After being rejected, he emptied the mansion and went into exile

Shen Leyao was a little confused.

"Big sister, what does 'love at first sight' mean?"

She knew the literal meaning, but she didn't understand what this feeling was. How could someone develop feelings for someone they'd only met once?

She could even go so far as to revolve around men like Song Yingxue.

Upon hearing this, Shen Jinyao also looked at the girl in the courtyard under the moonlight.

He recalled hearing Song Yingxue's words at the artificial hill in the inner palace during the day.

She admired this girl quite a bit at the time.

There's nothing shameful about saving your life.

She never expected that the man she wanted to seduce was actually her older brother, Shen Zhizheng.

My eldest brother is now twenty years old, and he has indeed reached the age to get married.

But how much genuine affection does this scheming woman truly have for Shen Zhizheng?

When she first found out, she couldn't help but feel worried.

Unexpectedly, the usually rigid eldest brother was also acting with Song Yingxue.

Since they're both using each other, it's unclear who will ultimately suffer, or who will take it seriously.

When it comes to matters of the heart, it's best for her to remain a quiet observer.

The sound of a house door opening came from the courtyard.

Shen Zhizheng came out.

They just seemed to walk a little too lightly.

Song Yingxue hurriedly went to greet her.

She took Shen Zhizheng's arm and asked, "Lord Shen, are you alright?"

Shen Zhizheng subtly withdrew his arm, but ultimately did not create any distance between them.

Song Yingxue didn't care much; she was only concerned about how drunk Shen Zhizheng was.

Shen Zhizheng: "I'm fine, you can go back."

Song Yingxue shook her head, "This is a hangover soup I made, it's very effective, you can drink it."

Shen Zhizheng wanted to refuse, but by the moonlight, he saw Song Yingxue's slightly furrowed brows and a hint of insincere anxiety on her fair face.

She seemed determined not to leave until he accepted the food box.

The prince inside the house still had to go back.

Looking at the house with the door slightly ajar, one could see Princess Alsa of the Southern Barbarian Kingdom living there.

He took the food box from Song Yingxue's hand, indicating that she could go back.

“Lord Shen, it’s late now. Drinking alcohol is not good for your health. Why don’t you stay at the Xiang residence tonight?”

Just as Shen Zhizheng was about to say something, he saw Song Yingxue knocking on Shen Leyao's door.

Shen Jinyao was sitting inside; she knew that.

“Madam Xiang, Lord Shen is drunk. Why don’t we let him stay at the Xiang residence and have some hangover soup?”

She knew that Shen Jinyao would definitely not refuse.

Shen Jinyao agreed and even said a few words of thanks.

"Lord Shen, I'll take you there."

"I can go by myself."

"you're drunk."

"I can walk on my own."

"I send you."

……

The sounds of the two chasing each other came from behind. Shen Jinyao shook her head helplessly and turned to look at Shen Leyao, who seemed to be lost in thought.

"What are you thinking about? Go and get some rest."

Not long after the sound disappeared, Shen Jinyao saw someone leave the courtyard.

It's obvious without even thinking that it must be the Crown Prince.

She returned to her room, where Xiang Hongxuan was already lying in bed.

She walked closer and took a look. The man's eyes were slightly squinted, and he didn't seem to be asleep.

"Are you ok?"

Xiang Hongxuan opened his eyes, which were slightly red from drinking some alcohol.

It no longer seemed to have the same imposing presence it once did.

Xiang Hongxuan propped himself up with his hands and sat up.

"They won't leave if I don't lie down in bed first."

Shen Jinyao understood that this was an explanation to her as to why she was lying in bed.

She had many questions she wanted to ask, but she didn't know if Hongxuan simply didn't want to discuss these matters with her.

She glanced at Xiang Hongxuan, who seemed a little drunk, and then thought of Song Yingxue, who had just brought Shen Zhizheng hangover soup.

She got up, poured some hot tea, and handed it to Xiang Hongxuan.

Xiang Hongxuan couldn't help but smile as he accepted the teacup.

He patted his shoulder, gesturing for Shen Jinyao to sit down.

Shen Jinyao hesitated for only a moment before sitting down.

Xiang Hongxuan glanced at Shen Jinyao before speaking.

