She stood up, smiled at the King of Wei, and then, without lingering, left the pavilion and walked towards the imperial carriage prepared for her.
She walked to the palace carriage and was about to get in when the King of Wei grabbed her from behind and pulled her into his arms in the blink of an eye.
"You're injured, don't fuss over it." King Wei picked her up and personally carried her to the carriage before explaining.
Shen Wangshu looked at his pair of dark eyes staring at her and suddenly frowned.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
She thanked him repeatedly and looked up at King Wei.
King Wei noticed her resistance and readily agreed, stepping out of the imperial carriage and mounting his horse to stand guard beside her.
This was clearly a signal to take her home. Shen Wangshu stopped looking and simply leaned back in the carriage, feeling it steadily heading out of the palace.
Frankly, she didn't want to go home and see Prime Minister Song's biased face.
Prime Minister Song had many wives and concubines, but he had few children. He only had two daughters, Song Lan and Song Wan'er, and no sons.
But now he's completely infatuated with Consort Rou, having long since neglected his other concubines. Judging from this, it's clear he may not have any sons in the future. Thus, his two daughters are his only bloodline, and he naturally cherishes them all the more. Unfortunately, in Shen Wangshu's eyes, all this love and care is reserved for Song Wan'er, and not for Song Lan at all. Otherwise, Song Lan wouldn't have been left with no one to turn to after marrying into the Marquis's household, ultimately dying there.
Or perhaps... Prime Minister Song knew that Song Lan was being married off as a mere decoration?
Shen Wangshu did not underestimate the power of favoritism and already harbored some doubts in his mind.
As she was pondering, she felt the imperial carriage stop, and a slender hand lifted the light gauze curtain in front of her, revealing the King of Wei's narrow and majestic eyes.
“We’ve arrived.” He extended his hand to Shen Wangshu.
Shen Wangshu looked at him quietly, and after a moment, avoided the King of Wei's hand and jumped off the carriage.
King Wei withdrew his hand and stood to the side of the imperial carriage, his eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
Shen Wangshu's wound was a little sore from jumping down, but she quickly brushed it away and saw that the side gate of the Prime Minister's mansion was open, and a gentle and graceful woman with tears in her eyes was standing at the door with several maids.
Upon seeing Shen Wangshu appear, the woman hurriedly covered her eyes with a snow-white handkerchief, revealing a hint of joy as she stepped forward to grasp Shen Wangshu's hand. With a touch of sorrow, she said, "The eldest young lady is back? We were so worried. It's all the master's fault, though. He was spreading rumors that the eldest young lady was badly injured, which made us extremely anxious. But now that I see her, she doesn't seem to be seriously injured, so I'm relieved."
Her smile was gentle, but every word she spoke carried a hint of cunning.
Shen Wangshu looked at the woman calmly.
This is Consort Rou, the beloved concubine of Prime Minister Song.
She came from a humble background, and even becoming Song Chancellor's concubine was a step up for her. Therefore, when Song Lan's birth mother passed away and Song Chancellor wanted to make her his official wife, his family objected.
For someone of lowly birth, being a concubine is not unreasonable, but to be the principal wife would be a disgrace to the Prime Minister's mansion.
Prime Minister Song also had this concern, so although he favored her, he was unable to make her his official wife.
"After you've been stabbed, come back and tell me what you mean by 'not seriously injured'," Shen Wangshu said coldly.
She made no attempt to offer her hand to Aunt Rou.
Aunt Rou's face paled slightly, and she awkwardly withdrew her hand.
King Wei had been watching the scene before him expressionlessly, but upon hearing Shen Wangshu's words, he couldn't help but let a faint smile appear on his lips.
"I was just worried about you, Miss, and that's why I was so concerned. Please forgive me this once." Aunt Rou was silenced by Song Lan, who was usually very cold and distant towards her. Her face was already wrinkled and she didn't look good.
However, when her gaze fell upon the imposing and aloof Prince Wei standing beside the pale-faced girl, her eyes flashed, and she bowed deeply, her submissive demeanor bordering on pitiful. She was, in fact, a concubine of Prime Minister Song, yet she was bowing before Song Lan, a junior; if anyone with ulterior motives were to see this, she would likely be accused of disrespecting an elder.
Shen Wangshu accepted the greeting without hesitation.
Aunt Rou remained in the squatting posture for a long time, sweating profusely, before she finally heard Song Lan's calm voice.
"A mere concubine... Fine, considering you've served Father to some extent, I'll fine you three months' wages. But if you offend again, don't blame me for disciplining you according to family rules!"
She actually treated her like a servant!
Aunt Rou's face flushed red instantly.
I felt inexplicably ashamed and indignant.
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