Chapter 235

Chapter 235: Regretting Deeply

As Shang Xiu Yuan stood up, a loud cry mingled with the rapid clatter of horse hooves echoed from outside.

His mood darkened further.

In his old home, his elegant courtyard had been so secluded that street noises could never disturb him. Now, chaos seemed unavoidable.

“Victory! Victory!”

“Great triumph in the Northern Desert!”

“Deputy General Qi Shu Xian has safely escorted provisions to the Northern Desert army, and led a night raid against the Northern Di forces, forcing their retreat! A great victory indeed!”

Shang Xiu Yuan stopped abruptly.

Of all the days, news of victory had to arrive on the very day Shang Hang Yu’s marriage proposal was being formally accepted.

How wonderful, he thought bitterly, how perfectly timed!

The triumphant news spread like wildfire.

Emperor Chong Sheng swiftly summoned Duke Qi to the palace for commendation.

Outside Yongkang Street, crowds awaiting wedding pastries erupted into excited chatter.

“Heir Apparent Qi must be the reincarnation of a war god! He’s won a battle right after arriving at the Northern Desert!”

“Truly heaven’s will,” someone said thoughtfully.

“And think—today, Princess Ning’s engagement with Second Young Master Shang is official. But wasn’t the Princess once in love with Heir Apparent Qi?”

“Do you think the Princess regrets her choice?”

“No doubt,” whispered a voice in the crowd. “Trading a famed hero for a worthless dandy? If I were her, I’d regret it bitterly!”

“Regrets won’t change a thing. Can she break the engagement now?”

“Enough talk, they’ll soon hand out pastries!”

According to Sheng Kingdom custom, wedding pastries distributed during engagements symbolized blessings for harmony and happiness.

Common folk gathered early in the cold, not just for the spectacle, but especially for these sweet treats.

Just as officials from the Court of Imperial Clan and the Ministry of Rites finished checking the engagement list and were about to distribute pastries, another shout came from behind:

“Quick! Go to Duke Qi’s residence!”

“Heir Apparent Qi has won a great victory, and His Majesty rewarded Duke Qi with a thousand taels of gold! Duke Qi is generously sharing the fortune—everyone at his gates will get money!”

The crowd wavered immediately.

Wedding pastries or real silver?

“What are you waiting for? I just passed Duke Qi’s place and picked up thirty copper coins. Think of how many pastries you could buy! Hurry!”

“Let’s go!”

“Are you sure about this?”

“If I’m lying, let lightning strike me!”

Suddenly, the crowd surged away.

Madam Ye nearly exploded with anger. Her first time as a matchmaker, and she’d promised her son a flawless event—only for this disaster to happen!

“That hypocritical Duke Qi, rotten old thing with his secret mistress!” she cursed under her breath.

Though Sheng Zhi Wan was divorced, he still sabotaged her engagement like this—a senior acting so spitefully toward a younger generation!

Madam Ye hurriedly tried to stop the crowd, hoping at least a few might remain.

Even the officials considered stepping in.

Then, a figure appeared from the Princess’s residence.

Madam Ye’s eyes brightened instantly.

Today, Sheng Zhi Wan wasn’t dressed simply. Though she didn’t need to appear for the ceremony, she’d still dressed beautifully in a splendid gown with a bright red fox-trimmed cloak.

She was dazzling, silencing the departing crowd momentarily as all eyes turned to her.

With graceful composure, Sheng Zhi Wan spoke, “If everyone prefers silver coins, then go freely. Even I would love a share of Duke Qi’s generosity. Unfortunately, I can’t leave home today, so please grab some for me.”

Her humor dispelled any awkwardness, making the commoners laugh along.

“Princess, we’ll fetch plenty of coins for you!”

“Count on me!”

“Me too, Princess!”

Sheng Zhi Wan nodded and instructed her guards to organize an orderly exit.

Quickly, Yongkang Street emptied.

Commoners were practical; real silver coins were far more enticing than pastries.

“Princess, what should we do with the pastries?” asked a troubled official.

The pastries were partly prepared by the Princess’s residence and partly provided by the groom’s side. Usually, not having enough pastries was ideal, but now, not a single one was given away.

This was surely a bad omen.

Sheng Zhi Wan simply laughed, “Deliver them to the Charitable Relief Home and the slums.”

Blessings were blessings, regardless of who received them.

Meanwhile, she wondered amusedly if Duke Qi had enough copper coins to handle the crowd.

She promptly instructed Liu Shang to spread the news further.

Soon, everyone in the capital knew:

Heir Apparent Qi had triumphed in the Northern Desert!

Duke Qi had been rewarded!

Commoners could partake in the celebration!

Anyone who went to Duke Qi’s residence would receive endless copper coins!

Word spread rapidly, even to the most remote parts of the capital. Friends and neighbors eagerly rushed toward Duke Qi’s gates, all for a handful of coins.

Soon, every corner outside Duke Qi’s mansion overflowed with grasping hands, forcing vendors aside.

The mansion’s guards desperately threw baskets of coins, only drawing more greedy hands.

Duke Qi thought about the empty streets during Sheng Zhi Wan’s ceremony, and his mood brightened even more.

His Shu Xian was truly outstanding! First Cangnan, now Northern Desert—his victories were endless.

His Majesty had even promised a prestigious promotion upon Shu Xian’s return.

Sheng Zhi Wan, meanwhile, must be hiding inside, bitterly regretting her choices.

The more Duke Qi imagined her regret, the happier he felt.

But just then, his steward urgently tugged his sleeve, whispering again, “Lord Duke, we’ve run out of copper coins…”

“What?” Duke Qi was stunned. “Didn’t you exchange dozens of baskets from the banks?”

“Yes, but the crowd is too large,” the steward wiped sweat nervously.

Only then did Duke Qi truly notice the vast, desperate crowd around him, all extending dirty, cracked hands toward his mansion.

His face darkened deeply.

Who did these filthy hands think they were, demanding silver from his noble Duke’s mansion?