On the road back, thinking of what Ji Heng had said, Jiang Li couldn’t help but smile.
Perhaps her smile was too obvious, for Tong’er and Baixue exchanged glances. Tong’er asked: “Miss, what did you discuss with His Grace the Duke to make you so happy?”
“Just idle chat.” Jiang Li said.
She truly hadn’t expected that in Ji Heng’s eyes, the Xue Fangfei of the past ultimately received the evaluation of “a beauty.” This was somewhat unexpected for her. One should know that Ji Heng was Northern Yan’s foremost beauty—she’d thought he would look down completely on the Xue Fangfei of those days. She’d always believed physical appearance wasn’t of much use. Now, having her past appearance receive the title of “beauty” from Ji Heng made her find it amusing.
The Xue Fangfei of those days was probably beautiful. But the current Second Miss Jiang could at most be called a minor beauty. To speak of devastating beauty—she was still far too distant from that. It seemed Ji Heng, facing her current self, would never again speak the evaluation of “a beauty.”
But tonight’s visit to the Duke’s manor had put her somewhat at ease. She gradually discovered that whenever she needed to make important decisions, it seemed that making a trip to the Duke’s manor, even just speaking some inconsequential words with Ji Heng, made the confidence in her heart feel a bit fuller. Previously, Jiang Li had only heard the saying “it’s good to lean on a big tree for shade,” but she herself hadn’t known what that feeling was like. Now she’d fully experienced it.
No wonder there were so many people in the world who would stop at nothing to find themselves a “big tree.”
But even with a big tree, the remaining matters still had to be done by herself. The carriage slowly traveled on the road back to the Jiang residence. Jiang Li idly thought that Princess Yongning, now demoted to commoner status, probably couldn’t restrain herself much longer before going to find Shen Yurong. Princess Yongning had suffered such great “injustice” because of Shen Yurong. Previously, because she’d married into the Li family to conceal the child in her belly, she’d had no choice but to endure the pain of lovesickness. Now that the entire world already knew, she no longer needed to hide. Even without the status of princess, for Princess Yongning, things were actually much freer.
But very soon, Princess Yongning would comprehend the cruelty of reality.
Back then at the Shen family, Xue Fangfei had paid with her very life to see clearly the shrewdness and coldness deep in the bones of the Shen family. What full mouths of righteousness and morality—it was all an illusion. This pampered lady who’d lost her princess status—this time coming to the Shen family, she probably wouldn’t receive the same noble treatment as before. The Shen family might even blame everything Shen Yurong had suffered on her.
Princess Yongning would have a bitter taste to swallow.
The smile at the corners of her lips became lighter and more cheerful. She looked at her own hands, slowly clenching her palms.
Soon—the day she’d always wanted to arrive was coming soon.
……
Just as Jiang Li had thought, Princess Yongning, who’d stayed at the inn for quite a while, finally arrived at the Shen residence.
She wore a bamboo hat on her head. Initially, Princess Yongning believed that even if the people of Yanjing City knew about her affairs, they absolutely wouldn’t dare point and gossip in front of her. But Princess Yongning quickly discovered she was wrong. No matter where she went, gazes followed like shadows. She could clearly feel the whispered discussions and mockery from the crowds. This greatly displeased her. But when she habitually wanted to order the guards beside her to arrest those gossiping people, she discovered that aside from Meixiang, she had nothing.
The bad reputation seemed branded on her face. Wherever she went, she had to accept the mocking gazes of crowds. Princess Yongning felt terrible. She suddenly understood why, after the matter of Xue Fangfei’s affair came out back then, from that point on, Xue Fangfei had stayed behind closed doors, remaining only at the Shen family. This certainly included Shen Yurong’s deliberate confinement, but even if Shen Yurong had allowed Xue Fangfei to go out freely, Xue Fangfei probably wouldn’t have dared.
She’d probably be drowned in the spittle of Yanjing City’s people.
