Shang Shiyan’s words were merciless, her eyes filled with disgust, as if she wished to sever all ties with the Crown Prince.
Shen Shian met her gaze, irritation rising in his chest. “You—!”
“Had it not been for His Highness today, when my horse went wild, I would have fallen—disfigured or crippled. And you call that making a fuss? On the day of the cliff fall, I carried the Crown Prince and my sister up the mountain, yet you abandoned me and returned to the capital together. That too was ‘making a fuss’? I truly did not know, in the Crown Prince’s eyes, that other people’s lives are all just trifles!”
Her words rang out, firm and clear.
The onlookers, who had not known the truth of the cliff incident, were stunned. Such a thing had happened?
Even if the Crown Prince disliked Shang Shiyan, how could he be so ungrateful? And Shang Yunrou—wasn’t she Shang Shiyan’s sister? How could she leave her to die?
The crowd’s gazes toward the two shifted, filled with doubt and disapproval.
Hearing Shang Shiyan bring up the cliff incident again, Shang Yunrou clenched her handkerchief. *It was in the past—why won’t she let it go?*
“Sister, that day the Crown Prince and I truly didn’t know you were at the bottom of the cliff. If we had known, we would never have left you!”
Shang Yunrou’s voice trembled, her eyes brimming with tears. But Shang Shiyan suddenly stepped closer, her eyes boring into her.
“You knew! When I pulled you up, you were conscious!”
“Shang Yunrou, don’t pretend in front of me.”
“You know my temperament well. Before this, I treated you with kindness—everyone in the academy knows it!”
This was true. Shang Shiyan had once obeyed Shang Yunrou in everything. People at the academy often said only Shang Yunrou could restrain the unruly, domineering eldest miss.
Shang Yunrou’s breath caught in her throat, leaving her speechless.
Gu Peice stood with arms crossed, leaning against a pillar, watching Shang Shiyan’s stubborn back. His brows lifted slightly.
This Shang Shiyan was interesting. The capital gossiped that she was arrogant and foolish, but clearly, she was not.
“The past is not my concern. But today, someone dared to plot against the life of a noblewoman. I will not tolerate it.” Gu Peice’s gaze was icy, his presence radiating the oppressive authority of one in power, chilling all who stood nearby.
No one present dared to speak further.
Shen Shian was still brooding over Shang Shiyan’s earlier words.
At that moment, the Chancellor and officials from the Court of Justice arrived.
Gu Peice handed the horse over without hesitation. “This matter must be thoroughly investigated.”
“At present, the most suspicious is Second Miss Shang.”
The Court officials stepped forward. “Second Miss Shang, please come with us.”
Shang Yunrou panicked, clutching the Crown Prince’s robe. “Brother Shian! Save me! It really wasn’t me… it truly wasn’t me…!”
Shen Shian snapped back to himself, about to speak, when the officials said, “Your Highness, we act impartially. We ask for your cooperation.”
In Great Sheng, the Court of Justice answered only to the Emperor.
Shang Yunrou’s mind was in chaos. She shot a sharp look at Yu Yao in the crowd.
Yu Yao’s breath caught, her heart trembling at the threat in Shang Yunrou’s eyes.
After a moment’s hesitation, Yu Yao rushed forward. “It was me! It has nothing to do with Second Miss Shang. I couldn’t stand Shang Shiyan and wanted to see her humiliated!”
Shen Shian recovered, shielding Shang Yunrou behind him. “Since she has confessed, this matter has nothing to do with Rou’er. Take her away for questioning.”
The Court officials hesitated briefly, then stepped forward to take Yu Yao away.
For a noblewoman to enter the Court of Justice was ruinous to her reputation. Yu Yao was only a concubine-born daughter, and her father, Minister Yu of the Ministry of Works, valued appearances greatly. From now on, Yu Yao would find it difficult to return to the academy.
The Chancellor calmed the crowd, and most people at the riding grounds dispersed.
Shang Shiyan walked up to Gu Peice, bowed respectfully, and said, “Your Highness has saved me once again. I thank you.”
“Again?” Su Wenyan, puzzled, leaned closer. “Ah Yan, has His Highness saved you before?”
Shang Shiyan nodded. “That day, when I was abandoned in the wilderness, had His Highness not happened to pass by, I would likely have lost my life.”
Hearing this, Su Wenyan clenched her fists in fury. “That Shang Yunrou is truly vile! To leave a young girl alone in such a place—so cruel and heartless!”
“Ah Yan, listen to me—snatch the Crown Prince back! Don’t let her succeed!”
Shang Shiyan laughed softly, watching Su Wenyan’s indignation. “I don’t want her to succeed either. But I also refuse to wrong myself. To be with a man like Shen Shian—I’d be so disgusted I wouldn’t sleep at night.”
Su Wenyan glanced around cautiously. “You can’t say such things carelessly. The Crown Prince is still the heir apparent!”
Shang Shiyan’s lips curved into a dazzling smile. “There are no outsiders here.”
Su Wenyan’s eyes darted toward Gu Peice, rolling nervously. She nudged Shang Shiyan’s elbow and whispered, “Are you really this close with His Highness?”
Shang Shiyan nodded firmly, her bright eyes lifted. “The Prince is my lifesaver! Of course we’re close!”
Su Wenyan nodded, half-understanding.
Shang Shiyan stepped forward again. “If His Highness is not too busy, would you come to the Marquis’ residence? My mother has long wished to thank you in person for saving me.”
She expected Gu Peice to refuse as usual. But instead, he flicked his sleeve lightly. “Alright.”
Shang Shiyan: *Eh? He agreed?*
“Your clothes are torn. Go change them.”
Just as Shang Shiyan was puzzling over why he had suddenly agreed, Gu Peice spoke those words and turned to leave.
“Let’s go change,” Su Wenyan said.
Their riding outfits were ripped; later, Shang Shiyan would ask her mother to prepare a new set.
As Shang Shiyan prepared to leave with Su Wenyan, a woman suddenly blocked their path. “Miss Shang, please come with me to Qingyan Pavilion.”
Shang Shiyan: “?”
“The Prince instructed me. He said it was his negligence today. He ordered me to buy a new riding outfit for you, as an apology.”
Shang Shiyan shook her head. “His Highness need not be so courteous.” She didn’t believe the matter had anything to do with Gu Peice, and certainly didn’t blame him.
The woman before her spoke stiffly, clearly the type who obeyed her master’s orders without question.
Shang Shiyan followed her to Qingyan Pavilion. “Wenyan, you go back first. I’ll come find you later.”
Qingyan Pavilion.
“I am Jinling,” the woman introduced herself as she led Shang Shiyan inside.
“My master rarely shows such a good temper as he did today,” Jinling remarked once they stepped into the pavilion.
Shang Shiyan thought back to her past life, to the time she had spent around Gu Peice. He had always seemed unapproachable, his face cold as though he were a grim god of death. Back then, she had been terrified of him. But now, she felt only gratitude toward him—no fear at all.
Jinling picked up the newly purchased riding outfit. “Would you like to try it on, miss?”
Shang Shiyan touched the fabric. It was of the finest quality, and at the chest, there was even a piece of soft armor.
“This armor was specially ordered by His Highness,” Jinling explained. “He hopes that from now on you won’t be injured again—and even if you are, you’ll have protection.”