Farewell Flower Festival

Mu Tianling came just in time for dinner, and Shen Cheng asked him if he was hungry and if he wanted to eat something together. After Mu Tianling sat down next to Chao Yan, Chao Yan picked up some food for him, which made Shen Cheng a little "jealous". Chao Yan was considerate and picked up some food for Shen He first, "Dad, try this fish, it's really delicious." Then he picked up some food for Shen Cheng, "Brother, try it too."

When Shen Cheng saw Mu Tianling, he remembered that he wanted to ask him something, so he asked, "Brother-in-law, is big brother doing something for you?" Chao Yan and Mu Tianling exchanged glances, and they looked at Shen He, asking for his opinion with their eyes, and Shen He nodded.

Shen Cheng was a little confused and had no idea what the three of them were talking about.

Chaoyan asked the servants to leave first, and Feicui and Amber left together.

When there were only four people left, Shen Cheng had a feeling that he was about to hear some big news.

"Brother, don't get excited."

Chaoyan first gave Shen Cheng a heads-up. In Shen Cheng's curious and eager eyes, she told him Shen Ming's true identity.

Upon learning that Shen Ming was actually Mu Tianling's cousin, Shen Cheng was so surprised that his jaw dropped. He was stunned for a long time. When he came to his senses, he was about to exclaim, but before he could say anything, Chaoyan raised her hand and shushed him. Shen Cheng held it back. After calming down his emotions, he looked at Shen He again, and asked in disbelief, "Dad, is it true?" Shen He nodded, and Shen Cheng looked at Mu Tianling and Chaoyan, and they also nodded.

After getting affirmative answers from the three people, he slowly accepted this fact. The next moment, he suddenly realized something and asked Mu Tianling and Chao Yan if they had known about it for a long time and he was the only one who was kept in the dark?

In order to make him feel more balanced, Chao Yan said that he had only known about it two days ago. She also hinted with her eyes that Mu Tianling should cooperate with her, and he also said that he had only known about it two days ago.

Shen Cheng felt a little more balanced, but then felt a little unbalanced again, "Dad, why did you hide everything from me? Xue'er is fine, but even my brother-in-law knew it before me."

When Chao Yan picked up some food for Mu Tianling, he did not take advantage of the situation or say anything to hurt his brother-in-law's fragile heart.

"Brother, it wasn't Dad who told His Highness and me. Dad didn't say anything."

Shen Cheng was half-believing and half-doubting. Chao Yan continued, "It was my elder brother who took the initiative to find Your Highness two days ago. If you don't believe me, you can ask him after he comes back." Shen Cheng still murmured, "Why didn't my elder brother tell me earlier?" Chao Yan said, "The fewer people who know my elder brother's identity, the less danger there is. Zhao Zhong has always wanted to cut off the roots. Once my elder brother's identity is leaked, it will bring about a fatal disaster. That's why Dad didn't let anyone know."

Shen Cheng also understood this truth, but now that Zhao Zhong was dead, Shen Ming should be safe. Chao Yan said that only after the general's mansion was cleared of all charges, Shen Ming could change back to his original surname, recognize his ancestors, and revive the family name, so that he could live uprightly.

Shen He had sounded out Prime Minister Shang's attitude before. Prime Minister Shang was still cautious about overturning the verdict. He didn't say yes or no, but he still affirmed Xu Hai's past achievements and character.

"It was Zhao Zhong who framed Uncle Xu in the beginning. Now that he is dead, no one will frame Uncle Xu. As long as the emperor issues an imperial decree, Uncle Xu will be cleared of all charges." Shen Cheng said confidently. He felt that the matter was very simple. As long as the emperor issued an imperial decree, it would not be a difficult task. But seeing that the three of them were silent, he belatedly asked, "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong? As long as the emperor issues an imperial decree..."

Before he could finish his words, Chao Yan kicked him under the table. Only then did he realize that there was something wrong with Mu Tianling's expression and the atmosphere, so he stopped talking.

After dinner, Shen He took Mu Tianling to the study to see a calligraphy and painting collection.

Chaoyan and Shen Cheng were playing Gobang in the house. During the game, Chaoyan clearly felt that her brother was a little absent-minded. He couldn't crack the traps that he could see through at a glance. She asked what happened. Shen Cheng looked at Feicui and Amber, as if he was embarrassed to say it in front of so many people. The two of them considerately left first.

After the two left, Shen Cheng whispered a secret to Chao Yan, that he had seen the female knight again. Chao Yan also whispered to him when he saw her, and Shen Cheng replied that he saw her a few days ago.

That night Shang Ye invited him and a few friends to go boating on the lake and watch the moon. He glanced inadvertently and saw a familiar figure walking across the bridge. Although he couldn't see the face clearly, he knew that the other person was the female knight. He hurriedly asked the boat to dock. Before the boat docked, he jumped from the boat to the shore. When he arrived at the bridge, the person had disappeared.

Ever since he learned that the other party was also in the capital, Shen Cheng had lost his appetite and dreamed of the other party at night. He was almost suffering from lovesickness.

Chao Yan asked him if he remembered what the other person looked like and if he had any special features. Shen Cheng didn't know how to describe the other person's facial features, but he remembered one thing very clearly: the other person had tied her hair into a high ponytail.

When Chao Yan heard the word "high ponytail", she immediately thought of someone and thought, "It can't be such a coincidence~"

Shen Cheng was in deep regret, blaming himself for missing the chance to meet. He didn't know when they would meet again, and he didn't notice the excitement on Chaoyan's face.

After she calmed down her emotions, she said, "If you are destined to meet, even if you are thousands of miles apart, you will definitely have the chance to meet again in the future."

After hearing what Chaoyan said, Shen Cheng felt somewhat comforted and was no longer frowning.

On the other side, Shen He revealed something to Mu Tianling in the study. It was about the secrets of the royal family. Very few people knew the inside story, and he only knew a general idea.

Shen He guessed that the reason why Emperor Mu strongly opposed the overturning of the verdict was probably related to Prince Ning. At that time, Prince Ning was demoted to the southwestern border for dereliction of duty, which was actually related to a concubine of the late emperor. If the verdict was overturned, these old events would probably be dug up again by people with ulterior motives.

Mu Tianling was a little surprised. He didn't expect that there was such a reason behind it.

The reason why Shen He told Mu Tianling about this was to tell him that this might be Emperor Mu's Achilles' heel, so that he shouldn't act too hastily.

……

On the way back in the carriage, Chao Yan saw that Mu Tianling was in deep thought and did not disturb him. When Mu Tianling came back to his senses, he found Chao Yan leaning against his arms with her eyes closed. His heart tightened and he called her softly, "Yan Yan?" His tone revealed a bit of panic, fearing that she would not wake up like last time.

"Yeah." Chao Yan agreed, opened her eyes, looked up at him, and said with a smile, "I'm not asleep. I can hear everything your highness wants to say." Mu Tianling said softly, "We're almost home."