Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 331 Shen Yanchu Stirs Up Trouble

The streets and alleys of the capital were bustling with activity, lined with shops, teeming with people, and filled with the aroma of cooking.

In the study of the Shi family mansion, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice and fell on the desk filled with books.

Cui Zhihao, dressed in a moon-white long robe, stood tall and straight. He held Shi Wanxia's hand, his eyes full of reassurance: "Guoguo, don't worry, I'll be right back."

"When I return, we will continue to discuss the promotion of movable type printing."

Shi Wanxia wore an elegant dress, and her long, black hair was tied up in a bun and secured with a wooden hairpin.

She watched Choi Ji-ho's departing figure, but a strange unease welled up in her heart.

She gently stroked the unfinished movable type model on the table, silently praying that everything would go smoothly.

They hope to promote movable type printing as soon as possible, so that the light of knowledge can illuminate every corner of the world.

When Choi Ji-ho returned to the Choi residence, he immediately sensed the oppressive atmosphere as soon as he stepped into the main hall.

The hall was decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, and the candles on the gilded candlesticks flickered with a faint light.

Shen Yanchu, dressed in a black brocade robe, was having a pleasant conversation with Cui Zhihao's parents, but the content of their conversation made the atmosphere increasingly strange.

Shen Yanchu bowed respectfully, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes: "Uncle, Aunt, I have come to bother you."

I heard that my third uncle's parents came to the capital. According to seniority, they are my great-uncle and great-aunt.

As a junior, I should naturally come to pay my respects; otherwise, my mother will surely scold me if she finds out.

Cui Zhihao's mother, dressed in a dark purple brocade dress, nodded slightly: "Your Highness is very kind."

Shen Yanchu continued, "As soon as I entered the manor today, my aunt told me that my third uncle is in love with Miss Shi and absolutely refuses to agree to the marriage arranged for him by the family with the daughter of the Lu family from Fanyang. The two elders are very worried about this."

Upon hearing this, Cui Zhihao's heart tightened.

Shen Yanchu suppressed his jealousy, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes: "To be honest, in the Cangyan Mountains, Miss Shi, an unmarried woman, took care of me for a long time."

"Although we have not consummated our marriage, the fact that a man and a woman have been alone together for so long has already damaged Miss Shi's reputation."

"In this world today, besides me, who would dare to marry a woman whose reputation is tarnished?"

"Moreover, Miss Shi is an orphan. Even though His Majesty values ​​her and has made an exception to appoint her as a female official, her family background is far inferior to that of the daughter of the Lu family of Fanyang."

“Miss Shi’s background is not good. Which family in the capital would dare to let her be the principal wife, let alone a century-old family like our Cui family of Qinghe?”

Cui Zhihao's father, dressed in a dark blue casual suit, frowned deeply: "Such a thing has happened? Huai'an, you usually get close to that girl, are you aware of this?"

Cui Zhihao was furious, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Father, Miss Wanxia is definitely not what Prince Xiang said."

"They were forced to live together in the Azure Flame Mountains to seek refuge."

"Miss Shi was of noble character and devoted herself to promoting movable type printing so that more people could access knowledge."

Shen Yanchu sneered: "Third Uncle, don't be fooled by her."

"Now, the whole capital is talking about this. If you don't believe it, you can go and ask around."

Cui Zhihao was anxious. He knew Wanxia's character well and understood that if this matter was not handled properly, it would not only affect Shi Wanxia's reputation, but also hinder the promotion of movable type printing.

Just then, the butler hurried into the hall: "Young Master, Miss Shi requests an audience."

Shen Yanchu's expression changed slightly, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

Cui Zhihao's eyes lit up: "Quickly, invite her in."

Shi Wanxia stepped into the hall and gracefully bowed. She sensed the unusual atmosphere but remained calm: "Uncle Cui, Aunt Cui, Prince Xiang. I have come today to discuss important matters."

Shen Yanchu spoke first: "Miss Shi, you've come at just the right time."

“I was just talking to my uncle and aunt about your affairs in the Azure Flame Mountains.”

Shi Wanxia felt a chill run down her spine, but her face remained impassive: "Prince Xiang, I presume that what you are talking about is related to your unintentional wandering in the Cangyan Mountains."

"While this is true, the situation was critical at the time, and my daughter was only focused on saving her life. There was nothing wrong with that."

"If Prince Xiang were to use this to slander my daughter's reputation, it would be an extremely despicable act."

Shen Yanchu's face flushed red: "You...you dare to say such things to me."

Cui Zhihao walked to Shi Wanxia's side and gently comforted her, "Guoguo, don't be afraid, I'm here."

Cui Zhihao's father pondered for a moment: "Miss Shi, I've heard that you're researching movable type printing?"

A glint flashed in Shi Wanxia's eyes: "That's right, Uncle."

"If movable type printing can be promoted, it will not only greatly improve the efficiency of book printing, but also allow knowledge to be spread more widely, benefiting people all over the world."

Cui Zhihao's mother nodded slightly: "I've heard Huai'an talk about it; it is indeed a matter that benefits the country and its people."

Upon seeing this, Shen Yanchu felt unwilling: "Even so, Miss Shi's reputation cannot be ignored."

Cui Zhihao glared at him angrily: "Prince Xiang, what are your true intentions in repeatedly slandering Wanxia?"

"I will get to the bottom of what happened today. If I find out that you were behind this, I will not let you off easily."

Just as everyone was at a stalemate, a commotion suddenly came from outside the door.

Upon hearing of the dispute at the Cui residence and receiving an invitation from Shi Wanxia, ​​Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou dared not delay and immediately rushed over with several guards.

Shen Yanzhou was dressed in a magnificent brocade robe with python patterns, a bright yellow ribbon tied around his waist, and a purple-gold crown on his head. He had a handsome face and an innate sense of majesty in his eyes.

Upon entering the Cui residence, he went straight to the main hall, where he saw Shi Wanxia, ​​Cui Zhihao, and Shen Yanchu locked in a stalemate, the atmosphere tense like a taut bowstring, ready to snap at any moment.

Shen Yanzhou quickly walked to Shi Wanxia's side and asked with concern, "Miss Shi, what happened? Why did you call me here?"

Shi Wanxia's eyes were slightly red as she recounted in detail how Shen Yanchu had slandered her reputation and tried to ruin her relationship with Cui Zhihao.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yanzhou's face darkened, and his gaze shot towards Shen Yanchu like a knife: "Yanchu, Miss Shi is the benefactor of Cangling. My father also recognizes her ability to govern the world. I have always regarded her as my own sister."

"Just because you like that girl doesn't mean you should act like this."

"She and Choi Ji-ho are in love, so why did you have to interfere and repay kindness with enmity?"

Shen Yanchu's face flushed red, and he said stiffly, "Your Highness, my feelings for Miss Shi are sincere."

"Back in the Azure Flame Mountains, she and I were alone together for a long time, and her reputation has already been damaged. Who else but me would marry her?"

Shen Yanzhou snorted coldly: "Don't talk nonsense! You were forced to live together in the Cangyan Mountains to seek refuge."

"Miss Shi was of noble character and devoted herself to promoting movable type printing to benefit the people."

"You, for your own selfish desires, have slandered her reputation, which is truly despicable."