CHAPTER 189: CHAPTER 7: STRIFE BETWEEN LEGITIMATE AND ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING (PART 7)

Prince Kang’s face was grim. Upon returning to the residence, where he would usually go straight to the Princess Consort, he instead first went to the study, summoned the steward, and inquired about recent events, only then learning of the Princess Consort’s actions.

Finding herself bored, the Princess Consort would engage in all sorts of strange activities within the residence, and the steward detailed the current state of her dowry maids as well.

Prince Kang recalled the day they returned to the Li Mansion after their marriage. The people of the Li Family were courteous but lacked warmth, and Li Shumeng looked down upon her relatives with an air of superiority.

He remembered what his Imperial Sister had said before the wedding, and for the first time, he began to doubt his own judgment.

The Imperial Sister said that women usually didn’t step out of the house often, so how was it that he and Li Shumeng frequently encountered each other? From their meeting on Qianqiu Mountain, he felt that this woman seemed to understand him particularly well.

Why would that be?

It’s known that the Li Family’s legitimate daughters were paragons of virtue and culture throughout all Xuanjing.

If she were truly two-faced, treating her half-sister harshly, could she really deceive everyone’s eyes?

Moreover, why would Li Shumeng, a maid’s daughter, need to be targeted and bullied by Li Shuning, a legitimate daughter? What about Li Shumeng was worthy of being tormented? Was it necessary for Shuning to tarnish her own reputation for this?

If not, could it be that Li Shumeng’s previous remarks in his presence were deliberately denigrating Li Shuning?

Prince Kang slumped in his chair, covering his eyes, feeling some distress in his heart.

How genuine was Li Shumeng’s affection towards him?

Was it because she was an illegitimate daughter, and while he was a not-so-prominent prince, being aligned with him could help her shed her awkward identity?

Li Shuning was unaware of these changes, though she had heard bits about Li Shumeng; she merely chuckled.

No matter which world she entered, she always integrated quickly, never flaunting her uniqueness.

There were many people in the world smarter than her, and she never underestimated others to the point of inviting trouble upon herself.

The wedding date for Li Shuning and Duke Dingguo also approached.

Li Shuning pondered and decided to release a puppet; even though it was just a wedding ceremony, she wasn’t willing. Let alone what followed, like entering the bridal chamber.

The puppet was identical to her real self, while Li Shuning herself hid within the hovercar.

On the day of the grand wedding, Prince Kang brought along Princess Kang.

Princess Kang was extremely reluctant to come; wouldn’t her presence bring face to Li Shuning?

Yet Prince Kang insisted on bringing her.

Since the previous mishap, Li Shumeng noticed some changes in Prince Kang’s attitude towards her, and at this moment, she didn’t dare make him angry, so reluctantly, she came to join the celebration and witness the ceremony.

The groom arrived, and the bride, veiled in red, was also brought out.

Though granted by imperial decree, Duke Dingguo had never met Li Shuning, but her reputation in Xuanjing was notable, and he felt a tinge of anticipation in his heart.

However, he had also been worried that nothing unfavorable would happen to Li Shuning.

Although he didn’t care much about external rumors, every time he saw his mother’s worried face, his heart ached as if pierced by needles.

Lifting the veil, he saw the gentle brows of the woman before him, and inexplicably, he felt more hopeful for the future.

In the hovercar, Li Shuning watched as the puppet and the groom entered the bridal chamber on the screen, feeling a bit awkward. She turned off the screen, lay on the recliner, and sighed, wondering when she would meet Zimo, missing him dearly.

It is said that for lovers, a day apart feels like three autumns; entering the task world, a day apart is truly a lifetime.

Thus, even if she met Zimo in the task world, Li Shuning never feared that their feelings would fade.

Even if they spent lifetimes together, they still wanted to be with each other, cherishing their days together more deeply.

The next day, when Duke Dingguo went off to practice swordsmanship, Li Shuning retracted the puppet. Their marriage was mandated by royal decree, so naturally, they needed to enter the palace to give thanks.

In the course of events, the Empress, unbeknownst to anyone whether it was to spite Li Shumeng or for some other reason, also summoned Li Shumeng and Prince Kang to the palace.

Such a spectacle, how could she not attend?

Duke Dingguo was quite pleased with his young wife, who understood etiquette, possessed charms, and was beautiful as well.

The one in the bridal chamber was a puppet, the one dealing with the fatigue was also the puppet.

Originally worried his young wife would be worn out from the previous night, he had intended to support her as they walked, but unexpectedly, she maintained her poise, her every action perfect.

The old madam was kind; her son, after all these years, hadn’t taken a wife. She had been dreadfully anxious for a long time. Now, seeing the daughter-in-law was delicate yet dignified, with decorous conduct and her son’s good spirits, she, knowing her son best, could see it was clearly a good match.

Thus, she felt an even greater sincerity towards Li Shuning.

After entering the palace, Li Shuning and Duke Dingguo were separated; Duke Dingguo went to see the Emperor, and Li Shuning went to the Empress.

Having been an Empress herself, Li Shuning was intimately familiar with palace protocols. Even if it was a different world, some things remained the same, not to mention being taught palace etiquette by experienced nannies beforehand.

Prince Kang saw from a distance a woman approaching gracefully and with dignified bearing, reminding him inexplicably of Li Shumeng’s manner when she had entered the palace with him before.

The woman before him displayed the demeanor of a truly noble lady, didn’t she?

He recalled what his Seventh Imperial Sister had said about discerning the genuine from the false and hoped he would not come to regret it. Why did he find himself comparing the two sisters now?

That day, when Li Shumeng had walked, she limped slightly, looking somewhat disheveled. Having experienced the same events, Li Shuning managed to maintain such poise.

Prince Kang lowered his head, his gaze shadowed and somber.

Li Shuning greeted the Empress, conversing with her in a manner that left the Empress quite satisfied.

The Empress was exceedingly pleased, as she had specifically asked the Kang couple to come today to show Prince Kang what he had married.

She understood the Li Family’s situation: a legitimate daughter like Li Shuning would not harshly treat a maid’s daughter but would nurture her carefully, yet she knew Li Shumeng was restless.

Initially, the Emperor had wanted to arrange a marriage between the Fifth Prince and Li Shuning and, feeling remorse towards the Li Family, to arrange for Li Shumeng to marry Shaohua.

At that time, the Empress was terribly displeased. The Jiang Family had sacrificed so much for the Royal Family; even Shaohua had waited till now. How could His Majesty treat Shaohua and the Jiang Family this way?

However, the Empress had other concerns and, reluctantly, agreed.

She didn’t expect Prince Kang to foolishly seek to marry Li Shumeng, the maid’s daughter, rejecting Li Shuning. When the Emperor relayed this to her, the Empress nearly laughed out loud.

Afterward, she investigated, and although Li Shumeng was discreet, it was found that she had met Prince Kang in secret several times.

What kind of young lady meets a man outside before marriage?

Prince Kang still cherished such a woman, no threat indeed.

Nonetheless, she wanted Prince Kang to see what he had given up, knowing they intended to marry a woman like Li Shuning into the Jiang Family.