Chapter 196

Chapter 196: So Humble

Facing the hopeful eyes of the Northern Du clan, Du Yi Zhi finally breathed easier.

Before his arrival, Princess had already predicted the hardships he might face and given him ways to handle them.

Yet, he hadn’t imagined that the Southern Du and Yan Hai, the magistrate of Ji Prefecture, would act so cruelly, directly harming common folk.

Fortunately, Princess had prepared for this as well.

Now, the Southern Du was surrounded, Yan Hai was imprisoned, and he himself had become the head of the Northern Du. From now on, he would serve as Princess’s strength.

Thinking it all through, Du Yi Zhi accepted without hesitation, clearly stating, “Let’s do it today. The Northern Du has declined, and most commoners don’t even know the difference between Southern and Northern Du. Only by making me clan leader now can we keep the Southern Du’s disaster from spreading here.”

His words were true.

So, just as the Southern Du was forced to confess, the ancestral hall of the Northern Du opened wide. Du Yi Zhi lit incense, paid respects before his ancestors’ tablets, and read aloud the ceremonial declaration. Under the watchful eyes of Ji Prefecture’s commoners, he officially took the position of Northern Du’s clan head.

Beyond the crowd, Lin Yi silently watched the scene from afar.

No news had reached him from the capital.

Yet the lack of news made his heart even more uneasy.

In the capital, Qi Shu Xian felt the same unease.

Ever since His Majesty dispatched investigators to Ji Prefecture about the burned cotton, he had repeatedly sought an audience with the Third Prince but received no response.

Until today, when the Third Prince finally agreed to meet.

Yet the prince’s words drained the color from Qi Shu Xian’s face, leaving him to close his eyes in despair.

“Your Highness, is there truly no other way? He…has served me faithfully for many years,” Qi Shu Xian said hoarsely.

Sheng Yuan Hao narrowed his eyes at him. “He defied your orders and colluded with the Du clan and other cotton merchants. Now that his crimes have come to light, they’re too severe. Forget him—even you, Heir Apparent Qi, could be dragged down by this.”

Qi Shu Xian staggered.

“Why, Heir Apparent Qi, do you blame me?”

Qi Shu Xian smiled bitterly. “I hoarded cotton first and only told Your Highness after trouble arose. Your Highness stepped in to help—this outcome is my own doing. How could I dare blame you?”

Indeed, how could he blame the prince he’d vowed to serve?

He could only blame himself.

When Meng Yang had made that suggestion, he should’ve refused. But he didn’t, and now, each step he took led to ruin.

Lin Yi had been chosen by his father to support him from the moment he became Heir Apparent.

Now, he had to abandon Lin Yi.

Qi Shu Xian’s heart ached deeply.

But what good was regret now? He couldn’t even protect himself.

Sheng Yuan Hao watched his expression closely and, finding no resentment there, softened slightly.

“Rest easy, Heir Apparent Qi. Since you acted for my sake, soon enough I’ll give you another chance. Your path lies in the Imperial Army—make sure you grasp it.”

Qi Shu Xian lifted his gaze, sensing vaguely what might lie ahead.

Seeing his pale, thin face, Sheng Yuan Hao shook his head with regret. “A pity—had you not divorced Qing Ning.”

Qi Shu Xian stared blankly.

“If you hadn’t separated, Qing Ning would now be busy managing your household, with no spare time to meddle in the Northern Desert’s affairs. And even if she did, her feelings for you would’ve prevented today’s situation.”

He waved dismissively. “But it’s too late to regret. It seems I must urge Imperial Father to quickly find Qing Ning another husband. A woman should manage the household, nothing more.”

The kingdom’s matters were men’s responsibilities. Ignorant women shouldn’t interfere.

At this, Qi Shu Xian’s heart tightened. “Your Highness! I…I still hope to reconcile with Princess!”

Even he was startled by his own words.

Sheng Yuan Hao raised an eyebrow. “I thought you preferred women like Miss Meng.”

“In my heart, Princess is the only one. Meng Yang is merely my responsibility,” Qi Shu Xian said bitterly.

To this day, he still didn’t understand why Princess couldn’t tolerate Meng Yang. Had Princess not pushed repeatedly, he wouldn’t have defended Meng Yang, worsening their relationship each time.

“Women are prone to jealousy,” Sheng Yuan Hao shook his head. He cared nothing for Qi Shu Xian’s true feelings.

“But reconciliation with Qing Ning is impossible. She’s always been stubborn—once she decides something, even if Imperial Father commands otherwise, she’d rather accept punishment.”

“When she begged to marry you, she was like this. Now, asking for a divorce at risk of her life, she’s still the same.”

Qi Shu Xian couldn’t accept this and left the Third Prince’s residence in a daze.

Nearby, a carriage passed.

“Princess, Maidservant thinks she just saw Heir Apparent Qi!”

Ting Lan quickly lowered the curtain.

Sheng Zhi Wan opened her eyes but hadn’t spoken yet when she heard a frantic voice outside—

“Zhi…” Qi Shu Xian paused, remembering his punishment, and corrected himself, “Princess Qing Ning! Please, I have something to tell you.”

“Princess…” Ting Lan regretted deeply.

She should never have peeked outside just now!

“I have nothing to say to Heir Apparent Qi,” Sheng Zhi Wan reassured Ting Lan gently.

Who was Qi Shu Xian to make her attendants wary?

Since Zhang Da didn’t hear an order to stop, he continued onward.

Qi Shu Xian could only follow using his Lightness Art.

“Princess, do you remember Lin Yi? You once praised his talent in mathematics. Now he’s caught in Meng Yang’s schemes in Ji Prefecture, involved in the burned cotton scandal. Zhi Wan—no, Princess, I beg you, save him!”

As Qi Shu Xian spoke, he felt his heart tear apart.

Never had he humbled himself before her like this.

It was always her adoring and accommodating him, but now…

Qi Shu Xian’s fists clenched tight.

Hearing the name Lin Yi, Sheng Zhi Wan recalled faintly that she’d indeed praised him casually once or twice.

But what did Qi Shu Xian’s people have to do with her?

Besides—

Her voice rang out mockingly, “Meng Concubine was able to command Heir Apparent Qi’s man without your consent. It seems you two truly love each other.”

“You treasure Meng Concubine so deeply, yet now you trail behind my carriage like a stray dog, begging me. Aren’t you afraid Meng Concubine will be hurt if she learns of this?”

Clear laughter followed.

Qi Shu Xian froze, his body stiffening.

A stray dog…

Sheng Zhi Wan actually called him a stray dog!

His vision darkened, and somehow he stumbled back to Duke Manor.

“The Heir Apparent has returned!” Meng Yang greeted him with joy at first, then noticed something wrong in his expression. “Heir Apparent…did Third Prince say something?”

Qi Shu Xian’s reddened eyes turned toward her.

Meng Yang instinctively stepped back.

Yet Qi Shu Xian did nothing to her. He sank weakly into a chair and suddenly laughed bitterly, “Third Prince ordered me…to abandon Lin Yi.”