HBWnovel Chapter 5 Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road
Chapter 5 Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road
"Aren't you going to help him?" Gu Chang'an asked incredulously.
Seeing his reaction, Shen Li couldn't help but tease him: "You still want me to help him?"
“Of course not. He is neither a good man nor a wise ruler.” Gu Chang’an’s words were sharp, but after glancing at her, his tone softened: “However, as long as you are happy, I will protect him.”
Shen Li was deeply moved when she saw how he loved her so clearly. He always understood all the pros and cons, but then disregarded them all, caring only about whether she was happy.
This man is incredibly stupid.
"He doesn't deserve it." Shen Li snorted disdainfully, took Gu Chang'an's well-defined hand and said, "I was confused before, but I've figured it out now."
Gu Chang'an looked at her in bewilderment, seemingly unable to understand her change.
"Think about it, we're husband and wife, we're going to spend our lives together, why should I sacrifice you for him?"
“You are my husband, what is he?”
Gu Chang'an was completely stunned.
She called him husband?
Is this really not a dream?
Shen Li waved her hand in front of his eyes, thinking she had been clear enough and he should believe her.
"It's...it's time for court...I'm leaving..."
Gu Chang'an quickly got out of bed and strode towards the outer room, his body slightly unsteady, his ears already as red as boiled shrimp.
Shen Li was both amused and exasperated. She wasn't going to eat anyone, so why was she running so fast?
He seemed to remember something and turned back, not looking at her, only saying, "Remember to take your medicine before you rest."
Shen Li chuckled inwardly.
Even in this state, I still remembered to remind her to take her medicine.
"Could you finish earlier and come back? I'll wait for you for dinner," Shen Li continued.
She could clearly see Gu Chang'an take a deep breath, then nod very seriously, and after a moment realize that he hadn't spoken, he quickly added, "Okay."
As Shen Li watched Gu Chang'an leave, she couldn't suppress the smile in her eyes. With nowhere to release her good mood, she simply tried rolling around on the bed.
This kind of playful frolicking struck her as novel and interesting, so she rolled around on the bed and kicked her legs, her smile growing ever wider.
So this is what it's like to be unrestrained!
"Miss...are you alright?" Lianqiao and Shaoyao came in and saw their young lady kicking her legs on the bed. They were speechless for a moment.
Their daughter has always been well-mannered; when has she ever been so unrestrained?
What happened?
"You don't know my body well enough. As long as I'm awake, there's nothing to worry about," Shen Li replied. Then she asked, "Did Gu Chang'an say anything when he left?"
"The master said you might be hungry, so he asked us to prepare some snacks for you before breakfast." Lian Qiao looked at her and asked, "The master means well, why don't you have some?"
"No need for that. Tell the servants to prepare breakfast and a carriage. After we eat, we'll head back to the Shen family home," Shen Li interrupted her.
Upon hearing this, Forsythia and Peony exchanged a glance, their expressions filled with even greater surprise.
"Miss, it's not even dawn yet. Dinner won't be served for more than an hour. Have you forgotten?"
Shen Li casually put her arm under her head, just like the female prisoners she had seen in prison, and said in a relaxed tone, "I haven't forgotten, I just want to eat now."
“But it’s customary to have meals at Chenshi (7-9 AM), and you’re probably breaking the rules by eating now,” Lian Qiao said, looking troubled.
"Oh? What happens if the rules are broken?" Shen Li asked leisurely.
The two were silent for a moment, and finally came to the conclusion that nothing could be done.
The Gu family was not a prominent clan and did not have many rules and regulations. Furthermore, there were no elders to restrain them in the inner quarters. To put it bluntly, these rules were simply habits that Shen Li brought from her maternal family.
She is the mistress of the household. Not to mention the servants in the mansion, even Lord Gu has to watch his face. Who can do anything to her?
Lianqiao reacted quickly and immediately turned around to notify the kitchen.
Shen Li nodded in satisfaction, and deliberately stretched in an unladylike manner as she got out of bed.
Let whoever wants to break the rules follow them. She comes from a good family and married well, so why can't she be a little willful?
"Miss, shall I prepare that crimson Shu brocade for you?" Peony asked as she combed Shen Li's hair.
"It's just going home, so it's fine as it is."
"But you're going to the Hundred Flowers Poetry Gathering this morning, so you should prepare a more formal outfit," Peony asked, puzzled. Had Miss forgotten?
"A poetry gathering?"
It was only after this reminder that Shen Li remembered that in her previous life, after visiting Li Heng at home, she went to a poetry gathering to appreciate flowers. The gathering was quite lively, attracting the vast majority of noble ladies and gentlemen of the capital.
She still remembered that her poem won first place at the poetry competition, while Lin Wan'er was slightly inferior to her.
She has always been better at poetry and prose.
Lin Wan'er excels at horseback riding and hunting, as well as long spear and short spear techniques.
“No, I’d rather spend this time talking to my parents. Let Miss Lin win the prize and show off her prestige.” Shen Li’s eyes softened as she spoke of Lin Wan’er.
"Miss Kelin is unwell at home and had already declined the poetry gathering."
Shen Li raised an eyebrow slightly, her eyes showing surprise: "She's not going either?"
Things have turned out differently than in my previous life. What went wrong?
She must find a way to investigate when she has the time. Having been given a second chance at life, she needs to take full control of everything.
Shen Li finished her breakfast with a heavy heart. As she washed her hands, her maid Ying'er came in and whispered as she approached, "Miss, the Crown Prince has sent a message asking you to return to the Shen residence. He has something to discuss with you."
When that pretty face came into view, Shen Li's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
Ying'er was her dowry maid, but she wasn't one like Lianqiao or Shaoyao, who had grown up with her since childhood. Instead, she was a gift from Crown Prince Li Heng.
It was said to be for convenient communication, but wasn't it also a way to monitor her and Gu Chang'an?
She understood this in her previous life, so she was careful in her words and deeds and never committed any disloyal acts, which ultimately helped this girl achieve her goal.
After Gu Chang'an's death, Ying'er, as a servant, exposed many of Gu Chang'an's crimes, revealing their ugly true colors to the world.
What a small world...
“Miss, this is a very important matter. His Highness will be arriving at the manor soon. Don’t you think we should hurry?” Ying’er urged her, seeing that she didn’t move.
Shen Li's eyes were unfathomable as she raised her hand and beckoned to Ying'er.
Ying'er hurriedly took two steps forward, bent down and brought her head closer.
Shen Li patted the small face that was offered to her twice, calmly reassuring her: "Don't worry, it will be resolved eventually, don't fret."
Ying'er inexplicably felt that Shen Li was very intimidating at this moment, and her sense of superiority from the palace was also diminished by this light slap. She could only lower her head and dare not urge her any further.
Shen Li smiled and stood up briskly: "Let's go."