The Double-Chapter 600 - 174: Faces_4

"It’s not that," Princess Yongning frowned and said, "I’m certain, this was Li Xian’s doing. Otherwise, who else would do such a thing? But Mr. Shen," she slowly stood up straight and looked at Shen Yurong, as if trying to see into his heart, she asked, "This is your child, so why don’t I feel, not even a bit of sadness from you?"

Shen Yurong quietly watched her, and after a long silence, he said, "He’s already dead."

"But that was your child!" Princess Yongning exclaimed sharply.

She suddenly realized that from the beginning until now, whenever Shen Yurong talked about the child, whether he was analyzing Li Xian or stating the outcomes, there was not the slightest bit of grief in his expression. If he had any affection for the child, he wouldn’t be so indifferent. Even someone as ruthless as Princess Yongning had genuinely felt pain upon learning of her miscarriage.

Could it be that he didn’t feel anything at all? This was his own flesh and blood!

"Yongning," Shen Yurong looked at her, his expression still frighteningly calm, he said, "What’s done has happened, you shouldn’t keep holding onto it."

"So what then?" Princess Yongning asked, "You also think I’m wrong? I should act as if I know nothing, not seek vengeance against Li Xian, not expose him in the Golden Throne Hall, not give him the chance to reveal our relationship, not let you get dragged into this, making you get blamed, losing your official position, is that it? Is that it!"

Her words were clearly tinged with madness. And within the relentless madness, there emerged a piercing sorrow.

She knew, even though Shen Yurong hadn’t spoken, the answer must be "yes." Because to Shen Yurong, everything could be sacrificed. This was evident from the very moment Princess Yongning became pregnant, and Shen Yurong’s first thought was to not want the child. Or even earlier, from the fact that he knew everything she had done to Xue Fangfei, yet he remained indifferent, watching coldly from the sidelines.

She knew she couldn’t turn back, but Princess Yongning didn’t want to turn back either. Looking back now, she realized that many times, she had clearly seen that Shen Yurong’s treatment of her wasn’t sincere. But she loved Shen Yurong, obsessively so, and would do anything to have him. Whether he was sincere or pretending didn’t seem to matter.

Like right now, as Shen Yurong remained silent, Princess Yongning was the first to give in.

She knew she couldn’t win against Shen Yurong, because her deep love meant she was doomed to lose the fight. Besides, Shen Yurong was her last lifeline now, and without him, she would drown. She had no other option but to cling to him to survive.

"I’m sorry," Princess Yongning said with difficulty, "It’s my fault, I’ve dragged you down with me."

Shen Yurong replied, "It’s alright."

"Mr. Shen," Princess Yongning said, "Now that I’ve been demoted to a commoner by the Emperor, although my elder brother gave me plenty of silver, it’s inevitable to attract gossip when I go out. I don’t want to live in an inn anymore, I want to live with you... After all, now that people know about my relationship with you, even if we live together, there’s nothing to fear. I’ve divorced the Li Family, and the outsiders have no right to judge me."

It was rare for her to speak so carefully to someone, to the point where Mei Xiang was visibly shocked. Princess Yongning always gave orders from her high position, when had she ever been so humble. But Princess Yongning herself knew that she had reached such a state only because Shen Yurong was all she had left. If she lost Shen Yurong as well, she would truly have nothing. Moreover, she had struggled so hard, all just to be with Shen Yurong. Even now, despite her fall from grace, her goal had not changed.

It was so that all she had invested wouldn’t be in vain.

She looked at Shen Yurong, pleading carefully. The man seemed as gentle and refined as before, as if someone she could entrust her life to. He looked at Princess Yongning, and even at this point, he had never said a harsh word to her, his demeanor could even be called gentle.

But Princess Yongning clearly saw indifference in his eyes.

Shen Yurong said, "Okay."

Princess Yongning watched him excitedly, suppressing the unease in her heart. She reached to take Shen Yurong’s hand, and when he didn’t pull away, Princess Yongning’s earlier doubts vanished in an instant, and she felt satisfied again.

Once upon a time, she had been at the height of power, subtly enticing and teasing, waiting for Shen Yurong, her prey, to take the bait. But now, she was entirely at Shen Yurong’s mercy, Princess Yongning couldn’t leave him, but Shen Yurong could discard her at any time, without a second thought.