Yi Zhen's heart tightened abruptly.
Concubine Shen's eyes flashed. She turned her head away impatiently and said, "What do you know! Your grandfather has his own reasons for his actions."
"Back then, so many young ladies from the Shen family were sent into the palace. If it weren't for your grandfather's unique vision and his insistence on sending me to the prince's mansion, accompanying His Majesty when he was still in obscurity, how could we have such a good life today?"
Yi Zhen just remained silent.
If there was no definite admission, it meant her grandfather hadn't told her either.
The two of them had been nothing more than pawns from beginning to end.
She really couldn't understand. Clearly, her grandfather was reluctant to disclose anything and didn't trust her. But her mother was just so stubbornly obedient to his orders and followed his every word.
Even though her mother was a concubine of high rank and her grandfather was a courtier, it couldn't change the suppression brought by their innate blood - relationship.
Concubine Shen didn't think about those things at all.
Recalling the past, a hint of madness and pleasure flashed across her absent - minded face. "You should know that back then, when your grandfather sent me to the prince's mansion, no one was optimistic about me. Those sisters who were sent into the palace to accompany the former emperor, the then crown prince, or those powerful princes didn't miss a chance to laugh at me. They thought your grandfather had no discernment."
"But what was the result? A few years later, an epidemic broke out in the palace. The former emperor and the princes successively contracted the disease and passed away. The one who had the last laugh was still this palace!"
"Humph—"
Concubine Shen let out a disdainful snort and murmured to herself, "With His Majesty's favor for me back then, if I had given birth to a prince instead of you, how could the position of the empress have fallen to Cao Shu!"
Even though these words were so hurtful, Yi Zhen's expression remained unchanged.
She had heard such words almost since she was a child, and her heart had already gone numb.
She had understood a long time ago: her mother resented that she was a girl; her mother only thought that she was in her way. She had blocked her mother from becoming the mistress of the harem and holding the phoenix seal, and also blocked her grandfather's attention to her mother.
In fact, her mother didn't love her at all.
Unconsciously, Yi Zhen raised her hand to touch her swollen and red cheek. The stabbing pain when her hand touched her skin made her mind suddenly clear.
Yi Zhen smiled satisfactorily and hid the fleeting blood - thirsty pleasure in her eyes.
Concubine Shen rambled on for a while, venting her resentment. Finally, she regained her composure and said coldly, "Fine. Now that things have come to this, it's probably impossible to form an alliance with the Yun family."
"Your grandfather will surely have other plans then. You should cultivate your temper well in that nunnery and be more sensible. Anyway, you're old enough to get married. Your grandfather and I have been looking for a suitable son - in - law. I think it won't be long before the marriage is settled..."
"Mother!"
Yi Zhen's body trembled. A look of panic flashed across her eyes. She finally couldn't help but speak up, trying to interrupt Concubine Shen and make her listen to her opinion.
Concubine Shen just waved her hand. She didn't care what Yi Zhen said at all and just continued, "...Then we'll use a few tricks. As long as the marriage is settled, you'll be able to come back soon."
"I don't—"
"Enough!"
Concubine Shen slapped the soft cushion under her heavily. Her eyes turned cold, and her gentle voice was full of warning. "Remember your identity. I didn't pursue this matter today, but it doesn't mean I hope there will be a next time."
"When the Shen family needs you, you should give up everything and devote yourself whole - heartedly."
With a wave of her sleeve, Concubine Shen seemed very tired. She closed her eyes and said, "That's it. You may leave. You'll set off early tomorrow morning."
All the words were stuck in Yi Zhen's throat.
Her lips parted and closed, but finally she endured and lowered her eyes, swallowing them all back.
It was useless to say anything.
Since she was unwilling to be a pawn and be married off at others' will, she had to... fight for herself.
"Princess,"
As soon as Yi Zhen stepped out of the main gate, a little eunuch who had been waiting in the corner sneaked up and whispered, "This servant saw. That Slow - Ping Immortal Maiden is actually Jiang Ning, the one who is very close to Yun Xi in Zhihongyuan."
"No wonder that immortal maiden was willing to cooperate with Zhihongyuan to open the Xining Cloth Store. We originally thought it was because of the friendship between Hunyuan and the Prince of Yu'an, but we didn't expect it was her own doing."
Yi Zhen didn't stop walking at all. A glint flashed in her eyes. "Good."
In this way, killing one would hurt two...
In Zhihongyuan—
"These, and this bundle, are all the books we haven't had time to look through."
Jiang Ning took off her veil hat and pointed at the books piled up like a small mountain on the table. "It's almost the New Year, and everyone is relatively free. So I took more, thinking it would be easier to find with more people."
Yun Xi gave Jiang Ning a big hug and said playfully, "Thank you, A Ning~"
"But it's getting late today. Everyone should rest first. We'll continue looking tomorrow."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
After tonight's events, everyone was really tired. Especially Jiang Ning, who was unexpectedly called to read minds in front of the emperor and was extremely nervous. Now that she had relaxed, she just wanted to go back quickly, wash up, and go to sleep.
The group dispersed and went to rest.
Only Yi Yuan refused to go back to his own mansion no matter what. He wanted to wash Yun Xi himself and sleep with her.
The two tangled for a while, and finally Yun Xi gave in.
The coldness in Yi Yuan's eyes had long been completely replaced by a gentle smile. He picked up Yun Xi horizontally and walked towards the back bath.
Unable to struggle anymore, Yun Xi simply resigned herself to being served by Yi Yuan. While letting him take off her hairpins and ornaments, she talked to him. "How's your injury? After you fell into the water and passed out, so many things happened that I forgot to ask you. What exactly happened that day when I fell into the water? You came back all injured. Weren't you accompanied by so many people?"
"Oh..."
Yi Yuan replied casually, "That saint - master somehow got the news and set an ambush for us."
"I was lucky. I noticed something wrong in advance and only got a few scratches. Xie Huaiyue was the one who suffered more. Most of the people he took died or were injured, and he almost lost his life. He's been recuperating at home for the past two days."
"Ah—"
Yun Xi suddenly realized. "No wonder I didn't see him today."
After a pause, Yun Xi stole a glance at Yi Yuan and asked, "I wonder how the investigation into your elder brother's matter is going? Is there any movement in Yanshan County?"
"Last time Lin An said that they found that a large batch of things were transported from Yanshan County to Shuozhou every few months. I originally planned to find the saint - master's whereabouts, arrest him, and ensure your safety before going to check."
"But unexpectedly, that saint - master was extremely well - hidden. My people and Xie Huaiyue's people searched the whole capital thoroughly but couldn't find him."
After taking off Yun Xi's hairpins, Yi Yuan lifted his robe and knelt down on one knee to wipe the powder off her face. He continued, "Later, you had one accident after another, so I didn't have time to care about that matter."
"However, according to the news brought back by the people who investigated there, it seems that there is a special kind of rice stored in that mansion, a kind that is unique to Yanshan County."
"Rice?"
Yun Xi was puzzled. "If it's just rice, why are they being so secretive? They're trying to cover something up. There must be some mystery inside."
Yi Yuan paused in his movements. His star - like eyes were full of smiles. He leaned forward slightly and kissed Yun Xi's soft red lips. He praised, "My little Xi is really in tune with me."
"I thought so too. Before, I was the only one protecting you, and I was always worried about everything. Now that you've found your maternal family and they truly love and care for you, I'm much more relieved. So I'm thinking of going to take a look after the New Year. Then we'll know what's really going on."