Chapter 27: Returning to the Family Home on the Third Day (Part 2)

To be a slave or a servant?

Ji Yucang’s expression slightly changed: “Is this your idea?”

“Since the Regent said that the situation in Nan Dynasty is unfavorable and they have suffered several defeats, they are eager to seek help. To Yong Kingdom, they are nothing more than a defeated nation seeking assistance.” Shen Ning spoke calmly, “Their generals are incompetent, their military strength is weak. If Yong Kingdom does not offer help, it’s only a matter of time before they become slaves to another country. In that case, what qualifications do they have to propose a marriage alliance?”

“A marriage alliance is based on the premise of equality.”

“The current situation of Nan Dynasty can only be described as one of seeking help from others. A marriage alliance is therefore inappropriate. Offering a princess and gold and silver, and begging Yong Kingdom for assistance, would be more fitting to the circumstances.”

“So, since the princess has been sent to Yong Kingdom, it is natural that Yong Kingdom holds the upper hand, and her life, death, honor, and disgrace are at their mercy?”

Ji Yucang looked at her deeply, with a strange light seeming to lurk in the depths of his dark eyes. After a long silence, he nodded slowly: “Alright, then let it be as slaves or servants.”

Shen Ning was taken aback, looking up at him in disbelief.

“What is it?”

“I only said it in passing.” Shen Ning seemed unable to understand his intentions, “You are the Regent of Yong Kingdom, the marriage alliance with Nan Dynasty should be decided by you. Whether to help or not should be based on what is beneficial to Yong Kingdom, not by seeking my opinion.”

“You are my wife, how could I not seek your opinion?” Ji Yucang reached out as if to ruffle her hair, but finding her hairstyle today not suitable for it, he naturally changed to gently rub her face instead, “Shen Ning, ever since I married you as my Princess Consort, your status in the Regent’s Estate is equivalent to mine as your husband. Your opinions are my opinions, you are not allowed to consider yourself an outsider.”

Shen Ning looked at him calmly: “Why?”

“There is no why.” Ji Yucang said, “Once I’ve chosen you, it’s only you, for a lifetime.”

Shen Ning frowned: “I may not stay in the Regent’s Residence for a lifetime.”

She had her own plans for revenge, staying in the Regent’s Residence was only temporary, she would eventually leave this place.

“You don’t need to stay in the Regent’s Residence for a lifetime.” Ji Yucang said, “Because I won’t be staying in the Regent’s Residence for a lifetime either.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the air in the carriage slightly stiffened.

Shen Ning understood his meaning.

The identity of the Regent was never permanent, because the Emperor would eventually take over the government himself. Once he had the real power in his hands, the Regent’s fate might be death.

But Ji Yucang was obviously not someone who would wait for his doom passively.

Even if he did nothing, it would take more than a year or two for the young Emperor to get rid of him. However, this problem would eventually have to be faced, and a future retreat would need to be planned in advance.

After a moment of silence, Shen Ning asked, “What do you plan to do in the future?”

Ji Yucang raised an eyebrow: “Guess.”

Shen Ning remained silent.

She wasn’t a worm in his belly, how could she guess his thoughts?

However, based on the rumors from the outside, she was at least certain that he wouldn’t wait for death obediently, nor would he adhere to the foolishly loyal rule of “If the ruler wants his subject to die, the subject must die.”

But apart from that, there was only the path of becoming a flattering official.

After all, once the Emperor took over the government, if the Regent still held onto the reins of power, wouldn’t he appear to the officials as ambitious and disloyal?

Shen Ning wanted to ask if he had ambitions to usurp the throne and become the Emperor, but considering she had only been married to him for three days, it was not yet the time to discuss such matters.

Moreover, such a sensitive and dangerous topic might not be something he was willing to answer.

Therefore, it was better not to ask.

The carriage soon arrived at the gates of the Duke of the State’s residence.

Ji Yucang stepped out of the carriage.

The gatekeeper, seeing the Regent personally accompanying the Princess Consort back, was immediately startled and hurriedly opened the gate to welcome the Regent and the Princess Consort into the residence. He then ran into the residence as fast as a flying arrow to inform the Duke and his wife.

