This was the reason for Shen Yingluo's distraction and despondency—in the end, His Majesty was merely His Majesty.
His Majesty demanded she make a choice: either remain a daughter of the Shen family like her formidable elder sister, or repay His Majesty's years of care by becoming his considerate and understanding niece.
"County Lord..." Tan Shi parted her lips but ultimately found no words of comfort. In truth, Shen Yingluo understood everything perfectly, and now faced an impossible dilemma.
"Nanny, do you know that night when I went to seek out Father, my elder sister said I am both Father's daughter and His Majesty's niece? Father doesn't treat me well because he doesn't want me caught between two loyalties—this is the only thing he can do for me as a father." Shen Yingluo lifted her head to gaze out the window, her eyes dim and vacant. "At that time, I naively believed I could truly have both..."
With a soft, self-mocking laugh, Shen Yingluo said bitterly, "Indeed, nothing in this world comes without a price."
"County Lord, you..." Tan Shi's brow twitched. "Are you planning to..."
Shen Yingluo folded the letter once before tossing it into the brazier. "I should repay His Majesty's kindness."
"County Lord!" Tan Shi's voice rose sharply before she caught herself and lowered it again. "Do you realize that if you marry Xun Wang, you'll become..."
"Become Xiao Shen instead of just Shen?" Shen Yingluo lowered her eyes to watch the flames consume the letter. "Didn't Elder Sister also become Xiao Shen?"
"This..." Tan Shi hesitated, unsure how to respond. The Crown Princess's marriage to the Crown Prince was her own choice, yet also an inevitable outcome of the intertwined interests between the Northwest and His Majesty. Whether due to the Shen family's selfish motives or His Majesty's, the Crown Princess's entry into the royal family was unavoidable—but Shen Yingluo still had a choice.
"I know Elder Sister married for the sake of the Shen family." Shen Yingluo looked up at Tan Shi again. "Nanny, before I met Elder Sister, I was still an ignorant young girl dreaming of romance and marriage. But later, when Elder Sister entered the capital, I thought she would be resentful, filled with bitterness, recklessly venting her anger at the injustice fate had dealt her."
"Then I discovered I was wrong. She was so composed and calm, wise and resolute. She was the true eldest daughter of an aristocratic family who put her clan first, while I only cared about fine clothes and golden hairpins, lavish feasts, poetry and songs, youthful infatuations and handsome faces."
"Looking back now, I was truly a childish girl. Are romantic affections between men and women really so important? Worth spending my whole life pursuing, scheming for, and striving after? Even if I cannot become as ambitious and far-sighted as Elder Sister, why can't I do something else? So that when I look back at my life in my final moments—whether it be long or short—I can feel proud, knowing I didn't waste it?"
"County Lord, don't act impulsively." Tan Shi sensed a certain determination in Shen Yingluo that made her heart race with alarm.
"I've never been more clear-headed than I am now." Shen Yingluo's gaze gradually solidified with resolve. "Who I marry matters little. His Highness Xun Wang is a young man of exceptional talent, accomplished in both civil and military arts—the ideal choice in the hearts of all the young ladies in the capital. Need I mention distant examples? Even that Second Young Lady from Pingyao Marquis Residence exhausts all her schemes for him."
How could Shen Yingluo fail to see Yu Sangning's intentions?
It was merely that she found it amusing to have someone flatter her and relieve her boredom while bringing news of outside affairs. Since she had no interest in Xiao Changfeng anyway, she was content to watch Yu Sangning dance about like a clown.
"Marriage is for a lifetime. One should always seek someone they love..."
"Nanny, do you think Elder Sister loves the Crown Prince?" Shen Yingluo asked.This left Tan Shi speechless. While others might see the Crown Prince and Crown Princess as an inseparable, deeply devoted couple, they were members of the Shen family who understood Shen Xihe better than anyone. Shen Xihe was an unfeeling person who needed no romantic love. Between them lay the irreconcilable conflict between the imperial family and the Shen clan, and no one could predict how things would unfold in the future.
"If His Majesty wishes me to marry, then I shall marry. It will save so many people from scheming over my marital prospects." Shen Yingluo let out a soft, mocking laugh. "If His Majesty intends for me to follow my husband's lead and use me to control Father and the others, he is certainly miscalculating. If His Majesty can retain even a shred of affection, and if Xun Wang does not overstep, I would be content to be a virtuous and gentle Xun Wangfei.
But if His Majesty plans to use a 'beauty trap' on me, and Xun Wang tacitly agrees, then do not blame me..."
A sharp glint flashed in her dewy almond-shaped eyes. For every measure of respect she received, she would return it in kind. If anyone sought to use her, they had better be prepared to be used in return.
She turned and sat before the mirror, gently tracing her increasingly stunning and captivating face since her coming-of-age ceremony: "Who isn't a beauty, after all..."
If Xun Wang was willing to be a good husband and keep her out of these conflicts, she would be a good wife in return.
If Xun Wang intended to deploy a 'beauty trap' on her, she had her own 'seduction strategy' ready for him.
By complying with the Emperor this time and using her marriage to repay His Majesty's years of care and favor, she would owe him no further gratitude. From now on, the Emperor would merely be the Emperor to her—they were sovereign and subject, no longer uncle and niece.
"County Lord, perhaps you should consult with the Crown Princess before making your decision," Tan Shi suggested.
Shen Yingluo shook her head gently. "Elder Sister will not interfere in my marital affairs, nor do I need to explain to her why I have agreed to marry. I need only be true to myself."
Tan Shi thought for a moment and did not press further.
The affairs in the Northwest had largely concluded after Shen Xihe uprooted those who had misled Lady Geng.
Lady Geng, upon learning that Geng Zhongji was not her biological son, had descended into complete madness.
Xiao Changfeng came daily to pay his respects and always inquired when they would depart. They had come only to find Shen Yueshan, but with events unfolding as they had and everything settled, they ought to return to the capital soon.
"The heir's wedding is next month. Since we are already in the Northwest, and the Crown Princess has only this one elder brother, we cannot possibly miss the ceremony. I have already sent a letter to the capital informing His Majesty," Xiao Huayong said, handing Youning Emperor's reply to Xiao Changfeng. "His Majesty has consented. If Xun Wang is eager to return to the capital, he may proceed ahead."
At this point, since Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe wished to attend Shen Yungan's wedding and were already in the Northwest, if Youning Emperor forcibly recalled them, it would be blatantly unreasonable.
There were indeed no urgent matters in the capital requiring the immediate return of the Crown Princess and Crown Prince, so Youning Emperor had not even considered obstructing Xiao Huayong's request.
After reading the letter, Xiao Changfeng said, "Changfeng's orders are to ensure the Crown Princess's safety. I must see the Crown Princess and Your Highness safely back to the capital."This meant he would be staying. Xiao Changfeng's decision to remain brought the greatest joy to Bu Shulin, who could now indulge in her passion for adventure. She would disappear for days on end, roaming the northwestern grasslands and deserts she adored, where she could gallop freely. The horses of the northwest made her mouth water with longing.
The women of the northwest captivated her—yes, women.
As a woman herself, Bu Shulin naturally preferred the company of other women. However, in Xiao Changfeng's eyes, this only served as proof of the Shu Nan heir's reputation for indulgence in drink and lust.
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