Chapter 37 Aunt He

The pain from falling to the ground spread from her knees throughout her body. Shen Ruixue followed Su Xuanmao's gaze with icy eyes, and when she realized that he was staring at Shen Pingjin, a sinister smile curled at the corner of her mouth.

She tried to keep her expression calm, stepped forward, and bent down slightly. "My little sister just tripped and fell. Please forgive her."

These words, like a bell, awakened the person beside him.

Su Xuanmao was taken aback. He looked at the mud and dust on Shen Ruixue's new clothes and asked in confusion, "Your Highness, why are your clothes dirty?"

Shen Ruixue was slightly taken aback, but calmly explained, "Brother Su, have you forgotten? You didn't hold me steady just now, and I fell off the carriage."

Su Xuanmao remembered that he had been staring at Shen Pingjin for a moment, and he understood. But he still said nonchalantly, "I see. I will be more careful to help you next time."

The casual tone in his words was unsettling. Shen Ruixue felt as if Su Xuanmao had carelessly tossed her dignity to the ground, treating it like trash to be trampled upon.

Human hearts are ultimately made of flesh and blood. At this moment, she felt as if her heart was being soaked in strong white vinegar. The sourness and astringency made her feel uncomfortable.

Su Xuanmao's attitude made her even more embarrassed.

They had clearly already discussed it inside the carriage...

But she knew she had no choice but to endure it. Shen Ruixue concealed the coldness and grievance in her eyes, moved closer to Su Xuanmao, and said in a charming voice, "Brother Su is His Highness the Crown Prince, and his word is his bond. So this time... I forgive you!"

Su Xuanmao frowned slightly, realizing that he had indeed been in the wrong just now, and nodded, "Mm."

Shen Pingjin saw the two's little actions and looked at Shen Ruixue with a smile. "What are you saying, little sister? Of course, I won't laugh at you. After all, today is the day of returning to the bride's parents' home. But then again, His Highness the Crown Prince was too careless."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ruixue shook her head, her voice seemingly trembling with tears, "Sister, please don't blame the Crown Prince. Just now, I just accidentally fell."

It was obvious that Su Xuanmao hadn't properly supported Shen Ruixue; everyone was aware of this.

However, they also understood that Shen Ruixue was Su Xuanmao's Crown Princess, so she would certainly not embarrass Su Xuanmao.

Shen Pingjin nodded. "Since my younger sister has said so, then I, as the older sister, must have misjudged."

Su Xuanmao looked at the beautiful and charming Shen Pingjin and shook his head as if he were bewitched. "It was indeed my fault just now. I failed to support my Crown Princess properly, and I apologize to the Regent Princess for making a fool of myself."

Hearing this, Shen Ruixue felt even more slighted by the words. She bit her lip, looking weak and aggrieved, yet no one cared about her or paid her any attention. She could only let her eyes redden and silently endure it all.

Yan Jue, who had remained silent until now, snorted coldly upon hearing the title "Regent's Consort" and interjected, "Your Highness, have you forgotten what I instructed you a few days ago?"

Su Xuanmao was slightly taken aback, feeling somewhat resentful at being lectured like this by Yan Jue. However, upon seeing Chen Pingjin beside him, he still asked gently, "I have been very busy these past few days and do not know what my royal uncle said a few days ago."

Yan Jue turned his head, his tone seemingly tinged with displeasure, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is indeed a person of high status with a short memory. You are still calling me Imperial Uncle, but have you forgotten to call my Princess Consort... Imperial Aunt?"

Su Xuanmao's heart skipped a beat, and he also felt somewhat embarrassed.

However, Yan Jue is now his father's cousin. As long as Yan Jue is the regent and the crown prince, he must pretend to obey.

Su Xuanmao practically spat out a sentence through gritted teeth, "I was offended just now, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Yan Jue nodded in satisfaction and then closed his mouth.

Shen Pingjin glanced helplessly at Yan Jue. She knew that this man, who appeared to be a womanizer and a good-for-nothing, was actually full of wicked intentions and was not as simple as he seemed.

Today is her homecoming, and Shen Pingjin doesn't want to cause any trouble. She glanced to the side and found that her father had disappeared.

She glanced at Su Xuanmao and said, "Your Highness, there's no need to be so polite. This Regent just loves to make jokes like this."

Su Xuanmao was taken aback, then realized that Chen Pingjin was trying to smooth things over for him. "So that's how it is. I understand now."

So... she still misses him.

A surge of joy suddenly welled up in Su Xuanmao's heart, and he became even more convinced of his belief that Shen Pingjin had not forgotten him.

Everything was forced upon her by circumstances; she was not acting voluntarily at all.

If Shen Pingjin knew what Su Xuanmao was thinking, she would probably roll her eyes to the heavens.

She just didn't want to cause trouble.

Su Xuanmao, Shen Ruixue, and Yan Jue were all present, but her father seemed to have vanished into thin air, which made Shen Pingjin somewhat worried.

She turned around and looked around, only to hear footsteps coming from beside her.

Immediately afterwards, there was a loud thud that echoed in my ears.

Shen Pingjin looked toward the source of the sound and saw a woman wearing a cloud-shoulder blouse with wide sleeves and a phoenix-tail skirt. Her hair, streaked with white strands, was styled into a woman's updo with a fine gold hairpin. Her jade earrings swayed in the wind, making a clear and melodious sound. A silver flower chain adorned her fair neck. In her left hand, she held a lotus-shaped handkerchief, while her right hand tightly embraced Shen Ruixue. Soon, the sobbing echoed through the sky.

"Oh dear, isn't this my Ruixue? How come you've gotten so thin in just a few days? Look, your Shu brocade cloud pattern is covered in dirt and dust. Did His Highness the Crown Prince bully you? You know, you're my precious daughter. I arranged for you to marry the Crown Prince so you could enjoy a life of luxury, didn't I..."

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Ruixue became anxious upon hearing the last few words, "Mother! Your daughter married the Crown Prince and wasn't bullied, so you can rest assured."

Aunt He was interrupted and paused for a moment. She seemed to realize that she had said something wrong, and immediately followed up with, "You weren't bullied? If you weren't bullied, then that's the best."

Looking at Aunt He, who was deeply concerned for her daughter, Su Xuanmao raised his hand in a gesture of respect without any change in tone, "Aunt He, please don't misunderstand me. Although Ruixue was married to me by mistake, I would never bully my lawfully wedded Crown Princess."

Seeing that Su Xuanmao's expression was somewhat cold, Aunt He realized that Su Xuanmao might be a little angry, so she quickly apologized, "Your Highness, it was my fault as a concubine just now, and I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Su Xuanmao's lips curled into a vicious smile. "What is Aunt He doing? You are now the birth mother of my wife. How could I possibly blame you?"

Although Su Xuanmao was smiling, the smile didn't reach his eyes, sending a chill down one's spine.

Aunt He was flustered and didn't know what to do. Shen Ruixue, who was standing next to her, couldn't bear to watch any longer and hurriedly said, "Brother Su, you haven't met Father yet."

Master Shen is the head of the Shen family and also an important official in the court. Upon hearing this, Su Xuanmao was indeed drawn to his attention.

However, Shen Pingjin, who had overheard their conversation, had an extremely cold gaze.

Sure enough, Aunt He must have been involved in this mistaken marriage.

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