Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 144 The Queen's Scheme

Shen Li was initially a little angry, but seeing his pitiful appearance, she couldn't bear to say anything harsh, and her voice softened: "How could I not miss you? I just don't want you to suffer from the bumpy ride."

"Don't worry, A-Li, I will only accompany you as a civil official and will not participate in riding or archery." Seeing that she was soft-hearted, Gu Chang'an quickly assured her, "I will definitely be obedient and not cause any trouble."

Seeing his reaction, Shen Li couldn't help but smile and said, "Alright, it's good to go out for a walk in the spring. We can't stay cooped up in the city all the time."

"Shall we go for a spring outing and go fishing?" Gu Chang'an asked her, his dark eyes full of longing.

"Okay," Shen Li replied with a smile.

The hunting trip will take some time, so I still have some free time.

"How's your archery practice going, Ah Li?" When they got to the bed, Gu Chang'an felt a pang of heartache as he touched the marks on Shen Li's thumb. But seeing that she was interested, he didn't try to persuade her to give up and just silently massaged them for her.

"The coach praised me for being very talented, but I still can't shoot accurately." Shen Li shook her head in his arms: "I'll be even less accurate when I'm on horseback, and I'm afraid I won't even be able to touch the edge of the prey."

"Even the most talented person needs time to practice. Being able to draw a bow is already quite impressive."

"...I'm alright." Shen Li's voice weakened, and she didn't mention a word about breaking more than a dozen bows on her first day.

-----

The hunting grounds were in the royal gardens, and it would only take half a day to ride out of the city, but it would take two days if accompanied by the emperor's entourage.

The long procession, escorted by the Royal Guard, marched out of the city gate, with three battalions of soldiers providing additional protection along the way, maintaining a tight security.

The Gu family and the Shen family each had a carriage. Shen Zizai did not accompany them because she needed to prepare the questions for the imperial examination. Shen Yue rode in the Shen family's carriage, and Shen Li came to accompany her.

"Sis, aren't you going to stay with your brother-in-law?" Shen Yue asked. "Are you just leaving him alone in the car?"

“He’s busy with official duties, and if I’m here, he’ll have to take care of me as well,” Shen Li replied while reading. “I don’t want him to be too tired.”

Shen Yue thought she would hear someone say that she was more important than her brother-in-law, but after hearing this, she even regretted asking the question.

Shen Li noticed her emotions and was about to put down her book to talk to her parents when she heard footsteps approaching outside the car before she could even speak.

"Miss Shen, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence in the Phoenix Carriage." It was a eunuch's voice.

"Are you calling me?" Shen Yue asked, puzzled.

"Her Majesty the Empress summons Miss Shen the Second," the eunuch repeated.

Not only was she puzzled, but Shen Li was also caught off guard. In her previous life, Shen Yue had not accompanied them either, so this matter had never happened.

Faced with Shen Yue's puzzled look, Shen Li only whispered, "Go ahead, but be careful."

"Don't worry, sister, Yue'er can do it." Shen Yue reassured Shen Li, then got out of the car decisively.

The phoenix carriage not far ahead also stopped at this moment. Shen Yue went up and saw Empress Ning sitting in the center of the carriage. Below her was a small table, and a boy of about ten years old was kneeling and reading beside her.

"This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Fourteenth Prince," Shen Yue said, bowing in the spacious carriage.

"Good child, get up quickly." Empress Ning extended her hand to her with a kind expression: "Come sit here with me. Yue'er has grown up. She will be of marriageable age after the New Year, right?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Shen Yue walked over, her attitude respectful yet poised and graceful.

Although she usually acts like a child in front of her parents, wielding swords and spears, the Shen family has strict upbringing, and her manners and demeanor are entirely those of a noble lady.

"She's growing more and more beautiful; by then, suitors will probably be lining up at your Shen family's doorstep," Empress Ning said, scrutinizing Shen Yue.

Shen Yue has beautiful features and a chubby face, making her look like a porcelain doll. She will surely grow up to be a stunning beauty.

"Your Majesty, I do not wish to marry. I wish to fight and serve as an official like Sister Wan'er, doing things that men can also do," Shen Yue said earnestly.

"You are just like your mother in temperament, but your sister Wan'er is also destined to get married and eventually stay in the inner quarters like your mother."

Shen Yue was somewhat confused, after all, she had never seen a different path home, but her mother's path was right in front of her.

However, her mother was willing to marry her father. But she never even considered it.

"With your family background, appearance, and talent, you are probably not worthy of someone from a family that is not extremely distinguished," Empress Ning continued.

Shen Yue was somewhat displeased. She felt that Empress Ning's words and expressions were not like she was being assessed, but rather like she was being looked at as a dish.

A dish has no thoughts of its own; it is valued by its color, aroma, and taste, and then sold to the right person.

"Mother, Sister Yue has already said she doesn't want to marry, and you may not even see Vice General Lin's end. Why do you say it's a dead end?" Grandmother's voice rang out. It was the fourteenth prince, Li Che, who was reading nearby.

Hearing this, Shen Yue felt encouraged and couldn't help but look at the child. She hadn't been to the palace as many times as her sister, but she still remembered the child.

This is the Empress's second son, only twelve years old. He has a handsome appearance, a straight back, and bright, piercing eyes.

He was known for his diligence and self-discipline from a young age, loved reading, and was said to have been quite learned even at a young age.

"Children shouldn't interrupt," Empress Ning scolded, frowning. "Read your book."

She never expected that her own son would undermine her plans; this completely disrupted her schedule.

Li Che was reprimanded but showed no fear. His eyes remained calm, and when he looked at Shen Yue, he even seemed to be offering comfort.

Shen Yue looked at the serious little guy, and although she held back her laughter, she was secretly overjoyed. The little guy looked so cute, but he had such a serious aura.

It's actually quite fun.

Shen Li waited in the car for a while, but fortunately Shen Yue returned before noon. She lowered the carriage curtain and started smiling, as if she had been cooped up outside for quite some time.

"..." Shen Li wanted to ask but didn't know where to start. What had happened to the child?

"Sister, that Fourteenth Prince is so interesting, I really want to steal him home to play with." Shen Yue couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Li Che's stern face.

Shen Li blinked in surprise. They've already met? The progress seems to be much faster than in her previous life.

"Take a moment, and tell me what the Empress said?" she pulled the person over and asked.

"Oh, she said I'll be of marriageable age in a few months and can get married, but I said I don't want to get married..."

Shen Yue recounted the conversation in detail, finally extending her hand to reveal the mutton-fat jade bracelet on it: "In the end, they gave me this."

Shen Li narrowed her eyes. She finally understood why she was feeling uneasy, vaguely anxious but unsure of what was about to happen.

Now she knows.