Chapter 0206: Thoughtful Shen Yuan, A Sudden Appearance of an Old Acquaintance

Shen Yuan gazed thoughtfully at Xie Chengze.

When he said it was inconvenient, was it because Emperor Jian was present that made it inconvenient, or did he notice something unusual about Xie Jinyu and therefore said it was inconvenient?

He couldn’t shake the feeling that Xie Chengze seemed to know something. Moreover, today when he saw the Crown Prince looking at Xie Chengze, the gaze was so intimate that anyone could tell there was something between them. Shen Yuan didn’t believe Xie Chengze was unaware of it.

Involving matters that couldn’t be spoken of openly, Shen Yuan decided to probe indirectly, “Your relationship with the Crown Prince seems too close lately? You should keep some distance from him.”

“I know.” Xie Chengze thought he meant keeping distance to avoid arousing Sheng Shihai’s suspicion, so he nodded, “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful about boundaries! The Crown Prince will be careful about boundaries too!”

Hearing this, Shen Yuan felt his vision darken.

What did he mean by both of you being careful about boundaries?

What boundaries exactly?

Could it be that Xie Chengze already knew the truth and was even planning to compromise with the Crown Prince?

But when did he find out?

His gaze unconsciously fell upon Xie Chengze’s neck. The marks there had long faded, but Shen Yuan still remembered clearly what had happened that night.

Could it be that Xie Chengze hadn’t been asleep that time?

But if that were the case, shouldn’t his attitude towards that person be different? Acting as if nothing had happened – was he truly unconcerned, or was he feigning composure and pretending not to know?

Given Xie Chengze’s temperament and his relationship with that person, in order for them to continue their brotherly relationship, he might indeed choose to play dumb and act as if nothing happened.

Shen Yuan felt a headache coming on. More than this, what worried him most was Xie Chengze compromising with the Crown Prince. After all, their relationship could never be made public. Even if Xie Chengze were willing to lower his status and be the submissive one, he would only end up getting hurt.

Human hearts are greedy, especially the Crown Prince’s. Having worked with Xie Jinyu for ten years, how could Shen Yuan not know his temperament?

Xie Jinyu would only take an inch and demand a mile. Today it was just possessive glances – who knew if tomorrow he would take action, and the day after would he—

“I think…” Shen Yuan wanted to say something when Zhu Xiaobiao outside the carriage suddenly called in, “Sir, we’ve arrived!”

The carriage stopped in front of a small courtyard. This was the residence Xie Chengze had rented for Jing Ze, while the neighboring courtyard housed Zhu Xiaobiao’s concubines.

“Please wait in the carriage, sir! I’ll go call Jing Ze out!” Zhu Xiaobiao cheerfully jumped off the carriage and pushed the door open.

The courtyard wasn’t large, but it was enough to accommodate a tree, a table, a well, and a kitchen. The big tree in the yard had already sprouted tender branches, and the wooden table beneath it had been wiped clean. Normally, there would be someone sitting quietly nearby, calmly reading a book.

But today, when his gaze fell upon the additional person beside the wooden table, Zhu Xiaobiao’s previously cheerful face instantly fell.

Looking at Ouyang Jiu who had turned to face him, his eyes clearly showed some displeasure, “Jing Ze, we have a guest at home.”

Jing Ze stood up and nodded calmly, “Brother Ouyang just arrived in Jingcheng yesterday. Hearing that Hanshan Temple is holding the Peach Blossom Banquet, he came specially today to invite me to go.”

Ouyang Jiu looked at Zhu Xiaobiao, who was struggling to adjust his expression, raised an eyebrow and teased, “Could it be that Brother Zhu doesn’t welcome me? That would truly break my heart.”

“Of course not…” Zhu Xiaobiao muttered something inaudibly under his breath, “Brother Ouyang arrived quite early though. There’s still plenty of time before the Spring Examination.”

“Didn’t I miss you?” Ouyang Jiu joked, “A day apart feels like three years!”

Zhu Xiaobiao snorted quietly to himself, thinking: More like you missed Jing Ze so much that a day felt like three years!

Back in Yi Province, the two of them had often stuck together discussing various classics, and when they parted, they were practically inseparable.

They were even closer than he was with his lifesaver.

Jing Ze, standing nearby, watched them calmly before stepping toward Zhu Xiaobiao, “Your Excellency’s sudden visit – may I ask what matter brings you here?”

Zhu Xiaobiao gave him a suspicious look.

Why suddenly address him so formally? He never used such distant terms before.

Was it because Ouyang Jiu was here that he deliberately acted more distant?

Did he feel ashamed to be friends with someone uneducated like him?

