It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 34

A group of people murmured in discussion.

Seeing that the timing was right, Madam Lu continued, “It’s indeed pitiful that the mother and daughter have no one to rely on. As men, bearing a little dishonor is no big deal.”

“How can it be no big deal? A man’s future depends on his official career—once tainted with a bad reputation, his path will be difficult.”

“……”

Madam Lu sighed helplessly, but inside, she was secretly delighted—Zhi Li had been cleared of suspicion.

With her goal achieved, Madam Lu exchanged a few more casual words with the crowd before quietly stepping back to Madam Qian’s side.

“Didn’t you say she was wearing earrings?”

Madam Qian whispered the details of what had just happened. Madam Lu’s gaze gradually turned cold.

“Lucky for her.”

But who knew if Princess An Ning had another trick up her sleeve?

Shen Qing Li was oblivious to Madam Lu’s thoughts. She accompanied Liu Yuyan to the main courtyard to pay respects to the Grand Princess. From afar, she spotted Princess An Ning and inexplicably felt a sense of resistance.

The two of them stepped forward and bowed.

Liu Yuyan said, “Greetings to Your Highness, the Grand Princess.”

The Grand Princess smiled warmly and gestured for Liu Yuyan to come closer. “Yaner, come here. It’s been so long since I last saw you. How has your mother been?”

Liu Yuyan took her hand affectionately. “She’s doing well. This is my new friend, Shen Qing Li, daughter of the late General Shen Zhong.”

The Grand Princess turned her gaze to Shen Qingli, who quickly saluted again. “Qing Li greets Your Highness.”

The Grand Princess was close friends with the Duchess and had watched Liu Yuyan grow up. Normally, she kept her social circle distant, making this the first time she had ever introduced someone to her.

Looking at Shen Qing Li with a smile in her eyes, she remarked, “I thought this young lady looked somewhat familiar. I met General Shen once before—he was a fine-looking man. You do bear some resemblance to him. Is your mother well at home?”

Shen Qing Li quickly expressed her gratitude and assured her that all was well.

The Grand Princess gently patted Liu Yuyan’s hand. “Since the Crown Prince isn’t here, it seems you don’t wish to visit my residence either.”

Everyone knew of her arranged marriage with the Crown Prince—it was merely a matter of waiting for the Emperor to announce it on the Empress Dowager’s birthday.

Liu Yuyan responded seriously, “Your Highness, please be careful with your words. That’s not something to joke about.”

The Grand Princess chuckled. “Alright, alright. But a little romance makes life interesting.”

Liu Yuyan’s face instantly turned red. The others assumed she was simply shy, but only she knew what had just crossed her mind.

Princess An Ning shot her a glare; her expression looked displeased. “Miss Liu doesn’t seem like someone lacking in romantic affairs. After all, Lord Jiu Qian Sui doesn’t help just anyone—especially not a woman.”

Shen Qing Li lowered her gaze, masking the unease in her eyes.

Princess An Ning truly lived up to her reputation—arrogant and domineering. To openly imply that Liu Yuyan had an improper relationship with Lord Qian Sui in front of so many people—her jealousy was too obvious. Not to mention, Liu Yuyan might very well become the Crown Princess in the future. It was as if she didn’t even regard the Crown Prince.

The Grand Princess’s smile faded slightly, and her gaze turned cold as she glanced at Princess An Ning. If not for her royal brother’s instructions, she wouldn’t have even bothered to speak with this foreign princess.

Liu Yuyan straightened her back and replied indifferently, “I have no idea why the Lord Jiu Qian Sui helped me. But if he doesn’t wish to deal with you, the entire capital knows it. I suppose that makes you quite the interesting person too, Princess An Ning.”

“You—!” Princess Anning slammed the table and stood up, pointing at her angrily. “Sharp-tongued! Are you still not convinced from our last fight?”

Liu Yuyan stared straight at her, eyes burning with anger, refusing to back down.

When she first heard that the Third Prince had been gravely injured by Princess An Ning and had gone missing, she had been so furious she wanted to draw her sword and cut that wretched woman down on the spot.

Just as the tension between them reached a breaking point, a clear and melodious voice, as crisp as an oriole’s song, rang out:

“Princess An Ning, you must be mistaken. I heard that Lord Jiu Qian Sui once fought alongside the Duke on the battlefield and that they share a deep friendship. Just a few days ago, he even attended a banquet at the Duke’s residence.”

