The matter of Princess Yongning and Young Master Li being bestowed in marriage by Emperor Hongxiao stirred up quite a commotion in the capital.

Among the noble families in the capital, there were many who wanted to marry a princess, and even more who wanted to form connections with the Li family. But with this one imperial decree from Emperor Hongxiao, Princess Yongning could only marry Li Xian. Thus, those who had designs on Princess Yongning and those who had designs on the Li family were all disappointed at once.

Prince Cheng, upon receiving the news, was also quite distressed. Although he was at odds with Emperor Hongxiao, he had never so openly tripped him up on the surface. Shen Yurun was his man, and Li Xian was also his man. Li Xian might not be unaware of the matter between Yongning and Shen Yurun. These two were both considered his right and left arms—they couldn’t start fighting among themselves first. After learning from Consort Dowager Liu that this matter had no room for negotiation, Prince Cheng invited Shen Yurun to his residence for a gathering.

After all, in terms of closeness and foundation, the Li family was more important. But Shen Yurun also possessed qualities he admired. If this person could be of use to him in the future, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. Therefore, before everything became irreparable, Prince Cheng still hoped Shen Yurun could work for him.

He invited Shen Yurun to take the seat of honor, had someone pour tea for him, and said amiably, “Yurun, I asked you here today about Yongning’s matter.”

Shen Yurun’s expression was calm. “This subordinate understands.”

Prince Cheng observed Shen Yurun. Even at this moment, Shen Yurun still appeared composed and unhurried. He was gentle and steady—with this demeanor, it wasn’t surprising he could capture Princess Yongning’s heart. Even Prince Cheng himself had to admit this person possessed an unforgettable bearing. And as time passed and his official position rose higher, his temperament became even more distinguished.

“His Majesty’s marriage decree came inexplicably. Previously, what my mother consort mentioned to the Empress Dowager was clearly the marriage between you and Yongning, but I don’t know why it ultimately became a marriage between Yongning and Li Xian. I know about your relationship with Yongning. You also understand—Yongning has always admired you…”

Shen Yurun remained silent.

“There are thousands upon thousands of women in the world,” Prince Cheng patted Shen Yurun’s shoulder. “You’re someone meant for great things. No need to be constrained by romantic entanglements. Once you achieve your career in the future, what kind of woman can’t you have?”

Prince Cheng couldn’t comfort Shen Yurun by saying this marriage still had any room for negotiation, because it was impossible. Similarly, Prince Cheng couldn’t tell Shen Yurun to just be patient, waiting for a time when Li Xian and Princess Yongning could divorce. The Li family would never tolerate such a thing, and Li Zhongnan was someone Prince Cheng still needed to rely on. He could only sacrifice Shen Yurun, who was currently not as valuable as the Li family, or promise to compensate him in the future.

“I know you’re not someone of small ambition. You have your own aspirations. Since that’s so, why not wholeheartedly follow me in great undertakings? Better than these trivial matters.” Prince Cheng added, his gaze somewhat meaningful.

If Shen Yurun and Princess Yongning truly loved each other, Prince Cheng might have sought out Li Zhongnan to discuss whether they could find a compromise that satisfied everyone. But clearly, Prince Cheng had known from the start that Shen Yurun didn’t truly love Princess Yongning. In fact, though his sister was born beautiful and charming, her temperament was truly too poor—men rarely liked her. Especially someone like Shen Yurun, who was proud in his bones, couldn’t possibly truly love such a selfish woman as Princess Yongning.

The reason he had entangled with Princess Yongning until now was simply to climb upward. This point could be seen from his standing by and watching what happened to his former wife Xue Fangfei’s family. But without poison, one cannot be a true man—Prince Cheng rather admired this ruthlessness in Shen Yurun. Even if he didn’t end up with Princess Yongning in the future, based on Shen Yurun’s methods and talent alone, Prince Cheng was willing to give him important positions.

So he was promising Shen Yurun that even if he didn’t form a marriage alliance with the Shen family, he still wouldn’t wrong him.

