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Chapter 169 A man who is too handsome is also a problem

Chu Chenyu aspires to a career in government, and Gu Junze's study contains rare and precious books by famous scholars, all of which are priceless.

The daily commute between the Chu family and the Marquis's residence was too exhausting, so he simply moved into the Hongmeng Courtyard.

Preparing for next year's spring imperial examination.

Since the study was occupied, Gu Junze simply set up a small study for Gu Yun.

Outside, the wind was biting cold, but inside, it was as warm as spring.

A warm charcoal brazier was placed in the center of the room, dispelling all the chill in the room.

Gu Junze was patiently teaching Gu Yun to write, each stroke steady and powerful.

Chu Ruohan walked in carrying a bowl of lotus seed soup and placed it on the table in the room.

Looking at Gu Junze teaching Gu Yun to write, he frowned slightly. "The imperial examinations will be held after the New Year. Aren't you going to study more?"

Chu Chenyu was so engrossed in books that he forgot to eat.

Gu Junze raised his head, a gentle smile on his face, and asked in return, "Do you think I should take the imperial examination to become the top scholar?"

That smile held a hint of teasing, yet also seemed to conceal a deeper meaning.

Chu Ruohan pursed her lips, "That's not it, it's just that I feel you're a bit too relaxed."

The imperial examination is a major event concerning one's future, yet Gu Junze is so relaxed. Is he perhaps a little too confident?

Gu Junze put down his brush. "I am already the heir of a marquis's family. The emperor will not want another top scholar to come from the marquis's family." His voice was not loud, but it revealed a sense of helpless clarity.

Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

In his previous life, after Gu Junze died, Gu Chengyan took the imperial examination under the title of heir, but only ranked eighth among the successful candidates and failed to make it into the top three.

Looking back now, it's very likely that the emperor was intentionally trying to balance the power of the aristocratic families and didn't want the Gu family's influence to grow stronger again through the imperial examinations.

Gu Yun's small hand holding the calligraphy brush paused slightly. He looked up, his youthful face full of confusion.

I vaguely understand, but I can sense the adults' emotions.

The little guy hugged Gu Junze's waist and rubbed against him, saying, "In my heart, Daddy is the most amazing."

She's quite good at coaxing people.

Gu Junze felt a warmth in his heart, raised his hand and gently touched Gu Yun's head, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Yun'er, be good," he said softly, his voice filled with affection. "You just need to study hard, grow up happily, and do what you want to do."

The cozy atmosphere inside was abruptly interrupted by a sharp shout, "You dog servant, get out of my way! I want to see the young master, who dares to stop me!"

Gu Junze frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

Chu Ruohan subconsciously looked at Gu Junze; a man who is too handsome also attracts trouble.

Gu Yun curiously peeked out, wanting to see what was happening outside.

"Father, who's shouting outside?"

Before Gu Junze could answer, he heard hurried footsteps and servants trying to dissuade him from outside.

“Miss Shen, the young master is really unable to receive guests…” A servant’s voice was filled with anxiety. “You have come several times, but each time the young master has important matters to attend to and simply cannot spare the time.”

"Stop making excuses for me!"

Shen Qingwan came several times but was stopped each time. After returning to the capital, she only saw Gu Junze once, at the Ice Skating Festival. It must be that woman's jealousy that caused the problem and prevented her from seeing him.

Taking advantage of her cousin's illness, she thought she could be the master of Hongmeng Academy—what a dream!

As the legitimate daughter of Marquis Pingxi and Princess Huijia, Shen Qingwan was spoiled rotten from a young age.

As the legitimate daughter of Marquis Pingxi and Princess Huijia, she could walk sideways even after returning to the capital, and no servant dared to touch her.

They were afraid of offending this young lady by accident.

Gu Junze put Gu Yun down, his expression becoming impatient.

He knew Shen Qingwan's temper very well and knew that she wouldn't give up until she saw him after making such a scene today.

"You all stay here for now, I'll go out and take a look."

Gu Junze pushed his wheelchair out of the room himself. The cold wind, carrying snowflakes, hit him in the face. He raised his hand to tighten his cloak, and his impatience became more and more obvious.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Shen Qingwan standing with her hands on her hips, bossing the servants around. Her brightly colored clothes were particularly eye-catching in the snow.

“Cousin Qingwan,” Gu Junze spoke, his voice not loud but carrying an innate authority, “what is the purpose of your repeated disturbances?”

Shen Qingwan turned around abruptly, and upon seeing Gu Junze, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, which quickly turned into a wronged expression.

"Cousin, you've finally come out! I've tried to see you several times, but your servants have blocked me at the door. Is it that woman who's preventing you from seeing me?"

Gu Junze's expression was indifferent. "There is a difference between men and women. Your repeated requests to see me are improper. Besides, I am very busy with affairs in my household and really cannot find the time to catch up with you."

Shen Qingwan, however, disagreed. She stepped forward and said coquettishly, "Cousin, what are you saying? We grew up together, yet we're so distant now. Have you been bewitched by that Chu Ruohan?"

Gu Junze's face darkened, and his voice suddenly rose, "Watch your words! Chu Ruohan is my wife, and I won't allow you to slander her like this!"

His gaze was piercing, fixed on Shen Qingwan, the coldness in his eyes seemingly capable of freezing the falling snow.

"Furthermore, we didn't grow up together as childhood sweethearts. Our time together as children means nothing. Don't deceive yourself anymore."

Shen Qingwan looked as if she had been slapped hard; her face turned pale and then red, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"Cousin, how can you say that? After all these years, can't you really see my feelings for you at all?"

Her voice was trembling with tears, and her body was shaking slightly.

“I rejected your feelings long ago, so why keep bothering me?” Gu Junze remained unmoved, his tone still icy. “Go back and don’t come back.”

"Cousin, don't be so heartless." Shen Qingwan tried to take his hand.

Gu Junze instinctively stepped back, his wheelchair tracing an arc in the snow, his face filled with disgust.

"Yingqing sent the person back."

Ying Qing appeared like a ghost, his movements swift and agile, and he reached Shen Qingwan's side in just a few steps.

"Miss Shen, please."

Shen Qingwan seemed to have lost her backbone; her legs went weak, and she collapsed onto the snow. Tears streamed down her face, smudging her makeup and ruining her usual radiant beauty.

"No, I'm not leaving!"

Ying Qing looked troubled and turned to look at Gu Junze. Chu Ruohan had already come out of the house and was standing beside Gu Junze.

Chu Ruohan said calmly, "Miss Shen, matters of the heart cannot be forced."

"Junze and I are deeply in love and have already married. This is an unchangeable fact. Your persistence will only hurt yourself in the end."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingwan stiffened, a look of bewilderment crossing her face, but it was quickly replaced by anger: "You've usurped my place! My cousin and I have known each other for years, and my feelings for him are far beyond what you can compare to!"

"But he's mine now, and he'll only have me in his heart."

Upon hearing this, a smile quietly appeared on Gu Junze's originally cold face, a smile full of undisguised joy.

He glanced at Chu Ruohan, his eyes filled with tenderness, as if the icy world had become warm and spring-like because of her words.

Very proud...