ebookland Chapter 158 Ah Li Loves Me?
Chapter 158 Ah Li Loves Me?
Shen Li stared in disbelief as the Flying Fish Guards arrested people below. These were people who had been arranged in advance, and the Flying Fish Guards were Zhao Jing's men, meaning that Gu Chang'an had already communicated with Zhao Jing and made preparations in advance.
She was quite surprised by this, because in her opinion, Gu Chang'an was not someone who was afraid of public opinion. He had been criticized as a cruel official and treacherous minister for so many years, but she had never seen him get angry or take action because of it.
And she did hear it, that some people were bringing him up because of her, saying that he was now all-powerful and that he must have had powerful backing back then, otherwise what could an orphan have accomplished?
These people looked panicked when they saw the Flying Fish Guards, but the Flying Fish Guards did not attack them. They only arrested the one who said Shen Li had cheated and took him away.
As a result, no one in the crowd dared to speak recklessly about the imperial examinations, because no one was sure if there were still Flying Fish Guards in the crowd, and everyone was afraid that if they said anything, they would be taken away.
"I know Ah Li is reluctant, but she has spoken to Zhao Jing. They said that once the person is captured, they will only be scared and then released. They will not be tortured." Gu Chang'an saw that she was in a daze and thought that she was reluctant to do it.
"Then why didn't you give them a heads-up and have those who were talking about you arrested as well?" Shen Li's mood worsened as she listened to those who were slandering Gu Chang'an.
She began to understand why Gu Chang'an wanted to arrest people.
This time, Gu Chang'an paused for a moment, then smiled, though with a hint of bitterness in his smile: "Most of what they say about me is the truth, but all the slander against A-Li is baseless."
"Whether it is or not, you are not allowed to say." Shen Li pointed down to Shaoyao and said, "Remember those people. Take my name card to Shuntian Prefecture and report them to the authorities, accusing them of slandering an official of the imperial court."
"Ah Li..." Gu Chang'an felt there was no need to make a big fuss, but he also knew that Ah Li was protecting him, so he only called out softly and offered some weak advice.
Upon hearing this, Peony glanced at her young mistress's expression.
Shen Li's eyes held only a lingering, faint anger.
"Yes, this servant will go right away." Peony immediately went out and told Chunsheng to take everyone with her.
"Ah Li, you've done well. Calm down." Seeing that she was angry, Gu Chang'an didn't care about anything else. He gently comforted her while handing her a hazelnut pastry: "This is a signature pastry of the teahouse. Ah Li, have a taste."
He had initially felt somewhat bitter, but that bitterness has now completely vanished. As long as Ah Li thinks he's good, what does it matter what others say?
Shen Li was so angry she laughed; his attitude changed so quickly.
"Okay, what if I encounter someone like that next time?" Shen Li deliberately put on a stern face again, realizing that she hadn't achieved her goal.
"I'll arrest him," Gu Chang'an agreed readily.
Shen Li was finally satisfied, but she still sighed and said, "I'm angry that you don't care about yourself."
"Then Ah Li will pamper me?" Gu Chang'an tried to lighten the mood, but his ears turned red as soon as he said it, and he lowered his head, not daring to look Shen Li in the eye.
Shen Li pursed her lips, then turned to Lian Qiao and Yu Die and said, "You two go out for a bit."
"Oh...yes..." Lianqiao and Yudie also wanted to leave, so they bowed and left in a hurry.
As the two went outside, they heard the sound of a window closing.
The crowd below, still buzzing with excitement as they looked at the results, kept quiet in the private room, so that no one else could hear them.
Since the news of Shen Li passing the imperial examination came out, all forces in the capital were taken aback. She topped both the list and the list of successful candidates, truly living up to her reputation as the most talented woman in the capital.
Whether they are happy or not, the first thing they do is send a congratulatory gift.
Zhou Qianqian was anxious about her future while taking care of the Crown Prince during her confinement. She once thought that marrying the Crown Prince would be the brightest future. Although she was temporarily a concubine, she would definitely be promoted to the position of Empress and become the mother of the nation in the future.
Who would have thought that the Crown Prince's situation would deteriorate day by day starting last year, and now he has even fallen to the point of being banned. Rumors of his impending removal from the position of Crown Prince are rampant, and even the common people know that the Crown Prince's position is teetering on the brink of collapse.
They were helpless in the face of this. If they let it continue, the crown prince would surely lose his position and power, and even his life would be in danger.
She couldn't believe she had ended up in this situation.
The news of Shen Li's success in the imperial examinations came at this time, along with the Crown Prince's order to prepare the most lavish congratulatory gifts for Shen Li.
Li Heng wasn't genuinely happy for Shen Li either. He felt that Shen Li was no longer the little sister who always followed behind him; she had grown up too quickly.
This was an outcome he didn't want to see, as it would only make Shen Li more and more difficult to control. However, he had no choice but to continue trying to curry favor given his current situation.
He couldn't do much while lying in bed, so he whispered, "Consort, send over that brocade box from the cabinet as well."
Shen Li will always remember the past.
"Yes," Zhou Qianqian replied listlessly, her mind filled with thoughts of Shen Li's future after high school.
Regardless of her ranking in the imperial examination, given Shen Li's family background and abilities, she was bound to be highly valued by the emperor. It's astonishing that a woman like her has already entered the imperial court.
Regardless of her official rank, she can rely on herself in the future, without needing to depend entirely on her maternal family or men.
Although it was difficult, every step was my own path.
But did her own path truly appear beneath her feet? Everything she placed her hopes on men—their status, their joys and sorrows, their honors and disgraces.
She closed her eyes, feeling utterly drained of energy, and just wanted to sit there and let her mind wander.
The King of Chess grew to appreciate Shen Li more and more, and also instructed Xia Shiyin to prepare a lot of things.
"The Princess Consort must personally deliver it," Prince Yi instructed.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Xia Shiyin replied, inwardly groaning at the thought of facing Shen Li.
From childhood, she had always wanted to be superior to Shen Li, but now she had to ask her for favors everywhere. In front of her, she couldn't put on any airs of a princess and didn't dare to get angry.
You know, she gets angry every time she thinks about being thrown into the water, but she has to be nice and gentle in front of Shen Li, the murderer, as if nothing happened.
This makes her feel embarrassed every time she thinks about it, and she feels resentful.
"You've worked hard, Your Highness," said Prince Yi as he tidied her hair.
Xia Shiyin slowly raised her eyes, which brightened slightly. After a brief eye contact, she lowered her head shyly and said, "For Your Highness, I am not tired."
The emperor and the concubines in the harem also sent gifts, among whom Consort Zheng was the most unwilling.
"How come her family always has happy events all year round?" Consort Zheng felt a headache coming on when she heard that it was Shen Li.
Since Shen Li entered the palace at the end of last year, she has given countless gifts, big and small: Shen Zizai's promotion, the completion of the Goddess Painting, Gu Chang'an's injury, and now Shen Li has actually passed the imperial examination.
Consort Zheng was feeling incredibly frustrated, seeing that she was about to give all her savings to Shen Li.