SGEIRS -Chapter 236 Her Creditor

Upon hearing this, Princess Jingning’s mind flashed through a few memories, and she exclaimed in shock, “Y–you’re Shen Yunzhou?”

Princess Jingning gave an awkward smile. “No wonder I felt I’d seen you somewhere before… Four years apart, and you’ve grown so much.”

Shen Yunzhou’s gaze was sharp and piercing as he looked at her.

Princess Jingning felt a pang of guilt under his stare but straightened her back and spoke firmly, “Why are you looking at me like that? Back then, I was just an eleven-year-old girl and acted impulsively, but my mother brought me to apologize to you. What more could you want? Now I’ve saved your life; our past grievances are wiped clean.”

Shen Yunzhou replied, “Fine.”

Seeing how easily he agreed, Princess Jingning breathed a sigh of relief and, curious, asked, “Shen Yunzhou, how did you end up in such a state? You’re the heir of the Duke Shen—who would dare hurt you like this?”

The heir of the Duke Shen?

Both Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning were momentarily stunned. They knew of the Duke Shen but had never met his heir. They had heard that he passed the imperial exam at fourteen and later went to his maternal grandparents’ home to study under famous teachers, not returning to the capital for several years. Yet for the heir of such a prestigious family to be in this condition… clearly, this was no ordinary matter.

A flicker of cold resolve passed through Shen Yunzhou’s eyes. He said faintly, “I ran into some trouble.”

Seeing his expression as if unwilling to elaborate, Princess Jingning’s curiosity deepened. “What kind of trouble? Surely not bandits, right?”

Shen Yunzhou glanced at her and replied, “You could say I ran into bandits.”

Princess Jingning rolled her eyes. “’You could say’? Whatever, if you don’t want to say, I won’t pry. This is one of my estates outside the city. I’ll head home shortly, and I’ll pass a message to your family to come and fetch you.”

Shen Yunzhou’s expression stiffened, and his tone turned pleading: “I hope the young ladies can keep my return to the capital a secret.”

Princess Jingning frowned in confusion. “You’re back in the capital, so why all the secrecy? Did you do something shameful?”

Shen Yunzhou countered, “I’m after thieves. If they know I’m still alive, wouldn’t that alert them?”

Princess Jingning suddenly understood and, with a touch of pride, lifted her chin. “Very well. I’ll keep it a secret for you. You focus on recovering here. From now on, you owe me a favor.”

“Fine.”

Shen Yunzhou had no objections and then turned his gaze to Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning.

Meng Jinyao said gently, “Rest assured, Young Master Shen. We won’t tell anyone either.”

Song Xinning nodded in agreement. “Yes, we won’t. To avoid gossip, we didn’t even allow our maids inside. Right now, only the three of us know about this.”

Shen Yunzhou expressed his gratitude: “Thank you, young ladies.”

Princess Jingning snorted lightly. “Earlier, when you spoke to me, your tone wasn’t nearly this polite. Don’t forget, I saved your life too.”

Those who know the times are wise.

This time, Shen Yunzhou spoke in an extremely respectful tone, full of gratitude. “Yunzhou thanks the princess for saving my life.”

Princess Jingning: “…”

She suddenly felt like she’d punched something soft.

At that moment, a servant knocked on the door. Princess Jingning called out, “Come in.”

Soon, a servant entered carrying medicine. The three of them didn’t disturb the patient and left the guest room.

Before leaving the estate, Princess Jingning instructed the estate servants to take good care of Shen Yunzhou and strictly forbade them from revealing that they had saved him. She also reprimanded her own maids and servants.

Everyone feared causing trouble and naturally didn’t dare speak. After all, if the princess punished them and then sold them off, what would happen?

The maids accompanying Song Xinning and Meng Jinyao were trustworthy. Once given instructions, they wouldn’t reveal that they had saved a man.

On the way back, Song Xinning and Meng Jinyao rode in Princess Jingning’s carriage, chatting to pass the time.

Princess Jingning asked, “How could the heir of the Duke Shen end up like that? He says bandits attacked him, but I don’t find it very believable.”

Meng Jinyao pondered and said, “Someone wants him dead. Whoever benefits most from his death could be the culprit.”

Princess Jingning couldn’t figure it out. “He hasn’t even entered officialdom yet. Eliminating political rivals isn’t a reason. He’s just a scholar. Who could he be offending?”

Song Xinning thought for a moment, then said meaningfully, “No, even without an official position, he could still be a nuisance to someone.”

Upon hearing this, a spark lit in Meng Jinyao’s mind. She exchanged a glance with Song Xinning and nodded subtly in agreement.

Princess Jingning scolded them, “Why are you speaking in riddles?”

Meng Jinyao replied calmly, “I remember, the current Duchess Shen is the Duke Shen’s second wife. The Duke Shen’s heir is the child of the first wife. Now, the current Duchess Shen has her own son. If the heir were gone, who would benefit most?”

Princess Jingning’s eyes widened in shock and understanding, her voice dropping. “So… Shen Yunzhou being attacked could very well be the doing of the Duchess Shen and her son?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “This is just speculation. Don’t draw conclusions without evidence. I’ve seen plenty of palace intrigues. Murder for gain is common in such households.”

Princess Jingning found it hard to believe. “The Duchess Shen seems gentle, and she’s also the younger sister of the Duke Shen’s first wife—Shen Yunzhou’s stepmother and maternal aunt. She doesn’t seem like the type to commit such acts.”

Meng Jinyao smiled dismissively. “Many appear kind but are ruthless. My own stepmother is like that. If I hadn’t discovered her misdeeds, I would’ve treated her as my real mother.”

Song Xinning added, “Exactly. Anyone can put on a facade.”

“Whatever, that’s the Duke Shen’s household business—it has nothing to do with me,” Princess Jingning said, then remembered something else and murmured, “Among the suitors my mother considered for me is the Duke Shen’s second son, the child of the current Duchess Shen.”

Meng Jinyao advised gently, “If you go to meet him, just tell the princess you aren’t interested. She cares for you and won’t force you to marry someone you don’t like. If she really favors the second son, you could mention today’s events to dissuade her.”

Princess Jingning nodded lightly and stopped worrying about the matter, moving on to other topics.

Once they entered the city, the three wandered around for a while before parting ways and heading home.

At the gates of the Changxing Marquis Residence,

Meng Jinyao dismounted, ready to enter, when she heard the sound of a carriage behind her. Turning, she saw Gu Jingxi’s carriage. Her eyes lit up, and she waited in place.

The carriage stopped. Gu Jingxi had just dismounted when a familiar voice called out: “Husband.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi turned her head and saw the young lady standing delicately on the steps, smiling sweetly at him. The setting sun bathed her in warm light, giving her expression an even softer, more enchanting glow.

Gu Jingxi’s lips curved upward as he replied, “Wife.”