Chapter 214

Chapter 214: The Misfortune of Divorce

“Imperial Sister!”

Sheng Zhi Wan paused, turning her head.

From around the corner peeked a small girl of four or five years old, her hair tied up into twin buns with pearl and jade ribbons. Her little face was round, her eyes large and bright. When she saw Sheng Zhi Wan looking her way, those bright eyes curved into crescent moons, showing a pair of charming dimples.

“Oh, my little ancestor! Why did you run off so quickly?” Two older palace maids rushed up behind her, immediately bowing deeply upon seeing Sheng Zhi Wan. “Blessings upon Princess Ning Qing.”

Sheng Zhi Wan stared somewhat dazedly at the little girl.

Zhi Hui, her younger imperial sister…

In her previous life, just before her death, she’d heard that Imperial Father intended to send this little girl off for a political marriage. After that, until she died, she never heard news of her again.

Sheng Zhi Wan walked towards her and bent down gently. “Hui’er, why did you come here?”

“Imperial Sister! Hui’er has wanted to play with you for ages, but Royal Mother wouldn’t allow it!” the little girl pouted sadly.

Sheng Zhi Wan froze.

Behind the child, the two palace maids hurriedly lowered their heads in embarrassment.

Smiling gently, Sheng Zhi Wan stroked Hui’er’s tiny buns. “Then, can Hui’er tell Imperial Sister why your Royal Mother didn’t let you see me?”

Hui’er tilted her head curiously. “Royal Mother said Imperial Sister divorced and became unlucky. Imperial Sister, what does ‘divorced and unlucky’ mean?”

“Forgive us, Princess Ning Qing!”

“The little princess is just babbling nonsense. Please don’t take her seriously!” Both palace maids sank to their knees, trembling.

Sheng Zhi Wan glanced coolly at the two maids, her lips curling slightly.

Hui’er’s Royal Mother was merely a sixth-rank concubine. Before Sheng Zhi Wan married, that woman had tried desperately to encourage closeness between Hui’er and herself. Though she knew exactly what the woman wanted, Sheng Zhi Wan truly adored the soft and sweet child. Each time she returned from the Detached Palace, she’d bring Hui’er toys and sweets from outside.

Because of that, the little girl was very attached to her.

Even during the past two years when she’d rarely entered the palace, she still sent gifts to Hui’er regularly.

But now, just because she’d divorced, she had become unlucky?

Sheng Zhi Wan gazed softly at Hui’er. “Does Hui’er think Imperial Sister is unlucky?”

Hui’er shook her head quickly. “Hui’er likes Imperial Sister! You’re pretty like a fairy, not unlucky at all! Imperial Sister, when can Hui’er leave the palace like you?”

“When Hui’er grows up, you’ll be able to leave,” Sheng Zhi Wan replied, pinching her chubby cheek. “Next time, I’ll have someone send you toys, all right?”

“Yes!” Hui’er nodded eagerly, then added, “Can Hui’er have a pigeon-cart next time?”

A pigeon-cart?

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled. “Of course. Imperial Sister will bring it next time.”

“Imperial Sister is the best!” Hui’er happily planted a kiss on her cheek.

After soothing the child, Sheng Zhi Wan watched her skip away joyfully, then turned calmly to the two frightened palace maids. Her voice was serene, without anger, but her eyes turned cold. “Tell Noble Consort Fu that even if I’ve divorced, I’m still a titled princess. Considering Hui’er’s face, I won’t inform Grandmother about her words today. Have her copy the Book of Inner Virtues one hundred times. Someday, when I recall this incident, I may just inspect her work.”

“Yes…”

“Y-yes… We respectfully bid farewell to Princess Ning Qing.”

The palace maids wished desperately to disappear into the earth.

Sheng Zhi Wan then left the palace.

Seeing her expression was troubled, Shang Hang Yu smiled mysteriously, saying he had a gift for her.

When Sheng Zhi Wan asked what it was, Shang Hang Yu adamantly refused to tell her.

Finally, she nodded. “Very well, I’ll go see it with you.”

