“Xiao…?”
Madam Chu froze, her face filled with shock.
“Wan’er, are you talking about that prince?”
In the capital, Xiao was the imperial surname, and Xiao Changyan was none other than the Regent Prince himself.
How could her daughter possibly have become involved with him?
Under her mother’s gaze, Chu Ningwan nodded.
“Yes.”
She quickly explained everything that had happened.
By the time she finished, Madam Chu had broken out in a cold sweat.
“So you’re saying that you took down the notice to treat the Regent Prince, and that he will come to marry you in three days?”
Madam Chu stared intently at her daughter, trying to find even the slightest sign that this was some sort of joke.
“Mother, if you still don’t believe me, look at this.”
Knowing how unbelievable her story sounded—and unable to reveal the truth about her rebirth—Chu Ningwan could only prove it this way.
As she spoke, she withdrew a token from her sleeve.
It was the very token Xiao Changyan had given her when she left the Regent Prince’s residence.
“This…”
“It really is the Regent Prince’s token.”
The moment she saw it, all of Madam Chu’s remaining doubts vanished.
Her daughter truly was going to marry the Regent Prince in three days.
Yet her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
“Wan’er, even if you don’t wish to marry the Shen family’s young master, there’s no need to go this far.”
“That prince is not someone easy to deal with.”
“Even the General’s Manor—or your grandfather’s influence—may not be able to protect you.”
Madam Chu’s face was full of worry and reluctance.
How could Chu Ningwan not understand her mother’s concerns?
With a determined expression, she replied seriously,
“Mother, I’ve already considered everything you’re worried about.”
“But my engagement to Shen Yu was decreed by the Emperor. It cannot be easily dissolved.”
“The Regent Prince is different…”
The situation had already changed because of Shen Yu’s rebirth.
Before everyone else could react, she needed to prepare for the future.
At that moment, hurried footsteps approached.
“Madam! Miss! Something has happened—the palace has sent someone!”
Madam Chu exchanged a glance with Chu Ningwan before turning to the maid.
“Someone from the palace? Who is it? Did they say anything?”
“The visitor claims to be Eunuch Wang from His Majesty’s side. He says he has come under imperial orders and requests that Miss enter the palace immediately.”
Madam Chu’s heart sank.
The Emperor was summoning Ningwan.
Chu Ningwan, however, remained calm.
The notice had been posted by imperial decree.
The moment she took it down—and especially the moment she left the Regent Prince’s residence—the news had surely already reached the palace.
“Mother, please don’t worry about me.”
“This trip to the palace may not necessarily be a bad thing.”
She gently reassured her mother.
“But—”
Madam Chu wanted to say more, but Chu Ningwan interrupted her.
“Mother, I promise I’ll be fine.”
“Trust me.”
“Besides, since His Majesty has summoned me, delaying too long would only cause problems.”
Madam Chu understood the reasoning.
Even so, she repeatedly reminded her daughter to be careful before letting her leave.
Soon, Chu Ningwan arrived at the palace gates by carriage.
Under Eunuch Wang’s guidance, she was led to the Imperial Study.
“Please wait here for a moment, Miss Chu. Allow this servant to announce your arrival first.”
Eunuch Wang’s attitude was quite courteous.
A short while later, he returned and gestured respectfully.
“Please enter.”
“Your subject greets Your Majesty.”
Entering the Imperial Study, Chu Ningwan bowed respectfully.
The Emperor gave a soft acknowledgment.
When he looked up, an overwhelming pressure accompanied his gaze.
“I have heard that it was you who took down the notice to treat the Regent Prince.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Chu Ningwan remained composed, showing not the slightest hint of fear.
Her calm demeanor surprised the Emperor.
“Then tell me—what is the Regent Prince’s condition now?”
“Your Majesty, the Regent Prince has been afflicted by an extremely rare gu poison.”
“Completely curing it cannot be accomplished overnight.”
“However, since I dared to take down the notice, I am confident that I can cure him entirely.”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes.
“Over the years, many people have stood before me and made the same confident claims.”
“Chu Ningwan, do you know what became of them?”
“And do you understand the crime of deceiving the Emperor?”
His voice deepened as imperial authority radiated from him.
Lowering her gaze, Chu Ningwan answered steadily,
“Yes, Your Majesty, I understand.”
“But since I dared to take down the notice and walked out of the Regent Prince’s residence unharmed, does that not already prove that my words are not empty boasts?”
“Hahaha!”
The Emperor laughed loudly.
“Well said.”
“When I ordered that notice posted, it was precisely because I hoped someone capable would appear and heal the Regent Prince.”
“Chu Ningwan, now that the Regent Prince has awakened, tell me—what reward do you seek?”
His attitude had already become noticeably gentler.
He waited for her answer.
“Your Majesty, I ask only that my engagement to Shen Yu be dissolved.”
“Dissolved?”
“That request is not difficult.”
“But I would like to know why.”
“Chu Ningwan, shouldn’t you give me a reason?”
Chu Ningwan pressed her lips together.
She recalled the partnership she had discussed with Xiao Changyan at the Regent Prince’s residence.
The Emperor’s sudden summons was ostensibly about the notice.
But perhaps he also knew about the planned wedding in three days.
Or perhaps this question itself was a test.
Rather than inventing another excuse and leave future troubles behind, it would be better to tell the truth—or at least part of it.
Lifting her head, she spoke firmly.
“Your Majesty, although I have been engaged to Young Master Shen since childhood, during his period of amnesia he fell in love with another woman.”
“I am unwilling to share a husband with anyone else.”
“And more importantly…”
“The man I love is not Young Master Shen.”
“It is the Regent Prince.”
The moment those words left her mouth, a faint sound came from deeper within the Imperial Study.
Besides herself and the Emperor, there was someone else present.
As for that person’s identity, Chu Ningwan quickly guessed it.
In all the world, there was probably only one man who would dare hide inside the Imperial Study.
“The Regent Prince…”
The Emperor smiled meaningfully.
“Chu Ningwan, don’t you think three days is a little rushed?”
“Not at all.”
She answered instinctively, then suddenly realized what he meant.
Her eyes brightened with hope.
“Your Majesty… does that mean you agree?”
“You took down the notice and awakened the Regent Prince.”
“How could I refuse your request?”
“Besides, since you harbor feelings for the Regent Prince, I am naturally willing to fulfill your wish.”
“Return home and prepare well.”
“The imperial decree of marriage will be delivered to your residence in three days.”
The Emperor smiled, clearly very satisfied with this future sister-in-law.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
As Chu Ningwan expressed her gratitude, she finally let out a long breath of relief.
She knew that even after taking down the notice, there was no way the Emperor would so readily agree—and even know about the wedding in three days—without Xiao Changyan quietly influencing events behind the scenes.
But at last, her engagement to Shen Yu had been dissolved.
In her previous life, if not for her wholehearted support, Shen Yu could never have climbed higher and higher with such ease.
This time, she wanted to see whether Shen Yu, even with the advantage of rebirth, could still remain so confident and assured of victory.