Chapter 3 Teasing This Princess: You'll Serve Me By Her Side
Li Yunru looked arrogant and unconcerned. What did it matter if he killed a lecher? Besides, the man wasn't dead!
...
Yan Ning rushed over upon hearing the news, only to find Li Yunru sitting in a chair, her peony dress, stained black with blood, casually spread out, her collar wide open, her face flushed, her eyes glazed over, exuding an indescribable charm and cuteness, but the occasion was inappropriate...
He glanced at the servants of the Chen family on both sides of the crowd, his eyes darkening slightly.
Shu Yun saw Yan Ning as if he were her savior and hurriedly called out, "Your Highness, Prince Consort."
"Um."
Yan Ning gave a cold and indifferent reply, without any expression. He simply strode over to Li Yunru, took off his outer robe, draped it over her shoulders to cover her ample bosom, and then picked her up to leave.
The servants stopped them.
Yan Ning glanced at them indifferently and said, "I don't want to make things difficult for you. I'm taking the person away. Please tell Uncle that if there's anything, he should come to the Yan family to talk to me."
After saying that, he gave Chen Jingsheng, the servant who was close to him, a look. The servant understood and took out some silver from his purse, giving it to each of them one by one. He smiled amicably and said, "Brothers, we are all working for our master. Why cause trouble for yourselves over this? Don't you agree?"
The dozen or so people looked at each other, and finally made way for each other.
Yan Ning helped Li Yunru into the carriage. Still not fully awake, she instinctively clung to his neck, begging herself not to fall off, muttering incoherently.
"You are quite good-looking. Although you are not as good-looking as Yan Changjun, you are much better-looking than that boy from before. I like your appearance."
She groped the person's face haphazardly with one hand and teased, "This princess allows you to serve me by my side."
"hehe!"
She got more and more excited as she spoke, and the anger in her heart, fueled by the alcohol, exploded. She started cursing and swearing: "Yan Changjun, do you really think you are so irreplaceable? There are plenty of handsome men in this world. As long as I want, I can have as many as I want. If I don't want you anymore, you can go with this Wan or that Wan yourself!"
Hearing these words, Shu Yun felt a chill run down her spine, and her heart leaped into her throat. She carefully observed Yan Ning's reaction and said, "Princess, that's not what you meant. It's just that my husband has been away from the manor most of the time recently, and she has no one else in Jiankang but him. That's why she couldn't help but feel sad and blurt out her words..."
She further explained, "The princess was boating on the lake alone when those people came to provoke her. She had drunk too much, and that's when she accidentally injured someone."
She avoided mentioning Chen Erlang's inappropriate touching of Li Yunru. No man could accept his wife being treated like that by someone else, so she wouldn't bring it up unless absolutely necessary.
Yan Ning didn't seem to have absorbed much of what he was saying; his face remained expressionless, still with that aloof and indifferent demeanor. Shu Yun had served Li Yunru for many years and had seen Yan Ning for a year, but she still couldn't quite grasp his temperament. Seeing that he had no desire to listen, she could only remain silent, secretly wishing the princess good luck.
...
Li Yunru injured Chen Fang, the second young master of the Chen family. Although the Chen family in Jiankang was not as powerful as the Yan family, it was still a well-known and influential family. The second young master was the apple of Madam Chen's eye. She would do anything to get him the stars and the moon. More importantly, he was the elder brother of the eldest young mistress of the Yan family. They were siblings and their families were related by marriage. Seeing her brother injured like this, how could the younger sister bear it? Without even going to the mansion to see what was going on, she ran to the Cui family's matriarch and cried after hearing the servants' report.
"Mother-in-law, you must stand up for my brother!" she sobbed, wiping away her tears. "He was injured in such a place, how can he ever face anyone again!"
Madam Cui remained silent, her eyes closed as she twirled the prayer beads in her hand. Cui Wan, being a kind and understanding woman, could roughly discern her aunt's thoughts upon seeing her like this. She helped the eldest young mistress up and comforted her, saying, "Sister-in-law, don't be anxious. Aunt's matter is still unresolved. Let's wait for my cousin to return and understand the truth before making any decisions. If it is truly the princess's fault, then Aunt will certainly not show favoritism."
“What else do we need to know? It’s not all set in stone…” Chen said angrily, but when she caught a glimpse of Cui’s eyes, she immediately shut her mouth. “Yes, I was too eager and misspoke. I hope my mother-in-law won’t be offended.”
"Hmm." Madam Cui responded and called for someone to take her away. Only after the person left did Madam Cui get up from her seat. Cui Wan saw this and hurried over to help her up.
Cui asked, "What is Wan'er's opinion on this matter?"
Cui Wan shook her head and said modestly, "I am new to Jiankang and do not understand the local customs or the whole story, so I cannot comment."
Madam Cui was very satisfied with her answer and smiled knowingly, saying, "No wonder my elder brother always praises you to me. You are such a sensible and thoughtful girl."
Cui Wan listened with a bitter expression on her face. She didn't speak, but Madam Cui saw it and understood her thoughts. She patted Cui Wan's hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, being a princess is only temporary. Before long, I will have Changjun marry you in a grand wedding procession."
Cui Wan's face lit up with joy, but then her eyes dimmed. "But my cousin..."