Once she boarded her carriage, Shang Hang Yu openly rode his horse alongside. Now, as the Emperor’s personally appointed fiancé of the princess, who would dare speak against him escorting her openly?

Not only that, from time to time, he would buy warm and easily digestible pastries from vendors by the roadside and pass them into the carriage.

Sheng Zhi Wan hadn’t eaten breakfast, and her stomach had begun to protest. These common pastries tasted unexpectedly good to her.

The carriage moved slowly, eventually stopping outside the Princess Residence.

Liu Shang jumped down first, then An Zhi and Ting Lan assisted Sheng Zhi Wan out of the carriage.

Shang Hang Yu gave a sharp whistle, and another carriage approached slowly.

When Sheng Zhi Wan saw who was driving, she stared in surprise.

Ye Rong winked at Shang Hang Yu, hopped off the driver’s seat, bowed respectfully to Sheng Zhi Wan, and left swiftly.

Still bewildered, Sheng Zhi Wan didn’t immediately understand what Shang Hang Yu’s gift was, nor why Ye Rong had been driving.

Shang Hang Yu looked at her eagerly. “Princess, do you like this carriage?”

A… carriage?

Sheng Zhi Wan’s mouth twitched. Only then did she notice the carriage was quite unique.

Its body was crafted from ebony, covered by curtains of delicate Mer silk kerchiefs. Two layers of beaded curtains shielded thick plush carpets inside, while fine horses adorned with bells waited patiently. Even without peeking inside, one could guess its luxuriousness.

Yet when Shang Hang Yu truly opened the door, Sheng Zhi Wan couldn’t help but blink from the flash of opulence.

“This… is the gift you’re giving me?”

Shang Hang Yu nodded earnestly. “Does the Princess not like it?”

He had long wished to craft the most comfortable carriage for her, ensuring she traveled in the utmost comfort and dignity wherever she went.

“…I like it,” Sheng Zhi Wan admitted. It was merely unexpected.

What kind of man gifted a woman a carriage?

However, it perfectly suited her taste. From the outside, it appeared modest compared to the brightly jeweled carriages of other noble ladies. It was understated yet luxurious within, practical and supremely comfortable.

Zhang Da eagerly rubbed his hands together.

He cast a grateful glance at the Second Young Master Shang—no, that should be Consort now!

The consort was so thoughtful, even covering the driver’s seat with plush cushions.

Feeling cheerful now, Sheng Zhi Wan smiled. “Why don’t we ride this new carriage to Morning Light Temple today?”

…

Morning Light Temple was where Sheng Zhi Wan had originally intended to go before being abducted by bandits.

Rumors spoke of its spiritual efficacy, and the temple enjoyed great popularity. Outside its gates was even a renowned fortune-teller.

Today, aside from Liu Shang, An Zhi, and Ting Lan, Sheng Zhi Wan brought along many guards from her residence, and Shang Hang Yu personally accompanied her.

With more than thirty people, their group was impressive, quickly nearing the temple.

Yet at that moment, in broad daylight, bandits suddenly ambushed some pilgrims. Among them, one especially luxurious carriage became their obvious target.

From within that carriage came women’s frantic screams. The guards outside were swiftly overwhelmed by the robbers.

A bandit kicked aside a driver bleeding from multiple stab wounds, sliced open the curtains with his dripping sword, and dragged out two terrified noblewomen.

Hearing the screams, Sheng Zhi Wan instinctively moved to look out, but a large hand gently yet firmly pushed her head back inside.

Shang Hang Yu’s expression darkened coldly. Those bandits were kidnapping women. If they caught sight of Princess, wouldn’t she instantly become their target instead?

The Princess’s guards immediately drew their weapons, guarding her carriage carefully.

“Help!”

“Please, Young Master! Save our Commandery Princess!” cried a panicked maid, running desperately towards them.

But Shang Hang Yu didn’t spare her a glance. He swiftly ordered the guards to escort the princess’s carriage safely into the temple first.

Who cared about a mere Commandery Princess compared to his Princess’s safety?

Nothing mattered until she was completely secure.