nycdaug Chapter 155 Uncle Rui
Chapter 155 Uncle Rui
Looking at her like this, Shen Nian'an's anger inexplicably dissipated a bit.
He was really susceptible to this. Fu Rou's appearance reminded him of the happy times his family had secretly shared outside.
Fu Rou is very good at pleasing people and always shows his vulnerable side to him, while Xie Wanru never shows this side to him, making it almost impossible for him to feel protective of her.
"Never mind, it's fine if you don't know."
Shen Nian'an sighed. It was normal that Fu Rou and her son, who had only recently entered the manor, wouldn't know this. "The manor has indeed been facing difficulties lately, and we don't have any extra money. So, I'm afraid our proposal to set up a private school won't be possible. But I will take Yan Zhi's education seriously. I will ask around to see if I can secure a place for him at another academy in the suburbs. There are good academies in the suburbs, but even if he can't return to the manor every day, it will still allow him to interact with more outstanding students, which will help him to calm his mind and focus on his studies."
Fu Rou, however, felt that this was inappropriate. In her opinion, Shen Yanzhi was still young and how could he manage without his parents by his side?
Previously, when Shen Nian'an brought Shen Yanzhi back to the Shen residence alone, Fu Rou often couldn't sleep peacefully, as she was always worried that someone would harm her child.
Moreover, the environment of academies in the suburbs must be very poor.
But she didn't dare to directly refute Shen Nian'an now, since Shen Nian'an had already said that he would value Shen Yanzhi's education. If she said anything, she might upset Shen Nian'an again. She had to win Shen Nian'an's favor first.
Just like when they were outside, Shen Yanzhi would listen to any suggestions she made.
So, Fu Rou changed her approach and said, "Second Master, your consideration is very thoughtful, and I am extremely grateful. However, Yan Zhi is still young and has never been away from us before. I am worried that he will not be able to adapt. Why don't we let Yan Zhi try it first? If it really doesn't work out, we can consider other methods. What do you think?"
Shen Nian'an considered it for a moment and felt that Fu Rou's words made some sense. There were indeed a few good academies in the suburbs, but they were too far from the bustling streets of Xuancheng, making it inconvenient to visit them.
Once Shen Yanzhi has calmed down, he can go to the academy in the city and ask if he can bring him back.
After all, he was his own son, and he couldn't bear to see his child suffer.
"Alright, let Yanzhi try it out first. Once he's a little more obedient and things have calmed down, I'll find him a place closer to home. You should prepare some changes of clothes and daily necessities for him in advance."
Shen Nian'an explained.
He felt that the child was unruly and that sending him to a place with harsher conditions would help him improve. Besides, he really didn't want to discipline Shen Yanzhi anymore; he was tired of it and wanted him to suffer.
And so, Shen Yanzhi's matter was settled.
Although Fu Rou still had concerns in her heart, she dared not show them on her face and only obediently replied, "Yes."
Fu Rou then returned to her room, where Shen Yu'er was playing with her maid, her silvery laughter adding a touch of life to the dull morning.
Fu Rou looked at Shen Yu'er and made a silent vow that no matter what, she would fight for the best future for these two children.
Even if Yan Zhi is not the best, she is still the eldest grandson of the Shen family, but her daughter needs to prepare to marry into a high-ranking family. She will never let her daughter follow in her footsteps.
She was insulted and scorned by the world, but what did she do wrong? All she wanted was for her children to be with their father and have a better life.
Shen Cong'an was always keeping a close eye on the situation at the Shen residence, but at this moment he was more concerned about Xie Wanru's news.
He had already received news that Xiao Yan had won a great victory in his first battle. The report was still on its way, but his men had already passed the news to him. The emperor would find out a little later.
Xiao Yan has become suspicious, and the next step is to make Lou Li also question Xiao Yan.
As soon as Xie Wanru entered Xuancheng, she heard the people on the street talking about the fact that a gambler had appeared in the Shen family. She remembered that this matter should not have been exposed yet.
After all, Lin Qing's previous purpose was to tease Shen Yanzhi and let everyone in Xuancheng know that the Shen family had a concubine who was included in the family genealogy, but he did not publicize that Shen Yanzhi was addicted to gambling.
With doubts in her heart, she quickened her pace back home.
She sneaked in through the back door and changed back into her usual robes in the study where she often had private talks with Shen Cong'an. Then someone came to report.
"Princess, you're finally back! Miss Lin is disguised as you and is receiving His Highness Prince Rui at the Lakeside Pavilion. His Highness said he wanted to go fishing and wouldn't let Miss Lin go. You two... I'm afraid it won't be easy to switch your identities back."
The little girl was very anxious; her face was flushed.
"Junior Sister, why don't you wait here until Miss Lin has dealt with that Prince Rui, and then you can go out."
The eldest brother suggested.
Xie Wanru shook her head after hearing this. Prince Rui was unfathomable and not so easily fooled. Moreover, he kept coming to her princess's residence. In time, the gossip outside would drown her.
Having been given a second chance at life, she carries the mission of defying fate, not wasting her time with an idle person.
"Chun'er, tell Dongzhu to do this first..."
Xie Wanru called the maid named Chun'er to her side and quietly gave her some instructions.
This time, she really wanted to ask Prince Rui what he was up to. If he was really bored, he should go find someone else. Her residence, as a divorced woman, was not suitable for a prince like him.
Chun'er obeyed the order and ran towards the Lake View Pavilion.
When Dongzhu learned that her princess had returned, a huge weight was lifted from her heart.
Lin Qing didn't want Prince Rui to come to the mansion today, but since he had come twice and she had pretended to be sick once, Prince Rui would definitely become suspicious if she continued to pretend. So she had no choice but to come to see Prince Rui wearing a veil.
Seeing her like this, Prince Rui pulled her aside and said he wanted to go fishing.
The princess's mansion was built right where a stream passed by. The stream flowed through the backyard of the mansion and then into the Yangtze River. In the deeper mudflats of the stream, there were indeed some fish of medium size.
Lin Qing refused to go into the water to catch small fish with him, citing that she had not yet fully recovered.
She was afraid that if she got too close to Prince Rui, her identity would be discovered.
"By seniority, you should call me Imperial Uncle. What are you afraid of? Are you afraid I'll throw you into the river?"
Prince Rui looked at Xie Wanru, who was wearing a veil on the shore. He didn't believe that she was ill, since she was dressed like this even in the mansion.
Princess Yongchang of their Great Zhou Dynasty, how could she fall ill so easily?
Lin Qing really wanted to push this strange old man into the water. He was a perfectly normal person, so why did he have to torment people like this? He seemed to have gone crazy.
But no matter how much he cursed in his heart, Lin Qing didn't dare to show it.
She could only continue to play the role of "Xie Wanru," the Princess of Yongchang, and forced a smile, saying, "Uncle Rui, you are joking. I am just afraid that this illness will affect you, and that would be my fault."