She is the Side Character! — Watch Her Change her fate!-Chapter 278: Must You Marry the One Who Saved You from Drowning? (49)
Ah Chen was slightly taken aback when Shen Xuan saw Shen Hui dipping garlic in vinegar, but he didn’t think too much of it, as these two things were quite common and eating them together wasn’t unheard of.
After that, there was no further movement; the few of them silently continued eating.
Once they’d nearly finished, they put down their chopsticks, and the servants and maids came to clear the dishes.
However, when they arrived at Shen Hui’s side, they paused for a moment upon seeing the garlic skins on the table, and quietly asked, "Does Your Majesty need to keep these garlic skins?"
Shen Xuan turned to look at Shen Hui, who had arranged the garlic skins in the shape of a small dog, and his eyes widened.
He looked up to see Shen Hui’s slightly swollen nose and clenched fists.
[System, come out now!]
System: [Host, call me Brother Tong, and I’ll answer you.]
Shen Xuan was out of patience: [Brother Tong, the Emperor’s nose is swollen from an allergy to chili peppers, right? It’s not a coincidence, is it? He was my brother in my past life, wasn’t he?]
He wasn’t a foolish person; the other party had wanted chili peppers, garlic, and vinegar, clearly noticing him first and using this as a test. If he weren’t, he definitely wouldn’t have noticed the connection.
If he were, he would definitely react.
And the small dog made from garlic skins—wasn’t that used to amuse him as a child?
[Host, I’ve always told you, our company doesn’t mistreat those who work hard. Since you already suspected, I can tell you now, he is indeed your brother—his name is the same, but in this era, royal power reigns supreme, and it’s not the same level where the Emperor’s name would be mentioned, hence why you didn’t know.]
Shen Xuan took a deep breath, feeling startled; if he’d known fulfilling tasks would let him meet his brother, he would have done them from the beginning rather than waiting till now.
But thinking about it, if he had done it back then, he probably wouldn’t have gone to Lanru County.
Perhaps this was destiny’s best arrangement.
[Brother Tong, you’re always my Brother Tong now.]
The system was pleased: [Host, go acknowledge your brother quickly, united brothers can cut through mountains of gold; your meeting also marks the passing of this difficult phase.]
Two great fortune-bearers joining forces, the thing behind them would have no place to hide and only perish here, yet have to admit the other party has some skills, making it tough for the company, fortunately, this world still has Shen Xuan. Coincidentally, Shen Xuan and Shen Hui were brothers in their previous lives.
[Host, who would have thought the Emperor is your Shen Xuan’s brother; now there should be no concerns, Shen Xuan is likely to give anything useful to his brother.] 997 was somewhat surprised, luckily, with the host, he could also eavesdrop on Shen Xuan and his system’s conversations.
Upon learning this news, Ah Chen was taken aback, yet not particularly surprised.
She had faintly sensed this before, that Shen Xuan had his opportunities, so she didn’t intervene much, only taking action at key moments, with him mainly choosing based on his intentions.
It turns out his opportunity was to recognize his brother from a past life.
That’s quite good.
It seems he has many regrets about this matter.
"Take them away," Shen Hui said, having confirmed that this was the younger brother he remembered as obedient and sensible; just in this life, appearing as a playboy, causing his oversight, as in his impression the younger brother was often very well-behaved, unimaginable to be chased by their father with a bamboo stick even in his teens.
Yet, on closer thought, before the age of ten, the younger brother wasn’t particularly obedient, rather mischievous.
Later, after the family faced changes, he became obedient, relying on him as though growing up overnight.
Life before ten was good, but too bitter afterward, leaving no time to remember the days before ten.
If the family hadn’t faced changes, if he hadn’t met with misfortune later, the younger brother would likely be as he is now.
His voice pulled Shen Xuan back to reality.
Shen Xuan looked at Shen Hui with slightly reddened eyes; neither said much, it wasn’t the time yet, too many people around.
And there were many things in his heart, not easily expressed in a short time; waiting for things to be settled here, then seek an opportunity to speak.
But he wanted to share this news with Chenchen right away, so he nodded to Shen Hui, instructed the servants and maids to surround and protect him, then pulled Ah Chen into the carriage.
Shen Hui: ...
Just leaving him here?
Yet he wore a smile.
"Chenchen, no one should be eavesdropping on us, right?" Shen Xuan asked softly.
Ah Chen shook her head: "I’ve checked, no one’s eavesdropping, you can speak quietly."
Shen Xuan whispered in her ear: "The Emperor is likely my brother, from a past life. Did you see that small dog made out of garlic skins? He used to make things like that to amuse me as a child, he can fetch materials at any time, making whatever resembles what he wants."