Shen Yurun’s expression was bland. “Your Highness’s favor—this subject is deeply grateful.”

He used “subject”—this was the way of ruler and subject. Hearing this, Prince Cheng was indeed greatly pleased and laughed heartily. “You and I, we’re destined to achieve great things together! Since that boy deliberately provoked me and interfered with Yongning’s marriage, I’ll grant his wish! Three months—I’ll certainly give him a great surprise!”

His laughter was unrestrained, echoing through the hall with indescribable arrogance. Shen Yurun lowered his head—no one could see what he was thinking.

After leaving Prince Cheng’s residence, the sky had completely darkened.

Shen Yurun walked toward the Shen residence again. When he had returned home at noon today, he had already been questioned once by Madam Shen and Shen Ruyun, who had rushed back from Marquis Ningyuan’s residence—how could this happen? Shen Yurun could only brush it off, saying this was all Emperor Hongxiao’s idea. Even so, Madam Shen and Shen Ruyun actually said they would go find Princess Yongning to plead with her—could this marriage be changed? Shen Yurun had a terrible headache.

It was the first time he seriously examined his mother and sister and discovered they weren’t just foolish—all these years of giving them whatever they wanted had cultivated their ignorant temperament. They thought even the emperor sitting in the highest position, whose words were golden decrees, could change his mind at will. And Princess Yongning was omnipotent—whatever difficult matter it was, as long as they told Yongning, it would be easily resolved.

How could they be so naive? Even unreasonable.

In the end, Shen Yurun had nearly lost his temper with them before getting them to quiet down. Even so, Madam Shen and Shen Ruyun still looked as if the sky had fallen. Probably they believed that the Shen family’s current status was entirely related to Princess Yongning. Without Princess Yongning, the Shen family’s wealth and honor would instantly vanish. As for himself, he only had value because of his relationship with Princess Yongning.

How pathetic.

Shen Yurun thought of Xue Fangfei again. She had such good patience and could still reason with Madam Shen and Shen Ruyun. In the past, when Madam Shen and Shen Ruyun had disputes with Xue Fangfei, Xue Fangfei always yielded. He had taken it for granted, privately comforting Xue Fangfei with a few words and leaving it at that. Only when he truly faced it himself did he discover that with one’s own relatives, there was no reasoning to be done.

She truly had a hard time.

Thinking of Xue Fangfei again, Shen Yurun shook his head. He kept thinking of her involuntarily. Thinking of her standing under trees collecting flower dew, warming tea for him in winter, adding fragrance with red sleeves… He had once had a wife. She was very good—so much so that after her death, she still frequently appeared before his eyes.

Shen Yurun walked very slowly. As he reached a corner, someone suddenly called his name. “Lord Shen!”

He turned to look. Someone in servant’s attire emerged from the darkness. He recognized her—this was Meixiang, Princess Yongning’s personal palace maid.

Meixiang said, “Lord Shen, the princess is waiting for you at a nearby teahouse. She has something to tell you. Please come with this servant.”

This was something Shen Yurun and the princess had grown accustomed to, so he didn’t decline and followed Meixiang to the mentioned teahouse.

Princess Yongning was indeed waiting for him inside.

Princess Yongning looked much more haggard. Even her breathing had become extremely weak. Whether it was Shen Yurun’s imagination or not, she seemed to have lost weight compared to a few days ago.

“Shen Lang.” Seeing him arrive, Princess Yongning stood up.

Shen Yurun stood at the doorway without entering further. His expression bland, he simply said, “Congratulations, Your Highness.”

Just this one sentence was like stabbing a knife into Princess Yongning’s heart. She immediately felt piercing pain. In an instant, tears nearly fell.

Princess Yongning said, “I don’t want to marry Li Xian. You know—in my heart, there’s only you!”

