Chapter 18 Rumors are more ferocious than tigers

Chapter 18 Rumors are more ferocious than tigers

Rumors in the capital always travel faster than the wind.

Ever since Lin Wan'er was thrown out of the Regent's Palace like trash, along with her "tea," rumors about the Regent's Consort Jiang Mianmian "falling out of favor" have spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys.

In the teahouse, the storyteller spoke with great enthusiasm: "Speaking of the Regent's Consort, although she is the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's family, she is, after all, a sickly woman. I heard that on their wedding night, the Prince slept in the study and didn't touch her at all! A few days ago, Miss Lin came to visit, and it is said that because the Regent's Consort is jealous and intolerant of others, she angered the Prince and drove Miss Lin away..."

Within the circle of noble ladies, whispers abounded: "I knew it! How could someone like the Regent possibly be interested in a good-for-nothing who gets out of breath after just a few steps?" "I heard the Prince doesn't even give her a second glance anymore; she's just a decoration in the manor!" "Sigh, how pitiful. She occupies the position of Princess Consort, yet lives like a widow. How will she endure this..."

These rumors, so detailed and seemingly plausible, eventually reached the Regent's Palace.

At this moment, inside the main courtyard.

Jiang Mianmian, the "abandoned wife" at the center of the rumors, was sprawled out on a chaise lounge covered with silk cushions, holding a bowl of freshly chilled mango pomelo sago, eating with great relish.

The maid Xiaotao was so angry that she kept wiping away tears: "Your Highness! How can you still eat? Look at what they're saying outside! They're saying you've fallen out of favor, that the Prince dislikes you... This is too much!"

Jiang Mianmian swallowed a mouthful of mango and sighed contentedly.

Fallen out of favor? Disliked?

[Seriously, such a good thing exists?]

Her eyes lit up, and she even couldn't resist the urge to send a red envelope to those who were spreading rumors.

[If everyone thinks I've fallen out of favor, then I won't have to go out for social engagements anymore, right? And that old hag, the Empress Dowager, won't be watching me anymore? Even... if the Prince takes a concubine in the future, no one will criticize me for being unvirtuous?]

[Brilliant! This is perfect camouflage! Let the rumors spread even more fiercely! Ideally, they'd say the prince is planning to divorce his wife, then give me a huge sum of money to run away with!]

If I could be divorced, I'd buy a large garden in Jiangnan, keep seven or eight male concubines, and listen to music and watch plays every day. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

"Crack".

A crisp sound suddenly came from the doorway.

Jiang Mianmian was startled. When she looked up, she saw that Shen Jin was standing at the door at some point, and the ribs of the sandalwood folding fan he had just replaced had been broken by him.

His face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, and he exuded a low-pressure aura that screamed "I want to kill someone."

Xiao Tao was so frightened that she knelt down with a "plop": "Your...Your Highness..."

Shen Jin waved his hand, signaling the bystanders to leave.

Once only the two of them were left in the room, he walked step by step to Jiang Mianmian, staring at her with a sinister gaze, as if he wanted to burn a hole in her.

"The princess seems... quite pleased with this rumor?"

Jiang Mianmian shrank her neck, instinctively sensing danger.

Why does this jerk walk so quietly? Is he eavesdropping again?

On her face, she immediately put on a tearful expression, wiping away non-existent tears with a handkerchief: "Your Highness... how could you say that? I'm so wronged... those people outside are so gossipy. My love for Your Highness is evident, yet they insist on smearing me... I'm so heartbroken..."

[What's there to complain about! I'm overjoyed! Shen Jin, you better step up your game and cooperate with the rumors to give me a letter of divorce, so I can fulfill my dream of retiring to Jiangnan!]

Shen Jin was so angry he laughed.

A loving couple? Retirement in Jiangnan?

Keeping seven or eight male lovers?

This woman's heart is bigger than the sky, and her courage is wider than the sea.

He has been feeding her well these past few days, and even made her pajamas from silkworm silk, but all she can think about is using his money to support a gigolo.

