Chapter 174 Face
On the way back, Jiang Li couldn't help laughing when she thought of what Ji Heng said.

Perhaps her smile was too obvious, and Tong'er and Bai Xue looked at each other in bewilderment. Tong'er asked, "What did the young lady say to the Duke that made you so happy?"

"It's just a casual chat." Jiang Li said.

She really didn't expect that in Ji Heng's eyes, Xue Fangfei in the past would eventually be evaluated as a "beauty". This was somewhat surprising to her, because Ji Heng was the most beautiful woman in Beiyan. She thought that Xue Fangfei in the past was completely despised by Ji Heng. She always believed that appearance was of little use, but now that her past appearance was called a beauty by Ji Heng, she found it funny.

Xue Fangfei was probably beautiful back then. But the second Miss Jiang now can only be called a beauty. She is far from being stunningly beautiful. I think Ji Heng will never describe herself as a beauty now.

But going to the Duke's Mansion tonight finally made her feel more at ease. She gradually discovered that whenever she had to make an important decision, she seemed to feel more confident after going to the Duke's Mansion, even if she talked to Ji Heng about something insignificant. In the past, Jiang Li only heard the saying "It's good to lean against a big tree to enjoy the shade", but she didn't know what it felt like. Now she has fully experienced it.

No wonder there are so many people in the world who are willing to do whatever it takes to find a "big tree" for themselves.

But even with the big tree, the rest of the things still need to be done by oneself. The carriage slowly drove on the way back to Jiang Mansion. Jiang Li was idle. Princess Yongning, who was now demoted to a commoner, would surely not be able to hold back for long and would go to find Shen Yurong. Princess Yongning suffered so much "injustice" because of Shen Yurong. In the past, she had to endure the pain of missing Shen Yurong in order to protect the child in her belly after marrying into the Li family. Now that the whole world knows about it, she doesn't have to hide it anymore. Even without the identity of a princess, Princess Yongning is much freer.

But soon, Princess Yongning will realize the cruelty of reality.

Back then in the Shen family, Xue Fangfei saw the shrewdness and coldness of the Shen family, and it took her life to see clearly. What a lot of morality, in fact, is all a false appearance. Without the status of a princess, this golden branch and jade leaf will not receive the same honorable treatment as before when she returns to the Shen family. Even the Shen family will blame everything that Shen Yurong has suffered on her.

Princess Yongning will suffer a lot.

The smile on her lips became lighter, and she looked at her hands, slowly clenching her palms.

It’s almost time. The day she has always wanted to come is almost here.

……

Just as Jiang Li thought, Princess Yongning, who had stayed in the inn for a long time, finally arrived at the Shen Mansion.

She was wearing a bamboo hat. At first, Princess Yongning thought that even if people in Yanjing knew about her, they would never dare to point fingers at her. But soon Princess Yongning found out that she was wrong. No matter where she went, the eyes behind her followed her like a shadow. She could clearly feel the whispers and ridicules in the crowd, which made her very unhappy. But when she habitually wanted to order the guards around her to take down those gossipers, she found that there was nothing around her except Meixiang.

The bad reputation was like a brand on her face. No matter where she went, she had to accept the mocking gazes of the crowd. Princess Yongning felt very uncomfortable. She suddenly understood why Xue Fangfei had stayed at home and stayed at the Shen family since the news of her affair came out. Of course, Shen Yurong had the reason to deliberately confine her, but even if Shen Yurong could let Xue Fangfei go out at will, Xue Fangfei would not dare to do so.

I'm afraid I'll be drowned by the spit of the people in Yanjing City.

These lowly people, Princess Yongning thought bitterly. She couldn't remember every face in the crowd, so she couldn't wait until she got back to the inn to have Concubine Liu arrest all of them. These lowly people seemed to know that she had been demoted to a commoner, and they were fearless. Those who usually didn't even dare to look at the hem of her skirt could now point at her and talk about her without restraint.

When she could no longer tolerate it and had no courage to even leave the inn, Meixiang brought some beans. Princess Yongning was overjoyed. She put the hat on her head and hurried out of the door, almost panicking. Meixiang followed her, and they could hear the malicious laughter behind them.

Princess Yongning was so angry that she almost bit her lips.

King Cheng left some silver, and Meixiang found a carriage. Princess Yongning and Meixiang took the carriage and came to the Shen Mansion.

