Chapter 33: Love-struck Shen Tengfeng

 

Shen Yian exited the Heavenly Gate Pavilion and arrived at the Imperial Study to inform the Emperor about the auspicious day.

 

Zhao Hai, as usual, was guarding the door. Upon seeing Shen Yian, the wrinkles on his face crinkled into a kind and gentle smile.

 

“Your Majesty, there will be heavy rain tomorrow. Please be careful of the damp chill.”

 

“Thank you for your concern, I’ve taken note.”

 

Emperor Wu’s cold eyes, which seemed to survey the world, flickered for a moment.

 

“Your Majesty, please rest early. This son will take his leave.”

 

“Mm.”

 

Shen Yian left the Imperial Study, and Emperor Wu signaled Zhao Hai to prepare an imperial edict.

 

“Snapped.”

 

The imperial decree closed lightly. Emperor Wu’s cold eyes swept down at the kneeling figure below. “What is it?”

 

In the center of the hall, the Martial Guard Division messenger knelt on one knee. “Your Majesty, the King of Song has sent a large number of assassins to Suzhou, targeting the Zhao family.”

 

“The Zhao family? The Zhao family…”

 

Emperor Wu murmured softly, his eyelids drooping. “I heard that the Heavenly Demon Cult has been quite active lately. Tell Qinglong to keep a close eye on them. You may withdraw.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

 

The messenger left. Zhao Hai, who was drafting the edict, instinctively looked up at his Emperor.

 

“Zhao Hai, do you have any questions?”

 

“This old servant dares not!”

 

Zhao Hai’s hand trembled as he quickly bowed his head in response.

 

“Every action has a consequence. This bitter fruit must be tasted by the Zhao family themselves.”

 

“Your Majesty is wise.”

 

The next day, King of Chu’s Mansion.

 

Shen Yian looked at the cloudless sky and couldn’t help but wonder, wasn’t that old man lying to him?

 

It was almost noon, and the weather didn’t look like it would rain at all.

 

“Your Highness!”

 

Cheng Hai, who was sweating profusely, ran into him as he was strolling through the small martial arts field in the mansion.

 

Shen Yian immediately noticed that Cheng Hai had replaced his usual broadsword with a long Miao saber. Was he practicing the “Killing God Three Styles“?

 

“Not bad, keep up the good work.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness!”

 

Cheng Hai was startled, his gaze becoming even more resolute.

 

Shen Yian walked around the mansion, seeing that the weather was still clear, he decided to have lunch and go for a walk.

 

“Your Highness, the Fifth Prince has an urgent matter to see you.” The gatekeeper ran from the main gate to Shen Yian.

 

“He has an urgent matter?” Shen Yian shook his head and smiled. Shen Tengfeng’s urgent matters were nothing more than financial ones.

 

“Bring him in.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

“Sixth Brother!!!”

 

Shen Tengfeng rushed in, so fast that the gatekeeper had to run to keep up.

 

“Fifth Brother, long time no see.”

 

Shen Yian greeted him from afar.

 

“Sixth Brother!!! I’m so miserable! Woooo!”

 

As he approached, Shen Tengfeng threw himself into Shen Yian’s arms.

 

“Fifth Brother, what happened? Tell Sixth Brother about it.” Shen Yian patted the other’s shoulder, chuckling at his dramatic display.

 

“Sigh~”

 

Shen Tengfeng released Shen Yian, his thousand words turning into a single, long sigh. 

 

The familiar pavilion, the familiar welcoming setup.

 

“Sixth Brother, if I told you, you wouldn’t try to steal it from me, would you?”

 

“Steal what?” Shen Yian looked puzzled.

 

Had Shen Tengfeng set his eyes on some treasure but couldn’t afford it?

 

“Ahem, Sixth Brother, do you know who I met that day?” Shen Tengfeng wore a mysterious expression.

 

“Who?”

 

“I’ll tell you, but you absolutely mustn’t spread this around.”

 

“Fifth Brother, rest assured, Sixth Brother is very discreet.” Shen Yian nodded seriously, inwardly complaining, among the lot of you, you’re the least discreet.

 

“Sixth Brother, listen to me, I met General Gu’s long-lost daughter that day! Wow! You know, when I saw her, I thought I’d met a fairy!”

 

Shen Tengfeng’s eyes sparkled as he mentioned Gu Ruoyi, his face flushed with excitement. He spoke for half a cup of tea, praising Gu Ruoyi from her appearance to her personality.

