Shen Minghui was taken aback. Su Yuting was the emperor's chosen crown princess. Her body had been seen by others. Although she had not lost her chastity, her innocence had been ruined. It was impossible for her to be the crown princess of Qingyan again.
Duke Wen only has one daughter, and he can't bear to see her suffer. He will definitely ask the Emperor to make the decision for a marriage alliance between the two countries, making her the Crown Princess of Southern Xinjiang.
"Father, Caiyun is your daughter. After what happened, shouldn't you go to the palace and ask the Emperor to make a decision and give Caiyun a proper status?"
Shen Caiyun is an illegitimate daughter, and Shen Minghui doesn't care about her marriage at all. However, the man who possesses her is the Crown Prince of Southern Xinjiang, which concerns the diplomatic relations between the two countries and the reputation of the Prime Minister's Mansion. If Shen Minghui continues to sit idly by and doesn't seek justice for his daughter, he will be branded as a coward and useless person.
"Sister, this is only your side of the story. We don't know if Caiyun really lost her virginity or if she pretended. If it's true, then so be it. But if it's false, then when Father goes to the Emperor to ask for a title, wouldn't he be committing the crime of deceiving the Emperor!"
Shen Yingxue spoke softly, but inwardly she sneered. A lowly concubine's daughter born to a concubine was lucky to have been favored by the Crown Prince Qin. To want a title was just wishful thinking.
"This concerns Caiyun's reputation and innocence. Would I speak carelessly about such a thing?" Shen Lixue coldly stared at Shen Yingxue: "I am also Father's daughter. What good would it do me if Father committed the crime of deceiving the emperor?"
Shen Yingxue was speechless, her face extremely ugly, but she still refused to admit defeat: "Who knows what kind of tricks you're up to!"
"I'm doing this for Caiyun's sake, and for the good of the entire Prime Minister's residence. If you don't believe me, so be it." Shen Lixue put down her teacup, got up without hesitation, and walked out. "It's late. I'm going back to my room to rest. Don't blame me for not warning you when the streets and alleys are filled with rumors tomorrow!"
Shen Minghui's expression darkened slightly. Although he didn't like Shen Lixue, he believed she was sensible and wouldn't lie about such a thing. He opened his mouth, about to call her back and ask her more questions, when a timid voice called out from outside: "Father!"
Shen Minghui looked in the direction of the sound and saw Shen Caiyun's petite figure timidly emerge from the darkness. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she looked extremely haggard. Her neck, exposed outside her clothes, was covered with bruises.
Shen Minghui was already married with children, and he could tell at a glance what had happened to her. His face was terribly gloomy: "What exactly happened?"
"Father, it's my fault, please punish me!" Shen Caiyun knelt down with a thud, large tears overflowing from her eyelids and slowly sliding down her cheeks. Her pitiful appearance made people feel sorry for her.
"You've lost your innocence, and you still have the nerve to come back!" Shen Yingxue looked at the disheveled Shen Caiyun and was secretly delighted. This bitch, who always went against her, finally got her comeuppance. She deserved it. It was already a bargain for her to have taken her noble status as the Crown Prince of Southern Xinjiang, instead of one of those lowly beggars.
"Caiyun has no face to live in this world. I have come back to see my father and fulfill my wish!" With that, Shen Caiyun stood up and rushed straight towards the stone pillar in the living room as if she were going to her death.
Shen Minghui was taken aback: "Stop her quickly!"
The maids and nannies were standing nearby. Upon hearing the order, they all rushed forward and stopped Shen Caiyun. Shen Caiyun struggled and cried incessantly, "Let me die! Let me die!"
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on her lips. If Shen Caiyun had kept lamenting her misfortunes, Shen Minghui would have been annoyed. But she said nothing, taking all the blame upon herself and seeking death. Shen Minghui could no longer blame her. This tactic of putting herself in a desperate situation and then finding a way out was truly brilliant.
"Don't cry. I know you've always been gentle. It's not your fault that you lost your virginity; it's the Crown Prince of Southern Xinjiang's fault." Shen Minghui looked at Shen Caiyun, a rare hint of affection appearing in his eyes. "I'll go to the palace immediately and beg the Emperor to grant you a title!"
"Thank you, Father!" Shen Caiyun was secretly delighted, but her eyes were still filled with tears, and she looked weak and frail.
Seeing Shen Minghui turn to leave, Shen Yingxue quickly blocked his way and said with concern, "Father, it's getting late, the Emperor is probably resting. You should go to the palace tomorrow!" She glared at the weeping Shen Caiyun in the dark. What did she, a lowly concubine's daughter born to her aunt, need a title? Being a concubine was already more than enough for her.
Shen Caiyun's expression turned slightly unpleasant, but she remained silent.
Shen Lixue smiled gently: "Sister Yingxue, when the imperial decree is issued tonight, everyone will think it's a secret rendezvous between a talented man and a beautiful woman, and that they couldn't help but cross the line. Although there will be gossip, it will be a beautiful story. If we wait until tomorrow, when rumors are flying everywhere, to ask for the decree, we will be forced to give an explanation. The rumors will flood the entire Prime Minister's residence, and Sister Caiyun's reputation will be damaged. As her sister, neither of us will be in much better shape!"
"Li Xue speaks politely, I will enter the palace immediately!" Shen Minghui said calmly, stepping past Shen Yingxue and striding out.
Shen Yingxue glared at Shen Lixue hatefully, gritting her teeth. "You bitch, you always ruin my plans."
"Thank you for your understanding, sister!" Shen Caiyun stepped forward, sobbing as she thanked Shen Lixue, her gaze towards Shen Yingxue carrying a hint of coldness.