The Shen Mansion still looked the same as usual, except that the words "Zhuangyuan Jidi" on the plaque were covered with a layer of dust. Perhaps because the Shen Mansion had recently undergone a huge change, even the servants had no intention of cleaning it. It looked a bit decadent. When Princess Yongning's carriage stopped at the gate of the Shen Mansion, the people passing by all looked over there. Perhaps the Shen family had become the center of people's discussion recently, so when someone came to visit the Shen family at this time, they would naturally be curious.

Princess Yongning hurriedly got off the carriage and asked Meixiang to knock on the door. The doorman also knew Princess Yongning. In the past, when he saw Princess Yongning, he was very respectful and tried to please Meixiang. When he saw the two of them today, he was surprised at first, then hesitant, and did not open the door immediately.

"How dare you!" Mei Xiang shouted, "Why don't you open the door for the master!"

The servant seemed to have just reacted and was still struggling. When he saw Meixiang's stern look, he opened the door.

Princess Yongning watched the servant's every move and was extremely angry. He was just a watchdog, but he had learned the principle of stepping down and praising the superior, and he didn't take her seriously. Princess Yongning made up her mind that when she saw Shen Yurong, she would make Shen Yurong find a reason to sell this servant out!
The servants of the Shen Mansion were still the same as usual, but the atmosphere was much more depressed than before. Princess Yongning took off her bamboo hat as soon as she entered the Shen Mansion. She didn't need to hide here. When the servants of the Shen family saw her, none of them came forward to greet her. They all lowered their heads and pretended not to see her. After Princess Yongning walked to the front, they looked at her with an inexplicable look from behind.

Princess Yongning was furious, but she hadn't seen Shen Yurong yet. Besides, all the servants in the Shen Mansion were like this, and they couldn't be replaced all at once. If it was in the past, it would just be a matter of snapping fingers for Princess Yongning, but now she was a commoner, at least before she became a king, she couldn't live like before and had to live like ordinary untouchables.

Princess Yongning was very familiar with the way to Shen's house. She wanted to go to the front hall first and find a maid to ask Shen Yurong to come to see her. But when she arrived at the front hall, she saw Shen's mother first.

Shen's mother was sitting on a rattan chair in the front hall, scolding a little maid. The little maid was trembling, and couldn't raise her head because of the scolding. It seemed that she spilled a little tea when she served it to Shen's mother, and Shen's mother was furious. However, anyone with eyes could see that Shen's mother was just taking advantage of the situation. It was just a small matter, why did she scold it all with such ugly words.

It is also due to the depression in my heart.

Princess Yongning walked in, and Meixiang called out, "Madam Shen."

Mother Shen turned around in surprise, and when she saw the two of them, she immediately stood up, put on a familiar smile on her face, and said, "Your Highness the Princess."

"Madam Shen," Princess Yongning felt a little relieved when she saw that Shen's mother's attitude towards her was still the same as before. She said, "I'm here to find Mr. Shen."

Perhaps it was because she said "I" instead of "this palace" that Shen's mother was also stunned for a moment, and she remembered that she was demoted to a commoner. The smile on Shen's mother's face faded a little, and she first ordered the servants to call Shen Yurong who was in the study. After the servants left, Shen's mother asked: "Princess, what exactly does the emperor's decree mean? Are you...really demoted?"

Princess Yongning forced a smile and said, "It's only temporary."

What she was thinking was that after Prince Cheng started the rebellion, the imperial edict of Emperor Hong Xiao would naturally be invalid. But she couldn't make it too clear. Mother Shen was just a woman, how could she understand so much? When she heard Princess Yongning say this, she thought it was a lie to deceive her. She immediately said, "So, you have no say in Yurong's official position in front of the emperor?"

"Not now." Princess Yongning frowned. Shen's mother's suddenly raised voice sounded very harsh to her ears.

Mother Shen's disappointment was immediately reflected on her face. Although she had learned that Princess Yongning had been demoted to a commoner, she always had a glimmer of hope in her heart. Princess Yongning was the most favored daughter of Concubine Liu, and her eldest brother was Prince Cheng. As long as Concubine Liu said a few good words in front of the emperor, perhaps the emperor would revoke his decision. She did not know the delicate relationship between Prince Cheng and the emperor. As a woman in the harem, before Shen Yurong became the top scholar, Mother Shen was just an ordinary woman who could not read a single word. How could she know many things?

Shen Yurong had already disappointed her mother that she had resigned despite her obstruction. After hearing what Princess Yongning said, Shen's mother suddenly felt that her future was bleak and dim. Princess Yongning had become an ordinary person and was unreliable. Her son had also lost his official position. The future of the Shen family would really come to an end.

