Chapter 170: Introduce Me

Chapter 170: Introduce Me

The two consecutive sentences came from two different people. Min Leyi looked up and saw them, his body instantly stiffening.

A wave of embarrassment surged from his stomach to his mind, and the long-healed palm of his hand began to burn painfully again.

Madam Yu had just attended the Lantern Festival banquet at Consort Ying's palace. After leaving the West Gate of Chang'an, she reached Chang'an Avenue and, spontaneously, got out of her carriage to admire the lanterns.

Behind her were dozens of servants, and the closest to her was an ornately dressed elderly nanny, none other than Nanny Guan, who had once made Min Leyi's life miserable.

Nanny Guan was the one who accused Min Leyi of secretly meeting a man at night and questioned Min Taikang's parenting. It was clear how furious and resentful she had been when Min Taikang firmly asked her to leave the Min residence, and she still held a grudge to this day.

After Nanny Guan finished speaking, Madam Yu, who had first recognized Min Leyi, spoke with a measured tone, "Nanny, Young Master Min has long been no longer connected to us. Why bother lecturing him and making things worse?"

Nanny Guan chuckled lightly, "You're right, Madam. This is the Min family's burden. We've given our reminder, and that's enough. Thankfully, the marriage between him and your son didn't go through..."

The two of them spoke condescendingly, mocking Min Leyi thoroughly in just a few sentences. Min Leyi's hands trembled with anger, but he bit his lower lip tightly, refusing to budge.

At that moment, Wu Shen, who had his back to the intruders, suddenly laughed. He sighed and turned around, his gaze sweeping past Madam Yu and Nanny Guan, who were a few steps away.

"Meeting a man in secret? Are you referring to me?"

Earlier, Wu Shen had been facing away from them, and the dim evening light made it unclear. Both Madam Yu and Nanny Guan had assumed that the man eating at the humble wonton stall with Min Leyi was some random fellow.

But when he turned around, illuminated by the nearby wall of lanterns, Madam Yu suddenly noticed that he was wearing very formal ceremonial attire, clearly having just attended a palace banquet and exited the imperial city.

Nanny Guan, who had served Consort Ying and cared for the young Third Prince, immediately recognized him.

Her heart tightened, and the wariness she had lost after retiring from the palace suddenly returned. A cold sweat broke out on her back.

"This humble servant greets General Wu. I was momentarily blind and did not realize the general was here. I beg for your forgiveness."

Madam Yu had been in Liaozhou for the past few years and was unfamiliar with Wu Shen's appearance, but when Nanny Guan addressed him as General Wu, she immediately understood.

Wu Shen had recently achieved a great victory against enemy forces and returned to the capital to present prisoners. He was at the height of his power. Prince Jin was even trying to obtain medicine from the Crown Prince to save his eldest son. At this critical moment, they absolutely could not afford to offend Wu Shen over a trivial matter.

Madam Yu quickly adjusted her expression and spoke sincerely, "General Wu, we have some past connections with the young gentleman beside you. We accidentally involved you in this matter, but it's all just a misunderstanding."

Madam Yu doubted that Min Leyi, with his background and temperament, could have any significant connection to the highly sought-after Wu Shen. He wasn't worthy. At most, the two of them just happened to be eating wontons here at the same time.

What a pity. The joyful atmosphere of admiring the lanterns had been ruined by Min Leyi. And because General Wu was involved, they couldn't publicize this matter to further tarnish Min Leyi's reputation.

But Min Leyi's reputation was already tarnished enough. One more incident wouldn't make much difference. Thankfully, the marriage between him and Min'er hadn't gone through. Otherwise, if such a disobedient young man had married in and stirred up trouble, her authority as the eldest sister-in-law would be undermined.

Madam Yu had thought that after explaining the situation to Wu Shen, the matter would be over. But Wu Shen didn't even listen to her explanation. Instead, he turned directly to Min Leyi for confirmation.

"Do you know these two? They speak so harshly. What terrible things have they done to offend you?"

Min Leyi looked up at Wu Shen, his puppy-like eyes misty from the hot wonton soup. Wu Shen's heart skipped a beat.

"What if I do know them? What if I tell you?" Min Leyi, for some reason, was filled with anger and fired off two questions in a row.

Wu Shen tilted his head and smiled, "What then? Just say 'General Wu is mighty and heroic,' and the general will take care of it for you."

Min Leyi couldn't help but laugh, only realizing afterward that this wasn't the time for laughter.

On the other side, Madam Yu and Nanny Guan's expressions turned grim. This wild young man from the Min family actually knew General Wu, and they even seemed to be flirting! In the middle of Chang'an Avenue, no less!

Madam Yu took a deep breath, "General Wu, this is Chang'an Avenue outside the imperial city. Although you are a military officer, you are also a member of the royal family and a nobleman. How can you be so indecorous?"

Wu Shen lazily drawled, "You wanna teach me how to act?"

"..." Madam Yu was struck dumb.

Nanny Guan, wanting to defuse the situation and considering Wu Shen's attitude towards Min Leyi, took a different approach, "Young General, you might be easygoing, but you should also consider Young Master Min. They say his brother and sister-in-law have gone to great lengths for his marriage. What if an unmarried young lad tarnishes his name?"

Min Leyi's smile froze, and his face went pale once more.

The young master of the Min family was fearless, except when it came to hurting his loved ones. In the past, he feared disappointing his hardworking father; now, he feared troubling his busy elder brother and pregnant sister-in-law. For this, he'd even swallow his pride.

Wu Shen had come a long way over the years. Though still lively and carefree with friends, he'd sharpened his observational skills.

Seeing Min Leyi's expression and connecting it with Madam Yu and Nanny Guan's words, he put two and two together.

Wu Shen looked at Min Leyi seriously for a while, then suddenly laughed.

He shot a sideways glance at Madam Yu, "The wife of the Minister of the Imperial Banquet Office, and a cousin of Consort Ying?"

His voice dripped with disdain, and Madam Yu's chest burned with anger, deliberately not responding.

Wu Shen had only achieved merit and had not yet been rewarded; his father was still in exile. At heart, he was just the son of a disgraced official. How dare he slight a court lady!

Wu Shen read Madam Yu's thoughts and burst into laughter. Madam Yu was baffled but sensed Wu Shen's mockery.

Suddenly, a cold glint flashed by Madam Yu's ear, and she stumbled back in shock. When she steadied herself, she saw Nanny Guan clutching her face, howling in pain, with a small piece of broken silver at her feet.

Madam Yu lost her composure and yelled, "Wu Shen! Are you gonna start a fight on Chang'an Avenue?!"

Wu Shen picked at his ear with his little finger, "It's a holiday, just tossing a few coins to a chatty servant. Why's Madam Yu making a big deal out of it?"

"Cursing in public, where's your family's manners?"

"..."

Chang'an Avenue was packed with people, many of whom were dignitaries who had just come from the palace banquet. Noticing the commotion, many turned their attention to the scene.

Madam Yu took deep breaths, shaking with rage. Both her birth and married families were centuries-old noble houses. This was the first time she had been questioned about her family's upbringing.

If it weren't for Wu Dingshan's abilities and the luck of having a cousin who married the current emperor before his rise to power, becoming the empress, the Wu family would just be a military family of humble origins. How could a mutt like Wu Shen dare to talk back to her!

Nanny Guan had already removed her hand from her face, one side of which was swollen high, and her teeth were loosened.

Having spent many years in the palace, although she was used to being pampered and liked to bully others, she was more adept at assessing situations than Madam Yu. She hurriedly pulled at Madam Yu's sleeve and whispered advice.

"Madam, as an elder, why argue with a junior in public? It would look disrespectful. Young General Wu is in a rage now, let's go back and discuss this tomorrow."

Wu Shen, having just achieved great merit and being highly favored, with the crown prince's backing, could afford to act recklessly here and not suffer any consequences afterward. They could only endure the beating.

Madam Yu calmed down and dared not say more. Although she tried to maintain her composure, her retreating figure looked like a hasty escape.

"Wait," Wu Shen leisurely spoke, "That old servant must have come from the palace to teach manners, right? Why doesn't she know how to thank for the reward?"

Madam Yu's figure stiffened, not daring to turn back and respond. Nanny Guan felt a surge of bitterness, lowering her old face and properly bending her waist to the ground.

"This old servant is grateful for the young general's reward."

Wu Shen stepped aside, making her face the stunned Min Leyi to bow.

"..."

The Yu family's carriage, sensing something amiss, hurriedly made its way through the crowd to its mistress. Lady Yu immediately got into the carriage and left, not daring to even open a slit in the curtain.

Wu Shen waved his hand in front of Min Leyi's face a few times.

"Hey, wake up! What are you spacing out for? Are you happy?"

Min Leyi didn't know how to react. After thinking for a while, he finally smiled and said, "Happy."

"That's more like it." Wu Shen snapped his fingers and gave a few coins to the dumpling seller, who was also stunned.

"This is payment for three bowls of dumplings. When the servant who went to buy chestnut pastries comes back, give him a bowl of dumplings and have him wait here for his master."

"Where are we going? Hey! Slow down!"

"Run! I know you're quick. I'll take you somewhere amazing!"

Wu Shen pulled Min Leyi through the bustling crowd, sprinting deeper into Chang'an Avenue. Soon, Min Leyi started running on his own, and their speed increased even more.

They sprinted all the way to the West Gate of Chang'an, beyond which was the Imperial Street. Wu Shen finally stopped. Min Leyi was slightly winded as he watched Wu Shen take out a waist badge and hand it to the gate guard, then pull him further inside.

"Where... where are we going?"

"Inside, up to the city wall of Chang'an West Gate to take a look." Wu Shen grabbed Min Leyi's wrist through his sleeve and strode ahead. "Don't worry, I'll handle any consequences."

Min Leyi hesitated for half a second, but curiosity overcame his fear, and he jogged to keep up with Wu Shen.

The top of Chang'an West Gate connected to the imperial city wall. The towering wall soared about seventy or eighty feet high. Standing atop it, one could see most of the capital. On the night of the Lantern Festival, the view was filled with dazzling lights, and the night breeze gently stirred their clothes.

It was the first time Min Leyi had seen such a sight. He leaned against the parapet, mouth agape, speechless for a long while, his face flushed with excitement.

Wu Shen stood behind him with his arms crossed. "So, are you even happier now?"

Min Leyi's eyes sparkled as he nodded repeatedly, but Wu Shen said, "You're lying. You clearly still have concerns."

"..." Min Leyi reluctantly tore his gaze away from the scenery and turned to lean his back against the city wall. The parapet was as high as his shoulders, and the wide wall path could accommodate horses, making one feel small.

"My worries pale in comparison to what I see before me."

"What?"

"I said they're nothing." Min Leyi flashed a bright smile. "If I were truly a man, I'd enlist in your army as I mentioned before, go to the frontier, and fight for my own career. Those things wouldn't bother me at all."

"But I can't, so I can only be bothered by them. But that doesn't mean they're anything significant."

Wu Shen silently watched Min Leyi for a while, then suddenly said, "Even if you can't join the army directly, it's not impossible for you to go to the frontier and make a name for yourself."

Min Leyi laughed heartily. "Deputy General Wu Shen, you're so astute and powerful. Please show me how."

Wu Shen couldn't help but chuckle, then tried to look serious. "I'm serious. I really have a solution, and it might even solve your original worries."

"What?" Min Leyi's eyes sparkled as he looked over.

"You could marry a military officer. That way, you'd go wherever he goes. If he goes to the frontier to fight, you could go with him." Wu Shen controlled his facial expression. "Your brother and sister-in-law wouldn't have to fret over your marriage anymore."

Min Leyi was taken aback for a moment, then clapped his hands. "You're right! That way, I wouldn't have a care in the world!"

Wu Shen suppressed a smile and was about to continue guiding him when Min Leyi excitedly added, "But my family has no ties to military officers. Deputy General Wu Shen, do you have any young, single, and respectable subordinates or officers you could introduce me to?"