The number one rebel of the Great Wu

Chen Changgeng followed Xiang'er into the courtyard. He had just raised his hand to bow when he almost bumped into the screen.

Looking up, I noticed that there was an embroidered screen across the entrance.

The embroidery on the screen depicts a pond of koi fish, and the fabric used is so sheer that the fish appear to be swimming in the water, lifelike and vivid.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?"

When Shen Qingci called him over, Chen Changgeng thought she had something to tell him.

As a result, hey, I got stuck at the door.

Fortunately, the screen was quite transparent, and by looking up, one could still see two figures sitting inside.

The one sitting upright and dignified was none other than Empress Shen Qingci.

The person next to him looked a little awkward, turning his head away and not daring to look in their direction.

"The lady next to me is Consort Lin, who is most fond of poetry and painting."

"Your literary talent is exceptional. Compose a poem or verse that satisfies Consort Lin; I will reward you handsomely!"

You woman!

Chen Changgeng glared at him and said, "You're still offering a reward?"

You're lucky you're not secretly ripping yourself off!

However, when Shen Qingci mentioned Consort Lin, the identity of the other party became obvious.

Lin Wan'er, the third concubine of Crown Prince Xiao Lie, was the daughter of Lin An, the Minister of Rites.

According to rumors, this woman is extremely socially anxious and truly the kind who locks herself in her room and never goes out.

After marrying into the Crown Prince's household, she didn't even dare to see the Crown Prince on her wedding day. On the night of their consummation, she even drove the Crown Prince out. It is said that she lifted her own veil.

Even the palace servants in her residence were acquaintances she brought from her own home, and her daily life was entirely taken care of by her wet nurse. She was truly an extraordinary woman.

However, Lin Wan'er seemed to have extraordinary talent in poetry and prose, and was known as the number one talented woman in Da Wu from an early age, attracting the admiration of many romantic and talented men.

Of course, if even the Crown Prince can't see someone, they wouldn't be able to see him even if they racked their brains.

Fortunately, Lin Wan'er would occasionally write poems that would circulate. If those romantic and talented men were to obtain her original works, they would treasure them as precious gems, and some would even sleep with them.

"Unlike Shen Qingci, although rumors circulate that Lin Wan'er is exceptionally beautiful, no one has actually seen her."

"I think it's mostly just the imagination of those romantic and talented men."

"She's so socially awkward and can't stand being around people, is she some kind of ugly monster?"

Chen Changgeng looked up and examined it closely, but unfortunately, he could only make out a human shape through the screen and could not make out the face at all.

My heart was itching with excitement!

"Ahem, Your Highness, this servant does not wish for any reward."

"If my poems truly satisfy Consort Lin, then I will grant you an audience with her."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci felt a surge of displeasure!

The reason she insisted on keeping Lin Wan'er was that she also had Chen Changgeng compose poems to amuse Lin Wan'er.

Lin Wan'er's condition had been deteriorating over the past few years since she entered the manor, clearly indicating that she was suffering from inner turmoil.

If Lin Wan'er were to agree to Xiao Gengzi's request, wouldn't that scare her to death?

Just as Shen Qingci was about to refuse, Lin Wan'er's timid voice rang out first.

"If, if Mr. Ruo's poems are truly excellent, then there is no need for you to point them out."

"Wan'er... would also like to see you, sir."

Shen Qingci was taken aback, and then suddenly remembered.

Lin Wan'er was so engrossed in poetry that she was never shy when discussing it with the teachers in the manor. She would even cheer like a child when she received a new book of poems.

It seems I was overthinking it!

"Okay, it's a deal!"

Chen Changgeng stood at the door, hands behind his back, pacing around twice.

"Searching and searching, so desolate and lonely, so sad and miserable. In this fickle weather of early spring, it's hardest to find peace. A few cups of weak wine, how can they withstand the evening's fierce wind! The wild geese fly past, and I am heartbroken, for they are old acquaintances."

"Yellow chrysanthemums lie scattered on the ground, withered and faded; who now would be worthy to pick them? Alone by the window, how can I bear the long night? The paulownia tree, accompanied by fine rain, drips and drops until dusk. This state of affairs, how can a single word of sorrow describe it!"

Each word was slowly read aloud by Chen Changgeng.

The coolness there was like a spring rain, quietly washing over everything.

