Chapter 156

Chapter 156: Let Her Have It

“At this moment, you only need to gently tug. The stick falls, the cage drops, and the bird is captured.”

“So you used the Red Fox’s tracks as bait and the Northern Di soldiers as birds. Then Qi Shu Xian and his men were the cage you set?” Emperor Chong Sheng asked, tilting his head slightly.

“Ah, exactly.” Shang Hang Yu chuckled awkwardly, nudging forward Ye Rong and the others who stood behind him with lowered heads, too afraid to speak. “Actually, it wasn’t only me. I had my brothers to help!”

“I know who you are. Ye Rong, Pei Yu An, Chen Bao Jing,” said Emperor Chong Sheng calmly.

Ye Rong and the others opened their mouths in astonishment, never expecting that His Majesty actually knew their names!

“Yes, yes!” Shang Hang Yu kicked at his companions, prompting them to hastily kneel again in a panic.

Emperor Chong Sheng laughed heartily at the antics of these young lords. More importantly, this hunt had succeeded beyond his expectations.

As long as Prince Lu Chuo did not die within Sheng Kingdom, Northern Di would refrain from invading for at least two years. Mere intimidation wouldn’t suffice, but spreading the word of this victory would plant seeds of fear, weakening Northern Di’s strength without battle.

“What a remarkable Capital City’s top troublemaker!”

Emperor Chong Sheng looked deeply at Shang Hang Yu for a moment before declaring, “Su De Yun! Reward Shang Hang Yu with one thousand gold taels! Ye Rong, Pei Yu An, Chen Bao Jing, each receives one hundred gold taels!”

“Also, Sheng Yuan Qi, Qi Shu Xian, and their twenty-six men each receive one hundred silver taels.”

“Yes—” Su De Yun swiftly acknowledged.

Minister Ye, General Pei, and Censor Chen hugged one another, moved to tears.

Someone congratulated Shang Tian Hao, “General Shang truly raised exceptional sons!”

Wasn’t it true? Both his sons were rewarded. Even the infamous wastrel of the Capital had demonstrated such exceptional talent.

Ah…

They were truly envious.

Under the admiring gazes, Shang Tian Hao forced a bitter smile.

Qi Shu Xian stood rigidly, recalling the brief glance Emperor Chong Sheng gave him when leaving. Whether disappointment or something else, he couldn’t tell.

All his expectations of regaining his former status or even rising further had vanished because of Shang Hang Yu.

Shang Hang Yu—a man whose very name mentioned alongside his own felt like an insult—had managed to suppress him completely!

How could he accept this?

“My lord, are… are you alright?” Meng Yang approached, cautiously holding his hand.

Qi Shu Xian closed his eyes, about to respond, when Shang Hang Yu swaggered over, carrying the limp Red Fox.

Seeing that lifeless fox dangling, Qi Shu Xian felt even this beast was mocking him, darkening his already gloomy mood.

“A fine strategy, Second Young Master Shang. You played us all like pawns,” Qi Shu Xian spoke coldly.

Shang Hang Yu smiled breezily. “Heir Apparent Qi flatters me. Actually, I trusted your abilities completely. By the way—” He lifted the Red Fox slightly. “I’ve thought it through. Since this Red Fox was specifically hunted by you for the Princess, how about I sell it to you for fifty thousand silver taels?”

“Fifty thousand?” Qi Shu Xian’s face darkened further. “Have you gone mad, or have I?”

“Not quite,” Shang Hang Yu insisted seriously. “But if it’s a gift for the Princess, it shouldn’t be cheap. The more you spend, the happier the Princess will be.”

Qi Shu Xian was so angry he turned away.

Meng Yang stared fixedly at the Red Fox, finally realizing why a creature from Cangnan was found here—it was because Qi Shu Xian had specifically asked for it, for Sheng Zhi Wan.

Her beloved had gone to such lengths for another woman.

Meng Yang felt bitter and pained. Noticing Sheng Zhi Wan approaching, she quickly composed herself and said gently, “If the Princess truly likes the Red Fox’s fur, my lord can simply tell me. Last time, Mother gave me a hand-warmer lined with Red Fox fur. If the Princess desires it, let her have it.”

Sheng Zhi Wan stopped abruptly.

She had come over after seeing Shang Hang Yu speaking with Qi Shu Xian, her heart jumping anxiously, worried about what nonsense that wastrel might utter.

Unexpectedly, she heard this instead—

So, Qi Shu Xian had hunted a Red Fox in Cangnan, something everyone knew except herself.

She couldn’t help but smile bitterly at herself.

“Zhi Wan—” Qi Shu Xian’s expression changed dramatically upon seeing her. He glared coldly at Meng Yang and reached for Sheng Zhi Wan’s hand. “The last Red Fox was taken by Mother because she liked it. This time, I’m determined to give it to you.”

Sheng Zhi Wan frowned slightly, avoiding his hand.

Qi Shu Xian turned again to Shang Hang Yu. “Second Young Master Shang, though Red Fox fur is scarce, it’s only worth four or five thousand silver taels at auction. It’s useless for you. I’ll give you eight thousand taels. How about it?”

“No deal.”

The smile disappeared from Shang Hang Yu’s face, replaced by irritation.

Was Qi Shu Xian blind or foolish?

Knowing Sheng Zhi Wan desired something yet offering it to another—a mere concubine daring to act favored before the Princess.

The more Shang Hang Yu thought, the angrier he became.

Anger prompted mischief.

He suddenly faced Sheng Zhi Wan. “Princess, if you like it, this Red Fox is yours.”

He started handing it over, then paused midway. “Perhaps Princess could tell me directly what you want the fur for. I’ll have it made and sent to you personally.”

Sheng Zhi Wan hesitated, knowing it wasn’t proper.

Yet, meeting Shang Hang Yu’s earnest gaze, she reconsidered. If Qi Shu Xian could favor a concubine openly, why couldn’t she accept a mere fox fur offered in sympathy?

“In that case, I’ll trouble Second Young Master Shang to prepare it and send it to me.”

Red Fox fur was softer and finer than gray or white foxes. She had long wished to make knee warmers for her grandmother—something unfulfilled in her previous life. Now, finally, it could be realized.

“Zhi Wan!” Qi Shu Xian’s expression darkened, scolding sharply. “How can you accept a gift from another man?”

Sheng Zhi Wan glanced at him, smiling faintly. “It’s not a gift. I’ll pay Second Young Master Shang fifty thousand silver taels. Consider it something I bought.”

Shang Hang Yu didn’t care about the silver taels but understood accepting the gift outright would harm her reputation. Anyway, all her silver would eventually return to him…

He immediately bowed respectfully. “The Princess is generous. My thanks to Your Highness.”

Fifty thousand silver taels?

Where would she get that much money? Wouldn’t it come from the silver he himself had returned to her?

Qi Shu Xian felt his anger surge. Lowering his voice, he ground out, “Zhi Wan, if you truly desire it, I’ll find you another—why insist on his?”

“Fourth Prince, Fourth Prince! Someone, quick!” A frantic shout interrupted Qi Shu Xian’s words.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s fingers clenched abruptly.

Turning, she looked toward the commotion’s source—