“Since the Princess feels wronged,” Shen Jin suddenly leaned down, placing his hands on either side of the chaise lounge, trapping her between himself and the back of the chair, his handsome face close to her nose, “then I naturally cannot sit idly by.”

Jiang Mianmian's heart skipped a beat.

[This pose... is a bit dangerous. What is this jerk trying to do? Pinch me against the wall?]

Shen Jin curled his lips into a smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes: "In order to dispel the rumors and prove that we are 'deeply in love,' I have decided to take the Princess out of the manor today—for a stroll through the streets."

"Patrol...patrol the streets?" Jiang Mianmian was dumbfounded. "What for?"

"Of course..."

Shen Jin straightened up, straightened his sleeves, and said with an undeniable air of dominance, "Go spend the money. Let the whole capital see just how 'disfavored' my queen is."

Jiang Mianmian's eyes instantly turned into money symbols.

Spending money?!

Is this what I mean? Shopping? Shopping spree? Maxing out your credit card?

Although I don't want to go out, but... if it's to spend Chen Jin's money, I suddenly feel like my back and legs don't hurt anymore, and I can climb five flights of stairs in one go!

"Your Highness is wise!"

Jiang Mianmian sprang up from the couch with a nimble leap, her movements anything but those of a sickly woman. "I'll go change my clothes right away! It'll only take the time it takes to drink a cup of tea!"

Watching her instantly recover and rush into the inner room to change clothes, Shen Jin shook his head helplessly.

She's always so energetic when it comes to money and food.

but……

Keeping male lovers?

Dream on. In this lifetime, you will not be able to support anyone but me.

...

Half an hour later.

Zhuque Street is the most bustling commercial center in Beijing.

The streets were unusually lively today because the Regent's Palace's iconic carriage had made a very high-profile stop in front of the largest jewelry shop, "Treasure Pavilion".

Shen Jin, dressed in a black brocade robe, exuded a noble air. He got out of the car first, then turned around with utmost naturalness and gentleness, reaching out to help the elegantly dressed Jiang Mianmian down.

The surrounding commoners and wealthy ladies who were shopping stopped in their tracks instantly, and whispers rose and fell.

"Look! It's the Regent and the Princess!" "Wasn't it said the Princess had fallen out of favor? Why is the Prince personally helping her out of the carriage?" "Is he faking it? Just to save face?"

Jiang Mianmian wore a newly made light purple silk dress, covered with a matching light gauze, and a red-gold hair ornament in her hair, which swayed gently with her movements. In the sunlight, she seemed to glow.

She linked arms with Chen Jin, listened to the surrounding chatter, and hummed a little tune to herself.

See? See? Never seen a beautiful woman shopping before?

[Shen Jin looks quite well-dressed today, all presentable. And that arm of his is pretty strong. Hehe, I'm going to buy the biggest gold bracelet when we go in later!]

Shen Jin glanced down at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, and led her into the Treasure Pavilion.

When the manager of the Treasure Pavilion saw these two imposing figures, he was so startled that he almost dropped his abacus. He hurriedly came forward to greet them: "Your Highness, Your Highness! Your presence is an honor to our humble establishment! Please, take a seat!"

"No need."

Shen Jin said calmly, "The princess is in a bad mood today and wants to buy some things to cheer herself up. Bring out the best items from your shop."

"Bad mood?"

The shopkeeper was taken aback for a moment, then saw Jiang Mianmian's face, which was smiling but had a murderous look in her eyes (actually, it was a desire to buy things), and immediately understood, "I understand! I understand! I'll go right away!"

Soon, trays of dazzling jewelry were brought out.

Exquisite mutton fat jade bracelets, ruby ​​headdresses, kingfisher feather hairpins, gold filigree hair ornaments... each piece is priceless.

At this moment, there were several wives and young ladies of officials selecting jewelry in the shop. One of them was Su Qingqing, the daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites, who was on good terms with Lin Wan'er.

Su Qingqing felt a pang of jealousy when she saw Jiang Mianmian's smug expression.

