Chapter 67: Some Families Joyful, Some Families Sorrowful

67. Chapter 67 Some Families Joyful, Some Families Sorrowful

"Good little sister, you must absolutely not!"

Shen Yunyao stopped Princess Huanxi, "I was just speaking offhand; I can't criticize others for things they haven't done yet, can I?"

"Besides, I'm the future royal uncle's wife, so even if their family has grievances, they wouldn't dare trouble me openly."

"That's what they say, but…"

"No more 'but's. For us, when troops come we stand in their way; when water comes we dam it with earth!"

Shen Yunyao took Princess Huanxi's hand, "I don't want to arrive in Jingcheng and immediately be labeled as overbearing and arrogant."

"You never know; they might even say I corrupted my little sister!"

"That would be something they could actually manage!"

Princess Huanxi nodded solemnly, "Then this time I won't take the lead; when they act dishonestly, I'll deal with them all!"

"That's right, we must have a justified cause!"

Shen Yunyao remained calm.

She actually knew that even if today's incident escalated, it would most likely be a clash between the Minister of Rites' residence and the Duke of Chu's residence, possibly dragging the Marquis of An's residence into it as well; as for Shen Yunyao's involvement, it might just become a scapegoat.

But such scapegoating would at most involve covertly setting traps for her in certain situations.

The women of the rear household are exactly the ones using such tactics.

The carriage kept moving forward; when it passed the teahouse, the scene was already calm and quiet.

Lu Qingfan was taken away for medical treatment.

Chu Yingying hurriedly fled back to the Duke of Chu's residence.

And Li Shanni likewise rushed back to the Marquis of An's residence; she must quickly discuss the aftermath with her mother so she doesn't become a collateral victim.

Accompanied by Princess Huanxi, Shen Yunyao finally stopped at the gate of a large mansion in the eastern district of the city.

The mansion's gate plaque bore three gilded characters, "Qinyuan Ju".

"Qi Jiejie, let's go in; I'll show you around Qinyuan Ju properly!"

"I tell you, I've asked the Prince several times for this mansion, but he never liked to give it to me!"

"That's unfair; when I return to the palace, I'll definitely have a proper word with him!"

Listening to Princess Huanxi, Shen Yunyao got the feeling that the emperor's gift to her was a bit excessive.

Prosperity turns to decline!

Shen Yunyao wouldn't be so conceited as to think the emperor granted her this mansion because of her; the true cause must be the Xie Family, because of Xie Zian.

But even Princess Huanxi never asked for this mansion!

Shen Yunyao examined Princess Huanxi's expression and eyes, confirming she showed no real displeasure—just a child's temperament—so she breathed a slight sigh of relief.

……

While Shen Yunyao toured the sprawling mansion of over ten acres with Princess Huanxi, Wang Deshun had already returned to the palace.

"Servant Wang Deshun bows before Your Majesty!"

"Alright, the journey was arduous, no need for further formalities!"

Emperor Xi He waved his hand, sparing Wang Deshun the kneeling ceremony.

But Wang Deshun still knelt and said, "Serving Your Majesty is no hardship for me!"

"You old fool, you do have a way with words!"

"Enough, stand up and respond!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Wang Deshun then rose, slightly bowing his torso, and stood aside.

"On this southern expedition, your mission was handled excellently, especially regarding the Mani sect; you strategized and pre‑arranged, averting bloodshed—this is a great merit!"

"It was only thanks to Your Majesty's boundless blessings that I was inspired!"

"Enough, I am not a fool!"

"Your achievements are yours; rest for three days, then take duty at the Dry Extreme Hall. Old Wei is getting old, he should retire to enjoy his twilight years!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Wang Deshun knelt again and kowtowed.

Emperor Xi He waved his hand, saying, "Tell me about the situation on the road; I heard the Duke of Chu's granddaughter pushed the Minister of Rites' family's miss down the stairs?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, that indeed happened!"

