Palace maid Shuoning

(One)

The next morning, at Qingning Garden.

Zhou Zhengyin had already stood up, tying his robe and belt, and turned his head to look at Jiang Shuoning, who was still on the soft couch.

Last night, Huo Xiao sent her back. She remained silent the whole time, without saying a word, and went to rest on the soft couch with her bedding.

He asked her several times, but she remained silent and did not respond.

"I'm going out today. If you'd like to go out for a stroll, I'll arrange for two guards to accompany you and ensure your safety. As for the money you need, just ask Steward Xue for it; there's no limit to the amount."

He walked slowly closer and stood beside the soft couch. Seeing that she still had her back to him, he leaned down slightly and spoke in a gentle voice:

"Listen to me, don't run around alone anymore. You said last night that you would go to the palace today to ask your father for a decree to divorce you."

Shuoning, I didn't want to argue with you last night, but you should understand that divorce is not such an easy thing.

Now that Father Emperor won't even summon me, how could he easily grant your request? Don't cling to the memory of his past favors. Ha, the person he cherishes most right now is your sister, Ye Wan. Stop being so willful.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he kissed her ear lightly, then straightened up, turned around, and left the room.

After Zhou Zhengyin's footsteps faded into the distance, Jiang Shuoning slowly opened his eyes.

She slowly loosened her clenched palm, revealing a copper key lying quietly in it.

Last night, when Huo Xiao took her home, he secretly slipped the key into her hand when no one was looking, and whispered those words that still echoed in her ear:

"If you are afraid of implicating me, here is the key to my humble abode. You may visit whenever you wish."

Thinking of this, Jiang Shuoning stroked the warm copper spoon with his fingertips, his gaze deep and thoughtful as he stared at it for a long time.

Just then, Bailing carried a basin of water into the house and walked in quietly. She looked up and saw that Bailing had not yet gotten up.

Not daring to disturb them, they quietly slipped away.

Before long, Minglan helped Gao Shuran step into the room.

Gao Shuran spotted Jiang Shuoning on the soft couch and gestured for Minglan to leave.

Once only the two of them were left in the room, she slowly stepped forward and gently tucked the brocade quilt, which had slipped down to her waist and exposed her back, back up.

Jiang Shuoning was suddenly startled and turned to look at her.

Gao Shuran's eyes softened, a faint smile playing on her lips, and she said softly, "Did I disturb you?"

Jiang Shuoning smiled, slowly sat up, and pulled her to sit beside him on the couch. His gaze fell on her lower abdomen, and he asked in a low voice, "How many months pregnant?"

Gao Shuran gently placed her hand on her still slightly protruding belly, a warm smile playing on her lips: "It's been a little over two months."

A faint smile appeared in Jiang Shuoning's eyes. After a moment of silence, he asked softly, "Does he know?"

Gao Shuran's eyes were filled with joy, and her voice was light and cheerful:

"He came over the night before last, and he was overjoyed when he found out."

He said that once he finished what he was doing for the prince, he would secretly take me and the child in my womb away to Dali.

There, the weather is spring-like all year round. They live in anonymity, making a living by small businesses. One minute they're talking about opening a martial arts school, the next they're planning to open a teahouse.

As she spoke, her eyes and brows radiated an undeniable sweetness:

"He thinks very far ahead. He even said that it would be best if he had a daughter; he doesn't really want a son."

Jiang Shuo looked quietly at the undisguised happiness on her face, slowly lowered his eyes, and asked softly, "Is he truly willing to give up his status as a prince?"

"He said he had long since grown tired of this identity," Gao Shuran answered frankly.

Jiang Shuoning nodded slightly, then suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed on her, his tone calm:

"Shu Ran, if one day he falls for another woman, or meets someone whose personality is completely different from yours, will you let go?"

Gao Shuran was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then quickly grasped Jiang Shuoning's hand tightly, her tone firm and resolute:

"No! We've been through so much hardship together, and even though I'm a prince and princess, he's never let go."

The night our affair was exposed was a great disgrace to us, but he still didn't abandon me and stayed by my side to comfort me.

If what you say is true, I won't let go. Letting go means I don't believe in this relationship, and I don't believe in him. Even if he changes his mind someday, so what?

As long as it's someone he loves, I can forgive him. What I remember are all the days we went through together.

Gao Shuran's heartfelt words resonated deeply with Jiang Shuoning, leaving her lost in thought for a long time.

She sat alone in the house all morning, her mind in turmoil.

This warm, dreamlike feeling during the day was like a fine thorn, quietly pricking her heart.

