Chapter 9

Wei Luo finally understood the emperor's intentions.

It turned out that his madness had spread to the cabinet, and the second minister Liu Shen and the vice minister of the Ministry of Rites Guo Zheng, together with many officials from the censorate, submitted a memorial to impeach Consort Shen.

They all believed that Wei Luo's illness was related to the Consort, and even the Emperor made a special statement that the Crown Prince was already in good health. However, the officials believed that the Emperor was trying to cover up the truth and protect the Consort.

In the end, the emperor was forced to allow Wei Luo to attend the lecture despite being "sick," just so that he could meet Guo Zheng and dispel the doubts of the censors.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, the charcoal fire was burning brightly, and a warm breeze was blowing.

Guo Zheng asked with concern, "Is Your Highness truly well?"

"She is now safe and sound."

Wei Luo responded to Guo Zheng's concern, "I just caught a cold and had a high fever, so I'm talking nonsense. Please don't worry, sir."

One lie requires countless lies to cover it up. Guo Zheng is already fifty years old, but since hearing that Wei Luo is sick, coupled with the rumors of his madness yesterday, he seems to have aged a lot in just a few days.

Wei Luo couldn't bear it. If there was anyone in the world who could be trusted, Guo Zheng was one of them.

When he began his studies at the age of thirteen, Guo Zheng was appointed as his lecturer, responsible for teaching Confucian classics. In addition, several other Hanlin lecturers assisted him, but none of them cared as much as Guo Zheng, who not only concerned himself with his studies but also with his health.

Over the course of six years, their relationship was more like father and son than teacher and student. Wei Luo found some fulfillment in Guo Zheng for the fatherly love he lacked from the emperor.

As a result, Wei Luo often privately lamented that he wished he were his own son, as he would rather give up his princely status and just have a healthy and harmonious family.

But Liu Heng joked, "Guo Zheng is a famously strict father who often beats his son. If Your Highness were to become Guo's son, you would definitely regret it."

But Wei Luo just couldn't believe that Guo Zheng would hit someone, since he was so kind and approachable in his words and actions.

"Sir, it's cold today. You've come so early. You must have been exposed to a lot of wind on the way here."

Guo Zheng smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am in good health. I am just worried about Your Highness's safety." He paused, then added, "Has the Imperial Concubine made things difficult for Your Highness?"

"No, she has been very well-behaved lately, so it seems that her ambition to seize the throne has died."

“Impossible.” Guo Zheng immediately retorted, “The Imperial Concubine is a viper, and she is most skilled at disguising herself and flattering others. Your Highness must not let your guard down. You should pay more attention to things that need to be guarded against, especially in terms of food.”

Wei Luo nodded slightly.

Guo Zheng was finally satisfied when Wei Luo asked, "How is the matter of the officials under the Crown Prince's command?"

The emperor had a cabinet to assist in governance and six ministries to administer affairs. Correspondingly, the Eastern Palace also had a miniature institution called the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices were appointed by the emperor and were responsible for tutoring the crown prince, serving both educational, administrative, and political reserve functions.

Wei Luo has been made crown prince, but now he only has Guo Zheng. If something happens to Guo Zheng, he will be like a blind and deaf man, completely cut off from the outside world.

Guo Zheng was well aware of this, and he sighed, "Seven days ago, I mentioned this matter to Grand Secretary Liu. We had already prepared a list of recommendations and submitted it, but His Majesty withheld it."

The term "retention in the palace" refers to the emperor keeping his ministers' memorials in the palace without submitting them for discussion or reply.

The emperor did not want Wei Luo to gain any more support, so as to break the crown prince's wings and firmly control power in his own hands.

The emperor and the crown prince are natural political rivals.

Wei Luo didn't seem to care much after hearing this. He found a stool, sat down, and said slowly, "This matter can't be rushed. Please don't submit it again for the time being, sir."

Even if the document were submitted again, the emperor would likely remain silent, which could easily arouse suspicion. Guo Zheng shared this view, and the two exchanged further conversations about court affairs and the reassignment of personnel in the Six Ministries.

It was nearly noon when Guo Zheng took his leave to handle government affairs at the Ministry of Rites, while Wei Luo returned to Cining Palace.

Shen Yao was sitting in a chair waiting for him.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Shen Yao quickly bowed.

Wei Luo was quite surprised. He coughed a few times before asking, "Why are you here?"

