Help! The innocent prince always tries to seduce me clumsily

Chu Shi Chaolu watched Chu Shihan walk out without looking back, while Chu Shixuan was still waiting for her answer. She asked reluctantly, "Why must the eldest brother be more handsome than the third brother? You are all obviously handsome."

"That's different." Chu Shixuan said, "You just have to promise me that no matter who mentions me and your third brother at the same time, you have to say that I am better looking."

Master Chu Chaolu didn't understand. She just felt that if she had to choose one of them, the other would definitely be sad.

"Mianmian feels that this is not right..."

"It seems that Lady Hui didn't buy any new clothes this year. I see that the clothes she is wearing seem to have been worn once."

Chu Shixuan suddenly said this for no apparent reason.

Chu Shi Chaolu immediately said, "Yes, mother made me three new sets of clothes, and the one she wore today was from last year."

"It's New Year's Day, and you don't even have a new piece of clothing. You're really frugal. Tomorrow we'll go to Kaiyuan Temple to pray for blessings, and we'll meet a lot of people. Some of them will definitely be able to tell that Concubine Hui is wearing last year's clothes. I'm afraid if a few ignorant people ask about it, Concubine Hui will definitely be embarrassed."

Master Chu Xuan showed a gentle smile and placed his hand on Master Chu Chaolu's head, as if he subconsciously wanted to pat her, but before his hand fell, it stopped in mid-air.

He tugged at the red ribbon that tied the little balls and said, "Mianmian doesn't want to see Concubine Hui being laughed at by others for not even having a new set of clothes for the New Year, right?"

Chu Shi Chaolu was stunned by what Chu Shixuan said, and she also became worried unconsciously. She grabbed the corner of Chu Shixuan's clothes and asked pitifully: "Mianmian doesn't want to see others laugh at her mother. Big brother, what should Mianmian do?"

Chu Shixuan said, "How about this, as long as Mianmian agrees, no matter who mentions me and your third brother, you must say that I am the best looking. Then, I will send someone to send some new fabrics and jewelry to Concubine Hui tonight. With these, it will be no problem to make a new dress in one night. Tomorrow, when Concubine Hui goes to Kaiyuan Temple, she will not be laughed at. What do you think, Mianmian?"

Originally, Chu Shi Chaolu was still reluctant to choose between Chu Shixuan and Chu Shihan, but now when she heard about the new clothes, she immediately agreed without hesitation.

"Okay, Mianmian promised Big Brother that Big Brother will be the best looking from now on!"

Chu Shixuan then smiled with satisfaction and said, "Then we have a deal. Mianmian is not allowed to tell anyone else about this."

"Don't worry, big brother! Mianmian and big brother have made a promise that she will not tell even mother!"

After making the pinky promise, Chu Shixuan turned around and returned to his seat, as if he had never made this agreement with Chu Shi Chaolu.

Chu Shi Chaolu happily skipped back to Chu Shitong.

Chu Shitong asked: "How is it? Did your third brother agree?"

Master Chu Zhaolu shook his head and said, "No, the Third Brother is out."

Chu Shitong complained in his heart that Chu Shihan was really good at hiding. If he had known earlier, he would have gone out and hidden for a while. However, the time for New Year's greetings would soon come. Usually at this time, the princes and princesses would come forward alone to wish Chu Shiyu and their mother a happy new year.

Then they will receive some gifts and lucky money as a good omen for the new year.

Chu Shitong had been waiting for this moment. Yun Xiangrong didn't come, so she wanted to see how Chu Shiyu would explain this matter.

"Then Mianmian will wait for a while." Chu Shitong said casually: "The third brother is much easier to talk to than the eldest brother. I don't think he will reject Mianmian."

Chu Shi Chaolu suddenly looked at Chu Shitong very seriously and said, "Just now, Seventh Brother was wrong."

Chu Shitong didn't seem to notice it on the surface, but his heart twitched slightly for a moment.

Could it be that Chu Shihan rejected Chu Shi Chaolu?

"Where did I go wrong?"

I only heard Master Chu Chaolu speaking in a firm tone, with his head held high and his chest puffed out, as if he was about to say something that would shock the world, his eyes full of determination, and he said, "The eldest brother is better looking than the third brother."

Chu Shitong: “…”

I never expected that Master Chu Chaolu was so serious just to say this nonsense.

If we have to speak strictly in a certain sense, most people prefer to be with people who seem closer to them.

Chu Shixuan looks gentle and elegant, and is naturally more likable than Chu Shihan. The two have completely different styles of appearance and there is no comparison between them.

"If Mianmian says it looks good, then it looks good."

Chu Shitong didn't care about this either.

Not long after, the chimes began to ring along with stringed music, and the sound of fireworks came from outside the palace. It was time to pay New Year's greetings.

Chu Shixuan was the first to stand up, stepped forward and knelt down to salute, saying: "Your Highness wishes your father a long life and good health. I wish the country of Beiqing peace and prosperity."

