Chapter 73

The lights in the Lu Ming went out, but Xie Tingzhou didn’t leave. After a moment, he lightly leaped onto the roof.

Inside, there came a soft sound of sobbing.

He had thought she was becoming stronger, but in reality, she was just licking her wounds.

Xie Tingzhou adjusted his robe lightly and sat on the roof, gazing into the endless night with a slightly absent-minded look.

The next day, Shen Yu was on duty. When she woke up, her eyes were swollen like walnuts. It took Er Ya using warm eggs to soothe them.

The weather had gradually warmed up over the past few days. The snow from the previous days was likely the last of the winter.

Shen Yu stood under the eaves, going over the details of the case again.

Yan Liang, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, did not run away when he was involved in this case, so Jiang Lianzhi secretly contacted Xie Tingzhou for two possible reasons. Either he discovered the problem and wanted Xie Tingzhou to rescue him out of goodwill, or he He knew some signs and wanted to use this to bring down Yan Liang.

Jiang Mansion, in the study of Prime Minister Jiang Lianzhi.

Both grandfather and grandson had solemn expressions.

Jiang Lianzhi said, “Lianzhi’s involvement in the Yan Liang case is undeniable. Now it depends on how His Majesty decides. If Yan Liang falls, someone has to bear the blame.”

Jiang Lianzhi understood.

Just like in the previous life, when Emperor Tongxu couldn’t find a reasonable explanation for the people, he let rumors spread, ultimately leading to Shen Zhong’an and Shen Zhao bearing the blame.

Jiang Lianzhi fell silent for a moment before continuing, “Once Yan Liang falls from grace, the Ministry of Household will definitely need someone to bear the responsibility. As the Deputy Minister of the Household, you are the first choice. However…”

He paused, took a sip of tea, then continued, “You’ve risen to the position of Deputy Minister of Household at such a young age, the first in the history of Da Zhou Kai Dynasty. Promoting too early may not be a good thing. What do you think?”

Jiang Lianzhi remained silent for a moment before replying, “I have no intention of promotion.”

Jiang Lianzhi nodded, stroking his beard. “In that case, I’ll postpone this matter for now, but you should temporarily take over the position of Minister of Household.”

“If Jiang Lianzhi is smart, he’ll avoid the limelight and won’t take the position of Minister of Household at this time,” Shen Yu said while playing chess.

Xie Tingzhou glanced at her and listened as she continued, “His qualifications are still shallow, having just become Deputy Minister of the Household…”

Clack—

Xie Tingzhou threw the piece he was holding back into the chess box.

Shen Yu was interrupted and raised her head, asking, “We’ve just started, Your Highness, aren’t you going to continue?”

Pointing at the chessboard with his chin, Xie Tingzhou said, “Is there anything else to play?”

Shen Yu stared at the chessboard for a while, furrowing her brows. “Why did it end so quickly? This isn’t my usual level. I can usually last at least half an hour.”

Xie Tingzhou glanced at her. “Is your mind capable enough? You dare to think about other things while playing chess.”

Chang Liu sat on a tree branch, receiving a fierce glare from Shen Yu.

Shen Yu put the pieces back in place, unwilling to admit defeat. “Let’s have another game.”

“The result will be the same even if we play another game,” Chang Liu said with a smile. “Feng Gege, how about we make a bet?”

Feeling uncomfortable being called Feng Gege, Xie Feng glanced at him and said, “Are you disgusting?”

“Let’s make a bet,” Chang Liu jumped down from the tree and hooked his arm around Xie Feng’s neck. “I bet His Highness will win, and you bet Shi Yu will win. How about that?”

“You’re really good at picking,” Xie Feng sneered. “Why don’t you bet on Shi Yu winning?”

Shen Yu, watching from the side, said, “I’m sitting here. Who are you insulting?”

Chang Liu laughed, “Sorry, sorry. How about this, let’s bet on how long Shi Yu can hold out against His Highness.”

Shen Yu propped her chin and asked, “Can I participate?”

“No! I’m afraid you’ll cheat,” Chang Liu firmly refused, then said to Xi Feng, “The bet is, if you win, you bet two months’ salary.”

Xi Feng said, “If I win, I can only win one month’s salary, but if you win, you can win four months’ salary. Is that fair?”

Chang Liu counted on his fingers and suddenly said, “Your Highness, why does Xi Feng have so much more than me?”

“Because you eat more,” Shen Yu laughed and continued the conversation.

Xie Tingzhou leisurely selected chess pieces, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Chang Liu hummed, clasped his hands together, and bowed to Xie Tingzhou. “Your Highness, whether we win or lose depends on you.”

Xi Feng thought for a moment and said, “Then I’ll bet for an hour.”

Another game began, with both sides engaging each other. In less than half an hour, Shen Yu’s moves began to show signs of fatigue.

Xie Tingzhou flicked a piece between his fingertips and looked at her.

Her brow furrowed tightly, and just as she was about to make a move, she retracted it, feeling that no matter where she placed it, it wasn’t right.

“Don’t waste time,” Chang Liu reminded.

Shen Yu glanced at Chang Liu, then finally placed a piece after much deliberation. Xie Tingzhou reached out his hand without hesitation.

“Wait,” Shen Yu stopped Xie Tingzhou just as he was about to make his move, “I made a mistake, this… this… doesn’t count.”

During the days they spent together, she had toughened up her skin. She realized that neither the legendary god of war on the battlefield nor the later gentle moonlight gentleman were the true Xie Tingzhou.

At least in her eyes, Xie Tingzhou’s temper was extremely good.

However, apart from sometimes being unpredictable, he would get angry for no reason.

Fortunately, she naturally liked to push the boundaries, to test other people’s limits. After discovering that it was difficult to provoke Xie Tingzhou, she became even bolder.

Under Xie Tingzhou’s silent gaze, she rearranged her pieces, then calmly looked at him and said, “Your move, Your Highness.”

As long as I have no shame, I am invincible. I will win this game.

No one had ever seen someone dare to take back a move in front of Xie Tingzhou.

The guard under the eaves: “…” Wait to die, Shi Yu.

Everyone watched their Crown Prince and waited to see how he would deal with Shi Yu’s head.

Xi Feng took two steps forward, thinking about whether he should intervene. Shi Yu escorted His Highness back to the capital, and when she returned, she was whipped. Look at how much weight she’s lost… No, she’s gained a bit.

Huh? Why did she gain weight?

Just as Xi Feng was thinking, he forgot to intervene. He saw Xie Tingzhou calmly asking while pinching a black piece, “You’re not changing your move this time?”

Xi Feng’s jaw almost dropped, and the guard in the tree swayed, almost falling down from above.

No, was this still their Crown Prince? Could it be that he was swapped out on the way back to the capital?

Wasn’t this silent consent? Allowing this?

When Xie Tingzhou didn’t ask, Shen Yu was uncertain. She stared at the chessboard for a long time, but couldn’t find any issues.

“No change,” she said.

Xie Tingzhou’s gaze never left her face. He slowly pressed his piece in one spot, satisfied to see her elongate her neck and furrow her brows.

A slight tug appeared at the corner of his lips as he said, “No chance to change.”