Chapter 213

Chapter 213: A Pure Body

Sheng Zhi Wan paused, her brows gently furrowing.

She had agreed to visit Morning Light Temple today with Shang Hang Yu because he promised to deliver the letter.

Yet today, he had broken his word.

[Could something have happened?]

Sheng Zhi Wan swiftly sent Liu Shang out to investigate.

After a short while, Liu Shang lightly landed in the courtyard, stepping over the roof tiles.

Nanny Yu lifted an eyelid and glanced at her. Liu Shang, confused, returned a bright grin.

Nanny Yu: “……”

Slowly, Nanny Yu’s eyelids lowered again.

[Well, Princess didn’t say anything, so why should I worry? This isn’t the palace, after all; there aren’t as many rules to follow.]

“Princess!” Liu Shang cheerfully reported, “Maidservant found out that Second Young Master Shang was summoned into the palace early this morning.”

Sheng Zhi Wan was startled, but then quickly understood. “Grandmother?”

In the past, after she had knelt and begged for the Imperial Edict to marry beneath her station, Imperial Father granted the marriage. Immediately after, Grandmother had summoned Qi Shu Xian into the palace.

She never knew what exactly Grandmother said to Qi Shu Xian, only that when he came out, his face had been terribly grim.

And now, Grandmother again…

Sheng Zhi Wan, at the thought of this, quickly dressed without breakfast. With An Zhi and Ting Lan assisting her, she donned her court robes and hurried into the palace.

Outside Merciful Wisdom Palace.

Shang Hang Yu had been standing here for over an hour. Palace Maids and Nannies passed him by without sparing a single glance.

“How long has it been?” Empress Dowager asked, gently setting down her watering pot.

“Replying to Empress Dowager, over an hour,” answered Nanny Xiu.

“Mm, let him come in.” Empress Dowager said softly.

Now that he’d become Wan’er’s consort, she shouldn’t embarrass him too much. Embarrassing him would embarrass Wan’er too.

Nanny Xiu swiftly went out.

Shang Hang Yu stood straight-backed, staring at the bluish bricks on the ground, silently painting a portrait of his Princess with his gaze. Just as he was about to finish the last strand of her hair, the summon finally came.

Nanny Xiu carefully examined him.

Though he’d stood outside for so long, his posture remained straight, his eyes clear and steady.

He wasn’t like the frivolous wastrel she’d imagined.

Moreover, he was quite handsome…

Entering the inner hall, Shang Hang Yu respectfully knelt and bowed deeply.

Empress Dowager let him finish his formal greeting, then carefully examined him before finally speaking. “I heard that you were the one who actively pursued the Princess?”

Knowing clearly how deeply the Empress Dowager mattered to Princess, Shang Hang Yu, who had felt no fear even facing Emperor Chong Sheng, now unexpectedly found his palms dampening with sweat.

Yet he forced back his unease. “Replying to Empress Dowager, it was indeed I who actively pursued her.”

“Oh? And why do you wish to marry the Princess?”

Shang Hang Yu straightened further, eyes lowered respectfully, his voice firm and clear. “Because I hold the Princess in my heart.”

Empress Dowager gave a cold snort. “Yet I’ve heard you have many female companions, often frequenting questionable places of pleasure.”

“Empress Dowager may freely investigate; those are merely rumors. My record is clean and clear—I have never been entangled with any woman.” Shang Hang Yu bowed deeply.

Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Clean? Then, you are still pure in body?”

“Grandmother!” Sheng Zhi Wan burst into the hall right at this moment.

She had never imagined Grandmother would ask such a question.

Regardless of man or woman, no matter who knelt here today, such words were too harsh!

“Why are you here?” Empress Dowager asked in surprise.

Sheng Zhi Wan glared at Shang Hang Yu kneeling on the floor.

[Isn’t he usually so bold and fearless? Facing me, he’s so audacious, yet now before Grandmother, he’s like a timid quail?]

