Chapter 155: Discussing Terms

"Oh? Is that so?" Shen Hezhi offered a faint smile, the meaning and intent behind it inscrutable to anyone present.

"Yes." Cen Changxiao naturally could not fathom the Prince's thoughts either, yet he was obliged to reply.

"Changxiao, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you at length."

Hearing Shen Hezhi's words, Cen Changxiao stepped closer, seated himself, and replied, "Please speak, Your Highness."

"Since your sister has not been truly happy within the manor, it might be better for her to leave," Shen Hezhi said.

Hearing the Prince suggest that the two siblings depart, Cen Changxiao was far from pleased, let alone Cen Changjing, whose dissatisfaction was even more intense.

She had come here precisely to secure her position as Shen Hezhi's bride. Having finally achieved her goal after immense difficulty, how could she possibly relinquish it now?

Consequently, Cen Changjing hurriedly spoke up, "Have I done something wrong? If I have erred in any way, Your Highness may rebuke me, punish me, or chastise me however you see fit. But please, Your Highness, do not cast me aside!"

Throwing herself at Shen Hezhi's feet, Cen Changjing wept bitterly, her tears falling like rain upon pear blossoms—a heartbreaking spectacle that would have softened the hearts of many, though Shen Hezhi was certainly not among them.

"You have done nothing wrong." Shen Hezhi withdrew his hand from Cen Changjing's grasp, gazing down at her coldly. "Lady Cen, do not misunderstand. There is no question of me casting you aside, for I have never fancied you in the least. Our union in the beginning was merely an expedient measure born of helplessness."

Cen Changjing froze in place, utterly unable to believe her ears. She had always known that Shen Hezhi harbored no affection for her, yet she also believed that she held a slightly unique place in his heart compared to other women. Leveraging this perceived distinction, she had plotted extensively for her own advancement.

Consequently, nearly everyone had assumed that Shen Hezhi's affections had always belonged to Cen Changjing. Because Shen Hezhi had cared for no one else at the time, he had simply let the rumors persist, especially since Cen Changjing was Cen Changxiao's sister.

Thus, Shen Hezhi had turned a blind eye to her various maneuvers.

Never had he imagined that his own indulgence would foster such delusions in her mind, nor that she would dare to commit so many actions behind his back.

Since these turbulent troubles were ultimately the result of his past indulgence, he was now determined to set things right.

"I do not believe you! Your Highness, you must have feelings for me. In the beginning, you treated me with utmost specialness, unlike anyone else!" Cen Changjing continued through her tears.

Yet, no matter how she wept and pleaded, she could not sway the Prince. A profound and unshakable presence now filled the depths of his heart, one that could never be easily dislodged.

Furthermore, in the Prince's heart, this person was the one he had chosen for the rest of his life, a choice that would never alter.

"Cease this nonsense. You are well aware that your heart does not truly desire me, nor do I desire you. As matters stand, we might as well lay everything out in the open. Tell me what you want, and I shall see if I can grant it. But you must no longer use my name to achieve whatever personal ambitions you harbor." Shen Hezhi no longer intended to leave any room for ambiguity.

Faced with the Prince's absolute resolution, Cen Changjing realized there was no longer any hope of remaining by his side or retaining her status as his secondary consort. Even so, she was determined to extract every last benefit that rightfully belonged to her.

To be precise, it was not so much reclaiming what belonged to her as it was squeezing the final drop of value she could possibly extract from the Prince.

Therefore, she declared, "Since Your Highness has spoken with such absolute clarity, it would be unseemly of me to continue clinging to the manor.

"However, just as Your Highness said, can you truly satisfy whatever I might ask for? Or rather, will Your Highness make every effort to fulfill my demands?"

At that moment, Cen Changjing saw no further need to conceal her true motives, knowing the Prince had long since seen through them.

Maintaining any further pretense was entirely meaningless. Better to utilize this moment to negotiate with the Prince and ascertain what she could salvage.

Watching his sister suddenly shed all pretense of innocence, Cen Changxiao was somewhat startled. Yet, during the period when the Prince had been absent, his sister had confided many things to him and even introduced him to another influential figure.

Consequently, he was now well aware that his sister had never truly cared for the Prince. His previous belief that the Prince fancied his sister, and that his sister reciprocated those feelings, had been entirely a delusion of his own making.

Yet, even knowing the truth, what could he do? She was his own flesh and blood. No matter what mistakes his sister had made, she remained his only sister. Therefore, whatever the circumstance, he would forgive her and stand firmly by her side, even if her actions were entirely wrong.

Though he knew such blind loyalty was improper, what alternative did he have? She was his sole surviving kin, his only sister.

"Let's be direct. Tell me what you desire, and I shall determine whether I can meet your demands. If not, we can discuss alternatives.

"For now, however, I expect you to relinquish your position as secondary consort within the manor. I will issue you a letter of separation, so that we shall be entirely quit of one another. You are free to seek another match hereafter."

Cen Changjing nodded, continuing, "What I want is quite simple: pure gold and silver. Once Your Highness provides the quantity I desire, I will instantly surrender the position of secondary consort. How does that sound?"

Hearing that her desired compensation consisted of gold and silver, the Prince felt a trace of doubt. He pondered carefully why Cen Changjing would demand such a fortune.

Had she requested a modest sum to ensure a life of comfort free from financial worry, it would have been entirely understandable. But if she was making an exorbitant demand for vast riches, she likely harbored ulterior motives.

Therefore, Shen Hezhi probed cautiously, "Your request is not entirely out of the question, but you must first state the amount so I can ascertain whether I have the means to gather such a sum."

Cen Changjing replied, "What I ask for is not excessive—merely one hundred thousand taels of gold. Surely such a trifle poses no great difficulty for Your Highness.

"Once I depart the Prince's manor, the affection between Your Highness and the Princess will surely flourish even further. Without my presence to vex your eyes, your hearts will undoubtedly find greater ease."

Cen Changjing spoke the truth; without her existence, the bond between the Prince and Princess would indeed grow stronger. Yet, one hundred thousand taels of gold was undeniably an exorbitant demand.