Chapter 156: Betrayal

Moreover, why would Cen Changjing assume that the Ninth Prince could produce one hundred thousand taels of gold?

One hundred thousand taels of gold was by no means a small sum. Not just any high-ranking official or noble could casually produce such an amount all at once.

Shen Hezhi happened to be one of the few who could afford it, but very few people knew about this. Cen Chang宵 happened to be one of the few who did.

Because for a period in the past, the estate's finances were managed by him, he was well aware of how much of the estate's ledger belonged exclusively to the Ninth Prince himself.

Therefore, the fact that Cen Changjing dared to demand so much right from the start must be because her brother had told her; otherwise, even as a tentative probe, it would have been impossible to blurt out such a massive figure.

"Don't you think you are asking for a bit too much? One hundred thousand taels of gold is not something anyone can just pull out," Shen Hezhi said.

Cen Changjing shook her head with a smile, looking at the Ninth Prince with utter complacency, and replied, "I naturally know this is no small sum, or I wouldn't be discussing it with the Ninth Prince. The Ninth Prince is certainly capable of producing it; I only wonder if the Ninth Prince is willing to part with this much gold simply to buy peace of mind for himself."

Shen Hezhi was indeed capable of giving up this much gold for the sake of his Princess Consort, but Cen Changjing was hardly worthy of receiving such a fortune. Consequently, Shen Hezhi felt there was no longer any need for further discussion; perhaps amicable negotiation could not resolve the problem at hand.

Therefore, they would likely have to resort to the most ruthless methods.

With that, Shen Hezhi's expression suddenly turned cold, and the aura surrounding him grew increasingly terrifying.

Having lived steeped in hatred for many years in the past, he was inherently a terrifying person. Gloomy and volatile were both words that could be used to describe the Ninth Prince.

It was only after he met his little wife that he had grown gentle. Because of the existence of his beloved wife, his temperament had softened, and he was no longer as intimidating to others as he used to be.

Although the capital had long circulated rumors that the Ninth Prince was a fool, those who were close to him all knew what kind of person he truly was.

In Cen Changjing's memory, the Ninth Prince had indeed been terrifying at the very beginning, but later, because she left the Ninth Prince's service, she had not been in contact with him for a long time.

It was only when the person she truly served ordered her to come here and approach the Ninth Prince that she got to know him anew. Yet upon returning to his side this time, she had found that the Ninth Prince was no longer as terrifying as he used to be.

"Your... Your Highness..." Seeing the Prince turn terrifying once again, Cen Changjing could still not help feeling a pang of fear in her heart, yet thinking of her ultimate goal, she forced herself to put on a calm front.

"What? I haven't even said anything yet. Could it be that you already know what I want to say?" Shen Hezhi asked.

Cen Changjing swallowed hard without answering, and Shen Hezhi continued, "Since you have nothing to say, then let me speak.

As for the reason you just mentioned, while I could give you gold, I cannot produce that much.

Rather than saying I cannot produce that much, it is more accurate to say that I feel you are utterly unworthy of possessing so much gold, and therefore I will not give it to you.

Originally, I thought we could discuss this amicably, but I never expected you to push your luck and demand an inch after gaining a foot. It seems we have no way of settling this matter peacefully and reasonably.

Since it has come to this, do not blame me. If you dislike the deed of separation, then I shall grant you a formal letter of divorce."

As soon as Shen Hezhi finished speaking, panic gripped Cen Changjing.

Indeed, the Ninth Prince was fully capable of casting her aside with a letter of divorce. Although she fancied that she had already grasped the Ninth Prince's weakness, the reality was quite the opposite—if the Ninth Prince wished, he could hand her a letter of divorce at any moment.

"Your Highness... there is no need to take things to such extremes. If you feel that one hundred thousand taels of gold is too much, we can still lower the price," Cen Changjing said, forced by circumstances to lower her terms in the hope that the Ninth Prince would agree.

Yet since the Ninth Prince had already resolved to use a hardline stance to solve this problem, it was impossible for him to continue negotiating the amount of gold with them.

Thus, Shen Hezhi shook his head and replied, "You think far too highly of yourselves. Do you truly take me for someone easy to bully? Can you simply take whatever you wish from me so effortlessly?

Cen Chang宵, Cen Changjing, the two of you siblings were once my most capable aides, but for reasons unknown, you have both changed.

Cen Changjing must have pledged her allegiance to someone else long ago, and that was likely the reason she left back then.

For all these years, I paid no mind to this matter, yet I never expected you to become increasingly audacious.

Chang宵, during the days I was away from the estate, your sister must have tried to persuade you quite a bit. Now, I am truly curious—whom have you changed your allegiance to?"

Shen Hezhi could be certain that the former brother standing before him was no longer the brother of the past; he must have switched his allegiance to another master.

If Cen Chang宵's heart had not wavered—even considering his sister's issues—and he still remained loyal to the Ninth Prince, his attitude toward the Ninth Prince would not be like this right now.

It was precisely because the Ninth Prince understood his character all too well that he had arrived at such an unquestionable conclusion.

Though Cen Chang宵 felt a brief pang of panic after his intentions were exposed, upon second thought, he decided it was no big deal after all. He regained his composure and said, "I do not understand what Your Highness means. Perhaps Your Highness has misunderstood something.

If Your Highness truly cannot tolerate the two of us siblings anymore, we shall simply leave. There is no need for Your Highness to fling dirt upon our names."

Cen Chang宵 spoke as though they were the victims, a response the Ninth Prince had never anticipated.

Given Cen Chang宵's character, it was utterly impossible for him to give such a reply. Therefore, there was only one possibility that could make him utter such words: his sister had warned him in advance about what would happen today.

Or perhaps it wasn't his sister, for after all, his sister lacked the foresight to anticipate what would transpire today.

If that was the case, the one who could have foreseen this was most likely the person they served behind the scenes.

"Your Highness?!"

At that exact moment, a familiar voice and a flustered figure suddenly appeared outside the courtyard. The panicked figure came running straight toward the Ninth Prince, and upon catching sight of them, the Ninth Prince suddenly felt a slight ache in his head.