These lowly commoners, Princess Yongning thought hatefully. She couldn’t remember every face in the crowd, so she also couldn’t have Consort Liu arrest all these people after returning to the inn. These lowly commoners seemed to know the news of her demotion to commoner status and acted without fear. Those who on ordinary days wouldn’t dare look at even the hem of her skirt could now point at her and discuss her without restraint.
When she could almost no longer endure it, when she almost lacked the courage to even leave the inn door, Meixiang brought her a bamboo hat. Princess Yongning received it like a treasure, placed this hat on her head, and hurriedly left, almost in a panic. Meixiang followed behind her. They could hear the malicious laughter behind them.
Princess Yongning hated so much she almost bit through her lip.
Prince Cheng had left silver. Meixiang found a carriage, and the two of them, Princess Yongning and Meixiang, rode this carriage to the Shen residence.
The Shen residence still looked as it always had. Only on the plaque, the four characters “Champion Scholar” seemed—whether because the Shen residence had recently suffered tremendous change and even the servants had no heart to clean—the golden plaque was covered with a layer of dust. It looked somewhat dilapidated. When Princess Yongning’s carriage stopped at the Shen residence entrance, passing common people all looked this way. Probably because recently the Shen family had also become the center of people’s discussions, when someone came to visit the Shen family at this time, naturally they would be curious.
Princess Yongning hurriedly got off the carriage and had Meixiang quickly knock on the door. That gatekeeper had also previously recognized Princess Yongning. In the past, upon seeing Princess Yongning, he’d been respectful and deferential, eagerly trying to please Meixiang. Today, seeing the two of them, he was first astonished, then hesitant, and actually didn’t immediately open the door.
“How dare you!” Meixiang said in a low voice. “Still not opening the door for your mistress!”
That servant seemed to finally react. He appeared to want to struggle, but seeing Meixiang’s stern appearance, he opened the door.
Princess Yongning saw this servant’s every move. In her heart, she was extremely annoyed. This was merely a watchdog, yet he’d also learned the principle of stepping on the low and lifting the high, not taking her seriously at all. Princess Yongning made up her mind—when she saw Shen Yurong, she’d definitely have Shen Yurong find an excuse to sell this servant away!
The servants of the Shen residence were still the same as usual, but the atmosphere was much more depressed than before. As soon as Princess Yongning entered the Shen residence, she removed her bamboo hat. Here she needn’t conceal her identity. The Shen family servants, upon seeing her, not a single one came forward to greet her—all lowered their heads pretending not to see. After Princess Yongning walked to the front, they watched her from behind with inexplicable gazes.
Princess Yongning was exasperated, but she hadn’t yet seen Shen Yurong. Moreover, the Shen residence servants were all like this. For a time, she couldn’t replace all these servants. If it were before, for Princess Yongning it would only have been a matter of lifting a finger. But now she’d already become a commoner. At least before Prince Cheng succeeded, she couldn’t act as before—she needed to live like ordinary lowly commoners.
Princess Yongning was very familiar with the paths of the Shen residence. She wanted to go to the front hall first and have a maid summon Shen Yurong to see her. Who knew that upon reaching the front hall, she first saw Madam Shen.
Madam Shen sat in a rattan chair in the front hall, scolding a young maid. The little maid trembled, unable to lift her head under the scolding. It seemed she’d spilled a bit of tea when serving it to Madam Shen, and Madam Shen had therefore flown into a rage. Anyone with eyes could see that Madam Shen was merely making an issue of something trivial. It was just a small matter—how could it warrant her scolding with such unpleasant words?
Mostly because of accumulated resentment in her heart.
Princess Yongning walked in. Meixiang called out: “Madam Shen.”
Madam Shen turned around in surprise. Seeing the two of them, she immediately stood up, her face arranging itself into a familiar smile. “Princess Your Highness.”
“Madam Shen,” seeing Madam Shen’s attitude toward her was still as before, Princess Yongning felt somewhat more comfortable in her heart. She said: “I’ve come to find Shen Lang.”
Perhaps because she said “I” rather than “this palace,” Madam Shen was also stunned for a moment, then recalled the matter of her demotion to commoner status. The smile on Madam Shen’s face receded somewhat. She first ordered servants to summon Shen Yurong from his study. After the servants left, Madam Shen asked: “Princess, what exactly does His Majesty’s decree mean? You… truly have been demoted?”
