Chapter 33: Sharing a Wife?

Qin Zhilan sat to the side, not saying a word from beginning to end, quietly sizing up Shen Ning.

Because Shen Ning had always been engaged to her elder brother, Qin Zhilan had been familiar with Shen Ning in the past, even quite close.

After all, it was hard to say which was more illustrious or wealthier between the Duke of the State’s household and the Imperial Uncle’s household.

One was a legitimate imperial relative, the maternal family of the Empress Dowager, while the other was a power earned through military achievements, battle by battle.

However, the younger generation of the Duke’s household was not very promising, and in the future, they might not even be able to hold onto the military power, unable to assist the Emperor, forcing the Empress Dowager to have her elder brother marry the Princess of Pingyao.

Her elder brother was deeply in love with Shen Ning, originally thinking that marrying the Princess of Pingyao would not affect Shen Ning becoming his person. After all, in this world, a woman who has lost her chastity already faces difficulties. Besides becoming a concubine, what other path is there?

Sharing a husband with the Princess might seem like a bit of a hardship at the moment, but as long as the Emperor successfully takes control of the government, the Qin family would naturally be unparalleled in nobility. In the future, who would be of higher status and who would be lower, wouldn’t it be up to her elder brother to decide?

Unexpectedly, Shen Ning’s character was so stubborn, turning her face without mercy, actually breaking her elder brother’s hand, and unexpectedly agreeing to marry the Regent.

Qin Zhilan took a deep breath, really wanting to know what Shen Ning was thinking.

Her elder brother was the Empress Dowager’s nephew, the Emperor’s cousin. In the future, when the Emperor held power, wouldn’t it be better for her to be a concubine rather than being killed alongside the Regent?

Truly short-sighted, only seeing the power in front of her…

“Sister.” Shen Yan spoke softly, her lips pursed, acting as a peacemaker, “Princess Jiahe only said it casually, not intentionally slandering. Besides, why should a little argument between women disturb the Regent? The Regent is busy with state affairs, Sister should be more understanding. Even if you can’t help the Regent, at least don’t hold him back.”

Hearing this, Princess Jiahe’s eyes flashed with disdain: “Both are daughters of the Duke of the State, why is the difference so great?”

“If Princess Jiahe is willing to apologize to Yan Zheng, I won’t invite the Regent.” Shen Ning said indifferently, treating Shen Yan’s words as nonsense, “Otherwise, involving the slander of a court official, I will still have to invite the Regent over.”

“Apologize to her?” Princess Jiahe flew into a rage, “Shen Ning, you’re really dreaming!”

Shen Ning said coldly, “Shi Qin, go invite the Regent.”

“Yes.” Shi Qin replied.

Shi Qin raised her hand to sweep away the servants blocking her path, swiftly knocking them all to the ground before striding towards the front courtyard.

“Stop!” Princess Jiahe’s expression changed, and she shouted hoarsely to stop her, “I’ll apologize! Isn’t it enough if I apologize?”

Shi Qin halted her steps and turned to look at Shen Ning.

Shen Ning didn’t speak, only gazing calmly at Princess Jiahe.

Princess Jiahe was so angry that her face turned a shade of iron, wishing she could tear Shen Ning limb from limb, dismember her with five horses, or execute her by a thousand cuts!

However, when she met those cold, indifferent eyes, Princess Jiahe shivered involuntarily. She turned to look at Yan Zheng, her voice icy, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mocked your garden or spoken carelessly, slandering the character of the Left Prime Minister. I hope Miss Yan will be magnanimous enough not to hold it against me.”

After speaking coldly, Princess Jiahe glared at Shen Ning with hatred, “Is that enough?”

Shen Ning said, “Shi Qin, come back.”

Shi Qin turned and walked back, while Princess Jiahe could no longer bear to stay. She left, filled with resentment towards Shen Ning, surrounded by a grand entourage of servants.

Once she left, Princess Jiayu naturally wouldn’t stay any longer. She snorted coldly, “We shouldn’t have come today.”

