Chapter 194 Why did you have to turn over a new leaf when everything was fine?
"I know that all you care about is having a shoulder to lean on when you're vulnerable."
"Fame and fortune are like dirt to you."
"What you truly desire is to meet someone who genuinely understands you."
"Some things are destined to happen."
"Do you believe in fate?"
Yue Yao was stunned for a moment.
"Fate?"
Shen Yulou said, "Fate brings people together from a thousand miles away; without it, they stand face to face and do not meet. The Buddha said that five hundred glances in a past life are exchanged for a mere brush of shoulders in this one.
Tonight, you and I can spend this beautiful night together on top of the Imperial City.
What kind of fate do you think this is?"
"Five hundred glances…"
Yue Yao's pupils trembled slightly as she savored Shen Yulou's words.
Shen Yulou directly pulled her into his embrace, his nose touching hers.
"All your past experiences were meant for you to meet me."
"I am your destiny, do you understand?"
"Life is full of lovesickness; this regret has nothing to do with wind and moon!"
This last line of poetry completely broke through Yue Yao's defenses.
Like a heavy hammer, it shattered her psychological barrier.
The emotions she had suppressed for so many years were suddenly unleashed!
After he finished speaking, Shen Yulou leaned in and kissed her.
The moonlight endlessly elongated their silhouettes.
On the spire of the tower, they formed a beautiful tableau.
Downstairs.
The small piece of charcoal in Li Hui's hand was almost sparking from all the writing.
There were truly too many knowledge points!
Look, this is professionalism!
This is a true master!
Song Hu leaned his head over for a look and whispered,
"Old Li, lend me your notes to copy later."
...As dawn broke, the first ray of golden light pierced through the clouds, scattering over the top of the Imperial City.
Yue Yao awoke to the sound of birdsong.
She slowly opened her eyes, first feeling a warm and strong embrace, and then the faint masculine scent unique to Shen Yulou lingering at her nose.
The two of them had spent the night embracing each other on the highest floor of the tall tower.
Yue Yao subconsciously checked her body.
Her clothes were intact, with nothing amiss.
This man… he really didn't do anything?
He was completely different from those eager men.
Last night, he didn't turn into a wolf as she had imagined, doing anything out of line to her.
He simply held her, and under the starry sky, told her stories all night long.
He spoke of "Three Trials of Yutang Chun," about the courtesan Su San, who, after enduring many hardships, finally had her injustice redressed and reunited with her beloved.
He spoke of the famous courtesan Du Shiniang, who gave her heart to the wrong man, saw through the coldness of men, and ultimately plunged into the river with her treasure chest.
He also spoke of the extraordinary woman Liang Hongyu, who rose from a camp prostitute to an anti-Jin war heroine.
Her drumming during the Battle of Jinshan earned her eternal fame.
These stories, full of twists and turns, made Yue Yao frown at times and sigh at others… On the lower floor of the tower.
Li Hui and Song Hu were huddled together, yawning incessantly, their eyes heavy with sleep.
Song Hu rubbed his sore neck, lowered his voice, his face full of question marks.
"Old Li, what do you think Lord Shen is up to? These stories… why are all the protagonists courtesans? Isn't that a bit too… you know?"
Li Hui was writing furiously and didn't even lift his head, saying matter-of-factly,
"What do you know! Lord Shen is using targeted strikes!
Do you think Yue Yao wants to hear stories about noble young ladies managing their households and raising children?
You straight man, listen carefully and learn!
These are all knowledge points!"
Song Hu: …He could now confirm that Lord Shen was truly amazing.
But this Li Hui was truly a bit… eccentric… On the top of the tower, holding the beauty in his arms, seeing her lazy and relaxed appearance, was very pleasing to the eye.
"Awake? Did you like those stories from yesterday?"
Yue Yao sat up from his embrace, tidying the hair at her temples that had been ruffled by the night wind.
After a moment of thought, she answered seriously,
"Very touching, very interesting. However, I found the story of Liang Hongyu to be just average."
"Oh?" Shen Yulou raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
"Why would she want to reform when she was doing perfectly fine?"
"…"
Shen Yulou almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.
Li Hui: …Song Hu: …Shen Yulou took a deep breath, a desolate expression replacing his previous one, and slowly stood up.
"It's dawn, and I should go.
To have spent this night talking with you by candlelight is truly one of life's great joys, as if… I found a kindred spirit."
At this point, he changed his tone, his voice full of helplessness and sadness.
"It's a pity that we each serve our own masters. The next time we meet will be in the imperial court.
At that time, we will be enemies, and for our respective interests, we will inevitably clash."
Yue Yao also stood up, facing the morning sun, her demeanor graceful and charming.
She looked at Shen Yulou, her eyes complex, yet also carrying a hint of admiration.
"Indeed. I admire you greatly, Shen Yulou.
But I must complete the Lord's mission.
When that time comes, I will not show you any mercy."
Their eyes met, one full of deep affection, the other valiant and spirited. The air was filled with a lingering sense of reluctance.
Finally, they both turned and drifted away in different directions… At the Princess's Residence.
As soon as Shen Yulou entered, the Princess rushed over as if catching him in the act.
Without a word, she pointed at his waistband, saying concisely,
"Take them off! Let me check!"
Shen Yulou stumbled, almost falling flat on his face.
"Grandma, calm down! In broad daylight, what kind of behavior is this!"
He said grumpily, "Don't worry, nothing happened!"
At this moment, Li Hui and Song Hu also followed in from behind, standing in unison to testify.
"Princess, we can prove it! Lord Shen truly only chatted with her about romance all night, absolutely innocent!"
Upon hearing this, the Princess's delicate brows furrowed, her face showing a look of disappointment.
"Did nothing? If he did nothing, how will he win her over? How will Yanyun City come into our hands?!"
"Sometimes, sacrificing one's looks isn't necessary."
Shen Yulou straightened his clothes, putting on a profound and mysterious air.
"Anyway, I've done my best. Whether it succeeds or not depends on how I perform in the imperial court tomorrow."
The Princess nodded, then announced, "Tomorrow, I'm going too. I already regret not seeing you deal with Gongsun Changlin last time, so this time I must see it with my own eyes!"
Li Hui immediately smiled and leaned in, "Princess, you don't know, the scene last time, tsk tsk, it was truly spectacular!"
Song Hu's face darkened beside him.
"What's so spectacular? Just some opportunistic tricks."
Song Hu was clearly still a bit unconvinced by his previous failure.
The Princess's gaze instantly swept over him, carrying a hint of threat.
"If you don't want us to go, that's fine. Then don't expect us to offer you advice on your messy business with Su Qian."
Song Hu's face immediately fell, and he instantly caved.
He darted in front of the Princess, forcing out a fawning smile.
"Don't say that, Princess! You should still go!"
"I can't go back!"
"I am your family's person in life, and your family's mascot in death