In her previous life, Shen Yuan arrived in the capital three months after Chu Yuning had become the top scholar in the imperial examination.
At that time, she waited and waited in Chu Family Village, but the messenger who came to bring good news never came. So she went to the capital alone to find out about Chu Yuning.
On the day Shen Yuan arrived in the capital, she happened to see Chu Yuning and Xiao Yunyan riding in a sedan chair to go out for a stroll.
Xiao Yunyan traveled with a grand procession, bringing thirty-six maids and servants alone, not counting the guards accompanying her.
The sedan chair she rode in was not only inlaid with gemstones, but also adorned with thirty-six carved bells made of pure gold, which shone brightly in the sunlight and jingled melodiously in the breeze.
Xiao Yunyan's sedan chair passed through the most bustling Zhuque Street in the city, attracting crowds of people to come out and watch.
Shen Yuan stood in the crowd, listening to the people talk about how gentle, virtuous, and kind-hearted Xiao Yunyan was, how talented and handsome the future prince consort was, and how they were a match made in heaven.
Curious, she asked, "Which prince or nobleman has Princess Jingwan been betrothed to?"
"He's not some king or general, but the newly appointed top scholar, handpicked by His Majesty! I've heard that this scholar comes from a poor background, but is both talented and handsome, and even saved Her Highness the Princess's life. So His Majesty has decided to bestow a marriage upon Princess Jingwan and the scholar, with the wedding date set for a year from now!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan was about to say "good match" when she noticed the sedan curtain being blown by the wind, and Chu Yuning's face came into her view.
Shen Yuan froze on the spot, her mind completely blank, only able to hear a buzzing sound in her ears.
The person whom the emperor bestowed upon him in marriage was none other than Chu Yuning!
He really did become the top scorer in the exam!
But he clearly promised me that he would come back to marry me after he passed the imperial examination. Why is he now going to marry a princess?
Is it because the emperor's decree is hard to disobey? But even if the emperor is in a daze, he would not bestow a precious princess upon a married man!
Unless, of course, Chu Yuning did not openly admit that she was already engaged.
They were all scammed!
In an instant, all the blood in her body rushed back to her head. Overwhelmed by shock, anger, and resentment, Shen Yuan was unable to think straight. She recklessly stopped Xiao Yunyan's sedan chair.
"You audacious commoner, how dare you obstruct the princess's journey! Seize this damned creature!"
Accompanied by the eunuch's shrill voice, the head guard kicked Shen Yuan to the ground.
Shen Yuan's thin back slammed against the bluestone bricks, sending a sharp, dull pain through her internal organs, causing her to momentarily lose her senses.
But she quickly got up from the ground, knelt in front of Xiao Yunyan's sedan chair and said loudly, "This humble woman, Shen Yuan, has a question for the top scholar, Chu Yuning!"
The sedan chair was forced to stop. Shen Yuan couldn't see Xiao Yunyan's face, but she clearly heard Xiao Yunyan ask Chu Yuning, "Is this an old acquaintance of Young Master Chu?"
Inside the carriage, Chu Yuning's voice was utterly cold: "I don't know this madwoman who came from somewhere. Your Highness should quickly send her away to avoid frightening her."
A madwoman?
Kneeling on the ground, Shen Yuan felt as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on her in the street, a chill spreading from her feet to her whole body.
Despite it being the sweltering heat of June, she was so cold that her teeth were chattering.
She had known Chu Yuning for twenty years, spending her days in the deep mountains and forests, gathering herbs to earn money for him and supporting his studies and examinations. But in the end, all she got in return was a madwoman who didn't recognize her.
Shen Yuan was utterly disappointed in Chu Yuning.
"Guards, seize this madwoman who has disturbed Her Highness the Princess and execute her on the spot!"
After listening to Chu Yuning's words, the eunuch beside Xiao Yunyan immediately ordered the guards to press Shen Yuan down.
A gleaming machete was instantly placed against Shen Yuan's neck.
But then, Xiao Yunyan suddenly spoke up.
"Eunuch Li, how come you're already calling for the killing of the people I'm protecting before I've even given the word?" A soft voice came from behind the curtain, carrying a faint smile.
Eunuch Li knelt on the ground with a thud, drenched in cold sweat: "This servant knows his mistake! This servant knows his mistake!"
As he spoke, he raised his hand to slap himself in the face.
"What is Eunuch Li doing?" The voice behind the curtain seemed to be angry, but in an instant, Xiao Yunyan smiled and said, "Get up quickly and help that girl up too. Since she is a madwoman, she is also a pitiful person. Perhaps she has taken the wrong path and accidentally entered my entourage. Let her leave."
Eunuch Li bowed, "Princess, you are kind-hearted. This servant will send the woman away immediately."
"That woman stopped the princess's carriage in the street, but the princess didn't mind. The princess is truly a kind person!"
"Who doesn't know that our Princess Jingwan is the Holy Maiden of the Great Zhou Dynasty, with a kind heart? This woman is incredibly lucky to have met the princess!"
The people gathered along the street who witnessed this scene all felt that Shen Yuan was extremely lucky.
Eunuch Li stepped forward to help Shen Yuan up, but she avoided his touch. She crawled a few steps forward and said, "This humble woman has risked her life to come here seeking justice! Your Highness, please grant me justice!"
Upon hearing this, the previously noisy street fell silent instantly.
Everyone turned their attention to Shen Yuan.
Princess Jingwan kindly let her leave, so why is she still so reckless as to shout and yell in front of the princess?
Before imperial power, life is as worthless as grass. Isn't she afraid that the princess might kill her in a fit of anger?
However, these people then thought again, what kind of injustice could make this woman so unafraid of death that she dared to block the princess's procession?
Could this injustice be related to the princess, or perhaps to the top scholar on the princess's chariot?
The people on both sides of the street looked at the carriage and then at Shen Yuan. The woman walked with a graceful figure, her skirt and hairpins unadorned, yet she was as beautiful as an orchid. Especially her eyes, bright and spirited, were unforgettable.
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