Chapter 268: Chapter 211: An Imperial Edict That Cannot Be Accepted

Mi Yi quickly shook his head, eagerly saying, “It’s not for me, is there possibly another one?”

Jun Moling was slightly taken aback, and Shen Ruoxi instantly understood; apparently, he was asking for his own woman.

She immediately smiled and said, “Prepare two portions for the two of them.”

Mi Yi was overjoyed upon hearing this and hurriedly saluted, “Thank you, Mistress.”

It was only then that Jun Moling realized that the young man was thinking of Xueyan.

Because during this trip, Shen Ruoxi only brought Chuntao and Xia Lian with her, Xueyan remained at the Prince Mansion. He didn’t want his future wife to suffer.

“Alright, as the Princess Consort says, prepare two portions.” Jun Moling said.

“Thank you, Master.” Mi Yi was full of joy, saluted, and withdrew.

After Mi Yi left, Chuntao and Xia Lian came over to greet Shen Ruoxi. It was then that Shen Ruoxi remembered General Yan that her husband had mentioned before.

“Have you two heard of the name Yan Zhen?” Shen Ruoxi asked.

Chuntao furrowed her brows and thought for a while, a familiar yet strange confusion on her face.

Xia Lian had been at the Shen Mansion a little longer, and after some careful thought, she said, “Princess Consort, are you asking about General Yan?”

Sure enough, someone knew.

“Yes, was he childhood sweethearts with my elder sister-in-law?” Shen Ruoxi pursued further.

“Yes, they were once engaged. But General Yan fell ill with a strange disease at twelve, and it was treated in vain for a long time. The illness was so severe it seemed like he was about to die.

So, he forced his parents to break off the engagement with the First Young Madam. At that time, the First Young Madam was vehemently opposed, but in the end, who knows what General Yan said, she eventually agreed.

Everyone then believed that General Yan would surely die, but who would have thought that he would suddenly disappear.

On the day of the First Young Madam’s wedding, he returned, and strangely, the disease was gone and he was back to normal. However, once the engagement was broken, it was broken, and there were no ties between them anymore.”

Shen Ruoxi listened and fell into deep thought.

Suddenly disappearing? Returning a few years later completely cured, why hasn’t he married yet? With the Yan family’s influence, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a wife. She had to get to the bottom of this.

“Husband, why don’t you find someone to ask?” Shen Ruoxi looked at Jun Moling.

Jun Moling, upon hearing this, waved for Chuntao and Xia Lian to leave.

After they both respectfully left, Jun Moling said, “My dear, Yan Zhen’s character is indeed impeccable, but I forgot to tell you something; he is now the Standard Second Rank General of the Country, and this position seems to be a replacement for me.”

How wise Shen Ruoxi was, she instantly understood her husband’s implication.

At such a critical moment, would choosing Yan Zhen as a husband for her elder sister-in-law to win him over cause the Emperor to suspect they had ulterior motives?

Ever since Chunyu Che had shared those words with her, Shen Ruoxi had been calculating in her heart.

It’s not that she didn’t trust the Emperor, but one never knows; it’s always best to be prepared in advance.

“Then let’s not ask.” Shen Ruoxi said.

Jun Moling held her hand tightly, “Yes, if we end up getting involved, the Emperor will definitely think I did it on purpose. Let’s not get involved.

Over at Shaohua Courtyard, Jun Moling had invited a doctor for Shen Ruoxi, and the news of her pregnancy quickly reached the Yang Family.

The Yang Family came to visit Shen Ruoxi and expressed the hope that she could stay a few more days, to which Shen Ruoxi responded that she would return to the Prince Mansion once the Emperor’s decree arrives. The Yang Family had no choice but to agree.

The next morning, the Emperor’s decree arrived early.

After the Shen family heard the decree, Yang Family actually fell to the ground on the spot, her face turning as pale as paper.

She stared wide-eyed at Shen Ruoxi, full of disbelief, unable to fathom why the Emperor would issue such an edict.

“I must go to see His Majesty; all our Shen family men died in battle, how can he break our hearts like this? No, I must go to see His Majesty now.” The Yang Family was nearly in collapse.