Feeling somewhat dejected, Zhu Xiaobiao lowered his head and murmured, “His Highness has invited us to the Peach Blossom Banquet.”

He glanced at Ouyang Jiu standing behind Jing Ze and said with a hint of jealousy, “Since Brother Ouyang invited you first, you should go with him!”

With that, he turned to leave.

The next moment, his sleeve was tugged. Jing Ze lowered his gaze, a faint smile appearing in his otherwise calm eyes, “It’s fine. Your invitation is more important.”

“Oh? His Highness is here too?” Brother Ouyang popped his head out from behind Jing Ze, eyes sparkling with interest, “It’s been so long, I’ve missed His Highness too! Since we’re all going to the Peach Blossom Banquet, why don’t we go together?”

Zhu Xiaobiao glanced down at his tugged sleeve, his ears burning red at Jing Ze’s words. He coughed lightly and pulled his sleeve free, “I’ll go ask His Highness!”

With that, he dashed out of the small courtyard like a fleeing bird.

“Tsk tsk tsk.” Ouyang Jiu shook his head, his teasing gaze falling on Jing Ze’s now empty hand, “Brother Jing Ze, your gradually cooling hands are like those of a lover reluctant to part, your affectionate eyes resemble autumn waters yearning for a husband’s return—”

Jing Ze calmly withdrew his hand and glanced at him, “After all this time apart, Brother Ouyang’s talent for spouting nonsense has improved considerably.”

His relationship with Lord Zhu was certainly not of that vulgar sort.

Moreover, having been hurt by a man before, how could he possibly develop feelings for one?

Ouyang Jiu waved his fan, all his words overflowing in the playful smile on his lips.

…

When Xie Chengze heard that Ouyang Jiu had come to Jingcheng, he was delighted, “Then let’s invite him along too! It’s always more lively with more people!”

Then he sighed slightly, “If only Su Qinghe could come too. It’s a pity Elder Gu and Ti Ling Guo are keeping such a close watch and won’t allow him to leave the palace.”

Hearing Su Qinghe’s name, Shen Yuan unconsciously frowned slightly, “Aren’t you afraid the Crown Prince might disapprove of your close friendship with Su Qinghe?”

Xie Chengze and Su Qinghe were so close that even someone as perceptive as Shen Yuan felt somewhat jealous, let alone the highly possessive Crown Prince. Wasn’t he afraid that one day the Crown Prince might be in a bad mood, find some pretext to dismiss Su Qinghe from his post and exile him, preventing any further contact between them?

This was precisely why Shen Yuan was unwilling to let Xie Chengze comply with the Crown Prince’s wishes. Although the Crown Prince currently permitted Xie Chengze to freely build relationships with others, it was only because the Crown Prince hadn’t fully consolidated power yet, with Emperor Jian still reigning above him. Once the Crown Prince became fully seasoned, it would be difficult for Xie Chengze to seek freedom again.

Xie Chengze scratched his head, “That can’t be right. Jinyu isn’t that petty.”

Oh, so now he’s calling him Jinyu.

Shen Yuan snorted lightly, his gaze flickering as it fell upon the young man. “Does Your Highness dare to make a bet then?”

Xie Chengze tilted his head, intrigued. “Bet on what?”

“Let’s bet that after the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the first person he purges will be Su Qinghe.”

Shen Yuan was utterly confident the Crown Prince would do so, and by then he would ensure Su Qinghe’s safety as well.

“Alright.” Xie Chengze nodded. “What’s the wager?”

“If I win, Your Highness must call me ‘father’.” Shen Yuan said with a smile, his eyes filled with undisguised mischief.

Xie Chengze: …

“What, afraid?” Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow.

“Who’s afraid!” Xie Chengze immediately retorted. “You’re definitely going to lose!”

Shen Yuan neither confirmed nor denied this.

Although Su Qinghe possessed mathematical talent, it wasn’t necessarily only he who could help Xie Chengze promote mathematics. Once more mathematical geniuses were found, Su Qinghe’s importance would naturally diminish.

Moreover, the Crown Prince wouldn’t allow the Su Family to expand their influence in both the Imperial Academy and the Imperial Study, and would inevitably target Su Qinghe.

This would also conveniently use the Crown Prince’s hand to completely cut off Su Qinghe’s path to becoming a crown princess.

As Shen Yuan calculated this, Xie Chengze nearby also rolled his agile eyes.

Taking the worst-case scenario – if Xie Jinyu really were that petty, then he would have to make preparations in advance.

Want to purge Su Qinghe?

Hah, the person under his protection couldn’t be touched by anyone, even if the King of Heaven himself came down!