Princess Yongning forced a smile and said: “It’s only temporary.”
What she naturally thought was that after Prince Cheng’s uprising, Emperor Hongxiao’s decree would naturally not count. But she couldn’t speak too plainly. Madam Shen was just a housewife—how could she understand so much? Hearing Princess Yongning say this, she thought it was false words Princess Yongning used to brush her off. She immediately said: “So this means Yurong’s official position—you have no way to speak on his behalf before His Majesty?”
“Not at present.” Princess Yongning frowned. Madam Shen’s suddenly raised voice sounded very grating to her ears.
Madam Shen’s disappointment was immediately and clearly displayed on her face. Though she’d previously learned the news of Princess Yongning being demoted to commoner status, in her heart she’d always held onto this thread of hope. Princess Yongning was Consort Liu’s most favored daughter, and her elder brother was Prince Cheng. As long as Consort Liu spoke a few good words before the Emperor, perhaps the Emperor could be made to rescind his order. She didn’t know about the subtle relationship between Prince Cheng and the Emperor. A woman in the inner quarters, before Shen Yurong passed the top scholar examination, Madam Shen had been an ordinary woman who didn’t recognize a single character—how could she know many things?
That Shen Yurong, disregarding her obstruction, had insisted on resigning had already greatly disappointed Madam Shen. Now hearing Princess Yongning speak thus, Madam Shen immediately felt that life’s prospects were vast and dim, utterly bleak. Princess Yongning had now become an ordinary person and couldn’t be relied upon. Her own son had also lost his position. Their Shen family’s future would truly stop here.
Thinking of these things, Madam Shen looked at Princess Yongning, and a surge of resentment suddenly arose in her heart. If not for Princess Yongning becoming pregnant, marrying into the Li family, and tearing off all pretenses with the Li family in the Golden Palace, how would their Shen family have fallen to such a state? Princess Yongning had brought disaster upon her son!
“Now you’re no longer a princess either…” Madam Shen said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Outside people say all sorts of things. If you have no particular business, it’s best not to visit casually. You should know that if outsiders see, they’ll gossip. Our Yurong has already been forced by your affairs to the point of resignation. If this continues, I’m afraid we mother and son won’t be able to stay in Yanjing City.”
Both Meixiang and Princess Yongning looked at Madam Shen in astonishment. In the space of a single sentence, Madam Shen could change faces without warning!
This small-minded appearance of trimming sails to the wind—even Princess Yongning, who’d seen all kinds of people, felt instant anger and disgust. She almost wanted to have Meixiang throw this harsh and bitter woman outside. But the next moment, Princess Yongning restrained herself. This was Shen Yurong’s mother, and Shen Yurong was most filial. She couldn’t quarrel with Madam Shen, or at least couldn’t stoop to her level.
“Madam Shen,” Princess Yongning said loudly, “I told you, this is only temporary!”
As if frightened by Princess Yongning’s voice, Madam Shen momentarily shut her mouth. However, the way she looked at Princess Yongning no longer held the previous warmth. It was like looking at a stubborn scoundrel—pretending to be merciful by not exposing her, yet full of malicious schadenfreude.
Just then, a voice came from behind: “Mother.”
Shen Yurong had arrived.
Seeing Shen Yurong, Princess Yongning was overjoyed. She called out: “Shen Lang.” An appearance of infinite grievance and bitterness.
Shen Yurong looked at Madam Shen and said: “Mother, the Princess and I have matters to discuss. I’m leaving first.”
“Ah,” Madam Shen held him back. She wanted to remind her son of a few things—it was this woman who had implicated him to this point—but also being wary of Princess Yongning’s arrogant temper, in the end could only say: “Speak quickly. When you’re done, it’ll be time for the meal.”
Shen Yurong nodded. Princess Yongning only felt extremely happy, believing Shen Yurong was speaking up for her before his own mother. She eagerly stepped forward and grasped Shen Yurong’s hand. Madam Shen glanced at her, restrained herself, and then left.
