The days that followed were much more peaceful. Lu Wanning originally thought that even though she had rejected the queen in the grand hall, Sheng Chenyi would probably still find ways to get close to her, just like Fu Rongxuan used to. Perhaps it was because she hadn't gone out, for she never heard that Sheng Chenyi was looking for her.
After the hundred - day period of mourning, she no longer had to stay at home all the time like before. Some noble ladies in the capital tentatively held small banquets. Seeing that the emperor tacitly approved, everyone grew bolder.
Lu Wanning didn't attend these banquets. She only accepted Jiang Shishi's invitation and went to the bookstore to meet them.
When she reached the private room on the third floor of the bookstore, Zhen Yan stretched lazily and carelessly: "This past month has been so boring. My aunt at home wouldn't let me do this or that. My cousin - uncle even wrote to my father, trying to get me married into the Prince Qi Shan's mansion."
Lu Wanning couldn't help laughing: "Did your father agree?"
Zhen Yan pouted: "I didn't agree, so my father naturally dared not. You guys don't know. My aunt's attitude was so annoying. She said that if I didn't get married, my younger sisters at home wouldn't be able to marry well either. Tut, her two daughters aren't even ten years old yet. Isn't she being too hasty? The other day I got angry and had them kicked out."
Jiang Shishi's eyes widened in shock, covering her chest and saying: "You're so bold! They're still your elders. How could you do this?"
"Old - fashioned!" Zhen Yan patted Jiang Shishi on the shoulder. "Are you stupid? Zhen Mansion is my home. Originally, my real uncle and aunt were taking care of me. This time, my uncle and aunt went to Daihe, so my father asked a cousin - uncle from a side branch to come. Well, they thought that since I'm the only young lady in the family, they could manipulate me at will. These days, the whole family has been in an uproar."
Jiang Shishi held her hand: "I know you're the only young lady in your family, but you can't act so recklessly. Even if they're from a side branch, they're still Zhen family members."
Zhen Yan tapped her on the forehead: "Sister Jiang, can you stop being so over - cautious? How many decades can a person live in this world? If we can't live freely and happily, isn't it a waste of life? Besides, I'm not an unreasonable person. They were the ones who were wrong first. Do you know what my little cousin said? He said that since my brothers are all in Daihe, which is far away, I'll have no one to rely on after I get married. So I should curry favor with him now and give the family's belongings to his parents. Otherwise, they won't care about me after I get married."
Jiang Shishi had been taught since childhood that a family should be united. Although there might be a little bit of selfishness among the people in the inner courtyard, with the family head in charge, things wouldn't go too far. She had never heard such despicable words before. She became even more worried.
Zhen Yan shrugged: "My Zhen family is different from your centuries - old noble families. The Zhen family used to be just a small family. If it weren't for my grandfather and father's capabilities, how could the Zhen family have reached where it is today? Well, they rely on my family to live but still want to take over. Anyway, everyone in my family is a military general, and we don't have so many rules. Since they treat me badly, I'll just kick them out."
Jiang Shishi asked: "But in the future..."
Zhen Yan asked: "They treat me like this now. Sister Jiang, do you still think they'll be my support after I get married?"
Jiang Shishi nodded, thinking Zhen Yan was right.
Zhen Yan added: "Moreover, I've always believed that a person should rely on themselves. Neither men nor family members can be relied on. Only when one is strong can they be invincible. Also, I don't want to get married, especially not to someone like Sheng Songyan. What does he have? He just relies on his family. He's good for nothing. Why should I marry such a good - for - nothing?"
Just as she finished speaking, they heard a man's cough at the door. Jiang Shishi had sharp ears, and her face instantly turned red from her cheeks to her neck.
Lu Wanning was a bit confused at first, thinking someone was eavesdropping on them. Seeing Jiang Shishi's reaction, she then realized that it was He Nanfeng outside.
She quickly got up and opened the door. Sure enough, He Nanfeng was standing there, and beside him was Sheng Songyan.
"Brother - in - law, Prince... "
Sheng Songyan frowned tightly and didn't notice Lu Wanning's slip - up. He just stepped in and looked at Zhen Yan, asking: "Miss Zhen..."
Zhen Yan was so angry that she stamped her foot. She immediately took out her whip and pointed it at Sheng Songyan: "You still dare to show up? Sheng Songyan, take this whip!"
With that, she whipped the long whip directly at Sheng Songyan's face. Sheng Songyan seemed not to notice and just frowned at Zhen Yan.
Just as the whip was about to land, Zhen Yan didn't expect Sheng Songyan not to dodge. It was too late for her to take it back. She could only throw the whip out forcefully. The whip slipped out of her hand and flew uncontrollably towards Jiang Shishi behind.
He Nanfeng was shocked. He rushed forward and threw Jiang Shishi to the ground, reaching out to grab the whip. He didn't have much martial arts skills. He was afraid the whip would hurt Jiang Shishi, so he held it with his bare hands. But the whip was very powerful. In just a short while, He Nanfeng's palm was already badly lacerated.
Lu Wanning was startled. She quickly helped He Nanfeng up and then Jiang Shishi.
Jiang Shishi was still in a state of shock. When she saw He Nanfeng was injured, her face turned as pale as paper, and tears streamed down her face.
He Nanfeng was in great pain. Seeing Jiang Shishi like this, he endured the pain and forced a smile at her: "I'm fine. You don't need to worry."
Jiang Shishi cried even more sadly. Regardless of etiquette, she stepped forward and held his hand: "It's like this. How can you be fine? Does it hurt a lot?"
He Nanfeng shook his head. After thinking for a while, he whispered: "A... little bit."
Jiang Shishi immediately blew on his hand gently. Somehow, the wind blew her long hair onto He Nanfeng's face. It tickled, and He Nanfeng's cheeks were flushed.
Zhen Yan was extremely angry and shouted at Sheng Songyan: "Are you crazy? Why didn't you dodge?"
Sheng Songyan still stared at her steadily: "Before, when you said you didn't want to, I always refused to believe it. Now that you're with your close friends and still say so firmly, perhaps you really don't want to?"
Zhen Yan was still angry and continued shouting: "I never wanted to. I've never wanted to. Sheng Songyan, tell me yourself. What have you done these days? You've been ruining my reputation everywhere, saying you're in love with me. But you know exactly what you really want to do!"
Sheng Songyan's hands curled slightly, and his head involuntarily lowered.
"What are you trying to cover up by using my name? Sheng Songyan, don't treat everyone as a fool, okay? I helped you just because I didn't want to really see you lose your head. It doesn't mean I like you. I'll never like you in this lifetime."
Seeing this, Lu Wanning quickly stepped forward and pulled Zhen Yan back: "Sister Zhen, stop talking. Go and check on my cousin. He's badly injured. It'll be bad if he has internal injuries."
Zhen Yan shut up and followed Lu Wanning to He Nanfeng's side. When she saw He Nanfeng's bloody palm, she was also startled: "It's so serious? I'll send someone to call a doctor."
Sheng Songyan walked in front of her and blocked her way: "You... really think I'm a good - for - nothing, don't you?"