 

Shen Yian’s lips twitched involuntarily, silently taking a sip of tea.

 

At this moment, he saw two big characters flashing above Shen Tengfeng’s forehead: “Love-struck.”

 

He couldn’t be wrong, Shen Tengfeng’s current state was clearly that of a love-struck fool.

 

In the original novel, Shen Tengfeng was not just a bootlicker, but even worse than a bootlicker. He helped Gu Ruoyi to come up with ideas and solve many problems without asking for anything in return.

 

If it were someone else, they would have suffered heavy bleeding if Shen Tengfeng gave them a hand.

 

The process was indeed like a bootlicker, but at least he managed to get his reward in the end, surpassing 99% of the bootlickers out there.

 

“So, Fifth Brother, you’re here to ask Sixth Brother for advice on how to win her heart?”

 

Shen Tengfeng rubbed his hands awkwardly. “Yes, and no.”

 

Shen Yian couldn’t help but chuckle. “Fifth Brother, why don’t you just ask Father for a marriage edict?”

 

This was the domineering nature of a prince. With a single edict, even if she didn’t want to, she would have to accept it, endure it. Otherwise, a charge of treason against the emperor would be slapped on her, resulting in imprisonment for the whole family, or even worse, the annihilation of the entire clan.

 

“Sixth Brother, don’t joke around. You don’t know my situation with Father?” Shen Tengfeng sighed.

 

Father wouldn’t even spare his allowance, let alone grant him a marriage edict. He’d probably give him a bucket of urine to reflect on his character.

 

Moreover, this kind of political marriage that forcefully bound two people together wasn’t what he desired.

 

He wanted a love that was genuine, where hearts connected, where they loved and cherished each other, growing old together.

 

Otherwise, even if he managed to marry a fairy, what would be the point? They would just be staring coldly at each other, a facade of harmony masking their true feelings.

 

In short, Shen Tengfeng wanted a sweet and loving romance!

 

“Fifth Brother, I can try to ask Father for you.”

 

“No, no, no, Sixth Brother, you have misunderstood me.” Shen Tengfeng waved his hands repeatedly, briefly explaining his true intentions.

 

Shen Yian sighed helplessly. So you still want to be a bootlicker.

 

“Then, Fifth Brother, what are you here for today…”

 

“Sixth Brother, I want to borrow some money to start a business!” Shen Tengfeng took a deep breath and scratched his head sheepishly.

 

“Huh? Fifth Brother, you want to do business?” Shen Yian was surprised. He thought Shen Tengfeng would ask him for a loan for love-related expenses, but he didn’t expect it to be for a business venture.

 

“Yes! I want to do business and make big money!” Shen Tengfeng’s eyes were resolute.

 

After meeting Gu Ruoyi that day and returning to the palace, he tossed and turned all night.

 

He realized that to pursue her, besides his own personality and status, money was the most important factor!

 

What could he use to pursue her without money?

 

Take the simplest scenario, for example, going shopping with her. She sets her eyes on a piece of jewelry, and you want to make a good impression, you reach for your purse, but it’s empty. How embarrassing it will be!

 

And later, when they get married, they definitely can’t live in the palace. Even if the house doesn’t cost money, wouldn’t the servants in the mansion need to eat, drink, and use the restroom?

 

His allowance wouldn’t be enough to cover all these expenses. So he had to do business, make big money, and pursue Gu Ruoyi!

 

As long as he didn’t cause any trouble, his father wouldn’t interfere. He could let loose and do whatever he wanted.

 

“Fifth Brother, can you do business?” Shen Yian rubbed his temples forcefully, suppressing a smile. He couldn’t laugh out loud, he had to hold it in.

 

Shen Tengfeng’s face flushed red. “It’s okay, I can learn where I’m not good.”

 

“If it’s about business, Fifth Brother, you should ask Fourth Brother instead.”

 

“No, no, no, can’t ask him.” Shen Tengfeng waved his hands frantically.

 

Shen Yian at least had someone he loved and was engaged to.

 

Shen Jingyu was different. He was so old and still unmarried.

 

If he mentioned Gu Ruoyi, this old bachelor might get interested. Then Shen Tengfeng would have a powerful rival, and he would have nowhere to cry.

 

Getting back to the point, Shen Yian asked, “Fifth Brother, how much money do you want to borrow?”

 

Shen Tengfeng frowned, after much deliberation, he stretched out his hand.

 

“Sixth Brother, I won’t ask for much, five thousand taels should be enough!”

 

Shen Yian: “?”