Thinking of this, Shen's mother looked at Princess Yongning, and suddenly a feeling of resentment arose in her heart. If Princess Yongning had not been pregnant, married to the Li family, and had not torn her face with the Li family in the Golden Palace, how could their Shen family have fallen into such a situation? It was Princess Yongning who harmed her son!
"You are not a princess anymore..." Mother Shen said with a fake smile, "People outside say all kinds of things. If you don't have anything to do, it's better not to come to your house easily. You know, if outsiders see you, they will gossip. Our Yurong has been forced to resign because of your affairs. If this continues, I'm afraid that my mother and I will not be able to stay in Yanjing City anymore."

Meixiang and Princess Yongning both looked at Shen's mother in surprise. With just one sentence, Shen's mother could change her expression without any warning!

Princess Yongning, who had seen all kinds of people, was annoyed and disgusted by this mean-spirited face. She almost wanted Meixiang to throw this mean and sarcastic woman out. But the next moment, Princess Yongning held back. This was Shen Yurong's mother, and Shen Yurong was the most filial. She couldn't quarrel with Shen's mother, at least she couldn't argue with her.

"Madam Shen," Princess Yongning said loudly, "I told you, this is only temporary!"

As if she was startled by Princess Yongning's voice, Madam Shen stopped talking for a moment, but the look she gave Princess Yongning was no longer as warm as before. It was like looking at a stubborn rogue, pretending to be merciful and not exposing her, but full of malicious intent to make fun of her.

At this moment, a voice came from behind: "Mother."

It’s Shen Yurong who is here.

Seeing Shen Yurong, Princess Yongning was overjoyed. She called out, "Shen Lang." She looked extremely aggrieved and sad.

Shen Yurong looked at Mother Shen and said, "Mother, the princess and I have something to talk about. I'm leaving first."

"Hey," Shen's mother held him back. She wanted to give her son some advice. It was this woman who had caused him so much trouble. However, she was concerned about Princess Yongning's arrogant temper. In the end, she could only say, "Hurry up and talk. It's time to eat when you're done."

Shen Yurong nodded, and Princess Yongning was very happy. She thought Shen Yurong was speaking for her in front of her mother, and she couldn't wait to hold Shen Yurong's hand. Shen's mother looked at her, endured it, and left.

Princess Yongning was very angry again. In the past, whenever Shen's mother saw her coming to the Shen Mansion, she would naturally want to welcome her with great enthusiasm. If Shen Yurong was a little closer to her, Shen's mother would be very happy and look like she couldn't wait to have her. But now, it was as if she was a fly, ruining Shen Yurong's delicious meal. Princess Yongning saw through the faces of the Shen family this time. But fortunately, she held Shen Yurong's hand tightly, and she still had Shen Lang.

After Shen's mother left, Shen Yurong took her hand back from Princess Yongning's and said to her, "Princess."

"Mr. Shen, I know you have resigned," Princess Yongning said before Shen Yurong could speak, "At first I didn't expect Li Xian to know about you. I didn't know he would involve you. If I had known this, I would never have argued with him!"

"I know." Shen Yurong said, "I don't blame you."

Princess Yongning's eyes were almost filled with tears. She gently leaned her head on Shen Yurong's shoulder and sobbed: "Shen Lang, do you know why I am so persistent with that bastard Li Xian? It's because he killed my child. The child was killed by someone arranged by Li Xian. He had wanted to kill our child for a long time. He knew it was your child... I didn't save our child, it's my fault. But I absolutely cannot forgive Li Xian. If I get the chance, I must avenge my child!"

Shen Yurong's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. She only asked, "Why did you say that the child was killed by Li Xian?"

Princess Yongning then told Shen Yurong everything that happened in the Li family, including the voices that Meixiang heard there. After Shen Yurong heard the whole story, she said, "I'm afraid you are mistaken."

"what?"

"If Li Xian wanted to get rid of this child, he would not use such a blatant method. As you said, the tampering with the pregnancy-preserving medicine might have been done by Li Xian. But the assassin who suddenly appeared should not have been done by Li Xian."

"No." Princess Yongning frowned and said, "I can be sure that this was done by Li Xian. Otherwise, who else would do this except him? But Shen Lang," she slowly stood up and looked at Shen Yurong, as if to see his heart clearly. She asked, "This is your child, why can't I feel that you are a little sad?"

