usatvline Chapter 313 Would you like to consider me?
Chapter 313 Would you like to consider me?
In the courtyard of Ningfengzhai, a uniquely shaped pavilion stands quietly.
A gentle breeze blew, and the bamboo curtains in the pavilion swayed slightly, making a slight rustling sound.
At this time, Shen Chuning and Xie Xiuqi were sitting face to face on either side of the stone table.
Shen Chuning smiled, a hint of teasing in her eyes, and said, "As soon as you saw the imperial decree announcing the additional examinations, you rushed to the capital! You're really fast."
Xie Xiuqi picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then replied slowly, "Actually, I had already packed my bags and set off when the eldest prince first started rebelling. However, the scenery along the way was so picturesque and refreshing, so I decided to take the opportunity to enjoy the scenery. When I arrived in the capital, the imperial edict announcing the additional special examinations had just been posted."
Hearing this, Shen Chuning couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and pondered in her heart.
Even those scholars who stayed away from the court disputes and devoted themselves to reading the books of sages knew that it was the eldest prince who had rebelled this time, but the emperor insisted on putting all the blame on Wen Zhiyong alone.
I don't know whether he did this to save face for the eldest prince or to save face for himself.
Then, Shen Chuning looked at Xie Xiuqi and said earnestly, "When the eldest prince had just begun his rebellion and the situation was still unclear, you decided to go to the capital. Were you sure he would fail and that His Majesty would definitely hold an additional special examination? Moreover, it was during the turmoil of war. What if something unexpected happened on the way? What would you do?"
Facing Shen Chuning's questioning, Xie Xiuqi didn't panic at all. Instead, he suddenly leaned forward, staring straight into Shen Chuning's eyes, raised a sly smile, and asked softly, "Chuning, what you said...are you concerned about me?"
Shen Chuning was startled when she saw him suddenly approaching, and subconsciously leaned back.
Because the movement was too sudden and violent, she lost her balance, staggered, and almost fell to the ground.
After finally stabilizing herself, she opened her eyes wide and glared at Xie Xiuqi fiercely.
She gritted her teeth and said, "Stop flattering yourself! I'm only asking a few more questions because your grandfather was my father's mentor and you're about to become my uncle's disciple."
Hearing this, Xie Xiuqi was slightly stunned, then the corner of his mouth raised with a hint of a smile, and he slowly sat back down.
He feigned disappointment, sighed feebly, and muttered to himself, "Oh, so that's how it is... It seems I was just being too sentimental."
After saying this, he deliberately shook his head, pretending to be heartbroken.
However, Shen Chuning wasn't buying it. She snorted coldly and turned her gaze to Xie Xiuqi again. "Tell me how you knew the eldest prince's rebellion would fail."
He raised his head, glanced at Shen Chuning casually, and then replied lightly: "I'm not a god in heaven, how can I know these things."
Shen Chuning's eyes widened. "You didn't know? You knew the eldest prince was planning a rebellion, yet you still rushed to the capital to join in the fun. Normally, most people would have been so scared of something like this that they would have run as far away as possible. You wouldn't be like that."
Xie Xiuqi curled his lips and said nonchalantly, "Do you understand what it means when opportunities and challenges go hand in hand? The First Prince has rebelled. If he succeeds in seizing the throne, his first priority upon ascending the throne will undoubtedly be to eliminate those stubborn old ministers who refuse to obey his orders. Wouldn't that leave many vacancies at court? At a time when the court is desperate for talent, breaking with convention and recruiting talented individuals would be a legendary achievement for generations to come. Even if the First Prince ultimately fails, those officials who secretly supported him will inevitably be purged. And to fill these vacancies, His Majesty will undoubtedly hold a special imperial examination to select talented individuals. Then, I'll be able to rush to the capital to take the imperial examination and showcase my abilities. As for your concerns about possible accidents along the way, remember that I have the Taishan Xie family behind me, representing half of the world's literati. No matter who sits on the throne, they would never dare to attack me."
Hearing this, Shen Chuning couldn't help but tease, "No wonder your grandfather never wanted you to enter the government too early. You actually want to drag half of the world's scholars into gambling with you at every turn!"
Xie Xiuqi stiffened his neck and retorted confidently, "How can you say you're gambling with me? You know, since ancient times, the winner is king and the loser is a bandit. Back then, the late emperor valued Prince Rui, but in the end, didn't Your Majesty still triumph over the brothers' struggle and ascend the throne smoothly?"
After hearing what Xie Xiuqi said, Shen Chuning's heart tightened and she looked around quickly in panic.
Only after she confirmed that the maids were standing far away did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Shen Chuning frowned slightly and said angrily, "How can you be so reckless? How can you say such things so casually? You must know that this is a taboo for His Majesty!"
But at this time, Xie Xiuqi didn't care. He folded his hands in front of his chest and leaned leisurely on the fence of the pavilion.
He raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and responded with a hint of sarcasm: "Humph, since he can do it, can't others talk about it?"
"You can say whatever you want outside, but you can't say it to our Shen family, otherwise..."
However, before she could finish, Xie Xiuqi laughed and interrupted her, "It's too late to say that now! I've already become your uncle's disciple, so I'll naturally live in the Shen Mansion for the rest of my life. This way, we can see each other often. From now on, we're all in this together!"
Although Shen Chuning knew that with the friendship between Shen Huaizhong and the head of the Xie family, and Xie Xiuqi's knowledge, it would be easy for her to become his uncle's disciple.
But her own affairs were involved after all, and it was her father who wrote the letter to her uncle first, which made it impossible for her uncle to refuse.
If the Shen family really encounters any difficulties because of Xie Xiuqi in the future, I will be blamed for it.
Xie Xiuqi seemed to understand Shen Chuning's worries.
"I went through so much trouble to get this opportunity to become your disciple, and you can't go back on your word! Besides, I've already completed the ceremony of becoming your disciple, and it's useless to regret it now!" Xie Xiuqi said to Shen Chuning triumphantly with a sly smile on his face.
Shen Chuning frowned slightly, glanced at Xie Xiuqi, and slowly said, "It seems that not many people are interested in my marriage. In my opinion, you should quickly collect your engagement letter. After all, no one else knows the inside story except my parents. There are many families in the capital waiting to find a son-in-law based on the list. After you take the imperial examination, there will surely be many matchmakers who will come to your house to arrange a marriage for you."
Hearing this, Xie Xiuqi's expression changed slightly, but soon returned to normal.
He raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a brilliant smile. He looked at Shen Chuning expectantly and said, "Would you like to consider me?"