"You guessed right, the emperor has done some crazy things again."

"The Western Regions brought a medicine that is commonly known as the medicine that can make one live forever, but that medicine needs to be taken once a year, and the medicinal materials are all in the Western Regions."

"The emperor wanted this medicine, so he promised to meet the Western Regions' demands."

"But the Western Regions are actually bordered by half of the Western Regions' frontier."

Shen Jinyao: "What?"

That's outrageous!

As for the Emperor's desire for an elixir of immortality, Shen Jinyao was not surprised.

Throughout the long history of ancient China, countless emperors sought to achieve immortality and retain their imperial power indefinitely.

She asked in a cold voice, "So... the emperor agreed?"

"The Crown Prince said he did not refuse."

Given the emperor's obsession with imperial power, he would certainly want to achieve immortality.

But where in the world is there a true elixir of immortality?

It's just that the madman was blinded by desire.

Of course, the Western Regions Kingdom saw this opportunity and took the chance to extort money from the Nine Provinces Kingdom.

The emperor really did try to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice instead.

Xiang Hongxuan continued, "Moreover, the spies planted in the North Palace said that the Northern Xiongnu and the Southern Barbarian Kingdom had close exchanges."

The Northern Xiongnu were also the nation with the greatest ambitions towards the Nine Provinces.

When the news spread that the four kingdoms were coming to the Nine Provinces, Xiang Hongxuan and the Marquis gave all the members of the Shen family a briefing.

This is why, when the Three Kingdoms entered the capital, Shen Xiaojiu and his two companions went out to watch the spectacle out of curiosity.

The Northern Xiongnu lived in a cold region, where life was difficult for the people, yet they were also very fierce.

For many years, it has been the country that has most frequently harassed the border areas, second only to the Qiang people.

Similarly, if we're talking about ambition, the Northern Xiongnu should be considered the most ambitious.

This was because the Northern Xiongnu were closest to Shangzhou, and their country was unable to support its people, yet their army was the strongest among the various states.

No one would believe that you have no ambition at all.

These two countries, one sending medicine to the emperor in exchange for border land, and the other leading military generals into the capital, are unlikely to have any good in common with their kings together.

As luck would have it, the Xiang family also had two women from the Western Regions.

Of course, one of them was given to the Xiang family by the Emperor.

One of them ostensibly came to the Xiang residence with the princess of the Southern Barbarian Kingdom, but in reality, he came because of Shen Zhizheng.

Shen Jinyao and Xiang Hongxuan knew nothing about this.

However, Song Yingxue is not currently a strong suspect.

Shen Jinyao thought for a moment and said, "Then, what about the Southern Barbarian Kingdom?"

Murong Wencheng, from the Qiang tribe, had already signed an agreement with the Crown Prince, so naturally he wouldn't do anything to the Nine Provinces Kingdom at this time.

Even in the decades to come, they will remain allies of the Crown Prince and the Kingdom of Kyushu.

When Xiang Hongxuan spoke of the Southern Barbarian Kingdom, a hint of mockery crept onto his face.

"They'd love for other countries to have trouble; they enjoy the spectacle and can also benefit themselves in the process."

He thought for a moment and added, "However, they're just there to watch the show; they don't want to cause any trouble."

After all, the Southern Barbarian Kingdom was too far away.

"Is this why the Crown Prince wants to seize the throne?"

"With the emperor selling land for personal gain, it's possible that two neighboring countries might form an alliance to attack Kyushu?"

Xiang Hongxuan looked at Shen Jinyao.

"what happened?"

"My wife is indeed a virtuous and capable wife."

With just one sentence, Shen Jinyao's concerns were dispelled.

She still remembered that before Xiang Hongxuan, she only thought that women should be good wives and mothers.

Judging from Shen Jinyao's expression, Xiang Hongxuan guessed what she was thinking.

Those were the nonsense he said before he even knew Shen Jin.

He changed the subject, "After the four kingdoms leave, the Crown Prince will take action, and if all goes well, he will launch an expedition to attack the Northern Xiongnu!"

Shen Jinyao: The Crown Prince is truly astounding with his talent, remaining silent until the moment he makes a move.