Chapter 131 There are a million ways to kill him
At this moment, Jiang Zhi, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.
"Your Majesty, because the Yan Wenhong case was at a critical juncture when the engagement was made, I asked my father and Lord Shen not to make a fuss so as not to affect the plan. Afterwards, my stepmother passed away, and the family had no intention of holding a wedding, which is why it has been delayed until now. I am guilty and beg Your Majesty to punish me."
It turned out that it was about Yan Wenhong's hoarding of troops; Emperor Xuanzhao's originally displeased expression softened slightly.
He chuckled. “Get up, all of you. This is clearly a joyous occasion. Shen Qing and Princess Qinghe are a perfect match, both talented and beautiful. No wonder when I offered to bestow a marriage upon Shen Qing, he claimed that he already had someone he loved.”
Emperor Xuanzhao squinted at Jiang Zhi, "So Shen Qing's sweetheart is actually the Qinghe County Princess whom I personally bestowed."
He then said to Xiao Chengjin, "This matter was reckless on Prince Su's part. Why don't you quickly apologize to Lord Shen and Princess Qinghe?"
Xiao Chengjin's face was extremely ugly.
He originally thought this matter would definitely succeed, but unexpectedly, a Cheng Yaojin appeared halfway through, and in the end, he lost more than he gained.
He glared coldly at Shen Ci'an and Jiang Zhi, and finally forced a smile. "Yes, this matter was indeed ill-considered on my part. I hope Lord Shen and Princess Qinghe will forgive me."
“Ignorance is no excuse, Your Highness is too kind,” Shen Ci’an said calmly.
Jiang Zhi also stated that she did not hold it against them.
The three of them appeared to be getting along well.
Xiao Xuanyou remained silent, but upon closer inspection, one could see that his hands, hidden beneath his sleeves, were clenched tightly, and his phoenix eyes were narrowed, like the calm before a storm.
Emperor Xuanzhao said, "Alright, all of you may leave. The Crown Princess and Princess Qinghe still need to receive treatment. Instruct the imperial physicians to treat them well and not to delay Princess Qinghe's wedding."
With differing thoughts on their minds, everyone took their leave.
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Jiang Zhi's left hand fracture was quite severe, but fortunately the rest were all superficial injuries. With some medication and proper rest, she will recover completely.
After leaving the hunting grounds, Shen Ci'an escorted her back to his residence.
She told Ruying and Anyue to go down and heal their wounds, and that Qingxing didn't need to serve her anymore, so she waited peacefully in her room.
She knew she was destined not to get a good night's sleep.
Sure enough, as soon as it got dark, a familiar figure climbed over the wall and knocked on her door.
Since they didn't barge in directly, it seems it wasn't Xiao Xuanyou.
She breathed a sigh of relief, got up, and opened the door, only to see Lu Yuan's cold and stern face.
He must have finished his shift and changed into civilian clothes. The fabric clung tightly to his shoulders and back, highlighting the sharp lines of his broad shoulders and narrow waist.
Unfortunately, his complexion wasn't very good; his jawline was taut and straight, his eyes were deep and expressionless, and the low pressure around him seemed to be emanating a chill.
"Lord Lu." Jiang Zhi poured him a cup of tea.
Lu Yuan twitched the corner of his lips, "I haven't yet congratulated Princess Qinghe on her upcoming wedding."
Jiang Zhi looked embarrassed. "Lord Lu is joking."
"I've come here today because I remembered something I forgot to tell you."
He took the teacup she offered, looking at her with a half-smile, "When Yan Wenhong was captured, Lord Shen came to see him in the imperial prison."
Jiang Zhi frowned, a bad feeling creeping into her heart.
Sure enough, Lu Yuan continued, "Yan Wen Hong explained many things to Lord Shen, including—"
He took a sip of tea and continued, "Including the time when you and I were imprisoned in the Prince Su's mansion."
Jiang Zhi asked him, "What did Yan Wenhong say to Lord Shen?"
“Naturally, it’s in the most detailed and thorough way,” Lu Yuan chuckled, “including his opinion on how you and I acted in the side room.”
Jiang Zhi's expression changed. "Didn't Lord Lu explain to Lord Shen that nothing actually happened between us?"
"Ridiculous, why should I explain to him? It's his problem if he misunderstands, and besides, who said nothing happened between us?"
"You were drunk and asked me to help you undress. You sat on my lap, pressed tightly against me on the bed."
"Aren't these facts?"
An unnatural look flashed across Jiang Zhi's face.
She was indeed wrong in this matter, and it's no wonder that Lu Yuan still holds a grudge to this day.
But she never expected that Shen Ci'an would know such detailed information, yet he had never mentioned it to her.
"What exactly does Lord Lu want to say by telling me all this?"
Lu Yuan lowered his voice, "I just want to remind Miss Jiang that although Shen Ci'an is a close minister of the emperor, he doesn't have much power behind him. If you marry him, not only will he not be able to protect you, but he will also harm him."
Jiang Zhi then asked, "So, Lord Lu, who do you think I should marry?"
“Naturally, it must be someone who wields real power and holds a high position,” Lu Yuan said, his deep gaze fixed on her. “I hope Miss Jiang will consider this carefully.”
“Lord Lu is so busy with state affairs, yet you still have to worry about my marriage. I am truly flattered,” Jiang Zhi said with a hint of sarcasm. “I will give it serious consideration.”
Lu Yuan placed the teacup on the table. "That's all I have to say. Farewell."
After saying that, he got up and left.
No sooner had they leaped onto the inner courtyard wall than they saw a tall man's figure coming in from outside.
He hid himself in the tree and looked carefully.
The man was wearing a black cloak and a hood, obscuring his face, but he was walking hurriedly.
When he entered Jiang Zhi's room earlier, he had a vague feeling that she seemed to be waiting for someone.
Since Shen Ci'an is already engaged to her, he certainly wouldn't sneak in like this.
So who is this person?
After entering the room, Xiao Xuanyou took off his cloak.
Seeing Jiang Zhi sitting obediently at the table waiting for him, his gloomy expression brightened slightly, but when he thought about what she had done, his expression turned ugly again.
Just as I was about to speak, I noticed the empty teacup on the table in front of me.
His gaze sharpened instantly. "Who has been here?"
Lu Yuan and Xiao Xuanyou entered one after the other, and before Jiang Zhi could even finish preparing the teacups, Xiao Xuanyou walked in.
She had no choice but to take the teacup to herself and refill it with tea. "This is just what I drank from earlier. Your Highness, please speak your mind."
Xiao Xuanyou wasn't in the mood to argue about a cup of tea.
"Dissolve your engagement with Shen Ci'an." His voice was cold, carrying an undeniable pressure.
Jiang Zhi knew he wouldn't have anything nice to say today, but she didn't expect him to be so direct.
"Doesn't Your Highness think this is asking too much of us?"
Jiang Zhi quoted Emperor Xuanzhao, "Even His Majesty thinks that Lord Shen and I are a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman. Does His Highness think His Majesty is wrong?"
Xiao Xuanyou simply smiled faintly, a smile that contained a great deal of meaning. "You know, if the engagement isn't dissolved, I have a thousand ways to kill him. I mean what I say."
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