Chapter 201

Chapter 201: Utterly Scandalous

A wastrel noble spending over five hundred thousand taels to marry the Princess—trapping her and gaining benefits. Emperor Chong Sheng would never refuse such a sweet deal.

But still—

Sheng Zhi Wan looked at him. “But I’m a divorced woman. You’re marrying a Princess; aren’t you worried about gossip and mockery?”

“I’m just a useless dandy. What do I care?” Shang Hang Yu shrugged without a care. “My only worry is that this might cause harm to your reputation.”

Although he knew he was better in every way than Qi Shu Xian, outsiders didn’t know that. They would only mock the Princess, saying she left Qi Shu Xian only to marry a worthless man like him.

Shang Hang Yu’s handsome face darkened at the thought.

[If only I’d pretended to be a little less useless…]

“No matter,” Sheng Zhi Wan replied firmly. She had faced plenty of slander and ridicule in her past life; a little more wouldn’t matter.

“Keep this box with you for now,” she said, pushing the wooden box back toward him. “You can give it to me officially on the engagement day.”

Though she wanted it, she knew better than to risk holding something before everything was settled. Unexpectedly, Shang Hang Yu quickly stepped back, panicking.

“What’s this, Princess? You’re not going back on your word, are you? That’s impossible. Once spoken, my words can’t be taken back. I’ve given it to you, so it’s yours!”

“If needed, I’ll have my men confirm the engagement again later.”

Seeing his stubbornness, Sheng Zhi Wan finally nodded. Since she’d made her decision, she wouldn’t change it. “Alright, I’ll keep it safe for now.”

“Mm-hmm!” Shang Hang Yu’s heart fluttered. Just the thought of her name linked with his made him want to smile.

[Perhaps I shouldn’t give Emperor Chong Sheng the entire five hundred thousand taels. Some should be saved for her dowry, along with my mother’s dowry.]

Most importantly, he needed achievements.

[How to gain great achievements quickly and no longer be seen as worthless?]

[Bandit Suppression? Not enough. I must surpass Qi Shu Xian! Perhaps…the Northern Di?]

Lost in thought, Shang Hang Yu barely noticed Sheng Zhi Wan’s puzzled gaze. “Why are you smiling? There’s another thing.”

He snapped back to reality.

“You have a spy by Imperial Father’s side, don’t you?”

“How did you know?” Shang Hang Yu blinked, then realized quickly. “Was it from the last hunting event?”

“Yes. If you had learned about the Red Fox only during the hunt, you wouldn’t have risked taking Ye Rong and the others along. Clearly, you had prior certainty.”

“Princess, you’re very sharp!” he admitted. “It’s not exactly a spy—just someone indebted to me, whom I occasionally ask for minor favors or trivial information.”

Saying this, he felt slightly guilty. Recently, he’d mostly been watching Qi Shu Xian closely, which was how he knew about the Red Fox.

“Do you know if Imperial Father met Third Imperial Brother privately after the cotton burning incident?” Sheng Zhi Wan was focused on her thoughts, missing his brief discomfort.

Surprised, Shang Hang Yu asked, “Do you think His Majesty knows about Northern Desert?”

“Possibly,” Sheng Zhi Wan replied gravely. Her father valued reputation greatly. Without her past life’s tragic end, she might not have suspected such things. But now, even her past death seemed questionable.

“I’ll find out,” Shang Hang Yu agreed quickly, hesitating briefly. “Aren’t you curious who my informant is?”

“You can tell me after our wedding, Second Young Master Shang,” she replied softly.

[Wedding?]

Those words instantly sent Shang Hang Yu’s thoughts racing—wedding, husband and wife, wedding wine…bridal chamber…

He couldn’t help glancing at her lips in the candlelight—soft, inviting.

Abruptly, Shang Hang Yu stood up.

“What’s wrong?” Sheng Zhi Wan blinked, confused.

“It’s late; I should go.”

“…Alright.” She had nothing else to say, but his sudden departure left her bewildered. Then her gaze dropped briefly, and her expression froze.

Feeling her stare, Shang Hang Yu fled hastily into the night.

[He knew it! Youthful strength made him better than Qi Shu Xian, but perhaps this good was a bit too embarrassing.]

Sheng Zhi Wan sat still until the heat left her cheeks.

Not just a dandy—utterly scandalous!

That night she dreamed chaotically. Awakening, she heard Ting Lan’s angry voice outside.

“What’s happening?” Sheng Zhi Wan rose.

An Zhi hurriedly brought warm water, while Ting Lan still trembled in anger.

[How dare they gossip? Her Princess deserved better than any man in the realm!]

“Someone is spreading rumors,” Ting Lan sobbed, “claiming Empress Dowager is choosing suitors for you, but they’ve all refused!”

The actual words had been far worse, fueling her anger.

Sheng Zhi Wan raised an eyebrow. She had expected some gossip, though not this quickly. It seemed someone deliberately leaked the news.

She thought of the people summoned by Grandmother and began to guess.

[Madam Liu? No. Even if she hated me, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to offend Grandmother.]

That left someone utterly thoughtless.

“Liu Yan?” In the quiet room of a teahouse, Shang Hang Yu’s eyes grew dark as he read the report.

Sheng Zhi Wan would have been shocked to see this ruthless side of him. Growing up unprotected in Shang Residence, he’d hidden his true self behind a worthless façade, learning cruelty along the way.

Anyone threatening his interests faced swift, ruthless punishment. Like the Qi Prince’s rebellion four years ago—it began with Qi Prince’s foolish son challenging him over a famous courtesan, prompting Shang Hang Yu to destroy their family.

Even Bai Xiao Xiao—he hadn’t minded pretending when she tried to trap him with her pregnancy. But involving the Princess crossed a line, so he’d ensured her disgrace.

Beyond that, Shang Hang Yu saw himself as generous. Even when the Liu Family schemed to marry their illegitimate daughter to him, he’d settled for money alone.

But Liu Yan’s actions now made him furious.

Shang Hang Yu drained his tea, then let the fine porcelain cup fall, shattering silently into dust.