There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 255 Wanting to be a Brother-in-Law

Cheng Zhian lowered her eyes and said softly, "But I don't even find hot pot delicious."

Li Shuchen comforted her, saying, "Hot pot tastes better with more people. It's no fun eating alone. Come find me next time you want some."

Cheng Zhi'an felt a surge of warmth in his heart upon hearing this: "It's so good to meet you in this foreign land."

Li Shuchen waved her hand and said, "Since we're here, let's make the best of it and live a good life."

Cheng Zhian: "Hmm"

Li Shuchen took a chicken wing and said, "Eat quickly, it'll get cold soon."

They then ate the food with gusto, finding it both delicious and satisfying.

Cheng Zhian watched Li Shuchen across from him eating with great relish, as if watching a mukbang (eating broadcast). It was so appetizing that he ate half a bowl more rice than usual. He thoroughly enjoyed the meal, feeling very happy and satisfied.

After the meal, the two went outside and happened to run into Li Lingxiao and his group, who were also coming out of the room.

The group met

Li Lingxiao: "Sister, we've finished eating. It's time to go back to the academy."

Li Shuchen: "Okay, drive carefully."

Xu Shaobao's gaze had been fixed on Cheng Zhian ever since he saw him, but Cheng Zhian remained unfazed, meeting his eyes directly.

Seeing that the person opposite him was very confident, Xu Shaobao said to Li Shuchen in a low voice, "Shuchen doesn't want to have dinner with me because he has to accompany him?"

Li Shuchen, huh? What's that all about? What does it matter to him who she wants to have dinner with?

Cheng Zhian smiled and said, "Shu Chen, let's go downstairs."

Li Shuchen, huh? Why is Cheng Zhian suddenly calling her by her name? Didn't he call her Miss Li before?

Cheng Zhian tugged at Li Shuchen's sleeve and said, "Let's go, weren't you going to see me off?"

Li Shuchen nodded: "Yes, let's go."

The two walked side by side, gradually moving further apart. Xu Shaobao, furious, frantically fanned himself with a powder fan and instructed Li Lingxiao...

"Xiao'er, keep an eye on your older sister and make sure she doesn't associate with shady people."

Li Lingxiao, huh? Where would you find someone of questionable character? Turning to Xu Shaobao, he said, "He's the 'Top Scholar,' more capable than me."

Xu Shaobao got even angrier upon hearing this, and he almost broke the pink fan with his fanning.

The fan sent a chill down Xiao Xiuyuan's spine, and he couldn't bear it any longer, so he comforted him, "Brother Xu, don't be impatient. I don't think Miss Li likes the 'Top Scholar' position. You still have a chance."

Upon hearing this, Xu Shaobao stopped fanning himself and said confidently, "As long as Shu Chen isn't engaged, I still have a chance."

Li Lingxiao was dumbfounded upon hearing this. What did Brother Xu say? What did he mean by saying that his sister wasn't engaged yet, so he had a chance? What chance? Could it be...?

"Brother Xu, you like my elder sister?"

Xu Shaobao couldn't help but tap Li Lingxiao on the head: "You just realized that?"

Chen Shitou defended Li Lingxiao, saying, "You can't blame Brother Li; blame Brother Xu for always stirring up trouble."

Li Lingxiao rubbed his head and said, "Yes, Brother Xu has flirted with so many girls, who knows which one you're truly sincere with? Besides, Brother Xu has never explicitly said he likes my sister."

Xu Shaobao gritted his teeth and said angrily, "Blockhead!"

"Brother Xu, why are you cursing me? Only my parents and elder sister are allowed to curse me in this world. No one else is. I'm going to tell my sister."

Li Lingxiao angrily strode downstairs.

Xu Shaobao grabbed him and pleaded, "Hey, hey, I was wrong. I shouldn't have scolded you. I'm sorry. Please don't tell Shu Chen."

