Chapter 31: A World of Difference in Treatment

After the third day of returning home, Shen Ning resumed her life of tranquility and simplicity.

Her days at the Regent’s Estate were actually quite monotonous, yet fulfilling.

On the estate’s dedicated training ground, guards would practice outside of their regular shifts. Shen Ning would initially just stand outside the training ground and watch for a few moments before finding a secluded spot to exercise.

Her body had been trained in martial arts since childhood, but not to a high level, the main purpose was for health and fitness. Therefore, the techniques and archery she had once excelled in were still somewhat challenging to perform with this body.

Shen Ning understood that haste makes waste. With no trouble knocking on her door, her sole focus was to train her body to be more agile and robust. Thus, she practiced horse stance for half an hour each morning, followed by another half hour of jogging and jumping.

In the afternoon, with the consent of Ji Yucang, she would go to the library to read about astronomy, geography, the mystical arts, and military strategies.

The walls of the library were adorned with exquisitely crafted maps of the world, clear and detailed. Shen Ning often stood before the maps, looking at the southern territories of the Yong Kingdom, and the capital city that spanned the border.

After quietly observing the training for seven days, she stepped onto the Regent’s Estate’s training ground for the first time.

There were guards practicing archery on the training ground.

Shen Ning’s arrival caused a few surprised glances, but she picked up a large bow to test its weight and took three arrows, standing fifty paces away from the target. She fired three consecutive shots, each hitting the bullseye, leaving the guards on the training ground dumbfounded.

From then on, the training ground became the place where she spent the most time. Once the guards learned of her identity, they gradually began to engage in one-on-one duels with her, their long spears dancing fiercely.

Her archery practice went from fifty paces to eighty, then to over a hundred paces, almost always hitting the bullseye with precision. Her progress was astonishingly rapid, and the elite guards felt as if they had encountered a prodigy, their admiration for her evident.

Every time they looked at this indifferent and taciturn princess, their eyes were filled with an indescribable sense of surprise, feeling that their lord had brought home a treasure.

Despite the rumors and gossip outside, the elite guards of the estate, after several bouts of competition and practice, wholeheartedly acknowledged this princess who appeared delicate and weak but was actually deeply skilled and unassuming.

At the same time, the Regent ordered a response to be drafted for Nan Dynasty, demanding that Nan Dynasty send at least two princesses, eight noblewomen from distinguished families, and ten high-ranking officials or royal princes of the third rank or above to discuss the matter of assistance in Yong Kingdom, as a show of sincerity.

On the sixteenth day of the ninth month, an imperial edict was issued within the palace.

Princess Pingyao was granted a marriage to the eldest son of the Imperial Uncle’s household, with the auspicious day set for the sixteenth day of the tenth month, exactly one month later.

None of this concerned Shen Ning.

On the evening of the eighteenth day of the ninth month, she received her first invitation since marrying the Regent. The younger sister of the Left Prime Minister, Yan Zheng, was hosting a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at her residence the next day and invited the Regent’s Princess Consort to attend.

Shen Ning looked at the invitation in her hand and turned to Shi Qin, “Is the Left Prime Minister an enemy of the Regent, or…”

Shi Qin replied, “They are not enemy.”

Shen Ning did not ask further, only nodded slowly, “I see.”

What a minister holds is real power.

Logically, with the Regent present in the court, the prime minister should be concerned about his power being constrained and would spare no effort to assist the Emperor or be drawn to the Emperor’s side, which would mean being an enemy to the Regent.

But since the Left Prime Minister is not an enemy of the Regent, it is clear that he is a supporter of the Regent.

“Miss Yan also sent an invitation to the Regent’s cousin.” Shi Qin quickly said, “Tomorrow morning, the cousin might go with the Princess.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Shen Ning sat by the window, silently watching the sunset outside, “Ji Yucang hasn’t returned to the estate?”

She hadn’t seen him all day.

Shi Qin lowered her eyes, “The whereabouts of the Regent are not something I dare to inquire about.”

Shen Ning responded with a sound of acknowledgment and did not ask further, only quietly watched as the night gradually fell, and it became completely dark outside.

Another day had passed.

……

The next morning, the weather was chilly.

Gu Yanran arrived at Golden Courtyard in full attire, looking at Shen Ning in her crimson dress, her eyes slightly darkened, “To visit Miss Yan’s home, isn’t it a bit too eye-catching for the Princess to dress like this?”

“As a newlywed, it is proper for me to wear red when going out, allowing others to share in the joy.” Shen Ning said expressionlessly, her voice cold, “You can dress more plainly, I won’t stop you.”

Gu Yanran’s expression changed, then she forced a smile, “I also wish to share in the Princess Consort’s joy.”

Shen Ning did not pay her any more attention and turned to leave.

As she walked to the front courtyard, she paused slightly, looking thoughtfully in the direction of another courtyard, then turned and left.

Outside the estate, two carriages were prepared.

One was luxurious and spacious, with two jet-black steeds harnessed to it, exuding a majestic aura. The exterior of the carriage was adorned with the Regent’s exclusive purple silk, signifying its nobility and grandeur.

The interior of the carriage was even more spacious and elegant, with beautiful silk curtains hanging around and a censer emitting a gentle fragrance.

The hidden compartments within the carriage walls were stocked with snacks such as pastries and candied fruits by the servants, for the master to refresh themselves during the journey. On the small table, four teacups were neatly arranged, along with a pot of freshly brewed fragrant tea.

The carriage was equipped with an abundance of amenities for such a short journey, truly the epitome of luxury that only the imperial family could enjoy.

In contrast, the carriage behind it was quite shabby, not only smaller in size but also plain in both appearance and interior, just an ordinary carriage.

Gu Yanran stood at the foot of the stone steps, biting her lip as she looked at the stark difference in treatment, feeling both jealous and furious.

She had lived in the Regent’s Estate for so long, yet the servants showed no discretion, preparing such a shabby carriage for her. Were they really that poor?

If they were unwilling to prepare a proper carriage, they could have simply prepared one instead of going through the trouble of arranging two.

Shen Ning paid no attention to Gu Yanran’s thoughts and walked straight to her carriage.

“Princess.” Gu Yanran suppressed her dissatisfaction and quickly walked up to Shen Ning, a smile that was almost fake in its gentleness appearing on her face, “We both come from the Regent’s Estate, shouldn’t we show a deep sisterly bond? May I share the carriage with you?”

“No.” Shen Ning’s tone was indifferent as she stepped into the carriage, “Shi Qin, Shi Qi, come and attend to me.”

“Yes.” They replied.

Gu Yanran stood there, frozen, her face turning from green to white, utterly embarrassed.

For a moment, she felt as though she had lost all face and dignity.

Clenching her fists, she stood stiffly in front of the carriage for a while before turning rigidly to walk to the one behind, unable to hide the intense resentment and unwillingness in her downcast eyes.

Damn Shen Ning, why did she get to marry her cousin? Why was she not at all understanding or gentle, yet her cousin treated her so specially?

Why was it that only she could enjoy the highest honors and treatment?

A woman who had lost her purity, she was not worthy of the Regent at all.

The carriage slowly began to move.

Shen Ning sat in the carriage lined with deer hide and fur, quietly flipping through a military strategy book, completely ignoring the jealousy and resentment in Gu Yanran’s heart.