The Double-Chapter 593 - 173 Gentle_2

"They say he resigned from his office first thing this morning, and Li Xian did too. Since it’s not the Emperor’s decree, it must have been their own decision,"

Upon hearing this, Princess Yongning paused for a moment before responding, "It’s my fault for bringing this upon him. If it weren’t for that bastard Li Xian... he wouldn’t have come to this!"

While she felt a flush of anger, a sliver of unease also streaked through her. For Princess Yongning, whether it was being reduced to a commoner or staying in this inn, it was all merely temporary. As long as Prince Cheng became Emperor, everything from the past would be irrelevant, and she would still be a princess. Therefore, Princess Yongning always retained a glimmer of hope in her heart, preventing her from falling into complete despair.

But Shen Yurong was different.

Princess Yongning could see Shen Yurong’s ambition and desire for power, but she didn’t think there was anything wrong with that. Shen Yurong had talent and capability and his aspiration to realize his ambitions was quite natural. But now, having resigned out of shame because of her, it was not just a change in status for Shen Yurong, but also a crushing blow to his pride.

And Shen Yurong was an extremely proud man at heart.

She feared that this might make him blame her.

Princess Yongning was unsettled. She now had nothing left—no status, no child, and the only thing she did have was Shen Yurong. If Shen Yurong were to leave her because of this incident, what then would be the return on all of her meticulous scheming and investments she made in him?

She jumped down from the bed and said, "Mei Xiang, I want to go to the Shen residence."

"Your Highness wants to see Lord Shen?" Mei Xiang asked hesitantly, "Shouldn’t we wait a bit longer..."

"I can’t wait. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with it. After all, he has resigned and is now a commoner just like me. Everyone knows of our relationship now, so there’s no need for discretion. It’s only right and natural for me to be with him, and there are no more excuses to keep us apart," she said.

Mei Xiang fell silent and said no more.

...

At the same time, Jiang Li’s carriage was heading towards the Duke Residence.

Zhao Ke was still leading Jiang Li on a back path, to avoid detection, feeling perplexed as to when Miss Jiang the Second had become so intimately associated with his master. After all, outsiders who wanted to visit the Duke Residence, even those of high office, would need to send a calling card in advance. And such a calling card might very well end up neglected in some corner of Jih Heng’s study, gathering dust for days on end.

Yet here was Miss Jiang the Second, able to come and go as she pleased.

Jiang Li sat in the carriage, pondering her visit to Jih Heng today. In actuality, she had no specific reason for her visit, for Jih Heng had already handled the most challenging part for her concerning Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong. The remainder of the issues would be easier to manage. She simply felt the need to thank him again in person.

There was also one other matter: she wanted to get clarity on exactly where Princess Yongning had confined Jiang Youyao. She wouldn’t mind adding another charge against Princess Yongning for her future crimes: despite Jiang Youyao’s tarnished reputation, she was still a legitimate daughter of the Jiang Family. If it was proven that Princess Yongning inflected harm upon Jiang Youyao, it would be an undeniable act of plotting against an official’s family member. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

As the carriage arrived at the Duke Residence, the doorman, familiar with Zhao Ke, greeted him warmly, sharing a smile with Jiang Li. The doorman was quite handsome and seemed to like Jiang Li as well; she often visited, and sometimes he’d sneakily give Tonger and Bai Xue some melon seeds or candies.

Walking into the Duke Residence, Jiang Li did not come across Wen Ji or Jih Heng that day. Instead, she saw Old General Jih practicing with his sword in the courtyard. Upon seeing her, he set aside his sword and walked over, happily asking if she had come to help roast venison.

"I’ve come to see the Duke," Jiang Li had to say.

"Ah Heng is out," Old General Jih replied, "I don’t know when he’ll be back. What, he didn’t tell you?"

Jiang Li explained, "I hadn’t notified the Duke of my arrival today, so he wouldn’t know when I was coming."

Hearing this, Old General Jih immediately showed a knowing expression.

Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, Jiang Li inquired, "Since the Duke isn’t here, may I ask the old general for permission to wait a little longer in the residence for his return?"

"You want to wait for that boy to return?" Old General Jih remarked, "He normally leaves early and returns late, and once he’s out, who knows when he’ll be back; it might be nightfall before he does. You’re willing to wait that long?"

"If it really is that late, I’ll leave. But to leave now, if he were to return the next moment, it would seem a pity," Jiang Li smiled, "It’s not easy for me to come out."