The queen waited for a long time with great anticipation, but there was still no response from Chu Shixuan.

It has been like this for so many years. The rumors about the rift between Chu Shixuan and the Queen are not groundless. Chu Shixuan does not seem to like the Queen, the mother of the Eastern Palace.

Every year during the Chinese New Year, the Queen never said a single New Year's greeting.

The queen lowered her eyes and smiled bitterly, as if disappointment had become a habit over the years.

Chu Shiyu seemed to have gotten used to it. He couldn't wait for Chu Shixuan to continue, so he simply stopped waiting and said directly: "Stand up, Xuan'er is thoughtful. This year, Xuan'er has traveled to many places for me. It's really hard work."

Chu Shixuan: "It is my duty as a son to share my father's worries."

"But I can't treat you badly." Chu Shiyu glanced at Wang Zexu, and Wang Zexu immediately ordered someone to send a New Year gift.

Not too much, not too little, a thick mahogany box with pure gold corners, containing a thick stack of silver bills.

"This money can be regarded as your New Year's money."

"Thank you, Father."

Chu Shixuan was about to leave when Chu Shiyu continued, "Xuan'er is already 23 years old, it's time for her to marry a princess. Is there a girl in the capital that you like?"

Chu Shixuan still refused as before, "I have no intention of starting a family. Compared to starting a family, I would rather establish a career first."

"But you have to get married eventually. You are already 23 years old and you don't even have a concubine to serve you. What are you thinking? How about this? After the new year, let the queen find a concubine for you first, and the position of princess will be left to you later."

Chu Shixuan pursed his lips tightly, and his voice unconsciously became a little colder.

"Thank you for your kindness, Father. I have no intention of marrying a concubine."

Chu Shitong ate brown sugar mochi and watched the fun from the side.

Master Chu Chaolu asked secretly: "Seventh brother, why doesn't the eldest brother marry a concubine?"

Chu Shitong was about to answer when he inexplicably heard a cold laugh from Chu Shifeng beside him.

Looking up, I saw Chu Shifeng looking at Chu Shixuan with a meaningful smile.

It seems like he knows the reason.

Chu Shitong couldn't help but think of the pear tree in Prince Yuan's Palace.

Could it really be related to that pear tree?

Unexpectedly, Chu Shixuan is such an affectionate man that he is unwilling to marry even a concubine for the sake of that woman.

"Xiao Qi." Chu Shifeng called in a low voice and gave Chu Shitong a look.

It was obvious that Chu Shitong was asked to follow Chu Shiyu and join in.

Chu Shitong was reluctant to do this, but due to the pressure from Chu Shifeng, he had no choice but to speak.

"If the eldest brother doesn't marry, it will be difficult for the third brother to marry either."

After saying this, Chu Shitong felt that the cold light from Chu Shixuan's eyes had fallen on him.

She gritted her teeth and smiled, "Big Brother, Father and the Empress have been talking about this for several years. I'm afraid it's not appropriate to let Father and the Empress worry about this."

Chu Shifeng also said, "Yes, the fifth brother has married a princess, and I also have two concubines. At present, the eldest brother and the third brother have not married. If the eldest brother insists on not marrying, I am afraid that if the people hear it, they will think that I and the fifth brother are not distinguishing between the elder and the younger, and are disrespectful."

Chu Shixuan stood there, his back straight, his snow-white clothes making him look like a tall black bamboo standing proudly in the snow.

He ignored Chu Shifeng's words and asked Chu Shitong: "Xiaoqi also wants to see you get married?"

The calm and sharp words had such an aura that no one in the hall dared to interrupt at this moment.

Chu Shitong was on the verge of death and had no choice but to continue speaking.

"Xiao Qi is just curious about what kind of princess would be worthy of a man as outstanding as my eldest brother."

Chu Shixuan didn't say anything else, just turned around and continued in silence.

Chu Shiyu said, "Let's just settle it. Feng'er is right. If you don't get married by the time you are 24 next year, others will hear that my princes don't distinguish between the young and the old."

"Your son... obeys your order."

Chu Shixuan bowed and returned to his seat. The leisurely feeling he had originally had disappeared without a trace, and the gloomy depression made people feel suffocated.

Chu Shitong breathed a sigh of relief. It was really uncomfortable to be used as a gun by others.

What does it have to do with her whether Chu Shixuan gets married or not? It’s better if she doesn’t get married, so that she won’t have to marry a woman with a powerful family background, which would make it even more difficult for her to deal with.

When Chu Shifeng winked at her just now, if Chu Shitong hadn't been so awkward talking, she would have wanted to ask Chu Shifeng if he was crazy.

"Seventh brother, eldest brother seems unhappy." Master Chu Chaolu said.

"Then go and make him happy." Chu Shitong said, "Mianmian is so cute, the eldest brother will definitely be happy when he sees her."

Master Chu Chaolu was deceived by Master Chu Tong again.