Leaving those words behind, she quickly followed suit and left.

The atmosphere in the flower hall became slightly stifling, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Shen Ning’s gaze shifted slightly, glancing indifferently at Shen Yan across from her: “Aren’t you going to leave with them?”

Shen Yan bit her lip: “What are you saying, Eldest Sister? I came here at Miss Yan’s invitation. What does it have to do with the two princesses?”

Because of the stomach pain and the slap in the face, she had suffered greatly at Shen Ning’s hands and had already come to hate her deeply. Yet, she was wary of Shen Ning’s current status.

Even if she wanted to plot against her every moment, she absolutely did not dare to openly fall out with her.

Otherwise, she would be the one to suffer.

She had thought that Princess Jiahe would be easy to manipulate and that in her anger, she would have her servants teach Shen Ning a lesson. Unexpectedly, they were so useless.

Truly unworthy of being imperial princesses, cowardly and incompetent, a disgrace to the eye.

“I thought you had become Princess Jiahe’s servant at some point. It seems I was mistaken.” Shen Ning’s voice was cold. “But looking at the way you spoke just now, your tone and expression were very much like those of a cunning servant in the palace who bullies others with borrowed authority.”

Shen Yan’s face stiffened, and her eyes quickly turned red: “Eldest Sister, we are sisters. Must you humiliate me like this?”

“I wouldn’t dare to claim we’re sisters.” Shen Ning lowered her head to take a sip of tea, “One might think there’s a deep enmity between us over a man.”

Shen Yan bit her lip, not daring to speak further, afraid that Shen Ning would really reveal her scheme to snatch the Regent.

“The Princess Consort and Second Miss Shen are sisters. Is it really necessary to speak so harshly?” Gu Yanran couldn’t stand it anymore and couldn’t help but speak up for Shen Yan, “Second Miss Shen is your sister. Blood is thicker than water. You can’t think you’re superior just because you’re the Princess Consort and abandon your family ties. Life in this world—”

“Gu Yanran, are you very eager to get married?” Shen Ning narrowed her eyes, her gaze cold as frost, “Should I recommend a few noble sons to the Regent for you?”

Gu Yanran’s face turned pale, and she immediately stopped talking.

Yan Zheng looked at Shen Ning with a hint of envy, finding it hard to believe that she could defeat these ill-intentioned people with her own strength.

Indeed, she is someone the Regent has taken a liking to.

Although she used methods like tattling and threats, they were quite effective, weren’t they?

“Princess Consort.” Yan Zheng  shyly raised her cup, “I offer you a toast with this tea.”

Shen Ning picked up her tea cup and gave face by taking a sip.

With Gu Yanran and Shen Yan present, their casual chat had a hint of caution. Yan Zheng secretly made a note that the next time she hosted a flower viewing banquet, she would not invite Shen Yan and Gu Yanran again.

Although one was the Princess Consort’s sister and the other was the Regent’s cousin, they both seemed to harbor enmity towards the Princess Consort. On the surface, they spoke gently, but in reality, their words were barbed, and their intentions were not kind.

A perfectly good flower viewing banquet was ruined by them.

“Power truly gives one confidence.” Qin Zhilan smiled slightly, “Originally, I was worried that the Qin family’s decision to break off the engagement would leave Sister Ning heartbroken. I never expected that Sister Ning would instead turn misfortune into blessing by marrying the powerful Regent. I am truly happy for Sister Ning.”

“Heartbroken?” Shen Ning’s tone was indifferent, “Is Qin Yanshu worthy?”

Qin Zhilan was momentarily at a loss for words, then smiled apologetically: “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t bring up things that upset Sister Ning.”

“The Qin family chose to break off the engagement because I was attacked by bandits. This matter is not your fault. You don’t need to feel sorry.” Shen Ning smiled faintly. “However, I’ve heard that Princess Pingyao demanded that the Qin brothers share a wife. This matter is quite intriguing.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Yan Zheng ‘s eyes widened: “Two brothers sharing… sharing a wife?”