“Shen Gongzi was seized and taken into Anyu Princess Residence.” Hua Zhuozhuo came in quickly to report, and after glancing at the figure on the bed, he suddenly lowered his head, his face instantly turning crimson, as if it could drip blood.
Chu Ningzhao had just finished bathing and was leaning against the bed, flipping through the Sixth Prince's homework.
Her lower legs were exposed, swaying gently and rhythmically. Looking upwards, one could see a layer of crimson gauze barely covering her upper thighs, and further up were the bed curtains.
Several layers of gauze curtains overlapped, only allowing a vague silhouette to be seen behind them, which, in its semi-transparent state, was even more evocative…
Hua Zhuozhuo was grateful for these layers of curtains, but he couldn't help but harbor some inappropriate thoughts.
As soon as he thought of this, a light pink color spread from the tips of his ears to the areas covered by his collar.
Chu Ningzhao asked without raising her head, “Why was he seized and taken in?”
According to Shen Zhi, shouldn't he have been invited in with great ceremony? And served with good food and drink?
Hua Zhuozhuo had already lowered his head, but he could still see Chu Ningzhao's swaying lower legs.
Finally, as if resigned to death, he closed his eyes and stammered, “He was… seized and taken in, and the attitude of some of the servants was also… not very good.”
With his eyes closed, his senses became even more acute. The recently bathed room was filled with warm, humid steam, and the fragrance of flowers wafted from the steam.
Chu Ningzhao closed the Sixth Prince's homework; his handwriting was terrible, unbearable to look at.
His handwriting wasn't as good as Shen Zhi's.
This had just been delivered today. Chu Ningzhao had previously instructed the eunuch by the Sixth Prince's side to send his homework every few days so she could know what the Sixth Prince was learning and if he was working hard.
“Zhuozhuo, send this back tomorrow and tell them not to send it anymore, and not to send it in the future either.” Chu Ningzhao raised her hand, waiting for Hua Zhuozhuo to come forward.
Hua Zhuozhuo didn't move; he still kept his eyes tightly shut, repenting his sordid thoughts…
“Hmm?” Chu Ningzhao pushed aside the bed curtains and saw a thoroughly flushed Hua Zhuozhuo. She sat up in surprise, “Who hit you?”
Hua Zhuozhuo suddenly snapped back to reality. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw the part that had been covered by the bed curtains…
He knelt down with a thud, unconsciously covering his eyes with his hands, and spoke in a flustered voice, “No… I wasn't hit.”
He had already covered his eyes, so there was nothing Chu Ningzhao couldn't figure out.
Such innocent and adorable reactions were amusing.
Chu Ningzhao suppressed her smile and walked over to him, saying, “Hold out your hand.”
Hua Zhuozhuo felt her approach and dared not open his eyes even more. He obediently held out his hand, still thinking he was about to be hit.
“Take these things, send them to the Palace tomorrow, and tell them not to send anything anymore, don't forget.” Chu Ningzhao placed a few sheets of paper in his hand and then told him to leave.
Hua Zhuozhuo fled in a hurry, but he would not forget the task she had given him.
…
Shen Zhi changed his clothes and followed the servant to see Chu Yu.
Their first conversation in his previous life was much later, and at that time, everything he wore and carried was prepared by Chu Ningzhao.
In this life, he was dressed simply, but at least he got to speak to Chu Yu earlier!
Chu Yu had told him that although they didn't speak when they first met, she clearly remembered his appearance: simple cloth clothes couldn't hide his noble aura.
At that time, Chu Yu already believed in her heart that the Shen family definitely had not rebelled.
See, even when Chu Yu wasn't familiar with him, she trusted the Shen family so much.
Shen Zhi was extremely excited internally. The regret of his previous life finally had a chance to be remedied, and for this, even if he suffered, it was worth it.
Upon reaching the flower hall, Shen Zhi looked straight ahead, his gaze warm and sincere!
Chu Yu frowned. His eager gaze, in Chu Yu's eyes, was disrespectful.
“What are you looking at? Why don't you kneel down?” The maidservant reprimanded.
Shen Zhi didn't really want to kneel. Although he had knelt before everyone when he first arrived in the capital half a month ago, ever since he was taken in by Chu Ningzhao, he only knelt when he saw the Emperor.
His body was humble, but the soul within him had long developed dignity.
He looked at Chu Yu with a pleading gaze, thinking Chu Yu could see his predicament.
Unexpectedly, Chu Yu became even more impatient and questioned, “Didn't anyone teach you manners at my older sister's place?”
Shen Zhi was greatly startled and knelt down in a hurry. In fact, ever since he came out last night, he had already been very disheveled, with no dignity left.
But he felt that this was something he had to endure to see Chu Yu.
As long as he saw her, everything would be fine. Now that he had seen her, why did it feel a bit different?
He didn't even know how to greet her after kneeling. Chu Yu looked at him like a block of wood and thought to herself, no wonder Chu Ningzhao didn't want him.
“Weren't you taken back to the residence by my older sister? Why did you come out again and cause a commotion in front of my residence?” Chu Yu questioned.
Shen Zhi didn't think much and blurted out, “I don't want to live in Zhaoyang Princess Manor. I came here specifically to request the Princess to take me in.”
Chu Yu was shocked. This person was so down and out, yet he was still so picky!
Not to mention his current status as a criminal, even if the Shen family were innocent, it wouldn't be his turn to be so choosy, would it?
“Shen Gongzi, you… ” Chu Yu found it hard to speak, not knowing how to scold him.
At this moment, Shen Zhi also reacted, his face flushing crimson with extreme shame.
His original intention was not this; he thought that if he came, Chu Yu would voluntarily take him in without him having to say anything.
But Chu Yu didn't, so he spoke without thinking, revealing his true feelings.
Chu Yu thought for a while and finally said, “It's not that I, the Princess, am unwilling to keep you, but… it's still a bit inappropriate. How about this, you can stay in the residence for now, but you can't go out freely, nor can anyone know you are here.”
“I'll think of a way to plead with my older sister and see if I can get her to take you back.” Chu Yu said with a smile, offering to help.
This big trouble must be sent back to Chu Ningzhao.
Shen Zhi wanted to refuse, but he felt it wasn't the right time. Had Chu Yu misunderstood something, thinking Chu Ningzhao hadn't released him, which was why she dared not take him in?
It didn't matter, he would stay with Chu Yu for now, and he could explain the rest later.
Although the situation was very different from what he had imagined, at least his goal was achieved.
Chu Yu added, “I, the Princess, am not yet married. Taking in an unfamiliar man in the residence might cause controversy, so I'm inconveniencing you.”
“Thank you, Princess. As long as the Princess is willing to take me in, I don't feel inconvenienced.” Shen Zhi excitedly agreed.
He had also suffered inconveniences with Chu Ningzhao; it was nothing more than not being allowed to go out or see outsiders. At that time, he hadn't even felt it was an inconvenience; he could completely endure it!
Shen Zhi was led away by someone, and Chu Yu instructed, “Have him chop wood and carry water in the back kitchen. Tell him to keep his mouth shut and not to talk nonsense outside. That way, in the eyes of outsiders, the residence will simply have one more servant to command.”
“You don't need to give any special instructions either, lest the people in the residence become suspicious.”
The maidservant took the order and went to make arrangements.
Shen Zhi moved into the servants' quarters of the Princess Manor, a large communal room shared by several people, right next to the stables. His roommates were either horse groomers or carriage drivers.