The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 178 Is this for real?
Upon hearing this, Zhiwan and the others looked at him in surprise.

Unexpectedly, he directly rejected Princess Chang Le.

Bai Yi realized what was happening and couldn't help but worry for him. He tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Long Jin, now is not the time to be stubborn. This is a rare opportunity, you should seize it."

Shen Longjin remained unmoved and continued to bow.

Princess Chang Le looked at him with a half-smile, "I like boorish men. It's no use refusing. If you know what's good for you, come with me. I will certainly not treat you badly."

Shen Longjin shook his head, showing no sign of compromise, "Even if you are a princess, you cannot force people to do things against their will."

Princess Chang Le's expression turned completely somber.

Seeing this, Yuanbao scolded, "Shen Longjin, it's your good fortune that the princess has taken a liking to you. Don't be ungrateful and anger her."

"Please, Your Highness, retract your order." Shen Longjin bent down a little further, but his attitude was resolute.

Princess Chang Le was so angry she laughed. She flicked her sleeves, put her hands behind her back, and said coldly, "Are you tired of living, defying me like this?"

Seeing this, Zhiwan was startled, fearing that Shen Longjin was unaware of the seriousness of the matter and might lose his life in a moment. She hurriedly stepped forward and whispered, "Young Master Shen, don't act rashly. You should go with the princess."

Upon hearing this, Shen Longjin turned his head and glanced at her.

She wasn't wearing a veil today, but her face was covered by one.

Although her entire face was obscured, her exposed eyes were unbelievably beautiful.

He paused, then shook his head. "Miss Zhi, there's no need to persuade me. My mind is made up."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan frowned.

Why is this person so stubborn?

Doesn't he know that angering the princess will have serious consequences?
But when she met his eyes, she knew she couldn't persuade him.

She walked back to Wei's side, somewhat dejected.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, fearing that Princess Changle would punish Shen Longjin, Madam Wei stepped forward to persuade him: "Longjin, I know you are a good child with your own ideas and principles, but now is not the time for you to act impulsively. If you anger the princess, you will not be able to bear the consequences. You are still so young. If you lose your life because of this, it will be a great loss."

Moreover, following the princess will not disadvantage you; a meteoric rise to power is just around the corner.

Upon hearing this, Shen Longjin bowed to her and said, "Thank you for your advice, Madam Lu, but I do not wish to go with the princess, even if it costs me my life."

Wei looked at him in astonishment.

She hadn't expected that even after laying out the pros and cons in front of him, he would still be so stubborn, willing to risk his life for her.

She sighed.

This child is a good child. He doesn't bow down to power, nor does he bend over for wealth and glory. This shows that he is a person with courage and integrity.

It's a pity that he caught the eye of Princess Chang Le. Otherwise, if he had been taken in as Wan'er's husband, he would surely have been able to live a good life with Wan'er, take care of her, and protect her.

Thinking it over, Lady Wei couldn't help but say to Princess Chang Le, "Your Highness, this child is stubborn, tactless, and lacks charm. He's not very interesting. Perhaps I should find you another one..."

“Madam Lu, I have taken a liking to him. I have no interest in anyone else.” Princess Chang Le suddenly interrupted her, then took two steps forward, reached out and lifted Shen Longjin’s chin, scrutinizing him for a moment. The anger on her face was replaced by interest. “The more stubborn you are, the more interested I become. I love taming stubborn people!”

Shen Longjin's expression changed, and he brushed her hand away, "Please, Princess, have some self-respect!"

"Self-respect?" Princess Chang Le circled him with amusement. "So what if I don't respect myself?"

Shen Longjin said with a grim expression, "Your Highness, you must be careful about propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame!"

"I don't care about propriety, morality, or shame. Since I've taken a liking to you, you must come with me!" Princess Chang Le suddenly smiled, took two steps back, and waved her hand. A group of imperial guards immediately stepped forward and surrounded Shen Longjin.

"Lift him up and take him to my bedchamber!" Princess Chang Le ordered.

"Yes!"

The imperial guards responded in unison.

Zhiwan and the others were dumbfounded.

Is Princess Chang Le really serious now?
“Princess Chang Le, you can’t force someone to do something they don’t want to do!” Shen Longjin clenched his fists.

"I love to force people to do things they don't want to do!" Princess Chang Le sneered.

Shen Longjin had also learned martial arts in the army, but two fists are no match for four hands, and he was quickly defeated. Zhiwan and the others watched helplessly as Shen Longjin was carried away in a grand manner.

"Zhiwan, I stole your man today. I'll invite you to dinner another day to make amends!" Princess Changle winked at Zhiwan.

Zhiwan's forehead was sweating, and her lips twitched as she said, "Your Highness is too kind."

apologize?

You don't have to.

She can't handle it.

Princess Chang Le said no more and gracefully boarded her carriage and left.

The atmosphere was a little weird for a while.

"Long Jin... he'll be alright, won't he?" Bai Yi couldn't help but break the silence.

Madam Wei came to her senses and comforted him, "No, Longjin... good days are waiting for him."

Although being a male concubine sounds bad, it comes with endless riches and honors.

Bai Yi felt relieved upon hearing this.

He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Madam Wei and Zhiwan, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality today, Madam Lu and Miss Zhiwan. I will now return to my camp."

Madam Wei nodded and glanced at Granny Fang.

Fang Mama understood and said to Bai Yi, "Young Master Bai Yi, may I speak to you in private?"

Bai Yi was a little confused, but he still followed and walked to the side.

"Wan'er, let's get in the carriage first." Madam Wei took Zhiwan's hand and got into the carriage.

After Granny Fang returned, the carriage left Qingyin Pavilion, and the group returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

Today's events left Ms. Wei in a somewhat bad mood.

Who would have thought that the candidates she arranged for Zhiwan to marry into the family would be snatched away by Princess Changle, and the other would be seduced away by her maid?
Zhiwan could tell that she was in a bad mood, so she comforted her, "Aunt, I don't care about what happened today, so please don't take it to heart either."

Madam Wei sighed and patted her hand, saying, "You've really suffered."

Zhiwan smiled and shook her head, "Wan'er is not suffering. Wan'er has her aunt and her cousin."

She didn't really feel bitter, after all, she had only met Shen Longjin and Bai Yi three times.

These two men were quite suitable for her criteria for choosing a husband, but they were suddenly snatched away, and she has to spend time looking for someone else.

Seeing that she really didn't care, Madam Wei was relieved and held her hand, saying, "Don't worry, I will definitely find you a better husband."

"Ah."

Outside the gate of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

After the carriage came to a stop, Zhiwan and Wei Shi had just gotten off when they saw Old Madam Lu, supported by Aunt Wang and her son, getting off another carriage.

No one knows what amusing thing Aunt Wang said, but Old Madam Lu's face broke into a smile.

"Mother."

"Old lady."

Wei and Zhiwan stepped forward to greet them.

Upon seeing the two of them, Old Madam Lu's expression softened slightly. "You've gone out too?"

"Yes." Madam Wei nodded and took the old lady's arm from Aunt Wang's.

"This concubine greets Madam." Aunt Wang hurriedly bowed to her, then pulled her son over and urged, "Xuan-ge'er, quickly call out to Mother."

Without even lifting an eyelid, Madam Wei said coldly, "Don't shout nonsense. I only have one son, Lu Zhan. No one else should get involved."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Wang, clutching her handkerchief, felt embarrassed and awkward. "I know you are not happy, but Xuan-ge'er... is the Duke's son, and he should, should call you Mother."

(End of this chapter)