Chapter 53: Capital City Gossip

Shen Qianmo nestled back into his arms, the corners of her lips curving upwards in a satisfied smile.

She knew he cherished her, trusted her, and that was enough.

“By the way, do you know what the Shadowless Sect is?” Remembering the assassin’s words, Shen Qianmo asked.

“I’ve heard Yun Yi mention it. It’s an assassins’ organization—loyal only to money, not to people,” Meng Yuanheng replied concisely.

“So, we still can’t find out who’s after you,” Shen Qianmo said, a little discouraged. Using hypnotism was exhausting, and after all her efforts, it had yielded nothing of real value.

“No, the clue you uncovered is actually quite useful. The Shadowless Sect charges exorbitant fees; very few can afford them. I have a good idea of who would want my life,” Meng Yuanheng tightened his embrace around her, his tone cold.

Sensing the chill radiating from him, Shen Qianmo wrapped her arms around his waist, speaking gently, “A Heng, I’ll slowly tell you everything about the world I used to live in.”

Though it was an unbelievable matter, she knew Meng Yuanheng would believe her.

“Mm.” Meng Yuanheng held her close, his heart filled with tenderness. He believed his Qianmo must come from somewhere truly extraordinary; that was why she was so different from everyone else. And he would wait for the day she would open her heart to him completely, with nothing held back.

The carriage raced on, and after several days, they arrived outside Shengjing. Upon entering the city, Chang Dong reported from outside the carriage, “Master, Lord Lu and General Feng have come to escort you to the palace.”

Meng Yuanheng’s brows furrowed when he heard Feng Ze was present; he replied with a hint of displeasure, “Mm.”

But inwardly, he scoffed. Ostensibly, they were here to welcome him, but in truth, weren’t they just here to see Qianmo? Feng Ze really was persistent as a shadow.

Noticing his lack of movement, Shen Qianmo nudged him helplessly, “A Heng, let’s get out.”

Meng Yuanheng grasped her hand, reluctant to let go, his face full of unwillingness.

Shen Qianmo rolled her eyes at him, lifted the curtain herself, jumped down from the carriage, and took the wheelchair Chang Dong had prepared. She helped the deliberately slow and displeased Meng Yuanheng into it.

Looking up, she saw Lu Ziqing and Feng Ze standing tall and upright amid the bustling street. Lu Ziqing wore a purple official’s robe, while Feng Ze was in black with gold trim, the uniform of the Jinwu Guard. Both looked serious and dignified, exuding an imposing presence.

Clearly, they had just returned from court and, upon hearing of Meng Yuanheng’s arrival, had come to meet him.

When Meng Yuanheng alighted, the two stepped forward, bowing formally. “Lu Ziqing (Feng Ze) pays respects to Prince Xuan.”

There was no helping it; the rites could not be dispensed with, especially since they were still in their court attire and had to be cautious.

Meng Yuanheng sat upright in his wheelchair, his expression cool and distant as ever, yet he held tightly to Shen Qianmo’s hand and replied calmly, “No need for such ceremony.”

Feng Ze lowered his gaze, concealing the turbulent emotions in his eyes. Seeing Shen Qianmo step down from Meng Yuanheng’s carriage had filled his heart with bitterness.

So the two of them had traveled together all the way back?

Shen Qianmo greeted Lu Ziqing and Feng Ze openly and naturally. Having shared hardship on their journey, there was no need for excessive formality between them.

Here, Shen Qianmo found the endless rituals of kneeling and bowing the hardest to get used to; it all seemed a pointless waste of time.

Yet this time, she sensed Feng Ze was far more distant than before, no longer as familiar. Had she accidentally offended him? She pondered for a while but found no answer, and decided to let it go. She’d find an opportunity to ask him later.

Because Eunuch Li was anxious to escort Meng Yuanheng to the palace, Shen Qianmo didn’t exchange many words with the others. After helping Meng Yuanheng back into his carriage and advising him to “be cautious in all things,” she took her leave and went her own way.

Passing through the bustling Vermillion Bird Avenue, Shen Qianmo’s carriage stopped at the gates of the Duke’s residence.

Standing there, she felt as if a lifetime had passed. It had been three months since she traveled south to Suzhou. How had everyone fared in her absence?

To be honest, because the original Shen Qianmo had been so unwelcome in the household, she had little affection for this so-called home. She’d actually preferred the ease and informality of staying with the Xie family.

The servants at the gate spotted her descending from the carriage and shouted excitedly, “The young lady is back! The young lady is back!” Several hurried inside to report her arrival, while the rest stepped forward to greet her with bows.

Shen Qianmo was taken aback. When had they become so enthusiastic? Was it because they’d missed her after so long?

She didn’t care to dwell on it, nodding in reply before proceeding inside, where she was met by Nanny Xu and Qingluo.

Seeing her, Nanny Xu burst into tears. “Miss, you’ve finally returned. It’s good you’re safe, so good you’re safe.”