She simply couldn’t accept that the Emperor had conferred upon her fifth sister-in-law the title of Chengyang Princess, placing her under the name of Chengyang Prince, and then, in this capacity, bestowed her to Chunyu Che as his wife.

On the surface, it sounded good, but in reality, it was clearly a punishment for attempting to kill Chunyu Che, clearly indicating that the defeated Beichang Country was required to return a husband to the Zou Family.

But how could this possibly work?

The Emperor bestowed her fifth sister-in-law to Chunyu Che, speaking grandly about it, but in truth, it was to send her to her death, as Chunyu Che would definitely kill her to vent his anger.

A man as cold and deceitful as Chunyu Che, who first saved her to gain a good reputation, and then got rid of her, after all, who could easily let go of such a blood feud?

“Sister-in-law, this is His Majesty’s will, and also my decision.” Shen Ruoxi struggled to say.

Even though she couldn’t reveal the whole truth, she absolutely couldn’t let the Yang Family remain in eternal worry and regret.

“Ruoxi, what are you saying? Your decision? Are you letting your fifth sister-in-law go to her death for the sake of the two countries’ interests?” The Yang Family became increasingly uneasy.

In the Yang Family’s heart, their actions undoubtedly resemble using the Zou Family to pacify an unresolved issue, especially since Chunyu Che had been relentless in this matter.

She couldn’t comprehend why it had to be that the Zou Family should endure all this. The Shen Family had given so much for the court, and yet now they were to be treated like this, how could she possibly accept it?

After rewarding the eunuch, Shen Ruoxi ordered everyone to leave.

With a heavy expression, she said, “Sister-in-law, Chunyu Che has fallen for my fifth sister-in-law, so he wants to take her away.

His meaning is very clear; if my fifth sister-in-law becomes his person, then so be it; if not, our country must answer for it.

Sister-in-law, you know well that this is the crime of regicide! Even if our country is capable of bearing such immense pressure, how could Beichang Country agree? It’s not that we fear war, but we truly fear more people dying!

The current Beichang is impoverished and destitute, and is simply fearless in front of us. But we can no longer bear more casualties.

I believe that my father and brother’s spirits would not want to see the peace they fought for with their lives shattered again. Sister-in-law, what we can do, I’m afraid, is only this. Moreover, if my fifth sister-in-law is not well after three years, I will personally bring her back home.”

The Yang Family’s lips trembled, her voice tinged with despair, “Three years? Ruoxi, do you really think your fifth sister-in-law can endure these three years? And what about Xiang’er, Xiang’er is a part of our Shen family; even if it costs me my life, I will never let them take her away.”

“Sister-in-law, if I say that my fifth sister-in-law will be alright, would you believe me?” Shen Ruoxi looked sincerely at the Yang Family.

The Yang Family pressed her lips tightly together, her eyes full of doubt, “Ruoxi, are you hiding something from us? Did something happen at the bottom of the cliff…” She suddenly covered her mouth, looking at Shen Ruoxi in disbelief.

“One had a broken leg, the other almost lost their life, sister-in-law, what do you think could possibly be happening? Don’t overthink it; they just went through hardships together.

Trust me, leaving in this way preserves a bit of dignity for my fifth sister-in-law. Xiang’er is her daughter; we can’t let a child lose both her father and a mother’s love. Sister-in-law, the family depends on you from now on.”

The Yang Family stared directly at Shen Ruoxi, speaking with sorrow and indignation, “Chunyu Che is an enemy of the Shen family!”

“An enemy? He wants relentless revenge, but does it mean that, in sister-in-law’s heart, the only path for my fifth sister-in-law is death?

Moreover, is it fair to put all the blame for the war on one person?

Truth be told, the people of Beichang are also deeply mired in the bitterness of war.

Sister-in-law, arranging it this way is good for my fifth sister-in-law; don’t worry about it anymore. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be looking for a husband for you.”

Looking at Shen Ruoxi, the Yang Family’s eyes were filled with disappointment and anger, “Did you plan this all along? Did all of you know the truth but hid it from me alone?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep