Chapter 23: More Noble Than a Princess?

While touring the Regent’s residence in the afternoon, Shi Qin mentioned that this cousin had been very well-behaved for the past five years. The servants of the residence were polite to her, and some even believed that the cousin would eventually become the consort of the Regent.

Even if she didn’t become the main wife, she could possibly be a concubine.

But the cousin was well-behaved, gentle, graceful, and appropriate. She never spoke to the servants in a haughty manner, nor did she ever resort to hitting, scolding, or punishing them.

Compared to the new Regent’s consort, the cousin was almost like a bodhisattva.

From these few sentences, it could be inferred that many of the servants in the Regent’s residence favored the cousin.

However, to Shen Ning, this was not important.

Gu Yanran stepped into the room and sat down in front of the bed, silently gazing at Shen Ning’s indifferent expression. After a long while, she said, “Cousin is a royal prince of the Yong Kingdom, a powerful Regent with a noble status. His reputation must not be tarnished.”

The qilin incense burner emitted curling wisps of fragrant mist, filling the air with a clear and pleasant aroma.

Shen Ning leaned against the brocade couch, flipping through the military book in her hand with a nonchalant air. Under the lamplight, her profile was cold and unparalleled, exuding a sense of aloofness that kept others at a distance.

“Your reputation has been damaged, and according to reason, you are not worthy of cousin,” Gu Yanran said, trying to maintain her composure as if lecturing Shen Ning. “But since you have married him, you should learn to be more virtuous and tolerant. You should go to the palace to pay your respects to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager with a humble and respectful attitude. Only then can you be a virtuous assistant to the Regent.”

Shen Ning’s action of turning the pages paused slightly.

Although Gu Yanran was an unpleasant woman, what she said was not wrong. According to common sense, a woman with a tarnished reputation was indeed unworthy of the Regent.

Unfortunately, the Regent did not follow common sense, and Gu Yanran’s tone at this moment did not sound like that of his cousin but rather like his elderly mother.

She was condescending, with an air of moralizing.

“The more people you offend today, the more will trample on you in the future.” Gu Yanran said, pressing her lips together with a look of compassion for all beings. “I am saying this for your own good. I hope the consort can understand my good intentions.”

Shen Ning’s gaze lifted slightly, the curve of her lips carrying a hint of ridicule. “If you are doing this for my own good, why don’t you find the bandits who sullied my reputation and seek justice for me?”

Gu Yanran was taken aback, not expecting Shen Ning to make such a cunning demand: “How is that possible? I am just a weak woman who cannot even lift a chicken…”

“Since you know you are a weak woman, then don’t meddle in matters that weak women shouldn’t, and don’t say things that weak women shouldn’t say.” Shen Ning’s voice was cold and deep. “Gu Yanran, I am different from you.”

Gu Yanran’s expression stiffened, and then she smiled faintly: “What’s the difference? Is it because the consort was defiled by bandits, so you vent your dissatisfaction on others?”

The atmosphere in the room solidified.

Shi Qin, who was serving at the side, frowned, obviously feeling that she had gone too far: “The cousin has always considered herself gentle and considerate. How can you say such venomous words in front of the consort?”

Gu Yanran’s expression stiffened, and she immediately defended herself: “I didn’t intend to hurt the consort, but what I said is the truth.”

She didn’t like Shen Ning and was jealous of her, so she spoke without restraint, wishing to attack her with the most hurtful words in the world, making her understand that she was not qualified to be the Regent’s consort at all.

However, Shi Qin was the Regent’s person, and she still had some reservations.

Shi Qin wanted to say something more, but Shen Ning raised her hand to stop her. Then, she slowly closed the book and put it aside, picking up the tea cup on the table.

“There are many powerful nobles in the capital, and various forces check and balance each other. Although cousin is the esteemed Regent, the Yong Kingdom is not ruled by him alone.” Gu Yanran said. “No matter how prominent the family background, a virtuous and sensible wife is needed as a support to bless the descendants, not someone like the consort who only knows how to offend people and constantly make enemies for cousin.”

Shen Ning sipped her tea, speaking unhurriedly: “These words are very reasonable, but why don’t you say them to your cousin? I’ve told you I am not your cousin, so saying it to me is useless.”

“I—”

“Your cousin doesn’t worry, and I don’t worry either. But you seem to worry a lot.” A hint of mockery appeared in Shen Ning’s eyes. “What do you think you are?”

Gu Yanran’s face turned red with anger: “You—”

“Whether you are a cousin or even a biological sister, you have no right to interfere in the affairs between my husband and me.” Shen Ning said coldly, “Do you think I wouldn’t dare to treat you the same way I treated Granny Wu?”

Gu Yanran gripped her tea cup tightly: “Would you dare?”

“Although I generally don’t like to bully weak women, if you want to try, I can accommodate you.” Shen Ning’s tone was indifferent. “I dared to hit Princess Jiahe. Do you think you are more noble than a princess?”

