Chapter 20: Are You Lecturing Me?

Shen Ning slightly raised her gaze, looking at the woman who walked as if she were in her own backyard, then turned her head to look at Shi Qin: “Who is she?”

Shi Qin respectfully replied: “This is the cousin, the Regent’s cousin.”

Shen Ning frowned, the cousin?

“Shen Ning.” The woman turned to look at Shen Ning, her blue dress elegant and beautiful, her white jade-like face carrying a hint of gentle rebuke, “Aunt Wu is the stewardess of the Regent’s estate. You immediately resorted to violence against her. Is that appropriate?”

Shen Ning’s tone was calm: “Are you lecturing me?”

“No.” The woman straightened her back, her gaze fearless, “I just think your behavior is inappropriate.”

“Whether it’s appropriate or not, I decide.” Shen Ning said indifferently, “Are you the one in charge of the Regent’s estate?”

The woman’s expression changed slightly, clutching the handkerchief in her hand: “I am the Regent’s cousin, Gu Yanran.”

“So what?” Shen Ning’s gaze was cold and hard, “What does that have to do with me?”

“You—”

“Cou…sin.” Mama Wu spoke with difficulty, “I will never yield. I am here by the Empress Dowager’s order…”

Shen Ning’s brows showed impatience, her voice becoming even more indifferent: “Shi Qi, take the irrelevant people out.”

“Regent Consort.” Gu Yanran’s face was stubborn, as if emphasizing something, “I have lived in the estate for five years, and my cousin has always respected me.”

Shen Ning said indifferently: “Unfortunately, I am not your cousin.”

Gu Yanran’s face stiffened.

“Since Granny Wu is not afraid of death, just beat her to death.” After saying this, Shen Ning got up and returned to her room, “After beating her to death, drag her out and dispose of her. Don’t dirty the estate’s grounds.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Mama Wu struggled violently: “No, you can’t kill me, you can’t kill me… Regent Consort, Regent Consort! Regent’s Cousin, save me, Regent Cousin, save me—ahhh!”

The increasing force of the blows left Mama Wu almost dead, her vision darkening, and her struggles becoming more intense due to the excruciating pain. Two maids could barely hold down her legs.

“Regent Consort, Aunt Wu is not only someone sent by the Empress Dowager, but also the stewardess of the estate’s inner courtyard. If you beat her to death, not only will you be unable to explain to the Empress Dowager, but the estate’s servants will also be dissatisfied with you!” Gu Yanran’s tone was slightly urgent, “And what about my cousin? Aren’t you worried that the Regent will punish you for being cruel and malicious?”

The door to the room was slowly closed, completely cutting off the noise from outside.

Gu Yanran stood stiffly in the courtyard, staring blankly at the closed door, not expecting Shen Ning to be so invulnerable to persuasion and even more unexpected was her vicious nature.

Staring at the tightly shut door, her hand holding the handkerchief involuntarily clenched, a gloomy look appearing in her eyes.

Shen Ning.

Mama Wu’s mouth was not gagged, and her screams were like sharp whips, mercilessly lashing at everyone’s heart, allowing those who had previously looked down on her to witness the new Regent Consort’s ruthlessness.

The screams continued until she took her last breath. The servants kneeling in the courtyard were as pale as paper, filled with fear and unease.

Shen Ning’s public execution of family law was intended to intimidate everyone.

No matter what they thought in their hearts, at least after today, no one would dare to be insolent on the surface.

If there were still those who were not afraid of death and wanted to test the law, joining Mama Wu in death would not be difficult.

After Mama Wu’s body was dragged away, Gu Yanran finally came back to her senses from the daze, turned around, and left Golden Courtyard. Due to the shock, she soon fell ill in bed.

“Gu Yanran is the Regent’s cousin?” Shen Ning walked to the bed and sat down, “A close cousin?”

“Yes.” Shi Qin stood beside her and nodded in response, “The Regent’s birth mother was Consort Gu, and the cousin grew up by Consort Gu’s side. She has a deep bond with the consort, like a mother and daughter. However, the consort passed away five years ago, and before she died, she entrusted the cousin to the Regent. Since then, she has been living in the estate’s Yanyan Residence.”

