Chapter 15: Successor

The man in the dark stopped in his tracks, his clenched fist trembling uncontrollably. Rongrong… would she believe him?

A surge of anger flared up in Shen Shurong’s heart. How dare he say such things about Xie Yunzhao?

The despicable one was him. He was the one unworthy of being a human, it was Xie Yunzheng!

“I don’t know whether he’s worthy or not. As for whether he saved me or harmed me, I’m unclear. But did brother-in-law come here alone to see me because he thinks I’m not dead soon enough??”

Brother-in-law? Xie Yunzheng staggered backward. Had she already accepted this relationship?

Moreover, she had never spoken to him in such harsh words before. He suppressed the pain in his heart and said, “I’m not, it’s just… I wanted to tell you, in front of you, he won’t say anything good about me.”

Shen Shurong stood up, her brows furrowed in anger. He spared no effort in slandering his own brother… no, his own elder brother, who had given him the position of heir! “If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave first.” She had no patience to listen to his nonsense.

Xie Yunzheng’s heart twisted in pain. It felt as if once she left, the two of them would have no more connection.

She was so indignant, unwilling even to listen to him. Was she refusing his proposal? “Junzhu, my mother indeed tried to arrange a marriage for me, but I didn’t accept anyone. You know that. In my heart, there is only…”

“Succession!”

Xie Yunzheng’s words were interrupted as he fixed his gaze on her. She had heard it, hadn’t she?

Shen Shurong didn’t bother turning around. She gave him a sidelong glance, “If succession should be accepted, then it should be accepted, to avoid others speculating that it has something to do with me. My reputation already can’t withstand any further disturbance.”

Shen Shurong finished speaking, lifting her skirt and walking away. This was truly unlucky!

Xie Yunzheng lowered his head, his gaze dark and gloomy.

What did Shen Shurong say? That he should just accept it?!

Did she not realize that once he agreed, he would become someone else’s husband?

Did she not realize that once he married, there would be no more possibilities for them?

Xie Yunzhao raised his lips and slowly walked out.

When Xie Yunzheng saw this, he immediately regained his composure. Reacting so quickly, he must have some intelligence after all. “Don’t celebrate too soon. She’s just grateful for your life-saving grace.”

Xie Yunzhao lowered his head, stepping on the beautiful stones, smiling. “Do you think everyone is like you? Willing to do anything to achieve their goals?”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying,” Xie Yunzheng turned to leave.

“Do you know why she doesn’t trust you?” Xie Yunzhao’s smirk was obvious. “Because I never mention you in front of her.”

Xie Yunzheng’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. Even though his heart ached terribly, his face remained proud. “It’s just that you’re too scared. You’re afraid she can’t forget me, and you still have the nerve to say that?”

“You’re the one who dares to slander. The one who’s afraid… is you, isn’t it?”

Xie Yunzheng took a deep breath, not wanting to argue with him. He stepped forward, just as he happened to pass by where the noble ladies were playing.

“Heir Xie?”

Before Xie Yunzheng could feel any sadness, he was surrounded by a group of noble ladies.

In his mind, Shen Shurong’s words flashed: to avoid gossip and suspicion, should he really agree?

He looked around, seeing the same delicate, painted faces everywhere—none could compare to her!

He had no interest in dealing with them. Escaping the noble ladies’ entanglement, the image of their time together kept surfacing in his mind, and jealousy in his heart grew like wild grass, uncontrollable.

Xie Yunzhao, do you truly think you can win her heart?

Xie Yunzhao turned to find Shen Shurong. He didn’t deny Xie Yunzheng’s words—indeed, in front of her, he was afraid to mention him.

But today, he saw hope. She trusted him, not Xie Yunzheng. Not only did she not trust him, she was even angry at him. His lips involuntarily curled up in a smile.

With his eyebrows raised, humming a tune, he went off to find his bride.

The palace banquet was about to begin. Everyone was heading toward Jingde Hall, unaware that, in the bushes, a person was gritting their teeth, hands braced against the ground, struggling to crawl out. Both of his legs were broken.

If Xie Yunzheng saw this, he would immediately recognize that it was the eunuch he had bribed.

…

The grand and majestic palace, with its thick, towering columns, held up the entire hall. The columns were intricately carved with golden dragons and colorful phoenixes, lifelike and vivid.

