Chapter 18: Punished

Shen Shuangning thought, perhaps Jingyu's change was related to the Virtuous Noble Consort's passing.

Suddenly she recalled, at the banquet the Virtuous Noble Consort did not appear; it seemed this noble consort had already been ill at that time, so her death was not so sudden.

Calculating the time, it had only been about a year...

"Heaven bless, may father emperor and mother consort be healthy, blessed with longevity and peace, bless the great Liang with favorable weather and peace for the country... and also, let Jingyu lose weight, please."

Shen Shuangning glanced sideways at Jingyu crouching to the side, seeing her devoutly clasped hands and closed eyes in prayer.

Shen Shuangning wanted to tell her that a spoken wish would not be effective.

In the end, she didn't say it.

Later many things happened, and Princess Jingyu's wishes were none fulfilled.

But Shen Shuangning had no time to feel sentimental for others; she herself was overwhelmed, she knew she lacked the ability to alter history's course, and in this life she only wanted to do her utmost to protect the Duke's mansion.

After Jingyu finished speaking, she reached out to set down the river lantern, then gently rippled the lake water, watching the lantern carrying hope drift away into the distance.

Only then did she discover that Shen Shuangning's river lantern was still in her hand.

"Elder Sister Ning, haven't you made a wish yet? What is your wish?"

Shen Shuangning had already made a wish in her heart; she set down the river lantern and said, "Pretty much the same as the princess's."

The three then left the rockery.

At that moment, a palace attendant rushed over, calling: "Princess! This old servant has finally found you! The noble consort has vomited blood—please hurry and see her!"

Zhai Ji and Jingyu's faces changed at the same time.

Jingyu hurried off, and Zhai Ji said to Shen Shuangning, "I'll have someone send you back." After saying that, he also quickly left.

At this moment, Zhai Ji's worry for his mother was more genuine than ever, and it made Shen Shuangning believe he truly was a filial son.

Perhaps recalling her past life, Shen Shuangning was overwhelmed with mixed feelings, standing in place for a long time before feeling cold and heading back.

Unexpectedly, as she turned around, Shen Shuangning encountered the Second Young Master of the Prince Yan's Manor, Xiao He.

She knew the palace was no good place, having run into several annoying people in succession.

Shen Shuangning gave him a salute and wanted to leave, but Xiao He for no reason snapped at her.

"You're rushing off like this, Fourth Miss, because you're wary of gender propriety? But I see you with the Third Prince, and it's not like that."

Shen Shuangning stopped and turned her head, her slender brows slightly furrowed; she would hardly miss the malice in Xiao He's words.

He probably thought she saw she couldn't climb into the Prince Yan's Manor, so he turned his sights to courting the prince.

But Shen Shuangning couldn't explain the reason to him, and seeing Xiao He's resolute expression, even if she said she was pretending, he would take her as being stubborn and not admit it.

Since that's the case, let's see what Xiao He actually intends to do.

Only then did a man slowly walk out from the shadows, holding a folding fan, smiling: "Fourth Miss, rest assured, I have no intention of damaging your reputation; what I just saw will not be spoken of at all. However, I have a condition."

Shen Shuangning instead wanted to see what ivory would come out of his dog's mouth.

Xiao He said: "My condition is that you must not cling to my elder brother anymore, and furthermore...... you must not have designs on the Prince Yan's Manor."

"Good, it's settled!"

Without waiting for Xiao He to finish speaking, Shen Shuangning readily agreed.

She strode away.

Xiao He's eyes widened: "Hey, you...... I haven't finished speaking!"

Xiao He opened his folding fan and waved it wildly: "Arrogant and self-important, oblivious to others, you make me furious. How could you possibly take first place in the ladies' etiquette contest like this? Surely the Duke Rong's Manor bribed their way!"

Who would have thought Shen Shuangning would go and then come back.

"What, what are you doing?" Xiao He looked at her dark, shining eyes, inexplicably a bit wary, and instantly became alert.

Shen Shuangning held something in her hand, glaring at him and warning: "You may speculate about me as you like, I don't care, but you must not say a single bad word about the Duke Rong's Manor; I hope you remember today's lesson."

Xiao He looked at the suddenly sharp young lady, frowned, and said: "What are you saying?"

Shen Shuangning, without another word, threw what she held at him.

At first Xiao He didn't react to what it was, until the creature crawled up his trouser cuff, then swiftly slipped into his clothing, and as it scrambled about inside, Xiao He shouted indignantly.

"Shen Shuangning, what have you done to me? What is this thing?!"

He jumped about wildly on the spot, and his folding fan fell to the ground.