She deliberately raised her voice and said to her companion, "Oh dear, some things, although they look valuable, are a waste if worn by someone who is not blessed. I've heard that some people are just unlucky; even if they wear gold and silver, they can't hide their poverty."

These words were clearly directed at Jiang Mianmian.

The surrounding gazes instantly became subtle.

Jiang Mianmian was trying on a gold bracelet when she heard this and paused.

[Oh ho? Is this a dig at me?]

[Su Qingqing, right? Lin Wan'er's fake best friend? Her fighting ability doesn't seem that great. Poor and stingy? My current net worth could buy ten of your Ministry of Rites vice-ministerial estates!]

Before Jiang Mianmian could retort, Shen Jin, who was standing next to her, had already made his move.

He didn't even glance at Su Qingqing, but casually picked up an exquisitely crafted phoenix-tail hairpin and gently inserted it into Jiang Mianmian's hair.

"really."

Chen Jin's clear, cold voice echoed throughout the shop, "Some things, if given to someone who doesn't appreciate their value, are truly a waste. Therefore..."

He turned to look at the shopkeeper and pointed to the ruby ​​headdress that Su Qingqing had been looking at but hadn't had time to buy yet, as well as all the jewelry that the ladies beside her had been looking at.

"These, and these..."

With a sweeping gesture, he circled most of the counter with his finger, saying, "Wrap it all up."

Su Qingqing was stunned: "Your Highness, this...this is the one we chose first..."

"Take a look first?"

Shen Jin glanced at her coldly. "Did you pay?"

Su Qingqing's face turned pale: "Not...not yet..."

"Since no money was paid for it, it is unclaimed property."

Shen Jin took out a thick stack of silver notes from his sleeve. These were Jiang Mianmian's favorite silver notes, each with a face value of one thousand taels, and casually slapped them on the counter.

"I bought it. Take it back to the Princess... and smash it to hear the sound."

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Smash it to hear the sound?

Those are pieces of jewelry worth thousands of taels of silver! Are you going to take them home and smash them for fun?

What kind of incredible feat is this? Is this the legendary "money power"?

Jiang Mianmian was also stunned.

[Holy crap! Shen Jin, are you crazy?! This isn't how you spend money! That's real gold and silver! Just smashing it for the sound? Do you think this is firecrackers?!]

[But... looking at Su Qingqing's face, which looked worse than if she'd eaten shit, why do I feel so good? Hahaha! Is this what it feels like to be pampered by a domineering CEO? It's so addictive!]

Jiang Mianmian immediately got into character, tugging at Shen Jin's sleeve with a touched expression: "Your Highness...you are so kind to me. Actually, I didn't mean to smash things for fun, it's just...it's just that these things have been touched by others, and I find them dirty."

That was a fatal blow.

Su Qingqing was so angry that she trembled all over, tears welling up in her eyes, but she didn't dare to lash out in front of the Regent. She could only cover her face and slink away with her companion.

The shopkeeper grinned from ear to ear: "Alright! Your Highness is so generous! I'll wrap it up for you right away!"

"etc."

Jiang Mianmian suddenly spoke.

She pointed to a seemingly unremarkable jade pendant in the corner of the counter. The jade was of average quality, but the carving was quite peculiar, depicting... a sleeping pig.

"I want that one too."

Shen Jin raised an eyebrow: "Which one do you like?"

Jiang Mianmian nodded, a sly smile on her face: "That pig looks just like you! Especially when it's sleeping! I'm going to buy it and hang it above my bed to ward off evil spirits!"

Shen Jin: "..."

He took a deep breath and told himself that she was his own daughter-in-law and he couldn't kill her.

"wrap up."

On this day, the Regent's Palace carriages practically emptied the entire Zhuque Avenue.

Besides the Treasure Pavilion, they also visited a silk shop, a rouge shop, and even the largest restaurant in the capital, "Jufulou".

If Jiang Mianmian glanced at something, Shen Jin would only say one word: "Buy it."

If anyone dares to cast a strange look at Jiang Mianmian, Shen Jin only has one action: to bribe them with money or to kill them with his eyes.

