readsfreenovel Chapter 292 Still Don't Like It
Chapter 292 Still Don't Like It
"Of course we should avoid suspicion. It's not proper for a man and a woman to dine together alone," Cheng Ruojin replied.
Shen Yue disagreed, saying, "But the Ninth Prince has always been unruly since he was a child. He has been scolded by his teachers and His Majesty for this a lot. You're the one who said it, Sister."
Shen Li and Cheng Ruojin exchanged a glance, genuinely unable to come up with a rebuttal.
Other princes would certainly have been calm and cautious in dealing with this matter, but Li Rui was not like that. Although he was also steady in his work, he was never restrained. If he were to go, no one would be too surprised.
"In my opinion, it's because he doesn't like that princess," Shen Yue analyzed logically.
Shen Li chuckled and flicked her head: "What do little kids know about love?"
Shen Yue covered her forehead, pouting aggrievedly, thinking to herself, "If you hadn't brought me here, I would be practicing my marksmanship at home right now."
“However, what Sister Yue’er said makes sense. With the Ninth Prince’s spoiled and dissolute nature, how could he remain unmoved after being invited by a beauty three times if he liked her?” Cheng Ruojin chimed in.
When her sister couldn't see, Shen Yue nodded slightly to Cheng Ruojin.
“You know, women from the North are so open-minded. If it were us, even if we liked someone, we wouldn’t be able to say it,” Cheng Ruojin said. Then she added, “Sister Shen, do you think we’re being a bit too closed off?”
“Yes.” Shen Li said with certainty, “We have been influenced by etiquette since childhood and are too restrained.”
She was like that in her previous life, reading the nonsense of "preserve heavenly principles and extinguish human desires," and even though she fell in love with Gu Chang'an, she restrained herself from getting close to him, repeatedly torn between her desires and her own.
Looking back now, it seems absurd. She still admires Hu Ji's personality, but she doubts her motives.
If it's genuine, that's a good thing. However, it's clear that Da Liang is on a mission with ulterior motives, and she's worried that Li Rui might inadvertently fall into their trap.
“I should learn from this and take the initiative.” Cheng Ruojin was even more eager to try after hearing that Shen Li also agreed with this approach.
"Oh? You have someone you like?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Ruojin's expression fell again: "No."
She now feels that she has a lot of skills, but nowhere to use them.
"Take your time, it will happen." Shen Li comforted her. At least she didn't suffer the same postpartum hemorrhage as in her previous life. No matter which path she took, it was a bonus.
The two sisters had lunch at the Cheng residence before leaving. On the way, Shen Li hesitated about whether to give Li Rui a heads-up.
She worried that the Hu woman had ulterior motives, but also hesitated because if it was genuine affection, her reminder might ruin a good match.
After much deliberation, she dismissed the idea. Although Hu Ji was clever, Li Rui was no ordinary person either, and she might not necessarily fall into his trap and suffer a loss.
Moreover, Hu Ji was a princess from an enemy country, so Li Rui would not be unguarded when he approached her.
If they love each other, that would be wonderful; then she wouldn't have to worry about Li Rui's romantic relationships in the future.
As time passed, the day of the palace banquet drew near. This year, the Empress Dowager was unwell and would not hold a birthday banquet; instead, this banquet was for entertaining envoys from various countries.
The palace banquet was a large-scale event, and officials of the fourth rank and above were allowed to bring their families. Shen Li decisively attended as the wife of a high-ranking official, since her own official rank was only fifth rank.
On that day, she wore the official robes of a noblewoman and left the mansion hand in hand with Gu Chang'an. They boarded a carriage and headed towards the palace gate. Although there was some congestion along the way, it was still quite orderly.
"I heard that the Heisei Prince is the same one who came from Japan this year?" Shen Li asked Gu Chang'an, who was inside the carriage.