Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince-Chapter 345: I Originally Thought His Highness Prince Qi Was a Person Unfamiliar with Love

Chapter 345: Chapter 345: I Originally Thought His Highness Prince Qi Was a Person Unfamiliar with Love

Upon hearing this sentence, the light in Duke Shen’s eyes suddenly became sharp as he looked at the little eunuch on the ground and asked, "What are you doing in my Duke Residence?"

The little eunuch, who had never seen such a grand scene before, trembled with fear as he kneeled on the ground, holding up a token, and said, "This servant is following Eunuch Zhou’s command, to inform His Highness Prince Qiu that His Majesty has summoned the Princess to the palace."

Li Mingjue’s brows furrowed, and his tone had already taken on a chill, "Why would Father Emperor summon the Princess to the palace?"

Intimidated by his powerful aura, the little eunuch quickly lowered his head, his voice trembling, "Replying to Prince, this servant does not know."

Shen Xihe let the little eunuch rise and turned to Li Mingjue, saying, "Since he was sent by Eunuch Zhou, there must be something amiss. You should go to the palace first."

With that, he gestured to the little eunuch to raise his hand and then had someone lead him out of the residence.

Li Mingjue did not stay for a moment longer; he hurriedly bid farewell to Duke Shen, and left with Shiqi.

Duke Shen, watching his hurried departure, not a trace of his usual indifference, sighed softly and said, "I originally thought His Highness Prince Qiu was a man uninterested in love."

Shen Xihe shook his head silently and sighed, "Whenever it involves the Princess, he seems like a different person."

Father and son remained silent for a moment before Duke Shen spoke first, "It’s about time you got married as well."

This was a refrain Shen Xihe had heard every year since he became an adult, so much so that his ears had grown calluses.

Yet this year was unlike the others, and instead of objecting as he normally would, he smiled and said, "Soon indeed."

This response took Duke Shen by surprise, "Is this true?"

Shen Xihe nodded lightly, and Duke Shen glared at him dissatisfiedly, "If there is already some prospect, why did you not inform me and your mother? Your mother has fretted so much that she has grown white hair over your marriage!"

"Mother already has white hair," Shen Xihe muttered under his breath, though this was something he dared not say out loud.

Upon extracting this major news from him, Duke Shen sent him to his wife, and together they interrogated him.

Madam Shen’s maiden name was Wanrong; she was gentle in both appearance and speech.

However, today, perhaps startled by this news, her manner of speaking became slightly more urgent, "Are you serious? Which family’s daughter is she?"

Shen Xihe had planned to bring someone back after the matter in Qingzhou was settled.

However, he had unintentionally blurted out the secret that he had kept for so many days during a moment of hastiness.

Facing his parents’ piercing gazes, he could only say helplessly, "Mother, once things are settled, I will bring someone to our home."

Madam Shen disapproved and looked at him sternly, "How can that be acceptable? Although we, the Shen Family, do not insist on matches arranged by parental authority, before things are settled, you should at least bring her home for your father and me to see."

Duke Shen echoed, "Exactly, marriage is no trivial matter!"

Shen Xihe knew they would not let him off easily and resignedly said, "Fine, I will bring someone home tomorrow for you to meet, is that satisfactory?"

Just as Madam Shen was about to nod her head, she questioned, "Why can’t she be brought home today?"

Knowing she would have a daughter-in-law, her heart could hardly be contained, to the point she could not wait even one more day.

Shen Xihe hesitated for a long while, then began to lay a trap for his own parents, purposefully saying, "She is not from an Aristocratic Family; I feared that you would be prejudiced against her origins, so I have not dared to bring her home."

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen immediately became anxious, "Your father and I are not such people who despise the poor and love the rich, I don’t care, you must bring her here today!"

Although Duke Shen wasn’t in such a rush, Shen Xiheng’s words suggested a lack of trust in his character, so he immediately slammed the table and said, "Your mother is right!"

Watching the two of them echoing each other, Shen Xiheng feigned helplessness on the surface but was secretly delighted.

He hadn’t revealed Shi Zhou’s identity, but with his parents speaking like this, even if they had any complaints about her background, they wouldn’t be able to go back on their words.

After sighing a few times in feigned distress, he finally gave in under the pressure of his parents, "Alright, I’ll go bring her here."

With that, he called over his confidant Ali, instructing him to go to Prince Qiu Residence and bring Shi Zhou back.

Ali had long been aware of his young master’s secret sheltering of someone and was not surprised, so he hurried off to Prince Qiu Residence.

However, Duke Shen frowned and asked, "Why would the person be at Prince Qiu Residence?"

He had a feeling that there was more to the story.

Shen Xiheng then recounted how they met, omitting the fact that Shi Zhou was the village chief’s daughter of Tuyun Village.

If his parents found out, they would likely be shocked beyond belief.

He needed to let them develop a favorable impression of Shi Zhou first, then gradually reveal her true identity, so they could be prepared for it.

After all, most people, upon hearing the term "bandit’s daughter," would keep their distance.

Hearing that Shi Zhou had even saved Princess Qiu, Duke Shen and Madam Shen’s opinion of her had improved considerably, and they were even more eager to meet her now.

The two were becoming restless, constantly glancing towards the door.

They waited with difficulty until Ali returned, but he came back alone.

Madam Shen’s brows knitted with worry, she asked, "Didn’t we ask you to bring someone back? Ali, why did you come back alone?"

Ali, having exerted much effort on his trip, swallowed his saliva and breathed heavily, "Madam, I went to the Prince Residence intending to bring Miss Shi here, but Li Bo said that Miss Shi had gone into the palace with Princess Qiu!"

"What?" Upon hearing this, Shen Xiheng immediately became unsettled.

Duke Shen, with a more meticulous mind, held down Shen Xiheng’s agitated shoulder and inquired of Ali, "Is this the Emperor’s doing?"

Ali had been shocked upon learning of this situation, but knowing the gravity of the matter, he had pressed Li Bo with more questions.

Now, answering Duke Shen’s question, he recounted everything clearly, "According to Li Bo, when Eunuch Zhou came to deliver the decree, he only called for Princess Qiu to enter the palace."

Duke Shen pondered for a moment and then said to Shen Xiheng, "It seems like the Emperor’s sudden summoning of Princess Qiu to the palace may have something to do with your beloved."

He understood the implications as soon as he heard from Ali; since Li Tianze had summoned only Princess Qiu to the palace, it was unlikely she would bring an unrelated person along for no reason.

Therefore, the only explanation was that this matter concerned Shi Zhou.

Shen Xiheng’s expression grew somber; he remembered the village chief of Tuyun Village hinting something to him before he left: Shi Zhou’s identity was not simple.

Back then, he thought it had something to do with Tuyun Village’s secrets and didn’t inquire further.

But now, considering that Shi Fuyou sent Shi Zhou to the capital city, the action itself suggested something.

He looked at his parents with a determined tone, "I need to go to the palace."

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