After saying this, Shi Qin added: “However, the Regent does not have any special feelings for the cousin. Please rest assured, Regent Consort.”

Shen Ning remained silent, her eyes downcast.

She wasn’t particularly concerned, nor did she care whether the Regent had feelings for Gu Yanran.

That was their private matter and had nothing to do with her.

She was only concerned because, from Gu Yanran’s attitude today, it was inevitable that they would become enemies. Since they were to be adversaries, it was natural to want to know one’s enemy.

After lunch, the Regent returned.

A figure in black robes arrived at Golden Courtyard, tall and slender, with a handsome and noble appearance, exuding an aura of intimidation that made people wary.

Shen Ning watched him through the window and had to admit that he was a natural leader, not a king but more formidable than one.

The Regent of the Yong Kingdom, Ji Yucang, a renowned war god on the battlefield, once shot an arrow through the head of an enemy general amidst thousands of troops, single-handedly repelling the iron cavalry, and quelling more than a dozen large and small internal rebellions in the Yong Kingdom, striking fear into the hearts of neighboring countries.

Lost in thought, Ji Yucang had already entered the room and sat down in front of her: “Is there anything you need to tell me?”

Shen Ning raised her gaze slightly: “What do you want to hear?”

Shi Qin presented a cup of tea and then bowed and retreated.

Ji Yucang said: “First, let’s talk about the punishment of Granny Wu this morning.”

Shen Ning spoke succinctly: “Granny Wu admitted herself that she was the Empress Dowager’s person and repeatedly offended the Regent Consort. Doesn’t she deserve to die?”

“She does deserve to die.” Ji Yucang picked up the tea cup and pondered for a moment, “However, she has been in the Regent’s estate for two years, and many in the estate are her confidants.”

“So what?”

“Beating Granny Wu to death will likely reach the Empress Dowager’s ears soon.” Ji Yucang’s gaze fell on her face, “Aren’t you worried?”

Shen Ning looked at him in silence, her eyes conveying a subtle message: “You, the Regent who wields power over the court, actually allow the Empress Dowager’s people to do as they please in your estate?”

“I don’t often return to the estate.” Ji Yucang’s tone was indifferent, “She managed the inner courtyard, and although she kept an ear on my movements, they couldn’t go to the important areas of the estate. So what if I let them be?”

Shen Ning didn’t speak.

The Regent was powerful and influential, and it wasn’t strange for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to place a few spies to keep an eye on him. The Regent was clearly aware of who in the estate was problematic but had always allowed their actions.

Actually, there was nothing strange about it.

Spies could be a double-edged sword, used to gather intelligence, constantly monitor the Regent’s every move, and report the estate’s activities to the Empress Dowager. But at the same time, they could also be used to spread false information, making it impossible for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to distinguish truth from falsehood, confusing their vision.

Ji Yucang lowered his eyes and took a sip of tea, his voice steady and unalarmed: “I don’t have so many thoughts, nor do I need to use them against the Empress Dowager. I simply didn’t bother to deal with them.”

Shen Ning fell silent for a moment: “Will you continue to let them be?”

Ji Yucang put down the tea cup, his voice clear and cold: “If you’re interested, you can take the time to clean up the spies in the estate, whether it’s dealing with them openly or secretly, it’s up to you.”

“What about Gu Yanran?”

Ji Yucang was taken aback: “Who?”

“Gu Yanran.”

“Who is Gu Yanran?” Ji Yucang asked subconsciously, then seemed to remember something, “The one from Yanyan Residence?”

“Yes.”

“If she doesn’t provoke you, you don’t need to bother with her.” Ji Yucang said, then added casually, “If she does provoke you, handle it as you see fit.”

Shen Ning watched him in silence.

“What is it?” Ji Yucang’s brows twitched slightly, looking at her with confusion, “Is there something else?”

“Shi Qin said she is your mother’s niece, like a mother and daughter.”

Ji Yucang hesitated slightly: “So you think I should send her to be with my mother as soon as possible?”

Shen Ning: “…”