Chapter 67

Su Zhenyue had also thought of this, but there was one thing she truly didn’t understand. “Is there some old grudge between the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess?”

—She had seen it long ago, which was a major reason she had always enjoyed watching the drama unfold.

In any case, neither the Empress Dowager nor the Emperor liked Princess Chengping. She didn’t need to do anything; she just had to quietly watch her downfall.

Unfortunately, she didn’t know the specific reason.

Shen Ji smiled but wouldn’t say it outright, only offering, “You guess.”

“How could I possibly guess that?” Su Zhenyue shot him a glance and deliberately turned away. “Hmph, say it if you want to. If you don’t, then forget it.”

“Don’t be hasty, I’ll tell you.” Shen Ji chuckled and moved to stand in front of her. “I only heard about it myself in the last couple of days. The Empress Dowager dislikes the Eldest Princess because of an old affair from over twenty years ago.”

Su Zhenyue had guessed it was an old resentment, but she was still a little puzzled. “But the Eldest Princess has always been in the capital, while the Empress Dowager has always been in You Province…”

“But the Empress Dowager had a younger female cousin who married into the capital’s Ji family. She gave birth to a daughter who, at sixteen or seventeen, was betrothed to the old Duke Cheng’s second son, Wen Yunhui…”

Su Zhenyue froze and blurted out, “Is that Wen… the Princess’s husband?”

“Yes, that man was Princess Chengping’s first husband, Princess Changle’s biological father.” Shen Ji gave a slight nod and continued, “Second Young Master Wen studied since he was a child and became a Tanhua at a young age…”

Su Zhenyue said in a low voice, “I know.”

In that long dream, the book had mentioned this part. Wen Shan later found out that her father and mother had a “melodramatic, angsty romance.” The Eldest Princess had taken a fancy to the betrothed Tanhualang and wanted to take him as her consort, but she was rejected. Headstrong and stubborn, the Princess refused to give up. She summoned Wen Yunhui’s fiancée, Miss Ji, to the palace and used threats and promises to force her to break off the engagement.

Bowing to royal power, Miss Ji had no choice but to agree. But not long after, she ended her own young life with a white silk sash.

Later, Wen Yunhui married the Princess. He was unwilling, and they were a resentful couple. Yet, when the Princess was in danger, he died for her…

That was why Princess Chengping had always firmly believed that even a melon plucked by force could become sweet if kept by one’s side long enough. Her husband had spoken of resentment, but in reality, he had long since fallen in love with her. Otherwise, why would he have died for her?

Afterward, she kept several male concubines who closely resembled Wen Yunhui in looks and temperament. Later still, she requested an imperial decree of marriage for her daughter.

…

If the Miss Ji who had hanged herself was the Empress Dowager’s cousin’s daughter, then it wasn’t hard to understand the Empress Dowager’s dislike for the Eldest Princess.

This was more than just a grudge; this was clearly a feud.

Su Zhenyue’s expression was dazed.

In the book, Princess Chengping didn’t live to see the new Emperor ascend the throne, so the Empress Dowager’s attitude toward her was not apparent. However, the Empress Dowager, the new Emperor, and the others were relatively friendly toward her daughter, Wen Shan.

Shen Ji added, “Of course, these are just private grievances, but they are enough to show that the Eldest Princess has been arrogant and domineering for a long time. Before, her father and brother were on the throne and were willing to indulge her. The current Emperor, however, shares little affection with her.”

Su Zhenyue nodded and hummed a soft “en.” “No wonder when I went to the palace that time, the Empress Dowager asked me if, over the past twenty years, the Eldest Princess was still as arrogant and domineering as before. So that was the reason.”

Shen Ji glanced at her and suddenly said, “Still domineering. Didn’t she break up the marriage between you and the Heir Apparent of Gu two years ago for her daughter’s sake?”

As he said this, his tone was a little strange.

This was the first time since they had met that Shen Ji had brought up Su Zhenyue’s past with Gu Yuanchen.

“Ah?” Su Zhenyue was stunned for a moment and subconsciously replied, “That’s, that’s not it.”

“Not what? You never thought of marrying him in the past?” Shen Ji narrowed his eyes slightly.

In truth, he didn’t care much about Gu Si, because he knew she had only sought help from others out of desperation, a second-best choice after getting no response from him. He didn’t care much about Gu Yuanchen either, because in his memory, she had always avoided that Heir Apparent of Gu, making a clean break. But once or twice, he would remember that a long time ago, in many people’s eyes, she was supposed to marry Gu Yuanchen.

Even Gu San had once advised him, “A brother’s wife should not be coveted.”

