Chapter 143: Cannot Eat Spicy Food

They were already betrothed. Moreover, both families’ elders had given their blessing, so there was no objection. Everyone in the capital knew that the crown prince of the Lu family was engaged to Shen Chaoxi. Thus, their connection was inevitable. It wasn’t that Shen Chaoxi dwelled on it, but two days ago, she had just run into Lu Yunzhou at the Imperial View Club. If she were to move in with him, wouldn’t it make everything she did extremely inconvenient? Thinking this, Shen Chaoxi lowered her long lashes, her gaze settling on her grandfather, masking the emotions in her eyes. Grandfather, aren’t you afraid your granddaughter will slip up? Ever since she had that near-death experience as a child, when the Shen family had saved her from the brink, they told outsiders she was frail and ill, convalescing at home, shy and timid, avoiding strangers. This prevented many unnecessary troubles. In truth, at age seven, she entered military school and, fluent in several languages, began a transformation that set her apart from her earlier years. Some might wonder how a fragile little princess sheltered by the Shen family could possibly adapt to military life. Yet, the blood running through her veins was that of the Shen lineage. Her three older brothers, without exception, were prodigies, kings of the military district. How could she be any less? It was a matter of temperament, the hardships endured in childhood, and an unyielding resilience born deep within. The Shen family’s spirit was to uphold integrity and protect the nation. Therefore, at her parents’ funeral, she did not shed a tear. She forever remembered her brother stroking her head, his eyes red, tears threatening but never falling. From then on, the little child who once needed her brothers to soothe her to sleep, to indulge her cries and whims, became the woman she was now. Protected well by her family, even the entire capital only knew her as a frail young lady. Her true identity was top secret. So Lu Yunzhou had never investigated her, and even if he had, it would have been futile. As Shen Chaoxi looked at her grandfather, she noticed his expression falter slightly, his inner unease apparent. This granddaughter of his was as cunning as a little fox. The little fox had grown up and was almost wise to his schemes. It was difficult to keep up the act. If it was so hard for Grandfather Shen to play along, shouldn’t she, as his granddaughter, help him a little?

As Grandfather Shen wrestled with his thoughts, he heard his granddaughter’s voice: “Alright then.” Shen Chaoxi lifted her gaze, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling with a knowing smile, as if she had seen through her grandfather’s mind. “I was just thinking of going out to have some fun. You’ve always worried something might happen to me.” “Now, you won’t worry that I’ll run into danger when I go out, right?” In the past, Shen Chaoxi’s special status was part of the reason behind the accident she suffered as a child—it was the resentment of terrorists against the Shen family that led them to target the young lady of the house. Grandfather’s concern was why he sent her to military school, so she would have her own armor and be able to protect herself. After all, the Shen family could not afford to lose her again. But this was known only within the Shen family. “Chaoxiao, you’ve really suffered, child,” Grandfather Lu said, his aged eyes filled with a tender pity. Families like theirs had both advantages and drawbacks. Although of illustrious heritage and military-political lineage, no criminal could forget the heavy hand used against them. Thus, being in such a position inevitably meant bearing certain consequences. But such burdens should never fall on little Chaoxiao. “Grandfather Lu, Chaoxiao is not suffering,” Shen Chaoxi said, looking at her grandfather before turning her gaze to Grandfather Lu, locking eyes with him. It was clear that Grandfather Lu genuinely cared for her. Though her words were a teasing jest aimed at her grandfather, the listener’s heart could not help but feel it. Lu Yunzhou’s dark eyes flickered with a shadowy glint as he heard her coaxing tone. His brow furrowed, his gaze deep and somber like a silent night. “Grandfather Lu visiting me makes me very happy,” Shen Chaoxi said politely. Though she was part of the military district, she was also the Shen family’s young lady, raised with impeccable manners and etiquette ingrained deep in her bones. Grandfather Lu smiled warmly. “Very well, then. I’ll have Yunzhou help you pack up, and I’ll leave first. It’s a pleasure to see you today, Chaoxiao.” His smile was kind and affectionate, his gaze upon Shen Chaoxi that of a doting grandfather.

He truly wished to consider Chaoxiao his own granddaughter. But since Lu Yunzhou liked her, and if his grandson approved, then he was more than happy for Chaoxiao to become his granddaughter-in-law. Thus, the two elders made their decision and “consulted” the parties involved. After letting Lu Yunzhou stay for dinner, he would help pack her things and escort her to the Royal Serenity Garden. Grandfather Lu had arrived early, playing chess with Grandfather Shen before departing. By noon, the Shen family’s servants began bringing out dish after dish of delicious food from the kitchen. Because of Shen Chaoxi’s mother’s tastes, the family enjoyed spicy food. Shen Chaoxi had loved it since she was young. Grandfather Shen cordially invited, “Come now, Yunzhou, treat this place as your own home and join us for the meal.” “Yes, teacher,” Lu Yunzhou replied. Though Grandfather Shen and Grandfather Lu were old friends, Lu Yunzhou always addressed him as teacher. He sat opposite Shen Chaoxi, his cold, sharp features fixed on Grandfather Shen. Pressing his thin lips together, his demeanor was restrained and polite, much like when Shen Chaoxi first saw him at the Shen residence five years ago. This prodigious youth, once promising and ambitious, had finally, it seemed, grown into a mature and steady man. The only resemblance to the youth who once said he disliked her was in those cold eyes and some faint similarities. He lowered his gaze, quietly observing the dishes and the bowls and chopsticks placed before him. On the lavish table, most of the dishes were spicy, with four or five nourishing clear soups. “Yunzhou, take a look and pick whatever you like,” Grandfather Shen said warmly. Despite his gentle and approachable nature, in front of his grandson, he was like a big child himself. Since retiring, he had embraced a leisurely life, showing both playful and serious sides when with the younger generation. Thus, in Shen Chaoxi’s memory, her grandfather was always the dearest person. Yet in the next moment, Grandfather Shen’s voice turned serious with a warning. Her illusion shattered. “Ah Chao, your health is not fully recovered; you mustn’t eat spicy food.”