For the noble Princess Yongning, such humble words carrying pleading—if others heard them, they probably wouldn’t believe they came from Princess Yongning’s mouth. Shen Yurun also seemed moved by Princess Yongning’s tearful voice. He turned his head and looked at her.

“Shen Lang!” Princess Yongning grabbed his hand. “You must believe me! What I told Mother Consort was that I wanted to marry you. Mother Consort also told the Empress Dowager this. But His Majesty issued a decree bestowing marriage between me and Li Xian. I also don’t know what’s going on. I’m still carrying your child—how could I voluntarily marry Li Xian?”

Just this one sentence made Shen Yurun’s expression immediately change. He said, “What child?”

Princess Yongning was stunned, only then realizing she had let it slip. But looking into Shen Yurun’s eyes, she steeled herself. Previously, she hadn’t found an opportunity and didn’t know how to tell Shen Yurun about this. But whether she told him sooner or later, eventually it would have to be said. Better to take this opportunity and tell him everything.

“Yes,” Princess Yongning said. “I’m carrying your child. The imperial physician has examined me—it’s not yet a full month.”

“How is this possible?” Shen Yurun’s usually calm expression showed a crack. His voice wasn’t as composed as usual. “How is this possible?”

Every time he was intimate with Princess Yongning, she had taken contraceptive medicine. Yet now she was pregnant—this was no small matter!

“I don’t know,” Princess Yongning shook her head. “Perhaps that contraceptive medicine couldn’t completely prevent… By the time I discovered it, it was too late.”

The more she spoke, the more Shen Yurun suspected this was deliberate on Princess Yongning’s part—wanting to use pregnancy to force him to marry her. But unexpectedly, Emperor Hongxiao had bestowed marriage between her and Li Xian, which panicked her.

“What do you plan to do now?” Shen Yurun asked.

“What do you mean, what to do?” Princess Yongning looked at him blankly. When she saw Shen Yurun’s slightly cold gaze, she shuddered and suddenly understood. She said, “You couldn’t be… wanting me to not keep this child!”

Shen Yurun was silent. “His existence, right now indeed isn’t the best…”

“No!” Before Shen Yurun could finish speaking, Princess Yongning shrieked. “This is my child. I absolutely will not allow anyone to harm him. I won’t abandon him either!”

Shen Yurun patiently consoled her. “Yongning, right now you have to marry Li Xian. If the Li family discovers you’re pregnant, it will be very disadvantageous for you. The Li family absolutely won’t allow this humiliation. Even if you can protect the child temporarily, you might not be able to give birth. The Li family will find ways to eliminate this child and will also develop a rift with you and with Prince Cheng.”

He thought that after this speech, Princess Yongning would at least waver somewhat. After all, in the past, Princess Yongning would listen to his words to some degree. But today, Princess Yongning only looked at him coldly and said, “You keep saying you’re thinking of me, but actually you’re afraid that if things are exposed, it will implicate you as the child’s father, making it difficult for you to continue sleeping soundly! Shen Yurun, this is your child. You’ve thought of everything, but have you thought even the slightest bit about this child? That’s right—I forgot. You’ve already lost one child. You don’t care about losing another.”

Shen Yurun’s expression changed dramatically.

He had indeed lost a child once—a child belonging to him and his wife Xue Fangfei, an unborn child. When the child he had longed and hoped for finally came, when he learned this joyous news, Shen Yurun wasn’t happy. Because at that time, Princess Yongning had already told him several times that she liked him very much.

Giving birth to the child would mean what exactly? Looking back now, when Xue Fangfei miscarried, although he didn’t personally act, after he learned about it, he had even felt relieved, feeling one matter had been resolved. At that time, he had comforted himself—even if this child were born, outsiders might say it was an illegitimate child Xue Fangfei left behind from an illicit affair. It would be of no benefit to the child’s future—why come to this mortal world to suffer?

Thus, his last trace of guilt vanished into smoke. He had no joy at this child’s coming and no pain at its leaving. Like an insignificant stranger—he had even forgotten about this matter long ago. But at this moment, being brought up by Princess Yongning, he felt his heart pricked by fine, dense needles, spreading out in a web of aching pain.

