Chapter Fifty-Four: The Prince’s Perplexing Attitude

“I don’t want to cause you any trouble either, but just look at the situation now. Am I not speaking the truth? Every word I say is grounded in reality,” Jiang Canxing spread his hands, showing his innocence.

Cen Changxiao, though infuriated by his words, couldn’t find fault with them. Indeed, everything Jiang said was factual and based on the reality of their circumstances.

But today, Cen had come here in search of a solution, not to be mocked with the very problem he sought to resolve.

“Hezhi... Is there nothing you can do about this?” Cen Changxiao turned to Shen Hezhi.

Shen Hezhi propped his head with his hand, rubbing his temples, eyes half-closed as he replied, “There’s nothing I can do either. Besides, the situation is still unclear. Perhaps the Emperor simply summoned you to the palace to see you.”

Receiving this answer, Cen Changxiao sighed helplessly. “Alright, I understand. I’ll go rest now. We’ll know more tomorrow.”

He turned and left without another glance at the two.

Shen Hezhi knew Cen’s reaction meant he was angry, but even so, there was nothing he could do to help. After all, it wasn’t some grave matter, and the true nature of the issue remained uncertain. He couldn’t let Cen launch an attack over something so trivial.

Another reason was his sister. Shen Hezhi hadn’t expected Cen Changjing to stir up so much trouble in the capital all on her own.

He suddenly felt that the affection he once had for her was nothing but blindness.

Once Cen Changxiao was out of sight, Jiang Canxing leaned in close to Shen Hezhi.

“He’s gone now. Let’s return to our earlier topic. You said you tested your princess and confirmed she isn’t Miss Yan Liu?”

“Yes, but I am certain she has no ulterior motives toward me. She’s not staying by my side to harm me. Still, I can’t help but find it amusing when she claimed to be a fairy.”

Shen Hezhi smiled again at the recollection.

“Look at you, clearly besotted. You’re smitten with your little princess, yet you won’t admit it,” Jiang Canxing pressed on.

Shen Hezhi, irritated by his incessant chatter, frowned impatiently, shot him a cold glance, and walked away.

Jiang Canxing had more to say, but with Shen Hezhi gone, he was left sitting there, speechless.

Shen Hezhi had come here today only to tell Jiang Canxing the results of his test.

Back in Huainan, he had indeed met an old man, whom he firmly believed to be an immortal. When Shen was a child, that very old man saved his life, though he failed to rescue his mother.

Thinking of his vendetta against the royal family, Shen Hezhi unconsciously clenched his fists. Though the streets bustled with people, he felt utterly alienated.

“Shen Ning, you must be nearly finished with your reign. It’s time,” Shen Hezhi’s lips curled into a cruel smile as he returned to his residence.

Back at the prince’s mansion, he originally intended to find Yan Heru and inquire about the cold poison—whether it could be cured faster than a month.

When there was no hope, he cared little for how many years it might take. Now that hope had dawned, greed crept in, and he wished for a swift cure—not only out of greed, but because he was eager for revenge.

On his way, he was suddenly stopped.

Cen Changjing appeared before him, clad in a thin gauze dress, tear tracks still visible on her cheeks—clearly meant for his eyes.

Shen Hezhi frowned deeply in displeasure. Seeing his anger, Cen Changjing hesitated; but remembering the task the Sixth Prince had given her, she steeled herself and looked up at Shen Hezhi.

“Your Highness, I’ve waited so long for your return from Huainan,” her voice was coy, laced with a hint of seduction.

Shen Hezhi could hardly believe the woman before him, so much like a courtesan, was Cen Changxiao’s sister.

Cen Changxiao was upright and respected throughout the martial world, yet his sister...

Yan Heru, face dark, removed her cloak and draped it over Cen Changjing, covering even her head.

Feeling the warmth of the garment, Cen Changjing paused, then felt a flicker of warmth in her heart.

Shen Hezhi still cared for her—in seeing her dressed so scantily, he had given her his own cloak.

Just as Cen Changjing was basking in her own delight, Shen Hezhi spoke, his words chilling her from spring to winter.

“Dressed like this to meet people—you’re not afraid of disgracing your brother?” With that, Shen Hezhi swept his sleeves and left, not even sparing her a glance.

Cen Changjing stood dumbfounded. His words were humiliating, yet she could find no retort.

She knew well how shameful her actions were today, but for the sake of the Sixth Prince’s mission, she had no choice.

Gritting her teeth, she turned and ran after Shen Hezhi, following him all the way to his courtyard.

Yan Heru was in the courtyard, studying medicinal herbs. Looking up, she saw a scantily clad woman chasing Shen Hezhi.

Though Cen Changjing wore a veil of thin gauze, to Yan Heru it was hardly clothing; it was no different from being unclothed.

When Yan Heru saw Shen Hezhi’s cloak draped over Cen Changjing, and Cen chasing after him with a look of longing, she immediately conjured an image of a heartless man shirking responsibility.

The thought made her quietly laugh to herself.

“Your Highness, please let me explain! Wait for me!” Cen Changjing ignored Yan Heru, who was busy with her herbs, as if she didn’t exist.

Yan Heru used to be indifferent to such matters, but now she had revealed her true identity to Shen Hezhi, and she had goals and desires of her own. Naturally, she could not remain as aloof as before.

So, she could not tolerate Cen Changjing’s disregard.

Yan Heru reached out and grabbed Cen Changjing, and as Cen turned to face her, Yan Heru greeted her with a slap.