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

Chapter 166 The Domineering Little Prince

Shen Li simply smiled faintly: "I have a family, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Lord Xu has no family and is quite handsome, why doesn't he go play with his brothers?" Zhao Wencai asked Xu Zhiyuan again.

Xu Zhiyuan was the most hardworking person here. He spoke the least and read the most materials every day, and he was very serious about writing.

“I’m not interested in those things. The opportunity to attend the Hanlin Academy is rare. You are all future pillars of society. Why waste your time on useless things?” Xu Zhiyuan said, his brows slightly furrowed.

The old scholars who had gathered there felt embarrassed upon hearing this, thinking to themselves that this top scholar was truly arrogant and haughty.

However, he has the right to be arrogant. A talented man like him is bound to be chosen by some important person to be his son-in-law, and his rise to prominence is just around the corner.

"Lord Xu truly puts us to shame. With your lofty aspirations, Lord Xu is sure to achieve great things in the future, and we, his colleagues, will also share in your glory." Zhao Wencai, quick-witted as ever, swiftly smoothed things over.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhiyuan raised his head even higher.

After Zhao Wencai finished speaking, he looked at Shen Li, hoping that she would also say a few words to ease the atmosphere.

Shen Li originally didn't want to speak, but seeing this, she said:

"I've heard that families with daughters of marriageable age are fighting tooth and nail to invite Brother Xu to their homes for dinner. Brother Xu is young and promising; on your wedding day, we'd love to have a drink with you."

"Yeah, yeah," the people around them chimed in.

Xu Zhiyuan finally couldn't control the corners of his mouth and said with a smile, "Of course, of course."

Zhao Wencai silently gave Shen Li a thumbs up. He thought he was good at smoothing things over, but he didn't expect there to be someone better than him.

After the duty was over, Zhao Wencai deliberately walked with Shen Li. When they saw that there was no one around, he whispered, "Thank you, Lord Shen, for smoothing things over for me. Who would have thought that he would get so angry over just one sentence? I was wondering where I had offended him."

"Is Brother Nian wary of him?" Shen Li asked with a smile, as she and Zhao Wencai got along quite well.

"My lord, you may not know this, but this top scholar has been frequently visiting the home of the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. Do you know that the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture has only one daughter, who is of marriageable age?"

"The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture is in charge of the defense and security of the capital. Where in the capital doesn't he have connections? If he were to climb such a high branch, wouldn't he become the top scholar among his cohort of candidates?"

Zhao Wencai glanced at Shen Li in front of him and then changed his words: "The second person with a powerful background."

Just kidding, Shen Li herself is a third-rank official, so she can call others "brother," and no one, regardless of their rank, dares to call her "sister" or "younger sister."

"I see, no wonder their aura was so strong." Shen Li smiled again: "Then we'd better keep our distance."

Zhao Wencai never expected that Shen Li was not only understanding but also witty.

As they talked, they walked to Shen Li's carriage, where Yu Die came to greet them.

"Men and women should be kept separate, so I will not invite you to ride with me. Farewell." Shen Li nodded slightly, and only after receiving a response did she turn and get into the carriage.

As Zhao Wencai watched Shen Li's car drive away, and reflecting on her manners and demeanor, he couldn't help but sigh, "She truly is from a distinguished family; she is quite different from those who suddenly become rich."

"Miss, shall we go back to the manor or go get something to eat?" Yu Die followed her into the carriage and took Shen Li's official hat.

As Shen Li washed her hands, she said, "There's nothing to do when we get back. Tell the servant to buy some snacks, and we'll go to the Dali Temple."

"Is it possible to enter a government office, a highly sensitive area?" Yu Die asked, puzzled.

"The government office can't refuse all guests, can it? It was indeed inconvenient before I didn't travel around the court, but now it's convenient." Shen Li stretched.

She didn't get to see Gu Chang'an last night because he came home too late and she was asleep, so she had no other choice.

Yu Die took out the prepared snacks and fruits that had been presented as tribute, and then massaged her shoulders: "Miss, is this job tiring?"

"If this is considered tiring, the other government offices would be furious." Shen Li smiled, but then her smile faded when she thought of Gu Chang'an.

Both the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Revenue were places with countless administrative affairs, endless cases to be solved and endless debts to be collected, all of which fell on the shoulders of her husband alone.

Even if someone is capable, they shouldn't use their abilities like this. If Gu Chang'an hadn't suffered hardships in his youth, his body wouldn't be able to withstand such strain.

Upon arriving at the yamen, the guards, seeing that it was the Gu family's carriage, came to greet them: "Greetings, Madam. I will go and inform them immediately."

"No need for that. I'll go in and find your master." Shen Li gestured downwards with her hand, and her calm tone was enough for everyone to obey.

Shen Li walked through the front hall and the second hall, and arrived at the main hall of Director Gu Chang'an at the back.

The door was open, and she could hear Gu Chang'an getting angry even from a distance.

"Human life is at stake. How could such a huge doubt be overlooked? Isn't that just carelessness? It's clearly dereliction of duty!"

Upon hearing this, the officials all shrank back.

"Madam, why don't you wait a moment before going inside? Have some tea in the side hall first?" an official whispered a suggestion.

They were also worried that the master would take his anger out on the lady at this moment.

"No need," Shen Li shook her head.

"Go back and review the case again. If there are any more mistakes, I will dismiss you from your post." Another deep, oppressive voice rang out.

This time, Shen Li heard it more clearly because she had already reached the palace gate. Just as she stood still, a commemorative document flew over the person kneeling on the ground and landed at her feet.

She blinked as she looked at the document. Gu Chang'an's gaze followed the document and he saw Shen Li. He was momentarily stunned, then got up, walked around the table in front of him, and went downstairs.

Shen Li bent down, picked up the memorial, and handed it to the official kneeling on the ground, saying softly, "Go down."

"Yes, thank you, Your Excellency, thank you, Madam." The official kowtowed and hurriedly ran out.

"Why is Ah Li here?" Gu Chang'an walked closer, his expression a mixture of surprise and delight.

His voice was warm and gentle, with a hint of restrained joy; you could tell he was very happy without even looking at his face.

The officers outside were momentarily stunned; were there two people inside the room?

The adults in their family have always been called the "Living Yama," so is this a sound he could make?

At first, Yu Die didn't understand either, but now she's used to it. She closed the door before the next sentence could be heard.

Shen Li looked at him after closing the door and said, "I didn't see my husband last night, and I missed him a little. Did you miss me?"

Gu Chang'an didn't expect her to be so direct even in the yamen, but hearing her say that made him unable to suppress his happiness, and his eyes were practically overflowing with laughter.

“I spent a lot of time looking at A-Li last night.” He said, then, remembering Shen Li’s question, he quickly added, “I’ve been thinking about A-Li all day today too. I’ve been thinking about her constantly.”

"Don't peek at night, you need to get some sleep." Shen Li pretended to be angry.

“I’ll listen to A-Li.” Gu Chang’an took her hand, his expression proud. “But looking at your own wife doesn’t count as peeping.”