Chapter 207

Chapter 207: Waiting to Mock

Qi Shu Xian returned to Duke’s manor filled with frustration and resentment.

He had thought losing a few strands of hair was nothing significant, but as soon as he entered, servants from Mountain Mist Courtyard kept glancing suspiciously at his head.

“Young Master?” Meng Yang’s steps halted abruptly, her voice trembling, “Your hair, how did this happen…?”

Qi Shu Xian hurried inside and stood before a mirror. Instantly, his face darkened.

A patch of white scalp shone from his forehead, absurd and comical.

“Young Master, what exactly happened?” Meng Yang followed anxiously, making his expression darker still.

Despite his fury, he couldn’t possibly admit that he, a noble man, was tricked by a maid who had thrown powder on him. Moreover, this humiliation occurred while seeking out Sheng Zhi Wan, the very princess he had divorced!

Taking a deep breath, he kept silent. For now, a hat would suffice to hide his embarrassment.

“Princess, is it true what you said? Second Young Master Shang… is to be your consort?” In Princess Manor, Ting Lan finally asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

Sheng Zhi Wan had kept silent until the matter was nearly finalized. Now she no longer needed to conceal it. “Yes. Tomorrow, Imperial Father will announce the decree.”

“But…” Ting Lan hesitated.

[Then what about Young Master Du? Will Princess marry Shang Hang Yu and keep Du as a concubine? Well, perhaps that could work.] Ting Lan’s imagination wandered momentarily.

“Why? Ting Lan, do you dislike Second Young Master Shang?” Sheng Zhi Wan smiled.

Ting Lan quickly shook her head, “No!”

In truth, she had disliked him before, based purely on hearsay. But once she got to know Shang Hang Yu personally, she discovered he was a genuinely good man.

He had defended her princess at the Gathering Worthies Teahouse, saved her from bandits, stood up against Duke Qi’s household’s hostility, and even rescued Eldest Young Lady Liu. Despite nearly being entangled by the Liu family afterward, he alone had bravely acted.

Ting Lan concluded that his past reputation must have been malicious rumors spread by his hypocritical stepmother. Now she felt pity for Shang Hang Yu, though he would soon marry the best princess in the world, which comforted her greatly.

However, An Zhi seemed worried, “Actually, Heir Apparent Qi made a point.”

“What?”

“When Princess first married into Duke Qi’s manor, it was declining, but Qi Shu Xian himself was outstanding in both martial and scholarly arts. Now Princess is divorced and marrying Shang Hang Yu…”

“What’s wrong with Second Young Master Shang? He’s far better than Qi Shu Xian!” Ting Lan pouted.

An Zhi sighed, “I also think Second Young Master Shang is good.”

“Then what’s the issue?”

“Outsiders may not think so. When the decree comes tomorrow, many will laugh at Princess.” An Zhi thought particularly about Commandery Princess Ming Jia, Prince Huai’s daughter, known for her arrogance and rivalry with Sheng Zhi Wan.

Whenever Sheng Zhi Wan succeeded, Ming Jia had been jealous, even once competing for Qi Shu Xian. Though Ming Jia returned to her fiefdom after Prince Qi’s rebellion, An Zhi heard she was coming back to Capital City for marriage discussions. She would surely mock Sheng Zhi Wan for marrying a supposed wastrel.

Ting Lan grew worried too.

Both looked at Liu Shang, cheerfully eating pastries rewarded by the princess.

“Liu Shang, how are you not worried?” Ting Lan asked.

Liu Shang wiped her mouth, “You’re overthinking it.”

“What do you mean?” An Zhi asked.

“Is Princess worried? Sad? Unwilling about marrying Second Young Master Shang?” Liu Shang questioned.

With each question, An Zhi and Ting Lan shook their heads.

“Exactly! Princess is pleased; she likes Second Young Master Shang. That’s enough. What others think doesn’t matter!”

[Princess likes… Second Young Master Shang?] An Zhi and Ting Lan exchanged glances uncertainly.

Yet Liu Shang had a point—if the princess were unhappy, she wouldn’t be so calm.

In General’s manor, news of Shang Hang Yu entering the palace alarmed Shang Tian Hao.

“You’re certain he went into the palace?” Shang Tian Hao verified again.

“Yes,” Shang Xiu Yuan confirmed. “Eunuch Su personally escorted him. Father, did Xing Yu cause more trouble?”

“General, what should we do? This Concubine failed to teach Xing Yu well,” Liang Rao panicked.

“It’s not your fault! If he caused trouble, it’s his own doing! Wait, I’ll inquire at the palace…” Shang Tian Hao moved to leave.

“Oh, you’re all here?” Shang Hang Yu entered calmly.

“Shang Hang Yu!”

“Xing Yu, you’re back so soon?” Shang Xiu Yuan noticed Shang Hang Yu was unhurt, puzzled how he emerged unharmed after being personally summoned.

“Why wouldn’t I return? This is my home,” Shang Hang Yu laughed. “I’m here to inform General Shang and Madam Shang—I’m getting married soon. Please ready my mother’s dowry.”

“Absurd!” Shang Tian Hao shouted. “Marriage? Who are you marrying without my approval?”

“Xing Yu, if you like someone, I’ll arrange the match properly. Don’t be reckless!” Liang Rao added anxiously.

“Madam Shang shouldn’t claim motherhood. I’m afraid my mother might visit you tonight,” Shang Hang Yu smiled darkly.

Liang Rao turned pale instantly.

Shang Tian Hao raised a furious hand, but Shang Hang Yu pulled Shang Xiu Yuan before him, “Careful, Father. If you injure Elder Brother, our family line will end—I’m becoming a consort soon.”

“Consort?” Shang Xiu Yuan gasped. “You’re a young master of General’s manor; how can you marry into another family?!”