Li Lingxiao put her hands on her hips and snorted, "Let me tell you beforehand, my elder sister is definitely not allowed to be a concubine. If you truly like my elder sister, then show me some sincerity. Also, if you want to be my brother-in-law, you must get past me first."

Upon hearing this, Xu Shaobao felt he was one step closer to success. Shu Chen was difficult to deal with, but Xiao'er was easy to handle. He then raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's your problem?"

Li Lingxiao: "I haven't decided yet. I'll talk about it when I've thought it through."

When the group went down to the first floor, Li Shuchen had just seen Cheng Zhian out of the inn.

Xu Shaobao walked up to Li Shuchen, fanning himself, and asked softly, "Shuchen, how much will this meal cost?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen held up a finger and poked it in front of Xu Shaobao's eyes.

Xu Shaobao understood after reading it, took out a thousand taels of silver notes and placed them in Li Shuchen's hand, saying gently, "Shuchen, please accept this. I'm leaving, don't worry about me."

Xu Shaobao then reluctantly walked away.

Li Shuchen picked it up and looked at it. Good heavens, she wanted 100 taels of silver, but this guy gave her 1,000 taels. Is he rich and powerful?

It seems Xu Shaobao does have some merits.

Li Shuchen turned around to call out to Xu Shaobao, but the several tall men were already far away.

Okay, let's consider this compensation for him disgusting me. Next time he comes to eat here, I won't rip him off.

In the Three Treasures Hall, before the desk

Li Shuchen twirled the unpainted calligraphy brush, thinking about the banquet menu. A flower banquet must be themed around flowers, and the dishes should also feature flowers as the main element.

Only when it is beautifully and elegantly made can it leave a lasting impression.

"Shu Chen"

"Yuying, what brings you here?"

Liang Yuying walked in and stood in front of Li Shuchen, looking at the blank paper on the desk and asking, "Is Shuchen busy or idle?"

Li Shuchen put down his brush and said, "I'm free, what's wrong?"

Liang Yuying: "The General's Mansion has been renovated. I would like to invite Shu Chen to stay there for a few days. Would Shu Chen be willing?"

Li Shuchen stood up and said, "I'm willing, I'm more than willing. I've never been to the General's Mansion before. Isn't it huge and luxurious? You'd get lost and not know which way to go after just a few steps inside?"

Liang Yuying smiled and said, "Shu Chen will know when he gets there. Ziying, Changning, and Bingli have already arrived. I came here specifically to pick you up."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen immediately began packing her clothes, jewelry, and dressing case: "Wait for me a moment, I'll be done soon."

Liang Yuying: "Don't worry, I'll help you."

The three quickly packed their belongings, and Li Shuchen boarded Liang Yuying's carriage to head to the General's Mansion.

Upon arriving at their destination, Li Shuchen alighted from the carriage and stood motionless. The general's mansion was so vast, so large that he couldn't see a single corner.

"Li Shuchen, what are you standing there for? Come in!"

Princess Changning called out to Li Shuchen.

Li Shuchen chuckled and said, "Coming, coming!"

Liang Yuying followed behind Li Shuchen with her luggage.

Princess Changning: "Ziying, Bingli, and I have already chosen a courtyard. We've reserved the Magnolia Courtyard for you. It's located very close to the courtyards we chose, and it even has a swing. I think you'll like it."

Li Shuchen was dumbfounded upon hearing this: "A courtyard? Each person has their own courtyard? How big is this general's mansion?"

Princess Changning: "It's a five-courtyard residence."

Li Shuchen said worriedly, "It's so big? I'll get lost. You all live so far away, how am I supposed to find you?"

Princess Changning: "You don't need to worry about that. We know you can't find your way, so we came to find you."

Li Shuchen patted his chest: "That's good."

Princess Changning: "We've arrived."

Li Shuchen pushed open the door, stepped over the stairs, and entered. The first thing he saw was a tall magnolia tree, its trunk straight and smooth, its branches and leaves lush, and its golden blossoms strikingly bright. A swing hung from one of its branches.

Why are these magnolia flowers yellow?