Chapter 146: Arrival of the Envoys

Shi Shaohua was somewhat at a loss.

He had originally harbored wishful thinking, believing that even if Shen Qingyun was resourceful and calculated every move, she probably wouldn't know the child was his. Yet, it was clear he had still underestimated Shen Qingyun.

However, Shi Shaohua still hinted, "County Princess, regardless of whether the child belongs to the Duke or not, if you say he does, doesn't he?"

Shen Qingyun's expression was icy. "The concubine in the manor is already with child, so the Young Master Shi need not trouble himself with such matters."

Besides, whether the Duke's Manor had an heir or not made very little difference to Shen Qingyun; in her heart, she had never truly regarded the Duke's Manor as her home.

Shi Shaohua still refused to give up. "County Princess, what if that concubine's child turns out to be a daughter?"

Yet, not a single ripple disturbed Shen Qingyun's eyes. "Didn't Young Master Shi just say so yourself? By the same token, if I say it's a boy, then it's a boy."

At this, Shi Shaohua was completely left speechless.

Shen Qingyun stood up. "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

She had been somewhat surprised that Shi Shaohua would proactively contact her, but after a round of probing, it seemed he was nothing to be feared.

Of course, she had another purpose in coming here.

Sure enough, seeing her about to leave, Shi Shaohua grew anxious. "County Princess, I have one more favor to ask."

"What is it?" Shen Qingyun paused in her steps.

A look of shame appeared on Shi Shaohua's face. "I wish to ask the County Princess to help me shed my humble status and grant me the status of a commoner. In the future, whatever the County Princess commands, I shall certainly carry out."

Shen Qingyun looked him up and down, then said, "Very well, but I would like to offer a word of warning: if this matter comes to light, Young Master Shi and Miss Jiang might find it rather difficult to face."

Shi Shaohua froze, somewhat unsure of what Shen Qingyun meant by those words. He wanted to ask further, but she had already turned and walked away.

Not long after, news came from the Marquis of Jiang's Estate that Shi Shaohua had actually eloped with Jiang Miaodan.

Jiang Lin was so furious that he smashed quite a few objects and secretly sent people out to track down the whereabouts of the two.

Zhenzhu was somewhat puzzled. "My Lady, how did you know that Shi Shaohua would take Miss Jiang away?"

Shen Qingyun smiled faintly. "That Shi Shaohua wanted to become a commoner simply to be with Jiang Miaodan. But staying in the capital now carried the constant risk of exposure, and moreover, Jiang Lin was already making preparations to marry Jiang Miaodan off. They had no other choice but to flee."

Jiang Lin had originally intended to marry Jiang Miaodan off to the legitimate son of the Minister of Works as a second wife, so that he could leverage the connection to rise in power.

Now that the marriage had been discussed and settled, Jiang Miaodan had run away instead. Who knew how Jiang Lin would handle this predicament.

In fact, in her past life, Jiang Miaodan had lived quite a comfortable life after marrying over, and she had returned to the Marquis's Estate several times after her marriage.

Shen Qingyun still remembered how brightly and unrestrainedly she had smiled back then. Seeing that Shen Qingyun was weak and exhausted from hunger, she had scattered food all over the ground and said, "I'm in a good mood today, so I specially brought some delicious food for my sister-in-law. Do eat up, Sister-in-law."

The maid beside her had forced Shen Qingyun to her knees right in front of Jiang Miaodan, compelling her to crawl and eat the filthy food off the floor, while everyone in the room laughed without stop.

Jiang Miaodan detested Shen Qingyun, feeling that she was unworthy of Jiang Lin, and that even harboring feelings for Jiang Lin was a sin.

In this lifetime, then, Shen Qingyun had granted Jiang Miaodan her wish to be with the person she loved. She wondered what kind of life the other woman would manage to live now.

On the other side, Shen Zhifeng and the Marchioness of Jiang were still hoping that Shi Shaohua could find the Old Madame to rescue them, never expecting that Shi Shaohua would never show his face again.

Fearing that the situation might change, the two of them hid away in an inn, not daring to show themselves. They could only take comfort in the fact that Shi Shaohua had left behind some silver, which could at least sustain them for another month.

