Chapter 55 The Cicada Sheds Its Shell

Her husband is dead.

Even if she wasn't dead, she treated it as if she were.

She had overheard Huo Yunzhan and Liu Ruolan's conversation and knew how passionately Huo Yunzhan and Liu Ruolan had been together before.

Now look at how Huo Yunzhan and Liu Ruolan have torn off their mask and are fighting each other.

She felt that Huo Yunzhan's personality might not have changed drastically because he was no longer capable of performing his function.

Is it possible that Huo Yunzhan is just like this by nature?

Previously, because he had an elder brother above him, he was afraid that if he revealed his true nature, it would arouse Huo Yunting's suspicion and cause dissatisfaction among others. Therefore, he had to wear a mask of gentleness and elegance, pretending in every way and enduring everything.

Now, however… Huo Yunting is dead, he has become the Marquis of Yongning, and he has obtained Liu Ruolan. But at the most crucial moment, because Liu Ruolan and he indulged in excessive passion day and night, everything he was about to obtain was about to be destroyed. So, he became furious and reckless, and no longer wanted to pretend.

If that's the case, then it has to be said that Huo Yunzhan, whether he was being sincere or not, at least put on a good act in front of her before.

No wonder she was so thoroughly deceived by him in her past life, and ultimately met a tragic end, dying with resentment in her heart!

But... Huo Yunzhan is so crazy now, she has to find a way to leave the Marquis's mansion as soon as possible, this place of trouble.

If Huo Yunzhan were to suddenly unleash his pent-up anger and rage on her and lash out at her, that would be truly disastrous.

Having made up her mind, Shen Qingci immediately stood up: "I will write a letter, and you can arrange for someone to deliver it to the Regent's Palace for me."

"Contact the old subordinates left by my father again and try to find a place in the capital that is not too conspicuous."

"Huo Yunzhan doesn't even care about the Prime Minister's residence and dares to directly target Liu Ruolan. We need to make plans as soon as possible. In any case, let's leave the Marquis's residence first."

Wanqing nodded: "This servant also thinks that the way the Marquis acted earlier, even though he was lashing out at Liu Ruolan, was still quite frightening to this servant."

After writing the letter, Shen Qingci handed it directly to Wanqing.

That night, Chu Jichen arrived as promised.

Shen Qingci had Wanqing stand guard at the courtyard gate before walking over and sitting down in front of Chu Jichen, looking somewhat uneasy: "Has Your Highness heard about what happened in the palace today?"

Although she could still argue logically and with evidence in front of Huo Yunzhan, claiming that it was all the fault of that tyrannical emperor and that she had done nothing wrong, she even pretended to suggest that Huo Yunzhan take her into his room to avoid being summoned to the palace.

But when facing Chu Jichen, she found it somewhat... difficult to speak.

Even more so, a strange, inexplicable feeling of grievance welled up inside me.

Chu Jichen nodded, his gaze falling on Shen Qingci's face, and he simply reached out and took Shen Qingci's hand: "I understand."

His voice was gentle: "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

However, a hint of malice rose uncontrollably in his eyes: "It's my fault, I've made Chu Xiao's life too easy."

Shen Qingci raised her head: "Your Highness doesn't blame me?"

"Is it because I went to the palace to express my gratitude that I got into such trouble?"

Chu Jichen frowned, his eyes full of doubt: "You did nothing wrong, you didn't even do anything at all, so why should I blame you? Blame you for what?"

Shen Qingci's heart trembled slightly. Yes, she originally was... that's right.

The one who is wrong is the absurd and tyrannical emperor! It is Huo Yunzhan who is distorting the truth and making malicious speculations!

Perhaps it was because Huo Yunzhan had indiscriminately accused her of seducing the emperor upon her arrival that she began to doubt whether she should have looked like this, or whether she should have been seen by the emperor when she entered the palace to express her gratitude.

She's gone mad; how could she have such a bizarre idea because of that scumbag Huo Yunzhan?

She took a deep breath: "Won't this have any impact on the prince?"

"No." Chu Jichen gripped Shen Qingci's hand tightly: "He can't affect me."

"It won't affect you, and it certainly won't affect our marriage. Don't worry, leave this to me."

Shen Qingci felt somewhat relieved.

It must be said that she was indeed a little panicked before.

Although Chu Jichen wielded immense power, Emperor Yongming was still, after all, the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

She feared that Emperor Yongming might actually issue an imperial edict summoning her to the palace.

She even prepared for the worst...

If there is truly no way to avoid it, then she can only take the opportunity to enter the palace and then use the opportunity to thoroughly investigate the Shen family's past.

But she didn't want to.

Emperor Yongming and Chu Jichen are still different...

Since Chu Jichen said he would handle it, Shen Qingci trusted him.

"Besides this matter, there is another one." Shen Qingci pondered for a moment. Logically speaking, the matter of the Marquis's mansion was her own business, and she had already arranged her way out, so she didn't need to tell Chu Jichen.

But since she has decided to marry Chu Jichen and the wedding is approaching, she should let Chu Jichen know about such a big event.

“In the afternoon, Marquis Yongning…” she paused, “that is, Huo Yunzhan, who faked his death, accused me of seducing His Majesty.”

"I then took the opportunity to stir up conflict between Huo Yunzhan and Liu Ruolan."

"Huo Yunzhan suddenly erupted, fought with Liu Ruolan, and even locked her up."

Shen Qingci narrowed her eyes: "Huo Yunzhan faked his death before entirely for Liu Ruolan's sake. Now that things have fallen apart, he immediately turns on Liu Ruolan with such ruthlessness and cruelty, showing no regard for their past relationship whatsoever."

“His current behavior is like that of a mad dog that has lost its mind. I’m worried that he’ll try to bite me. So I plan to find a way to leave the Huo family first. I’ve already found a place to stay, and I’ll get married from there after the hundred-day period is over.”

Chu Huaixun narrowed his eyes: "It doesn't matter where you get married. I'm just worried that Huo Yunzhan won't let you leave the Huo family."

"And even if you manage to leave, what if they start spreading rumors about you as soon as you're gone..."

“After you marry me, you will still be in the capital. I don’t care about the gossip, but I’m afraid it will affect you and make you suffer.”

Shen Qingci narrowed her eyes slightly. That made sense, so she planned to use some ruthless methods.

As Shen Qingci was pondering this, she heard Chu Huaixun continue, "I do have a method."

"What method?"

Chu Huaixun tapped his finger lightly on the armrest of the wheelchair: "Shedding one's skin like a cicada shedding its shell."

"I have several trusted confidants who are extremely skilled in disguise."

“I can have someone disguise themselves as you and stay in the Huo residence to observe a hundred days of mourning for Huo Yunzhan.”

"Leave the Huo residence."

Shen Qingci's eyelashes trembled slightly. This was indeed an excellent method—a clever way to shed one's skin.

It allows someone to stay at the Huo residence and keep an eye on everything there.

She, however, can make arrangements outside.

"Your Highness's plan is excellent. We will follow Your Highness's suggestion."

Chu Jichen was always decisive and efficient. Seeing that Shen Qingci had agreed, he was unwilling to wait even a day longer.

He immediately said, "There's no time to lose. You pack the things you need first, and I'll arrange for someone to make a human skin mask. I'll bring people to find you in two hours."

"So fast?" Although Shen Qingci was prepared, it was clear that she was not prepared enough. This was too fast!

"Tonight is the best time. If we miss tonight, we'll have to wait until tomorrow night, which means you'll have to stay at the Marquis's residence for another day. I'm worried about that."

Chu Jichen immediately made the decision: "It's settled then. I'll come pick you up in two hours."