TSWRLM -Chapter 183 It Seems Your Old Shen Is Quite Impressive

With Mo Yunwan dead, the trail to the mastermind behind the scenes was severed, and the Jingzhao Prefecture hastily closed the case.

Chun Xi was not particularly surprised.

Wei Lingze had only been momentarily impulsive to have been fooled, but normally he was extremely secretive in his dealings. Now that Mo Yunwan’s plot against Madam Mo had been exposed, Wei Lingze naturally would no longer keep this discarded pawn.

Having been suspended, it was uncertain when he would be reinstated. Chun Xi feared that he would harbor intense hatred and would eventually look for another opportunity to strike.

No rush — everything could wait.

The arrival of the diplomatic delegation in the capital was important. Once Madam Mo’s case was settled, Shen Qingyuan returned to duty at the Censorate, and Chun Xi herself didn’t idle, immediately tending to her business affairs.

Within a couple of days, Princess Hengyang sent a formal invitation for an autumn outing, which Chun Xi accepted cheerfully, even preparing two boxes of pastries to bring along.

On the day of the outing, Princess Hengyang arrived personally by carriage to fetch Chun Xi. Once inside, Chun Xi opened the food box: “Your Highness, this humble servant has no special skills, except that my cooking is not bad. I do not know if the Princess has any dietary restrictions, but I have dared to make Osmanthus rice cakes and chestnut pastries for you to try.”

After saying this, Chun Xi broke off half of a rice cake and tasted it herself. She reached for a chestnut pastry next, but Princess Hengyang snatched it first: “You’ve prepared this especially for me, yet you eat it yourself first?”

Chun Xi swallowed what she had in her mouth with a mumble and explained truthfully: “I am testing it for poison, Your Highness.”

While at the Wei household, she had heard that items consumed by royalty and nobles were always tested for poison beforehand. Moreover, Mo Yunwan had recently been poisoned to death in the Jingzhao Prefecture prison; it was only proper for the Princess to exercise caution.

Princess Hengyang was amused by Chun Xi’s seriousness: “You are truly adorable. My household does not have such strict rules. If you fear being harmed, I might as well stay in the Princess Mansion and not go out.”

With that, she ate the chestnut pastry in one bite.

Although Chun Xi’s cooking could not compare to the imperial chefs’ delicacies, Princess Hengyang still praised her generously.

At the city gate, a carriage awaited them. Princess Hengyang did not have her maids follow; she and Chun Xi carried a tray of pastries onto the carriage alone.

Before long, the carriage arrived at a valley on the outskirts of the city.

As soon as the carriage stopped, a familiar, gentle voice called out: “Welcome, honored guests.”

Chun Xi lifted the curtain and, as expected, saw Lanshu smiling.

Perhaps to match the scenery, Lanshu was dressed in a teal-green silk robe embroidered with maple leaves. The neckline was wide, revealing a long neck and collarbones, which complemented his fox-like smiling eyes.

When Chun Xi had met him before, she only found him polite and fairly handsome. Now, in the sunlight, she realized he was nothing less than a fox spirit incarnate.

Thanks to the help of Wuyou Pavilion last time, things had gone smoothly. Chun Xi instinctively smiled: “Lanshu, it’s been a long time.”

Lanshu smiled heartily as well: “Indeed, it has.”

As he reached out to help her, Chun Xi didn’t dare take his hand. She glanced at Princess Hengyang, who handed the chestnut pastry to Lanshu and helped her descend from the carriage, saying softly: “Not long ago, you selected the top candidate. How come there’s already a newcomer so quickly?”

“Your Highness, last year Xuzhou suffered a flood, leaving many homes destroyed and people dead. Though corrupt officials have been punished, many children are still orphaned. Since last year, Wuyou Pavilion has gradually taken in a group of attractive children. Those who catch the attention of the nobles can consider themselves lucky.”

Hearing “Xuzhou,” Princess Hengyang tilted her head toward Chun Xi.

Chun Xi was puzzled: “Princess, what is it?”

Princess Hengyang replied lightly: “Nothing. I just remembered you had been to Xuzhou before. I thought you might pity those people and scold me for being oblivious to the world’s suffering.”

“Those people are indeed pitiable, but their suffering is not caused by the Princess. Moreover, the court has already provided disaster relief and punished the corrupt officials. If I feel pity for them, I can pay to redeem them. There is absolutely no reason to blame the Princess or be generous at someone else’s expense.”

Chun Xi spoke very sensibly. Princess Hengyang’s eyebrows lifted slightly, her fondness for Chun Xi growing even stronger: “Don’t you think I’m being a bit annoying?”

“Anyone forced into a life of hardship, regardless of gender, is pitiable. What is detestable is those who push them to sell their looks to survive. That has nothing to do with the Princess.”

“Hahaha,” Princess Hengyang laughed loudly. “I have met many who fancy themselves as highly talented, yet I now see that they are no match for you, A-Xi, in understanding things.”

The three of them followed a narrow path to a high ground above the valley.

Wuyou Pavilion had laid wooden boards on the ground, with low tables and floor cushions set up. On the tables were small braziers, tea leaves, seasonal fruits, and delicate pastries. Surrounded by trees and bamboo screens, anyone sitting here could enjoy the valley view without outsiders being able to peek.

Chun Xi couldn’t help but marvel again — Wuyou Pavilion’s high ticket prices were justified.

“Please, honored guest, sit for a moment. The performance will begin shortly,” Lanshu said, kneeling on the cushion and lighting the brazier to brew tea.

He clearly was well-versed in the art of tea. Every movement was fluid and elegant, a delight to watch.

Princess Hengyang sat and watched for a while. Soon, a group of young men rode in on horseback.

Though the weather had cooled, the youths were shirtless, revealing toned, muscular torsos. Their waists rose and fell rhythmically as they moved, muscles rippling visibly with every motion.

They seemed unaware of the many hidden gazes upon them, riding freely and exuberantly — full of vitality.

“They are truly young,” Princess Hengyang couldn’t help but sigh.

Though she was past thirty, well-preserved and radiant, seeing these young men made her feel older.

Chun Xi was about to offer some comforting words when Princess Hengyang suddenly turned to her: “A-Xi, your Old Shen is quite a bit older than you. Don’t you ever want to try someone younger?”

Chun Xi’s words of comfort caught in her throat. She earnestly defended Shen Qingyuan: “Your Highness, though my husband is older, he is not old in the slightest.”

“Oh? Seems Old Shen must be quite impressive in bed,” Princess Hengyang teased. Not waiting for Chun Xi to change the subject, she continued, “I thought he would be like my own wooden block of a man — even if I stood naked before him, he wouldn’t react.”

“…”!!!

Such intimate bedroom talk — Princess, you really didn’t need to tell me!

Chun Xi tried to remain composed, though her pupils involuntarily dilated. Then Princess Hengyang added: “You might not know, but that wooden block of mine and your Old Shen were classmates. That year, your Old Shen won top honors and was celebrated without rival. He courted the Third-Rank Scholar Princess, also proud and triumphant. Together, they were far more notable than these young men today.”

At the last sentence, Princess Hengyang’s expression grew distant, lost in a memory long past.

Chun Xi, however, was utterly shocked.

She had told her lord yesterday that she wanted to go on an outing with Princess Hengyang. Her lord had never mentioned that Princess Consort and him had been classmates… her lord and Princess Hengyang shouldn’t be that close… right?