Chapter 26: Returning to the Family Home on the Third Day (Part 1)

Shen Ning quietly spent two days in the Regent’s residence.

After changing clothes and washing up in the morning, she practiced horse stance in the courtyard for half an hour, then had breakfast.

After breakfast, she would stroll in the back garden for a while. The Regent’s residence was so large that it would take at least several days to become completely familiar with the layout.

Occasionally, during her leisurely walks, she would reach the northwest training ground and stop to watch the drills.

She spent the morning training her physical strength, and in the afternoon, she would take a short rest. After waking up, she would sit and drink tea, reading military strategy books.

She had also set a physical training plan for herself, so for two consecutive days, she had become accustomed to a simple and neat attire, with her hair tied up high, convenient for martial practice.

Soon, the day of returning to her family home arrived.

Shi Qin and Shi Qi helped her with her makeup and attire early in the morning, changing into a luxurious red dress, with her head adorned with exquisite and noble hairpins, making her appearance even more radiant and beautiful.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Shen Ning seemed to see the days before she went to the battlefield. As a princess of the royal family, she had once been so noble and radiant.

However, after more than seven years of battlefield life, she had shed the delicate nobility of a princess. In the midst of gunfire and flames, she became a cold and formidable military general, no longer resembling the gentle and delicate demeanor of a young lady.

The only thing that remained unchanged was that she had never truly seen the person who claimed to like her. Beneath the mask of tenderness and deep affection, what kind of malicious intentions were hidden…

“People say that one should marry a virtuous wife, but I find that a face of peerless beauty brings more joy to the heart.” Shen Ning did not know when he had entered the room, leaning against the screen as he looked at her, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, “Magnificent attire complements a beauty, indeed, this saying is true.”

Shen Ning turned her head to look at him.

Ji Yucang leaned against the screen, his black royal robe accentuating his tall figure and signifying his noble status, with an intense aura of authority surrounding him. His handsome face made him the object of desire for countless women in the Yong Kingdom, yet none had the chance to get close to him.

Outside, there were rumors that Ji Yucang was cruel and heartless, but he showed great respect to his wife, completely unlike the coldness described in the rumors.

“Is it necessary to return to the family home on the third day?” Shen Ning asked calmly, without much emotional fluctuation, as if she simply wanted a yes-or-no answer. “The Shen family probably does not welcome me back.”

“The Duke of the State’s residence treated you that way, and you don’t plan to seek justice for yourself?” Ji Yucang’s eyes flickered slightly, “It’s not like you have anything better to do at home.”

Shen Ning was taken aback. Seeking justice for herself didn’t seem necessary, but considering that she was now in Shen Ning’s body, it was very necessary to seek justice on behalf of Shen Ning.

In her memories, Shen Ning had always been an independent and strong woman, indifferent by nature. Before losing her chastity, she still had some status within the Duke’s residence, and her parents were not harsh towards her.

After all, she was the legitimate daughter of a Duke’s residence, and in the future, she would marry into a prince’s or marquis’s residence, or even enter the palace as a concubine.

No parents would openly mistreat their own daughter.

But the heart has its favorites, and even flesh has its preferences.

Shen Ning was firm and independent, unlike Shen Yan, who knew how to act coquettishly and please others. Therefore, in the heart of Shen Ning’s mother, she was not as favored as Shen Yan, and in the heart of the old lady, the eldest granddaughter was not as endearing and cute as the second granddaughter.

But those things were still bearable.

Unexpectedly, when Shen Ning went out to pray for her grandmother, she encountered misfortune, and what she received was not the concern and protection of her family, nor did they report to the authorities to investigate the culprits. Instead, she faced the disgust and coldness of her entire family.

It was as if the victim, herself, was the sinful culprit. She should die to uphold her fierce reputation and protect the reputation of the Duke’s residence. She should not live on in disgrace, subject to public scrutiny.

Even until now, no one from the Shen family had proposed to investigate the identity and background of those bandits, to find out who was behind them.

For a moment, Shen Ning couldn’t tell if they were selfish and heartless, or if they were just bullies who preyed on the weak.

But if the Duke’s residence wouldn’t investigate, she should seek the truth for Shen Ning.

Shen Ning came back to her senses and stopped dwelling on the issue. She nodded slowly, “Yes.”

What one should do according to their status, there’s no need to resist too much, especially since she was now indebted to Ji Yucang. It wouldn’t be right to go against his will at every turn.

Once her makeup and attire were complete, Shen Ning rose and followed Ji Yucang out.

