newbobooks Chapter 87 Why Not Stay?
Chapter 87 Why Not Stay?
"I'll be able to attend court in a few days, thank you for your concern, Miss Zheng." Gu Chang'an could only give a perfunctory reply, not wanting to look at her again.
The woman's eyes looked strange, and he really didn't want to face her.
"You're so kind, little sister. I'll accept it." Shen Li glanced at it with interest; Zheng Yanran certainly had a good eye.
"I came today to ask some questions on behalf of my aunt. I wonder how the portrait of my sister is coming along?" Zheng Yanran asked.
"It hasn't started yet," Shen Li said honestly. She had been busy painting chrysanthemums and practicing martial arts lately, so she didn't have time to work on the portrait of Consort Zheng.
Zheng Yanran wasn't surprised. Instead, she said, "Sister, you are really patient. Unlike me, I always make sure to do what I promise as soon as possible."
"Oh?" Shen Li didn't expect her to say that.
“That’s right. I’m just an impatient person, and I value my promises.” Zheng Yanran said, looking at Gu Chang’an, her voice noticeably gentler: “Lord Gu, don’t you think this is basic human decency?”
Peony thought to herself, "What kind of talk is this? Isn't this saying things to my face? How dare they!"
If this were a desolate wilderness, she would have already taken action and stopped her from spouting nonsense here.
"In that case, why doesn't Miss Zheng try painting a portrait of the Imperial Concubine as well?" Gu Chang'an's voice was extremely calm, without a trace of sarcasm, and his sincerity was terrifying.
"Uh... I'm not very skilled, so I won't embarrass myself by showing off." Zheng Yanran didn't expect him to feel a little awkward saying that.
“But Miss Zheng sounds very knowledgeable, so she must be being modest.” Gu Chang’an naturally couldn’t stand her speaking to A-Li like that, so he became unusually talkative.
Zheng Yanran was so angry she wanted to disappear into the ground.
Shen Li thought to herself, "Why did you provoke him? This devil in human form is only a little mild-mannered in front of her; he's not someone to mess with at all."
“My sister has already drawn very well. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, just come and ask me. It would be best if you stayed here,” Shen Li said warmly.
When Zheng Yanran heard that she was going to stay here, she thought of the time when she couldn't get enough to eat or sleep here before, so she decided against it!
"No need to trouble you, sister. I'll practice on my own when I get back," she said with a forced smile.
She had never suffered so much in her life.
"Then I won't keep you any longer," Shen Li said smoothly.
"?" Zheng Yanran didn't expect that she would be sent away so soon. Shen Li really didn't pretend at all.
She wanted to talk to Gu Chang'an a little longer.
"It's time for a lunch break," Gu Chang'an said. "Ah Li, let's take a break together."
His attitude was crystal clear, and Zheng Yanran couldn't even find a reason to stay. She had no choice but to bite the bullet and say goodbye, feeling somewhat aggrieved as she left.
She had spent so much time dressing up, and now he was just leaving like that? She was indignant; she refused to believe that Gu Chang'an was blind.
"It's so beautiful." Shen Li's gaze followed the scent as she looked out, the faint fragrance still lingering in her nostrils.
Gu Chang'an turned his head and lit the incense on the table.
"Slow down, don't touch the wound." Shen Li turned her head and saw him busy at work.
"It's alright," Gu Chang'an insisted on doing it.
Shen Li found it amusing: "It's just a girl, there's no need to be so paranoid."
"She's too close." Gu Chang'an still frowned.
If Shen Li remembered correctly, Zheng Yanran was a good four or five steps away from her just now. Is that close?
"Then how about I see her next time she comes?" Shen Li touched her nose, feeling a little apologetic towards him, as he could have actually refused to see her earlier.
Gu Chang'an nodded without hesitation.
He didn't want to bother Ah Li with anything else, but this was the one thing he really didn't want to deal with.
Shen Li wanted to help him get out of his bad mood as soon as possible, so she quickly came up with a plan, went over and hugged him, and said, "Husband, let's take a nap."
"Uh... okay..." Gu Chang'an paused for a moment, then hugged her with one hand, his earlobes turning red.
Shen Li thought to herself that he was too easy to coax, so she couldn't help but kiss him again. He turned even redder, which meant he didn't have time to think about unhappy things.
To her surprise, Gu Chang'an leaned down to kiss her back. She was so excited that she suddenly understood!
"Sister Ying'er, are you feeling better?" Peony's voice came from outside.
Gu Chang'an seemed to be pulled back to reality and stopped what he was doing.
Shen Li returned to the other side of the bed, her mind now focused on only one thing: getting rid of this girl!
Ying'er quickly walked to the screen and stopped, asking, "Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince sent a message asking if the congratulatory gift for the Empress Dowager has been prepared?"
"Alright." Shen Li thought about Gu Chang'an's stopped movements and replied with a look of utter despair.
"His Highness will be visiting the Shen residence tomorrow. He requests your presence to discuss important matters," Ying'er continued.
Gu Chang'an's face visibly paled. Although he didn't show any obvious expression, his eyes were deep and serious.
Ah Li is provoking him again.
Although he didn't know where Ah Li's hatred for this person came from, for him, Li Heng had to be eliminated.
Otherwise, given his obsession with Ah Li, if he were to ascend the throne, there's no guarantee he wouldn't force Ah Li into doing something.
A wise person avoids standing under a crumbling wall; it's best to make plans early.
"Go in my place. The lord is injured and cannot be separated from his body." Shen Li's voice was as usual: "Greet His Highness on my behalf."
While we still need to be polite and courteous, there's no need to be overly meticulous.
You should refuse when you should, otherwise who will be responsible if you hold a grudge?
"Yes." Ying'er's voice held a hint of excitement. Could she finally see His Highness alone?
"Go ahead," Shen Li waved.
After the person left, she looked at Gu Chang'an again and could only see the depth and calculation in his eyes, no longer the affection she had before.
It's obvious that he's angry.
In their previous life, the two met after Gu Chang'an was injured. At that time, Li Heng was riding high because many of the censors were members of the Crown Prince's faction. Therefore, the one who would suffer the greatest loss in this inspection of various prefectures would be Prince Yi.
That's exactly how things unfolded back then. Li Heng used Gu Chang'an's half-death situation to severely suppress Yi Wang, while remaining unscathed himself.
She narrowed her eyes. If she could make this thing have her way in this lifetime, she would write her name backwards from now on.
"What is Ah Li thinking?" Gu Chang'an vaguely felt that Ah Li's resentment seemed to be even greater than his own.
"I'm wondering what benefits His Highness the Prince of Yi can offer us?" Shen Li quickly locked onto her target and asked him, "Or rather, what does my husband want?"
"Have you thought it through?" Gu Chang'an knew exactly what she meant.
"Using someone else's strength is often the most effortless way to achieve personal gain," Shen Li decided.