"I'm here to deliver scriptures."

Wei Luo took it and flipped through it casually. The symbols looked like scribbles, or perhaps writing, for the sake of argument. He frowned and asked, "Did you copy this?"

Shen Yao nodded emphatically, "I've been copying for so long, my arms are sore."

Wei Luo's expression became even more strange as he asked, "Why are you copying all this?"

"His Majesty said that my witchcraft caused your illness, and asked me to copy scriptures to pray for your well-being."

Seeing that he was not displeased, Shen Yao continued, "Now that you have seen the scriptures, tell His Majesty not to say that I did not copy them."

"I understand." Wei Luo casually tossed the scripture to Liu Heng. "You can go back if there's nothing else."

"oh."

When the host told her to leave, Shen Yao instinctively lifted her foot to leave. Just as she reached the door, she suddenly realized that she hadn't apologized to Wei Luo yet.

The emperor made her apologize.

Thinking of this, Shen Yao turned back, "I still have something to say."

Shen Yao blushed slightly. She came to Wei Luo, bent her knees slightly, lowered her eyes and said, "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I formally apologize to you now."

With a sincere attitude and a perfectly appropriate expression, Shen Yao thought there was nothing wrong with her, but when no sound came from above her head, she couldn't help but look up.

Wei Luo stood frozen in place, staring at him with unblinking eyes, his gaze filled with shock.

Shen Yao was stunned. What kind of monster was he looking at?

She stepped closer to Wei Luo, and at the same time, almost instinctively, Wei Luo shrewdly took a few steps back, creating distance between them.

The two looked at each other, and Shen Yao, somewhat embarrassed, asked, "What's wrong?"

"Oh...it's nothing." After a while, Wei Luo seemed to realize what was happening. He turned his head away and said, "My body has just recovered, and I still have some lingering illness."

“The illness is not contagious,” Shen Yao interrupted him.

Wei Luo was immediately puzzled. He looked her up and down carefully before saying with a half-smile, "Is that so?"

Shen Yao was a little confused about his attitude and didn't dare to respond. Then she heard Wei Luo say, "Remember what you said yourself. If you get sick when you go back today, don't complain to His Majesty."

His eyes narrowed, and Shen Yao was immediately terrified. She wasn't afraid of a true villain, but she was afraid of a hypocrite.

To her, Wei Luo's smile was a typical forced smile, chillingly so! But in just a moment, Wei Luo's expression returned to normal, and he looked like a kind-faced, handsome young man again.

Shen Yao didn't know what to say, and only said, "Your Highness is right, I will remember it."

Wei Luo gave a slight hum, then found a stool to sit on and ignored her.

Feeling awkward staying there, Shen Yao was about to leave when Wei Luo's voice rang out, "Why are you cursing Xu Xuan?"

He had actually wanted to ask for a while, but due to his status, he had kept it to himself. However, Shen Yao's attitude was kind today, so he decided to ask her directly. Unexpectedly, it went very smoothly, as if he were casually asking what she wanted for lunch.

Shen Yao answered casually, "I curse him because I don't love him anymore."

She met Wei Luo's eyes directly, without looking away at all.

Wei Luo, however, didn't quite believe it. He smirked and said casually, "If there's nothing else, go back."

After Shen Yao left, Liu Heng lifted the curtain and ordered the eunuchs to prepare lunch. Wei Luo had little appetite, only eating half a bowl of rice and a few mouthfuls of meat soup before ordering the meal to be taken away.

Liu Heng handed over a handkerchief and asked, "Are you going to the drill ground this afternoon?"

"I won't go. Mr. Guo sent me some calligraphy copybooks, and I'll practice them in my room this afternoon."

After Wei Luo finished speaking, he suddenly remembered the scriptures that Shen Yao had given him. He frowned and said to Liu Heng, "Take the things that Shen Yao gave us out and throw them away. The characters are so ugly. Is it for blessings or curses?"

Liu Heng suppressed a laugh as he went out.

*

Shen Yao was completely unaware that the scriptures she had painstakingly copied had been thrown away as trash. After returning from Cining Palace, Consort Shen sent someone to invite her to dine together.

While ostensibly having a meal, the Imperial Concubine was actually more interested in knowing about the Crown Prince's illness.

Shen Yao answered truthfully, "Your Highness does seem to be in much better health. Your cheeks are rosy, and there's nothing seriously wrong."