Princess Yongning was also very angry. In the past, whenever Madam Shen saw her come to the Shen residence, she’d naturally wished she could show twelve hundred percent enthusiasm in welcome. If Shen Yurong and she displayed even slight intimacy, Madam Shen would reveal great joy, as if it were exactly what she desired. How could it be like now—as if she were a fly contaminating the good meal that was Shen Yurong?
Princess Yongning had now seen through the Shen family’s true colors. But fortunately, she tightly grasped Shen Yurong’s hand—she still had Shen Lang.
After Madam Shen left, Shen Yurong withdrew his hand from Princess Yongning’s and said to her: “Princess.”
“Shen Lang, I know you resigned from office,” before Shen Yurong could speak, Princess Yongning said: “At the time, I didn’t expect Li Xian would know about your affairs. I didn’t know he’d implicate you. Had I known this would happen, I absolutely wouldn’t have argued with him no matter what!”
“I know.” Shen Yurong said. “I don’t blame you.”
Princess Yongning was almost in tears. She gently leaned her head on Shen Yurong’s shoulder, crying: “Shen Lang, do you know why I was so relentless with that bastard Li Xian? It’s because he killed my child. The child was killed by people Li Xian arranged. He’d long wanted to kill our child. He knew that was your child… I failed to protect our child. That’s my fault. But I also absolutely cannot forgive Li Xian. If I get the chance, I must avenge my child!”
Hearing this, Shen Yurong’s expression showed no emotion. He only said: “Why do you say that child was killed by Li Xian?”
Princess Yongning then told Shen Yurong in detail about what had happened at the Li family, including the voices Meixiang had heard people speaking there. After Shen Yurong heard the entire course of events, he said: “I’m afraid you’ve made a mistake.”
“What?”
“If Li Xian wanted to eliminate this child, he wouldn’t use such a blatant method. As you said, tampering with the pregnancy-preserving medicine might have been Li Xian’s doing. But the assassin who suddenly appeared probably wasn’t Li Xian’s work.”
“That’s not so.” Princess Yongning frowned. “I can be certain this matter was Li Xian’s doing. Otherwise, besides him, who else would do this? But Shen Lang,” she slowly straightened up and looked at Shen Yurong, as if wanting to see into his heart. She asked: “This was your child. Why do I feel you’re not the least bit sad?”
Shen Yurong looked at her quietly. After a long while, he said: “He’s already dead.”
“But that was your child!” Princess Yongning said shrilly.
She suddenly discovered that from beginning to now, when speaking of this child, whether Shen Yurong analyzed Li Xian or stated results, his expression held not the slightest trace of grief. If he had even a bit of feeling for this child, he wouldn’t be so cold. Someone as ruthless as Princess Yongning, after learning of her miscarriage, had also truly, genuinely felt pain.
Could he truly have no feelings at all? This was his own flesh and blood!
“Yongning,” Shen Yurong looked at her, his expression still terrifyingly calm. He said: “The matter has already happened. You shouldn’t keep clinging to it.”
“So what?” Princess Yongning asked. “You also think I was wrong? I should pretend to know nothing, shouldn’t seek revenge on Li Xian, shouldn’t have exposed him in the Golden Palace, shouldn’t have given him the opportunity to reveal your relationship with me, shouldn’t have implicated you, caused you to be accused, caused you to lose your position—is that it? Is that it!”
Her words clearly showed some madness. And within the mad relentlessness, a bone-deep sorrow was born.
She knew that although Shen Yurong hadn’t spoken, the answer must be “yes.” Because for Shen Yurong, everything could be sacrificed. This point could be seen from when he first learned Princess Yongning was pregnant—Shen Yurong’s first thought was not to keep this child. Or looking a bit further back, from how Shen Yurong clearly knew everything she’d done to Xue Fangfei yet pretended nothing had happened, watching coldly from the sidelines—it could already be seen.
