After listening to Shen Xian’s words, Madam Shen asked, "The whole city is now hunting for the assassin, will the banquet at the Duke Residence take place as scheduled tomorrow?"
"It will." Shen Xian said, "Since the Crown Prince knows Xiaoqi’s identity, he will secretly send people to investigate the assassin. With the Crown Prince taking action, there should be results by tonight, regardless of the real purpose of Second Young Master Ye’s visit. As a member of the Ye Family, if he wants to take the opportunity to see Xiaoqi, he will not postpone my niece’s birthday banquet, and the people of the Duke Residence must listen to this distinguished guest."
Shen Xian heard Su Xingze call Su Rong ’Xiaoqi’, and seeing Su Rong treat him and his wife as her own, he also followed suit and called her that.
"You also said that the Nangong Family and the Ye Family are in-laws, what if Ye Guixue came to help the Nangong Family and was harmful to Xiaoqi? What if he sends the assassin?" Madam Shen thought it was too risky.
"He probably wouldn’t," Shen Xian shook his head, "Considering the official promotions of Second Young Master Ye, it shows that he is highly regarded by the Nanchu King. Although we do not know the details, we can infer that he is not here to kill Xiaoqi. In any case, we’ll meet him tomorrow and probe him a bit. If he intends to see Xiaoqi, he will find an opportunity to meet her tomorrow. If not, it means that the Ye Family and the Nanchu King might not be on the same side."
"Alright!" Madam Shen naturally listened to Shen Xian.
Shen Xian then asked Su Rong, "You have been living at the Princess Residence for many days, do the Princess and the Prince Consort know about your identity? I remember Princess Qingping and Princess Zhenmin were good friends back in the days."
"They learned about it yesterday." Su Rong said: "Someone tried to assassinate me with a hidden arrow, I couldn’t hide it from the Princess. After all, the assassin was targeting me. The Princess wanted to report to His Majesty for a thorough investigation, so we couldn’t say that the person the assassin wanted to kill was me."
She continued: "The Prince Consort has been suspicious since he saw me, thinking that I look like my mother. He sent people to check on me. He didn’t ask at first, but because of the assassination attempt yesterday, Princess Qingping defended me, and the Prince Consort is a righteous man, so I told him the truth. But I kept quiet about my collaboration with the Crown Prince."
Shen Xian nodded, indicating that he understood, "Although Princess Qingping is domineering, the Prince Consort is indeed an honorable man, and Princess Qingping hasn’t done anything particularly evil throughout these years. The reputation of the Princess Residence may not be good, but they are not wicked people. As they have a history with Princess Zhenmin, they are indeed trustworthy."
He had been living in the Capital City for many years and clearly understood that, if it hadn’t been for Princess Qingping’s interest in him, the Prince Consort’s talent would have still brought him to his current position as a high-ranking official. But because he married the Princess, he could only assume a not-so-important position. After all, according to Daliang’s laws, a Prince Consort cannot hold a key position.
After sharing these thoughts, Shen Xian, who had to deal with official duties at the Ministry of Personnel, stood up and instructed Su Rong, "You just stay here and let your aunt know if you want to eat anything. Treat this place as your own home."
Su Rong smiled and nodded, "Don’t worry, Uncle Shen, I won’t be reserved."
She didn’t hold back at the Princess Residence, and naturally, she wasn’t going to start being reserved at the Shen Residence.
After Shen Xian left, Madam Shen also stood up, "Let’s go and see your courtyard." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
At this point, Su Xingze said, "Aunt Shen still has to manage the affairs of the Residence, let me take my sister there!"
Considering the siblings might have something to discuss, Madam Shen generously agreed, "That’s a good idea. I’ll go instruct the kitchen to prepare some good dishes. Just let me know what Xiaoqi likes to eat."
Su Rong touched her nose, "As long as it’s a good dish, I love it. I’m not picky."
Madam Shen laughed, "Those who aren’t picky have a real appetite. Alright, the cooks in this residence have a few signature dishes. Wait for lunchtime!"
Su Xingze led Su Rong out of the Main Courtyard to the separate courtyard that Madam Shen had prepared for her.
As they walked, he said, "Your courtyard is next to mine. The Shen Residence has a simple household, Uncle Shen’s two sons are both away, one is an official and the other is a scholar. Besides, there are no concubines in the Residence, just a few servants and guards."