Gu Yanran spoke indifferently: “Princess Jiahe is the daughter of the Empress Dowager, and Granny Wu is the Empress Dowager’s person. You were rough with them, and cousin protected you. But I am the Regent’s relative—”

“There is no difference.” Shen Ning interrupted her self-righteousness, “In my eyes, you are no different from them.”

Gu Yanran bit her lip, her expression slightly turning green.

Shen Ning put down the tea cup and picked up the book again: “Leave.”

Gu Yanran stood up, the handkerchief in her hand unconsciously clenched tightly, her expression both jealous and contemptuous: “Cousin didn’t come to Golden Courtyard last night, did he?”

Shen Ning remained silent.

“If he really liked you, how could he not come to the bridal chamber?” Gu Yanran seemed to have finally found a weakness to attack. “Although I don’t know why cousin married you, no man in the world would not care about the chastity of his wife. His absence last night is the best proof.”

“Proof of what?” A cold and awe-inspiring voice sounded, filled with a strong sense of pressure, “When did it become your place to interfere in the matters between the Regent and his consort?”

Gu Yanran’s face turned pale, and she turned to look at the man with an extraordinary presence: “Cousin…”

“You should be staying in Yanyan Residence.” Ji Yucang looked at her coldly, “What are you doing here?”

“Cousin.” Gu Yanran’s eyes turned red, and her tone revealed a hint of grievance, “I just wanted to get along well with my cousin’s wife. As the wife of cousin, she should be gentle, magnanimous, virtuous, and dignified, not like a murderous demon. That would only bring disaster to the Regent’s residence…”

Ji Yucang’s voice was indifferent: “Are you saying that a respectable Regent’s residence could be destroyed by a woman?”

“I… I didn’t mean that…” Gu Yanran quickly shook her head, her voice trembling slightly, “Cousin holds a high position and is powerful. The entire court respects and fears him. But the more so, the more the consort should be knowledgeable and reasonable, earning a good reputation for cousin. Otherwise… Otherwise…”

“The wife I chose myself is none of your business.” Ji Yucang’s voice suddenly turned cold, “Go back to your Yanyan Residence.”

Gu Yanran was stunned, looking at him in disbelief: “Cousin, my aunt entrusted me to you on her deathbed. You promised her you would take good care of me.”

“After this busy period, I will have someone select a suitable husband for you.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Gu Yanran’s face turned deathly pale.

“No, I don’t want to!” Gu Yanran shook her head uncontrollably, “Cousin, I don’t want to marry. I…”

Ji Yucang’s expression turned cold, and his eyes seemed to be filled with a chilling glint.

The air in the room gradually solidified.

Gu Yanran was so frightened that her expression froze, and her voice suddenly got stuck in her throat. A chill rose from the soles of her feet straight to her spine.

The handkerchief in her hand was almost torn apart. She used all her strength to control her legs from going weak and trembled as she said, “I want to decide my own marriage.”

After saying this, she lowered her head and turned to walk out.

“The day after tomorrow, I will make time to accompany you back to your parents’ home.” Ji Yucang turned to Shen Ning, “For the next two days, you can read some books. If you want to go out for a walk, have Shi Qin and Shi Qi accompany you.”

Shen Ning’s fingers holding the book scroll paused, and she slowly raised her eyes: “Back to my parents’ home?”

“Yes.” Ji Yucang walked up to her and reached out to rub her head, “It’s a proper etiquette, to let everyone know that you, the Regent’s consort, are not just a title.”

Shen Ning’s eyes were slightly stunned: “Why do you always rub my head?”

Ji Yucang chuckled: “You are my wife.”

Must a wife necessarily engage in such an intimate gesture?

This question crossed Shen Ning’s mind, but she didn’t ask further, only responding with a faint acknowledgment.

“First, adapt to the Regent’s residence for a while,” Ji Yucang said. “Recently, there have been many busy affairs at court, and I return late at night. If you want to eat something, just have the kitchen prepare it. Clothes will be tailored for you, and if you need money, just ask the accountant. There’s nothing you can’t do in the Regent’s residence.”

Shen Ning remained silent for a moment: “As the esteemed Regent, you should lack nothing.”

Ji Yucang responded with an affirmative sound: “I lack nothing.”

“Then why are you so good to me?” Shen Ning was not moved, purely puzzled, “I have nothing now, and I can’t give much in return.”

Ji Yucang was momentarily silent, feeling the urge to rub her head again: “You are the Regent’s wife. Why talk about giving anything in return?”

Shen Ning remained silent.

“I have summoned several ministers to discuss matters in the study. You should sleep first.” Ji Yucang said, adding, “If the discussion ends early, I might come over to sleep with you.”

Shen Ning was silent for a moment: “Court matters are the priority. It’s fine if you don’t come.”

Ji Yucang’s expression paused, then the corner of his mouth lifted slightly: “Alright.”