Chapter 168

Chapter 168: Rebellion from Below

Sheng Zhi Wan felt warmth touch her ears.

Did she like Shang Hang Yu? She could only say… she admired him and felt kindness toward him.

But liking? Not yet.

However, if someday she truly achieved her goals, she didn’t need to remain someone without desires.

She calmly met his gaze and said, “I don’t dislike you.”

Just “don’t dislike”?

Shang Hang Yu felt a slight sting of disappointment, but quickly told himself this was fine for now.

It didn’t matter. If she merely didn’t dislike him today, he had plenty of chances to turn it into liking, and even deeper affection!

Shang Hang Yu’s heart brimmed with confidence.

“Heir Apparent Qi! You cannot go in!” At that moment, An Zhi’s anxious voice rang from outside.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes instantly filled with disgust.

Now, this was real dislike! Shang Hang Yu secretly chuckled.

Outside, the noise of a scuffle grew louder. It seemed Liu Shang and Qi Shu Xian had started fighting.

“Would Princess like me to go settle it?” Shang Hang Yu eagerly offered.

Sheng Zhi Wan cast him a glance. Shang Hang Yu sighed, stood reluctantly, but didn’t forget to pick up his teacup.

He tapped lightly on the decorative cabinet behind him, and with a soft click, the cabinet swung apart like a hidden door. He stepped inside, and only then did Sheng Zhi Wan rise and open the front door.

Today, Gathering Worthies Teahouse wasn’t too crowded, but neither was it empty. Currently, the most discussed gossip in the Capital was Princess Ning’s bold request for separation.

In the Sheng Kingdom, men ruled, and most women spent their entire lives trapped inside their homes, never daring to utter the word “divorce.” Yet, Sheng Zhi Wan not only dared to ask but boldly appeared in public afterward.

Numerous gazes turned toward her—mostly men.

Men who always sat comfortably above women had already imagined her as a bitter, resentful woman after separation.

Yet when they lifted their eyes—

Draped in a brilliant cloak of crimson threaded with gold, the princess radiated fierce elegance. Standing proudly on the third floor, her chin lifted, her eyes bold and free.

Those men, expecting to mock her, found themselves compelled to look upward in awe.

Even Qi Shu Xian was stunned briefly by her dazzling appearance. Quickly recovering, he scanned the room.

Empty.

Even the table had only one teacup.

Could Sheng Zhi Wan really be here alone, drinking tea?

It was freezing outside. Was the scenery here better than at the Princess’s Estate?

“What does Heir Apparent Qi want?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked impatiently.

Qi Shu Xian gathered his wits, taking a deep breath. “Was it your doing that Shu Lang was expelled from Azure Cloud Academy?”

Sheng Zhi Wan raised her brows.

Qi Shu Lang had been expelled?

“Stop pretending! Yesterday, I saw Grand Scholar Du’s Madam at your estate! You must have said something to make Azure Cloud Academy expel Shu Lang!”

Many visited the Princess’s Estate yesterday, and Qi Shu Xian hadn’t paid much attention at the time. Only when Shu Lang was expelled did he recall: Grand Scholar Du lectured at Azure Cloud Academy, and Qi Shu Lang attended thanks to Du’s favor—indeed, thanks to Sheng Zhi Wan’s favor.

Yet he never thought Sheng Zhi Wan would be so petty! She even harmed a child after their separation!

Qi Shu Xian’s anger boiled over.

Sheng Zhi Wan stared at him mockingly. “Heir Apparent Qi is truly laughable. Instead of finding out why Shu Lang was expelled, you blame me? How shameless.”

Qi Shu Xian replied coldly, “Grand Scholar Du’s Madam visited you yesterday, and Shu Lang was expelled today! I refuse to believe it has nothing to do with you!”

“Hah!” Sheng Zhi Wan said calmly, “Then what will you do if it really was my doing?”

Qi Shu Xian was speechless.

Her perfect face showed pure ridicule. “Don’t tell me you expect me to beg Grand Scholar Du again for Qi Shu Lang’s sake?”

Qi Shu Xian grimaced, “But Shu Lang is only ten…”

“So what if he’s ten?” Sheng Zhi Wan interrupted sharply. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten he stole my dowry?”

The listeners gasped.

Stolen dowry? What dowry?

Many ears perked up eagerly.

Qi Shu Xian’s face darkened. “That incident is in the past!”

Clearly, this was exactly what Sheng Zhi Wan had meant!

Sheng Zhi Wan sneered, “Why not bet with me again, right here and now? Let’s ask Azure Cloud Academy’s Headmaster if it was my order, or if Qi Shu Lang himself was at fault?”

Whatever Shu Lang had done must have been severe enough to force Azure Cloud Academy to expel him despite Grand Scholar Du’s favor.

Sheng Zhi Wan had an inkling.

Qi Shu Xian immediately remembered the last time his mother had fallen into Sheng Zhi Wan’s trap…

“What’s wrong? Do you doubt me, or perhaps you doubt Grand Scholar Du? Would Azure Cloud Academy dismiss a blameless ten-year-old simply because of my words?”

Question after question silenced Qi Shu Xian.

But he couldn’t afford another bet with Sheng Zhi Wan…

If she was right, Shu Lang’s theft would become public knowledge; if she wasn’t, then Shu Lang had clearly done something terrible…

Yet, what terrible thing could a ten-year-old child do?

Qi Shu Xian’s face turned pale and red by turns. After a long pause, he turned to leave.

“Stop!” Sheng Zhi Wan’s voice suddenly rang out sharply.

Qi Shu Xian flinched and froze instantly.

Never had Sheng Zhi Wan spoken to him like this.

“Qi Shu Xian! You are merely a Junior Sixth Rank official. Even as Duke’s heir, you have no right to accuse me groundlessly. If you had proof, fine—but you don’t. Such insolence is rebellion against your superior. Did you really think you could just walk away?” Sheng Zhi Wan approached step by step.

Qi Shu Xian hadn’t expected her to be so ruthless.

He had been her husband, after all!

Their gazes clashed. Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes held no softness or retreat.

Her previous tolerance had spoiled everyone in Duke Qi’s mansion, letting them believe they could demand anything from her.

That had been her mistake.

But mistakes could be fixed. She was fixing hers now!

“What do you want?” Qi Shu Xian clenched his fists.

“For disrespecting the Princess, the Heir Apparent should perform a kowtow of apology, so as not to repeat the offense again,” a voice from below called cheerfully.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s lips twitched slightly.

Shang Hang Yu looked up at her and winked quickly.

Seeing Shang Hang Yu, Qi Shu Xian’s face darkened further.

“Zhi Wan, must you really do this?” Qi Shu Xian said heavily.

“Heir Apparent Qi seems to have forgotten again. You must address me properly—as Princess Ning,” Sheng Zhi Wan said quietly.

Qi Shu Xian gritted his teeth. “Princess Ning! We were once husband and wife. Even separated, must you be so ruthless?”

“I choose to be ruthless,” Sheng Zhi Wan stated coldly. “Choose now—kowtow or thirty lashes?”

Qi Shu Xian wanted neither!

He was the noble heir of Duke Qi’s house, a triple first achiever, decorated for valor at Cangnan.

Had it been anyone else—another imperial prince or princess—he wouldn’t find it humiliating.

But this person was Sheng Zhi Wan…

How could she demand a kowtow from him!