Shen Yurong looked at her quietly. After a while, he said, "He is dead."

"But that's your child!" Princess Yongning screamed.

She suddenly realized that from the beginning to now, when talking about this child, Shen Yurong's expression did not show any sorrow, whether she analyzed Li Xian or told the result. If he had any feelings for this child, he would not be so indifferent. Even a cruel person like Princess Yongning felt really sad after knowing that she had a miscarriage.

Doesn't he have any feelings at all? This is his own flesh and blood!
"Yongning," Shen Yurong looked at her, his expression still terrifyingly calm. He said, "It has already happened. You shouldn't keep holding on to it."

"So?" Princess Yongning asked, "You also think I was wrong? I should have pretended I knew nothing, shouldn't have sought revenge on Li Xian, shouldn't have exposed him in the Golden Palace, shouldn't have given him the opportunity to reveal our relationship, shouldn't have let you get implicated, shouldn't have let you be accused, shouldn't have let you lose your job, right? Isn't that right!"

There was clearly some madness in her words, and amidst her madness, there was also a deep sadness.

She knew that although Shen Yurong didn't say anything, the answer must be "yes". Because for Shen Yurong, everything can be sacrificed. This can be seen from the fact that when she learned that Princess Yongning was pregnant, Shen Yurong's first thought was to not have the child. Or looking a little further back, it can be seen from the fact that Shen Yurong knew everything she did to Xue Fangfei, but pretended to be indifferent and watched from the sidelines.

She knew that she couldn't turn back, but Princess Yongning didn't want to turn back. Now thinking about it, in fact, many times, she clearly saw that Shen Yurong was not sincere to her, but she loved Shen Yurong very much, an obsessive love, as long as she could get him, she would do everything. As for whether he was sincere or not, it didn't matter.

For example, at this moment, Shen Yurong still didn't speak, and Princess Yongning was the first to be defeated.

She knew she couldn't win against Shen Yurong, because she loved him too deeply, so she was doomed to lose. Moreover, Shen Yurong was her last straw, and she had no other choice but to catch him to avoid drowning.

"I'm sorry," Princess Yongning said with difficulty, "It's my fault. I have implicated you."

Shen Yurong replied: "It doesn't matter."

"Shen Lang," Princess Yongning said, "Now I have been demoted to a commoner by the emperor. Although my elder brother has given me a lot of money, it is inevitable that I will attract gossip if I walk around outside. I don't want to live in an inn anymore. I want to live with you... After all, others know about our relationship. Even if we live together, I am not afraid. I have already divorced the Li family. It is unreasonable for people outside to say anything about me."

She rarely spoke to people so cautiously, and Meixiang was shocked. Princess Yongning had always been high and mighty and gave orders to others, and she had never been so humble. But Princess Yongning herself knew that it was because she only had Shen Yurong now, and if she lost Shen Yurong, she would really have nothing. Moreover, she had spent so much effort to be with Shen Yurong. Even if she had fallen to this point, her purpose had not changed.

Even if it is just to make sure that my efforts are not in vain.

She looked at Shen Yurong and begged carefully. This man looked as gentle as before, as if he was someone he could trust for life. He looked at Princess Yongning. Even at this point, he didn't say a harsh word to Princess Yongning, and his attitude could even be described as gentle.

But Princess Yongning clearly saw the indifference in his eyes.

Shen Yurong said: "Okay."

Princess Yongning looked at him excitedly, suppressing her anxiety. She tried to pull Shen Yurong's hand, but Shen Yurong did not pull it out, so Princess Yongning's suspicions suddenly disappeared, and she became satisfied again.

Once upon a time, she was still high and mighty, luring and teasing, waiting for Shen Yurong, the prey, to take the bait. But now, she has been completely controlled by Shen Yurong. Princess Yongning cannot leave Shen Yurong, but Shen Yurong can abandon her at any time without any nostalgia.

Meixiang stood outside the door and watched with worry in her eyes. It seemed that the dilemma had been temporarily resolved, and Princess Yongning was able to live with Shen Yurong legitimately, but would things really go so smoothly? Apart from other things, even with Shen's mother's face, Princess Yongning's inherent arrogance would sooner or later cause problems.

……

Princess Yongning was demoted to a commoner and Shen Yurong resigned from her official position, which had a huge impact on the entire Shen family. Shen's mother was therefore quite dissatisfied with Princess Yongning, and all the care that Shen Ruyun had received in Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion was confiscated overnight.

