Chapter 10 witnessed the infatuation of a great romantic.
Shen Wantang slept soundly that night.
How could it not smell wonderful? The Prince's Mansion was far more wealthy than the Shen family's. The wedding bed they prepared was large and sturdy, with layers upon layers of brocade quilts and fragrant sandalwood incense. Lying on it was soft, comfortable, and the aroma was pleasant and calming.
This is much better than sleeping at the Shen family's house.
As for her new husband, Shen Wantang couldn't think of him at all.
The next day.
Shen Wantang got up early, and after washing and dressing, she took Du Juan and Granny Chai to see her mother-in-law.
After the announcement was made, the person who came out to invite her in was Granny Quan, who had taught her royal etiquette and manners.
Granny Quan treated her very politely: "Please, Princess Consort."
The curtain was lifted, and Shen Wantang, as if she were about to meet her boss, tensed her back, adjusted her expression, and slowly walked in.
Prince Ning and his wife were seated in the main seat.
Following the rules taught by Granny Quan, Shen Wantang knelt on the prayer mat and performed a grand salute to the two men: "Your daughter-in-law greets Father and Mother. May Father and Mother be well."
Then, she picked up the tea that Granny Quan had brought and offered it to Prince Ning.
The teacup was very hot, but Shen Wantang knelt there holding the teacup, motionless, as if she couldn't feel any temperature at all.
After a long while, Prince Ning finally accepted the tea, blew on it, and took a sip.
Next up was the Princess. This time, Shen Wantang held the teacup for a longer time, but she still held it steadily.
The princess finally accepted the tea and took a sip.
The princess's calm voice came from above: "Get up!"
"Yes, thank you, Mother."
Shen Wantang stood up and stood properly to the side.
The princess was very satisfied with her manners; she was indeed more composed and better than Granny Quan had described.
"From this day forward, you will be the Princess Consort of the Prince of Ning's Mansion. You must remember this well, behave properly, and never harbor any delusions or bring shame upon the Prince's Mansion."
"Yes, daughter-in-law will keep in mind her mother's teachings."
Shen Wantang naturally understood the true meaning behind the princess's words. She was terrified of the daughter of that lowly ninth-rank official. The girl was pregnant before marriage, and to this day, no one knows who the father of the child is, which has made the entire royal family a laughingstock.
The princess was giving her a warning, absolutely forbidding her from having affairs with other men.
Shen Wantang really wanted to tell her boss that she had been innocent in both her lives, and that men were just stepping stones for her; there was no way she could have had an affair.
Unfortunately, I can't say that.
After the instruction, the princess gave her a gift.
Shen Wantang held the box handed to her by Granny Quan, and looked up in shock: "Mother, this..."
This is too extravagant! The box was filled with jewelry, and the rubies set on it were all the size of pigeon eggs. The bottom layer was covered with pearls, each one round and full, and they were all pale gold pearls the size of longan!
The princess waved her hand dismissively: "These are just toys for you. If you like them, I have more. I'll give you some more another day. You were wronged yesterday. Don't take Yuan'er's words to heart. He can't go to Fazhen Temple to become a monk now. After your father disciplines him for a few days, he'll obediently go back to live with you."
It was clear that the princess already knew about Xiao Qingyuan's refusal to lift his veil yesterday.
Shen Wantang handed the heavy box to Granny Chai and said respectfully, "Thank you, Mother, for such a precious gift. However, I did not feel wronged yesterday. The young master is learned and talented, and his appearance is unparalleled. He is also honest and straightforward. It is already a great blessing for me to marry him. My status is low and we are not a good match. It is actually the young master who is wronged to marry me."
Prince Ning nodded repeatedly. Yes, that's right, his son was indeed as good as his daughter-in-law said.
Princess Ning's eyebrows relaxed. "Not bad. This daughter-in-law is a good choice. She is articulate, broad-minded, and her face shows only calmness, without any resentment. This is very rare."
"Granny Quan, go and fetch the bracelet I got in the palace last time. I remember the color of that bracelet was too light and didn't suit me very well, but it was perfect for the Crown Princess."
Granny Quan responded and turned to fetch another box.
This time, Princess Ning personally opened the box, took Shen Wantang's hand, and put the jade bracelet on her wrist: "It fits perfectly. You are indeed destined for it. Wear it and play with it!"
Looking at the jade bracelet on her wrist, which was entirely green and crystal clear, Shen Wantang gained a new appreciation for the princess's generosity.
This bracelet was clearly carved from a rare and exquisite piece of jade, yet the princess gave it to her so casually.
She decided that from now on she would speak highly of that romantic prince and cling to the princess's coattails.
"Alright, you've finished your greetings. You can go back now. There aren't many rules in the Prince's mansion. As long as you and Yuan'er live a good life together, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
Shen Wantang respectfully agreed, and then walked out with Granny Chai.
When Du Juan, who was waiting outside, saw her come out, she immediately followed.
After leaving the main courtyard, the three of them, mistress and servants, walked through a connecting corridor and returned to their own courtyard.
As soon as she entered the room, Shen Wantang stopped in her tracks.
Nothing else, the large bed that originally belonged to her was now occupied by a tall and long-legged man, none other than her good husband, the famous lover known throughout the capital, Xiao Qingyuan.
However, he was currently bound hand and foot, so tightly that he couldn't move at all.
Granny Chai hadn't expected the young master to be brought back like this, but she reacted quickly, immediately putting down the box and pulling the shocked Dujuan outside.
Shen Wantang stood there for a while, then found a pair of scissors and walked to the bedside.
Xiao Qingyuan, lying on the bed with his eyes closed, coldly uttered a few words: "Get out, I don't want to see you."
"Your Highness."
Shen Wantang spoke, her voice clear and cold: "I just want to help you cut the rope. If you don't want to see me, just keep your eyes closed. Once I'm done cutting, I'll leave the room and make way for you, then you can leave."
Xiao Qingyuan opened his eyes: "You want to help me leave?"
After he finished speaking, he was stunned when he saw Shen Wantang's expression.
But then he flew into a rage: "Don't think you can be my wife just because you look a bit like Yan Luo. Let me tell you, no matter how much you look like her, you're not her! You don't need to try any tricks to win my favor. I will only marry Yan Luo in my life. I won't even look at any other woman!"
"Yes, I know."
"Get out of here right now! Yesterday's wedding procession was not my wish at all, and don't think that just because I went to the wedding procession, it means I agree to the marriage. I don't agree! I was forced to go. If I didn't go, they would have executed Yanluo! I did all of this for her, and it has nothing to do with you!"
“I know that it was not the Crown Prince’s wish to marry me, and I have wronged him.”
Shen Wantang's calm expression was as if he had only said "the weather is nice today," a stark contrast to his agitation and anger.
Even Xiao Qingyuan himself realized that he seemed to have overreacted.
He frowned at Shen Wantang: "Why are you so indifferent? Trying to imitate Yan Luo's aloof and ethereal demeanor? Let me tell you, it's useless! Don't try to imitate her; it will only make me dislike you more!"
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