She knew she could no longer turn back, but Princess Yongning didn’t want to turn back. Thinking about it now, actually many times, she’d clearly seen that Shen Yurong’s treatment of her wasn’t sincere. But she loved Shen Yurong very much—loved him as if obsessed. As long as she could obtain him, she’d stop at nothing. As for whether his heart was true or false, it all seemed unimportant.
Like this moment, when Shen Yurong still said nothing, Princess Yongning was the first to concede defeat.
She knew she couldn’t compete with Shen Yurong, because she loved deeply, which destined her to be unable to prevail. Moreover, right now Shen Yurong was also her last lifeline. She had no other options—only by grasping him could she avoid drowning.
“I’m sorry,” Princess Yongning said with difficulty. “It’s my fault for implicating you.”
Shen Yurong answered: “It doesn’t matter.”
“Shen Lang,” Princess Yongning said, “now I’ve already been demoted to commoner status by His Majesty. Though Elder Brother gave me considerable silver, when moving about outside, I inevitably attract gossip. I don’t want to live at the inn anymore. I want to live together with you… In any case, others know about my relationship with you. Even living together, there’s nothing to fear. I’ve already divorced the Li family. When outsiders speak of me, they have no grounds.”
She rarely spoke to anyone so carefully. Even Meixiang showed shock. Princess Yongning had always been lofty, giving orders to people—when had she ever been so humble? But Princess Yongning herself also knew it was truly because by now, she only had Shen Yurong. If she lost even Shen Yurong, then she truly would have nothing. Moreover, she’d schemed exhaustively all along just to be with Shen Yurong. Now, even having fallen to such a state, this objective still hadn’t changed.
Even if just to keep her investment from being wasted.
She looked at Shen Yurong, carefully beseeching. This man looked as refined and cultured as before, seeming to be someone to whom one could entrust one’s life. He looked at Princess Yongning. Even having reached this point, he hadn’t said a single harsh word to Princess Yongning. His attitude could even be called gentle.
But Princess Yongning clearly saw the indifference in his eyes.
Shen Yurong said: “Alright.”
Princess Yongning looked at him excitedly, suppressing the unease in her heart. She went to take Shen Yurong’s hand. Shen Yurong didn’t withdraw it again, so Princess Yongning’s earlier doubts immediately vanished like smoke, and she became satisfied once more.
Once upon a time, she’d still been lofty, subtly seducing and teasing, waiting for the prey Shen Yurong to take the bait. But now, she’d been completely grasped in Shen Yurong’s palm. Princess Yongning couldn’t leave Shen Yurong, but Shen Yurong could discard her at any time without the slightest attachment.
Meixiang stood outside the door watching, her eyes showing worry. It looked as if the predicament was temporarily resolved. Princess Yongning could also justifiably live together with Shen Yurong. But would things truly proceed so smoothly? Setting aside other matters, just Madam Shen’s true colors—confronting Princess Yongning’s inherent pride—sooner or later problems would arise.
……
Princess Yongning being demoted to commoner status and Shen Yurong’s resignation had an enormous impact on the entire Shen family. Madam Shen was therefore quite dissatisfied with Princess Yongning. And Shen Ruyun—the care she received at Marquis Ningyuan’s manor was completely withdrawn overnight.
Zhou Yanbang became increasingly unrestrained. He didn’t return home at night, spending all day seeking pleasure in brothels. Even when he returned to the manor, he never went to Shen Ruyun’s quarters—he always went to Jiang Yu’e’s side.
After the matter of Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning came out, the servants of Marquis Ningyuan’s manor looked at Shen Ruyun differently. Some even said that regarding the palace banquet incident—it was said Shen Ruyun had been taken advantage of by Zhou Yanbang, but who knew whether Shen Ruyun had thrown herself at him? Perhaps Zhou Yanbang had done nothing, and Shen Ruyun wanted to marry Zhou Yanbang, so she threw dirty water on Zhou Yanbang—it was extortion. After all, her elder brother wasn’t any good either—secretly carrying on with the Princess behind everyone’s backs, even making her pregnant and having her marry someone else.
Wherever Shen Ruyun walked in the manor, she could hear these discussions. And when Shen Yurong truly resigned as he’d said, these mockeries intensified—they almost dared appear before Shen Ruyun’s face.