For a moment, silence fell, as if everyone had been pulled into an abyss by the plaintive words.

"Sir, why is this poem so sorrowful?"

After a long while, Lin Wan'er was the first to come to her senses, her voice slightly hoarse.

"Exactly! Who told you to write such sad lyrics!"

Shen Qingci shuddered and immediately began to complain in a low voice.

Her intention was to cheer Lin Wan'er up, but after hearing these words, Lin Wan'er's sorrow deepened, and two lines of tears appeared on her pretty face!

"Cough cough, this... I deserve to die!"

"My family was destroyed and I was suddenly moved to write this."

"If I have displeased Consort Lin, please punish me!"

"No, no, no!"

Lin Wan'er stood up anxiously and looked at Shen Qingci.

"Sir, your words are excellent; Wan'er is very satisfied!"

"Please don't punish the gentleman, Sister Shen."

"I wonder if you could give this poem to Wan'er?"

"These words resonate with Wan'er's feelings. Wan'er wants to go find Sister Lan and compose a song for it."

"Singing and playing instruments in the courtyard in the future will also help to soothe... my emotions!"

"Sister Lan?"

Chen Changgeng searched his mind and quickly remembered Liu Rulan, the second concubine of Crown Prince Xiao Lie, who was a skilled musician!

Liu Rulan is well-versed in music, and all kinds of musical instruments shine in her hands like the eighteen martial arts!

"Very well, since my sister is pleased, I will naturally not punish her, but reward her instead."

"Xiang'er, bring out that gold ingot and give it to Xiao Gengzi as a reward."

Upon hearing that there was a reward, Xiang'er breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went inside, bringing out the gold ingots that the Jiang family had given her earlier.

Wow! They've really gone all out!

This woman is unusually generous!

The gold ingot in front of me is bigger than an egg, and it must be at least twenty taels. If converted to silver, it would be two hundred taels!

However, gold is far rarer than silver, so generally no one actually tries to exchange it.

Chen Changgeng happily pocketed the gold ingot, then bowed.

"Your Highness, since Consort Lin is satisfied with this poem..."

"That……"

Among all the literary talents who admire Lin Wan'er, none have yet seen her true face.

Even Crown Prince Xiao Lie probably hasn't seen Lin Wan'er more than a few times.

Thinking of this, Chen Changgeng felt increasingly expectant and even a little excited.

"younger sister?"

Shen Qingci turned to look at Lin Wan'er, seeking her opinion.

Lin Wan'er lowered her head slightly, a hint of shyness appearing on her face, and said timidly.

"Please come in, sir."

With a wave of his hand, Shen Qingci immediately removed the screen from Ru Shuang and Ru Yi's back.

Chen Changgeng, head held high and chest out, strode forward!

In an instant, their eyes met, and both were taken aback.

Lin Wan'er was tall and slender, and her pretty face, though without makeup, was unexpectedly beautiful!

Her eyebrows were delicate and arched, her eyes were filled with a mixture of joy and resentment, and she had a faint beauty mark at the corner of her eye, as well as a pale and sickly complexion.

It's so beautiful that just one glance from her fills you with a protective instinct!

"Her mind is more discerning than that of Bi Gan, and her illness surpasses even that of Xi Shi!"

Chen Changgeng sighed inwardly!

Seeing Chen Changgeng's gaze growing increasingly intense, Lin Wan'er finally realized what was happening. Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head, her heart pounding wildly.

"Shen, Sister Shen, I still want to go find Sister Lan."

"Then... I'll take my leave now!"

Lin Wan'er panicked and rushed to the door, almost bumping into Chen Changgeng's chest.

Startled, she looked up, her beautiful eyes darting away, and immediately turned and ran towards the back room as if fleeing.

"Hey!"

"Ru Shuang, Ru Yi, hurry and see Wan'er off."

"This silly girl, please don't fall again!"

Shen Qingci waved his hand, glancing back a few times with concern. Seeing that Ru Shuang and Ru Yi had followed, he turned around to look at Chen Changgeng.

Suddenly, a hint of murderous intent appeared in her beautiful eyes!

"All of you, step back!"

"Little Gengzi, come here!"

Shen Qingci knew perfectly well what Lin Wan'er's behavior meant!

The most urgent task is to warn Chen Changgeng first, and not let this scoundrel ruin Wan'er!