The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Pei Du said that if anyone encountered a problem they couldn't solve, they could bring the token to him.

Shen Hanyu touched the cold, hard token, never expecting that she would end up becoming someone who took advantage of a debt of gratitude.

She and Pei Du had a fairly good relationship, but she was afraid that if she made that request tomorrow, Pei Du would hate her for it.

Shen Hanyu lay back on the bed. The trouble Zhou Yurong caused this time came too early and too suddenly.

Shen Hanyu did not sleep well that night; she dreamed of many things from the past.

When Miao Cui came in, she saw Shen Hanyu's expression and knew that Shen Hanyu was very worried about this matter.

"girl."

"Pack up, we're going out for a bit."

Shen Hanyu quickly dressed and washed up, ate something simple, and then left through the back door with her token.

She doesn't need to go to the girls' school today, and she doesn't have much time left.

The fact that the Marquis's mansion hasn't locked her up yet doesn't mean it won't be later.

Shen Hanyu knew where Pei Du had moved to, so she went there discreetly in a carriage, wearing a veil.

When she arrived at Pei Du's place, she simply showed them the token, and the servant led her inside.

Holding the token, Shen Hanyu removed the curtain and looked at Pei Du sitting opposite her.

"Miss Shen."

Pei Du brewed some tea and placed a cup in front of Shen Hanyu.

Shen Hanyu sat down, feeling a little nervous.

In her opinion, her relationship with Pei Du was previously quite good, but after she finished expressing her demands, she didn't know what would happen.

Shen Hanyu picked up her teacup and took a sip, giving herself some time to process the situation.

Pei Du wasn't in a hurry to ask, waiting for Shen Hanyu to speak first.

"I've come here to ask you for help with something."

Shen Hanyu handed over the token.

Pei Du raised an eyebrow slightly as he looked at the token: "Have you encountered something you can't resolve?"

Shen Hanyu frankly said, "The Earl of Guangning wants to take me as a concubine, but I am unwilling. Princess Yongning is not related to me and will not help me. I have not thought of a good way yet, so I can only come to you."

Pei Du nodded and continued, "What do you want me to do?"

Shen Hanyu's request was somewhat difficult to state. Among the people she knew, the only one who could keep Zhou Yurong in check was Pei Du, the eldest son of the founding duke's family.

Although Pei Du has moved out, her status remains the same, and her connection with the Founding Duke's Mansion has not been severed. She really can't trust anyone else, not to mention the Crown Prince interfering from the royal family.

The Crown Prince probably wishes he could personally send her to the Guangning Marquis's residence.

After much deliberation, Shen Hanyu realized that this was the only option.

"I would like to propose marriage to Young Master Pei."

Pei Du tapped the table with his fingertips without speaking. Shen Hanyu didn't dare to look up at Pei Du's expression, sensing that Pei Du was definitely somewhat displeased.

"Be engaged to me?"

Pei Du broke the silence.

Shen Hanyu nodded slightly; she could only rely on the life-saving grace she had received.

Pei Du put away the token.

“Miss Shen saved me twice, so I can agree.”

Things went surprisingly smoothly, which Shen Hanyu found somewhat unreal. She looked up and met Pei Du's gaze.

Pei Du's expression remained unchanged, as if he were talking about something very ordinary.

“I will handle this matter thoroughly. I haven’t severed ties with the Founding Duke’s Mansion yet, but that’s not enough. Zhou Yurong is a madman. No one can guess what he’ll do. I’ll think of another way. Wait for me for two days.”

Shen Hanyu's throat was dry, and she could only nod repeatedly, not knowing what to say.

When Shen Hanyu left Pei Du's side, her steps were still a little unsteady.

"Isn't it going well?"

Miao Cui didn't dare to eavesdrop on the conversation, so she didn't know whether it was successful or not.

Shen Hanyu shook her head: "It went smoothly, but something feels a bit strange."

At the same time, she was also a little scared, but Shen Hanyu didn't say it out loud.

Now, thinking back carefully, she realized there was still a lot she wanted to say to Pei Du, so she could only wait a couple of days before going.

After Shen Hanyu left, Pei Du turned around and went into the palace.

He was led to the Imperial Study by the eunuchs just as the court session was ending.

Li Jiangui was reading a memorial when he caught a glimpse of Pei Du out of the corner of his eye, and a smile appeared on his face.

“I gave you a token to enter and leave the palace, but this is the first time you’ve come here on your own initiative.”

Pei Du smiled and bowed in greeting.

His mother and the Empress were old friends. When he was young, she often visited the palace, and Li Jiangui bestowed many gifts upon him, showing great affection for him.

The matter of the Founding Duke's Mansion caused quite a stir. Li Jiangui wanted to intervene, but Pei Du refused.

"What? Now you've finally remembered to ask me to handle those trivial matters at the Duke's mansion for you?"

Li Jiangui thought Pei Du had come to ask him for help in resolving the matter at the Founding Duke's Mansion, but to his surprise, Pei Du knelt down gracefully.

"Your Majesty, I have come here with great shame to ask for two favors."

Li Jiangui exclaimed "Huh?", stood up and looked at him, and said in an annoyed tone, "It's been so many years since I've seen you come to the palace to pay your respects to me and the Empress. Now you come and make two requests right away."

Pei Du's lips twitched slightly. "Your Majesty, I wonder where all the Floating Cloud Wine and Rouge Intoxication that have been sent to the palace over the years have ended up."

Lee Geon-kyu coughed lightly, changing the subject.

"You speak first, and I'll consider whether or not to grant your request."

Pei Du looked serious and spoke in a loud voice.

"First, I request a divorce agreement between my mother and Pei Mingjian, the founding duke, to take her away from the Pei family ancestral graves. Second, I request a marriage certificate between myself and Shen Hanyu, the only daughter of the Shen family in Suzhou, to betroth her as my legal wife."

As long as there is the Emperor's decree, even if he no longer has the status of the eldest son of the Founding Duke's Mansion, Zhou Yurong cannot disobey the decree.

Lee Geon-kyu's temples were throbbing.

"The marriage certificate can be given, I have no objection to it. The Shen family of Suzhou..." Li Jiangui thought carefully and then remembered, "You mean Shen Yanzhi, right? I have some impression of him. He is a man of good character. Since his daughter has won your favor, she must be quite good as well."

Pei Du's expression relaxed slightly.

"However, I cannot agree to the divorce agreement for the time being."

Pei Du bowed and thanked the emperor: "I know Your Majesty's difficulties. The girls' school has not yet shown its value. There have never been cases of death or separation before. It would be bad if this matter caused trouble again. I can wait."

Lee Geon-kyu smiled with satisfaction.

"It's good that you understand. I have too many things to consider. I will give you an explanation sooner or later regarding your matter with the Founding Duke's Mansion. You have suffered."

He went over and patted Pei Du on the shoulder.

Pei Du smiled and said, "I beg Your Majesty to issue a decree as soon as possible."

Li Jiangui chuckled: "You really can't wait a moment longer. I'm genuinely curious about who this Miss Shen is that you're so infatuated with."

Pei Du felt a little embarrassed by what was said, and with Li Jiangui's permission, he went back.

The imperial edict should be delivered to the Marquis of Anping's residence soon. He has already fulfilled his promise to Shen Hanyu. Moreover, the marriage certificate did not specify a wedding date, and he knows that Shen Hanyu still wants to participate in the imperial examination.

Pei Du clenched his fist. This time, he had schemed against Shen Hanyu. He hoped that when she found out, she wouldn't blame him.