If no one had interfered, perhaps she and Gu Yuanchen would already be married.

Every time he thought of this, Shen Ji’s heart would sour slightly.

Su Zhenyue’s heart stirred. She immediately took a few steps closer and grabbed his hand. “I did think about marrying him, but that was different from you.”

“Oh? How was it different?” Shen Ji’s face was expressionless.

Su Zhenyue chose her words carefully and said in a small voice, “You know, I grew up in the Jing An Marquis Estate and have no other relatives. I just wanted to stay there for my whole life. He was quite good to me, and the Marquis had that intention at the time. So I just…”

Shen Ji sneered.

But he didn’t let go of her hand, so Su Zhenyue continued, “But you’re different. You are the one I chose for myself. Although at the beginning, I did have the intention of using you. But you know, later on, I truly and genuinely had you in my heart. You are the one I want to spend my life with.”

As she spoke, she gently swayed his hand, her voice soft and coquettish. “Cousin—Cousin—”

Then, Su Zhenyue stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Don’t be angry with me, alright?”

Shen Ji’s gaze changed. He tightened his grip on her waist and deepened the kiss. After a good while, he rested his forehead against hers and said in a low voice, “I’m not angry with you. I just feel it’s a pity.”

“A pity for what?” Su Zhenyue’s breathing was a little ragged, her legs weak, her body half-leaning against him.

Shen Ji’s voice was extremely low. “A pity I didn’t meet you sooner.”

If he had met her sooner, perhaps he could have spared her some of her worries.

Su Zhenyue’s heart soured. She wrapped her arms around his lean waist and muttered, “No need for pity. I think we met at just the right time.”

Now, everything was the best it could be. It was something her past self would never have dared to imagine.

Shen Ji’s guess was correct.

Within two days, someone submitted a memorial impeaching Princess Chengping for exceeding her station.

The Eldest Princess held a revered status, second only to the Crown Prince and princes of the blood. Her food, clothing, and expenses were all regulated. From its initial construction, the Princess Manor had many features that exceeded regulations.

But exceeding regulations was a matter that could be treated as major or minor, all depending on the mood of the one in power.

The new Emperor did not ignore the matter. Instead, he ordered a verification. After confirming the violations, he commanded the relevant structures and furnishings to be dismantled at once.

Although it was not a heavy punishment, it was undoubtedly a signal—the new Emperor was unwilling to indulge the Eldest Princess.

Not long after, someone else impeached the servants of the Princess Manor for seizing commoners’ fields and taking lives by relying on her power, and also for appropriating the land and water sources around the princess’s estate for their own.

In fact, these were not recent events. People had submitted memorials of impeachment many years ago, but at that time, Emperor Jiande was on the throne. He didn’t care about his sister’s actions and even went to great lengths to protect her.

But things were different now.

The new Emperor was intent on rectifying the atmosphere in the capital, and this memorial could be said to have struck a chord with him. He immediately ordered an investigation.

…

With the new Emperor’s attitude so clear, it was no longer a secret that the Eldest Princess had fallen out of favor.

How could the Eldest Princess, who had been honored for over thirty years, endure such a grievance?

Even just restoring her to the treatment she was originally entitled to was a great humiliation to her.

What’s more, many people, seeing which way the wind was blowing, made things difficult for her.

The Eldest Princess couldn’t help but curse in private where no one could hear, “What right does he have? He’s just a villain who usurped my father’s and brother’s throne! Neither my imperial father nor my imperial brother ever controlled me, so what gives him the right to act so presumptuously?”

Dong Yun was the most favored male concubine by the Eldest Princess’s side, favored because his eyes closely resembled those of her deceased husband. He quickly offered a cup of warm tea. “Princess, please calm your anger.”

His attitude was respectful, but in his heart, he was somewhat dismissive. Usurped the throne? Wasn’t it your two nephews who threw the capital into chaos and caused the common people to suffer, and the new Emperor who cleaned up the mess? Besides, after your imperial brother took the throne, he eliminated almost all of his half-brothers. By law, the succession should have gone to Prince Yan, who is also of the founding emperor’s bloodline.

The Eldest Princess was still fuming and didn’t take the teacup, instead swatting it away.

The cup fell to the floor. Tea splashed onto the hem of Dong Yun’s robe, staining it a dark color, and the cup rolled away into the distance.

Not a trace of annoyance showed on Dong Yun’s face. He only bent down with exceptional obedience and picked up the empty teacup.

He composed himself and asked in a low voice, “Would the Princess like to eat something?”

“I’m not eating.” The Eldest Princess’s anger had not subsided. “I’m going to lie down for a while. No one is to disturb me.”