Before long, the Duke of the State and his wife, along with the old lady, came out to greet them, kneeling on the ground to pay their respects: “We greet the Regent, may you live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, and ten thousand times ten thousand years.”

Ji Yucang stepped through the gate, his voice cold and emotionless: “And the Princess.”

Shen Yunlin stiffened and could only lower his head to add: “We greet the Regent’s Princess, may the Princess be blessed with a thousand fortunes and eternal peace.”

The expression of Old Lady Shen was gloomy and unpleasant, but today she was unusually silent, not daring to say a word, only stewing in her own anger.

Shen Yunlin quickly led the Regent and Shen Ning into the main hall, inviting them to sit in the seats of honor, and instructed the servants to serve the best tea from the residence.

The old lady sat in the first seat below, her gaze filled with disgust and a hint of something else, frequently directed at Shen Ning. Several times she seemed about to speak but stopped herself.

Shen Ning could roughly guess that the old lady wanted to open her mouth to scold her harshly, to fully display the authority of the head of the household. Unfortunately, today, besides Shen Ning, there was also the Regent, a formidable presence, in attendance.

Even a domineering old lady like Old Lady Shen did not have the courage to joke with the lives of the entire Duke’s household.

Ji Yucang sat silently, holding a tea cup, his eyes lowered as he took a sip of the fragrant tea, not saying a word.

Shen Ning sat beside him, also silent.

Both of their expressions were cold, like two ice sculptures.

Before long, Shen Shian and Shen Yan hurried over and knelt down in the hall to pay their respects: “We greet the Regent, we greet the Regent’s Princess.”

Ji Yucang sat expressionlessly, his gaze cold and distant, not uttering a word.

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat oppressive.

Without the Regent’s permission to speak, Shen Shian and Shen Yan could only continue to kneel.

The Duke of the State sat to the side, his expression ugly, but he did not dare to show his anger.

“May the Regent and the Princess be at peace.” Mrs. Shen said with a dry laugh, her face a mix of green and pale. “Today’s return to the family is an important event, and I have already instructed the servants to prepare a sumptuous—”

“I have no intention of dining at the Duke’s residence.” Ji Yucang said, his gaze slightly lifting to look coldly at Shen Yan, who was kneeling behind Shen Shian. “I heard that you drugged the Princess, intending to knock her out and have Qin Yanshu take her away through the back door of the Qin family, so you could take Shen Ning’s place in marriage?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the Shen family was stunned.

Shen Yan looked up in shock, her face deathly pale: “I did not! I would never dare, please investigate, Regent!”

“Slap your own face.” Ji Yucang said calmly. “I despise being schemed against the most.”

“Elder sister!” Shen Yan turned to Shen Ning, her face pleading, “I did not scheme against you, really! Please believe me, elder sister, explain to the Regent, elder sister…”

“Do I need to repeat myself?” Ji Yucang’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, his gaze cold as ice. “Slap your face, or be dragged out for a beating?”

A sudden chill ran from the soles of Shen Yan’s feet straight up her spine. She was so frightened that her face turned ashen, and she began to slap herself, crying out in pain as she did so: “Elder sister, I really did not scheme against you, why would you say such things about me? I… I am your younger sister, elder sister—”

“Noisy.” Ji Yucang’s eyes flickered with impatience. “Shi Qin, help her.”

“Yes.” Shi Qin replied.

Shi Qin walked up to Shen Yan and raised her hand to slap her face.

Slap, slap, slap, slap, slap, slap!

“Ah!” Shen Yan moaned in pain, her cheeks being slapped back and forth with a loud crackling sound, “Ah, ah, ah—”

“Please spare my sister, Regent!” Shen Shian came back to his senses from the shock and kowtowed repeatedly. “My sister is gentle and kind, she could never have plotted against Shen Ning… No, she could never have schemed against the Princess, please investigate, Regent, please spare Yan!”

Ji Yucang sat in silence, his entire being exuding an intimidating aura: “Whoever speaks up to plead for mercy will be beaten as well.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into a deathly silence.