Chapter 202

Chapter 202: Could She Be Regretting?

The gossip that Princess Qing Ning had been refused by prospective husbands quickly spread throughout Capital City, stirred eagerly by those who took delight in such misfortunes.

Today, Qi Shu Xian was stationed at the city gate.

Tall and handsome, even in a plain guard’s uniform, he stood apart from the others, noble and strong.

“General Qi!” cried a few guards coming to change shifts, their eyes shining with admiration.

Qi Shu Xian frowned faintly, “I am no longer a general. Call me by name.”

“But to us, you’ll always be General Qi!”

They had heard tales of his brilliant strategies during the battle at Cangnan, and they resented that he had been reduced to guarding a mere city gate because of two ignorant women.

Remembering this injustice, they eagerly shared the latest gossip, thinking to cheer him up.

“General Qi, have you heard? Princess Qing Ning, who divorced you, is now trying to pick another husband!”

“What?” Qi Shu Xian’s eyes flashed sharply, his hand tightening unconsciously on his sword. “Who? What husband?”

The guard startled at his fierce gaze, swallowed nervously, and continued, “Princess Qing Ning! She left you but now seeks a husband among noble young men.”

“Who has she chosen?” Qi Shu Xian’s throat felt dry.

The guard sneered, “Who would want her? Every family she approached has refused her.”

Truly?

Qi Shu Xian’s grip loosened a bit.

“She should have thought of this before. Princess or not, she’s a divorced woman—no worthy family would consider her. Why choose damaged goods when there are so many fine young ladies available?”

They spoke this way partly to please Qi Shu Xian. Though demoted to gate duty, he was still the heir of a Duke’s house. Just yesterday, when the Third Prince had passed by, he had specially stopped to talk with Qi Shu Xian. Who knew when he might rise again? Gaining favor now could save them decades of struggle.

Noticing that Qi Shu Xian looked somewhat relieved at hearing Qing Ning had been rejected, the guards exchanged satisfied glances.

But Qi Shu Xian barely noticed their intentions. [How long had it been since Sheng Zhi Wan left me, yet already she’s considering marriage again? Did she truly believe any worthy man would want a divorced woman? She’s only humiliating herself.]

These thoughts troubled Qi Shu Xian, and after his shift, he found himself wandering past the Princess’s residence. Yet, the gates were tightly closed, and he saw nothing of Sheng Zhi Wan. He lingered nearby for a moment before finally turning toward the Duke’s estate.

“Heir Apparent!” Meng Yang approached eagerly as soon as he entered the Mountain Mist Courtyard, Qing Liu smiling brightly beside her. “I’ve successfully refined the fragrance formula!”

Rubbing his forehead, Qi Shu Xian reminded gently, “Remember not to call yourself ‘concubine.’ If anyone outside hears, especially Empress Dowager, what would you do?”

Meng Yang froze, her smile faltering. “Maidservant forgot…”

“Heir Apparent, Maidservant has made the fragrance. I wish to go see His Highness, the Third Prince.”

She’d secluded herself these past days solely to perfect this fragrance. She wanted the Third Prince to see her value clearly—only then could she step firmly upon Sheng Zhi Wan.

She presented the refined fragrance.

Qi Shu Xian knew nothing of fragrances, yet this one smelled far superior to ordinary market varieties.

“Give me the formula, I’ll deliver it to His Highness.”

Meng Yang bit her lip. “But the fragrance extraction has many details—I should explain it myself to His Highness.”

“…Then wear a veil.” Qi Shu Xian nodded absently, his mind elsewhere.

On their carriage ride, Meng Yang eagerly spoke of the fragrance’s future potential, yet Qi Shu Xian responded only rarely, his mind occupied by Sheng Zhi Wan’s remarriage.

Meng Yang assumed his silence stemmed from his demotion, understanding nothing else—until they reached the Third Prince’s residence.

As Meng Yang proudly presented her fragrance to the Third Prince, Qi Shu Xian suddenly spoke, “Your Highness, Sheng Zhi Wan’s remarriage…was it your doing?”

Meng Yang froze.

Remarriage? Sheng Zhi Wan wanted to remarry? Who could possibly marry her?

Then realization struck. Qi Shu Xian’s silence hadn’t been due to his demotion. It had always been about Sheng Zhi Wan!

Meng Yang’s fingers tightened beneath her sleeves.

Sheng Yuan Hao raised an eyebrow. “So, Heir Apparent Qi has heard? Indeed, I suggested it to Imperial Father, and he agreed. Women should focus on womanly matters.”

“Unfortunately,” Sheng Yuan Hao shook his head lightly, “the suitors chosen by Empress Dowager have all rejected her. It seems no suitable nobleman will accept her, so we must lower our expectations.”

Lower expectations?

“Must she marry?” Qi Shu Xian’s expression darkened.

He still loved Sheng Zhi Wan. She had been the first and only girl to touch his heart in youth. Even now, he could recall clearly the way she stood on tiptoe in the plum garden, breathing in the scent.

He had vowed to treat her well. She had loved him so deeply, sacrificing everything to marry him. Even after divorce, in his heart she was still his wife.

How could he bear seeing his wife marry another?

“Yes,” Sheng Yuan Hao replied carelessly, oblivious to Qi Shu Xian’s thoughts. “Wang Ye’s memorial criticized not only your affairs with Miss Meng but also praised Qing Ning’s actions in Ji Prefecture.”

“Would Heir Apparent Qi like to hear more?”

Sheng Yuan Hao smiled ironically. Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “If Wang Ye hadn’t stopped them, the commoners of Ji Prefecture would have built a living shrine for Qing Ning. A princess receiving such honor—truly unprecedented.”

“Yet, all her silver ultimately comes from the royal family. The people praise her personally but neglect gratitude to the Imperial Court or Imperial Father.”

Sheng Yuan Hao shook his head again. “Women truly should stick to their own affairs.”

Listening, Qi Shu Xian felt increasingly troubled. [So, Sheng Zhi Wan isn’t remarrying willingly? She is forced by His Majesty’s wishes to consider suitors. But who would marry a divorced woman? Those good families won’t accept her.]

Complicated feelings flooded Qi Shu Xian’s heart.

What was Sheng Zhi Wan feeling now?

Could she be regretting her choices?