higher than Wei Jianming’s, but still in the middle range.

Liang Shigang and Ke Hongbin were in the latter half, while Zhang Tianran barely passed.

The four were seated close to Wei Jianming, so instead of sitting down, they came directly to him.

Su Jinshi noticed their sneaky behavior and said to Shen Shilang, “Look at those four with their shifty eyes; I wonder what scheme they’re plotting. I’ll go check it out.”

Hearing Su Jinshi describe them as “shifty-eyed,” Shen Shilang paused, “Those four have some reputation in Chong’an. Besides their good family backgrounds, they’re known for their looks. You think they look shifty?”

“It’s a kind of aura; they may look decent, but their behavior is sneaky, making them seem shifty,” Su Jinshi said disdainfully.

Shen Shilang chuckled softly, surprised that the four’s appearance was merely “decent” in Su Jinshi’s eyes.

Shen Shilang felt an inexplicable joy, realizing that Su Jinshi’s fondness for him meant she found him more attractive than the four.

[System: Shen Shilang’s favorability +10]

Su Jinshi: “!!!”

What’s going on?

Why did Shen Shilang’s favorability suddenly increase again?

What did she say to make him so happy?

Then, Shen Shilang suddenly thought of a serious question.

“I’m definitely better looking than them, right?” Shen Shilang asked Su Jinshi.

“Of course, they can’t compare to you,” Su Jinshi replied without hesitation.

Unexpectedly, Shen Shilang’s expression didn’t improve. Instead, it became increasingly sarcastic.

Su Jinshi was puzzled, then heard Shen Shilang say in a sullen tone: “So if you meet someone even more handsome than me in the future, will you go after them?”

Thinking of this possibility, Shen Shilang couldn’t help but feel sulky.

This beauty-loving ghost is always favoring good looks.

If she met someone more handsome than him, she’d surely go to that person, touching and feeling just the same.

Just imagining this scene made Shen Shilang angrier.

“You’d better be careful,” Shen Shilang said sarcastically. “Others might not be as accepting as I am. They might even find a capable Taoist priest to exorcise you.”

Su Jinshi: “……”

Could it be that Shen Shilang was jealous?

“Don’t worry, there’s no one more handsome than you,” Su Jinshi assured him confidently.