Chapter 153 \nT/N: Back from my hiatus! Got a ko-fi during my break so hereâs two extra chapters dedicated to Josephine F.! Thank you very much for your kind support! (ïŸâăźâ)ïŸ*:ă»ïŸ\nThe so-called âidentity changeâ that Shen Zhen referred to was actually transforming himself into Chu Jiaoâs bodyguard whose duty was to âpersonallyâ protect her on this long journey.
And, âShen Zhongxingâ would rejoin their group a few days later with the justification of his frail physique.
Lin Wenyue had always kept herself within the boudoir, so she did not know about the matter of the
Shen Residence catching fire back in the capital. Once they had left the capital, the matter of the fire had quietly disappeared in the wind. After all, compared to the upheaval caused by the imperial court, the matters of the residence only had insignificant importance, hence, it was easily forgotten by the people after a few days.
This was also the reason why Shen Zhen had dared to use Shen Zhonxingâs name to roam around.
Even if the worst case occurred and his identity were to be exposed, he still brought along with him several other objects that could potentially save his life and prove his identity. \nTheir journey, this time, was secretly ordered by the emperor. The original âOfficial Shenâ had been reprimanded by the emperor and punished to reflect over his mistakes in isolation, so nobody discovered his noiseless departure. On the other hand, the Shen Family was pressed on all sides to raise money, so how could they have the time to keep an eye on the backstabber and âunworthy sonâ who didnât lift a finger to help them.
Contrarily, Shen Zhen did as he pleased, whereas Chu Jiao still had to deal with Lin Wenyue.
After their group reached the relay station, Chu Jiao and Lin Wenyue sat down to have a good conversation. It was also during this talk where they had clearly introduced their identities.
Lin Wenyue finally put down her previously harbored suspicions towards Fu Lai and heaved a breath of relief. Although she hadnât seen her brother-in-law, she had finally seen her sisterâs nominal âdaughter-in-law.â
Chu Jiao was already too lazy to care about the proper way to refer to her considering how muddled their family hierarchy was, so she continued referring to her as âLady Lin.â
While the two people conversed casually, Shen Zhen loyally stood behind Chu Jiao wearing a fiendish expression. The moment Lin Wenyu stepped inside and cast him a glance, she didnât dare look towards his way again.\nOnly the heavens knew that she was terrified of these boors the most, and so, she didnât have the heart to make small talk with Chu Jiao. She even forgot to inquire about Shen Zhenâs matter and sat on pins and needles as she finished her meal, quickly hiding back in her room alone after.
Chu Jiao burst into a fit of laughter. Why did the male leads of every world look at the female leads as though they were the enemy? She didnât even need to lift a finger to break them up as the two would naturally begin to part ways themselves. She had so much free time that it was as though she was on a holiday and was travelling through different worlds to experience various love stories.
Once the person who had disturbed them finally and tactfully left, Shen Zhen boldly sat down and asked the waiter to serve half a catty of meat and a pot of Shaoxing Yellow Wine.
âDo you really think of yourself as a true hero of Greenwood1Refers to popular hero in Robin Hood style.?â Chu Jiao looked at the table filled with food and curiously raised a brow, âOr had you not eaten yourself full these past few days?â
Shen Zhen nonchalantly picked up a piece and chewed it up while explaining, âItâs not that I wasnât full, itâs because there was someone who was still hungry.â
When they got off the carriage, Shen Zhen guarded Chu Jiao very closely, so Chu Jiao didnât see the many refugees that dithered outside the shop, appearing emaciated and starved.
\nBecause he was preoccupied with appeasing the aftermath of the disasters, Emperor Xie Yu hadnât had the time to look into this matter more closely. Now that the situation has been relieved, he finally had the time to clean up these pesky imperial vermins that leeched off the lives of the common people.
Shen Zhen received the Emperorâs secret order for him to head South and investigate the whereabouts of the grains and relief fund he had sent before. When necessary, he could take action first before making a report.
Naturally, Shen Zhen was loyal and devoted when he accepted the emperorâs decree in front of him but when he turned his back, he brought Chu Jiao along on the trip and treated it as though he was going for a walk in the spring.
If Emperor Xie Yu had come to know that his trusted official was currently indulging in a passionate rendezvous, one could only be afraid that he would be so furious as to take back the powers he had bestowed upon him.