Shen Shuangning stepped back two steps, brushed off the dust on her hand, and curled her lips into a sly arc: "Just a little mouse—let it give Master Xiao a proper reception."

Xiao He's eyes widened, his face turned deathly pale, incredulous: "You actually dare to do this to me!!"

He fears nothing more than mice!!

But what shocked him even more was that Shen Shuangning dared to catch a mouse with her bare hands—is she even human?!

Xiao He immediately rushed back to take a bath, frantically scrubbing his body, almost scraping off a layer of skin, and the clothes he was wearing were also burned.

He was truly afraid of Shen Shuangning.

That night, after Xiao Jingyuan returned to the Prince Yan's Manor, Xiao He came to the study to find him to discuss important matters.

"Zhong A Si is indeed the Eldest Princess's man; our people couldn't return from True Stability, yet he appeared safe and sound outside Shangjing City—how could that be? He must have been recalled long ago."

Xiao He paced back and forth, the sensation of that creature crawling on him still lingered, and he could not sit still.

Xiao Jingyuan watched him walk back and forth, and grew annoyed.

"Zhong A Si's self-immolation was surely also the meaning of that person in the palace. You say the Eldest Princess went to such trouble—what is she after?" Xiao He stopped, turned his head to look at the man seated in the chair.

Only then saw Xiao Jingyuan wiping his bow in hand.

This bow, Xiao He naturally recognized—it was the one the Prince Yan gave Xiao Jingyuan when he was twelve, and also the bow the emperor bestowed upon the Prince Yan, named the Heaven's Mandate Bow.

"Heaven's mandate above, peace for the people below."

Xiao He had envied it for a long time.

Today, for some reason, Xiao Jingyuan again took out the Heaven's Mandate.

Xiao Jingyuan said lightly: "The Eldest Princess intends to deal with Song Zhang."

Song Grand Secretary?" Xiao He puzzled, "Why?"

Before Xiao Jingyuan could answer, Xiao He looked terrified, "Is the Grand Princess plotting rebellion?!"

Song Zhang is a close aide of the emperor; even the empress dare not move him lightly. If Song Zhang falls, it will surely cause turmoil in the court.

"I knew it, she's an ambitious wicked woman! Why does His Majesty keep her?"

Then Su Chen walked in and said, "Naturally because they fear her Xuan Iron Token."

Upon hearing the three words "Xuan Iron Token," Xiao He fell silent.

It's not just the emperor who fears it; who among those who know this wouldn't be afraid?

Once the owner of the Xuan Iron Token dies, the Xuan Iron Army will surely raze the imperial city.

This is also why the Grand Princess, despite her guilt, remains unharmed.

Xiao Jingyuan said nothing, a layer of frost forming in his eyes.

The Grand Princess forms factions for personal gain, commands heavy troops; if she had no ambition, that would be impossible, yet whether she is good or bad, Xiao Jingyuan still cannot see through.

But if she truly harbors rebellious intent, he doesn't mind piercing her heart with this Cheng Tian bow!

But right now, he is more curious about how the Fourth Miss Shen came to know of Zhong A Si's affair.

The Grand Princess is scheming; is Shen Shuangning involved?

He finds her somewhat inscrutable.

Su Chen came before Xiao Jingyuan with a solemn expression, took out a letter from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

"Sent by a scout from Zhen Ding, that person collapsed midway, fortunately taken in by peasants for a few days. The letter says three hundred have already died."

Xiao Jingyuan put away his bow, picked up the letter and glanced at it; a chilling aura instantly surged around him, making even Xiao He gulp involuntarily, his hairs standing on end.

Xiao He occasionally could act coquettish toward his elder brother, but in truth he felt awe, with fear outweighing respect.

Su Chen tapped the table corner with his fingertip and said, "Behind Zhen Ding there must be a big fish; if cornered it will bite. Tomorrow I'll go with you."

"No need, stay and keep an eye on that Fourth Miss Shen." Xiao Jingyuan's voice sounded like cold spring striking stone, neither salty nor bland.

Su Chen is an advisor at the Prince Yan's Mansion and also his subordinate, obeying only his orders.

Xiao Jingyuan pinched the letter and tossed it into the charcoal pan; the bright red flames instantly consumed it.

"If necessary, let Mu Yu approach her."

Shen Shuangning was utterly exhausted, sleeping until mid-morning.

Not knowing how long had passed, she suddenly woke up; today is no time to linger in bed.

While putting on her shoes and socks, she shouted, "A Heng, A Heng!"

A Heng thought something major had happened, hastily lifted the curtain and entered: "Miss, what's wrong?"

Shen Shuangning said, "What time is it? Has Father left? Why didn't anyone wake me?"