Outside the Regent’s residence, a spacious and luxurious carriage was ready. Eight maids were waiting at the front and back of the carriage, and thirty-two elite guards were responsible for the safety of their master.

Shen Ning didn’t have time to ponder whether this display was too grand. She stepped onto the carriage with the help of a stool and sat down inside the carriage.

She had assumed that Ji Yucang, the Regent, would ride a tall horse, majestically accompanying her back to the Shen family. Unexpectedly, when the carriage curtain was lifted, he entered with ease and sat down across from her.

The originally spacious carriage seemed a bit cramped with the addition of a man with such a strong presence. Shen Ning’s eyes flickered as she examined him closely.

Ji Yucang was not only a man of noble status but also a powerful and imposing leader with a strong sense of authority. He didn’t seem very old, yet it was unclear where his formidable aura came from.

Perhaps it was from spending a long time on the battlefield, experiencing numerous life-and-death situations, which had hardened his heart and strengthened his presence.

Shen Ning recalled her own past, hadn’t she also gone through the same?

“What are you thinking about?” Ji Yucang leaned against the carriage, observing the rare change in her expression with interest, “You seem to have much better color after two days of rest.”

Shen Ning responded with a faint “mm-hmm,” “More martial practice, sweating, going to bed early, and waking up early can gradually improve one’s vitality.”

“There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.” Ji Yucang said calmly, “If I wanted to take a concubine, would you agree?”

Shen Ning was taken aback, “Take a concubine?”

“Yes.”

Shen Ning was puzzled, “Men having three wives and four concubines is common, especially for a prince of high status and power. Could I even stop you?”

“I still want to obtain your consent.” Ji Yucang’s tone was indifferent, “After all, you are the main wife, and getting along harmoniously with the concubine would allow me to be free from worries.”

Shen Ning fell silent for a moment, feeling that his words were somewhat strange.

The Regent had gone so many years without marrying, and now that he had a main wife, he wanted a concubine?

“Who do you want to marry?” Shen Ning guessed, “That cousin Yanran?”

“No.” Ji Yucang’s voice was pleasant, “Recently, the Nan Dynasty state has been unstable, with frequent border conflicts. Their Emperor seeks the assistance of the Great Yong Kingdom and plans to marry off a princess to form a marriage alliance with Yong.”

“Which princess?” Shen Ning blurted out, then realized her reaction was abnormal. She composed herself, “I wonder what kind of temperament this princess has?”

“Her temperament is still unknown.” Ji Yucang’s expression was indifferent, “But Nan Dynasty’s national strength is currently weak. Since the death of their war god, the Eldest Princess, neighboring countries have begun to constantly provoke them. Their military strength is insufficient, and their generals are incompetent, leading to several defeats.”

He paused, “So even if she is willful and overbearing, once she arrives in Yong, she will have to behave obediently.”

Shen Ning leaned against the carriage in silence, her heart filled with doubts about Ji Yucang’s intentions in forming a marriage alliance with Nan Dynasty.

Normally, even if it were a marriage alliance, the Nan Dynasty princess should enter the Emperor’s harem and become one of his concubines.

If the Emperor didn’t want her, it wouldn’t be impossible to arrange a marriage for her to become a princess consort for another royal or noble, but for the Regent to marry her into his residence as a concubine…

“If the Nan Dynasty princess comes to Yong, I will not treat them differently. Entering the Regent’s residence as a concubine, her status will be below yours, and her life, death, honor, and disgrace will be in your hands.” Ji Yucang’s voice was low, “If you don’t want me to touch her, I can let her live in the most remote courtyard of the Regent’s residence, leaving her to fend for herself.”

Shen Ning’s eyes flickered with a strange thought.

She looked at Ji Yucang suspiciously, “Then why don’t you just give her to the Emperor as a concubine?”

Why insist on making her a concubine in the Regent’s residence?

Shen Ning wasn’t unhappy or jealous, she was just somewhat puzzled by Ji Yucang’s thinking.

Although, in her opinion, being a concubine to the Regent might be better, in that case…

“After considering various factors, the left and right ministers and I agree that giving her to the Emperor as a concubine could lead to unpredictable consequences.”

Shen Ning was silent for a moment before nodding slowly, “I have no objections.”

“I won’t touch her.” Ji Yucang emphasized again, “So once she enters the residence, you will have complete control over her.”

Shen Ning looked at him steadily, a hint of inquiry in her eyes, “If that’s the case, what does it matter if she’s a slave or a maid?”