Chapter 10: I Want to Watch the Fun with Jiang Shiyuan

Shen Luchu woke up feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep.

After breakfast, Zhou Jingshen came to invite him to the book market.

“I’m not going. I’m staying home to watch the fun.”

“Watch the fun? What fun?”

Shen Luchu treated Jiang Shiyuan’s words about getting married as a joke and shared it with Zhou Jingshen.

Zhou Jingshen, hearing this, was caught between laughter and tears: “Did she really say that? Is she making up lies without even thinking? Isn’t she afraid of getting slapped in the face?”

Zhou Jingshen was a little curious about how Jiang Shiyuan planned to get out of this. She said all that without any hesitation—did she really intend to find someone and marry them casually?

“Well, I’m bored too, so I’ll stay and watch the fun,” Zhou Jingshen said, his interest piqued as he sat down.

Zhou Jingshen actually had a bit of disdain for Jiang Shiyuan.

Jiang Shiyuan’s father was a martial artist, her mother a bandit, and her family had no notable ancestors. If it weren’t for the presence of the Empress Jiang in the palace, there wouldn’t be any mention of the Jiang family in the capital. As a general’s daughter, Jiang Shiyuan was not someone who could easily be brought into the upper circles.

Wanting to marry into a noble family like theirs was a pipe dream.

Shen Luchu had always been indifferent toward her for this reason.

To Zhou Jingshen, Jiang Shiyuan had been circling around Shen Luchu for so many years, and aside from being one-sided, it also seemed a bit overestimating herself.

In the past, it didn’t matter much. Jiang Shiyuan could come as she pleased, and Shen Luchu wouldn’t lose anything.

But now that the new year had passed, Shen Luchu was twenty. If he won the top spot in the spring examination, his marriage would definitely be settled.

“Luchu, why not take this chance to clear things up with Jiang Shiyuan and make her give up on this?” Zhou Jingshen suggested.

Shen Luchu shook his head. “Jiang Shiyuan is too stubborn. She needs more time to be softened.”

Everyone said Jiang Shiyuan liked him and would obey him completely, and Shen Luchu agreed with that sentiment.

But only Shen Luchu knew that Jiang Shiyuan’s personality was too stubborn—once she made up her mind about something, no matter how he pressured or persuaded her, she wouldn’t give in. For example, he had asked her to apologize to Su Liluo, but Jiang Shiyuan had refused to comply and even completely disconnected from his control.

This was something Shen Luchu found very displeasing.

Zhou Jingshen stared at Shen Luchu in surprise. “What do you mean? Do you really want to marry her?”

Shen Luchu smiled at Zhou Jingshen. “Do you know of any man who only has one woman by his side?”

Zhou Jingshen immediately understood. He thought to himself, of course, Shen Luchu wouldn’t marry Jiang Shiyuan.

Even if Shen Luchu wanted to marry her, his mother, the Princess of Wenhe, would never agree.

The Princess of Wenhe was known for strictly vetting all of Shen Luchu’s associates. If anyone around him had a questionable character or background, the Princess would intervene immediately, either asking Shen Luchu to cut ties with them or directly warning people to stay away from him.

Jiang Shiyuan had been warned by the Princess of Wenhe many times, but Shen Luchu’s father, Lord Shen, really liked Jiang Shiyuan.

Lord Shen greatly admired Jiang Shiyuan’s parents and even praised her for being the descendant of loyal heroes, with a resilience that others didn’t have.

Because of Lord Shen’s admiration, Jiang Shiyuan had been able to stay close to Shen Luchu and even enter the Lord’s mansion.

Zhou Jingshen said, “Actually, it’s not impossible for you to marry Jiang Shiyuan. If you bring it up to your father, considering how much Lord Shen likes her, he probably wouldn’t object.”

Shen Luchu sneered. “She’s not worthy.”

Zhou Jingshen and Shen Luchu continued to chat casually. Before they knew it, a pot of tea was gone, and the sun had risen high in the sky, but the “fun” they were waiting for still hadn’t arrived.

Shen Jingshen started to grow impatient.

Zhou Jingshen couldn’t help but mutter, “Why hasn’t Jiang Shiyuan come yet?”

“Come to think of it, aside from that time we ran into her at Sheng Ting Chun, I haven’t seen her for…” Zhou Jingshen glanced at the time and was shocked. “Five days! It’s been five whole days since I last saw Jiang Shiyuan!”

This had never happened before. Jiang Shiyuan would always find an excuse to appear in front of Shen Luchu, even when there was nothing going on. The longest time she had stayed away was three days, and that was because she had caught a cold and was afraid of passing it on to him.

“Could it be that Jiang Shiyuan is really going to get married?” Zhou Jingshen asked, unable to believe it.

“It’s impossible!” Zhou Jingshen muttered in disbelief.

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Luchu sharply interrupted him.

Zhou Jingshen jumped in surprise and turned to look at Shen Luchu, who had a serious expression, his brow furrowed tightly, clearly furious.

What was this expression?

Was he… worried?

Zhou Jingshen sneered. “Luchu, why are you so anxious? I was just saying it casually.”

Shen Luchu seemed to realize he had lost control, and he coldly scoffed. “Anxious? How could I be?”

“I just think Jiang Shiyuan is getting more and more reckless. Yesterday, she bullied Su Liluo and refused to apologize when given the chance. She’s really clueless about the seriousness of things!”

Shen Luchu continued, “I think she still doesn’t realize how serious this is. Let’s wait a bit more. She might be on her way here now.”

Zhou Jingshen nodded. “Let’s wait then. Maybe she’ll show up soon.”