At the time Chu Yingying collided with Lu Qingfan, many witnesses saw it with their own eyes.

Wang Deshun was naturally one of the eyewitnesses.

"Now, another uproar has begun!"

Emperor Xi He felt his head spin.

The Duke of Chu is a veteran commander, still spirited despite his age, like an old steed still yearning for distant horizons.

The Minister of Rites, however, is a newly risen aristocrat, one of Emperor Xi He's trusted ministers!

When these two clash, being caught in the middle is extremely difficult.

"By the way, has Princess Huanxi met Xie Zian's daughter-in-law?"

Emperor Xi He's furrowed brows relaxed, and his eyes brightened considerably.

"Yes, Your Majesty, Princess Huanxi met the royal uncle's wife; the two pledged brother‑and‑sister bonds under the peach trees at Sanli Pavilion!"

"Ha ha, good, I knew it—Princess Huanxi gets things done, definitely reliable!"

"Your Majesty, was Princess Huanxi arranged by you?"

Wang Deshun was utterly stunned.

What kind of operation is this?

Emperor Xi He laughed heartily and said, "Wang Deshun, you tell me, if I take this Shen Family lady as my sworn sister, does that make me Xie Zian's elder brother‑in‑law?"

"Uh, this …"

Wang Deshun felt his brain was a bit insufficient.

Does the younger brother‑in‑law call the brother‑in‑law "big brother‑in‑law"?

Does the brother‑in‑law call the younger brother‑in‑law "brother‑in‑law"?

Why is this relationship so tangled?

"Back when I married the Empress, that stinky kid Xie Zian kept tripping me up a lot. Now the tables have turned; it's my turn to give him a hard time!"

"..."

Hearing Emperor Xi He say that, Wang Deshun fell completely silent. You are the Prince, you are the greatest; play however you wish, you are the Imperial Uncle, *tsk tsk*, pitiful child!

…

Jingcheng, South City District.

Zheng Si Que already knows that Shen Yunyao entered Jingcheng and that she has moved into Qinyuan Ju.

Thinking of Qinyuan Ju's great reputation in Jingcheng and then looking at his own little courtyard, Zheng Si Que's heart felt as if pierced by a knife, hurting badly.

"Son, when Heaven bestows a great responsibility upon a person, it must first harden his heart and will!"

Zheng Wangshi understood why her son looked that way, but she could only gently advise, "Now, you have already entered the Hanlin Academy!"

"Mother, please stop speaking!"

Zheng Si Que interrupted Zheng Wangshi, "My son still has some official matters to attend to!"

The meaning was obvious; ask Zheng Wangshi to leave.

Zheng Wangshi at this moment was so regretful her intestines turned green; had she known your son would become like this, she shouldn't have let him study so diligently.

He read the books, but he also became sharp‑tongued.

Whose fault?

And the family affairs of the Taishi Residence are now also unpredictable.

"Heaven, if I have done something wrong, just strike me with a bolt of lightning and kill me; why torture me like this?"

Zheng Wangshi was filled with hatred.

…

Xie Family.

Xie Yanwan nestled in her mother Cui's arms, speaking of the matters in Jingcheng, mainly the fallout between Chu Yingying and Lu Qingfan.

"Mother, I heard they only got together because they gathered to watch the little aunt; do you think their families will blame the little aunt because of this?"

The seemingly concerned words, however, subtly drugged Shen Yunyao in front of Cui.

Cui lowered her head, glanced at her seemingly naive daughter, her expression somewhat complicated.

She can manage the entire Xie Family so orderly; how could she not see her daughter's scheming?

"Wan Er, you are the legitimate daughter of the Xie Family; act with dignity and propriety!"

"Who taught you these unsavory tactics?"

Thinking that her daughter would soon be married, Cui felt she could no longer indulge this maiden.

"Servants, sell off all the maidens and housekeepers around the miss!"