Shen Ruyun felt terrible. She hadn’t expected that Princess Yongning, who had once brought their Shen family infinite aspirations and glory, had now become a plaster that couldn’t be shaken off. The past relationship with Princess Yongning was no longer “a blessing the Shen family’s ancestors burned high incense to obtain,” but a stain that made the world detest them. This morning, Marquis Ningyuan and his wife had even summoned her to their room, hinting obliquely that Shen Ruyun should voluntarily divorce, letting their Marquis Ningyuan manor have some peace and quiet, lest they too become a laughingstock in others’ eyes.
Shen Ruyun was so angry she almost felt sick. Coming out of Lady Ningyuan’s room, she happened to encounter Jiang Yu’e.
Speaking of which, it was also strange. Shen Ruyun was the legitimate wife and naturally could control a concubine’s allowances. The monthly silver she gave Jiang Yu’e was pitifully little. Zhou Yanbang also seemed to never have given Jiang Yu’e any silver. Yet what Jiang Yu’e ate and wore wasn’t much inferior to Shen Ruyun’s. It was said to be all support from her natal family. Shen Ruyun found this very strange. After all, Jiang Yuanxing was only a concubine-born son of the Jiang family with limited salary—how could he be so generous?
But regardless, Jiang Yu’e’s looks already surpassed Shen Ruyun’s. With good grooming, naturally she could hook Zhou Yanbang into refusing to come to Shen Ruyun’s courtyard.
“So it’s Elder Sister.” Seeing Shen Ruyun, Jiang Yu’e gracefully performed a curtsy and smiled. “These past days, this concubine has also heard about the matters at Elder Sister’s natal family. Is everything alright? When the Young Lord spoke of it, I truly worried for Elder Sister. The more at times like these, the more Elder Sister must persevere. Endure a bit, and it will pass.”
Her tone was clearly one of schadenfreude. Shen Ruyun, thinking that Zhou Yanbang also knew of this matter and used it to humiliate her before Jiang Yu’e, wished she could bash her head and die rather than suffer such shame. Looking at the gaudily dressed Jiang Yu’e, she laughed coldly: “Auntie Jiang certainly has good spirits, strolling about the manor daily.”
“After all, this concubine is in good spirits.” Jiang Yu’e said. “Just now passing by Madam’s door, it seemed Madam wanted Elder Sister to propose divorcing the Young Lord? That’s understandable too. After such an incident, always clinging to the manor does feel uncomfortable.”
“Even if I divorce the Young Lord, it won’t be your turn!” Shen Ruyun said through gritted teeth. “You only entered the manor through base means. Your father is merely a concubine-born son of the Jiang family. Even if Marquis Ningyuan’s manor seeks a new wife for the Young Lord, it absolutely won’t be a lowly thing like you. No matter how much you scheme, in the end you’ll only be making wedding clothes for others!”
“So what?” Jiang Yu’e’s smile vanished under Shen Ruyun’s words, but she still wanted to needle Shen Ruyun. “When I entered, I already knew I was becoming a concubine. Even being a concubine for life doesn’t matter, as long as the Young Lord favors me. But what about you? You were properly carried through the main gate by Marquis Ningyuan’s manor in eight sedan chairs as the legitimate wife. You look much better off than me, but your ending won’t necessarily be much better than mine! At least I won’t be driven out, while you—who knows where you’ll land for the rest of your life.”
“The Young Lord won’t divorce me, and I won’t divorce him.” Shen Ruyun said hatefully.
“Is that so? Originally the Young Lord married you only because your elder brother was a subject favored by His Majesty. Shen Ruyun, what redeeming qualities do you have? Put you in a crowd, no one could pick you out at a glance. Now your elder brother has resigned—he’s nothing. The Shen family’s reputation has also gone bad. On what basis do you think Marquis Ningyuan’s manor will still want you, this declining household member? When Shen Yurong was in office, the Young Lord didn’t think much of you. When Shen Yurong has nothing, the Young Lord will find you even more unworthy.”
“So you’d better roll far away as quickly as possible!”