Early the next morning, Shen Jing and Su Yourong hurried to Fairy Lake.
Fairy Lake is located in the southern part of the capital.
Legend has it that a thousand years ago, there was a great drought, and the land was filled with starving people. A fairy came to the human world, and seeing the tragic state of the common people, could not help but shed tears. Her tears fell to the ground, forming a lake that saved countless people.
Fairy Lake was named after this.
In reality, Fairy Lake is a naturally formed medium-sized mountain reservoir.
It was late autumn, and the scenery of Fairy Lake was exceptionally beautiful, with many tourists boating on the lake.
Just as the two were chatting, Ye Li arrived late.
Accompanying Ye Li were The Eldest Princess and a little brat who looked to be only seven or eight years old.
“It’s The Eldest Princess and the Fifth Prince!”
Su Yourong whispered to Shen Jing.
She was about to lead Shen Jing to bow to them, but The Eldest Princess raised her hand to stop them: “We are traveling incognito. Just address each other as friends, there’s no need for formalities.”
“Yes!”
The two immediately stopped bowing, and Shen Jing subconsciously glanced at The Eldest Princess again.
Hmm, mature, intellectual, gentle—much more interesting than Ye Li, who is still a green apple.
The Eldest Princess smiled, “Mr. Li is feeling unwell today, and Chongwen Hall is closed. I heard that Seventh Sister invited you two out to play, and Fifth Brother insisted I bring him along to join the fun. You don’t mind, do you?”
“The Eldest Princess is joking.”
Su Yourong pursed her lips and smiled, “It is our honor to be able to go out with The Eldest Princess and His Royal Highness the Fifth Prince.”
As Su Yourong spoke, she introduced The Eldest Princess and the Fifth Prince, Ye Rui, to Shen Jing.
The little brat looked at Shen Jing curiously, then tugged on Ye Li’s sleeve and asked innocently, “Seventh Sister, is this the shameless scoundrel you were talking about?”
“Pfft…”
Hearing the Fifth Prince’s question, The Eldest Princess immediately couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“…”
Shen Jing’s face darkened, and he looked speechlessly at Ye Li.
Damn it!
How strong was this girl Ye Li’s resentment towards him?
Constantly ruining his reputation!
And she was a princess, yet she had no magnanimity at all.
“Why are you looking at me? Don’t you understand that children’s words are harmless?”
Ye Li glared at Shen Jing, suppressing a smile, then patted the Fifth Prince’s head, “Be good, Xiao Wu, Seventh Sister will buy you a sugar figure later.”
Heh heh!
Children’s words are harmless?
Can you be any more obvious?
Ye Li definitely taught the Fifth Prince to say that!
“Alright, let’s get on the boat first!”
The Eldest Princess stopped Ye Li, “How can you be like this, inviting others out to play and then scolding them?”
Ye Li snorted lightly at Shen Jing, then walked towards the pleasure boat docked by the shore.
Soon, the group boarded the pleasure boat, with two other pleasure boats carrying guards for protection on either side.
On the pleasure boat, maids had already prepared tea and refreshments.
As soon as they boarded, Ye Li and Su Yourong started chatting animatedly.
Shen Jing wasn’t very interested and simply chose to remain silent.
“You’re new to the capital, are you used to it yet?”
Seeing that he wasn’t in high spirits, The Eldest Princess took the initiative to strike up a conversation with him.
“Yes, I am.”
Shen Jing replied with a smile, “I’m a tough person; I get used to anywhere I go.”
“Are you used to the battlefield too?”
The Fifth Prince tilted his head and asked curiously.
“…”
Shen Jing paused, “I’m just a scholar with no strength to tie a chicken; a place like the battlefield probably isn’t suitable for me.”
“Then why did you say you get used to anywhere you go?”
The Fifth Prince sniffed, “Seventh Sister was right, you really are a shameless scoundrel who says one thing and means another!”
“Haha…”
Hearing the Fifth Prince’s words, Ye Li, who was talking to Su Yourong on the side, immediately burst into laughter, making Shen Jing want to kick her into the lake, and secretly cursing the little brat in his heart.