They had indeed been on the battlefield together, but whether or not they were actually close she wasn’t sure. There was no way to verify it now, either.

Princess An Ning’s eyes narrowed in suspicion as she turned to look at Shen Qing Li. This woman seemed familiar.

Mustering her courage, Shen Qing Li lowered her voice and said, “As an esteemed foreign princess, isn’t it improper to act so boldly in our Great Zhou? Such behavior will not earn the Lord Jiu Qian Sui a favor.”

A sharp glint flashed across Princess An Ning’s eyes, but after a brief pause, a smile returned to her face. She suddenly remembered who this person was.

Her ears were bare—what a pity.

“How do you know that Lord Qian Sui  attended the Duke’s banquet?”She asked.

Shen Qing li carefully replied, “I was there with my cousin, Jiang Yuying… I saw him.”

Princess An Ning narrowed her eyes. None of her people had reported seeing Lord Jiu Qian Sui at the Duke’s banquet. How could this girl know?

“Someone, go fetch Jiang Yuying.”

Shen Qing Li’s heart clenched tighter.

Before long, Jiang Yuying arrived.

Princess An Ning wasted no time. “During the banquet at the Duke’s residence, you and Shen Qing Li attended together. You saw Lord Jiu Qian Sui that day—do you know when he left?”

Jiang Yuying, unaware of the prior conversation, had never seen Lord Qian Sui at the banquet.

But being singled out to answer such a question in front of so many people made her feel important. So she responded with a proud smile, “I’m not sure when Lord Jiu Qian Sui left the Duke’s residence.”

Princess An Ning gave a soft “hmm,” then turned to Liu Yuyan with a bright smile. “Look at you, losing your temper so easily. What’s the rush? You can’t beat me anyway. I was just joking. Since Lord Jiu Qian Sui is friends with your father, that makes us friends too.”

Liu Yuyan remained silent but cast a grateful glance at Shen Qing Li.

Shen Qing Li finally breathed a quiet sigh of relief. This Princess An Ning was not an easy person to deal with.

The Grand Princess, having observed how Shen Qing Li skillfully defused the situation with just a few words, was quite pleased and rewarded her with many fine gifts.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yuying, who had been brushed aside, felt a sharp sense of disappointment. The jealousy in her eyes was impossible to hide. She had finally caught Princess An Ning’s attention, only for the spotlight to shift to someone else.

The day passed quickly, and as the sun began to set, the shadows of flowers and trees stretched long across the courtyard. The banquet finally came to an end.

After bidding farewell to the Grand Princess and parting ways with Liu Yuyan, Shen Qing Li returned to the carriage of the Yongwang Marquis Manor.

It wasn’t until she sat inside that she truly felt relieved.

Royal banquets were not easy affairs.

The streets outside the princess’s residence were crowded with carriages, forcing them to move slowly. As they turned out of an alley, a loud “thud” sounded from behind—their carriage had been hit.

A rough, drunken voice cursed from outside.

“Damn it! Who the hell doesn’t have eyes and dares to crash into your lord’s carriage? Get the hell out here!”

A loud bang bang bang followed as someone hammered on the carriage.

Jiang Yuying, unable to contain her curiosity, lifted a corner of the curtain. A strong stench of alcohol immediately filled the carriage.

“It’s Chen Dabao… we’d better not go out.”

His name alone spoke volumes.

Chen Dabao was the only grandson of Grand Chancellor Chen, the sole male heir of three generations. After siring nine daughters, the Chen family had finally been blessed with a son, making him more precious than gold.

For years, he had relied on his grandfather’s influence to wreak havoc in the capital—brawling, bullying, and even committing crimes. Rumor had it he had once taken a life.

But ordinary people couldn’t afford to offend the Chancellor’s only grandson. No matter how serious his misdeeds, they were always covered up.

Chen Dabao pounded the carriage again. “Get out here and apologize to your lord, or else—”

Just then, a breeze lifted the corner of the curtain.

Chen Dabao, already half-drunk, suddenly froze. His drunken eyes were completely captivated.

Inside the carriage sat a beauty like a celestial fairy, with a delicate mole at the corner of her eye—pure yet alluring.