Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The events that occurred in King Xiang's palace quickly reached the ears of the other princes and nobles.

When everyone heard that Changsun Ying was so shameless as to plan to have an affair with a servant in front of Jiang Lan, their jaws nearly dropped.

"For over eight hundred years since the founding of our dynasty, such an audacious event has occurred within our imperial family. It is truly an eye-opener."

"It's best not to broaden your horizons like this; it's truly an eyesore and a disgrace to our Jiang royal family."

"The Princess Consort of Xiang is the daughter of a powerful family in Guanzhong; she doesn't seem like the type to commit such a despicable act, does she?"

"Who knows? After all, the Guanzhong region was once occupied by the Qiang people, so it's inevitable that it has been influenced by some foreign customs."

"Alas, poor King Xiang! He was a perfectly healthy man, but now he's so angry he can't even get out of bed. It's so immoral, so truly immoral."

Inside the Huibin Hall, the princes leisurely drank afternoon tea. When the topic of the situation on the Xiang King's side came up, each of them seemed righteous and stern, but in reality, they all harbored some schadenfreude.

After all, as the saying goes, one's own happiness is built on the suffering of others.

Servants came and went in waves to gather information, constantly relaying news about the Prince of Xiang to the heads of various households.

When they heard that Regent Shen Lang had visited Jiang Lan at the Xiang Prince's temporary palace, many people showed expressions of envy.

Since their close encounter with Shen Lang at Shuixuan Residence yesterday, these princes and nobles have had an excellent impression of him.

Needless to say, those "beggars" all hoped that Shen Lang would give them a meal.

Those who had drunk with Shen Lang were moved by his bold and unrestrained personality, and their previous stereotypes were changed.

"I really envy Prince Xiang, that he was able to be received personally by the Regent."

"If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have preferred to be sick and have the Regent come to see me."

"Sigh, I'm so envious of Xiao Wang."

……

Inside the palace courtyard, Shen Lang looked at Jiang Lan, who was lying on the couch with a haggard face, but he didn't give her a kind look at all.

Seeing Jiang Lan's blank expression, Shen Lang said expressionlessly, "The imperial physician said that the prince's condition is just due to anger and stress. He just needs to take some medicine and rest."

Seeing that Jiang Lan still didn't react, Shen Lang let out a soft hum, then got up and went to a potted plant on the windowsill, picked up the watering can and started watering it.

"Your Highness, what are you trying to do by making such a commotion? Don't you really care about the lives and property of the Prince's Mansion?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lan reacted, straightening up and saying to Shen Lang, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I only wanted to give His Majesty a satisfactory explanation."

"So that's how you explained it?"

Shen Lang poured all the water from the watering can into the potted plant until it overflowed completely.

"You're quite ruthless. We just talked this morning, and you immediately cheated on me without saying a word."

This completely fabricated story has caused quite a stir in the palace. What a talent! Our Great Chu is in dire need of someone like you.

Hearing every word Shen Lang uttered, coupled with the chilling murderous intent in his tone, Jiang Lan completely panicked.

He immediately jumped off the bed and rushed to Shen Lang's side, pleading, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I never expected things to turn out this way. I just wanted to put Your Majesty's mind at ease."

"Your Majesty is relieved, so relieved!"

Shen Lang vigorously swung the watering can, each swing causing water to splash all over the room, even dripping onto Jiang Lan's face.

Just as Jiang Lan was still at a loss, Shen Lang spoke again: "The position of Prince Xiang is a waste of your talents. A pillar of the Great Chu like you should not be buried."

Okay, you can leave Jingzhou. Go back and prepare to move somewhere else.

Jiang Lan felt a chill run down her spine and subconsciously asked, "May I ask where my residence is to be moved to?"

Shen Lang snorted: "Railway construction is in full swing right now, and there's a shortage of high-quality coal everywhere. Last month, a large number of open-pit coal mines were discovered on Hulu Mountain on the border of Youzhou. Why don't you go there and be the manager?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lan immediately knelt down before Shen Lang: "Regent, you can't treat me like this! I am a hereditary prince!"

Shen Lang: "You also know it's hereditary? Your Highness, the commotion you've caused this time has infuriated His Majesty."

Exiling you to the border of Youzhou is already the greatest effort I have made. Rest assured, even in Youzhou, you will still be His Highness Prince Xiang.

I will go to the Youzhou prison camp in advance to take care of everything for you, so you won't suffer too much. I just need Your Highness to prepare a few extra sets of cotton-padded clothes.

After all, it's very cold there; you mustn't let your delicate body get cold.

"No, I will not go. Even if I die, I will die in Xiangyang City."

Jiang Lan was so frightened that she immediately hugged Shen Lang's leg.

"Regent, please plead with His Majesty again and give me another chance, okay?"

Shen Lang shook his head: "I also wanted to give you a chance, and I already did, but you've caused such a commotion in less than two hours."

How am I supposed to explain this to His Majesty? Since you completely disregard my meaning, then ignore me. Someone will escort you out of the palace shortly.

Don't bother going back to the Prince of Xiang's residence. I'll have someone take good care of you. Just get up and head to Youzhou. The Far East has a cold climate, and there are barbarians around.

"Your Highness, once you arrive there, please take good care of yourself."

As he spoke, he took out two more thumb-sized green jade stones from his pocket and placed them in Jiang Lan's hand.

"When you're traveling far from home, in an unfamiliar place, and have nothing, having money in your hands gives you peace of mind."

"These two jade stones are a personal travel allowance from me. It's cold in Youzhou; you can exchange them for a few taels of silver to buy some wine and warm yourself up."

"No, ahhh—"

Jiang Lan was completely terrified and burst into tears.

"Your Majesty, I beg you, I beg you, please give me another chance. I was wrong. I don't want to go to the Far East. I really don't want to go."

Seeing Jiang Lan's disheveled state with snot and tears streaming down her face, Shen Lang finally straightened his expression.

"Then tell me, what should we do now? Why do you have to bring your own affairs to the palace and make the whole capital laugh at His Majesty?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lan immediately wiped away her tears: "I will obey the Regent's orders."

Shen Lang: "Since your princess consort openly mingled with servants, which is something everyone has witnessed, she naturally cannot deny it."

A woman like that, let alone a noble family, would be unwanted even by a commoner's family. Do you understand what I mean?

Jiang Lan nodded: "Alright, I'll just give her a letter of divorce later."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang sneered, "Your Highness, I've been thinking about it, and Hulu Mountain is still a bit of a waste of your talents. There's a place that's more suitable for you."

Jiang Lan: "Where?"

"Ningguta within the territory of Northern Yan is a better place. I will speak with Northern Yan later, and I believe they will agree."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lan's vision went black, and she almost fainted.

Fortunately, he finally realized his mistake: "Your Majesty, I truly know I was wrong."

I will then write a letter of renunciation and submit it to Your Majesty, requesting Your Majesty's permission to divorce my wife.

"hehe."

Shen Lang chuckled twice and gently patted his shoulder: "I've thought about it carefully again. Jingzhou still needs Your Highness to be there. Let's not go to Ningguta for now."

After saying that, he smiled slightly and strode away from the palace.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Regent!"

Jiang Lan immediately kowtowed repeatedly in the direction where Shen Lang had disappeared.