Chapter 97

The news quickly spread to the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence.

Old Madam Sheng was shocked and incredulous: “The Grand Princess took in male concubines?”

And she took in four at once?

Nanny Tang nodded gravely, “The news is spreading like wildfire. The eldest young master must have heard it and went to the Grand Princess’s residence early, but we don’t know the current situation.”

“Crazy, truly crazy.” Old Madam Sheng, supported by her maid, walked out of the ancestral hall and sat in the main hall, her face dark and grim.

“Even though she is the heir apparent, she is still a woman. How can she have no sense of shame?”

How can a woman do such outrageous behavior?
It’s simply preposterous.
Does she not care about Jing’an at all?

Nanny Tang whispered, “Madam, if the Grand Princess really ascends to the throne in the future, she might have a harem like the Emperor, right?”

“What harem? A woman should be faithful to one man.” Old Madam Sheng slapped the table in anger. “She has a marriage contract with Jing’an. How can she behave so shamelessly? It’s absurd!”

Nanny Tang’s face changed, and after hesitating for a while, she revealed an even more infuriating truth: “Among the four male concubines the Grand Princess took in, one is… your nephew, Wei Chengye.”

“What?” Old Madam Sheng stood up in disbelief, “Say that again!”

“Young Master Wei was also taken to the Grand Princess’s residence—”

Old Madam Sheng’s vision went black, and she fell back into her chair with a thud: “Absurd, absurd, truly absurd!”

What kind of sin has she committed?

“Mother, mother!” Sheng family’s daughter, Sheng Chuyue, hurried in from outside, so agitated that she forgot her manners. “Mother, I heard the Grand Princess took in male concubines. Is it true?”

Old Madam Sheng’s face turned cold: “Why are you shouting? Is this something to be proud of?”

Sheng Chuyue’s steps faltered, and she walked forward hesitantly, “Taking in male concubines is not honorable, but since the Grand Princess is the heir apparent, she will ascend to the throne in the future. Won’t my brother become the Empress… no, the Emperor’s consort? And won’t you become the Empress Dowager? Won’t our family become the most powerful noble family in the Yong Dynasty?”

Old Madam Sheng was initially stunned by these words, but then, as if thinking of something, her anger subsided, and she snorted coldly: “Even if she becomes the Empress, she shouldn’t be so indecent. It’s simply improper.”

“Mother is right, but didn’t my brother go to ask about it?” Sheng Chuyue said, her face showing a satisfied smile. “When my brother becomes the Emperor’s consort, I can walk proudly among the noble ladies, and everyone will have to respect me. I will be more prestigious than a princess… Mother, you will become the most sought-after noblewoman in the capital. Won’t we be able to get whatever we want?”

Old Madam Sheng imagined the scene Sheng Chuyue described, and a sense of pride replaced her remaining anger. However, she couldn’t show her pride too obviously.

Old Madam Sheng kept a stern face and nodded slowly: “What you say makes sense, but the Grand Princess is still a woman. Loyalty in love is a woman’s most beautiful virtue. Even if she becomes the Empress, she shouldn’t forget this.”

Standing aside, Nanny Tang hesitated several times. She wanted to say that the Grand Princess, holding military power, might not need to be loyal to anyone. Once the Grand Princess truly becomes the Empress, the whole world will be hers. Who would dare criticize her actions?

“Madam, Miss,” Nanny Tang finally spoke up cautiously, “It’s fine to say these things at home, but be careful not to say them outside. If the Grand Princess hears, it would be considered treason.”

“What treason? Nanny Tang, what are you talking about?” Sheng Chuyue frowned, looking displeased. “My brother and the Grand Princess have a good relationship. We are practically family. What’s wrong with talking about it? The Grand Princess won’t punish us.”

Old Madam Sheng scolded, “Nanny Tang Mammy is right. Be careful outside, and don’t speak recklessly.”

Sheng Chuyue mumbled an acknowledgment but couldn’t help but pout.

Sheng Jingan and Yan Donghuang have a really good relationship —so good that after learning the rules for an afternoon, he experiences all the severe punishments of the Grand Princess’s mansion.

In the past, during the palace selection, the girls would learn the rules from the mamas for a period of time. Only those who met the standards would pass, while those who didn’t would get beaten.

Sheng Jingan was no different. The difference was that his teacher was not as kind as the mamas. Mo Lin, the head guard of the Grand Princess’s mansion, did not oversee the punishment room, but there was someone there skilled in various punishments, capable of torturing people to the brink of death.

At this moment, Sheng Jingan was being tortured to the brink of death. Although there were no visible injuries on his body, he looked as if he had been fished out of the water, his clothes soaked, his face pale, cold sweat dripping down his face, and his wet hair disheveled. He was as miserable as one could be.

