Chapter 56 Let's Go on a Long Journey

Shen Huaichen slipped out of the capital through a tunnel that very night.

On the day he returned, he didn't leave Shangguan Jin's room.

He also told Shangguan Jin what exactly happened in that tunnel.

The tunnel was very long, and it was clear that it had been under construction for many years. Later, the Duke of Dingguo secretly sent people to renovate it.

It leads all the way to the outskirts of Beijing, and the exit is a manor owned by the Duke of Dingguo in the outskirts of Beijing.

If you don't look carefully, you won't even notice it.

"There are many traps inside. Even if someone discovers them, they will probably die in the tunnels at the very first checkpoint."

"I've written down all those mechanisms. Remember them well; I hope you'll never need them." Shen Huaichen handed Shangguan Jin a piece of paper and then prepared to leave.

"Aren't you going to stay a little longer?"

"You still have a concubine you haven't met yet?" Shangguan Jin tried to ease the tension, since this was someone who knew her biggest secret.

If things get too tense, that's not good!

Speaking of this, Shen Huaichen suddenly patted Shangguan Jin on the shoulder.

"Oh, your ex-husband was quite the romantic!"

Shangguan Jin...

"He wouldn't even touch a beautiful woman if he had her."

The only time I was forced into that concubine's room was by that old hag, the Empress Dowager.

I even accidentally drank some tea that had been tainted with something.

My pants were about to be pulled down, but your Dongmai howled and chased me away again.

"Liu Xiahui, he remained unmoved even with a woman in his lap!" Shen Huaichen said with a tone of regret.

Shangguan Jin...

"Alright, let's go! I know you're disappointed, but even if you want to see him now, I won't let you!"

Go quickly and make your mark in Beihu.

I hope that one day you can overthrow the emperor of the Northern Hu and climb up to the throne yourself.

Since you're good at picking peaches, go there and show off your skills.

A life of luxury and comfort is not your ultimate goal.

After saying that, Shangguan Jin pushed Shen Huaichen into the tunnel.

After putting the bed back on and rearranging the bedding, Shangguan Jin sat by the bed for a long time.

I've been here for over a month, and I've always been speaking and acting while wearing a mask.

I finally found someone to talk to, and then they left.

Sigh! Life is tough for everyone!

Thinking that Shen Huaichen had taken someone to Beihu, Shangguan Jin was still a little worried.

After all, this is very likely the only person in this world with whom he can speak freely.

I hope he's safe!

With that thought in mind, Shangguan Jin quickly returned to her original state.

As for Shen Huaichen, he didn't leave immediately after entering the tunnel, but stayed at the tunnel entrance for a whole night.

As Shen Zhong tied all the bundles to his body, he carefully watched Shen Huaichen.

I only stayed at the manor for one day this time, the Duke must be unhappy.

Although the Duke kept whispering to his wife behind his back, it was clear that he didn't want to leave.

"Here are two purses for you. Keep them safe and don't put them in the same place."

After fiddling with it for a while, Shen Huaichen tossed two heavy little pouches to Shen Zhong.

Shen Zhong took it and opened it.

Wow! Both purses were filled with gold coins.

Faced with Shen Zhong's surprised gaze, Shen Huaichen had no choice but to explain.

"Prepared by the lady."

"The Northern Hu don't accept the silver notes from Dayu; these gold coins are much more effective."

"So many gold coins, sir, that's enough for us to live on over there for a long time. Finally, we don't have to tighten our belts anymore..." Shen Zhong didn't dare to continue.

Shen Huaichen glared at Shen Zhong.

This kid, wasn't it just that he didn't understand the situation at the beginning and was made to go hungry for a few days?

However, after touching the purse in his arms, Shen Huaichen couldn't help but smile.

This Miss Shangguan, she really is all bark and no bite.

See, everything that needed to be prepared has been prepared.

When Shen Huaichen left, he took the bag of blood-stained clothes with him, saying that Shangguan Jin should just prepare for the funeral.

He also instructed Shangguan Jin to make sure her performance was up to standard.

After all, everyone in the capital knew that the Duke of Dingguo and his wife had a deep affection for each other.

The Duke of Dingguo's mansion quickly returned to its original state.

The servants noticed that the old lady seemed to be in better spirits, eating more than before, and smiling more often.

The young lady and young master seem to be working even harder.

Shen Qingyue helped Shangguan Jin with household affairs every day without fail.

Shen Qingjun, however, studied even harder.

His father said that while he was away, he, as the eldest son, had to help his mother keep the Duke of Dingguo's mansion afloat.

Let's start by learning!

And so, Shen Qingjun led his younger brothers to study diligently with their teacher every day.

It also includes the seventh prince.

To others, Shen Qingjun was quite strict; if his younger brothers tried to slack off, he would immediately strike them with a ruler.

"With Father gone, I, as the elder brother, must shoulder the responsibility!"

Not to mention Shen Qingming and Shen Qingrui, even the Seventh Prince almost got a beating with a ruler.

Days passed by like this.

It seems that Shangguan Jin, with the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, has really started to live a normal life.

Today I'm attending this family's birthday banquet, tomorrow I'm attending that family's wedding banquet...

In any case, they're either attending a banquet or on their way to one.

It was through these banquets that Shangguan Jin learned quite a lot.

Whose concubine got pregnant but was ruined by the wife? And whose matriarch set rules for her daughter-in-law?

Or, to put it another way, whose son hasn't even officially married yet, and already has a son born out of wedlock...

It's as if every family isn't living its life unless something happens.

At this time, many ladies would hold Shangguan Jin's hand and sigh with emotion.

"In the end, who in the entire capital city has a better life than you!"

There wasn't a single illegitimate son or daughter in the household.

The children have all grown up to be filial.

"Oh well, it's just like that. Life is what we make of it, isn't it?" Shangguan Jin was always very modest at this point.

Of course, there are also those who are blind to reason and will come up and stab Shangguan Jin in the heart.

"Your eldest daughter is engaged to the second son of the Marquis of Wuding's family, and the marriage was bestowed by the Empress Dowager."

We still need to teach the young lady properly.

After all, the young master of the Marquis of Wuding's family is not as affectionate as the Duke of Dingguo.

"But thinking about it, it's normal! Which wealthy family doesn't have multiple wives and concubines? Your daughter should get used to it sooner rather than later," said Lady Ping'an deliberately.

Shangguan Jin glanced at her.

"Yes, we should learn from the Ping An Earl's family in this respect."

Before the eldest daughter of the Earl of Ping An has even entered the family, it seems that the future son-in-law has already taken two wives!

That's what I admire about you, Madam; you remain calm and composed in the face of adversity.

It seems that your young lady has already adapted well; the Lady of Ping'an has taught her very well.

"In the future, once your esteemed daughter enters the family, she might even take the initiative to help her husband take in ten or eight more women!" Shangguan Jin said unhurriedly.

"You..." Lady Ping'an didn't know how to refute.

The scandals in her future in-laws' household are now known throughout almost the entire capital.

What matriarch wouldn't want to see her family make a fool of themselves? But since her in-laws are from a noble family, she doesn't even dare to cause trouble.