Chapter 578: Chapter 576: The Transmigrated Woman Who Self-Destructed 18 Times (Part 7)
"Fairy?" Shen Zheng’an opened his eyes to see the fairy tossing out a piece of emerald bamboo, followed by a scene of wooden structures building a house. His eyes widened, and he looked at Ah Chen without moving his gaze, soon letting out a bitter smile, "I must be dreaming, I’m already dead, how could I see a fairy."
He thought he could finally upset his stupid father, but unexpectedly, a corruption case completely dragged him into hell. Even more unexpectedly, the mastermind behind it wanted him completely annihilated, giving him no way to live.
He didn’t even know who was orchestrating it all.
The old lady didn’t like him and often suppressed their branch of the family. However, when he became the top scorer, she had some regrets that it wasn’t her favored grandson achieving such success, yet she was still pleased. After all, producing a champion scholar from the Marquis Mansion was something that brought honor to the family; she wouldn’t be that short-sighted.
So who wanted to harm him?
Ah Chen turned back and walked to Shen Zheng’an, reaching out to touch his forehead.
Perhaps believing it was a dream, Shen Zheng’an suddenly grabbed Ah Chen’s hand, speaking to himself: "I didn’t expect to have a beautiful dream before dying."
"Fairy, do you believe in love at first sight? The kind where you can get married immediately!" Shen Zheng’an said. After all, it was a dream, and this fairy was the type he liked; he felt captivated at a glance. He swore he never had such thoughts about any other woman.
In a dream, one should be bolder!
That way, there are no regrets in dying.
He finally understood the saying, "It is most romantic to die beneath a peony blossom."
Jiang Zhi began to cough. The boy’s guts were big enough to talk about marriage as soon as he started, what a scoundrel! So shameless! But thinking of Miss Chu’s unusual regard for Shen Zheng’an, all he felt now was envy and jealousy.
The cough finally caught Shen Zheng’an’s attention. He looked over and immediately recognized Jiang Zhi, a cold breeze blew by, bringing clarity to his mind.
He quickly released Ah Chen’s hand, then pinched himself hard, realizing it wasn’t a dream.
He got up, his face flushed red, backed away a bit, and bowed to Ah Chen: "I’m really sorry, I thought it was a dream, unintentional offense."
He had truly fallen in love with the fairy at first sight.
But she was a fairy, and he was nothing more than dirt on the ground, caught up in a corrupt scandal and exiled, clearly undeserving of her. He quickly buried those feelings.
Now he was filled with anxiety, just fearing that she would show disgust. The mere thought of it made him uncomfortable. He sneakily lifted his head to peek at her, only to see her face smiling, and then he felt completely adrift from north to south, unable to place himself.
"It’s all right." Ah Chen said.
The house was already built, and one room was prepared for Jiang Zhi as well.
Jiang Zhi felt somewhat comforted upon learning that he had accommodation too.
"How did Mr. Shen end up stranded here?" he asked.
"Ambushed on the road, and finally jumped into the sea," Shen Zheng’an replied, "only then was there a slim chance of survival."
There was a chance, indeed, but he had been totally disgraced.
Shen Zheng’an felt vague and unfocused inside; he paid little attention to anything else, his mind wholly taken by that red-clothed fairy. Thinking of his earlier impudent behavior, he wished he could kill his past self.
In the past, even when pretending to be unrestrained, he had never behaved so liberally in front of women.
So even if he was dying, he couldn’t lose control from happiness. Shen Zheng’an was full of regret, his face turning a bit pale.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Ah Chen asked.
Shen Zheng’an hurriedly shook his head: "No, I’m fine, thank you for your concern, Fairy."
The body was fine, but the mind was not well.
In front of the fairy, he feared he was as bad as a scoundrel, left with a heart full of embarrassment.
"How did the Sixth Young Master end up here?" Shen Zheng’an eventually returned to his senses. He glanced at Ah Chen by the sea, then quietly asked. In fact, he was not familiar with this Sixth Prince. If the corrupt case hadn’t appeared, they might have become acquainted soon. Unfortunately, too much happened before then.
Right now, he did want to build a connection, not for future vengeance but to inquire about the red-clothed fairy by the sea.
He was fairly certain that the Sixth Prince had probably also been saved by the fairy.
"Much like you, ambushed midway." Jiang Zhi didn’t hide anything. He also had intentions to form an alliance; Shen Zheng’an was undoubtedly going to seek vengeance upon return. Being someone favored by Miss Chu, it was evident he couldn’t have cheated. Even if Miss Chu hadn’t intervened, he would still want to pull Shen Zheng’an to his side if they met. Now that Miss Chu favored Shen Zheng’an, he had even more reason to be courteous.
"After some time, my men might find us," Jiang Zhi said, "What is Mr. Shen planning to do next? Want to leave with me?"
Currently exiled to Yu State, Shen Zheng’an couldn’t return to the capital unless summoned by his father, the emperor. Best to ask what the other party has in mind, and find an opportunity once back.
This was a secluded island, and the distance from the mainland was unknown. Normally, finding him would be challenging, but his subordinates had a special method, using a type of Gu Worm to track people. He had raised this Gu for many years, obtained during an extraordinary experience. Initially raised as a hobby, it unexpectedly proved useful.
"Leaving is necessary." Shen Zheng’an replied, reluctantly gazing at Ah Chen’s retreating figure. They were worlds apart, and after behaving so lewdly earlier, he regretted it every time he thought about it.
Jiang Zhi found it amusing yet had no intention of warning them.
He had no fear of any misunderstanding between the two. As long as Miss Chu wished, Shen Zheng’an could never escape her palm.
Covering his mouth, Jiang Zhi coughed twice, feeling a slight sense of schadenfreude.
"Considering the previous corruption case, Mr. Shen was framed?"
Shen Zheng’an’s face darkened: "Of course, I was framed."
Yet unsure by whom.
Could it have anything to do with that foolish father of his?
He had hidden his talent for so many years, greatly due to that foolish father. Sometimes he doubted if the man was his real father, supporting others to oppress his own son. When he was very young, he showed talent in his studies; that foolish father wasn’t happy but scolded him for being ostentatious and too showy, telling him to learn from his cousin Shen Zhengjie.
"To survive by chance this time might not be a bad opportunity." Jiang Zhi said, "To those scheming in the dark, Mr. Shen has already perished at the hands of bandits."
So, disguising and returning to the capital under cover also had its advantages, making it more convenient to investigate the corruption case at the time.
With the help of him, the reigning Sixth Prince, some matters would become even easier.
Shen Zheng’an understood Jiang Zhi’s implication: "If working together with the Sixth Young Master, would it be convenient?"
Jiang Zhi was delighted and quickly said: "Certainly convenient."
With Shen Zheng’an joining him, he wondered if Miss Chu would return to the capital with them. Though not wishing for Miss Chu to do anything, her mere presence was comforting.
Yet Shen Zheng’an found it strange, feeling like the Sixth Prince was gaining some huge advantage, uncertain what aspect he was scheming over. However, it didn’t matter anymore. Cooperation with others inevitably required some sacrifices; the most precious thing he had was probably this somewhat talented head of his.
But the other party was being exceedingly polite.
He had some talent, but it wasn’t enough to warrant the Sixth Prince lowering his status like this, considering the fact that he was a person whose reputation had been thoroughly ruined.
While pondering, he glimpsed through the corner of his eye, seeing the person by the sea returning. His mind steadied, leaving no room for other thoughts.