Mo Lin, dressed neatly and cleanly in black, stood silently aside, asking for the umpteenth time, “Young Master Sheng, can you learn the etiquette of respecting hierarchy?”

Sheng Jingan was in pain, his body trembling. Hearing this, he opened his eyes, blurred with cold sweat, and realizing he could no longer endure the torture, he squeezed out a word through his teeth: “Yes…”

As soon as he spoke, the punishment room fell into a brief silence.

After a moment, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows, looking down at his misery and pain: “It seems your bones are not that hard. Sheng Jingan, if I wanted to cancel our engagement, you probably wouldn’t oppose it, would you?”

Sheng Jingan shuddered as if scalded, then slowly raised his head, looking at Yan Donghuang with a mocking cold smile: “Yan Donghuang, so this is your goal.”

Yan Donghuang looked at him expressionlessly, her eyes devoid of any emotion.

“You’ve fallen for someone else, want to cancel the engagement, but are worried about the backlash, so you keep tormenting me?” Sheng Jing’an seemed to have discovered the truth, sneering coldly, “Don’t forget the Emperor decreed our engagement, agreed upon by the Emperor and my father! Yan Donghuang, you… cough cough cough, even if you want to cancel it… you can’t… haha, haha.”

Yan Donghuang replied lightly, “Is that so?”

Sheng Jing’an gritted his teeth and cursed angrily, “You’re going against the rules, shamelessly wanting to be with so many men… No, you’ve been on the battlefield for so many years, with young and outstanding generals under you, you’ve already been promiscuous, haven’t you?”

Mo Lin’s face turned cold at his filthy words, and he was about to draw his sword from his waist when he saw a flash of cold light in front of him, followed by Sheng Jing’an’s piercing scream: “Ah—”

The screams sounded chilling.

The one who struck was Rong Ying, using a dagger.

At this moment, the dagger was piercing through Sheng Jing’an’s palm, pinning his right hand firmly to the ground.

Sheng Jing’an screamed in pain, his hand convulsing violently, the agony piercing to the bone, yet he couldn’t break free.

Yan Donghuang was indifferent to this scene.

Only after Sheng Jing’an’s screams ceased, and he was gasping for breath in pain, did she casually speak up: “Whether you have been promiscuous in the past, you have no right to know. As for whether you will continue to be promiscuous in the future…”

Yan Donghuang crouched down and looked at him calmly. “If you are willing to enter the palace as an eunuch, perhaps you will have the opportunity to understand a thing or two.”

Chapter 98

Sheng Jing’an’s face was deathly pale, his entire body curled up in pain on the ground, even his lips trembling. “Dong… Donghuang, why? Why are you doing this to me?”

He couldn’t understand, struggling to lift his head, his eyes filled with resentment and confusion as he looked at Yan Donghuang. “We’ve been childhood friends for many years, my father… my father used to care for you so much, the emperor himself… personally betrothed you to me. What did I do wrong? Tell me… tell me…”

He didn’t know what he had done wrong. Why had Yan Donghuang’s personality suddenly changed?

Even if he had said a few things he shouldn’t have, even if he shouldn’t have advised her to give up the chance to ascend the throne, shouldn’t have spoken disrespectfully to her, were quarrels between an engaged couple not allowed?

Why did Yan Donghuang treat him with such cold disdain, as if he were her enemy?

“You want to know why?” Yan Donghuang’s lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I won’t tell you. You can guess, you can think, but even if you rack your brains, you might not get the answer.”

After saying this, Yan Donghuang stood up. Looking down at his miserable, ant-like state, she thought of the decree canceling their engagement and found it laughable.

What is power?
It is supreme, unchallengeable, the ability to kill or spare at will.
Does she need a decree?

Just like now, Sheng Jing’an lay here like an ant; his life or death was just a matter of her word. Even if she killed him immediately, she could claim he failed to assassinate the crown princess and was killed by the guards.
Or, more mercifully, say he encountered an assassin and died protecting the crown prince. In any case, whatever happened in this mansion was not something outsiders could easily know. Whatever she wanted others to know, they would only know that. And when she ascended the throne and moved into the palace, that vast place would hide even more unknown secrets. How could outsiders know?

Yan Donghuang took one last look at Sheng Jing’an and turned away indifferently.

There are no walls in the world that do not let the wind through.

Moreover, what the Marquis of Pingyang and his wife did today was not really a secret. After questioning the servants of the Marquis’ residence, the ministers did not get a clear answer, but they could at least confirm that the Grand Princess was deliberately placed in the warm pavilion of the East Garden, which was close to the high wall, making it easier to hear the voices from the other side. Trembling, the maids responsible for entertaining the young masters repeated their criticisms of the emperor and the princess, causing Lord Du to be so frightened that his legs went weak, his face turned pale, and he kept wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

Shen Yunshan’s face was pale with fear, not expecting that his son, whom he always thought was cautious, would actually say such filthy words.

