Chapter 210

Chapter 210: A Fine Goose!

Thinking this, Shang Hang Yu turned to face the sullen crowd of the Shang residence.

His smile grew brighter. “General Shang, why the gloomy face? Your Majesty might think you’re unhappy to be connected through marriage.”

“Oh, right—I almost forgot—” He pointed to the mansion beneath his feet. “General Shang, remember this residence belonged to my mother. It’s listed among her dowry, so please let me know when it’ll be convenient for you to move out.”

“Xing Yu! You’ve gone too far!” Shang Xiu Yuan snapped, unable to hold back. “This is the mansion of the Great Defender General. How dare you force Father out! You’re unfilial and unrighteous! If His Majesty finds out, he’ll never let someone like you marry the Princess.”

“Then why doesn’t Elder Brother enter the palace and report me?” Shang Hang Yu leaned in, lowering his voice. “Let’s see if your words carry more weight than the great gift I’ve given His Majesty.”

Hearing this, Shang Xiu Yuan went silent.

Shang Hang Yu waved the imperial edict triumphantly and strode away.

Time was short, and he had much to do.

The Eunuch Attendant had just taken his birth information for the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, to match his fate with the Princess.

He couldn’t be idle either!

Meanwhile, in the Detached Palace for foreign envoys—

Lu Chuo rolled a chess piece between his fingers.

Crafted from white jade, it felt smooth and cool, lovely yet difficult to fathom, just like the young lady he’d encountered that day.

But unexpectedly, the proposal he’d thought foolproof hadn’t impressed the Emperor of Sheng Kingdom.

True, he still had other treasures that could catch the Emperor’s eye. But was he truly willing to offer so much for a woman he merely found intriguing?

His fingers paused uncertainly over the chessboard.

At that moment, a palace servant entered with news. Upon hearing it, Lu Chuo sighed, scattering the unfinished chess game in disappointment.

He never imagined that between himself and Shang Hang Yu, Princess Ning would choose the latter.

From what he’d heard, Shang Hang Yu’s reputation was terrible and he possessed no real talent. Yet, the man had somehow outwitted Generals Hu Shu Xie and Jin Ri Xu on the training field, showing some minor cleverness.

Was that what Princess Ning favored?

Or perhaps, she simply disdained him—a frail, sickly Imperial Prince?

Thinking thus, Lu Chuo shook his head with a wry smile.

At the same time, the news reached all the noble residences in the Capital City.

Ye Rong, who had been quietly reading, jumped from his seat. “What did you say? Who’s marrying the Princess? Shang Hang Yu?”

Ye Rong drew a sharp breath. [By heavens!]

He’d felt something was off with Shang Hang Yu! Had he been eyeing Princess Ning all along?

That day outside the tea house, Shang Hang Yu mentioned ordering a carriage to ensure the Princess’s comfort—

No, even earlier than that—yes!

It was when Qi Shu Xian was honored by the Emperor!

They’d planned to visit Drunken Spring Brothel, but Shang Hang Yu refused to go after seeing Princess Ning step down from her carriage.

Ye Rong gasped, realizing he’d uncovered a huge secret. His good brother, Shang Hang Yu—[What audacity!]

Meanwhile, in the Duke’s residence—

Meng Yang also heard the news.

“Are you sure? Ha! Only a worthless rogue like Shang Hang Yu would accept a discarded woman like her! Has the Young Master returned yet?”

Meng Yang hurried to inform Qi Shu Xian of the matter.

Sheng Zhi Wan would soon become the wife of a notorious rogue.

Surely, Qi Shu Xian would finally give up!

But as evening approached, there was still no sign of Qi Shu Xian.

Shang Hang Yu spent the entire afternoon hunting geese.

He shot nearly every goose at Dark Moon Lake, from tail to lead, and only when the largest, craftiest goose finally fell did he return, fully satisfied.

Entering the Capital City on horseback, Shang Hang Yu rode tall and proud, deliberately displaying the large, magnificent goose.

Then, someone blocked his path.

[Oh?]

Looking down, Shang Hang Yu saw Qi Shu Xian, clearly drunk.

Their eyes met, and Shang Hang Yu smirked. “Why doesn’t this city gate guard salute his new Marquis Consort?”

Qi Shu Xian glared bitterly at Shang Hang Yu’s arrogant expression, suddenly recalling his own feelings from two years ago when he received the imperial edict.

He’d been ambitious, unwilling to marry the Princess. Sheng Zhi Wan had knelt for three days in Purple Radiance Hall, begging for the Emperor’s decree.

Yet that same day, the Empress Dowager summoned him and made him kneel, lecturing endlessly, extracting his promise to treat Sheng Zhi Wan well. He’d felt resentful, thinking he knew best how to care for Sheng Zhi Wan without orders.

But what about Shang Hang Yu?

Surely, that pampered wastrel would also hate such lectures, yet why hadn’t the Empress Dowager summoned him?

Qi Shu Xian’s drunken gaze shifted to the goose Shang Hang Yu held.

A mocking smile appeared on his face. Ignoring Shang Hang Yu’s question, he stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I heard Second Young Master Shang had to use his mother’s dowry to beg His Majesty for marriage. But what you struggled so hard to achieve, I got effortlessly.”

Shang Hang Yu’s smile faded instantly, his eyes narrowing sharply.

Seeing this reaction, Qi Shu Xian pressed on. “Sheng Zhi Wan knelt three days without food or water in Purple Radiance Hall, just to marry me. Do you truly think such deep affection is easily forgotten?”

Shang Hang Yu tightened his grip on the reins.

Qi Shu Xian wasn’t as drunk as he appeared. He knew these words would cause lasting pain, planting an unremovable thorn in Shang Hang Yu’s heart.

No man could bear knowing his wife’s heart belonged to another.

With this thorn, Shang Hang Yu would never truly trust Sheng Zhi Wan.

But—so what?

Qi Shu Xian simply couldn’t tolerate Sheng Zhi Wan having happiness or a harmonious marriage with anyone else.

He watched Shang Hang Yu’s hands clench, anticipating anger.

But just then—

The goose Shang Hang Yu had chased all afternoon suddenly moved, black eyes twinkling mischievously as it fluttered onto Qi Shu Xian’s head.

Qi Shu Xian felt something cool land atop him, falling to his feet.

Shang Hang Yu’s anger immediately vanished. He patted the goose affectionately, loudly enough for all to hear:

“What a fine goose! Even knows Young Master Qi is bald?”

“Truly remarkable! I promise you’ll have meat every meal from now on!”

Laughing heartily, Shang Hang Yu rode off.

Qi Shu Xian felt countless gazes turn toward him.

Indeed, he wasn’t entirely bald—Liu Shang’s powder had fallen unevenly, leaving patches of hair missing from his forehead and crown, while the sides remained thick, making his appearance even more ridiculous.

Nearby, children’s laughter rang out clearly.

Humiliation burned through Qi Shu Xian. Unable to endure another second, he snatched up his fallen hat, shielded his face, and fled swiftly into the darkness.