On the way back, thinking of what Ji Heng said, Jiang Li couldn't help smiling.
Perhaps her smile was too obvious, and Tong'er and Bai Xue looked at each other in surprise. Tong'er asked, "What did the young lady say to the Duke of the State that made you so happy?"
"It's just a casual chat." Jiang Li said.
She really didn't expect that in Ji Heng's eyes, Xue Fang Fei in the past would eventually be evaluated as a "beauty". This was a bit surprising to her. You know, Ji Heng was the most beautiful man in Beiyan.
She never thought that Ji Heng didn't look down on Xue Fang Fei at all. She had always believed that her appearance was of little use, but now that her appearance in the past was called a beauty by Ji Heng, she found it funny.
Xue Fang Fei was probably beautiful back then. But now, Miss Jiang Er can only be called a little beauty, and it is still far from being stunningly beautiful. Maybe Ji Heng will never say a "beauty" to her now.
But going to the Duke's Mansion tonight made her feel more at ease. She gradually found that whenever she had to make an important decision, she seemed to feel more confident after taking a trip to the Duke's Mansion, even if she said something insignificant to Ji Heng.
In the past, Jiang Li only heard the saying "It's good to lean on a big tree to enjoy the shade", but she didn't know what it felt like, but now she has fully experienced it.
No wonder there are so many people in the world who will do whatever it takes to find a "big tree" for themselves.
But even if there is a big tree, the rest of the work still needs to be done by herself. The carriage slowly drove on the way back to Jiang Mansion. Jiang Li was idle.
Princess Yongning, who was now demoted to a commoner, would not be able to hold back for long and would go to find Shen Yurong. Princess Yongning suffered so much "injustice" because of Shen Yurong. In the past, she had to endure the pain of missing Shen Yurong because she married into the Li family to protect the child in her belly.
Now that the whole world knows it, she doesn't have to hide it anymore. Even without the identity of a princess, Princess Yongning is much freer.
But soon, Princess Yongning will realize the cruelty of reality.
Back in the Shen family, Xue Fang Fei saw the shrewdness and coldness in the bones of the Shen family, and she paid a life to see it clearly. What full of benevolence and morality, in fact, are all illusions.
This golden branch and jade leaf without the identity of a princess, this time when she comes to the Shen family, Perhaps she will not receive the same noble treatment as before. Even the Shen family will blame her for everything Shen Yurong suffered.
Princess Yongning will suffer.
The smile on her lips became lighter, and she looked at her hands and slowly clenched them.
It was almost time, the day she had always wanted to come was almost here.
...
Just as Jiang Li had thought, Princess Yongning, who had stayed in the inn for a long time, finally came to the Shen Mansion.
She wore a bamboo hat on her head. At first, Princess Yongning thought that even if people in Yanjing City knew about her, they would never dare to point fingers at her. But soon Princess Yongning found out that she was wrong. No matter where she went, the eyes behind her followed her like a shadow.
She could clearly feel the whispers and ridicules in the crowd, which made her very unhappy. But when she habitually wanted to order the guards around her to take down those gossipers, she found that there was nothing around her except Meixiang.
The bad reputation seemed to be branded on her face. No matter where she went, she had to accept the mocking eyes of the crowd. Princess Yongning felt very uncomfortable. She suddenly understood why Xue Fang Fei had stayed at home and stayed at the Shen family since the news of her affair with someone came out.
Of course, Shen Yurong had deliberately confined Xue Fang Fei to her house, but even if Shen Yurong could let Xue Fang Fei go out at will, Xue Fang Fei would not dare to do so.
Maybe she would be drowned by the spit of the people in Yanjing City.
These low-class people, Princess Yongning thought bitterly. She couldn't remember every face in the crowd, so she couldn't wait until she returned to the inn to let Concubine Liu arrest all these people. These low-class people seemed to know that she was demoted to a commoner, and they were fearless.
Those who usually didn't even dare to look at the corner of her skirt could now point at her and talk about her unscrupulously.
When she could hardly tolerate it anymore and almost didn't have the courage to leave the door of this inn, Meixiang brought a bamboo hat. Princess Yongning was overjoyed. She put the hat on her head and hurried out of the door, almost panicking. Meixiang followed behind her, and they still could hear the malicious laughter behind them.
Princess Yongning was so angry that she almost bit her lip.
King Cheng left the silver, and Mei Xiang found a carriage. Princess Yongning and Mei Xiang sat in the carriage and came to Shen's Mansion.
