Guide to Failing as a Full-Level Green Tea-Chapter 36 - I Held Her Back

Consort Li looked at Consort Shu with some surprise and hesitation. “I thought the Crown Princess was on good terms with you…”

Consort Shu scoffed. “If I recall correctly, Consort Li, you entered the palace the year before last, right?”

Consort Li nodded slightly. “Yes.”

Consort Shu patted her belly. “Consort Li.”

Consort Li was momentarily stunned and quickly responded, “Uh, yes?”

Consort Shu chuckled, picking up a fruit. “I didn’t call you here just to talk about these trivial matters.”

“I heard your father bought the hot springs at Little Sparrow Forest?”

Consort Li rarely interacted with the other palace members and was unsure of Consort Shu’s temperament.

“Yes.”

Consort Shu laughed softly. “I need a close confidante by my side. You see, your father is only a fifth-rank official, and I hear you have a brother preparing for the imperial examinations.”

“A lot of things require careful handling.”

Although Consort Li was not one to fight for favor, she was perceptive. While Consort Shu’s words chilled her heart, she quickly understood.

After a brief hesitation, she looked up with a gentle smile at Consort Shu.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

“Your Highness, after the Spring Festival, it is the best time to soak in the hot springs to nourish the lungs and blood. The Ministry of Rites mentioned it a few days ago.”

Consort Shu smiled, “Hmm, I am a bit tired. You may go back now.”

Meanwhile, in Cloud Radiance Hall.

A man in black stood before Xu Zening. “Your Highness, we found nothing.”

Xu Zening frowned deeply. “You checked everything?”

The man in black hesitated. “Hmm… that fake eunuch showed up again.”

Xu Zening’s frown deepened. “Dismissed.”

The man in black nodded slightly and disappeared into the shadows with a swish.

The door was gently knocked, and Gao Huaichang’s voice came through, “Your Highness, Consort Shu’s people are here with urgent news.”

Xu Zening covered the items on his desk. “Let them in.”

Consort Shu’s personal nanny respectfully bowed to Xu Zening.

“Your Highness, our lady is worried about you and sent me to inform you.”

She glanced at Gao Huaichang as she spoke.

Xu Zening looked at her and then signaled Gao Huaichang to leave with a slight wave.

Once the door was securely closed, the nanny straightened up.

“Your Highness, since our lady learned of this matter, she has been sleepless with worry and didn’t know how to bring it up. Finally, she decided to leave it to you.”

The nanny placed a wooden box on the table in front of Xu Zening.

Xu Zening glanced at it and spoke with concern. “Consort Shu is not in good health. She shouldn’t worry about such matters.”

“Nanny, please speak plainly.”

The nanny, seeing Xu Zening’s kind attitude, relaxed and took a deep breath.

“Your Highness, I shouldn’t be the one to say this, but the Crown Princess has committed a serious transgression by secretly corresponding with an outside man.”

Xu Zening was taken aback, completely unprepared. He placed his hand on the box.

“In here…”

The nanny sighed. “These are the letters exchanged by the Crown Princess.”

The room fell silent.

Outside, the wind rustled the leaves, and a corner of a red garment quietly slipped away in the shadows.

The nanny continued to speak, watching Xu Zening’s expression.

He did not show the expected anger, but rather a sense of regret.

“I held her back.”

The old nanny stood there, dumbfounded by his words. “Your Highness, you…”

Xu Zening’s eyes reddened as he spoke. “Nanny, please advise Consort Shu to take care of her health.”

After saying this, he clutched the box tightly, waved the old nanny away, and she was escorted out by Gao Huaichang.

Upon returning to the palace, the old nanny relayed everything to Consort Shu.

Consort Shu ground her teeth in frustration. “That little girl Shen Roujia always knew this wouldn’t hold her down.”

In her anger, she raised her hand and slammed it on the table.

“The Crown Prince is a weak and useless man. What difference does it make if he knows!”

“No, we can’t let this matter rest.”

…

Xu Zening exhaled lightly and coldly pushed the box aside.

He casually rummaged through it, his expression pausing with evident surprise.

The box closed with a click.

His eyes glinted. “Interesting…”

Since Shen Roujia had arrived, this was the first time she had lived so comfortably.

The Eastern Palace had many good things. She even found a piece of ice silkworm silk in the storeroom.

She turned it into a veil, which felt as thin as a cicada’s wing against her skin.

Xiao Fu brought in a variety of food. “Your Highness, would you like some tea?”

Shen Roujia was about to nod when she heard footsteps approaching from outside.

She choked on her fruit, “Cough, cough, what’s happening?”

Xiao Fu craned her neck to look.

Gao Huaichang directed people carrying things into the courtyard. “Your Highness.”

Shen Roujia caught her breath and stood up. “What are you doing?”

Gao Huaichang smiled and bowed respectfully. “His Highness feels sorry for your suffering and wants to stay with you. He ordered us to bring the memorials and documents here.”

Shen Roujia’s eyes widened. “What!”

Ignoring her reaction, Gao Huaichang began directing the others.

Shen Roujia’s small courtyard was soon filled with maids and eunuchs.

Shen Roujia, initially confused, couldn’t understand why Xu Zening suddenly did this.

Young people can be unpredictable…

It wasn’t until dusk that Xu Zening was finally pushed in.

Shen Roujia and Xu Zening stared at each other, neither speaking.

Although Shen Roujia was unhappy, she didn’t show it.

Xu Zening glanced at her briefly, then turned to the desk to review the memorials.

Seeing this, Shen Roujia was infuriated.

She had disfigured herself to avoid various troubles, but Xu Zening’s presence only made things worse.

Now, she had no freedom and couldn’t leave the Eastern Palace easily.

Taking several deep breaths and mentally preparing herself, Shen Roujia turned and smiled.

“Your Highness, would you like something to eat first?”

Xu Zening glanced at the crumbs on the table. “No.”

Following his gaze, Shen Roujia noticed the remains of the pastries.

“Oh no, I was just about to make some soup for you.”

Xu Zening didn’t look up. “No need, have someone else do it.”

He paused slightly. “You are still recovering. Rest well.”

Shen Roujia couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, How can I rest well if you don’t leave!

Xu Zening looked at her calmly. “I will stay here tonight. Are you nervous?”