Chapter 72: Love Rivals? Let the Games Begin!

Shen Yian noticed the hidden discontent in Gu Ruoyi’s eyes and frowned imperceptibly. His cold gaze unconsciously looked to the sky, hoping there wouldn’t be any plot correction for such an absurd scenario.

“Eh?! Fourth Brother! Sixth Brother!”

Shen Tengfeng, just off work from the pawn shop and heading back to the palace, turned onto the street and saw everyone. Shen Yian and Shen Jingyu particularly stood out, catching his eye immediately.

The girl beside Sixth Brother was Ye Liyan; those azure eyes were too distinctive.

Who were the two girls with the Fourth Brother?

What juicy gossip! There’d be plenty to talk about at the academy tomorrow, hehe!

After all, rumors throughout Tianwu City said his Fourth Brother never associated with women.

Clearly, rumors were deceiving!

Gu Ruoyi and Qiyun had their backs to Shen Tengfeng, so he didn’t recognize them at first glance.

Only when he got closer did their figures seem familiar.

“Fifth Brother!” Shen Yian tilted his head and raised his hand in greeting.

“Fifth Brother?” Shen Jingyu, hearing this, turned with Gu Ruoyi and Qiyun to look back.

“It’s you!” Qiyun recognized Shen Tengfeng and took a wary half-step back.

“You all…” As the two women turned with Shen Jingyu, Shen Tengfeng was instantly dumbfounded, his mind buzzing.

Shen Yian moved the veil to his other hand, took Ye Liyan’s small hand, and chuckled softly, “Let the show begin.”

“Show?” Ye Liyan’s beautiful eyes filled with curiosity, not quite understanding what her prince meant.

Feeling Shen Yian’s arm pressed close to hers, her ears hidden by fine hair gradually warmed, as if drinking in the last tender rays of the sunset.

“It means watching the drama unfold,” Shen Yian explained softly in Ye Liyan’s ear. His warm breath tickled her earlobe like countless small hands, making the blush on her small face deepen.

Was this situation between Shen Jingyu and Shen Tengfeng considered a meeting of rivals?

Such scenes weren’t uncommon in the original story, with the fiercest confrontations being between him and Shen Tengfeng, while Shen Jingyu often watched from the sidelines.

Now, the tables had turned, and it was his turn to watch!

“Hmm? Fifth Brother, Ruoyi, you know each other?” Shen Jingyu smiled lightly at their reactions, his almond-shaped phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, making it impossible to read what the King of Song was thinking.

“Ruoyi? Fourth Brother is calling her so intimately…”

“I… I suppose we know each other…” Shen Tengfeng’s gaze darted between Shen Jingyu and Gu Ruoyi, his face contorted as if constipated.

“Bah, who knows you…” Qiyun inwardly spat, yet was secretly surprised by his identity. So he was the rumored Fifth Prince, the most notorious playboy in Tianwu City!

“Greetings, Your Highness Fifth Prince.” Gu Ruoyi’s voice came, and Qiyun snapped back to reality, hurriedly following with a curtsy. Ye Liyan’s voice was the last to be heard.

“That day…” Gu Ruoyi was about to apologize for the previous incident, but Shen Tengfeng hastily interrupted: “That day I accidentally bumped into you, I should be the one apologizing.”

“Ruoyi is undeserving…”

“No, no, it was entirely my fault.” Shen Tengfeng waved his hands repeatedly.

After clarifying the situation, both parties formally introduced themselves to each other.

“So, Fourth Brother, how come you’re with Ruo… Miss Gu and Sixth Brother…” Shen Tengfeng asked with a forced smile, scratching the back of his head to hide his embarrassment and unease.

His mind was full of questions. How did Shen Jingyu know Gu Ruoyi?!

It couldn’t be… could everything end before it even began?

No! (┯_┯)

“I was out for a stroll when I happened to meet Miss Ruoyi, so we walked together. Then we met Sixth Brother and his fiancée here,” Shen Jingyu explained in an exceptionally gentle tone, making Shen Tengfeng’s eye twitch.

“Fourth Brother, have you and Miss Gu… known each other for long?”

“We met by chance.”

Shen Jingyu’s lips curled up imperceptibly, as if he had noticed something.

Sigh~

Shen Yian sighed lightly. This won’t do, Fifth Brother. You’re showing your hand right in front of the Fourth Brother!

He couldn’t quite figure out Shen Jingyu’s situation now. Was he maintaining his celibate king status, or had Gu Ruoyi’s appearance changed things? It was all uncertain.

However, he was sure that even if Shen Jingyu had feelings for Gu Ruoyi, he wouldn’t show them anytime soon.

After all, that woman in the palace still held power.

With the threat still present, Shen Jingyu would never expose his weakness.

“Fifth Brother, why are you out so late? Could it be…”

“Fourth Brother, don’t jump to conclusions! I’ve been working at the pawn shop, just finished, and happened to run into you all on my way back to the palace…”

Shen Tengfeng hurriedly explained, fearing Shen Jingyu might suggest he was coming from some place of ill repute.

There were ladies present, after all. His reputation might be bad, but he couldn’t stand being called out in public.

Moreover, he had reformed now, dividing his time between the academy and the pawn shop, doing honest work, focused solely on making money and building his career!

“I see. Father will surely be pleased to hear this.”

Shen Tengfeng’s heart ached.

If Father was pleased, he wouldn’t have withheld two months of his salary. Two whole months!

Do you know how many pawned items I have to sell to make up for two months’ salary?!

Shen Tengfeng sighed, holding his waist, then rubbed his stomach and asked, “Have you all eaten yet?”

He had no real power and was already starving after a long day’s work. The palace would prepare dinner for him, but it never tasted as good as food outside.

“No.”

“What about you, Sixth Brother?”

“We were just looking for a place to have dinner.”

“Then how about this? To express my apology to Miss Gu for that day, dinner’s on me tonight!” Shen Tengfeng announced grandly, wanting to show off a bit in front of the girl he liked.

Shen Yian raised an eyebrow. The restaurants in the South Market were much more expensive than those in the North Market. For six people, or even five not counting Qiyun, it would be quite an expense.

But Shen Tengfeng treating others to a meal? This must be a first!

This guy was a big spender, but always on himself. Today he was splurging on them.

Hiss, is this the power of “love”?

“Then I’ll graciously accept. It’s fate that we’ve all gathered here today,” Shen Jingyu didn’t refuse, looking at everyone.

“It’s rare for Fifth Brother to treat, so we’ll graciously accept as well,” Shen Yian smiled, holding Ye Liyan’s hand.

Gu Ruoyi nodded, not refusing. She glanced at their joined hands, her pretty face showing a hint of loneliness.

Shen Tengfeng led the way, and after some wandering, they arrived at a restaurant.

The restaurant owner might not recognize Shen Yian and the others, but he was very familiar with Shen Tengfeng, who often brought other young masters to spend money here.

Shen Tengfeng whispered with the owner for a bit, and the latter’s expression grew increasingly solemn as he nodded repeatedly.

After their conversation, the restaurant owner led several waiters to greet them, personally escorting them to a private room and serving them himself.

At the dinner table, Shen Yian and Ye Liyan’s intimate interactions caused emotional fluctuations in two people.

One was Gu Ruoyi, the other was Shen Tengfeng.

Shen Tengfeng envied Shen Yian from the bottom of his heart and kept cheering himself up in his heart.

Come on, work hard, and marry your sweetheart soon!

Shen Jingyu frowned slightly, feeling strange. He hadn’t eaten anything, but he already felt full.