She recalled her recent reunion with Yan Ning. She had tried to get closer to him by using Yan Zhan's words, but she hadn't received any response. Yan Ning was always indifferent to her, and there was always a barrier between them.
Madam Cui said, "Your cousin is a bit cold-hearted, but he is filial and considerate of the bigger picture. He wouldn't do anything to disobey his parents or hurt their feelings for a girl."
"Um."
...
Chen Erlang is ruined. The doctor examined him and said that the internal injuries have been severed, and he will never be able to have sex again.
Madam Chen was devastated and, accompanied by her sick relative who was still in bed, came to the Yan family, determined to demand justice from them.
Chen naturally sided with her mother, and the two of them sang in unison, making such a racket that the roof of the Yan family's house was about to be blown off.
Actually, this matter isn't a big deal. Everyone knows Chen Erlang's reputation, especially since he's the son of a second wife. Although he's favored by his mother, he has an older brother who's several years older than him, and the two have always been at odds. His father knows about it, but he turns a blind eye and doesn't interfere.
Yan Ning didn't buy their act. He glanced indifferently at Chen Erlang lying on the stretcher, stood up, bowed to Madam Chen, and said politely, "I am deeply saddened by Brother Shuzhi's misfortune. I am willing to offer a piece of land under my own name as compensation, along with ten cups of pearls and jade. I hope that Madam will consider my humble opinion and let this matter rest."
Madam Chen snorted coldly and said to Madam Cui with dissatisfaction, "Sister, is this the attitude of your Yan family? You hurt people, and the instigator didn't even show his face. You think you can get rid of us with these vulgar things?"
Madam Cui fiddled with her teacup and said casually, "What does Madam think?"
Madam Chen said, "At the very least, we should call Li out and make her apologize to my son."
Her gaze shifted to Chen Erlang's lower body, and she continued, "My son has been seriously injured. I don't know what will happen to his marriage. This whole thing started because of Li Shi, so she should take full responsibility and take care of my son..."
"absurd!"
Yan Ning slammed his fist on the table and roared, but before he could speak, Cui Shi stopped him and told him to step back.
Madam Cui took a sip of warm tea and said, "No matter what, Madam Li is still a daughter-in-law of the Yan family. Do you think that's... appropriate, sister?"
Madam Chen didn't take it seriously, saying, "That's easy. Just wait for Changjun to write a letter to divorce her. Anyway, the emperor in the capital won't last much longer, so it's not a big problem."
As she spoke, she glanced at Cui Wan beside her, seemingly unintentionally, and said in a friendly tone, "Sister, I'm doing this for your own good. You and I both know why Changjun and Li Shi are getting married. It's a good thing to settle this matter now. As for us... Li Shi is so arrogant, it's a bit unfair to us. But since my Chen family is close to your Yan family, it's alright. Considering what Changjun just did, it's barely acceptable."
"This is a highly profitable business, I don't think you'll refuse, right, sister?"
...
Li Yunru was hungover all night and woke up the next day feeling dizzy and disoriented. It took her a long time to regain her senses. She vaguely remembered what had happened the day before and called Shuyun in to ask her questions.
Shu Yun said, "Princess, please do not worry. The matter has been resolved by the Prince Consort."
Li Yunru: "Solved? How did he solve it?"
Shu Yun shook her head, "This servant does not know, but the Chen family made a scene at the Yan residence yesterday, but I heard afterwards that it was over and they no longer cared about it."
"Oh."
Li Yunru snorted, "They don't care, probably because they've been offered enough benefits!"
Thinking of this, Li Yunru's heart sank again. This matter was clearly the Chen family's fault, but the Yan family... including Yan Ning, did not care about the truth and only wanted to settle things peacefully. They did not even ask her, the person involved, for her opinion, and just accepted it on her behalf.
Seeing her frowning, Shu Yun stepped forward and comforted her gently, "I think the Prince Consort still cares about the princess. After this happened, he rushed over to deal with it as soon as possible..."
Li Yunru knew she was trying to comfort her, but she couldn't muster the energy to do so. She simply asked, "Is that Chen family boy dead?"
Shu Yun said, "He's not dead, but he's badly injured. I heard he won't be able to have sex again."
At this point, Shu Yun felt a surge of satisfaction. She gritted her teeth and said sternly, "That Chen Er, relying on his family background, stirred up trouble and ruined countless beauties. This is his retribution!"
"Um."
It's a pity he didn't die, but he did pay a price. This kind of person isn't worth her time and effort, so she asked again, "Where is the prince consort?"
Shu Yun replied, "The prince consort is still at the Yan family's residence. He sent someone over to tell you that he is having dinner at the Yan family's residence tonight and will return later. He told the princess not to wait for him."
If I don't want to wait, then I don't want to wait. Who cares anyway!
She couldn't fit into that family, nor did she want to force herself to!
The room was filled with the fragrance of incense. Shu Yun draped a shawl over her and said, "Princess, perhaps you could soften your stance. I think the Prince Consort is not indifferent to you. If the two of you are harmonious and have a child, I think the Yan family will no longer treat you so coldly."
child?
Li Yunru touched her flat stomach, which was completely smooth. She and Yan Ning did not have a bad relationship. At least their sex life was harmonious. However, there had been no progress in a year.
Seeing that her expression softened, Shu Yun said, "Your Highness is kind enough. I will go out soon and find a skilled doctor to come and examine you."
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