Dust settles and life returns to normal.
The truth about Shi Lei weighed heavily on Zhao Jingyi and Qin Yuti's hearts like a stone. Telling the old man and his wife the truth directly would be too cruel, but keeping it from them and watching them wait hopelessly was also a form of torture.
After much discussion, the couple finally came up with a relatively mild explanation. They returned to Xinghua Village, bringing generous gifts and a carefully prepared statement.
Qin Yuti held Granny Shi's hand, her tone heavy and sincere: "Uncle Shi, Granny Shi, we've found information about Brother Shi Lei..."
The elderly couple immediately tensed up, staring intently at her.
Qin Yuti said as agreed, "Brother Shi Lei did participate in the imperial examination three years ago and achieved excellent results. However... before the results were announced, he was noticed by a reclusive scholar who was passing through the capital because of his outstanding talent. The scholar insisted on taking him as his closed-door disciple and took him to study in an overseas immortal mountain."
Zhao Jingyi added from the side, trying to make the lie sound more believable: "Yes! That great scholar has an eccentric temper and requires his disciples to sever all worldly ties and concentrate on their studies, which is why Brother Shi Lei hasn't been able to send a message back. We also went through a lot of trouble to find out about this through some secret channels."
They told the elderly couple that the great scholar was a man of profound learning, and that if Brother Shi Lei followed him, he would surely have a bright future. However, his return date was uncertain; it could be ten years, or it could be longer.
This explanation not only explains why Shi Lei disappeared without a trace, but also gives him a bright but helpless future, which is easier for his elderly parents to accept than the idea that he "died far from home and his remains were never found."
After hearing this, Granny Shi was stunned for a long time, tears silently streaming down her face. But this time, besides longing, her tears contained a glimmer of relief and a faint hope. She murmured, "It's good that you're alive...it's good that you're alive...being with your husband and achieving something is better than anything else..."
Old Man Shi's eyes also reddened. He sighed heavily and was about to bow to Zhao Jingyi and Qin Yuti: "Thank you, Your Highness and Your Highness! You brought us old folks definite news! Knowing that Lei'er is still alive and promising, we...we can wait in peace!"
Zhao Jingyi and Qin Yuti quickly helped him up, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. They felt guilty for deceiving the old man, but also relieved that they had temporarily taken a heavy burden off him.
Before leaving, Zhao Jingyi left the elderly couple enough money to live comfortably in their old age and promised to send someone to visit them regularly. Although he couldn't fulfill his filial duties as their son, this was the only compensation they could offer at the moment.
Having dealt with this matter, life at Prince Yi's residence seemed to have truly returned to its former "peace."
Zhao Jingyi was still frequently dealt with by Qin Yuti using various "gentle methods," but he enjoyed it immensely, even beginning to relish this "battle of wits" in their marital relationship. He still got jealous, especially when Qin Yuti came home late from gatherings with her friends, but he no longer made a scene like before. Instead, he learned to "demand compensation" in more "effective" ways, although Qin Yuti would always call him "shameless," the results were remarkable.
Qin Yuti completely seized control of the Prince's mansion, managing it with impeccable efficiency. She was no longer just a talented woman of exceptional ability, but had become the shrewd and formidable Princess Yi, a figure of considerable influence among the noblewomen of the capital. Occasionally, she would still bicker with Zhao Jingyi over trivial matters, but the atmosphere had long since transformed from initial tension into a sweet and playful squabble.
That day, Zhao Jingyi returned from court and mysteriously approached Qin Yuti.
"My dear wife, guess what wonderful things I brought back for you today?"
Qin Yuti was checking the accounts without looking up: "Which restaurant has this new dessert? Or is it some strange and unusual thing you found on the street?"
"Wrong!" Zhao Jingyi proudly took out a brocade box from behind his back, opened it, and inside were a pair of crystal-clear, uniquely shaped jade paperweights. "Look! Top-quality Hetian jade! I specially had a craftsman make them! Use them when you're reviewing the accounts, so you won't keep saying I'm in your way!"
Qin Yuti picked up the paperweight; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, indeed a fine piece. She glanced at Zhao Jingyi's expectant expression, which seemed to say, "Praise me!" and couldn't help but smile, deliberately putting on a serious face: "Hmm, acceptable. Your Highness has finally done something worthwhile."
Zhao Jingyi immediately beamed and leaned in for a kiss: "Is there a reward?"
Qin Yuti pressed her hand against his forehead and scolded, "What kind of behavior is this in broad daylight! Go away, I haven't finished looking at the accounts yet!"
Zhao Jingyi clung to her playfully, saying, "The account book is nothing compared to me! I don't care, I want a reward!"
The sun shone brightly outside the window, and the low laughter of servants drifted from the courtyard. Life in the Prince's mansion flowed gently through this chaotic yet tender daily routine.
Shi Lei's injustice has been temporarily buried, while Su Tianhao's crimes await the opportunity to be brought to justice.
But at least at this moment, Prince Yi and his princess have found a unique, noisy yet inseparable balance and happiness in their world.
Future storms may come, but as long as they join hands, there seems to be nothing to fear.
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