The eunuchs and palace maids stopped their final preparations and respectfully stood on either side of the hall, awaiting instructions.

Xie Yunzhao escorted Shen Shurong to sit behind the Grand Princess, then moved to stand behind the Duke of Lu, waiting for the wedding. When the time came, Shen Shurong could sit with him, no need to be separated as they were now.

The Duchess of Lu looked at Shen Shurong and smiled, thinking to herself that no matter what, she was still her daughter-in-law, there was no escaping that.

She turned to look at her son. “Where did you go with the Junzhu?”

“I took her to rest in the Imperial Garden. Her health hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

“Mm. You need to take care of her more in the future. She is a Junzhu, raised with delicate care.”

Xie Yunzhao obediently nodded. “I understand, Mother. So, if you have anything in the future, please reserve it for the Junzhu.”

He was only thinking about her things, and the Duchess of Lu almost rolled her eyes, wanting to scold him.

When she saw Xie Yunzheng coming over, she stopped herself from speaking. “Understood.”

The two brothers sat behind their parents, neither of them speaking to the other.

When the royal family entered, the hatred in Shen Shurong’s eyes flashed briefly before disappearing. People always had to pay the price for their actions.

Crown Prince Li Chen helped the Emperor sit down, then took his seat beside the Empress. He glanced at the Duke of Lu, who gave him a slight nod.

In her past life, Shen Shurong never harbored such thoughts. Now, no one would get their way.

The princes and princesses offered their birthday gifts, and the Empress frequently praised them, expressing her satisfaction.

The wine cups clinked together.

Soon, someone shifted their gaze toward the Grand Princess. The Crown Prince slightly nodded, and the person stood up, raising his cup to toast the Grand Princess. “I toast to the Grand Princess. Before the late Emperor ascended the throne, the Grand Princess was in charge of the treasury, and her contributions to this day are undeniable.”

“Indeed, the Grand Princess has made great contributions.”

The Grand Princess stood and responded, “Everything was done for the sake of the Great Zhou, for His Majesty. It was my duty, and I don’t deserve any credit.”

Li Chen raised his cup and echoed, “Aunt, you are being too humble. Over the years, you have worked hard for the treasury, and everyone sees it. Even your grand-nephew feels for you.” Old fool, it’s time to take your hands off the treasury, right?

“Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern.” The Grand Princess drank from her cup, and for a brief moment, her eyes turned cold. Yongjia was right; they were after the treasury.

Seeing her drink, those who had raised their cups also drank their wine.

After putting down her cup, the Grand Princess refilled it, stood up, and saluted the Emperor. “Your Majesty, I am now of advanced age, and the treasury should have a successor.”

As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes in the hall turned toward her.

The Grand Princess wants to hand over the treasury?

Prime Minister Cao slightly shook his head.

The Duke of Lu’s eyes gleamed.

As for the Crown Prince, it was clear that he had shifted a little forward on his seat.

The hall was silent.

Xie Yunzhao knew that Rongrong was the successor, and he would be her subordinate, managing the treasury together with her.

The Emperor, at this point, no longer held much interest in the treasury; after all, it was far less important than it used to be. “Aunt, you’re not getting any younger. Please, continue to bear this responsibility for a few more years for me.”

The Crown Prince shifted slightly again, “Father, Aunt has worked hard her whole life. It’s time she enjoys a life of peace and comfort.”

The Duke of Lu blinked his eyes, disapproving. The Crown Prince seemed quite anxious.

The Emperor pondered for a moment. “In that case, does Aunt have a suitable candidate?”

Shen Shurong set down her chopsticks. Of course, she had one—herself.

The Grand Princess pulled Shen Shurong up to stand and bow. “This granddaughter of mine is deeply devoted to the Great Zhou, and she has been under my tutelage since a young age. I’m sure that with another year or so of training by my side, she will be fully capable.”

The Grand Princess’s voice was firm and strong, showing no sign of old age, and most importantly, it was filled with confidence, without any hint of hesitation.

Handing over the treasury of the Great Zhou to a young, delicate girl?

The Crown Prince shifted his seat further, inwardly sneering. What kind of trick is this old woman playing? She still wants to keep it all within the family?  Dream on!