lcionline Chapter 182 I Want to Leave the Prince's Palace
Chapter 182 I Want to Leave the Prince's Palace
Shen Murui's expression changed slightly, and she quickly covered the mouth of her maid, Xiaoyun.
"Don't tell anyone about this! Do you hear me?!"
Xiaoyun had never seen her young mistress like this before. She stared wide-eyed and nodded blankly.
Shen Murui's heart pounded, and she only let go of Xiaoyun's hand after seeing her nod.
Only she knows how nervous she was just now.
Last night, when the assassins attacked, there were only about twenty of them, but there was only Jiang Zhuo and six guards on our side. Although Jiang Zhuo and the guards were all skilled fighters, they were still a bit overwhelmed.
Just as an assassin was about to target the Seventh Princess, Shen Murui, who was closest to her, suddenly stepped in to block him.
Although she was eventually saved by Jiang Zhuo who discovered her in time, even now, Shen Murui's fingertips still tremble when she thinks about her sudden action of blocking the way.
She was a little confused at the time.
Looking back now, she finally understands where her impulse to step in came from: she didn't want to live anymore.
She suffered endless bullying at the Prime Minister's residence, and even after arriving at the Prince of Qin's residence, Shen Muyue still tried to use her to gain favor. Especially after learning that His Highness the Prince of Qin was also using her, she knew that she had no future in the Prince of Qin's residence.
So what's the point of living?
Thinking back on those thoughts now, Shen Murui was also frightened.
Although she didn't want to live, she had always been timid and afraid of death.
Now that fate has arranged for Jiang Zhuo to save her, she will never again risk her life.
Shen Murui began to plan for the days to come.
Jiang Zhuo returned to Fenghua Palace.
He went straight to Murong Jing.
Seeing his furrowed brows, Murong Jing asked him directly, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Zhuo hesitated for a moment.
"It's a personal matter... I... I want to go back to Jiangnan."
Since it's a private matter, the destination wouldn't be the Jiangnan Snow Shadow Camp, but rather the Jiangnan Dingyuan Marquis's residence.
Murong nodded.
He knew Jiang Zhuo's temperament and style of doing things very well; if he suddenly wanted to leave, it must be for something important.
"Since you have something to do, go back now. Come back when you've taken care of it."
Although Murong Jing said that, it was still a question whether Jiang Zhuo could return to the capital after he had dealt with his personal matters. He might not even need to return to the capital and could just break camp in the southern border region.
Moreover, in Murong Jing's view, Jiang Zhuo no longer needs to stay in the capital. Originally, it was because he couldn't see clearly that he was worried about those unwanted romantic advances outside.
Now, His Highness the King of Qin has no worries at all.
Because Su Mowan doesn't even care about him. She's so heartless and indifferent to romantic relationships.
Murong Jing was not worried that she would have an affair.
Having received permission, Jiang Zhuo nodded gratefully and took his leave.
As soon as he stepped out of Fenghua Palace, he saw Feng Yue coming towards him. Jiang Zhuo said to him, "I'm going back to Jiangnan. The Prince is counting on you."
Feng Yue was somewhat taken aback.
After a moment's pause, he asked blankly, "Why are you leaving all of a sudden? It's only been a few days."
If Jiang Zhuo leaves, who will he gossip about with?
Jiang Zhuo said nothing, only patted Feng Yue on the shoulder, and then hurriedly left.
Although Feng Yue was confused, he knew that Jiang Zhuo must have something on his mind. He really wanted to chase after him and ask him, but he held back in the end.
Although they both worked under the prince, Feng Yue felt that Jiang Zhuo was different from him. Although they could talk to each other on the surface, there was a faint distance between them.
Remembering that he still had something to report, Feng Yue shook his head and went to the study.
"Checked it out?"
There was not a trace of expectation on Murong Jing's face.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, we have found it."
Feng Yue nodded and recounted the information he had found: "Ji Yu, the divine strategist of Liuxia back then, first went into hiding and married a martial arts master, disappearing for a period of time. But later, the king of Liuxia used some unknown method to bring Senior Ji Yu into the palace. Then, the Ji family was wiped out overnight, the Xiaoyao Sect fell into ruin, Senior Ji Yu disappeared, and the king of Liuxia announced to the outside world that the empress had died."
Although Murong Jing had roughly anticipated the situation, he hadn't expected the details, which would actually involve the Xiaoyao Sect.
This shouldn't be a coincidence.
The downfall of the Xiaoyao Sect must be related to Ji Yu.
In other words, Ji Yu has a great relationship with the Xiaoyao Sect.
Then, recalling what Su Mowan had said about Lu Xunliang personally handing her the sect leader's token, Murong Jing had a vague guess.
But the thought of Su Mobai made her reconsider.
Su Mobai is the son of the King of Liuxia, which is why he was asked to help send troops to seize the throne.
As for Su Mowan...
If Su Mowan were a man, it would make sense, but Su Mowan is a woman, so Murong Jing felt that his previous guess was invalid.
"Let's leave it at that for now. Next, go and investigate the Star-Picking and Moon-Playing Pavilion."
The Pavilion for Picking Stars and Playing with the Moon?
Although Feng Yue was puzzled, he still obediently accepted the order and withdrew.
I learned that Jiang Zhuo was leaving after lunch.
Su Mowan was enjoying the breeze by the pond when she heard the news and immediately sat up straight.
She blinked.
"What did you say? Jiang Zhuo is leaving?"
Yinshuang nodded: "Young Master Jiang is definitely leaving. He's probably already at the gate of the Prince's Mansion."
Compared to Yinshuang's composure, Su Mowan seemed a bit of a pity.