Zhou Yanbang became more and more reckless. He stayed out all night and spent his days having fun in brothels. Even when he returned home, he never went to Shen Ruyun's place, but always went to Jiang Yu'e's place.

After the incident between Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning came out, the servants of Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion looked at Shen Ruyun differently. Some even said that Shen Ruyun was flirted with by Zhou Yanbang at the palace banquet. Who knows if Shen Ruyun threw herself at him? Maybe Zhou Yanbang did nothing. Shen Ruyun wanted to marry Zhou Yanbang and smeared him. After all, her eldest brother was not a good guy. He secretly had an affair with the princess and even got her pregnant and married her to someone else.

Shen Ruyun could hear these discussions wherever he went in the mansion. And when Shen Yurong really resigned as he said, these ridicules became more intense, almost daring to appear in front of Shen Ruyun.

Shen Ruyun was very upset. She had never expected that Princess Yongning, who had brought infinite admiration and glory to the Shen family, had now become a dog-skin plaster that could not be thrown away. The relationship with Princess Yongning in the past was no longer a "blessing that only the Shen family's ancestors had to burn incense", but a stain that disgusted the world. Ningyuan Hou and his wife had called her to their room this morning, hinting that Shen Ruyun should take the initiative to divorce so that their Ningyuan Hou Mansion would be quiet and peaceful, so as not to become a joke in the eyes of others.

Shen Ruyun was so angry that she almost felt sick. When she came out of Ningyuan Hou's wife's room, she met Jiang Yu'e again.

It was strange to say that Shen Ruyun was the legal wife, so she could naturally control the expenses of the concubine, and the monthly salary she gave to Jiang Yu'e was pitifully small. It seemed that Zhou Yanbang had never given Jiang Yu'e any money, but Jiang Yu'e's food and clothing were not much worse than Shen Ruyun's. I heard that it was all supported by her mother's family. Shen Ruyun was very surprised. After all, Jiang Yuanxing was just a bastard of the Jiang family, and his salary was not much, so how could he be so generous.

But no matter what, Jiang Yu'e's beauty is superior to Shen Ruyu's. If she dresses up well, she can certainly seduce Zhou Yanbang and prevent him from coming to Shen Ruyu's yard.

"It's my sister." Jiang Yu'e bowed gracefully when she saw Shen Ruyun, and said with a smile: "I have also heard about what happened in my sister's family these days. But it's more important. When the prince talked about it, I was really worried about my sister. The more it's at this time, the more my sister has to hold on. Just hold on, and it will be over."

She was clearly gloating. When Shen Ruyun thought that Zhou Yanbang also knew about this and used it to embarrass her in front of Jiang Yu'e, she wanted to bang her head against the wall to save her from humiliation. She looked at the gorgeously dressed Jiang Yu'e and sneered, "Madam Jiang is in a good mood, wandering around the mansion every day."

"After all, I'm in a good mood." Jiang Yu'e said, "I just passed by Madam's door. Madam seemed to want me to ask for a divorce from the prince? Yes, after something like this, it feels bad to stay in the mansion all the time."

"Even if the prince and I divorce, it won't be your turn!" Shen Ruyun gnashed her teeth and said, "You only used despicable means to enter the mansion, and your father is just a bastard of the Jiang family. Even if the Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion wants to find another wife for the prince, it will definitely not be someone as lowly as you. No matter how hard you try, in the end you will only be making wedding clothes for others!"

"So what?" Jiang Yu'e's smile disappeared after hearing Shen Ruyun's words, but she still wanted to poke Shen Ruyun, "When I entered the family, I knew I was a concubine. It doesn't matter if I am a concubine for the rest of my life, as long as the prince loves me. But what about you? You are the legitimate wife who was carried into the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion in a sedan chair. You look much better than me, but your ending may not be much better than mine! At least I won't be driven out, but you don't know where you will end up in the second half of your life."

"The prince won't divorce me, and I won't divorce him either." Shen Ruyun said hatefully.

"Is that so? The reason why the prince married you was because your elder brother was a favorite minister of the emperor. Shen Ruyun, what's so good about you? You can't be found in a crowd of people. Now your elder brother has resigned and is nothing, and the Shen family's reputation is also tarnished. Why do you think that the Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion will still want a poor man like you? When Shen Yurong was an official, the prince didn't even look down on you. When Shen Yurong had nothing, it was even more impossible for the prince to look down on you."

"So you'd better get out of here as soon as possible!"

(End of this chapter)