Which man in the world would be willing to share a wife with others?
Was this something he should say? Was it something he could discuss?
What a scoundrel.

Shen Yunshan was both angry and scared and also felt a sense of despair. His daughter was King Jing’s side concubine, and he originally thought that King Jing could become the crown prince and ascend the throne smoothly, at least making his daughter one of the four consorts, and the Shen family would become royal relatives. Unexpectedly, Yan Ming not only failed to become the crown prince but was demoted to a prince, completely losing any chance at the throne. And his son had caused such a huge disaster. At this critical moment, angering the Grand Princess, who seemed possessed by a demon, wasn’t this asking for trouble?

Was this the end of the Shen family?

“Lord Du, what should we do?” Sheng Lanfeng, who had been the most rational from the beginning, clearly realized the seriousness of the problem and quickly sought a solution. “Criticizing the emperor is a capital offense. If we continue to press the issue, who knows if the Grand Princess will start a massacre?”

Lord Du, looking terrified and uneasy, clenched his fists and made a decision, turning towards his carriage.

Sheng Lanfeng urgently asked, “Lord Du, where are you going?”

“To the Grand Princess’ residence to plead for forgiveness.”

The other three looked at each other in fear and unease. Ignoring them, Lord Du quickly arrived at the Grand Princess’ residence by carriage.

As night fell, the Grand Princess’ residence was already lit up.

Yan Donghuang had just come out of the torture chamber when she heard a servant report that Lord Du had come to plead for forgiveness and requested an audience.

Yan Donghuang said, “Bring him in.”

Lord Du, trembling, followed the guards to the main courtyard. As soon as he saw Yan Donghuang, he knelt on the ground. “Your servant Du Mingfu greets the Crown Princess. Long live the Crown Princess!”

Yan Donghuang said nothing.

Lord Du didn’t wait for her to speak and quickly said, “Your servant was misled today and came to the Grand Princess’ residence to demand someone. It was my fault. I deserve to die! I failed to teach my son properly, allowing him to speak recklessly… but I beg the Grand Princess to see clearly, I have never had treasonous thoughts…”

“Today’s incident must have been someone deliberately provoking, and Enyang was tricked. Your servant is willing to accept any punishment! If the princess has any intention towards Enyang, it would be his honor to serve the Grand Princess. I only hope the Grand Princess will teach him well, and I will do anything for the Grand Princess in the future!”

Lord Du spoke quickly, urgently expressing his loyalty and plea for forgiveness, hoping the Grand Princess would see his sincerity and spare Du Enyang’s life and the Du family.

Yan Donghuang naturally understood his meaning.

Lord Du was willing to serve her, letting his son stay in the Grand Princess’ residence to serve her, hoping she would support him and give him a chance to show his loyalty.

Yan Donghuang smiled faintly, “Minister Du doesn’t think I’m rebellious and shameless?”

“No! Your servant would never think that.” Du Mingfu knelt on the ground, “The Grand Princess is the Crown Princess, the future emperor. All the people of the world are the Grand Princess’ subjects. They should be honored to serve the Grand Princess!”

Yan Donghuang raised an eyebrow slightly, “I am very satisfied with Lord Du’s attitude.”

Lord Du breathed a sigh of relief and continued to express his loyalty, “Your servant will work diligently in the future, following the Grand Princess’ orders, and will never do anything to displease the Grand Princess.”

Yan Donghuang nodded, “I believe you. As long as Lord Du is loyal and capable, the Ministry of War will only get better under your management.”

Lord Du repeatedly kowtowed, “Yes, your servant will do his best to serve the Grand Princess.”

Yan Donghuang turned and instructed Chang Lan, “Arrange for two servants to take Lord Du’s son to clean up, treat his facial injuries, help him wash and change clothes, and prepare some light dishes for him to rest well tonight.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you, Grand Princess, thank you.” Lord Du repeatedly kowtowed in gratitude, “Your servant will not disturb the Grand Princess any longer and will take his leave.”

Yan Donghuang said, “Lord Du, take care.”

Lord Du bowed repeatedly in gratitude, backing out of the courtyard before daring to turn and leave.

Feng Yaoguang, standing aside, said, “Lord Du is clearly afraid of death and quickly swore loyalty to the Her Highness. Do you trust him?”

“There are countless officials in the court. Do you think they are all honest and loyal?” Yan Donghuang said indifferently, “Interest is the fundamental factor driving loyalty. As long as he is capable, I don’t care if he is motivated by family interests or fear of death.”

Lord Du was a smart man, able to distinguish between advantages and disadvantages immediately. At a critical moment, he declared his loyalty not only out of fear of death but also because he was eyeing the position of Minister of War. Before he achieved his goal of becoming Minister of War, he would do his best to show his ability and loyalty.