“Yes.” Dong Yun withdrew.

The Eldest Princess lay half-reclined on the bed, growing more furious and aggrieved the more she thought about it.

In truth, she still had sworn assassins, but at this moment, the sworn assassins seemed useless.

She couldn’t possibly assassinate the Emperor. Even if she tried, she wouldn’t succeed. If she failed, it would be the grave crime of treason.

She had also recommended court officials before. But those people were either not given important positions by the new Emperor or had quickly drawn a clear line between themselves and her.

A bunch of sycophants! They weren’t like this when they were begging her for favors.

The more the Eldest Princess thought, the more hateful she felt. She turned over, sat up, and punched the bed hard.

…

The Emperor took the matter seriously, and the officials below were quick to verify it.

Before long, evidence of the Eldest Princess seizing farmland and water sources, and indulging her servants in violence, was laid before the Emperor.

The Emperor issued a decree, ordering the Eldest Princess to return the farmland and water sources, and executed several wicked servants as a warning to others. As for the Eldest Princess, the Emperor ultimately showed some mercy, fining her one year’s salary and cutting some of her benefits.

With the Eldest Princess’s loss of power, the one most affected was her daughter, Princess Changle Wen Shan.

Previously, her mother-in-law, Madam Zhou, would still put on a bit of a pretense. Now, she was hardly willing to act at all.

Knowing her mother was in low spirits, Wen Shan wanted to return to her maternal home to visit her. Out of courtesy, she once again informed her mother-in-law.

Madam Zhou didn’t say whether she agreed or not, only lifting her eyelids. “Going back to your maternal home again? You two have been married for almost two years. When will you let me hold a grandson?”

At this moment, many servants were standing in attendance in the main room.

Being asked such a question in front of everyone, Wen Shan’s cheeks turned crimson with extreme embarrassment. “This, this depends on the Heir Apparent’s wishes.”

“I’m asking you right now, why are you bringing him up?” Madam Zhou frowned, somewhat displeased.

She had the nerve to request an imperial decree of marriage, but she doesn’t have the ability to hold on to a man’s heart?

In the past, Madam Zhou would never have dared to speak to her daughter-in-law like this.

But the situation was different now.

Wen Shan was exceptionally mortified and could only manage to say, “I, I will discuss it with the Heir Apparent.”

“Mm.” Madam Zhou nodded, her expression softening slightly. “It’s not that I’m rushing you, it’s just that I’m anxious. Look at the third son from the second branch, he married more than a year after you. He’s about to be a father, and to two children at that. Now look at you two…”

As she spoke, she heaved a heavy sigh. “If I had known earlier, back then I would have…”

Madam Zhou wanted to say that if she had known, she would have refused the imperial marriage, even at the risk of offending Emperor Jiande. But on second thought, even if they could do it over a hundred times, their family would never dare to defy an imperial decree.

So in the end, it was all the fault of the Eldest Princess and her daughter.

Thinking this, she became even more dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law.

Wen Shan’s face went from red to white, a bitter feeling welling up inside her.

Perhaps, she shouldn’t have told her mother back then that she had fallen for Gu Yuanchen at first sight.

Perhaps, she shouldn’t have agreed to her mother asking her imperial uncle, the Emperor, for a marriage decree.

Perhaps, when she learned that Gu Yuanchen had someone he loved, she should have found a way to dissolve the engagement instead of marrying into the Gu family with a sliver of wishful thinking.

One wrong step led to all the rest being wrong.

Once, she had been full of joy, thinking she could melt a block of ice with a sincere heart. Only now did she realize it was just a fool’s dream.

Wen Shan lowered her head. After her mother-in-law finished speaking, she turned and left, heading directly back to the Princess Manor.

After the non-compliant structures and furnishings were dismantled, the Princess Manor looked somewhat unfamiliar.

The Eldest Princess was in good spirits, just a little haggard. She instead comforted her daughter, “Don’t worry, it’s just a year’s salary fine. It’s not like Mother depends on that little bit of salary to live.”

Wen Shan’s tears fell in a rush, and she threw herself into her mother’s arms. “Mother—”

She knew her mother wasn’t short of money; she was heartbroken that her mother had to suffer such humiliation.

“Alright, don’t cry, don’t cry.” The Eldest Princess gently patted her daughter’s shoulder and asked softly, “What happened?”

“Mother, I, I want a divorce.”

The Eldest Princess’s expression changed slightly. “That’s not an option.”

“Why? Didn’t you say before that if I was unhappy in the Gu family, I could get a divorce at any time?” Wen Shan was confused.