Empress Dowager glanced at Shang Hang Yu. “Did he send someone to complain to you?”

“No… Grandmother,” Sheng Zhi Wan sighed, feeling a headache rising. “We originally agreed to go to Morning Light Temple today. But then he broke his word, and when I checked, it turned out you had summoned him to the palace.”

“Oh, and so you rushed here too? Are you worried Grandmother will give him trouble?” Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed slightly, darting meaningfully between Sheng Zhi Wan and Shang Hang Yu.

Sheng Zhi Wan immediately averted her gaze.

Instantly, Empress Dowager understood.

Could it be Shang Hang Yu spoke the truth? Was there truly affection between him and Wan’er?

But when?

[It surely couldn’t have been before Qi Shu Xian’s return…?]

No, Wan’er wouldn’t do that.

Even if it was true, the fault would be Qi Shu Xian’s—who told him to bring back a farm girl?

Wait… perhaps it was when Wan’er was captured by bandits and rescued?

Empress Dowager felt slightly reassured.

Of course, Sheng Zhi Wan knew that Grandmother was just looking out for her. She gently looped her arm around Empress Dowager’s. “Wan’er was just worried that he might offend Grandmother with his clumsy words.”

“You’re the one with the silver tongue.” Empress Dowager felt better now, but her gaze returned to Shang Hang Yu.

Her earlier question truly had been harsh… Forget it…

But Shang Hang Yu suddenly spoke boldly, openly stating: “Replying to Empress Dowager and Princess, I have never touched any woman.”

Sheng Zhi Wan froze, cheeks suddenly flaming red.

Even Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned, almost blurting out, “Is that true?”

Luckily, Sheng Zhi Wan quickly tugged her arm, and Empress Dowager swallowed the words back down.

“Very good,” Empress Dowager said awkwardly, quickly remembering her original purpose. Clearing her throat, she solemnly said, “Now that you’ve become the Princess’s consort, never fail her. Those questionable places—stay away from them, and those unruly acquaintances—avoid them as well!”

“I sincerely remember,” Shang Hang Yu responded seriously.

“Enough… If I keep you any longer, issues may truly arise. You may take your consort out of the palace.” This last line was directed at Sheng Zhi Wan.

Sheng Zhi Wan clung playfully to Empress Dowager. “What is Grandmother saying? If you want him to leave, then he may leave—I especially came here to accompany Grandmother!”

“Really?”

“Truly!” Sheng Zhi Wan lied without blinking.

Empress Dowager felt deeply comforted but knew Wan’er was teasing her. She had lived in this palace for decades; what was there to accompany?

“Alright, off you go, stop being an eyesore here.” Young people should indeed live more freely and joyfully.

Sheng Zhi Wan left Merciful Wisdom Palace with Shang Hang Yu.

Behind her, Shang Hang Yu’s tall and straight figure followed, suddenly letting out a soft chuckle, whispering, “Did Princess come to rescue me?”

“Who’s rescuing you?” Sheng Zhi Wan hesitated slightly. “I was merely afraid you’d offend Grandmother.”

“Yes,” Shang Hang Yu obediently replied, his gaze tenderly falling upon her shadow beside him.

“What did Grandmother… say to you?” Sheng Zhi Wan suddenly asked.

“Empress Dowager asked about my situation and advised me to treat Princess well, never to betray you.”

“Nothing else?”

“Nothing else.”

“You spent over an hour here, and that’s all?” Sheng Zhi Wan didn’t quite believe him.

“Empress Dowager asked many detailed questions. Clearly, she deeply cares for Princess.” Shang Hang Yu tactfully avoided mentioning he had been deliberately left waiting outside.

“Of course.” Warmth filled Sheng Zhi Wan’s heart.

Just as they approached the Palace Gate, Sheng Zhi Wan opened her mouth, intending to ask Shang Hang Yu if he still wished to go to Morning Light Temple—

A voice suddenly interrupted them at that very moment—