Her tone carried a hint of resentment.

Aheng saw she was so flustered she could barely get her boots on, went over to help her, saying, "The Duke saw that Miss was sleeping soundly and specially instructed not to wake you."

No wonder, while sleeping, she faintly felt a warm large palm glide over her face and tuck the blanket in for her.

It turned out to be Father.

Shen Shuangning was unable to see her father off, feeling somewhat disappointed; this trip to Zhen Ding would keep them apart for at least two months.

Shen Lang is a military officer, and with Xiao Jingyuan present, Shen Shuangning does not worry that he will encounter any danger; she only worries that her birthday is approaching soon, and it seems she will not be able to celebrate it with her father.

Shen Shuangning pushed open the window; bright light poured in in large patches, the magnolia branches in the courtyard faintly showed hints of new green, and the snow piled on the wall tops had already melted, dripping with moisture.

Today is also fine weather, and Shen Shuangning's mood gradually brightened.

Aheng knew she was worried about the Duke, so she said, "The snow in Zhen Ding has stopped; the Duke will surely be safe."

After dressing neatly, Shen Shuangning had Aheng fetch the Buddhist prayer beads bestowed by Emperor Xuwen, and mistress and servant went together to the Hall of Kind Virtue to pay respects to the grandmother.

On the way, she encountered Third Branch Lady Yang.

"Greetings, Auntie." Shen Shuangning made a proper bow.

Lady Yang sized her up for a moment, said nothing, gave a slight nod, and left.

Seeing that Lady Yang had returned from the Hall of Kind Virtue, Shen Shuangning thought nothing of it; only when she saw the grandmother's grim expression and received a scolding did she realize what had happened.

"Miss Ning, you are too bold! Do you know Song Zhang's standing in the court? He is old, crafty, and skilled in manipulation; his position today was not achieved overnight, and no one in the court dares to oppose his sharpness!"

"Having won first place in the ladies' etiquette contest, have you become so conceited as to lose all sense of direction? How dare you publicly contradict him and cause him to lose face? How can you be so imprudent!"

Shen Shuangning lowered her head.

Although the grandmother did not say so, Shen Shuangning knew her parents would never tell the grandmother about this; only someone like Lady Yang, who loves a spectacle and does not mind making a big deal, would do so.

Moreover, Lady Yang had sufficient justification and standing, so no one could easily blame her.

The grandmother, both angry and disappointed, said, "Extend your hand."

Shen Shuangning knelt upright and extended a pair of precious, delicate hands.

The grandmother held a slender bamboo whip and struck her hand.

With one strike, the skin as tender as an egg instantly turned red in a stripe.

Shen Shuangning's brows furrowed slightly as she endured without crying out.

Suniang watched from the side, feeling heartbroken; among the juniors, the old lady loved the Fourth Miss most, and even when the Fourth Miss erred, she would at most utter a few words of reproach, never punishing her so severely.

Suniang knew the old lady's heart was also bleeding.

After several strikes, Shen Shuangning's hand bore several intersecting red marks, especially glaring.

She had never been struck or scolded by her grandmother; this was the first time.

The grandmother also felt reluctant, but if she did not let her granddaughter remember this lesson, who knows what great disaster she might cause in the future!

When the grandmother felt the punishment was sufficient, she threw down the bamboo whip, turned her back, and said nothing.

Shen Shuangning lifted her gaze to her grandmother's back and said, "Grandmother, punish me however you wish, just don't anger yourself to ill health."

Do you know your mistake?

Shen Shuangning did not argue with the old lady, admitting fault: "Granddaughter knows her mistake, will not dare again."

I see you're quite bold!

Old Lady Shen, hearing her admit fault so quickly, knew she wasn't sincerely admitting fault, just trying to pacify her with words.

Old Lady Shen gave a cold snort, flicked her sleeves and went into the inner chamber, speaking in a low voice: "Get out, I'll just be angry at you!"

Then when grandmother's anger subsides, granddaughter will come to see you again.

The old lady did not respond.

A Heng quickly put down what was in hand, went over and helped Shen Shuangning up.

Shen Shuangning looked at the corner of her grandmother's robe in the inner chamber, and also said: "Earlier I heard mother say that when grandmother went to Xiangshan Temple, she accidentally broke her Buddhist beads, and has never found a suitable replacement. Granddaughter remembers this, and yesterday I asked His Majesty for the Empress Dowager's Buddhist beads to give to grandmother, hoping grandmother will calm her anger."

Having said that, she left.

Old Lady Shen gradually calmed down, then realized what had happened, her expression changed.

Buddhist beads?

Or were they the ones the Empress Dowager wore?!