Noticing as well that the scars on Shen Qianmo’s face had healed, and that she’d grown even more beautiful, Nanny Xu dabbed at her tears with joy.

Qingluo, too, was moved to tears.

Warmth filled Shen Qianmo’s heart. No matter how she felt about the Duke’s household, at least these two genuinely cared for her.

Luzhu, unable to keep quiet, immediately began chattering to Nanny Xu and Qingluo about all that had happened in Suzhou.

Hearing the commotion, the little fox poked its fluffy head out from Shen Qianmo’s arms, letting out soft whimpers.

Nanny Xu and Qingluo were startled at first, but upon realizing it was an adorable fox, they instantly took a liking to it, playing with it cheerfully.

Watching the harmonious scene between these three and the fox, Shen Qianmo felt a gentle warmth settle in her chest, a serene smile blooming on her lips.

“Elder sister, you’ve been back for half a day already. Why haven’t you gone to pay your respects to father and mother? Instead, you’re wasting time with a bunch of servants!” A woman’s voice, tinged with malice, suddenly sounded from behind.

Shen Qianmo frowned. It was Shen Qianxue’s voice. Hadn’t she married into Prince Rong’s household? Why was she here?

Turning, she saw that it was indeed Shen Qianxue, her delicate features tight with suppressed anger.

Beside her stood a young man in a pale purple brocade robe, handsome but with a touch of effeminacy—Meng Yunce, heir to Prince Rong.

It had been some time since she’d last seen Shen Qianxue, and now she bore the attire of a married woman: a jade-white blouse and matching skirt embroidered with blue poppies, giving her a fresh, unadorned beauty.

Since Meng Yunce was with her, they were likely visiting her family. It seemed the heir to Prince Rong was, after all, rather devoted—accompanying even a concubine home to her parents.

But it had nothing to do with her. Seeing Shen Qianxue’s unfriendly demeanor, Shen Qianmo couldn’t be bothered to respond. She simply told Luzhu and Qingluo, “Let’s go pay our respects to the old madam.”

Shen Qianxue watched Shen Qianmo’s departing figure, fists clenched and eyes dark with venom. This woman had caused her to lose her child, her position as consort, even the heir’s affection. She would reclaim it all, one day!

Meng Yunce, meanwhile, stared after Shen Qianmo, lost in thought.

The tale of Princess Xuan’s selfless rescue and lone venture into the heretic sect had long circulated throughout the capital. Out of curiosity, and upon hearing from Shen Qianxue that Shen Qianmo would be home today, he had found an excuse to accompany her to the Duke’s residence. Who would have thought he’d see such breathtaking beauty?

Was this the same eldest daughter of the Duke’s household he’d once rejected as a fiancée? Hadn’t Qianxue said she was foolish, ugly, and disfigured by fire? Each previous time, she’d kept her face veiled, as if unfit to be seen. Why, then, was her true appearance so stunning—enchanting enough to topple empires?

At that moment, he was filled with deep regret.

The old Madam still resided in the family’s ancestral hall, spending her days in prayer and detached from worldly affairs. Occasionally, however, Nanny Ning would tell her of Shen Qianmo’s news. The legend of Princess Xuan’s bravery had reached her ears. So when Shen Qianmo came to pay her respects, the old Madam set aside her prayer beads and chatted with her at length.

Shen Qianmo, respectful as always, recounted some key events from Suzhou and Wujidao. She wasn’t skilled at storytelling, but to the old Madam and Nanny Ning, who rarely left the house, these tales were utterly novel and full of twists and turns. They listened with rapt attention and, by the end, were left wanting more.

After leaving the ancestral hall, Shen Qianmo paid respects to Shen Yi’an and Madame Cui. Though she held little affection for them, she didn’t neglect her duties.

Madame Cui, predictably, greeted her with a resentful glare. Shen Yi’an, on the other hand, for once offered a few kind words and naturally brought up the recent rumors about her in the capital. Shen Qianmo could only sigh—“Fame is a double-edged sword” was truer than ever. But not wishing to offend Shen Yi’an, she gave a brief account of what had happened in Suzhou—very brief indeed.

Along the way, she encountered Shen Mingxuan, who dragged his mother, Concubine Sun, to see her. He had always admired his elder sister, and after hearing the recent rumors, thought her even more invincible, gazing at her with eyes full of worship. Shen Qianmo nearly wondered if she’d sprouted a halo and become a deity.

The capital’s talent for gossip truly astonished her. Her confrontation with the heretic cult at the Xie family estate, demanding the antidote, had been a simple act. Yet it had been blown out of proportion: stories of self-sacrifice, heroic resolve, even rumors that she possessed unparalleled medical skills and martial prowess, able to bring the dead back to life and leap across rooftops.

Shen Qianmo sighed helplessly. So this is what they meant by “a lie repeated becomes the truth.” She had now witnessed the power of public opinion firsthand.