Rumors

After the farce ended and she had a simple breakfast, Shen Li wandered around the courtyard.

Although the palace was not small, there were only a few servants around. From the memories of the original body, after Shen Hai's death, her food and clothing had all been provided by Zhong Ning's shop.

It did not take a genius to know that financially, they were not doing too well.

Shen Li found a pavilion and sat down. She rested her chin on her arm and leaned on the stone table, deep in thought.

For a long time, Zhong Ning and Shen Li only had each other, and they both rarely left the house.

It was crude, but it was also effective. If you do not head out, no one would find trouble at your door.

Moreover, Shen Li had a fiancé at that time. It was enough to keep most forms of troubles off their doorstep.

However, such an incident had happened. She had broken off ties with the Jin family. Their peaceful days were coming to an end.

Shen Li raised her hand and pressed it to her forehead. Just as she sighed, she heard a rustling sound from not far away.

"Young lady, young lady!"

Shen Li looked up and saw a familiar figure running over. When her vision cleared, she called out tentatively, "Xiao Shuang?"

Xiao Shuang's face was flushed red, and she looked travel-worn, clearly having just rushed over.

When she heard Shen Li call her name, her eyes turned red. She was close to tears.

"Miss, you really do speak now."

Shen Li nodded, but she did not want to explain herself. After all, this girl had been by the original body for so many years. Shen Li was afraid that she would expose herself.

If someone found out that she was not the original Shen Li, she would be in big trouble.

Shen Li held Xiao Shuang's hand affectionately and changed the topic.

"Why did you come back?"

Xiao Shuang's other hand clutched the front of her shirt. She wanted to say something, but stopped herself. Zhong Ning had sought her out today and told her that Shen Li would not marry into the Jin family anymore. At first, she was surprised. When she entered the city and heard the rumors outside, she knew that something had happened to Shen Li.

"Miss, Madam asked me to come back and serve you."

Shen Li's lips curled up. She did not expect her stepmother to be so attentive.

Xiao Shuang still looked like a child, and there was even some baby fat on her face. Although she was not a stunner, she carried herself with a noble elegance, in spite of her humble background. It was obvious that she had been raised well in the palace.

Shen Li smiled. "That's good. Anyway, that Jin Changqing will have nothing to do with us in the future. You don't have to be afraid of him anymore."

At the mention of Jin Changqing, a look of embarrassment appeared on Xiao Shuang's face.

When the wedding date was approaching, Jin Changqing actually suggested that Xiao Shuang should marry him as a concubine. At that time, Xiao Shuang was so scared that her face turned pale.

As the saying went, it was better to be a poor man's wife than a rich man's concubine. Xiao Shuang also wanted to find a good family to marry into when she was of age.

Fortunately, Zhong Ning had rejected the offer. To prevent Jin Changqing from having any more ideas about Xiao Shuang, Zhong Ning had even asked her to stay at home for a while.

Xiao Shuang looked at Shen Li's face. She did not look upset at all about being discarded by her husband's family. In fact, she looked quite happy. She couldn't figure out what she was thinking, so she was confused.

'Miss, are you alright?'

It was impossible to hide things at a young age, and the words in her heart were written on her face.

Shen Li gazed at the courtyard wall in the distance. She did not seem concerned as she drawled, "What, there are rumors about me outside?"

Xiao Shuang pursed her lips. Her face scrunched up as she mumbled with her head lowered.

"What will we do in the future?"

Xiao Shuang only told her about the rumors after Shen Li's repeated questioning. In fact, it had all been within Shen Li's expectations.

Among some of them, there were rumors that the Jin family was not concerned about Shen Li's innocence being lost. Shen Li appeared to have lost her mind. Not only did she insult Mrs. Jin, but she also chased her out.

There was even a rumor that Shen Li had been robbed of her purity. The rumors also made a big fuss bout hoe she had subsequently lost her mind.

Jin Changqing also seemed to be looking for a new wife.

Shen Li didn't even need to guess who had started this rumor.

The one who concocted such rumors had to mean ill.

The ancient people would rather starve to death than to lose their virginity before marriage.

Moreover, the palace was filled with women. It was obvious that they were planning to drive Shen Li and her mother to their deaths.

Shen Li smirked to herself.

"Xiao Shuang."

Xiao Shuang looked at Shen Li in confusion.

"What's wrong, Miss?"

Shen Li continued speaking, deep in thought.

"Has anyone sent any invitations as of late?"

Although no one in the palace was an official in the court, they still had some say in the proceedings within the throne room.

However, Shen Li and Zhong Ning had always lived in seclusion and had never attended such events.

Xiao Shuang did not know what Shen Li was planning. She only nodded in confusion.

"There is. In a few days, the Empress has invited many people to pray for blessings on Xiangshan mountain. The invitations have already been sent over."

Of course, the palace had also received them.

Shen Li's eyes flickered. An idea seemed to have dawned upon her.

...

Jing Garden.

"Look at yourself, even though I became the general you've always dreamed of becoming, there's no need for you to be this dejected, is there?"

The ambitious man finished speaking in a joking tone. When Si Yan still remained despondent, he laughed dryly and poured himself a cup of wine. He had nothing else to say.

"Hey, are you going to the blessing ceremony on Xiangshan Mountain in two days? I heard that the flowers there are blooming very well.

Si Yan finally opened his eyes. His eyes were filled with suspicion as he spoke coldly, "Are you inviting me to admire the flowers together?"

The ambitious man's smile instantly disappeared. He shifted his butt away in disgust, distancing himself from Si Yan.

"I'm going to discuss my marriage soon. Of course, I'm going with the girl. Who would want to admire flowers with you, a man?"

As soon as he thought of that scene, he felt a chill creep from the inside out.

This pair was Xiao Xiong and Si Yan. One in charge of the Western Army and the other in charge of the Northern Army. They never once got along with each other. For every tit, there was a tat.

As time passed, their relationship improved, and they could even drink and eat together. However, every time they encountered a problem, their fierce rivalry would erupt.

For example, the position of the general. If it weren't for the fact that Si Yan was ambushed by a traitor during the Battle of Yumen Pass, it's hard to say who would have gotten the position.

The ambitious man's eyes glanced at the wheelchair Si Yan was sitting in and threw him a casual question.

"Your legs... are you able to stand?"

Si Yan lowered his eyes and stared at his wine, his face expressionless.

"It's exactly as you can see. I am bound to the chair."

At this point, Si Yan raised his head and shot a glance at the man. He asked him a question in return.

"So, how do you think I should climb the mountain?"

This buffoon was going to blow him away with his answer, as expected.

Was he going to tell him it's fine? Was he going to tell him that all would be well?

What a load of crap. No one knew better than him what functioning legs meant to a general.

Xiao Xiong silently raised his wine cup and took a sip. He thought about how Si Yan, who used to be like a grim reaper on the battlefield, was now trapped in this place. He suddenly found the wine in his mouth difficult to swallow.

Xiao Xiong smacked his lips, slammed the cup on the table, and casually said, "Your wine is a little bitter, I won't drink it."

Si Yan's lips twitched, but he said nothing.

Just as the two of them sat in silence, there was a sudden noise in the courtyard.

Guan Fu ran into the room in a hurry. His voice sounded uncharacteristically anxious.

"General, the Marquis is here."