Chapter 101

Pei Chunli waved at the attendant below, “Hurry up, bring it here.”

He struggled to place a bundle on the courtyard wall, then caught his breath and said, “Don’t say I don’t think of you when there’s something good. I didn’t even lend this to anyone after I read it myself. I thought of you right away.”

Shen Yu reached out a hand, “What’s in such a big bag?”

Pei Chunli gave her a mischievous smile, “Good stuff, lots of rare books.”

Shen Yu didn’t expect Pei Chunli to be such a bookworm, “I don’t have that much time to read.”

Pei Chunli didn’t care, “Just take it.”

Seeing that Shen Yu only extended one hand, Pei Chunli clicked his tongue and said, “Both hands.”

Shen Yu sighed, bit the fruit she had in her mouth, and held out both hands.

As soon as she took hold of the bundle, Shen Yu realized how heavy it was.

Pei Chunli winked at her, “Take your time with it; they’re all treasures.”

After Pei Chunli’s head disappeared from over the wall, Shen Yu carried the bundle to a stone table, opened it, and pulled out a book.

As soon as she opened it, she instantly shut it, as if seeing something frightening.

After calming herself, she reopened it to confirm she wasn’t mistaken, then opened another book.

No doubt about it, Pei Chunli, that rascal, had given her a bundle full of erotic pictures.

Shen Yu had an urge to set the whole bundle on fire.

But remembering how Pei Chunli treasured them, she held back, rewrapped the bundle, and turned around, only to be startled.

Xie Tingzhou was standing behind her, though she didn’t know when he had arrived.

“When did you get here?” Shen Yu wanted to ask.

As soon as she opened her mouth, the fruit fell out.

Xie Tingzhou swiftly caught it and his eyes fell on the bundle in her hands.

“It’s just a few books he brought me,” Shen Yu said awkwardly.

“I didn’t ask,” Xie Tingzhou replied, looking at the fruit in his hand, which had two neat rows of teeth marks. He asked, “Do you still want this?”

Shen Yu shook her head.

Xie Tingzhou tossed it to the yellow dog, took out a handkerchief, and wiped his hands. Shen Yu clearly saw the glistening moisture in his palm—it could only be her saliva.

For some reason, the image from the book flashed in her mind, making her cheeks burn as if they were on fire.

Xie Tingzhou noticed her reddening ears. Given her usual thick skin, blushing was unusual for her.

Feeling uncomfortable, Shen Yu shifted her body, hugged the bundle tightly, and ran towards the study.

Luming Pavilion, used for receiving guests, was well-equipped with a study, bathhouse, small hall, and side rooms.

Once inside, Shen Yu looked around, wondering where to hide the large bundle.

The study was the best place since the maid, Er Ya, wouldn’t dare move things around carelessly.

After some thought, she unwrapped the bundle and hid the inappropriate books among the proper ones, making them indistinguishable from the outside. Only then did she clap her hands and leave the room.

Xie Tingzhou hadn’t left; he was still in the courtyard playing with the dog.

Shen Yu stood at the door for a moment. Sensing her presence, Xie Tingzhou turned around.

“Did you come here for something specific?” Shen Yu walked over.

Since that night, they hadn’t mentioned the intimate and ambiguous moment they shared, as if it had never happened.

Er Ya brought tea, but Xie Tingzhou waved her away. Once she was out of earshot, he said, “The Yanliang Pass case has dragged on too long. Students from the Imperial College couldn’t sit still and kneeled outside the Chengtian Gate early this morning. Poor students are also kneeling at the palace gates and haven’t dispersed yet.”

“Emperor Tongxu, under pressure, will surely order the Three Judicial Offices to speed up the trial. But how they judge it will depend on Emperor Tongxu’s decision, which should come in a few days.”

Shen Yu thought for a moment and said, “This case shouldn’t be delayed any longer, or how can the souls of the ten thousand soldiers rest in peace?”

Xie Tingzhou’s gaze deepened, and suddenly he looked at her, “You did this, didn’t you?”

His tone was almost certain.

Shen Yu feigned ignorance, “What do you mean, Your Highness?”

Xie Tingzhou’s lips parted, and just as he was about to speak, he sighed, stood up, and said, “Come with me.”

They walked to the study in Luming Pavilion.

Shen Yu closed the door behind them, exhaled softly, and stood still by the door.

Xie Tingzhou hadn’t set foot in this place for many years. He glanced at the paintings on the wall.

“As a ruler, the one thing he cannot tolerate is someone thinking they’re clever enough to manipulate the imperial power. How can an emperor allow himself to be led by the nose?”

Shen Yu fell silent. At this moment, she suddenly didn’t want to argue.

Xie Tingzhou turned to look at her, “Not speaking? Didn’t you plan this well? First, you attended the spring poetry event at Bashan Academy to incite the poor students. Once they acted, how could the students of the Imperial College sit still?”

“You played it well,” his eyes turned cold as he stepped closer to her, “Should I praise you for being smart or call you foolish? You let them be the vanguard, forcing the emperor into a corner. Do you think Emperor Tongxu can’t see someone is stirring things up?”

“When did you figure it out?” Shen Yu asked hoarsely.

“Today.”

Xie Tingzhou had found it odd that she visited Bashan Academy three times. He had thought she had old friends there, but today’s coordinated actions by the academy and the Imperial College students made him realize she played a crucial role in the events.

He had underestimated her; she was capable of using people skillfully and single-handedly creating such a commotion.

Xie Tingzhou was now standing right in front of her, his eyes sharp and focused.

He asked, “If they trace it back to you, how will you handle it?”

Shen Yu was trapped in the narrow space, his breath close to her face.

She turned her head and said, “I was very careful. They won’t trace it back to me. Even if they do, I won’t drag you down. You can just say I deceived you and push me out.”

Xie Tingzhou’s breathing grew heavier, his jaw tightened, and he felt a throbbing pain in his temples from her words.

Did she think he was worried about being implicated?

“Shen Yu,” he gripped her face, turning it towards him, making their eyes meet.

“You think I’m afraid of being implicated by you? Even if I did this, Emperor Tongxu wouldn’t dare touch me, but he would go after you!” he suddenly raised his voice.

Shen Yu’s eyes were stung by the intensity in his gaze.

She pressed her palms against the door behind her, her fingers curling, nails scratching lightly against the wood.

“You’re nervous,” Xie Tingzhou pressed, “What are you nervous about?”

The intimate moment under the moonlight had been tacitly acknowledged, yet neither had spoken about it.

But today, things seemed to be slipping out of control.

Shen Yu swallowed, “I’m nervous because if you can find out, so can others.”

Xie Tingzhou released her, “Now you’re scared?”

He rubbed his fingers against his sleeve, the delicate and smooth touch lingering.