She said regretfully, "Why are you leaving all of a sudden? It's not easy to find such a handsome guy, and I haven't even had a few days to look at him before he's gone. I should have been nicer to Jiang Zhuo."
Yinshuang's lips twitched.
I doubt Jiang Zhuo would like what Consort Su said about 'being a little better'; things are already bad enough as they are.
After sighing, Su Mowan asked again, "Will he come to the capital again?"
That sounds far too enthusiastic. The person hasn't even left yet, and they're already talking about it. If the prince finds out, won't he be incredibly jealous?
Yinshuang truthfully replied, "This servant does not know either."
But she thought to herself, the reason Jiang Zhuo came in the first place was because Consort Su and the Prince had a falling out. Now that the falling out was over, there was no need for Jiang Zhuo to stay any longer.
Military affairs in Jiangnan are quite demanding; it's time for him to return.
Su Mowan wasn't disappointed by the answer; she simply gave a soft "oh."
Shen Murui, who had just moved to Yingyue Pavilion, was not so calm. Although she hid it very well, her disappointment could still be seen on her pretty oval face.
Xiaoyun knew what her young mistress was thinking, and she couldn't help but worry: "Miss, are you alright? Young Master Jiang has already left."
This news was so sudden that it left everyone stunned.
After a long while, Shen Murui came to her senses: "I'm fine, I'll leave now. I hope Young Master Jiang has a safe journey."
Xiaoyun noticed that her young mistress's face, which had just brightened, had turned ashen upon hearing the news, and she was extremely worried.
So she tried to persuade him: "Miss, forgive my bluntness, but you are His Highness Prince Qin's concubine! Although you haven't yet served him in bed, you shouldn't have such thoughts about Young Master Jiang..."
The world is harsh on women; the slightest act of infidelity can result in being drowned in a pig cage.
Shen Murui knew the maid's good intentions.
She smiled bitterly.
“Xiaoyun, you’ve been with me for so many years, I don’t want to hide it from you anymore. If I want to leave the Qin Prince’s Mansion, I can leave anytime. Do you understand what that means? His Highness the Qin Prince himself said that I can leave the manor, but I told him I don’t want to leave right now. One of the reasons I don’t want to leave is because of Young Master Jiang, and it seems that…”
Xiaoyun was so surprised that her mouth dropped open.
She stammered, "Miss, you...you mean His Highness Prince Qin doesn't want you anymore?!"
This was a complete shock to Xiaoyun.
If her young lady doesn't stay in the Prince Qin's mansion, how will she live in the future!
Yinshuang, who was about to knock on the door and go in, froze at the doorway and withdrew her outstretched hand.
She had initially wondered why Consort Su would ask her to deliver the message to Yingyue Pavilion, but now she understood.
It turns out that Shen Murui has feelings for Jiang Zhuo.
However, Jiang Zhuo could never like Shen Murui, and Shen Murui was not worthy of Jiang Zhuo's status.
Not to mention that Shen Murui was once the prince's concubine. Although, judging from what Shen Murui just said, the prince was already preparing to send her away, she still had that status.
Yinshuang suddenly realized her own predicament.
Whether out of sympathy or something else, she reached out and knocked on the door.
The master and servant inside the room were both startled.
After recognizing that the person who came was Yin Shuang, Shen Murui breathed a sigh of relief.
She was very polite to Yinshuang: "Miss Yinshuang, is there anything I can help you with?"
Shen Murui's cautiousness made it impossible for Yinshuang to dislike her. She glanced at Xiaoyun standing to the side and said, "I have something to say to Madam Shen alone."
"Miss, this..."
Xiaoyun hesitated.
Shen Murui smiled faintly at her, "It's alright, you can go out first."
After everyone left, Yinshuang took two steps closer, her voice low and deep: "Miss Shen, let me give you a piece of advice: give up now. There's no future for you and Jiang Zhuo."
Shen Murui, no longer caring that her thoughts had been exposed, blushed and asked, "Why do you say that?"
"Because of my status."
Yinshuang gave a bitter smile and continued, "Marrying someone of equal social standing may not be absolute, but it is the prevailing trend in society. I myself have suffered because of this. If you don't want to end up in a mess in the future, I advise you to give up now."
Shen Murui didn't have time to blush; she grasped an even more important piece of information.
"Miss Yinshuang, are you saying that I am not worthy of Young Master Jiang's status?"
Shen Murui's face fell as she spoke, this was even more embarrassing than having her feelings for Jiang Zhuo revealed.
Indeed, her slightly better status was that of a concubine's daughter in the Prime Minister's mansion, but now she has become the Prince of Qin's concubine.
A concubine is very lowly and has no dignity.
Young Master Jiang is so handsome, she...
"Jiang Zhuo is the second son of the Marquis of Dingyuan in Jiangnan."
After Yinshuang finished speaking, she didn't miss a single reaction from Shen Murui.
Sure enough, she felt a pang of pity when she saw Shen Murui's frail body droop. But when she thought that it was for her own good, her pity faded.
She took her leave, saying, "I meant well. Madam Shen, please take care of yourself."
After a long while, the maid Xiaoyun came to her side. Shen Murui was completely unaware of her presence. Her almond-shaped eyes were blank and lost in thought, and the expression on her face startled Xiaoyun.
"Miss? Miss, what's wrong?"
While Xiaoyun was worried, she reached out and grasped her young mistress's hand, then exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, why are your hands so cold!"
Shen Murui was stunned.
Her eyes flickered.
The timidity of the past was gone from her eyes. She suddenly said, "Xiaoyun, I want to leave the palace. Do you want to come with me? If you don't want to leave, I can plead with Consort Su, and you can follow her from now on."