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

Chapter 211 Second in Line of Succession

"Father often praises Sister Shen for doing a good job on this mission, but I always think about her hard work. It must be very difficult for a girl to go out and about."

Li Heng sighed to show his concern: "Now that you're at the palace, take good care of yourself. If you need anything, just come and ask me."

"Your Highness, I thank you. I must go and pay my respects to the Empress. I take my leave." Shen Li bowed and then left.

She couldn't be bothered to feign politeness with him; this man was so hypocritical it was disgusting. In the past, he was so powerful that she had some obligation to him, but now his influence and power had diminished considerably.

It's time to pull it out completely.

Seeing her in such a hurry to leave, Li Heng felt resentful. Did this woman look down on him so much? His soul had been completely bewitched by Gu Chang'an.

Just wait, once he ascends to the supreme position, he won't have to worry about not being able to subdue her.

After entering Songhe Pavilion, Shen Li found that even in such a cool and refreshing hall, the Empress did not seem to be in a good mood. She only exchanged a few words with her before sending her to Li Che's study.

Then she saw that Li Che was also sulking, and there seemed to be a red handprint on his fair face.

Considering what Li Heng said, she could easily guess that Li Heng had a conflict with his younger brother, who shared the same parents, so she wasn't surprised.

That's how it was in my previous life.

Li Heng was a man who was indifferent to family ties and only cared about profit. Li Che was too young to help him, so he initially ignored Li Che. Later, after the King of Yi fell, he even began to be wary of his younger brother.

He felt that Li Che was smarter than him, and although Li Che was not the eldest son, he was also born to the Empress and was the second in line to the throne of the Great Zhao Dynasty.

Li Heng secretly wanted to eliminate this hidden danger, because Li Che married Shen Yue, and the Shen family helped to make Li Che a prince during the reign of Emperor Cheng, so that he could live peacefully in his fief.

Even so, Li Heng did not let go of his gifted younger brother after he ascended the throne.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects." Shen Li stepped forward and asked, "What's wrong, Your Highness?"

"Family matters." Li Che wiped his red eyes and calmly uttered two words.

Shen Li wanted to laugh when she saw how mature this little boy was. Although she didn't laugh out loud, the smile in her eyes was hard to hide.

"Does Mr. Shen believe that His Highness the Crown Prince might become a wise ruler?" Li Che asked, looking up with a serious expression.

The question was so serious that Shen Li didn't react for a moment. In her mind, she thought that if you put a bone on the dragon throne, even a dog wouldn't be as bad as Li Heng.

But she couldn't say that.

"Your Highness, speaking ill of the Crown Prince is a capital offense," Shen Li said cautiously. "Walls have ears, so be careful what you say."

Li Che shook his head and sighed.

Shen Li almost burst out laughing again just as she was getting serious. This child is like a little old man.

Li Che stopped talking about Li Heng. Shen Li tried several times to get information out of him about what had just happened, but she couldn't get any answers.

She narrowed her eyes. It seemed that in her previous life she had little contact with Li Che and knew almost nothing about him. The most special thing she remembered about him was his unwavering devotion to love.

Now it seems that this child is truly extraordinary.

The temporary offices of the Hanlin Academy were also located within the palace. Ice was placed inside, and the palace offered a view of gardens when the windows were opened. It was arguably the most leisurely and comfortable day of Shen Li's entire summer.

After greeting the academicians who had come with her, she sat down and stared out the window, lost in thought. She was thinking about the possible political situation that might arise after Li Heng's downfall.

She already had a better candidate in mind, but even if he was a good person, he was only suitable to be the emperor. She could not entrust her life and fortune to someone else.

The saying goes, "A new emperor brings a new court." No one can guarantee that things won't change once they're in that position. Even if things could remain the same, she couldn't gamble her entire family's lives on the emperor's single thought.

That would be too passive; what she wants is absolute security and a life in her own hands.

Fortunately, Emperor Cheng was still in good health, giving her and Gu Chang'an enough time to plan for themselves.

She only made a brief appearance at the Hanlin Academy that day before leaving, not forgetting that there was a sick person at home who needed care, and wondering if the fever had returned today.

"Go back to the manor and tell the master and madam that I will return when the young master is feeling better. It wouldn't be good if he brought his illness with him." Shen Li sent a servant back to the Shen manor to deliver the message.

The climate in Tanghuai is pleasant, but it is still very hot at noon. When she got off the carriage with ice, she felt as if she had stepped into a steamer. Fortunately, the umbrella above her head shielded her from the scorching sun.

As she walked toward the gate of the mansion, she suddenly heard a woman's voice beside her: "Sister Shen."

Lianqiao raised her umbrella slightly, and Shen Li saw the person walking towards her, who appeared to be coming from the mansion next door.

"Young lady of the Cheng family, you've grown even more beautiful since I last saw you." Shen Li recognized the person at a glance: Cheng Ruojin, the daughter of the Cheng family of Shuntian Prefecture.

They were all ladies from the same circle, and even if they weren't familiar with each other, they would often run into each other at poetry gatherings and banquets. They would greet each other and chat for a few words each time. They couldn't be said to be familiar with each other, but they could be said to know each other.

However, there were some overlaps. This year's top scholar was willing to kill his wife to marry this Miss Cheng. If she hadn't informed the Shuntian Prefecture, the truth of the matter might not have come to light for many years.

In her previous life, Miss Cheng was pregnant when she heard this news and lost both her life and her child. In a way, Shen Li saved her life.

“My garden is built next door, so we’re neighbors with yours,” Cheng Ruojin said with a smile. “How about you come and take a look, sister?”

"I'm afraid it's not convenient today. My husband has caught a cold and needs taking care of him. I'm really sorry to disappoint you, sister," Shen Li said apologetically. "I will definitely visit you another day."

"I apologize for my rudeness, sister. Please go ahead with your business. The Cheng family welcomes your visit at any time." Cheng Ruojin gave a slight bow before taking her leave.

Shen Li forgot that she was neighbors with the Cheng family. In her previous life, she didn't have much contact with Cheng Ruojin and didn't know what kind of person she was. Judging from the conversation just now, she didn't seem to have any hostility.

"Miss, you have no connection with Miss Cheng, so why did she come to invite you?" Peony asked, puzzled.

"I really don't know why. I'll ask him myself in a few days." Shen Li didn't take the matter too seriously.

Yesterday it was dark and she didn't get a good look at the villa, but today, walking past pavilions, towers, bridges, and flowing water, she truly felt like she was in Jiangnan.

Upon returning to the hospital, as soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw that the bedroom window was open. Gu Chang'an was sitting on a small table by the window reading official documents. His white clothes were slightly oversized on him. Although this man had broad shoulders and long legs, he had recently lost weight, which made people feel sorry for him.

Gu Chang'an was observing carefully when he suddenly felt a murderous aura beside him. He wondered who was putting pressure on him, and when he looked up, he saw Shen Li standing outside the window.

Gu Chang'an's dark, deep eyes instantly lost all their imposing aura, their depth replaced by guilt: "Ah Li... you're back already at noon?"