Chapter 0210: The Noble Protagonist is About to Have New Rumors Again
The host of the Peach Blossom Banquet was Gu Ying.
When they parted in Yi Province, Gu Ying stayed by Liang Wan Da’s side as a personal guard, while Bian Yangchun also remained to assist Liang Wan Da.
Unexpectedly, when they met again, the two had already arrived in Jingcheng and were hosting the Peach Blossom Banquet here.
“The right to host the Peach Blossom Banquet at Hanshan Temple has always required connections. Isn’t Gu Ying’s family just minor local gentry?” Xie Chengze asked in confusion. “How did he manage to secure the hosting rights over all the prominent gentry in Jingcheng?”
Moreover, the Peach Blossom Banquet always invited distinguished guests to lend prestige to the event. As an outsider, how did Gu Ying manage to invite such people?
He couldn’t help but suspiciously eye Shen Yuan.
It couldn’t be this guy—
Shen Yuan naturally picked up his teacup. “What? Never seen a minister abuse his power?”
“So it really was you?!” Xie Chengze stared at him in shock, looking Shen Yuan up and down. “Lord Shen, are you really Lord Shen? Are you sure you haven’t been body-snatched?”
When did his noble, principled protagonist who feared no powerful authority become someone who used his position to give special treatment to his own people!
Wait.
Xie Chengze narrowed his eyes slightly, quickly realizing another issue. “You knew early on that Gu Ying was hosting the Peach Blossom Banquet… then why didn’t you invite me to attend?”
He had a very good relationship with Gu Ying. Since Gu Ying had come to Jingcheng, how could he, as the local, not come join the excitement?
“This subject didn’t expect Your Highness would be so eager to invite me to attend the banquet.” Shen Yuan propped his chin with one hand, looking at Xie Chengze with an amused smile. “And everyone knows what the Peach Blossom Banquet is for. Since Your Highness so enthusiastically invited me first, of course I couldn’t spoil the mood.”
Xie Chengze:…
Why did that make it sound like he was some young girl eagerly throwing herself at a man?
“Then what they said about us…” Xie Chengze paused. “Was that your doing too?”
Shen Yuan chuckled. “Guess?”
He smiled like an old fox. Xie Chengze really wanted to reach out and pull at his upturned lips. “So when they said Sheng Yiren would attend the banquet, did you have her come to show support too?”
“Are you talking about me?”
A head suddenly popped up between them, stealthily emerging. Sheng Yiren, dressed in men’s clothing, quietly took a seat without attracting anyone’s attention. “The spot you picked is way too hard to find. With so many people around, no one would notice you here.”
“Why did you come dressed like that?” Xie Chengze examined Sheng Yiren’s male attire, surprised. “I thought you’d attend the banquet in women’s clothing.”
“Too much trouble. People would follow me and try to strike up conversations.” Sheng Yiren sighed helplessly, pouring herself a cup of tea and gulping it down before saying, “You have no idea how charming I am. During the last Spring Examination, my carriage got so blocked by people it couldn’t move!”
If it weren’t for promoting the clothes made from her newly acquired fabric at the time, she wouldn’t have bothered attending any Peach Blossom Banquet!
“Then why did Shen Yuan invite you here?” Xie Chengze asked, puzzled. “Since you’re not appearing in your true identity, why bother coming to this Peach Blossom Banquet?”
Hearing this, Sheng Yiren turned to look at Shen Yuan in surprise. “You didn’t tell His Highness?”
She had thought that the task he assigned her was something he had discussed with His Highness!
Xie Chengze looked toward Shen Yuan.
What were these two hiding from him?
“I’ll change into women’s clothing in the guest room at Hanshan Temple later, then join the female guests’ side.” Seeing Shen Yuan remain silent, Sheng Yiren quickly explained, “It was just more convenient to travel in men’s clothing!”
“So that’s how it is.” Xie Chengze nodded understandingly. He was about to ask if she had brought any servants, concerned about her safety going alone to the temple’s guest rooms, when a familiar voice suddenly sounded behind him, “Lord Shen!”
Turning around, Xie Chengze saw Gu Ying already standing behind him, his deer-like eyes shining with youthful energy as they looked over, “When did Lord Shen arrive? I failed to welcome you properly, please don’t hold it against me.”
Then his gaze fell upon Xie Chengze, his eyes brightening even more, “Your High…”
Xie Chengze quickly shook his head, signaling him not to expose his identity.
Gu Ying tactfully swallowed his words, while Bian Yangchun, who had followed him over, also bowed to Shen Yuan, “Lord Shen.”
He then turned to Zhu Xiaobiao, Jing Ze, and Ouyang Jiu, nodding with a smile as a form of greeting.
Originally, Gu Ying had been conversing with scholars when he caught sight of Shen Yuan’s figure and immediately came over. The scholars naturally followed, and upon hearing him address Shen Yuan as “Lord Shen,” they instantly understood the other’s identity.
So this was the current Ministry of Justice Vice Minister, Lord Shen Yuan!
Truly exceptional in appearance and distinguished in demeanor!
The few people at the neighboring table who had been discussing gossip about Vice Minister Shen and the Prince Regent immediately pressed their lips tight, their eyes filled with regret, wishing they could stuff their earlier words back into their lungs.
They had actually gossiped about someone having an affair with the Prince Regent right in front of the person involved!
Embarrassing, truly too embarrassing!
Some also turned their attention to Xie Chengze, secretly speculating about “her” identity. If the man in white was Vice Minister Shen, then this woman in peach-colored clothing… who could she be?
“Could this young lady be the number one beauty of Jingcheng, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites, Miss Sheng?” one scholar couldn’t help but guess aloud.
Xie Chengze turned his head: ?
Brother, how did you reach that conclusion?
The real eldest daughter of the Sheng family nearby couldn’t help but chuckle quietly, while Shen Yuan also coughed lightly. The three exchanged glances, their previously cultivated cooperative understanding allowing them to instantly understand each other’s mischievous intentions from their eyes.
“Mm.” Xie Chengze faintly acknowledged, accepting this false identity.
Gu Ying and Bian Yangchun exchanged a look. Though they didn’t understand what Xie Chengze intended to do, they tacitly said, “Thank you for honoring us with your presence, Miss Sheng.” We hope this Peach Blossom Banquet won’t disappoint your expectations.”
Xie Chengze nodded, then fell silent.
“Ahem, well, the Peach Blossom Banquet is about to begin. Should Miss… Sheng move to the female guests’ side?” Gu Ying asked softly. According to the banquet’s rules, once the Peach Blossom Banquet began, no members of the opposite sex were allowed on either side until the meeting segment.
Xie Chengze wasn’t keen on going. He instinctively looked at Shen Yuan, wanting him to find a way to let him stay.
He didn’t want to go to an unfamiliar place alone.
Shen Yuan seemed to comfort him by putting an arm around his shoulder, whispering close to his ear, “Go ahead. I’ll have her join you later.”
Witnessing their interaction, the surrounding scholars couldn’t help but exchange meaningful glances.
It is said that Shen Shilang has deep connections with the eldest daughter of the Sheng family. It appears there is indeed an indescribable relationship between them.
No wonder she was so furious upon hearing others claim that Shen Shilang was involved with the Prince Regent—she was defending the reputation of her beloved man!