Shen's Mansion is still as usual, except for the four words "No. 1 Scholar" on the plaque. Maybe because Shen's Mansion has undergone sudden changes recently, and even the servants have no intention of cleaning it. The golden plaque is covered with a layer of dust.
Seeing a sense of decadence, when Princess Yongning's carriage stopped at the gate of Shen Mansion, the people passing by all looked this way. It seems that the Shen family has become the centre of people's discussion recently. When someone comes to the Shen family as a guest, they will naturally be curious.
Princess Yongning hurriedly got out of the carriage and asked Mei Xiang to knock on the door. The concierge also knew Princess Yongning originally. When he met Princess Yongning before, he was respectful and rushed to please Mei Xiang. When he saw the two of them today, he was surprised at first, then hesitated, and didn't open the door immediately.
"Bold!" Mei Xiang shouted: "Don't open the door to the master yet!"
The boy seemed to have just come to his senses and seemed to be struggling. When he saw Mei Xiang's fierce expression, he opened the door.
Princess Yongning watched every move of this boy and was extremely angry. He is just a watchdog, but he has also learned the principle of undermining the inferior and favouring the superior, so that he does not take her seriously. Princess Yongning made up her mind. When she saw Shen Yurong, she must let Shen Yurong find a reason to sell this boy!
The servants in the Shen Mansion were still the same as before, but the atmosphere was much more depressed than before. As soon as Princess Yongning entered the Shen Mansion, she took off her bamboo hat. She didn't have to hide her presence here.
When the servants of the Shen family saw her, no one came forward to greet her. They all lowered their heads and pretended not to notice. After Princess Yongning walked to the front, they looked at her with an incomprehensible look from behind.
Princess Yongning was furious, but she hadn't seen Shen Yurong yet. Besides, all the servants in the Shen Mansion are like this, so they can't all be replaced at once. In the past, it would have been just a matter of hooking one's fingers to Princess Yongning, but now she is a commoner. At least until she becomes the princess, she cannot be the same as before and needs to live like an ordinary untouchable.
Princess Yongning has always been familiar with the way to the Shen Mansion. She wanted to go to the front hall first and find a maid for Shen Yurong to come see her. Who knew that when she walked into the front hall, she saw Madam Shen first.
Madam Shen was sitting on a wicker chair in the front hall, teaching a little maid. The little maid shivered and couldn't raise her head after being scolded, as if she had spilled some tea while serving Madam Shen, and Madam Shen was furious. But anyone with eyes can see that Madam Shen is just making excuses.
It was just a trivial matter, so why did she curse it all with such unpleasant words?
To some extent, it is also because of the depression in her heart.
Princess Yongning walked in, and Mei Xiang called out: "Mrs. Shen."
Madam Shen turned around in surprise. When she saw the two of them, she immediately stood up with a familiar smile on her face and said, "Your Highness."
"Mrs. Shen," seeing that Shen's mother attitude towards her was still the same as before, Princess Yongning felt a little more comfortable and said, "I'm here to see Mr. Shen."
Probably because she said "I" (wo) instead of "I" (ben gong), Madam Shen was stunned for a moment, and then remembered her being demoted to a commoner. The smile on Madam Shen's face faded a bit, and she first ordered her servants to call Shen Yurong who was in the study.
After the servants left, Madam Shen asked: "Princess, what does the emperor's decree mean? Are you... really being demoted?"
Princess Yongning smiled forcefully and said, "It's just temporary."
What she naturally thought was that after her brother becoming the king and taking action, Emperor Hong Xiao's imperial edict would naturally be fulfilled. But she couldn't make her words too clear.
Madam Shen was a woman, so she didn't know so much. When she heard what Princess Yongning said, she thought it was Princess Yongning's perfunctory lies. She immediately said: "So, with Yurong's official position, you have no way to speak in front of the emperor?"
"Not now." Princess Yongning frowned. Madam Shen suddenly raised voice was very harsh in her ears.
Madam Shen's disappointment was immediately clear on her face. Although she had learned the news that Princess Yongning had been demoted to a commoner, she always had this glimmer of hope in her heart.
Princess Yongning is the most favoured daughter of Concubine Liu, and her eldest brother is still the king. As long as Concubine Liu said a few nice words in front of the emperor, the emperor might be able to take back his words.
She didn't know the subtle relationship between King Cheng and the emperor. The woman in the back house, before Shen Yurong won the first prize, Madam Shen was just an ordinary woman who couldn't read, so how could she know many things.
Shen Yurong ignored her obstruction and insisted on resigning from office, which had disappointed Madam Shen. Now she heard what Princess Yongning said. Madam Shen suddenly felt that her future in life was uncertain and bleak.