"Later on, he even learned to paint, showing great talent."
Since he was paralyzed, he could only learn these things.
But his body couldn’t endure, unable to work on them for long periods.
If he were healthy, my brother would certainly have made some achievements.
"My brother won’t harm me, Chenchen, do you believe?" Shen Xuan asked a bit nervously, as he’d harbored thoughts before, that a transmigrator might not be trustworthy, human nature is fickle.
But with Shen Hui as his brother, things were certainly different.
"Of course, I believe, even if he weren’t your brother, knowing you’re a transmigrator, he probably wouldn’t harm you," Ah Chen said with a smile; just from the Emperor’s initial refusal reaction, one knew the person wasn’t one to impose on others.
Not everyone who transmigrates to this world, reaching such a position, becomes cold and ruthless, indifferent, there were emperors in history who weren’t all megalomaniac, solely serving their own desires.
"Chenchen, thank you; when we step out, I might go recognize him, it’s inconvenient here." Shen Xuan felt touched, believing all regrets had been rectified.
"Recognition is fine, but I don’t want to work anymore, my brother’s an Emperor, can’t I lie down and enjoy life better?"
Ah Chen laughed, thinking it probably possible.
Earlier, sensing the sudden shift in the Emperor’s attitude, he was very tolerant towards Shen Xuan.
With the Emperor’s indulgence, now her father-in-law might feel helpless too.
"Then let me present a gift to Big Brother by marriage." Ah Chen chuckled, "How about offering the previous big tiger as his mount?"
With the "True Dragon emerging" inscribed stone rising here, along with the ferocious tiger willingly serving as a mount, no one should doubt this Emperor is indeed the Chosen One.
Shen Xuan was overjoyed: "I must have been a very good person in previous lives."
"Good deeds lead to encountering Chenchen."
He was already planning his assets and whispered discussions with Ah Chen: "Now, I can bring out what I hold; with Brother’s capabilities, he’ll soon make use of these, we just need to enjoy."
"You enjoy this first, I’ll head into the mountains for a while, find that tiger."
Ah Chen found this acceptable; Lan Country prospers, more good things arise, benefiting everyone, including Lin Daming far away in Lanru County.
Crucially the cement road, if it can be paved quickly, traveling with Lin Daming will be far more convenient in the future.
"I’ll accompany you." Shen Xuan promptly said.
[Brother Tong, quickly find where the tiger might be.]
"Your Majesty, I’m heading to the mountains with Chenchen, you rest here for now, if you need a nap, have someone set up a canopy."
Shen Hui responded: "Alright, go ahead."
Though not aware of their purpose, ultimately a younger brother wouldn’t harm him.
Servants and maids exchanged puzzled glances, is it alright for the noble to leave His Majesty here?
Fortunately, Ah Chen and Shen Xuan soon returned.
They didn’t mention leaving again, nor did Shen Hui bring it up, especially after hearing Shen Xuan’s assurance: wait here, someone will definitely come, Shen Hui sensed there might be something to it.
Until a call was heard from partway down the mountain: "Your Majesty."
"Imperial Brother, where exactly are you?"
"Your Majesty, where are you, please respond to the servant." It was Kang Chongyi’s voice.
Shen Hui immediately responded: "Kang Chongyi, Fifth Brother, I’m here, no worries, come down slowly."
Upon hearing the voice, Kang Chongyi couldn’t possibly slow down, bursting downward with a group.
When that large group rushed down, the ground trembled again; the crowd turned pale, fearing the mountain would flip.
Yet this time the mountain didn’t turn, rather the spot where Shen Hui stood suddenly sprang a massive stone; he was just atop the stone, instantly elevated.
He was dazed, what might this be now?
He caught Shen Xuan’s gaze, showing no expression.
Only to hear Shen Xuan dramatically reciting towards the stone: "True Dragon Emerges!"
Shen Hui: ...
Indeed a real younger brother.
"Long live the Emperor!" Kang Chongyi having seen inscriptions on the stone, excitedly knelt, loudly proclaiming.
Just then, a fierce tiger sprang from the mountain, directly leaping onto the massive stone, astonishing all; instead, the tiger crouched beside Shen Hui.
Kang Chongyi was so thrilled, shouting another resounding "Long live the Emperor!"
Following that, the crowd echoed.
Shen Hui looked towards Ah Chen—could his future sister-in-law actually be a Fairy? Regardless, his heart was joyous; even without him, it was good that his younger brother was cherished by someone.