The following New Year's greetings process was followed in order until it was Chu Shitong's turn.

She stepped forward and saluted like everyone else.

Before wishing a happy new year, I asked this question first.

"Father, I didn't see Mother coming to the banquet today. What delayed Mother?"

Chu Shiyu glanced at the queen, who immediately smiled and said, "I forgot. Concubine Yun sent someone to ask for sick leave from me last night. I heard that she caught a cold and felt dizzy, so she couldn't come."

Chu Shitong didn't expect that Chu Shiyu had already asked the Queen to come up with an excuse.

She had no choice but to pretend to be worried and asked, "My mother is ill? Then can I ask my father for mercy and go to Luhua Palace to visit my mother after the banquet, so that I can fulfill my duty as a son."

There was no sense of disguise in Chu Shiyu's voice.

"You haven't recovered from your illness yet, and your mother is sick again. If you let her pass away, all your rest these days will be in vain. You should go back to your house and recuperate. When Concubine Yun gets better, I will let you visit her."

"Thank you, Father."

Chu Shitong really didn't expect that Chu Shiyu actually wanted to postpone this matter.

Perhaps they wanted to wait until after the New Year to announce the death, or perhaps there was something they hadn't figured out, so they kept the death a secret.

The New Year's Eve banquet that followed was no different from previous years, except that Yun Xiangrong was not there this time.

......

midnight.

Chu Shitong was forced to drink a lot of wine by Chu Shifeng, and he felt a little dizzy when he rode back in the carriage.

After returning home, I took a shower and rolled into bed to sleep.

I don't have to go to court for seven days after the New Year, but I still have to go to Kaiyuan Temple to pray for blessings tomorrow. If I'm not in good spirits, I'm afraid the young master will make trouble again.

The cold wind from outside the window blew into the hall. The hall was extremely quiet and no night lights were on.

I don't know how much time had passed, but the door was opened silently and a figure walked into the room.

Behind it was the muffled sound of clear water.

"Your Highness, our Highness has already fallen asleep."

Si Jingli glanced at the sleeping figure on the bed and hissed, "I know that if you wake up Chu Shitong, I will make you pay."

Chu Shitong felt so hot while sleeping.

As if she was locked in a furnace, she casually tried to pull away the quilt with her hands, but suddenly she felt someone next to her and she was instantly awakened from her sleep.

Under the dim moonlight, she could vaguely see Si Jingli who had fallen asleep beside her.

Chu Shitong finally felt relieved.

But today is New Year's Eve, and Prince Rong's Mansion must be very lively. Why did Si Jingli suddenly come to me in the middle of the night?

It is obvious that the two will meet tomorrow.

After thinking it over, Chu Shitong decided not to wake him up, so he got up, tiptoed out of the room, and called Rushuang out.

Rushuang jumped down from the roof and saluted Chu Shitong.

"Your Highness."

Chu Shitong was still a little sleepy and didn't want to waste time talking, so he asked directly, "Why is the prince here?"

"Prince Rong did not attend the New Year's Eve in Prince Rong's Mansion this year. He spent the New Year with Lu Jiushang in the side courtyard."

Chu Shitong's sleepiness was mixed with a bit of annoyance.

Prince Rong doesn't even pretend to be a decent guy in the mansion, right?

Rushuang said, "His Royal Highness and the other concubines in the palace waited for a long time, but Prince Rong did not show up. His Royal Highness repeatedly asked people to go and call him, and Prince Rong sent someone to tell him that he would not come to the main palace to celebrate New Year's Eve this year. The other concubines and illegitimate sons went to the side courtyard, and only His Royal Highness did not go... After His Royal Highness returned to his room, he sat alone for a long time, and only just now did he sneak out of the palace to look for His Royal Highness."

Prince Rong really didn't give Si Jingli any face at all.

He probably guessed that Lu Jiushang's innocent slap in the face was related to him. After all, Lu Jiushang was a scholar and could write.

Maybe it was about how he was punished in Prince Yu's mansion.

Chu Shitong and Si Jingli were so close, and he suddenly started an argument with Lu Jiushang, causing Chu Shifeng to slap him in the face. Prince Rong must have guessed that Chu Shitong was seeking revenge for Si Jingli.

It's New Year's Day, but he insists on celebrating it in the side yard. Si Jingli is so arrogant that he will definitely not celebrate New Year in the side yard with a bunch of illegitimate sons and concubines.

If you think about it this way, you will actually understand it.

Si Jingli and Chu Shitong are so close, and Chu Shitong is deeply loved by Chu Shifeng.

And Lu Jiushang also chose Chu Shifeng as his first backer.

In this case, either keep Si Jingli and abandon Lu Jiushang. Or keep Lu Jiushang. Except for Chu Shitong and Si Jingli, it is impossible to choose both. If you choose both, when the identity is revealed, Prince Rong will not be able to keep any of them.

"It seems that he is about to attack me."