Princess Yongning is now an ordinary person and unreliable. Her son has also lost his official position. The future of the Shen family will really stop here.
Thinking of this, Madam Shen looked at Princess Yongning, and suddenly she felt resentful in her heart. If Princess Yongning hadn't become pregnant, married into the Li family, and had a falling out with the Li family in the Jinluan Palace, how could the Shen family have ended up like this situation?
It was Princess Yongning who harmed her son!
"Now you are no longer a princess..." Madam Shen said with a smile: "People outside can say anything. If you have nothing to do, it is best not to come easily. You must know that outsiders have seen it. Yes, talk about gossip. Our Yurong has been forced to resign due to your affairs. If this continues, I am afraid that we, mother and son, will not be able to stay in Yanjing City. "
Mei Xiang and Princess Yongning both looked at Madam Shen in surprise. With just one sentence, Madam Shen's face could change without any warning!
This little person's face is like that of Princess Yongning, who has met all kinds of people, and she felt angry and disgusted for a moment. She almost wanted Mei Xiang to throw this mean and bitter woman out the door. But the next moment, Princess Yongning held back.
This was Shen Yurong's mother, and Shen Yurong was the most filial. She couldn't quarrel with Madam Shen, at least she couldn't be on the same level with her.
"Mrs. Shen," Princess Yongning said loudly, "I told you, this is only temporary!"
As if she was startled by Princess Yongning's voice, Madam Shen stopped talking for a moment, but the way she looked at Princess Yongning was no longer as warm as before. It's like watching a tough-talking scoundrel, pretending to be compassionate and not exposing the truth, but full of malice as a joke.
At this moment, a voice came from behind: "Mother."
It's Shen Yurong here.
Princess Yongning was overjoyed when she saw Shen Yurong. She called out: "Mr. Shen." She looked infinitely aggrieved and sad.
Shen Yurong looked at Madam Shen and said, "Mother, the princess and I have something to say. Please leave first."
"Hey," Madam Shen pulled him. She wanted to give her son a few words. It was this woman who had caused him so much, but she was worried about Princess Yongning's arrogant temper. In the end, she only said: "Speak faster, it's over. It’s time to eat."
Shen Yurong nodded, and Princess Yongning felt extremely happy. She thought that Shen Yurong was speaking for her in front of her mother, so she couldn't wait to step forward and take Shen Yurong's hand. Madam Shen glanced at her, endured it, and then left.
Princess Yongning was very angry. In the past, whenever Madam Shen saw her coming to the Shen Mansion, she would naturally be eager to greet her with a hundred thousand enthusiasm. If Shen Yurong showed a little intimacy with her, Madam Shen would look very happy and wish for it. Nothing like now, as if she was a fly ruining Shen Yurong's table of good food.
Princess Yongning has seen through the faces of the Shen family this time. But fortunately, she held Shen Yurong's hand tightly, and she also had Shen Lang.
When Shen Yurong saw Madam Shen leaving, he took her hand away from Princess Yongning and said to her, "Princess."
"Mr. Shen, I know you resigned," Princess Yongning said without waiting for Shen Yurong to speak: "I didn't expect Li Xian to know about you. I didn't know he would involve you. If I had known this, I wouldn't have cared. I won’t argue with him no matter what!”
"I know." Shen Yurong said, "I don't blame you."
Princess Yongning almost burst into tears. She leaned her head gently on Shen Yurong's shoulder and burst into tears: "Mr. Shen, do you know why I have to fight with that bastard Li Xian? It's because he killed my child. The child was killed by someone arranged by Li Xian. He had long wanted to kill our child. He knew that it was your child... It was my fault for not keeping our child, but I can never forgive Li Xian. If I get the chance, I must avenge my child!"
When Shen Yurong heard this, his expression was not moved, and he just said: "Why did you say that the child was killed by Li Xian?"
Princess Yongning told Shen Yurong what happened in the Li family in detail, including the voices Mei Xiang heard there. After Shen Yurong heard the whole story, he said, "I'm afraid you made a mistake."
"What?"
"Li Xian would not use such blatant methods to get rid of this child. As you said, the tampering with the anti-fetal medicine may have been done by Li Xian. The sudden appearance of the assassin should not have been done by Li Xian."
"No." Princess Yongning frowned and said, "I am sure that Li Xian did this. Otherwise, who else would do this besides him? But Mr. Shen," she slowly stood up straight and looked at Shen Yurong, as if to see his heart clearly, she asked: "This is your child, why can't I feel that you are a little sad?"