(two)

As evening fell and the setting sun dipped low, Zhou Zhengyin, reeking of alcohol, staggered into Qingning Garden.

Jiang Shuoning noticed his appearance and immediately instructed Bailing to prepare a hangover tea.

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Zhengyin stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, his eyes blurry with drunkenness and his breath hot.

"Shuoning, guess who I met today?"

Jiang Shuoning gently pushed him away, her expression calm and composed: "Who is it?"

Zhou Zhengyin chuckled softly, his steps unsteady and unsteady. He strolled to the tea table, sat down, filled a teacup, took a sip, and slowly began to speak:

"It's Gao Shangshu, who is also Shuran's father."

Jiang Shuo Ning frowned slightly, standing quietly in place, looking at his drunken state, a hint of doubt rising in his eyes.

Zhou Zhengyin turned his head to look at her, a cold smile playing on his lips:

"I have already told Minister Gao everything about Gao Shuran's secret affair with Zhou Xiao. If he refuses to speak up for me before the Emperor, then he can expect the entire Gao family to be punished and executed."

Jiang Shuoning's eyes suddenly darkened, he paused for a moment, then sneered:

"You've truly become unscrupulous in your actions. Zhou Xiao is already working for you, so why are you using their personal relationship to blackmail Shu Ran's father?"

A wicked glint flashed in Zhou Zhengyin's eyes, and his voice was low and menacing:

"If we don't use this leverage to control the Gao family, sooner or later the Emperor will completely abandon and forget us."

All I want is a chance! Just one chance is enough. I will avenge you for the humiliation you suffered last night!

Jiang Shuoning's fingers, hanging by his side, slowly tightened, the sneer on his face gradually disappeared, and a complex and unreadable expression surged in his eyes.

She originally thought Zhou Zhengyin was just lying low waiting for an opportunity, but she didn't expect him to use such a ruthless trick, using Gao Shuran and Zhou Xiao's affair as a bargaining chip.

Gao Shuran was pregnant and looked forward to going to Dali in the future to live a peaceful life in anonymity.

Completely unaware that her affair with Zhou Xiao had already become a weapon in Zhou Zhengyin's hands to pressure her father.

Just thinking about Gao Shuran's unreserved happiness and certainty during the day...

Jiang Shuoning's heart sank slightly, and he spoke in a low voice, his tone tinged with coldness:

"Have you considered that Shu Ran is already pregnant? If the Gao family is coerced and her secret with Zhou Xiao is exposed, how will she face herself?"

Zhou Zhengyin's hand holding the teacup paused slightly; though drunk, his expression remained cold and hard.

"Those who achieve great things inevitably have to make sacrifices. Shuo Ning, you are soft-hearted, but the court will not be."

Last night at the banquet, the Crown Prince and Bao Zhong pressed us relentlessly. If we run out of leverage, we will face a hopeless future.

He looked up at Jiang Shuoning, his gaze unwavering:

"All that I've done isn't just for myself, it's also for you. You desperately want a divorce, to escape this game, but as long as I'm still caught up in the struggle for the throne, you'll never be able to break free."

Only if I seize the opportunity to turn the tide will your request have a chance to turn around.

Jiang Shuo looked at him quietly without responding.

She suddenly couldn't tell whether his words were truly meant to help her.

Or perhaps they've already viewed everyone around them as pawns to be used.

At this moment, Shan Hengzhe pushed open the door and entered. He glanced at Jiang Shuoning, then stepped forward and bowed slightly to Zhou Zhengyin, saying:

"Your Highness, Lord Huo has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhengyin nodded casually. He looked up at Jiang Shuoning, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"Shuoning, do you think Huo Xiao came here because he has already decided to marry his sister to me, or does he have other plans?"

Jiang Shuoning felt a sudden surge of unease. He suppressed his anger and spoke in a low voice, each word dripping with rage:

"Since he has sincerely pledged his allegiance to you, why can't you trust him even a little? Why do you insist on dragging his sister into this game as well?"

"Zhou Zhengyin, you keep saying you love me and are willing to listen to me, so do as I say and don't marry Huo Xiao's sister."

Zhou Zhengyin immediately stood up, his steps still unsteady from drunkenness, and walked straight to her, chuckling softly, but the laughter was chillingly cold:

"Oh? Now you're using this love to blackmail me? Fine. Just beg me to consummate our marriage, and I'll agree."

His gaze locked onto her intently, his tone suddenly turning cold and hard, piercing through her illusion with a single sentence:

"As for trust? Shuo Ning, in the face of power, trust is utterly worthless!"