Chapter 51: Zhou Jingshen Learns the Truth

Shen Luchu’s already dark expression was suddenly overtaken by a nameless fury.

Even Zhou Jingshen found his breath catch the moment he saw Princess Wenhe appear.

Sometimes, he genuinely felt sorry for Shen Luchu. If his own mother tried to control him this much—even interfering in his outings—he’d probably have gone mad by now.

“Luchu, I’m going in first.”

Zhou Jingshen gave Shen Luchu a helpless look and turned to leave.

Compared to Shen Luchu’s awkward predicament, what piqued Zhou Jingshen’s interest more was what Su Liluo had just said.

Jiang Shiyuan was really getting married? And to Pei Ziye, of all people?

The Pei family, huh—between Pei the Grand Tutor and Pei Ziye, neither of them had married before, and now suddenly they’re both rushing into marriage at the same time?

No, he had to go find out what was going on.

Zhou Jingshen left.

Shen Luchu stood rooted to the spot, as if trying to suppress a thousand burning rages, his eyes coldly fixed on Princess Wenhe walking toward him.

Princess Wenhe, seemingly oblivious to Shen Luchu’s displeasure, smiled and draped a cloak over his shoulders. “That wretched servant Mòyu, how could he forget to bring you a cloak on such a cold day? If you drink and then catch a chill in the wind, you’ll definitely fall ill.”

Shen Luchu sidestepped, and the cloak slipped to the ground, landing by his feet.

He looked up and stared coldly at his mother, as if trying to extract an answer from her face. “It’s just a cloak. Why didn’t you have Mòyu bring it? Where is he?”

Princess Wenhe glanced at the cloak on the ground and replied calmly, “Mòyu wasn’t serving you properly. I’ve found you a new attendant.”

Shen Luchu’s breath caught, as though someone had clutched his throat or dragged him into the depths of a whirlpool.

His mother’s so-called “replacement” didn’t mean a simple reassignment—it meant beating with a rod, being sold off, and banished.

It was always like this. Every time.

“I already agreed to come to the banquet—what more do you want from me? What did Mòyu do wrong?”

“Because Mòyu told me—you’re going to marry Jiang Shiyuan!”

Princess Wenhe fixed her eyes on her son. At the mention of “Jiang Shiyuan,” her expression revealed unmasked disgust.

That Jiang Shiyuan was the one who seduced her son and turned him against her.

Before Jiang Shiyuan appeared, her Luchu had been obedient and filial, never disobedient in the slightest.

Since Jiang Shiyuan entered the picture, Luchu had become restless. And now, that woman was even trying to trick him into throwing away his future for her?

Absolutely not!

If she hadn’t noticed something off during her daily interrogation of Mòyu today, she wouldn’t have realized how devious Jiang Shiyuan truly was.

Three years ago, Jiang Shiyuan had already been trying to use her parents’ military merit to pressure the emperor into forcing Luchu to marry her. When that didn’t work out in the open, she resorted to schemes in the dark.

“Tell me—did Jiang Shiyuan force you? What tricks did she use to make you promise to marry her?”

Princess Wenhe’s voice rose sharply, ignoring the passersby around them.

“I already told you—I’ve arranged a marriage for you with the Minister of Personnel’s daughter. Their household can help your future—that’s your true match! Why are you so stubborn? I’m your mother. I’m the one in this world who loves you the most. Would I ever harm you?”

“No!”

Shen Luchu’s head felt like it was being pierced with needles. He let out a furious shout, cutting off her words.

“She didn’t force me. She didn’t play any tricks. I begged her. I begged her to wait for me for three years. I begged her not to leave me. Is that what you wanted to hear? Are you satisfied now?”

He was telling the truth. He remembered everything—the promise he made, and how thrilled he was when Jiang Shiyuan agreed to wait for him.

For the first time, he had a goal of his own. He was full of purpose, throwing himself into his studies.

First Jieyuan, then Huiyuan—his name became known far and wide. Everyone praised him, envied him, and held him up high.

And in the end, he forgot the very thing that had driven him to succeed.

He had forgotten.

After saying it all aloud, Shen Luchu heard Su Liluo ’s words echoing in his ears, along with recent memories of Jiang Shiyuan—how she had rejected invitations, returned his gifts, and stared at him with cold disgust.

Could it be… Jiang Shiyuan truly didn’t want him anymore?

A sudden panic gripped his chest. He looked toward the banquet hall and was just about to run in that direction—

When Princess Wenhe stepped forward and blocked his path.

“Shen Luchu, do you want to turn against me like your father did? Do you want me to die, too?” she cried, pulling up her sleeve to reveal an old, long scar on her wrist.

…

Meanwhile, Jiang Shiyuan and Pei Ziye entered the main hall of the Fifth Prince’s residence for the banquet.

Pei Ziye looked distracted the whole way, glancing around constantly.

Suddenly, he caught sight of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.

Jiang Shiyuan saw Su Liluo too.

“Little Aunt…”

Before Pei Ziye could speak, Jiang Shiyuan nodded. “Go ahead. I have Hong Dou with me.”

“Yuliang is nearby. If anything happens, just call for him.”

Pei Ziye gave her a final instruction before striding toward Su Liluo.

“Su Xiaoyu? You came to the banquet too?” Pei Ziye called out cheerfully as he approached.

“Why didn’t you show up yesterday? I waited for half the day—thought something happened to you.”

Su Liluo lifted her eyes and looked at him blankly. “Sorry, young master, you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

Pei Ziye froze in place, confusion clouding his face.

Su Liluo said no more and turned to leave.

On Jiang Shiyuan’s side, just after Pei Ziye walked away, Zhou Jingshen appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

He hesitated, then spoke. “Jiang Shiyuan, about the villa incident… I apologize.”

“No need. It’s in the past.”

Jiang Shiyuan’s tone was indifferent, as if speaking to a stranger. She was like this with Shen Luchu—and even colder toward Shen Luchu’s friends.

It had only been a few days since they last saw her, but Zhou Jingshen felt like Jiang Shiyuan had changed. He couldn’t quite put his finger on how.

He paused for a moment, curiosity getting the better of him. “I heard… you’re getting married?”

Zhou Jingshen still didn’t quite believe it.

It felt more like Jiang Shiyuan was acting on impulse.

Besides, marriage is no small thing—who makes such a rash decision and just does it?

“Next month, on the eighth.”

Zhou Jingshen blinked. “What?”

Jiang Shiyuan looked at him. “My wedding.”

Zhou Jingshen’s pupils contracted sharply. He was so shocked he could only cover it with an awkward laugh.

“Really? So soon? You never mentioned anything—now suddenly you’re marrying Pei Ziye?”

This time, it was Jiang Shiyuan’s turn to be stunned for several seconds.

“Not Pei Ziye. I’m marrying Grand Tutor Pei,” she replied.