Chapter 122: Kneel Down and Pour Me a Drink

Liu Shuhua immediately smiled and said, “You truly are beautiful and kind-hearted. It is the greatest blessing for Tingting to know you!”

Though Shen Tingting felt reluctant in her heart, a smile still graced her face.

Shen Chutang looked at Shen Tingting. “Want to learn to dance from me?”

Shen Tingting had no such desire, but to get closer to the prince, she nodded eagerly. “Yes.”

“Then apprentice yourself to me.”

Shen Tingting was stunned. “Huh?”

A dark gleam flickered in Shen Chutang’s eyes. “The traditional ceremony for apprenticeship is too troublesome. Just kneel here and toast me. Only then will I reluctantly accept you as my disciple.”

Shen Tingting’s expression immediately darkened. “You want me to kneel?”

Shen Chutang looked up at her. “Didn’t you say you wanted to apprentice? According to tradition, it requires proper attire, cleansing rituals, kowtowing, six ceremonial gifts, presenting tea at an auspicious hour, and the master’s instruction. How come you said you wanted to apprentice but now don’t? Could it be that you have some other motive for approaching me?”

Liu Shuhua quickly gave Shen Tingting a look. “Of course we sincerely want to apprentice! Tingting, kneel!”

With that, Liu Shuhua pulled Shen Tingting down to her knees before Shen Chutang and brought over a cup of wine.

Though displeased, Shen Tingting still held the cup. “Master, please drink.”

Curious glances turned toward them, and Shen Tingting wished she could disappear into the ground.

At that moment, Shi Hanchan approached carrying some food. “Sister Chutang, what are you doing?”

The instant those words fell, Shen Tingting and Liu Shuhua’s expressions changed sharply. “What did you just call her?”

Shen Chutang smiled. “Good disciple, hurry and bring the cup to your master.”

That voice—it was Shen Chutang!

She had deliberately lowered her voice earlier and worn a mask, which was why Shen Tingting hadn’t recognized her.

Just now, she was dressed in shabby casual clothes, yet now she wore formal attire, moving side by side with the prince, even tricking her into kneeling to apprentice!

Furious, Shen Tingting smashed the wine glass in her hand. “Shen Chutang, you did this on purpose!”

Shen Chutang looked innocent. “You came to me asking to be my disciple, and I simply complied. How is that wrong?”

Liu Shuhua finally realized they had been played and scolded sharply, “Shen Chutang, how can you treat your sister like this, daring to fool her! You’re truly hopeless!”

Shen Chutang replied coolly, “Don’t speak so harshly. Just now you were flattering me, bowing and scraping. What, you turn hostile just because I didn’t tell you I’m Shen Chutang?”

Shi Hanchan fought back a laugh. “Some people are just sycophants, like dogs licking anyone they see, only to lose their temper when they realize they’ve been flattering someone beneath them.”

After Shen Tingting smashed the glass, a waiter quickly came to clean up. Everyone’s attention was drawn their way, so neither Liu Shuhua nor Shen Tingting dared cause a scene.

Shen Tingting glared resentfully at Shen Chutang. “Just you wait!”

Once the two left, Shi Hanchan immediately approached. “Sister Chutang, did they bully you?”

Shen Chutang shook her head. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Shi Hanchan quickly offered a small cake she had just taken. “Sister Chutang, this is a cake I just got. It’s super delicious!”

Shen Chutang, feeling a bit hungry, smiled. “Thank you.”

“There are also lobsters and premium steaks over there. Want some?”

Shen Chutang’s eyes brightened slightly. “Where?”

Shi Hanchan noticed her interest and said, “I’ll get it for you!”

Nearby, Lu Beiqin kept glancing their way. Shi Shaoxun teased, “Your eyes are practically burning holes through her. Why don’t you go over?”

“She’s only helping me out of obligation. If I cross the line, she’ll just dislike me more.”

Shi Shaoxun whistled. “Since when did our prince care so much about women?”

Lu Beiqin shot him a cold glance. Shi Shaoxun immediately shut up. “Alright, I won’t say anything.”

In the distance, Shi Hanchan excitedly waved to Shen Chutang, then pointed to the steak in front of her, exaggeratingly placing a large piece into a bowl.

Shen Chutang smiled at her, then spotted the little girl carrying the steak walking over. Suddenly, halfway there, Shi Hanchan stumbled and fell, dropping the plate.

“Oh dear, how careless,” Shen Tingting seized her chance, tripping Shi Hanchan while she wasn’t paying attention. “No matter how delicious the food, you can’t eat without watching where you’re going, right?”

Shi Hanchan was furious. Something had tripped her, and now her arm and knee were bleeding!

“Hanchan!”

Shi Shaoxun quickly hurried over, crouching beside her. “Are you okay?”

Shi Hanchan looked aggrieved. “My knee hurts so much.”

Shi Shaoxun immediately scooped her up in his arms. “I’ll take you to get it treated!”

Then his gaze coldly sliced toward Shen Tingting like a blade in the dead of winter.