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

Chapter 242 Long, slender fingers had already wrapped around her sash.
Princess Chang Le paused, as if only then remembering that she was still beside her. Just as she was about to say something, Shen Longjin moved her hand away. "Your Highness, please have some self-respect!" After saying that, he was about to stand up. "This humble servant will take his leave now."

"Shen Longjin, how dare you defy my will?" Princess Chang Le narrowed her eyes, her face showing slight anger and displeasure.

"This subordinate dares not," Shen Longjin frowned, "but..."

"But what?" Princess Chang Le asked impatiently.

Shen Longjin remained silent for a long time before saying, "This is not... the rule." His handsome face was already slightly red.

"In this mansion, I am the rule, and you only need to obey." Princess Chang Le's expression softened slightly as she extended her slender fingers, wanting to stroke his face.

Zhiwan: "..."

Seeing the princess flirting with Shen Longjin as if no one else was around, she wished she could crawl under the table.

Fortunately, Shen Longjin was quite rational.

He turned his head to avoid Princess Chang Le's touch and reminded her, "It's getting late, Your Highness, please send someone to escort Miss Zhi back first."

Princess Chang Le then remembered that Zhi Wan was sitting next to her.

She turned to look at Zhiwan, her expression already showing displeasure, "Can't you leave on your own?"

As if granted a pardon, Zhi Wan quickly stood up and said, "I'm leaving now."

Princess Chang Le thought for a moment and then offered a suggestion, "The painting in Xuan Yuan Jing's hand was presented to her by someone else. Who have you offended recently? I just happened to be there today, but I can't guarantee that your portrait won't be presented to Father Emperor again next time."

Zhiwan paused for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."

Princess Chang Le waved her hand, "You should leave now."

Zhiwan's lips twitched slightly. "Yes."

She practically ran out of the dining room.

As soon as she left, Princess Chang Le grabbed Shen Longjin's collar, pulled him closer to her, and said with a half-smile, "Now you have no excuse, right?"

"Your Highness isn't drunk?" Shen Longjin moved her hand away and asked with a hint of helplessness.

Princess Chang Le stood up, spreading her hands, and said, "Do I look drunk to you? I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk..."

Before she could finish saying the word "drunk," her body suddenly felt light as Shen Longjin lifted her up in his arms.

She blinked, looking at him with some surprise, "What are you going to do?"

"As the princess wishes," Shen Longjin said calmly, carrying her out of the dining hall and towards her bedchamber.

Princess Chang Le tilted her head and looked him over. Seeing that he didn't seem to be joking, she couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable.

She opened her mouth several times as if to speak, but in the end she didn't say anything, though her brow was tightly furrowed.

Shen Longjin immediately noticed the person in his arms tense up and hesitate to speak.

He paused for a moment, pretending not to notice, and carried her straight into the bedchamber.

Placed on soft bedding, Princess Chang Le finally lost her composure and tried to get up, but Shen Longjin suddenly sat down beside her, supporting himself on the bed with one hand and using the other to untie the sash of her dress.

Upon seeing this, Princess Chang Le's breath hitched. "W-what are you doing?"

She was so nervous that she stammered a little.

"Your Highness doesn't know?" Shen Longjin asked in return.

Princess Chang Le: "..."

Shen Longjin's gaze swept over her fingers, which were quietly clutching the bedding. A slight smile played on his lips as he lowered his head to continue untying her sash. "This humble servant has been eating and drinking for free in the Princess's residence for so long. It is only right that I serve Your Highness."

Princess Chang Le: "..."

Because of nervousness, a thin layer of sweat had formed on his fair forehead.

Seeing that the man's slender fingers had already wrapped around her sash, and that it would loosen with just a gentle tug, she couldn't help but swallow hard and hurriedly said, "I'm covered in sweat, I need to take a bath." After saying that, she quickly sat up and shouted loudly, "Someone, prepare water, I need to take a bath."

The servants who had already left the bedchamber rushed in. "Quick, quick, help me to take a bath!" Princess Chang Le hurriedly reached out to the servants, practically fleeing in panic.

She finally breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the clean room.

But then I immediately felt that I shouldn't have done that.

She's a princess.

How could she be intimidated by a gigolo?
Therefore, after taking a bath, she calmly walked out.

He planned to use his authority to intimidate Shen Longjin.

However, when she went out, she saw Shen Longjin sitting on the chaise longue where she usually sat, reading a book, looking relaxed and carefree.

Although he came from a humble background, he was born with a handsome appearance. In addition, during his time living in the princess's mansion, his originally slightly dark skin had become fair and smooth. The way he held the book in his hands at this moment even had a touch of the refined temperament of a scholar.

Princess Chang Le was stunned for a moment.

Is this still that lowly soldier with the command flag?
Seeing her come out, Shen Longjin closed his book and stood up. "It's late, Your Highness, please go to bed early. This humble servant will return now."

Princess Chang Le hadn't yet recovered from being captivated by his handsome face when she saw him walk past her, book in hand.

The wide sleeves brushed against her arms.

She paused for a moment, then instinctively grabbed his sleeve.

Shen Longjin paused, glanced at the sleeve that had been grabbed, and then looked at her. "Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"

When Princess Chang Le met his gentle gaze, the courage she had mustered in the purification room suddenly crumbled.

She paused, released his sleeve, and casually tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "No, I'm not." Her gaze fell on the book in his hand, and she asked curiously, "What are you reading?"

Shen Longjin paused for a moment, then handed the book in his hand to her.

Princess Chang Le took it, flipped through it, and looked at him in surprise, "You're reading the Spring and Autumn Annals?"

"Mm." Shen Longjin nodded.

Princess Chang Le paused for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Can you understand it?"

Shen Longjin was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "What makes you say that, Your Highness?"

Princess Chang Le said tactfully, "I heard you're in the army, a flag bearer..."

"Yes." Shen Longjin nodded, not at all flustered. "But I also read some books in my spare time."

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le patted his shoulder and encouraged him, "Reading is a good thing. You can read more when you have time. If you need any books, you can just ask Yuanbao to find them for you."

Shen Longjin glanced at her hand on his shoulder, paused, and then said, "Your Highness, I would like to participate in this year's Autumn Examination."

Princess Chang Le withdrew her hand and looked at him in surprise, "Why would you want to participate in the autumn imperial examination?"

What she really meant was that you can't pass an exam just by reading two books.

But looking at Shen Longjin's handsome face, she found it hard to bring herself to say anything hurtful.

“I never thought about it before, but now…” Shen Longjin suddenly took a step closer to her.

Princess Chang Le stared at him blankly.

Shen Longjin raised his hand to support himself against the wall behind her, and lowered his head slightly, saying, "This humble servant comes from a humble background, and has caused Your Highness's reputation to be damaged."

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le vaguely guessed his thoughts and looked at him in surprise, "You want to participate in the autumn examination for my sake?"

Shen Longjin looked at her without saying a word.

Princess Chang Le frowned. "But I am not afraid of the rumors outside. You don't need to force yourself for my sake."

In her view, Shen Longjin came from a military background, and the autumn imperial examination was too difficult and too far away for him.

(End of this chapter)