In the Imperial Study, the Empress, after hearing the eunuch's report, waved him away.
"I never imagined that the former Little Chenzi would have such popularity among the common people. I wonder if it's a blessing or a curse for that girl Xin Yue."
"Never mind, let's see if Chu Chen can return to the imperial court. If he can, what's wrong with granting the position of Crown Prince to that girl Xin Yue."
"However, I still need someone to manage my trade affairs. If I had known, I wouldn't have stripped Chu Chen of his power."
The Empress felt quite vexed in her heart about the matters Chu Chen had previously handled.
In Qingming Palace, after dismissing everyone, Princess Xin Yue sat alone in her chambers, gazing at a portrait of Chu Chen she had drawn at some point, her eyes lost in a daze.
"Little Chenzi, it's all my fault for being so naive and thoughtless, for publicly revealing your disguise as a eunuch, which caused you to lose your official post and be imprisoned for three days."
"Mother often says that reading makes one wise, makes one understand righteousness and know minor details. But I never took it to heart, often skipping classes and not studying. Looking back now, I was wrong."
"If I had listened to my mother and studied diligently, would today's events have happened?"
"I also know that I am naturally spoiled and willful, yet I never realized the magnitude of my mistakes. I regret it so much."
Princess Xin Yue poured out her heart to Chu Chen's portrait, her beautiful face filled with regret and sorrow.
A single tear slowly rolled down her beautiful eyes, dripping onto the portrait.
It felt as if it brushed against her cheeks, as if she were by his side, comforting him.
This made Princess Xin Yue even more infatuated.
Three days felt like three springs, yet a few moments felt like two lifetimes.
After an unknown amount of time gazing at the portrait, Princess Xin Yue put it down, wiped her eyes, took a deep breath, and called out, "You may come in now."
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
The eunuchs and maids outside the door cautiously entered.
Princess Xin Yue replied, "This princess is fine. Bring me the books my former teachers taught me. This princess is determined to study them diligently."
"Yes!"
The eunuch who received the order brought the books. Princess Xin Yue, however, was no longer impatient as before, and began reading from the beginning with seriousness and care.
Several days later, in Shuangyue City, Chu Chen emerged from the detention center, dressed in a white robe, fanning himself with a fan, exuding the demeanor of a dashing young gentleman. His presence captivated the eyes of the beautiful married women and young ladies around him, their gazes lingering on him, unwilling to shift away for a long time.
"Fortune and misfortune depend on each other, who can predict? It's only by not being a eunuch today that I realized how handsome I am."
Chu Chen walked on the street, feeling the gazes of the beauties on both sides, and secretly rejoiced.
This white robe was the same set of Qi Condensation realm magical equipment that Chu Chen had drawn from the system's lottery. Now that he had nothing else to wear, it not only had practical uses but also significantly boosted his appearance.
"I used to think the system's cash prize was useless, but I never expected to use it today. Ten thousand taels of silver, spent sparingly, should be enough for a year or half a year of carefree living."
"It's just that I don't know where my path will lead from now on?"
Thinking of this, Chu Chen felt a headache coming on.
As he walked, Chu Chen suddenly tensed up, but remained outwardly calm.
He saw a jade-like hand lightly pat his shoulder from behind.
Chu Chen turned around expressionlessly, secretly guessing, "An assassin wouldn't be so bold as to attack me in broad daylight, would they?"
To his surprise, when he turned around, he saw not an assassin, but Princess Xin Yue's close friends, Chen Shengnan and Shao Lili.
"Were you startled?"
Shao Lili asked with a smile.
Chu Chen breathed a sigh of relief and joked, "Of course, I thought another assassin was trying to attack me."
"Uh~"
Shao Lili blinked, her face full of apology. "That, I didn't mean to..."
"It's alright, I was just joking. I'm just a commoner now, who would try to assassinate me? If they did, I'd be happy."
Chu Chen said with a smile, unconcerned.
"That's good then." Shao Lili breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled, "Your affairs have become the talk of the town. Shengnan and I have also heard about it. I never thought you were such a bold person, sneaking into the palace disguised as a man. You really tricked Xin Yue badly."
"Then why don't you mention how Xin Yue's actions almost cost me my life?"
Chu Chen said indignantly.
"Haha, you're fine now."
Shao Lili chuckled awkwardly. She had also been involved in that trickery.
"Let's go, let's go, I'll treat you to drinks to welcome you back."
Saying that, Shao Lili extended her hand as an invitation.
Chu Chen cupped his hands in return and smiled, "Since that's the case, I wouldn't dare refuse."
In a private room at the best restaurant in Shuangyue City, the Yuntian Pavilion.
Shao Lili personally poured wine for Chu Chen. "Brother Chu, please."
"Please." Chu Chen replied politely, then drained the cup.
"Brother Chu has a good capacity for drink."
Shao Lili smiled and also drained her cup.
Chen Shengnan, standing beside them, smiled and did the same.
After several rounds of drinks, Shao Lili finally asked, "Brother Chu, you've encountered this misfortune, but fortune and misfortune are intertwined. What are your plans?"
"I don't have many plans. I'll first find a place to stay in the city, and then I'll see."
"Perhaps I'll buy some land and hire people to farm it, and be a landlord. That would be nice too."
Chu Chen put down his wine cup and said with a smile.
He did have a slight inclination towards such a life.
"Brother Chu, that's not right. With your talent, living a decadent life as a landlord would be a waste of heaven's gifts."
Shao Lili said with some dissatisfaction but earnestness, "Why don't you join my family's business and we can do business together? That way, you'll enjoy endless glory and wealth, and all your talents will be put to good use. Wouldn't that be even better?"
"Yes, Sister Li is right. If we do this, perhaps you can even return to the imperial court."
"You should know that Sister Li's business is still responsible for royal affairs. There are many opportunities. With Brother Chu's abilities, you can make a comeback."
Chen Shengnan also advised.
"Uh~"
Chu Chen pondered for a moment and felt that this idea was quite good.
As Chu Chen was thinking, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.
The three who were disturbed looked towards the door with displeasure.
"Didn't I tell you not to disturb us after the food is served?"
Shao Lili turned and rebuked unhappily.
"Oh~ Such a temper for a young lady."
A handsome and beautiful young man, fanning himself, said playfully.
His gaze, however, was not on Shao Lili, but on Chu Chen. He smiled and said, "This must be Mr. Chu Chen, right? I never expected you to be so handsome dressed as a young master."
The newcomer made no attempt to conceal his voice, making it obvious to anyone that he was a woman disguised as a man.
Chu Chen was even more stunned because he recognized this person.
This woman disguised as a man was none other than the Empress's third daughter, the third princess of the current dynasty, Princess Yunting.
"Greetings, Princess Yunting. May I ask what brings Your Highness here?" Chu Chen quickly stood up and bowed.
"Of course, I'm here for you." Princess Yunting looked at him with a smile and said, "Now that you are free, why don't you follow me?"
Am I that popular? Chu Chen was a little bewildered.