Wherever he went, rumors melted away like snow under the sun.

What does "fall out of favor" mean? What does "decorative" mean?

Which princess, now out of favor, could have the regent personally accompany her shopping? Which household's furnishings could make the regent spend lavishly just to win a smile from his beloved?

This is no abandoned woman, she is clearly a beloved ancestor!

...

In the evening, the carriage returned fully loaded.

Jiang Mianmian was slumped in the carriage, surrounded by gift boxes of all sizes, leaving no room to even put her feet down.

She held the small box containing the jade pendant, laughing like a fool.

[I'm rich! I'm rich! This trip alone cost me at least 50,000 taels of silver! My goodness, if only I could cash this out!]

However, shopping is really tiring. I'm exhausted.

Looking at her greedy appearance, Shen Jin felt a mix of emotions.

Fifty thousand taels of silver, to make her happy for a day, doesn't seem... too expensive?

"Now," Shen Jin said calmly, "Does the Princess still feel wronged? Does she still want to go to Jiangnan to keep male concubines?"

Jiang Mianmian jolted and quickly sat up straight, her face full of righteousness: "Your Highness is joking! What male concubine? Can they be as handsome as Your Highness? Can they be as rich as Your Highness? My heart belongs only to Your Highness! How can that damp and cold place in Jiangnan compare to the comfort of Your Highness's mansion?"

As long as you stay this rich, I'll love you just as much! Being a gigolo is a different story!

Shen Jin sighed helplessly and reached out to tidy her slightly messy hair.

"Remember what you said."

"If I were to find out that you still have feelings for another man..."

His eyes darkened slightly, his fingertips gently caressing her earlobe, his tone dangerous and ambiguous, "I wouldn't mind making sure you really can't get out of bed."

Jiang Mianmian blushed.

[You pervert! This is definitely suggestive! But... considering you helped me slap someone in the face today, I won't report you.]

Just as the carriage was about to enter the street where the Prince's Palace was located, an unexpected incident occurred.

A commotion suddenly broke out on the street ahead, accompanied by screams from the crowd and the neighing of horses.

"Run! The horse's spooked!" "Help!"

Chen Jin's eyes narrowed, and he lifted the carriage curtain.

A wild horse, seemingly driven mad, was dragging an out-of-control cart, charging recklessly towards the densely populated area. Beneath its hooves, a little girl who hadn't had time to run away was sitting in the middle of the road, crying loudly in fright.

Tragedy seemed imminent.

"not good!"

Jiang Mianmian also witnessed this scene.

The body reacts faster than the brain.

Almost instinctively, she even forgot that she was now a "delicate princess" and pushed open the car door, ready to jump out.

"Holy crap! That horse's going to trample someone to death! Let me go! Let me punch its head in the head!"

With quick reflexes, Shen Jin grabbed her belt and pulled her back forcefully.

"Stay put!"

He gave a low shout, and then his figure moved like lightning, turning into a blur as he darted out of the carriage.

But what he didn't expect was that although Jiang Mianmian was pulled back, her desire to "save people" (and her uncontrollable strength) was too urgent.

In her haste, she crushed the small wooden box in her hand, and the jade pendant inside flew out.

To make matters worse, her push was so forceful that it ripped the carriage door off.

"Clang—"

The thick car door panel slammed heavily onto the ground.

Shen Jin, who had just leaped out to save the person, heard a loud noise behind him and turned around.

His frail queen was holding half a door panel in her hand, one foot dangling in mid-air, staring at him blankly.

Uh... um... if I said this door was a shoddy construction project and it just collapsed on its own, would you believe me?

Shen Jin: "..."

Before he could think, he unleashed his inner force, striking the mad horse's leg with pinpoint accuracy.

Crazy Horse crashed to the ground.

The little girl was saved.

A cheer erupted from the crowd.

But Shen Jin stood there, looking at Jiang Mianmian who was clutching the door panel, and felt his head start to ache again.

The rumor has been debunked, but this "weak" persona is probably going to be ruined.