Chapter 170: You must live to be a hundred years old

"Of course!" Shen Shuangning said, "These are all yours; smash as many as you want."

The crown princess nodded vigorously, then immediately picked up another porcelain bowl and threw it out again.

One, two, three… the crown princess grew more enthusiastic, smashing who knows how many porcelain bowls.

Gradually, her pair of dark eyes seemed to gain luster, and her whole person became a bit more lively.

The stall owner brought out all the remaining stock, couldn't help muttering, "This young lady from a noble family actually has so many worries?"

Shen Shuangning simply sat beside her, keeping her company.

Shen Shuangning didn't know much about the affairs between the crown prince and crown princess; she only knew that after Gongsun Yu's death, the crown prince's life was not going well.

Thinking this way, the crown prince of her previous life still had feelings for this wife.

In this life he has taken back his white moonlight, with a true love constantly by his side; perhaps the crown prince has long forgotten the old one and no longer has feelings for the crown princess.

Shen Shuangning's gaze fell on the crown princess, and she sighed in her heart.

Speaking of which, this treasure spot was brought to her by her good friend Su Ran; in her previous life, when she was dissatisfied with Xiao Jingyuan, she had secretly come here a few times, so she could be considered a regular customer.

Xiao Jingyuan had somehow walked up beside her and added a cloak for her.

"The night air is heavy with cold; don't let yourself get chilled."

He didn't even ask why she knew of such a place.

Shen Shuangning knew he had been nearby all along; seeing him approach wasn't surprising, and since he didn't ask anything, she naturally didn't bother to explain.

Revisiting the old place, Shen Shuangning didn't feel much, but Xiao Jingyuan was not doing so well.

It's not hard to guess why Shen Shuangning would come to such a place.

"How many times have you come here, Ningning?" he asked.

"I can't remember."

"Is it because of me?"

Shen Shuangning glanced at him and said frankly, "Mostly."

Xiao Jingyuan remained silent for a good while, and Shen Shuangning couldn't read his expression.

Just as she thought he was angry at her for secretly coming here to scold him, Xiao Jingyuan said softly, "Sorry."

She didn't know when it started, but Xiao Jingyuan had begun constantly apologizing to her.

Sometimes looking at him now, Shen Shuangning found it hard to connect him with her previous life's husband. After all, the previous life's Xiao Jingyuan was excessively proud and would never bow to anyone.

"I've said before, there's no need to apologize for past matters to me," Shen Shuangning said.

In her previous life she saved him, contracted cold poison, and finally died from the poison in the Yan Prince's Manor. In this life, he has also saved her several times; in her heart, it evens out.

"When I returned to the capital that time, I indeed brought Song Xizhi back, but it was merely a transaction," Xiao Jingyuan explained proactively.

"She had a medicinal herb that I had been searching for a long time without success, an antidote that could dispel the cold poison in your body. I escorted her back to the capital, she gave me the herb, and that was all."

Shen Shuangning looked at him, somewhat astonished.

Xiao Jingyuan also gazed into her eyes and said earnestly, "At that time her identity was special; for certain reasons I concealed her whereabouts, but a mole appeared among my entourage and the news still leaked out."

"Someone fabricated rumors, misleading the eyes and ears. What was heard in the court was that the Yan Prince's Manor heir apparent had abducted the widow of Prince Chen, using this to manipulate Prince Chen's old followers, intending to rebel."

"And what reached the Yan Prince's Manor—what you and your mother heard—was that I wanted to marry her." Xiao Jingyuan gave a bitter smile, "All of this is pure fabrication."

At that time Xiao Jingyuan was locked in a fierce struggle with Prince Rui, and those slanderous rumors accusing the Yan Prince's Manor of rebellion were precisely spread by Prince Rui.

Once the charge of rebellion was substantiated, the entire Yan Prince's Manor would be doomed; Xiao Jingyuan had to heighten his vigilance to the utmost and focus on dealing with it.

Yet he didn't know that, at the same time, a different version of the rumor was being transmitted to his rear courtyard.

Xiao Jingyuan slowly clenched his fists and said in a deep voice, "I only found out later that Song Xizhi had already colluded with Prince Rui, and the mastermind behind it all was Xie Yan."

Rather than saying Xiao Jingyuan was fighting Prince Rui, it would be more accurate to say he was contending with Xie Yan behind his back.

But when their fight ended, both sides were badly hurt, benefiting Prince Rui and the Empress.

Shen Shuangning froze completely, her head buzzing; after hearing his explanation, she finally realized that her previous self had also been a part of the scheme!

Xiao Jingyuan said, "I know you don't want to bring up past events, but I don't want you to keep misunderstanding me. Even if I could shift your opinion of me just a little, I would be satisfied."

Shen Shuangning's feelings were complex, and she couldn't help being moved; just as she was about to say something, the crown princess smashed the last bowl and walked over to them.

Shen Shuangning turned her face slightly and quickly wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

The crown princess directly ignored Xiao Jingyuan, threw her arms around Shen Shuangning, and said, "Coming to find you was absolutely the right choice. I feel much better now!"

"Thank you, I'm very happy today." The crown princess said from the heart, "If I could see you anytime, that would be perfect."

Shen Shuangning didn't know that today was her birthday.

She returned the embrace of that slender, thin figure: "Your Highness, if you ever feel bored, you can always come to the manor to find me, or I can go keep you company."

