Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Not Worthy of Her

Sheng Zhi Wan’s carriage arrived at the South City Gate.

Just as An Zhi took out the Duke’s residence token, a faint hawker’s call drifted through the air.

Hearing this call, Sheng Zhi Wan smiled gently, “How I miss the taste of osmanthus cake. An Zhi, go buy some for me.”

“Huh?” An Zhi was momentarily startled. “Princess, if you had told Maidservant earlier, I would have prepared some at home. Who knows if the street vendors’ food is clean?”

Even as she murmured, she quickly descended from the carriage. Yet after quite a while, there was still no sign of her returning.

Seeing their turn at the city gate approaching, Ting Lan anxiously peered out.

Observing Ting Lan’s unease, Sheng Zhi Wan said, “You should go take a look too.”

Ting Lan quickly obeyed. When the gate officers finally reached Sheng Zhi Wan’s carriage, the two maids returned together.

With the Duke’s token presented, the gate guards naturally posed no trouble, respectfully allowing the carriage to pass.

As the carriage rolled beyond the city walls, Sheng Zhi Wan felt refreshed by the crisp autumn air. Ever since marrying into Duke Qi’s mansion, she hadn’t ventured beyond the city gates. In her past life, sickness had kept her confined inside the estate for three long years until her death.

Now, stepping out, even breathing felt lighter.

The scent of harvest season carried from afar, mingling with the distant laughter of farmers at work.

Gradually, the two carriages turned onto a secluded official road. Fewer and fewer people appeared, and soon open fields gave way to dense, towering forests.

“Heir Consort, there’s a tea stall up ahead. Would you like to stop and rest a moment?” Zhang Da, the driver and escort, asked through the carriage curtain.

“Alright,” Sheng Zhi Wan responded.

As the carriage halted, An Zhi and Ting Lan jumped out, one raising the curtain, the other gently holding out a hand to help her descend.

Sheng Zhi Wan had barely set foot on the ground when the sound of a dozen galloping horses echoed through the air. Her lips curved slightly.

“Second Young Master Shang, isn’t that the Duke’s carriage?” Ye Rong tugged at the reins, pointing forward.

Only then did Shang Hang Yu seem to notice, replying lightly, “Indeed. Shall we greet them?”

“Forget it. Young Master here doesn’t want to see Qi Shu Xian,” Ye Rong scoffed disdainfully. “These days, I’m tired just hearing his name. He’s married, yet he still stirs up so much trouble. Young Master despises such unmanly behavior.”

Pei Yu An laughed heartily. “You might want to see him, but he wouldn’t necessarily be here. He’s now an official attending morning court—unlike us idle fellows. He surely wouldn’t appear here.”

Ye Rong scratched his head. “Fine, then let’s… go over and greet them anyway.”

Agreed, they rode towards the tea stall.

Before they reached it, Ye Rong’s gaze was captured by a slender figure. “Is…is that Princess Ning?”

She stood delicate yet straight-backed, crescent brows above shimmering eyes, an elegant nose, and lush, crimson lips. Her beauty was so exquisite, even her simple, pale garments seemed touched by grace.

As if sensing their approach, she glanced their way.

Pei Yu An pressed a hand to his heart, whispering, “What extraordinary beauty must Lady Meng possess to overshadow this…”

“Second Young Master Shang, Eldest Young Master Ye, Young Master Pei…” Sheng Zhi Wan’s gaze glided softly across their faces.

Today, Shang Hang Yu wore sleek riding attire, his long legs encased in tightly fitted dark boots. His silhouette was straight and noble, though his face was shadowed against the sunlight.

Yet his intense, burning gaze made Sheng Zhi Wan’s lashes flutter, and she quickly shifted her eyes elsewhere.

The youths were astonished that Sheng Zhi Wan recognized them—not only Shang Hang Yu and Ye Rong, but even Zhou Yu Zheng, whose father was merely a fourth-rank vice minister.

They swiftly dismounted to greet her respectfully.

When Sheng Zhi Wan mentioned heading to Morning Light Temple, Ye Rong immediately exclaimed, “What a coincidence! We’re going there too!”

“Really?” Sheng Zhi Wan smiled warmly. “Then let’s travel together. It’s safer this way.”

Dazed by her gentle smile, Ye Rong nodded without a second thought.

After a brief rest, the two groups continued their journey together.

However, within half an hour, Ye Rong regretted his impulsiveness.

“Oh, why did we agree to this? At this pace, when will we ever arrive?” Ye Rong complained quietly.

Pei Yu An gave him a sideways glance. “Weren’t you the one who agreed first?”

“You didn’t object either,” Ye Rong nudged the silent figure beside him. “Shang Hang Yu, what are you staring at?”

Shang Hang Yu withdrew his gaze from Sheng Zhi Wan’s carriage, murmuring thoughtfully, “I was just thinking, this carriage of the Duke’s mansion hardly suits the Princess.”

Ye Rong was speechless for a moment, while Pei Yu An asked in confusion, “Aren’t all carriages about the same?”

“Hmph,” Shang Hang Yu’s smile turned roguish. “If I were her husband, I’d craft a carriage worthy of her status, let her rest like a precious jewel upon it—”

“Quiet!” Ye Rong glared at him fiercely. “You can’t just say things like that.”

“What’s there to fear?” Shang Hang Yu flashed a playful grin. “Only you all can hear it, anyway.”