"There's no need for thanks between sisters!" Shen Lixue smiled gently, her gaze slightly narrowed. Su Yuting didn't want to marry Qin Junhao, so the only way was to have Duke Wen go to the palace to request an imperial decree for the marriage. Shen Lixue had Shen Minghui go to the palace at this time because she wanted to use him to tell the Emperor the truth and stop Duke Wen from requesting the decree!
Qin Junhao is destined to marry Su Yuting.
In the imperial study of the palace, the emperor put down the memorial in his hand and looked at Duke Wen: "I wonder what brings you here to see me in the middle of the night, Duke?"
Duke Wen clasped his hands in a fist salute and bowed in the manner of a subject to his ruler: "Your Majesty, your humble servant is..."
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Shen is outside requesting an audience!" The eunuch's distinctive high-pitched voice interrupted Duke Wen's words.
Duke Wen frowned. His journey from the Duke Wen's residence had been somewhat unsuccessful. First, the sturdy wheel of his carriage broke, requiring a replacement. Then, a vendor's goods were scattered all over the ground, and he had to slowly pick them up, taking a long time to finish. Finally, he entered the Imperial Study, but before he could even report to the Emperor about the bestowed marriage, Shen Minghui arrived. Something seemed amiss.
The emperor's sharp eyes narrowed slightly. What was Shen Minghui doing here in the dead of night? He was puzzled, but showed no sign of it on his face, and said coldly, "Summon him!"
The eunuch's high-pitched voice echoed as Shen Minghui entered the Imperial Study. Upon seeing Duke Wen in the room, his gaze darkened. Duke Wen had actually come to the Imperial Study to see the Emperor. Fortunately, he had listened to Li Xue's advice and rushed to the palace overnight to protect his daughter. Otherwise, with Duke Wen, the father of his beloved daughter, as a comparison, his cold-heartedness would surely have aroused gossip.
Shen Minghui lifted his robe and knelt directly before the emperor: "Your Majesty, I have failed to properly educate my daughter, please forgive me!"
Duke Wen was startled, guessing what Shen Minghui was about to say. He was about to speak to stop him when the Emperor spoke first: "What do you mean by that, Prime Minister Shen?"
"Your Majesty, my daughter Caiyun lost her virginity to Prince Qin Junhao at the post station this afternoon. It was my fault for not disciplining her properly, which disgraced Qingyan. I am willing to accept punishment!" Shen Minghui did not say anything bad about Qin Junhao, nor did he ask the emperor to vindicate Shen Caiyun. Instead, he took all the blame on Shen Caiyun. He used the same tactic as Shen Caiyun, putting her in a desperate situation to survive.
The emperor was taken aback, then smiled and said, "I thought it was something serious. Young people are often impetuous and do unexpected things. Caiyun and Crown Prince Qin are in love, so it's perfectly reasonable for her to marry the Crown Prince of Southern Xinjiang and become a noblewoman!"
In the emperor's eyes, Shen Caiyun was an insignificant person; it didn't matter who she married. If the prime minister came to make a request, the emperor would grant it with just a word.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shen Minghui was overjoyed. Hearing the Emperor's intention to make Caiyun a Noble Lady, it was already a great honor for her, as she was a concubine's daughter, to marry Qin Junhao as a Noble Lady. Caiyun's loss of virginity was a blessing in disguise.
"Congratulations, Prime Minister Shen!" Duke Wen chuckled and stepped forward to offer his congratulations.
Shen Minghui smiled and returned the greeting: "Congratulations, congratulations! Miss Su is marrying the Crown Prince Qin as his principal wife, and Caiyun as a Noble Lady. The two sisters can look after each other in the Southern Frontier!"
Duke Wen's face turned deathly pale instantly. He glanced at the emperor, whose smiling face turned grim. His sharp gaze, like a sword, coldly locked onto Shen Minghui.
Duke Wen forced a smile: "Prime Minister Shen..."
“Duke Wen, I understand your feelings. I am also reluctant to let Caiyun marry far away. However, she is already the Crown Prince of Qin’s woman. There is nothing we can do even if we are reluctant. Miss Su’s innocent body has been seen by the Crown Prince of Qin, which is equivalent to being branded by him. For the sake of her happiness, Duke Wen, no matter how reluctant you are, you must harden your heart and let her go!”
With Shen Caiyun's matter resolved and Shen Minghui receiving praise from the emperor, he was in a good mood. Like a longtime friend, he earnestly advised Duke Wen. However, he didn't notice that the emperor's expression grew increasingly gloomy, and his sharp gaze shifted from Shen Minghui to Duke Wen. A slight smile appeared on his lips, revealing a cold expression.
"Eunuch Zhao, send someone to the post station to inform Qin Junhao about Caiyun's matter!" the emperor coldly ordered. It was not unreasonable for him to give the woman to Qin Junhao, who had forcibly taken the daughter of his subject.
The eunuch outside the door responded and left. Shen Minghui was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now!" As the Prime Minister of Qingyan, he quickly sensed that the atmosphere in the room was a bit off. Shen Caiyun's matter had been resolved, and he did not want to stay any longer. He tactfully took his leave.
Shen Minghui walked out of the room and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The atmosphere in the room was really oppressive. The Crown Princess chosen by the Emperor was beaten to it by Qin Junhao. Of course he would be angry. Looking at the kneeling figure reflected in the window, he shook his head slightly. Duke Wen was probably going to be punished.
"Su Yuting has lost her chastity, why don't you say so?" The emperor stood up and looked down coldly at the Duke of Wen kneeling on the ground. His sharp eyes flashed with coldness. Did he want to make the Eastern royal family wear green hats and marry an impure woman who had lost her virginity?