So young, and choosing to be a contrarian!
He strongly suspected that Ye Li specifically brought this little brat to annoy him!
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
The Eldest Princess suppressed her smile, lightly patted the Fifth Prince’s head, and then gave Shen Jing an awkward smile, “Fifth Brother is young and speaks without thinking; don’t take it to heart.”
“No, no.”
Shen Jing gave a dry laugh, then casually asked, “Why didn’t The Eldest Princess bring her consort along to play?”
As soon as Shen Jing’s words fell, a sharp gaze suddenly shot towards him.
Shen Jing looked bewildered.
Did this girl Ye Li take the wrong medicine?
He just asked a casual question, why was she being so fierce?
Su Yourong quickly regained her composure, gently tugged at Shen Jing, and then rose to apologize to The Eldest Princess: “Shen Jing spoke out of turn; please forgive him, The Eldest Princess.”
“It’s alright! He’s new to the capital; it’s normal for him not to know these things.”
The Eldest Princess smiled again and told Shen Jing, “My consort was executed a few years ago due to certain matters…”
The Eldest Princess was quite open about it, not hiding anything.
Many people in the capital knew about this, so she had nothing to hide.
Ah?
Shen Jing was stunned and quickly said apologetically, “I truly didn’t know about this; please, The Eldest Princess…”
“Ignorance is no crime.”
The Eldest Princess pursed her lips and smiled, “Doesn’t this just show that Madam Su and You Rong haven’t gossiped about me in front of you?”
“Thank you, The Eldest Princess.” Shen Jing gave an awkward smile.
“If you say anything else inappropriate, I’ll kick you into the lake!”
Ye Li warned Shen Jing, then pulled Su Yourong back down to sit.
Su Yourong gave Shen Jing a look, signaling him not to speak carelessly.
Alright, I won’t say anything, is that better?
Shen Jing was helpless.
He had said he wouldn’t come, but Ye Li insisted!
Now that he was here, he couldn’t get along with them anyway, so what was the point?
With such thoughts, Shen Jing left the cabin and sat at the bow of the pleasure boat, quietly enjoying the lake and mountain scenery.
However, he hadn’t been peaceful for long before Ye Li came up to him.
Shen Jing pretended not to see Ye Li and continued to gaze into the distance.
Ye Li lightly kicked him with her small foot, “Why aren’t you sitting inside the cabin? Are you hiding here to sulk?”
“Not at all.”
Shen Jing turned around and smiled frankly, “I just don’t know what to talk about, so I came out to enjoy the scenery.”
“Is that so?”
Ye Li smiled with downcast eyes, then pointed to the pavilion on the opposite side of the lake and said, “When we get there, you won’t feel bored anymore.”
Hmm?
Shen Jing was surprised and subconsciously asked, “Where is that?”
“Wenyuan Tower.”
Ye Li’s lips curled up, “The talented scholars of the capital all like to compose poems, engage in couplets, and discuss philosophy at Wenyuan Tower…”
Shen Jing was astonished, “We’re going to Wenyuan Tower?”
Ye Li nodded lightly, “Since we’ve come to Fairy Lake, we definitely have to visit Wenyuan Tower! It’s also a good chance for you, the great scholar from Huaizhou, to showcase your talents…”
“You all can go, but I’m not going!”
Shen Jing refused without thinking, “I’m just a shameless scoundrel, not some great scholar! I’ve never been interested in composing poems or couplets!”
Damn it!
These so-called literati and refined scholars are everywhere.
What’s the point of composing poems and couplets?
Wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to get a foot wash and a massage with that time?
“Don’t be modest.”
Ye Li smiled and leaned closer to Shen Jing, “Your half-finished ‘ode to the goddess of the luo river’ was even praised by the Emperor himself. Today is your chance to make a name for yourself…”
“I copied it!”
Shen Jing interrupted Ye Li, “Anyway, I’m not going to compose poems or couplets, and I have no interest in making a name for myself!”
Whoever wants to go can go; he certainly wouldn’t!
He wouldn’t even enter Wenyuan Tower.
With that time, he’d rather hide on the pleasure boat and sleep…