The imperial concubine's face immediately darkened. She slammed down her chopsticks and angrily said, "Why can't this beast die?"

Shen Yao almost choked and hurriedly looked around, afraid that someone with ulterior motives would overhear and cause trouble. Only when she saw that everyone around her was a confidant of the Imperial Concubine did she feel a little relieved.

"Aunt, be careful what you say. If someone reports you, you'll be in deep trouble."

"When did you become so timid?"

A palace maid handed the Consort a new pair of chopsticks. Only after the maid left did Shen Yao say, "Times have changed. Now he is the Crown Prince, and his status is different."

"You've grown up and become more sensible." The Imperial Concubine smiled. "Now that you're almost fully recovered, go back after you finish your meal."

Are you leaving today?

Shen Yao was a little reluctant to part with it.

“You’ve been staying here for over a month… After you return to the Xu family this time, get along well with Xu Xuan and don’t do anything foolish again.”

Shen Yao was taken aback; when did she decide to return to the Xu family?

Just as she was about to refuse, the Imperial Concubine immediately tapped her with her chopsticks, saying, "Eat quickly, and we'll have someone escort you out of the palace later."

Shen Yao felt silently sad. If she couldn't live in the palace, she would go back to the Shen family home. She wouldn't stay at the Xu family home anyway.

*

The carriage stopped in front of a jewelry store.

Shen Yao originally wanted to go straight back to the Shen family, but Bi Luo insisted on buying some gifts to take back with her.

"I've never heard of a daughter returning to her parents' home empty-handed."

Shen Yao had no choice but to agree.

"Madam loves hairpins, and this hairpin shop is the best in the capital. The shopkeeper is an old acquaintance of ours."

It was indeed an old acquaintance. As soon as I entered, a shout greeted me, "Madam Chen, you've finally arrived! Our shop has just received another batch of jewelry, and we've reserved it all for you!"

Shen Yao smiled awkwardly, but the shopkeeper was very enthusiastic and immediately took her arm to introduce the newly arrived jewelry.

"This hairpin is made of pure gold, and the pearls set in it are of the finest quality..."

Just as she was listening intently to the explanation, a shrill, piercing voice suddenly rang out, "Chen Yao, how dare you show your face here?"

Shen Yao was startled and looked in the direction of the sound. She saw a woman staring at her with a livid face and her almond-shaped eyes slightly red from excessive excitement.

Who is this person?

As Shen Yao was wondering, Bi Luo blocked her way and shouted, "Aunt Liu, what are you doing?"

Liu Ru – Xu Xuan's concubine.

Shen Yao reacted instantly.

As they spoke, the two drew closer and closer, and people gathered around, whispering amongst themselves.

"Do you sleep well at night? Have you ever had nightmares, dreaming that a three-month-old baby is coming to kill you?"

"The girl didn't do it on purpose; she didn't know you were pregnant. Besides, we've already been punished. What more do you want?"

"What, you dare to do it but not admit it? Now you can only hide behind a maid and act like a coward."

Everyone looked at Shen Yao, and some even pointed at her. Her cheeks burned instantly. The original owner of this body had done something unkind, and now she was speechless.

Shen Yao tugged at Bi Luo's clothes and said softly, "Let's leave."

This is a place rife with trouble.

"good."

They wanted to leave, but someone reacted faster.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?"

A man stopped them; he had a round face, a wide chin, and dark circles under his eyes, giving off a bloated feeling of excessive indulgence.

Who is this person?

Biluo answered the question, "Young Master Zhao, we have no grudge against you, please step aside."

Zhao Lian, the eldest son of the hereditary Duke of Xin, was a notorious playboy in the capital. She had heard Biluo mention him before.

“You have no grudge against me, but you are at odds with the principles of Heaven and justice. Don’t think that just because you have the favor of the Imperial Concubine and the protection of the Emperor, you can act recklessly. The people of the capital are watching. Your Shen family will collapse sooner or later, and your family will be destroyed.”

"How dare you—"

Shen Yao could no longer tolerate it. Liu Ru had insulted her, and she had no way to refute it, but what was this person in front of her?

"You good-for-nothing playboy, who knows how many filthy and disgusting things you've done, yet you have the nerve to stand on your moral high ground and criticize me? In broad daylight you're cursing the Imperial Concubine and the Shen family. I wonder if your family has enough heads to chop off?"