Shen Yurun didn’t want to stay any longer. He turned to leave but was hugged from behind by Princess Yongning. She said anxiously and uneasily, “Shen Lang, I spoke wrongly just now. I spoke without thinking—I didn’t mean it. You’re the child’s father. Naturally you like him very much, right?” She seemed to be trying to convince Shen Yurun, but also to convince herself. “There’s no father in the world who doesn’t like his own child.”

Shen Yurun sighed and turned around. Princess Yongning looked at him frantically.

“You truly want to keep this child?”

“Yes!” Princess Yongning immediately said resolutely, allowing no doubt. She said, “Mother Consort also knows about this. She promised that when I marry into the Li family, she’ll help me conceal it!”

Consort Dowager Liu already knew. Shen Yurun’s heart sank. This way, trying to privately act against the child in Princess Yongning’s belly would be very difficult. If anything happened, Consort Dowager Liu would surely think of him first.

“Then what do you plan to do to conceal it?” Shen Yurun said blandly. “Right now it’s not yet a full month, so it can’t be seen. But as time passes…”

“Mother Consort will petition the Empress Dowager to hold the wedding next month. After I marry over, I’ll think of other ways to muddle through.” Princess Yongning said, “But after this child is born, his nominal father will be Li Xian.”

She spoke with infinite unwillingness.

Shen Yurun sneered inwardly. Princess Yongning wasn’t happy—but would Li Xian be happy? If Li Xian truly learned he’d been cuckolded, he would even do things like killing his wife. The Right Chancellor after all these years—he was no benevolent master. For such a tremendous humiliation, he probably couldn’t swallow it. Princess Yongning’s move might even implicate him.

“Shen Lang, rest assured. My brother will stage his revolt in a few months,” Princess Yongning said in a low voice. “Once my brother becomes emperor, the whole world will be his. No one will dare disobey his words. Then I’ll have him issue a decree—I’ll divorce Li Xian and be with you. The Li family won’t dare say anything.”

She spoke as if it were natural, as if everything would develop as she imagined. Shen Yurun scoffed. Princess Yongning’s thinking was too naive. The Li family’s reputation wasn’t something she could manipulate as she pleased.

But right now, there was no second path to take.

If Princess Yongning was marrying next month, the child in her belly absolutely couldn’t have any mishaps, or people might discover the truth. As long as they muddled through the first month, afterward they could tell Li Xian she became pregnant on the wedding night, and they could be safe for a while.

As for the future… they’d deal with the future when it came. But this chess piece called Yongning might be wasted. Shen Yurun’s eyes darkened.

Princess Yongning hadn’t noticed Shen Yurun’s many calculations. She continued chattering, telling Shen Yurun of her complete devotion to him. Shen Yurun said, “I know. Your Highness, I know Your Highness’s feelings.”

Princess Yongning looked at him with mixed joy and worry. Joy because Shen Yurun’s attitude at this point had finally softened somewhat. Worry because he called her “Your Highness”—already quite distant.

“Then you mustn’t be angry with me.” Princess Yongning said. She still lowered her attitude, actively reaching for Shen Yurun’s hand. After all, this matter arose because of her. If she hadn’t gone to find Consort Dowager Liu, things wouldn’t have become this way. Toward Shen Yurun, Princess Yongning felt guilty. She said, “In my heart, I still have you—only you.”

“I know.” Shen Yurun smiled faintly and embraced Yongning, but his gaze became very distant.

It was time to draw a clear line with Princess Yongning.

…

At the Chief Grand Councilor’s residence, when Jiang Li received news of Emperor Hongxiao bestowing marriage between Li Xian and Princess Yongning, she was also stunned for half a moment.

Although this matter was within her expectations, it hadn’t come this quickly. But thinking about it, it made sense. Emperor Hongxiao also regarded Prince Cheng as a thorn in his eye. Now that he had an opportunity to bind the Right Chancellor and Prince Cheng together, naturally he would eagerly issue the decree.

