He Yi had just arrived home and was about to go inside when she saw Zheng Yu come out. He Yi quickly approached him and asked, "Brother, did something happen at the manor today?"
“Heyi, it’s nothing. It’s just that a couple from the countryside suddenly came by, insisting that they were old servants of our Minister’s Mansion and wanted to see Father to collect some old debt. Uncle Gong has already chased them away.”
Zheng Yu did not want to reveal this secret.
Zheng Heyi was puzzled and frowned at her brother, "Going to collect old debts?"
An old servant from the Minister's mansion?
She had never heard her father mention any relatives in the countryside. Before she could say anything more, Zheng Yu reminded her, "Alright, your brother will take care of things at home. Since you're busy, you should go back first."
He Yi requested to see Minister Zheng. Zheng Yu led He Yi into the house. At this moment, the master was still unconscious. He Yi sighed and quietly walked out.
"Then I'll take my leave." At this moment, she was concerned about Liu Yun's investigation and also worried about Jiang Shu. Naturally, she didn't want to dwell on this seemingly trivial matter. He Yi then decided to leave.
My eyelids are twitching badly; I have a feeling some treacherous subject is plotting against me.
[You vicious female supporting character, someone is really prepared to frame you.]
I really feel sorry for the villainous female supporting character, but seriously, is Minister Zheng really that easy to fool? How can he believe everything he says?
The atmosphere inside the Prince Ning's residence was equally somber.
After being sternly rejected by Zheng Yu, Jiang Shu returned home and locked herself in her room, ordering Yun Yu that no one was allowed to enter.
Outside the door, no matter how many high-sounding words of comfort Yunyu uttered, the room remained silent. Yunyu paced anxiously outside the door, cursing the ungrateful Zheng Yu and the hypocritical Zheng Heyi a hundred times over in her heart.
The door creaked open from the inside just as the lamps were lit.
Jiang Shu slowly walked out, and Yun Yu hurriedly approached. Seeing her young mistress's empty and numb eyes, as if everything had been extinguished within them, Jiang Shu tidied her disheveled hair and silently sat down in front of the dressing table, letting Yun Yu comb her long hair.
"Princess!"
After observing the situation, Yunyu carefully continued, "Actually, you shouldn't be too sad. Young Master Zheng isn't worth it at all, and as for Gao Tanhua..."
"Prepare a gift for me." Jiang Shu turned around, seemingly glancing at Yun Yu. Although her voice was hoarse, Yun Yu still heard her clearly. "Where should I send it?"
Jiang Shu's voice was devoid of any emotion: "Send it to the Gao residence in my name. Just say... thank you for the antiques and calligraphy he sent the other day, I really like them."
Jiang Shu's eyes fell on the mirror. She looked at the disheveled girl. Was this still herself? As she looked, Jiang Shu felt as if half of her soul had left her body. She realized that she had landed lightly next to Yun Yu and stood side by side with her, looking at herself in the mirror.
Then, Yunyu noticed that a cold smile slowly appeared on Jiang Shu's lips.
[Destroy it all, it doesn't matter who you marry.]
[Zheng Yu, that brat, and that hypocritical Zheng Heyi, you just wait.]
Look how happy Yunyu is, she's having a blast!
Upon hearing this, Yunyu was taken aback at first, then smiled with delight. She didn't truly feel Jiang Shu's sorrow and sadness. In her opinion, the county princess's agreement to marry Gao Dekai meant that she had come to her senses.
If she were to tell Princess Ning about Jiang Shu's idea right now, Princess Ning might praise her for being capable.
"Yes, Princess! I'll take care of it right away! I guarantee it will be done perfectly!" Yun Yu nodded happily, as if afraid that Jiang Shu would change her mind. She put down the comb and hurriedly went out to prepare.
As long as the county princess is willing to take this most difficult step, the rest will be much easier. Moreover, this is a marriage that even Princess Ning approves of, so the future process will be a piece of cake.
Watching Yunyu's joyful departing figure, Jiang Shu slowly closed her eyes. In that instant, she felt as if her heart had truly died. Zheng Yu's cold gaze as he pushed her away made her realize that there was indeed no hope left for the two of them.
Today, Jiang Shu went to see Zheng Yu for the first time ever, but little did she know she would be rejected. His actions had already seriously hurt her, and that push became the last straw that broke Jiang Shu's back.
Since she can't be with Zheng Yu, what difference does it make who she marries?
At least, Gao Dekai's status is indeed quite good, and his future rise to prominence goes without saying. Most importantly, once she and Gao Dekai are together, it will likely shut up Princess Consort Ning.
Meanwhile, inside the residence of the third-ranked scholar, a completely different scene unfolded.
In the bedroom, Gao Dekai was embracing Chunqin and teasing her. He played with Chunqin's hair with one hand, occasionally leaning in to smell it intimately, while pinching Chunqin's chin with the other hand.
Chunqin half-heartedly said, "My lord, please don't do this. I have done you a great favor today. That young princess of the Zheng family must be furious by now."
Gao Dekai smiled smugly and pinched Chunqin's cheek.
"You vixen, you're so clever. I saw you act very well today. I took you to Tianxiangfang just so that Zheng Heyi would see you and tell Jiang Shu. What's wrong with Jiang Shu? She seems aloof, but she's actually cowardly. I should have been with her long ago. I should have gone to the Ning Prince's Mansion to be the prince consort."
"But what if our actions today fail to provoke Jiang Shu, or what if the county princess does the opposite of what we want? It's clear that Chunqin also has her own concerns."
But Gao Dekai sneered and continued, "Chunqin, Jiang Shu is cowardly and incompetent. If Princess Ning forces her a bit, and there are some rumors going around, I think Jiang Shu will most likely accept her fate!"
Gao Dekai clenched his fist. "Once Jiang Shu comes into my life!" A calculating glint flashed in his eyes. "I'll be the Prince of Ning's favored guest, and as for you..."
Gao Dekai whispered something in Chunqin's ear, something he had promised her, and Chunqin immediately giggled upon hearing it.
"Brother Gao, don't worry. Chunqin has done everything you arranged. As long as you have me in your heart, Chunqin will naturally obey you."
Chunqin looked at Gao Dekai with seductive eyes. Gao Dekai gently pinched her, and Chunqin quickly nestled in his arms. However, at that moment, the steward rushed in, "Sir, Princess Jiang of the Ning Prince's Mansion has sent someone to deliver a thank-you gift, saying that she is grateful for the things you sent the other day."
Gao Dekai and Chunqin were both taken aback.
The former immediately broke into a triumphant smile and shoved Chunqin aside. "Quick! Quickly invite that person in. Remember to put away the things sent by the Prince of Ning's mansion."
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