Chapter 181

Chapter 181: Shameless

Unless… he felt guilty, and more so, afraid.

But what could he possibly fear?

Was it merely her talent surpassing his own children’s? Impossible!

She was just a woman.

Even if she discovered the truth someday, she could do nothing significant. She certainly couldn’t overthrow his reign.

Then… he feared someone else.

But whom? Someone loyal to the Late Crown Prince?

Sheng Zhi Wan felt she was close to grasping the truth.

“Maidservant, you’ve learned enough. Now tell Grandmother, where did you get this Guardian Bell?” Empress Dowager interrupted Sheng Zhi Wan’s thoughts.

Yet Sheng Zhi Wan stared steadily at her, “Grandmother, what are you afraid of? Why do you hate Imperial Father?”

She had seen the hatred in Grandmother’s eyes herself. Although unclear whom the hate was for, in all the world, the only person who could make Grandmother endure, or rather, had to endure, was none other than Imperial Father.

Thus, she boldly asked to test her suspicions.

Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed sharply. “You ignorant maidservant! Imperial Father is my own son—what mother hates her own child?”

This was precisely what Sheng Zhi Wan couldn’t understand.

“Enough! If you won’t tell, then don’t. You may leave!” Empress Dowager turned her back.

Sheng Zhi Wan sighed inwardly and quietly spoke about the old woman she’d met at Azure Cloud Academy.

“Grandmother, my mother wasn’t a brothel prostitute. She was likely the Tang family’s young lady. Imperial Father deceived you about this. If he lied about this matter, what else might he have hidden—perhaps—”

“Silence!” Empress Dowager pressed a trembling hand against her chest, struggling for breath.

Sheng Zhi Wan reached out, wanting to check her pulse.

“Xiu Gu!” Empress Dowager turned away quickly, “Escort the Princess out of the palace!”

“Grandmother!” Sheng Zhi Wan frowned in concern.

But Empress Dowager had already turned away without a backward glance, pushing the golden bell back into Sheng Zhi Wan’s hand.

Sheng Zhi Wan quietly clenched it tight.

“Princess, let Maidservant show you out,” Nanny Xiu said gently.

Sheng Zhi Wan sighed again, placing the red fox fur knee protector she had brought beside the bed. Only then did she follow Nanny Xiu out.

Outside the palace.

The carriage rocked gently, taking her further away from the Imperial Palace. Sheng Zhi Wan touched the golden bell, her suspicions finally confirmed after so many years.

It felt like the blade hanging over her had finally fallen.

No wonder Imperial Father never scolded her like he did the other princes and princesses, and his gaze was always different.

She had clearly stood with her siblings, yet always felt his distance.

Because he wasn’t her real father.

Sheng Zhi Wan couldn’t help but wonder again.

And in her past life?

Had she truly been stripped of her status because Imperial Father feared Qi Shu Xian’s military power, or had he merely seized an opportunity?

Or perhaps, the reason Qi Shu Xian allowed Meng Yang to torment her to death was precisely because it was… Imperial Father’s wish?

Outside, the snow had stopped, but the cold had only intensified.

Sheng Zhi Wan tightened her cloak, yet the chill still slipped through, seeping into her bones.

“Whoa—”

The horse’s hooves came to a stop outside the carriage. Ting Lan leaned out.

“Second Young Master Shang?”

“Is Princess inside?” a warm male voice asked.

Sheng Zhi Wan stirred from her thoughts and raised the curtain.

On horseback, Shang Hang Yu’s eyes sparkled as he saw her, a bright smile spreading at the corners. “Gathering Worthies Teahouse has newly released pastries. I bought too many boxes today and just happened to see Princess. Would Princess kindly accept one to taste?”

“Pastries from Gathering Worthies Teahouse?” Ting Lan immediately grew excited at the mention of food. “I heard they only sell to the first thirty people each day, and some customers line up more than half an hour early!”

“Better than Aunt Wang’s wontons?” Liu Shang swallowed hungrily.

Ting Lan nodded seriously.

Sheng Zhi Wan laughed softly, “Then I thank Second Young Master Shang for his kindness.”

She nodded toward Ting Lan.

Only then did Ting Lan step down from the carriage, taking the delicately crafted food box from Shang Hang Yu.

The small box bore Gathering Worthies Teahouse’s emblem.

After handing over the pastries, Shang Hang Yu rode away as if meeting Sheng Zhi Wan there was truly mere coincidence.

Nearby, outside a tavern door, Qi Shu Xian watched silently, fists slowly clenching.

Shang Hang Yu again! Always Shang Hang Yu!

Sheng Zhi Wan dared openly accept a gift from Shang Hang Yu!

Shameless woman!

How long since their separation, yet she was already this restless?

His eyes darkened with a fierce gloom, fueled by wine.

He had come here to drink away his troubles after leaving Duke Mansion earlier.

Third Prince intended to burn the cotton, but he didn’t wish it.

He’d told Meng Yang his displeasure stemmed solely from concern for the Northern Desert commoners who relied on the cotton—not because the cotton belonged to Sheng Zhi Wan.

But was that truly all?

Indeed, he pitied the commoners and believed Third Prince shouldn’t trade lives for silver. But… if that cotton wasn’t Sheng Zhi Wan’s, would he still feel so torn?

Perhaps yes, but certainly not so disturbed.

Disturbed enough that, despite his resolve, he had come here seeking drunkenness.

Just moments ago, he even considered going to Sheng Zhi Wan in a drunken stupor—to warn her.

To tell her that Third Prince acted on Imperial Father’s orders, urging her to recall her people from the Northern Desert and not oppose Third Prince, nor spoil Imperial Father’s plans!

He had even reached the door…

Only to witness this!

Qi Shu Xian chuckled coldly, eyes sharp with bitterness as he watched her carriage fade into the distance.

Fine, Sheng Zhi Wan!

Since you are heartless, don’t blame me for being ruthless!

Turning away, Qi Shu Xian headed towards Duke Mansion.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Desert, Ji Prefecture.

Du Yi Zhi was holding a discussion with the eighteen heads of Northern Du households.

The recent movements from the Prefectural Office had caused anxiety among the Northern Du clan members, fearing the “bandits” might storm their homes next.

At this critical moment, Du Yi Zhi aimed to stabilize hearts.

He boldly described the immense benefits awaiting them after the disaster’s end.

There would be rewards not only for the clan as a whole but also for each family based on their individual contributions during the crisis.

His words ignited excitement among the listeners, especially the younger clan members, whose hearts burned hotly.

“Cousin Yi Zhi, my family has three brothers and many servants—sending us to deliver messages in smaller counties is surely a waste!”

“Do you have more crucial tasks for us?”

“My family too! We have four brothers!”

“Cousin Yi Zhi, I might be young, but I can still be useful…”

The eighteen families eagerly volunteered, utterly different from their hesitant entrance earlier. Du Yi Zhi nodded in satisfaction.

Clearing his throat, he declared, “Uncles, cousins, as you’ve seen, the Prefectural Office conspires openly with Southern Du. Why? Because they look down on me, Du Yi Zhi! They hope to drive me from Ji Prefecture—but they’ve made a grave error!”

“Because I don’t serve just the Princess—I serve someone higher still!”

He pointed meaningfully toward the heavens, eyes sweeping the room.

Immediately, fervent devotion filled everyone’s eyes.