They would wait until the Marchioness of Jiang finished her month of confinement before deciding on their next steps.

A few days later, the capital welcomed a rather special delegation.

These were the envoys from the Northern Li Kingdom, accompanied by their nation's Eldest Prince and a young princess. It seemed their purpose this time was to propose a marriage alliance.

Naturally, the Emperor wished to host a banquet to entertain them. Shen Qingyun had already completed her hundred days of strict mourning, and thus she received an invitation to the imperial banquet.

On the day she went out, Yicui specially selected a milky-white ruqun paired with a light-colored duijin upper garment. The hem of the skirt was embroidered with a subtle pattern of pale blue clustered flowers, and a pristine jade tassel hanging pendant was worn at her waist. The entire outfit was plain yet exquisite, neither overly ostentatious nor lacking in proper etiquette.

Zhenzhu nodded repeatedly as she looked at her. "My Lady's breathtaking appearance must be kept well hidden. We mustn't let that so-called prince of the Northern Li Kingdom take a fancy to you."

Shen Qingyun gently tapped her forehead. "Rest assured, I am still in my mourning period, so I won't have to worry about such troubles."

Zhenzhu covered her forehead and whispered mischievously, "My Lady, what if Prince Li is the one caught in the eye of that foreign princess?"

Yicui rolled her eyes. "Don't jinx it with your crow's mouth!"

Zhenzhu hurriedly spat to ward off bad luck, then cheerfully fetched a bracelet for Shen Qingyun.

This revolving exquisite bracelet embedded with pearls had been sent by Si Molian. It contained a small hidden mechanism enclosing a special knockout powder, which could be used for self-defense in critical moments.

After dressing and adorning herself, Shen Qingyun ate a few pastries simply to line her stomach before heading out toward the imperial palace.

Following rigorous inspections, she was guided by a palace maid to her seat. Her position was not particularly close to the front, which allowed her to relax a bit.

Scanning her surroundings, her gaze happened to lock with Ji Qianxue's. Seeing that she had arrived, Ji Qianxue offered a friendly smile. That smile was as pure as a white magnolia, stirring an inexplicable sense of goodwill in Shen Qingyun's heart.

After a moment, she noticed that even Shen Sisi had come. It seemed Jiang Lin had been getting along quite well with the Third Prince lately.

Shen Sisi wore a haughty expression, but Shen Qingyun couldn't be bothered to pay her any mind, quietly waiting for quite some time until the Emperor, Empress, and other dignitaries arrived in a slow procession. Following another round of obeisances, everyone finally took their seats.

Shen Qingyun sensed Si Molian's gaze and glanced over covertly, seeing his eyes filled with a smile that brought a measure of calm to her heart. The moment Shen Qingyun lowered her gaze, however, Si Molian immediately resumed his icy demeanor.

The Emperor and Empress were conversing when a eunuch outside loudly announced, "The envoys of the Northern Li Kingdom have arrived!"

Everyone straightened up. Soon, a group of people walked into the hall. Their attire was distinctly different, and their builds appeared somewhat more robust. The chief envoy at the front sported a full beard, while the prince and princess following behind both possessed prominent brows and large eyes, exuding a unique charm of their own.

After offering their greetings, the chief envoy took the initiative to speak, "The Northern Li Kingdom has sent us here this time to discuss peace terms with Your Majesty. I have long revered Your Majesty's imperial might, and to witness it today is truly a great fortune."

The Emperor exchanged pleasantries with them in a friendly manner, and the envoy then instructed his men to bring forward the gifts.

A man was seen leading out a horse whose coat was pure white, soft, and glossy, with two wooden chests adorned with gemstones strapped across its back.

Changing the subject, the envoy spoke with continued courtesy, though his gaze revealed a hint of pride, "The Celestial Empire is overflowing with talented individuals. I have a riddle; if anyone can solve it for me, I will gladly and wholeheartedly present these gifts."

A cold scoff sounded inwardly within the Emperor, but at this moment, he certainly could not afford to lose face. "Let us hear it, Envoy."

The man walked up beside the horse, gently stroked its back, and smiled as he asked, "I wonder if anyone might be able to estimate the exact number of hairs on this steed?"