ten thousand houses so that all the poor scholars in the world can find shelter and happiness.' Another poet said, 'To carry on the learning of the sages of the past and to open up a peaceful era for...Chapter 285: Can You Give a Massage

A person's energy is finite.

Under such a tense state, by the afternoon, Wan Jiaojiao, who had stood all day and been on high alert all day, was already exhausted and could hardly stand.

Li Chen was at that moment replying to several scrolls accusing Zhao He Shan of wanton bloodshed and tyranny. As he raised his teacup, he found it empty.

With a slight frown, Li Chen turned his head and saw Wan Jiaojiao trembling beside him.

To be honest, Li Chen felt a bit embarrassed seeing such a beautiful woman treated this way.

"Need I remind you about such a simple thing as making tea"

Although he was embarrassed, Li Chen wouldn't let himself be treated unfairly.

Wan Jiaojiao was startled and immediately ran to refill Li Chen's teacup.

After taking a sip, Li Chen glanced at Wan Jiaojiao whose face was taut with tension. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Have someone bring over a set of chairs and tables. You sit on the right side. Normally, do nothing special. But behind your right side, there's a row of bookshelves. Take some books from there to read. Most of them are historical records and poetry. Since you can recognize the characters and have studied with the master, you should be able to appreciate their flavor."

After what happened this morning, Wan Jiaojiao stared at Li Chen as if he were a ferocious tiger that could eat people anytime, quite surprised and flattered.

But luckily, she wasn't foolish enough to refuse politely.

"Slave, thank you, Prince."

Moments later, a complete set of table and chairs was brought over. Wan Jiaojiao carefully sat down by the bookshelf, but she was still a bit reserved.

Li Chen, engrossed in the scroll before him, continued to read intently, occasionally pausing to scribble notes on the side. Yet, as if he had eyes at the back of his head, he remarked, "The third book from the left on the second shelf behind you is 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. It tells the story of a prominent family's rise and fall in the previous dynasty. While it focuses on a group of family members, the writing is exquisite. Between the lines, you can also find glimpses of political intrigue, power struggles, and courtly machinations. You should take a look."

Wan Jiaojiao didn't even dare to breathe, she meekly responded with a sound, then carefully followed Li Chen's instructions and sure enough found a copy of "Dream of the Red Chamber".

At first, Wan Jiaojiao was just following Li Chen's orders to look at the book. Although her eyes were on the pages, most of her mind was still on Li Chen, afraid that something else might happen.

After flipping through just a few pages, Wan Jiajiao was surprised to find that the book became more and more captivating the more she read. She couldn't help but get lost in it.

When she finished reading the first few chapters, she looked up to find His Royal Highness gazing at her with a half-smile.

Wan Jiaojiao hastily got up, her heart filled with fear as she said, "The servant was so engrossed that I didn't notice. Please punish me, Your Highness."

"This palace is afraid you'll be bored, so I let you watch. Since you're engrossed, it proves that this palace's recommendation is good. I won't blame you." Li Chen said.

"These documents have already been dealt with, go and tell the eunuchs from the Bureau of Liturgical Rites to come and remove them."

Wan Jiaojiao immediately got up and hurried out to attend to something.

After a while, Wan Jiajiao came back with several eunuchs.

After the eunuch paid his respects to Li Chen, he remained silent and skillfully picked up the imperial decree before quietly withdrawing.

Throughout the entire process, his eyes were fixed on his shoes and the ground, not daring to look at Li Chen or Zou Zhang even once.

This is the rule.

Li Chen stretched and saw Wan Jiaojiao standing beside him. He asked, "Can you give a massage"

Wan Jiaojiao said somewhat embarrassedly: "Occasionally when my adoptive father comes back, I'll help him knead his shoulders if he's tired, but not much else." was Dongshan, where his influence and prestige were extremely high in that generation. From a small county magistrate to the provincial governor above, everyone in Dongshan was loyal to Zhao Xuanji.H...