Chapter 139 He has ulterior motives, that's good.
Shen Qingci slowly turned around, her back to the private room where Chu Jichen was. The silhouette of the window frame fell on her, enveloping her in a dim and unclear light and shadow.
She remained silent for a long time, so long that Wanqing almost thought she wouldn't speak again, before she heard her let out a very soft, almost self-mocking laugh.
"Wanqing," her voice was eerily calm, "do you still remember what I said when I agreed to marry Chu Jichen, as promised by Matchmaker Zhang?"
Wanqing was taken aback, then quickly nodded: "Of course I remember! Miss, you said that all you wanted was an identity and a backer that could help you escape the Marquis's mansion and provide you with protection!"
“Yes.” Shen Qingci smiled, but there was no warmth in her smile. “From the very beginning, I was very clear about what I wanted. I married Chu Jichen for the title of ‘Regent’s Consort’ and to use that title to avenge my blood feud.”
"As for Chu Jichen himself, what he looks like, what his temperament is, whether he is able to have sex, whether he already has other women in the mansion... I have never thought about these things or cared about them from the beginning."
She slowly clenched her hands, her nails digging deep into her palms. The slight stinging sensation brought a little clarity to her chaotic thoughts.
“Now, I have achieved my goal.” Her voice was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. “I am now the Regent’s wife, and that is… enough.”
"Next, I will do everything in my power to make the most of my position as the 'Regent's Wife'!"
"As for whether Chu Jichen is really keeping a mistress outside, whether he already has an illegitimate daughter, or whether he married me to be a target to draw attention to... these things," she paused, emphasizing each word as if trying to convince herself, "are... not important."
Her words were resolute, but only she knew that a dull, sharp pain was throbbing in her heart.
Looking at her feigned strength, Wanqing felt a pang of heartache and couldn't help but retort, "But Miss... the Prince... he's not impotent! Besides, you and he... have already consummated your marriage!"
How can these be the same?
If they are just husband and wife in name only, then it's fine if they each get what they want.
But now...
Shen Qingci took a deep breath and forced a pale smile: "So what?"
“It’s good that he has something to gain from me.” She said slowly, as if she was trying to convince Wanqing, but more like she was trying to convince herself. “If all he wants is me as a person, or just my body, then for me, that would be... the best possible outcome.”
Using her physical appearance to gain power capable of overturning the world, this deal is a win for her no matter how you look at it.
After Shen Qingci finished speaking, she didn't look at the private room again, and turned around and walked out resolutely.
Wanqing quickly chased after her: "Miss! Shouldn't we...shouldn't we go and confirm? What if...what if the person on the other side really was sent by Huo Yunzhan to deceive you?"
"Whether it is or not, it doesn't matter anymore." Shen Qingci's steps did not falter in the slightest.
Because whether it's true or false, it's all the same to her.
She was deeply hurt by Huo Yunzhan and never thought of binding her entire life to another man.
Even Chu Jichen.
Even though Chu Jichen treated her extremely well.
But regardless of Chu Jichen's kindness to her, or the position of Regent's Consort that Chu Jichen bestowed upon her, it all belonged only to Chu Jichen.
What Chu Jichen can give her, he can naturally take back at any time.
She has to find ways to make herself stronger, using everything she can.
When she is able to stand on her own without relying on anyone, she can have whatever she wants.
Moreover, what she obtained, no one can take back.
Now that she had left the manor, Shen Qingci did not immediately return home after leaving Yunmeng Tower. Instead, she had the carriage circle the city a few times before quietly stopping at the back door of Zhuque's teahouse.
When Zhuque saw her arrive, he showed little surprise, as if he had been waiting for her all along.
"Young Master."
"Is there any new development on Prime Minister Liu's side?" Shen Qingci asked directly.
Zhuque bowed and reported, "Young Master, Prime Minister Liu secretly dispatched a team of trusted men today, riding at full speed to the border of Nanzhou. The border of Nanzhou is the place where General Shen was once stationed. I do not know what his intentions are, but I have arranged for men to follow them from a distance."
Shen Qingci nodded, and at this moment, the tangled mess in her heart seemed to be untangled into a clear line.
She was reborn to avenge the deaths of Huo Yunzhan and Liu Ruolan, who had caused the tragic deaths of her and her son. But now, as layers of mystery are unveiled, she discovers that behind it all lies a shocking injustice: the massacre of the Shen family!
Huo Yunzhan and Liu Ruolan are like grasshoppers in autumn; they won't be able to hop around for much longer.
The most urgent task now is to exonerate the Shen family!
Based on the clues we have so far, the wrongful conviction of the Shen family, the Huo family, the Liu family, and even the high and mighty Emperor Yongming are all involved!
She originally thought that this matter had far-reaching implications and needed to be dealt with slowly and gradually, rather than being rushed.
But now...
If Chu Jichen married her just to create a target.
If he truly has another lover and an illegitimate daughter.
Her days in the Regent's Palace were probably not as peaceful as she had imagined.
She doesn't have that much time; she can take it slowly.
She had to find a way to break the delicate balance in the court and bring the Shen family's past to the forefront again!
"Give me a list of our spies planted throughout the capital, especially around the officials in the court. I need them."
To break the delicate balance in the court, we need to start with the people involved in this matter.
And it was... a ruthless attack.
She needs to assess their power distribution before she can take action.
As Shen Qingci spoke, he took out another thick envelope and pushed it in front of Zhuque: "Take this money and use it first. Gathering information and developing your power will require you to bribe people at all levels, and the amount of money needed will be considerable. If it's not enough, come to me again, and I'll find a way."
"Yes!" Shen Qingci quickly replied.
...
When I came out of the Zhuque teahouse, it was already dark.
Just as Shen Qingci was about to board her carriage, she caught a glimpse of a familiar black carriage parked quietly in the shadows of the alleyway not far away.
Her steps abruptly halted.
My feelings became incredibly complicated in an instant.
She slowly walked forward, and the carriage curtain was lifted from the inside, revealing Chu Jichen's incomparably handsome face.
"Your Highness... why are you here?" she asked in a dry voice.
Chu Jichen's gaze fell on her slightly pale face, his voice as gentle as ever: "I just went to Yunmeng Tower to take care of some things. I passed by here and saw your carriage. I guessed you must be inside, so... I waited here for a while."
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