She didn’t know what kind of mood Shen Yurun and Yongning were in upon receiving the news. Probably not good—a plan schemed for many years, destroyed in one day. Moreover, things seemed to be developing in quite a terrible direction. No one would be happy about this. Princess Yongning and Shen Yurun wouldn’t know—this was merely a beginning. This beginning wasn’t even too terrible. The things to come would only be more and more terrible, terrible until finally irreparable.

“What is Miss smiling about?” Tong’er asked curiously. She saw Jiang Li smiling happily. These past days, ever since learning that Xue Huaiyuan at the Ye residence might have recovered his memory and was in a coma, Jiang Li had been gloomy. Today she was suddenly happy, which made one curious.

“I’m smiling because everything is going smoothly—all wishes coming true.” Jiang Li said.

Tong’er blinked, about to say something, when the tree branches outside suddenly shook and a figure swiftly appeared.

Tong’er yelped in fright. Only after looking clearly did she see the person standing at the window was none other than Zhao Ke. Tong’er now recognized Zhao Ke, knowing he was from the Duke’s residence. Although she had some complaints about Ji Heng arranging his people at the Duke’s residence, on second thought, these guards all had superb martial arts. If Jiang Li encountered danger, who knows—these people might be more reliable than the Jiang family’s guards. She might as well consider them free labor. Moreover, Zhao Ke’s identity during the day at the Jiang residence was still that of a gardener. Someone who was a gardener by day and guard by night, receiving only one salary—such silly fools weren’t common nowadays.

Zhao Ke was completely unaware he was already a “silly fool” in Tong’er’s eyes. He only said to Jiang Li, “Second Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Li asked, “Has something happened?”

Zhao Ke wouldn’t actively appear unless something happened. Most of the time, it was Jiang Li blowing her whistle to find him. Therefore, seeing Zhao Ke, Jiang Li’s first thought was whether Ji Heng had some matter to instruct.

“The matter Second Miss Jiang previously asked this subordinate to investigate has been clarified.” Zhao Ke answered.

Jiang Li asked, “What matter?” She needed to clarify too many things—she didn’t even know which matter Zhao Ke was referring to.

“Who exactly spread Ji Shuran’s matter.” Zhao Ke said, “It was Jiang Yuanxing.”

“The third branch.” Jiang Li understood. Actually, the last time she encountered the third branch, she had already developed vague suspicions about them. Jiang Yuyan’s food, clothing, and expenses were much better than before, and Madam Yang’s attitude occasionally revealed hints of disdain. Previously, although Madam Yang wouldn’t curry favor, at least she wouldn’t offend the first and second branches.

By this appearance, it seemed she had backing.

“Not only that, Jiang Yuanxing privately has dealings with Li Zhongnan.” Zhao Ke said.

“With people from the Li family?” Jiang Li was stunned, then smiled. “Looks like the third branch people truly hate the Jiang family to the bone.” The first and second branch of the Jiang family were full brothers from the same mother. The third branch was a concubine-born son. Old Madam Jiang looked down on him. Jiang Yuanbai and his brother naturally weren’t as close to Jiang Yuanxing as they were to each other. But previously, they had lived in peace. Now it had reached the point of nearly tearing off all pretenses. Especially since Jiang Yuanxing was actually associating with the Jiang family’s enemy—one could imagine what their purpose was.

Jiang Yuanxing couldn’t rely on the Jiang family to develop his own official career. His own abilities were also insufficient to earn him promotion. After facing the fact that Jiang Yu’e could only become Zhou Yanbang’s concubine, perhaps in desperation, or perhaps finally seeing clearly the importance of power and influence, he went all out. He threw Old Master Jiang’s teachings behind him and found a new way to climb upward—by selling out the Jiang family.

Telling the Jiang family’s secrets and scandals to the Jiang family’s mortal enemy, the Li family, in exchange for opportunities for advancement. Such methods could be called quite despicable.