The crown princess narrowed her eyes and smiled, "Sure!"

The crown princess released Shen Shuangning, turned to the man standing beside them, and said solemnly, "Although I don't know why Ningning used to come to such a place, the heir apparent must not let her come here anymore."

Xiao Jingyuan glanced at Shen Shuangning and then said, "That goes without saying."

It was getting late; the crown princess couldn't stay outside too long, it was time to return to the Eastern Palace.

"Every time I see you, I'm always happy; I really hate to leave." The crown princess said, "But if I keep monopolizing you, someone might object."

Shen Shuangning watched her board the carriage.

Suddenly remembering something, she promptly said, "Your Highness, do you still remember that highly skilled female doctor I mentioned earlier? She has returned home to visit her family; when do you have time? You promised me you would treat her illness properly."

The crown princess halted at the carriage shaft, pondered, then took off her waist token and handed it to her, her gaze gentle: "Bring her to the Eastern Palace tomorrow."

Shen Shuangning took the waist token, felt relieved in her heart, then raised her head with a tone of solemnity: "Your Highness will surely live to be a hundred years old."

The crown princess blinked, then smiled warmly: "Then I'll borrow your auspicious words."

The carriage of the Eastern Palace gradually drifted away.

Xiao Jingyuan helped her onto the carriage, then gave her shoulders a pinch: "Tired?"

"A bit."

Shen Shuangning paused, recalling what he had just said, and suddenly wondered what had happened after her death.

But the coachman is right outside; this is no place for private talk.

Xiao Jingyuan suddenly said, "Prince Rui will reach Jingcheng tomorrow; the case in River Pavilion County is being investigated by Pei Zhi, and I'm not entirely at ease with him—I need to keep an eye on him, so I can't accompany you to the Eastern Palace; be careful in everything."

Shen Shuangning heard this, composed herself, and said, "It's fine, I can go alone. Is it possible to overthrow Prince Rui this time?"

Upon mentioning this person, a flash of intense hatred crossed Shen Shuangning's eyes.

Not only because of what he did to her in her past life, but also in this life, the mad monk Huang Fei, who slaughtered her older female cousin's family, is one of his men.

Such a major matter, Prince Rui surely cannot be unaware; without his tacit approval, his subordinates would not dare to do this.

"Thoroughly overthrowing him is not easy," Xiao Jingyuan said coldly, "but rest assured, I will make him pay a bloody price."

Eastern Palace.

Di Yu waited alone in the bedchamber for a long time, until the bowl of longevity noodles had gone cold, yet he still did not see the Crown Princess's figure.

After hearing his subordinate's report, he said the Crown Princess had left the palace to meet Shen Shuangning, and the two had been playing around in the market.

Di Yu's temples throbbed with veins as he suppressed his anger; he had rushed back from the temple ahead of time just to celebrate her birthday, but she had run off.

This made him look like a fool.

"It seems she no longer needs me to keep her company for any birthday."

Di Yu rested one hand on his knee, slowly clenching it; in his palm was the peace blessing he had sought for the Crown Princess.

He closed his eyes, then suddenly shouted, "Come here!"

"Pour out this bowl of noodles and take it to feed the dogs."

The palace attendants entered trembling, took away the bowl of noodles, and hurriedly retreated.

Di Yu sat alone for a moment, then immediately ordered, "Go see if Consort Liang Song has slept; if not, have her come."

Song Xizhi had just fallen asleep when, upon hearing that the Crown Prince was looking for her, she knew the Crown Princess had not yet returned.

She helplessly rose, putting on a thin moon-white nightgown, and went to the Crown Prince's bedchamber.

At times like this, a man seeks a woman for nothing other than that matter.

Previously, even if the Crown Prince favored her, he would only spend the night in her side chamber, never summoning her in this bedchamber that once belonged to the Crown Princess.

Those around Song Xizhi thought this was a good thing, but Song Xizhi did not; she saw clearly that the Crown Prince was doing this to spite the Crown Princess, not because he loved her much.

The Crown Prince harbored feelings for that woman, yet he himself had not realized this.

Of course, Song Xizhi saw through but said nothing, after all, making the Crown Prince recognize his own heart would bring her no benefit.

The candles in the Eastern Palace bedchamber flickered, casting light on Di Yu's tense profile.

Song Xizhi moved her lotus steps lightly, slowly kneeling between his legs, extending a pair of soft hands, and slowly undid his sash.

Di Yu lowered his gaze to stare at her, his eyes deep and heavy, speaking not a word nor stopping her.

Afterward, she lifted her eyes, gazing at him with tears welling up.

But the man's eyes held no trace of pity; he seized her wrist and dragged her toward the bed.

Song Xizhi was brought staggering, yet the man did not even turn his head, violently throwing her onto the bed and looming over her.

When the Crown Princess returned, she heard from the palace attendants that the Crown Prince had already come back and was waiting specially for her in the bedchamber.

She was both startled and delighted, hurriedly lifting her skirt and rushing over, and indeed saw the bedchamber lit with lights.

Perhaps having just returned from outside, her mood had improved greatly; for a moment she forgot those unpleasantries, reached the door, pushed it open directly, and stepped inside lightly.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, I……"

Her voice broke off abruptly.

She stared at the scene before her, unable to believe it.

Di Yu turned his gaze toward the not‑far‑away figure, his tone full of displeasure at being interrupted, and barked, "Get out!"