Su Rong nodded and commented, "Birds of a feather flock together. Uncle Shen’s clean living, without keeping any concubines, is really quite rare. No wonder he gets along well with Uncle Xie."
Su Xingze glanced at her, "Hmm," he grunted, "Our father wouldn’t do that. I’m not going to be like him when I grow up."
Su Rong laughed, "Big brother, it’s not bad to be like father. You just need to marry a wife like our mother to ensure peace and harmony at home."
Su Xingze pursed his lips, "What do you think about me taking a government position in Nanchu when you go there in the future?"
Su Rong widened her eyes, "Not a good idea, right?"
"Why?" Su Xingze stopped in his tracks.
Su Rong responded seriously, "I don’t want to become a monarch who’s still bossed around by you."
Su Xingze: "..."
He teased her with a laugh, "You’re really something..."
The Shen Residence had set up a special courtyard for their daughter-in-law, Su Rong, as they had no daughters of their own. The room was furnished extravagantly as per the traditions for pampering daughters of good families, even the serving maids were attractive. This contrasted starkly with Su Xingze’s experience when he moved in. Mr. Shen had provided him with an empty courtyard and Su Xingze had to provide his own servants. The Shen lady had wanted to provide more, but Mr. Shen had declined, saying that Su Xingze should focus on his studies rather than materialistic distractions; ultimately, she had to give up.
Looking at the meticulously arranged house and courtyard, Su Rong remarked, "I appreciate Aunt Shen’s thoughtful arrangements."
Su Xingze knew her well. Although Su Rong appeared delicate, she’s actually a rugged person from inside out. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have stayed in that shabby courtyard at the Jiangning County Governor’s Residence for so many years without any complaints. He said, "If you appreciate Aunt Shen’s efforts, then take good care of this place and do not cause any destruction."
"How could I? This isn’t our house after all." Su Rong reassured Su Xingze with a confident look.
Su Xingze rubbed his temples, "When you visit the Duke Residence tomorrow, if Second Young Master Ye wants to meet you privately, make sure to call me over."
"Okay." Su Rong had no objections.
Su Xingze continued, "At some point, the palace will find out about your lineage. Be prepared for that, and think carefully about what you’re going to say if the Emperor summons you."
Su Rong nodded, "Technically, the Emperor is my uncle. My mother was raised by the previous emperor and his empress. He and my mother can be considered as family."
Su Xingze looked at her, "Even so, the Emperor is still the ruler of the land, especially a powerful one. If he can be trusted, your mother wouldn’t have sought help from the Duke Residence on her deathbed."
"Hmm, I get what you mean." Su Rong nodded, "I was just thinking that, even if he wanted to use me, he should still have some regards for his sibling relationship with my mother. Also, I am the princess of Nanchu. If the Emperor learns of my identity, he would definitely support my going to Nanchu. After all, the relationships between Daliang and Nanchu aren’t as close as before, even though they are technically still subordinates. This deterioration probably started since the previous emperor’s time. However, the situation was temporarily rectified by my mother. Now, with me in the picture, both countries could be tied together again. Therefore, he wouldn’t want anyone from Nanchu to kill me."
"You make a fair point." said Su Xingze, "But don’t forget about Dawei. If Dawei finds out and invades again, or demands that you marry into their royal family to uphold the past agreements, the Emperor might compromise."
"If the Emperor compromises, what about the King of Nanchu?" Su Rong asked. "What would the elder Duke protect, and what about the next generation in Duke’s residence? It’s been sixteen years since Daliang last fought with Dawei. With the current combination of manpower from the Duke Residence and troops from Nanchu, Dawei would have to think twice before attacking."
Su Rong was certain, "Even if the Emperor doesn’t protect me, I still have the Crown Prince, the Duke Residence, Princess Residence, and Shen Residence on my side. All these houses hold considerable power, so even if Dawei demands my hand in marriage, they won’t just let it happen."
Su Xingze nodded, "You’re not wrong, but if Dawei finds out they were deceived back then, they won’t just let it slide."
"Then let’s fight." Su Rong said, "Brother, I’ll join you on the battlefield when the time comes."
Su Xingze sighed deeply, "Wars are not taken lightly!"
Su Rong snorted, "Whether it’s easy or not, we still have to fight!"
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