Shen Yurong looked at her quietly. After a while, he said: "He is dead."
"But that's your child!" Princess Yongning screamed.
She suddenly discovered that from the beginning to now, when talking about this child, Shen Yurong analysed Li Xian or told the results, there was no trace of sadness in her expression. If he had any feelings for this child, he wouldn't be so indifferent. For a person as cruel and ruthless as Princess Yongning, she felt really painful after knowing that she had had a miscarriage.
Doesn’t he have any emotions at all? This is his flesh and blood!
"Yongning," Shen Yurong looked at her, his expression still terrifyingly calm, and he said, "What happened has happened, you shouldn't hold on to it all the time."
"So?" Princess Yongning asked: "You also think I am wrong? I should pretend to know nothing, should not seek revenge from Li Xian, should not expose him in the Jinluan Palace, and should not give him a chance to tell the relationship between you and me shouldn’t involve you, cause you to be accused, and cause you to lose your official position, right?”
Her words were obviously a little crazy. And in the crazy reluctance, there was a deep sadness.
She knew that although Shen Yurong didn't speak, the answer must be "yes".
Because for Shen Yurong, everything can be sacrificed. This can be seen from the fact that when Shen Yurong first learned that Princess Yongning was pregnant, Shen Yurong's first thought was not to have this child.
Or looking a little further forward, it can be seen from Shen Yurong knowing everything she did to Xue Fang Fei, but pretending to be indifferent and watching with cold eyes.
She knew she could not look back, but Princess Yongning didn't want to look back either. Thinking about it now, in fact, many times, she could clearly see that Shen Yurong was not sincere towards her, but she loved Shen Yurong very much, with a love that was like obsession.
As long as she could get him, she would do anything. It doesn't matter whether he is sincere or not.
For example, at this moment, Shen Yurong still didn't speak, and Princess Yongning was defeated first.
She knew that she couldn't compete with Shen Yurong, because she loved deeply and was destined to be unable to compete. Moreover, Shen Yurong was now her last lifeline. She had no other choice but to catch him to avoid drowning.
"I'm sorry," Princess Yongning said with difficulty, "It's my fault for causing you trouble."
Shen Yurong replied: "It doesn't matter."
"Mr. Shen," Princess Yongning said, "Now I have been demoted to a commoner by the emperor. Although my eldest brother has given me a lot of money, walking around outside will inevitably attract gossip. I don't want to live in an inn anymore. I want to live with you..."
"After all, if others know about my relationship with you, I won't be afraid even if I live together. I have already divorced the Li family, and it doesn't make sense for people outside to say anything about me."
She rarely spoke to others so carefully, which shocked Mei Xiang. Princess Yongning has always been aloof and giving orders to others, but there has never been a time when she was so humble. But Princess Yongning herself knows that it is because now, she only has Shen Yurong.
If she loses Shen Yurong, then she really has nothing. Besides, she had tried so hard just to be with Shen Yurong. Even if it has fallen to this point now, this purpose has not changed.
Even if it is to make her pay, it will not be in vain.
She looked at Shen Yurong and prayed carefully. This man looked as gentle as before, and he seemed to be someone could be trusted with for the rest of her life. He looked at Princess Yongning. Even at this point, he never said a harsh word to Princess Yongning, and his attitude could even be called gentle.
But Princess Yongning clearly saw the indifference in his eyes.
Shen Yurong said: "Okay."
Princess Yongning looked at him excitedly and suppressed her uneasiness. She went to pull Shen Yurong's hand, Shen Yurong did not pull out again, so Princess Yongning's suspicion just now disappeared and she became satisfied again.
Once upon a time, she was still aloof, seducing and teasing without any trace, waiting for Shen Yurong, the prey, to take the bait. But now, she has been completely controlled by Shen Yurong. Princess Yongning cannot live without Shen Yurong, but Shen Yurong can abandon her at any time without any nostalgia.
Mei Xiang stood outside the door and watched, her eyes showing worry. It seems that the dilemma has been solved for the time being, and Princess Yongning can live with Shen Yurong legitimately, but will things really go so smoothly? Not to mention anything else, Madam Shen's face and Princess Yongning's deep pride will cause problems sooner or later.
……
Princess Yongning was demoted to a commoner and Shen Yurong resigned from office, which had a great impact on the entire Shen family. Madam Shen was therefore quite dissatisfied with Princess Yongning. As for Shen Ruyun, all the care she had received in the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion was confiscated overnight.
