Crown Prince Yan Beichen: As expected of my study companion, you understand my heart.
Soon, their pleasure boat docked, and the commander of the Imperial Guards came over, saluted, and then escorted Xue Kaijie and Liu Wentong to the Ministry of Justice prison.
Looking at Liu Wentong, who was dejected and seemed to have no will to live, Shen Mingzhu really couldn't help but feel sorry for him this time.
[Guagua, are Liu Wentong's family members still alive?]
[Host, they're all gone! The Hu people killed them long ago!]
Shen Mingzhu: ...
Those despicable barbarians!
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Su Huaiyuan stepped forward and said,
"It's almost lunchtime, let's all go to Tianxiang Restaurant."
Crown Prince Yan Beichen glanced at Shen Mingzhu and nodded.
"Let's go."
Tian Xuezhou: I have no money!
But the crown prince agreed, so he had no choice but to go to Tianxiang Tower with him.
On the way, he came to a realization: all the officials in the court knew he was broke, and Grand Secretary Su certainly knew it too…
The Tianxianglou Tower was unusually lively today. Upon inquiring, it turned out that people from the Langya Wang clan had come to the capital!
Xiao Yanzhi, Zhao Deren, and the others all gathered here. Instead of going to a private room, they booked the entire hall.
The reason is simple: To admire Shen Mingzhu's couplets and poems.
Young Master Wang wanted to see what kind of poem could defeat Xiao Yanzhi.
"Excellent! Excellent! This is indeed a fine poem!"
As soon as Crown Prince Yan Beichen entered, he heard the clear voice of Wang Chuanzong, the son of the Langya Wang clan, ring out in the hall.
Upon seeing the visitors, Xiao Yanzhi and his entourage quickly bowed, while Crown Prince Yan Beichen waved his hand, indicating that everyone should make themselves at home.
The waiter then led them directly to a private room on the second floor.
[Guagua, who was that just now?] He has a great taste! My poem has to be top-notch!
[Host, that's Wang Chuanzong, the youngest son of the Langya Wang clan head. He's the Wang family's little tyrant, very talented, but also incredibly cunning. He's a master of manipulation, making the Wang family head both love and hate him.]
Oh my, the God of Wealth is here again!
Crown Prince Yan Beichen: ...
Attention, Wang clan of Langya! Attention, Wang clan of Langya! You have a huge order that needs to be delivered promptly!
"Brother Xiao, who was that just now?"
"Brother Wang, that is His Highness the Crown Prince, and next to him is Shen Mingzhu, the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue. The poem you admire was written by her!"
"She truly deserves to be called a talented woman. She is also dignified and beautiful. No wonder she can write such wonderful and exquisite poems."
I'd love to get to know her.
I really want to have a match with her.
Looking at Wang Chuanzong's expression, Xiao Yanzhi thought to himself.
Okay, okay!
Keep it up!
This is exactly the state I'm looking for!
Brother Wang, you must keep it up!
[Guagua, isn't the youngest son of the Wang family head rich?])]
[Host, absolutely! The Wang family is a powerful clan with a history spanning hundreds of years, producing many empresses. They're incredibly capable!]
Shen Mingzhu's lips twitched as she glanced at Yan Beichen beside her.
[Could they have taken a liking to Yan Beichen? But then again, the Crown Prince is truly handsome—good-looking, with a great physique, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and of impeccable character. He will undoubtedly inherit the throne; he is indeed an excellent choice for a son-in-law.]
When Crown Prince Yan Beichen heard Shen Mingzhu praising him, he proudly raised his head. That's just how he is!
He is just that outstanding and charming!
Becoming my Crown Princess, you've really hit the jackpot!
Shen Mingzhu: Like a peddler praising his own wares!
Yan Beichen: Don't be stubborn, I'm telling the truth!
Shen Mingzhu: Your cousin, who once had a crush on you, has fallen for your cousin instead. Have you forgotten?
Crown Prince Yan Beichen: ...That was an accident!
Shen Mingzhu: Life is full of surprises.
"Guagua, do you think the Wang family has any young ladies of marriageable age?"
[Host, all the young ladies of the Wang family are engaged, leaving only their three-year-old eldest granddaughter!]
Shen Mingzhu: ...
Wow, they're quite popular!
Crown Prince Yan Beichen: The young ladies with renowned talents are all betrothed before their coming-of-age ceremony, and the engagement is finalized after the ceremony.
[Guagua, can you show me what businesses the Wang family owns in Beijing?]
[Wow! Host, no wonder he is from a family that's been around for hundreds of years! The Wang family has dozens of shops in the capital, and in the suburbs, they not only own estates and farmland, but also several hilltops!!!]
[Great! I've caught a 'fat sheep'!]
Wang Chuanzong, you're the one!
Xiao Yanzhi listened intently to Shen Mingzhu's thoughts from downstairs, and nodded in satisfaction at the end.
Okay, okay!
Let it develop like this!
He likes it!
Xiao Yanzhi looked at Wang Chuanzong with eyes full of sympathy.
Brother Wang: Better to die for your fellow Daoist than for this poor Daoist!
I believe you will understand.
We will always be the best of brothers.
The Xiao family of Jinling and the Wang family of Langya will always watch over and help each other.
[Hahaha~~~ Host, you're so funny! Your metaphor is so apt!]
[Absolutely, we need to think of a solution! I'll go talk to Prince An this afternoon, hehe~~~]
Prince An suddenly felt a chill down his back. What was wrong with the weather? It suddenly turned cold.
Now, Prince An followed Prime Minister Lin to the Prime Minister's residence.
They found Master Mo, who was teaching chess and told him about his origin but Master Mo didn't believe them and thought Prince An was a fraud.
Looking at Prince An, who resembled Maitreya Buddha, Master Mo truly didn't believe it at all.
His parents said that the kinder a person is, the scarier they are!
Clearly, Prince An was being too kind!
Lin Yuxin looked at Prince An, then at her grandfather, and finally at Master Mo, her face full of question marks.
"Grandfather, is this true? Master Mo is the son of a prince?"
Seeing his granddaughter's delighted expression, Prime Minister Lin said seriously,
"Yuxin, mind your manners."
"Yes, grandfather."
It seems the person she likes is the son of a prince. Does that mean the two of them can be together?
Very good!
I'm so excited!
Lin Yuxin was so immersed in her immense joy that she clearly overlooked Mo's thoughts.
This Master Mo had no intention of recognizing Prince An, and even asked Prince An to provide evidence.
Prince An: What evidence do I have?
My very presence here is the greatest proof!
Why is this kid so stubborn!
What's wrong with being the son of a prince?
Why would he choose to continue being a poor scholar?
Can a poor scholar marry the granddaughter of a prime minister?
I reckon this kind of thing will never happen again, even in eight hundred lifetimes, unless Miss Lin decides to stop being the daughter of the Prime Minister's family!
Then she'll become Lin Baochuan!
On the other side, at Tianxianglou Restaurant, Tian Xuezhou's eyes lit up as he looked at the delicious food.
Hehe~~~
It smells so good!
[Guagua, look what Prince An is doing!]
[Host, Prince An is trying to acknowledge his son. But It seems his son is ignoring him, and he's still earnestly trying to persuade the boy to return to his ancestral home!]
[What's wrong, Guagua? He doesn't want to be the son of a prince? How can Master Mo marry Miss Lin Yuxin? Is he going to make the granddaughter of the dignified Prime Minister of Great Yan eat chaff and wild vegetables with him?]