Tong’er and Baixue listened silently on the side. When they heard the culprit was actually the third branch, they were also shocked. Tong’er asked, “Miss, Third Master actually harbors such harmful intentions. Will our Jiang family be hollowed out by him?”

“Not to that extent.” Jiang Li said coolly. “The third branch in the Jiang family has always been in an insignificant position. Even if Jiang Yuanxing wanted to secretly tell the Li family the Jiang family’s secrets, he probably couldn’t tell them much. Father and Second Uncle aren’t close to him to begin with and wouldn’t actively tell him their secrets. Even if Jiang Yuanxing racked his brains, what he knows is likely similar to what the Jiang family’s servants know. I think, up to now, the most interesting matter he’s told the Li family is probably only Ji Shuran’s matter.”

“Then Miss, should we keep the third branch people?” Tong’er asked. “If Old Madam learns of this, she’ll definitely divide the family with the third branch and have them move out of the residence.”

Old Madam Jiang had never liked the third branch. If she learned of this, Jiang Li could guess what Old Madam Jiang would say. She would definitely say the third branch ate from the inside while clawing outward—ungrateful wolves who couldn’t be tamed—and immediately expel the third branch.

“Don’t tell Old Madam. Keeping the third branch isn’t without use.” Jiang Li said, “The third branch associates with the Right Chancellor. When the Right Chancellor obtains useful information, he’ll certainly pass it to Prince Cheng. If we need to pass some ‘useful’ information to Prince Cheng, the third branch would be an excellent channel.”

Have Jiang Yuanxing pass false information to Prince Cheng.

Zhao Ke stood at the window like a block of wood but captured every word spoken in the room. He thought to himself—Second Miss Jiang was truly a ruthless character. Others would probably be sold by her and still diligently help her count the money.

“However, Father must be told of this matter, so Father can also remind Second Uncle.” Jiang Li continued. “The Jiang family isn’t just my Jiang family alone. Father and Second Uncle are much cleverer than me. They know even better how to use the third branch to achieve their own goals. Seeing that the day of Prince Cheng’s revolt isn’t far off, the more critical the moment, the more useful the third branch’s existence becomes.”

“Thank you, Zhao Ke,” Jiang Li looked toward the guard at the window. “Also thank your master for me.”

“Second Miss Jiang’s words—this subordinate will certainly convey them. Farewell.” With that, Zhao Ke’s figure disappeared from the window.

He came and went without a trace like this. Tong’er pouted. “Miss, you must speak properly with the Duke. Setting aside everything else, even though Zhao Ke can protect your safety at the residence, he always appears suddenly. Miss is after all a young lady. What if Miss were changing clothes? Wouldn’t that let someone take advantage?”

“Weren’t you the one who opened the window?” Jiang Li reminded. “He knows that when truly changing clothes, the window wouldn’t be open.”

“Still, it always feels somewhat improper. Why not change to a young lady next time?” Tong’er suggested. “The kind with martial arts, just like…” Looking at Baixue walking to the side, Tong’er’s eyes lit up. “Just like Baixue!”

Jiang Li smiled and shook her head. “The Duke’s residence doesn’t even have maids themselves. Where would they find a maid with martial arts to serve me? Moreover, these guards are each refined and handsome. If they were truly changed to maids, wouldn’t you find it a pity?” Jiang Li teased her.

Tong’er’s face reddened. “Miss is just making fun of this servant. No matter how handsome these guards are, they can’t compare to one of Miss’s fingers. When Miss sees these guards, doesn’t she also treat it as commonplace?”

Baixue was organizing bedding and, hearing this, said with her head down, “Miss is accustomed to seeing the Duke’s face. Looking at these guards again, naturally she can’t develop any appreciation. It’s different from you.”

Jiang Li: “…”

Well, although the words didn’t sound particularly nice, they also held some truth.

—Off Topic—

Baixue is a fan of the Duke’s looks hahaha