Zhou Yanbang became more and more unscrupulous. He stayed up at night and had fun in the brothel all day long. Even when he returned to his house, he never went to Shen Ruyun's place, but always to Jiang Yu'e's place.
After the incident between Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning came out, the servants of Ningyuan Hou masnion looked at Shen Ruyun differently. Some people even said that what happened at the palace banquet was that Shen Ruyun was scorned by Zhou Yanbang. Who knows if Shen Ruyun jumped on him herself?
Maybe Zhou Yanbang didn't do anything and it was Shen Ruyun who wanted to marry him. Giving it to Zhou Yanbang, giving Zhou Yanbang dirty water, is blackmailing people. After all, her eldest brother wasn't a good guy either. He secretly fell in love with the princess behind people’s back, and even got her pregnant with a child to marry someone else.
Shen Ruyun could hear these discussions wherever she went in the mansion. But when Shen Yurong resigned as he said, the ridicule intensified, and they almost dared to appear in front of Shen Ruyun.
Shen Ruyun was extremely uncomfortable. She did not expect that Princess Yongning, who once brought them infinite admiration and glory to the Shen family, would now become a piece of shit that could not be shaken off.
In the past, her relationship with Princess Yongning was no longer that of "the Shen family". "The blessing that comes only from burning incense in ancestral graves" is a stain that disgusts the world.
Marquis Ningyuan and his wife asked her to go to the house this morning, hinting that Shen Ruyun should take the initiative to leave and let their Ningyuan Marquis mansion be quiet and peaceful, so as not to become a joke in the eyes of others.
Shen Ruyun was so angry that she almost felt sick. When she came out of Mrs. Ningyuan Hou's room, she met Jiang Yu'e again.
It is strange to say that Shen Ruyun is the head wife, so she can naturally use it as a concubine, and the money given to Jiang Yu'e is pitifully small. It seems that Zhou Yanbang has never given Jiang Yu'e any money, but Jiang Yu'e's food and clothing are not much worse than Shen Ruyun's.
Shen Ruyun was very surprised to hear that the support was from her mother's family. After all, Jiang Yuanxing was just a concubine of the Jiang family with a small salary, so how could he be so generous?
But no matter what, Jiang Yu'e's beauty was already superior to Shen Ruyun's. If she dressed up well, she would certainly be able to seduce Zhou Yanbang, who would not come to Shen Ruyun's yard.
"It's my sister." Jiang Yu'e met Shen Ruyun, bowed gracefully, and said with a smile: "I have also heard about the affairs of my sister's natal family in the past few days. But more importantly, the prince said at this time, I was really worried about my sister. The more it is at this time, the more you have to endure it, and it will be over. "
She was clearly gloating about the misfortune. When Shen Ruyun thought that Zhou Yanbang also knew about this matter and used it to shame her in front of Jiang Yu'e, Shen Ruyun wanted to hit her to death. She looked at the gorgeously dressed Jiang Yu'e and sneered: "Aunt Jiang is in great spirits and wanders around the house every day."
"After all, I am in good physical and mental condition." Jiang Yu'e said: "I just passed by Madam's door. Madam seems to want my sister to propose a divorce from the Crown Prince? That's right, after something like this happened, I always feel uncomfortable staying in the house."
"Even if I and the Crown Prince reconcile, it won't be your turn!" Shen Ruyun gritted her teeth and said, "You just used despicable means to get into the house, and your father is just a bastard of the Jiang family. The Ningyuan Marquis Mansion, no matter how hard they try to find a wife for the prince, she will never be someone as lowly as you. In the end, you will just make wedding clothes for others!"
"So what?" Jiang Yu'e's smile disappeared after Shen Ruyun's words, but she still wanted to stab Shen Ruyun, "When I entered the door, I knew that I was a concubine. Even if I stay as a concubine for the rest of my life, it doesn't matter, as long as the prince loves me."
"But what about you? You are an upright wife who was carried in a sedan chair by the Ningyuan Marquis. You look much better than me, but your fate may not be much better than mine! You will be kicked out, and you still don’t know where you will end up in the rest of your life."
"The prince will not divorce me, and I will not reconcile with the prince." Shen Ruyun said bitterly.
"Really? Originally, the Crown Prince married you because your eldest brother is the emperor's favourite minister. Shen Ruyun, what's your merit? You can be found in a crowd."
"Now your eldest brother has already resigned means nothing, and the Shen family's reputation is ruined. Why do you think that Ningyuan Hou family will still want you to settle down? When Shen Yurong was an official, the eldest son even looked down on you. It’s even less likely that he’ll like you.”
"So, you'd better get out of here as soon as possible!"
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