The Eldest Princess didn’t know how to explain it to her daughter.

Before, she had her imperial brother’s backing and was highly favored. Granting a marriage or a divorce was a matter of a single sentence. But now, she had fallen out of imperial favor. If her daughter really divorced and returned home, she might not be able to protect her.

Moreover, that marriage was bestowed by Emperor Jiande.

How could an imperially bestowed marriage be easily dissolved? It would have been fine in the past. But now, this particular Emperor looked upon her with displeasure. If some malicious person were to impeach them, she feared it would implicate Shanshan as well.

After a moment of thought, the Eldest Princess said vaguely, “I was just joking with you. After all, this marriage was bestowed by your imperial uncle, the Emperor. You shouldn’t seek a divorce lightly.”

Wen Shan wanted to say more, but a glance at the fine lines at the corners of her mother’s eyes made her swallow her words.

Her mother had always paid great attention to her appearance. At nearly forty, she looked only twenty-seven or twenty-eight. But now, there were actually fine lines at the corners of her eyes.

Wen Shan’s heart ached, and in the end, she just nodded.

“Did you suffer some grievance?” the Eldest Princess asked again.

Afraid of worrying her mother, Wen Shan only said, “It’s not really a grievance. It’s my mother-in-law, she’s rushing me to have a child.”

“Is that all? I thought it was something serious. It’s good to have a child. You’ve been married for almost two years, it’s about time you had one. Once you have a child, your relationship might improve.” As the Eldest Princess spoke, a hint of nostalgia flashed in her eyes.

Back then, Wen Shan’s father had also held resentment towards her. Later, after they had a child, a bond, things were different. He was even willing to die for her.

“But he hasn’t come to my room recently,” Wen Shan bit her lip.

How could she get pregnant all by herself?

“What’s so difficult about that? You just need to use a few little tricks.”

“No, no. How could that be right?” Wen Shan was startled and shook her head repeatedly, but her heart was pounding violently.

Su Zhenyue didn’t pay much attention to the court’s political situation, but she was exceptionally concerned about the Eldest Princess’s affairs.

Shen Ji knew what was on her mind and would occasionally reveal a thing or two to her.

When she learned that the punishment was merely dismantling non-compliant furnishings, returning land and water sources, a one-year salary fine, and executing a few wicked servants, Su Zhenyue felt a sense of satisfaction, but also a faint disappointment.

She had thought it would be more severe; this didn’t feel like it had hurt her to the bone.

Seeing her expression, Shen Ji smiled and explained softly, “His Majesty has been on the throne for less than a year. He can’t possibly strip Emperor Jiande’s only full sister of her title and throw her in prison.”

Although the new Emperor’s throne was not directly inherited from Emperor Jiande, it wouldn’t do to make things too ugly.

Su Zhenyue understood this principle as well.

“Although she has done much evil, the law does not punish the nobility. To make the Emperor execute her, it would require a major crime like rebellion or treason.” Shen Ji paused, then added, “But don’t be too disappointed. She has made so many enemies in the past, and the one in power has shown clear dislike for her. Her days ahead will not be easy. This is just the beginning.”

Su Zhenyue nodded, then suddenly asked an unrelated question. “Are all her male concubines still by her side?”

She remembered that in that dream, the Eldest Princess’s violent death was related to her male concubines.

“Hm?” Shen Ji was slightly taken aback. “What?”

Su Zhenyue realized her question was a bit strange and immediately shook her head. “Nothing.”

It seemed a bit odd to be discussing male concubines with her own husband.

Shen Ji’s brow twitched. “You know about male concubines?”

He had thought that well-bred young ladies from prominent families were not taught about such things.

“I, why can’t I know?” Su Zhenyue felt a little guilty, but it didn’t show much on her face. “I know a lot of things.”

Shen Ji chuckled. “Oh? What else do you know?”

Su Zhenyue glanced at the water clock on the table and awkwardly changed the subject. “I know it’s getting late and it’s time to rest.”

Shen Ji shook his head, then let out a light laugh.

Fine, then they would rest.

The next day, Shen Ji brought news: Divine Doctor Xu had arrived in the capital.

The new Emperor’s original intention was for him to take up a post directly at the Imperial Medical Bureau, but he politely declined the position on the grounds that he was old and did not wish to be constrained, recommending his disciple Su Mu instead.

His attitude was firm, so the new Emperor didn’t insist. He had Su Mu join the Imperial Medical Bureau and bestowed a residence upon Divine Doctor Xu, telling him to be ready for summons at any time.

Upon learning that Divine Doctor Xu was in the capital, Su Zhenyue sent an invitation and went to pay him a visit.