Shen Yao's eyebrows shot up as she pointed at Zhao Lian and began to curse him, startling him so much that he froze on the ground for a moment. After a few breaths, his face flushed red, and he retorted angrily, "You vixen, you wicked woman, you deserve to be dumped by your husband. If I were Xu Xuan, I would definitely divorce you first and send you to a nunnery to repent and atone for your sins for the rest of your life."

Shen Yao was absolutely furious. This was intolerable! Did they really think the Shen family was a pushover? That some random scoundrel could insult them at will?

She rushed forward and delivered a sharp and forceful slap to the other person's face with a crisp "smack."

Caught off guard, Zhao Lian was hit squarely and stared at her in shock, covering his face.

Not only Zhao Lian, but also the onlookers were stunned. The shop was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhao Lian, his eyes red with anger after being hit, recklessly rammed into Shen Yao, yelling, "Shrew, shrew!"

Shen Yao was prepared. She gently turned her body to avoid his fat body, and then kicked him hard. Before Zhao Lian could react, he fell straight to the ground.

"Be careful!" Shen Yao exclaimed.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Lian fell down, his hands grabbing wildly, managing to grab Liu Ru's dress. The two of them fell to the ground together, writhing in a tangled mess.

The scene was lively and extraordinary.

Just as she was thinking of asking Biluo to help her up, a loud rebuke came from behind her.

"Shen Yao, you have such a vicious heart."

Caught off guard, a tremendous force struck her, causing her to lose her balance and fall to one side, her forehead slamming heavily against the ground, a sharp pain instantly shooting up her head.

"girl?"

Biluo was shocked and rushed over to help her up.

Ah~

Shen Yao winced in pain, raised her hand to touch her forehead, where the skin was broken from the impact.

Her head was buzzing, and Shen Yao frowned, glaring at the newcomer: tall and upright, with fair and translucent skin, dark eyebrows, and fiery eyes staring at her.

Shen Yao's heart skipped a beat. She parted her red lips slightly and tentatively called out, "Xu Xuan?"

The person who arrived was Xu Xuan.

Today was his day off, and he took Liu Ru out shopping to relax. However, he ran into a colleague and had a cup of tea with him. When he came back, he saw Shen Yao kicking Zhao Lian and pushing him towards Liu Ru, causing the two of them to fall to the ground, losing face completely.

He couldn't bear to watch any longer. If a man can't protect the woman he loves, how can he face the world?

He had already allowed Shen Yao to hurt Liu Ru once, and now he would never tolerate it again.

For him, Liu Ru was not only the woman he loved, but also his soulmate.

Xu Xuan was born into an unfortunate family. His father had a bad career, was an alcoholic, and often beat his mother. His mother dared not resist her abusive husband and could only take her anger out on him, who was weak.

From childhood to adulthood, every time my father became drunk and violent, my angry mother would beat and scold him. It was common for his face and back to be bruised and bleeding. As for emotional abuse, it was a daily occurrence.

At these times, his beloved Liu Ru would always be by his side, applying medicine, comforting him, and soothing his wounded heart, helping him through the long, gloomy, and lonely nights.

So he studied hard so that he could take Liu Ru away from the capital, get rid of the shadow of her original family as soon as possible, and start a new life.

However, all that was beautiful was completely destroyed by Shen Yao.

Xu Xuan turned his disgusted face away and hurriedly ran to help Liu Ru up, while looking her up and down and gently comforting her.

What a loving couple!

Shen Yao also stood up, and at the same time, a cold voice rang out, "What a vicious woman."

Xu Xuan's face turned red with anger, and her bright eyes became hot.

After he finished speaking, Zhao Lianyi, with a gloomy face, followed up with, "A face like a peach blossom, a heart like a snake and a scorpion."

Shen Yao was startled as if struck by lightning, and suddenly lost in thought. So that's where that saying came from.

"Her face was like a peach blossom, but her heart was like a snake." These words, spoken by Xu Xuan, were recorded by historians and became firsthand evidence of Shen's wickedness.

It was precisely because of the Shen family's bad reputation that Xu Xuan was able to escape unscathed after the collapse and eventually rise to the position of Grand Secretary.

He's just a jerk...

Shen Yao felt a lump in her throat, took Bi Luo's hand, and left without looking back.