Chapter 171 His face was as black as the bottom of a pot
These words had been stuck in her heart for two lifetimes, and now that Chen Pingjin had said them, she felt incredibly relieved.
"So please stop thinking that I like you, Su Xuanmao. Even the deepest feelings in youth can eventually lead to mutual loathing."
She didn't want Su Xuanmao to think that she still had feelings for him.
Because she knew Su Xuanmao's temperament well—he was arrogant and thought she was playing hard to get, or that she was forced by Yan Jue and had no other choice.
She insisted on personally shattering the illusions he had woven, word by word.
Otherwise, it would be difficult to quell the hatred in her heart.
In my past life, he treated me the same way.
Su Xuanmao could hardly believe it.
"Chen Pingjin, you must be joking, right?"
The question remained on his lips; in the end, Su Xuanmao could only utter this one laughable and pathetic question.
Shen Pingjin, however, denied it without hesitation:
"No, ever since I married Yan Jue, I have never thought of marrying you again."
Upon hearing this, Su Xuanmao's blank expression seemed to crack slightly.
"Impossible, you weren't like this before, Jin'er. Tell me, tell me, did Yan Jue force you to say this?"
Shen Pingjin snorted coldly: "Don't overthink it. Yan Jue has never forced me. What I just said was from the bottom of my heart."
"No, impossible!!"
Shen Pingjin turned around without hesitation, and Su Xuanmao's roar came from behind her. She felt only satisfaction.
"Yan Jue, let's go."
"good."
Yan Jue obediently followed Shen Pingjin as she turned around, but as she did so, she gave Su Xuanmao a contemptuous smile.
Su Xuanmao was dumbfounded.
He seemed unable to believe that Shen Pingjin would treat him like this.
Shen Ruixue felt a pang of sadness as she watched Shen Pingjin turn and leave.
“That Shen Pingjin is truly a scoundrel. She grew up with Your Highness since childhood, but now that Your Highness is in trouble, she kicks you when you're down.”
Su Xuanmao glanced coldly at the woman beside him, "Shut up."
Shen Ruixue asked in disbelief, "Brother Su, this woman has treated you like this, why are you still protecting her?"
"Hmph, if you hadn't schemed to take her place in the marriage, do you think you would be standing next to me?"
Su Xuanmao's words were like a bucket of cold water, poured heavily on Shen Ruixue's head.
"Su, Brother Su... We've been married for so long, don't you have any feelings for me at all?"
Su Xuanmao wanted to affirm that there was none at all.
But then he remembered that he had just been crippled.
A faint smile played at the corners of her lips, but her expression remained indifferent: "No, how could that be? We've been married for so long, and while I wouldn't say I love you, I certainly have a bit of liking for you."
"Okay, as long as Brother Su likes me, I will accompany Brother Su to make a comeback."
Shen Ruixue's left cheek was still swollen, yet she still managed to say such a thing, truly living up to her reputation as someone obsessed with love.
This woman is not half as intelligent as Shen Pingjin.
Su Xuanmao sneered: "Thank you for your unwavering support, Ruixue."
If this woman weren't still useful to him, he wouldn't be here pretending to be friendly with her.
"However, I am no longer the Crown Prince, so you don't need to call me Your Highness. If others hear this, they might say that I still have wicked intentions."
"Okay, Brother Su, don't worry!"
Shen Ruixue wiped away her tears and helped Su Xuanmao to rest on the open ground nearby.
By the time they came to their senses, Shen Pingjin and Yan Jue had already walked far away, and they could no longer even see their backs.
Su Xuanmao also came to his senses at this moment. His plan was flawless, so why did the evidence suddenly appear in his father's hands?
Fang Shengde... Su Xuanmao clearly remembered that Fang Shengde's entire family was in his hands. If he did something like this, he should know very well that he wouldn't survive.
I'll definitely investigate that myself when the time comes.
"Back to the inn."
As soon as Su Xuanmao spoke, Shen Ruixue immediately helped him up.
The farewell banquet ended so hastily, and Emperor Anqing was filled with resentment towards Su Xuanmao. He had thought this crown prince was capable, but he hadn't expected...
Emperor Anqing snorted coldly and said to Eunuch Shun beside him, "Go and inform everyone that we will return to the capital tomorrow. We must be quick and not miss the Spring Banquet!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Eunuch Shun immediately took his whisk and went outside. As soon as he stepped outside, his face turned panicked.
After informing everyone of the news, Eunuch Shun returned to Emperor Anqing's side with peace of mind.
"Is everything taken care of?"
Eunuch Shun nodded: "Your Majesty, the imperial edict has been conveyed to everyone."
"Have the carriage ready first thing tomorrow morning. Has there been any news from Consort Shu in the capital?"
Eunuch Shun took out a letter from his sleeve: "Your Majesty, yes, this is a letter from Consort Shu to Your Majesty. I have noticed that you have been in a bad mood these past few days, so I have not dared to give it to you. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Eunuch Shun was an old servant of Emperor Anqing. Emperor Anqing glanced at him sideways and waved his hand dismissively:
"Get up. Don't kneel so easily. If I punish you again, I'm afraid you'll be all alone from now on."
"This servant thanks Your Majesty, but Your Majesty's words are incorrect. How can Your Majesty be all alone? Isn't Consort Shu quite close to Your Majesty?"
Emperor Anqing sighed, "You're a eunuch, what do you know!"
"The reason Consort Shu is close to me is naturally because her son is my Crown Prince. If she doesn't get close to me for the sake of the Crown Prince, who else would she get close to? After all, I am the one who can decide everything in this world!"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Shun hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty is right. This servant is not well-educated and knows nothing about such things as romantic love."
"You're quite honest; you say what you mean."
"After all, this servant is on the Emperor's side, and only serves Your Majesty!" said Eunuch Shun, fawningly.
"Have the Regent and the others returned?" Emperor Anqing suddenly asked.
"Your Majesty, the Regent and his entourage returned shortly after your return."
"Did they speak to that scoundrel when they left?" Emperor Anqing's eyes revealed a dangerous glint.
After thinking for a moment, Eunuch Shun reported truthfully: "Your Majesty, they did talk, but not about the matter of deposing the Crown Prince or why Your Majesty deposed the Crown Prince. Instead, they were... entangled in matters of their own feelings."
"Your Majesty, do you still remember that the Regent's Consort was originally supposed to be the Crown Prince's Consort, and the Crown Prince's Consort was originally supposed to be the Regent's Consort?"
"Of course I remember."
Emperor Anqing had deliberately suppressed the matter to save face for the royal family, which wronged Shen Pingjin. Unexpectedly, now that the Crown Prince has been deposed, the Regent has changed for the better out of love.
"Your Highness... the Second Prince seemed to think that the Regent's Consort liked him, and questioned him in front of her. Your Majesty, you have no idea, the Regent's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot!"
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