Volume One, Chapter Three: No! I Choose to Ascend First!

After the palace maid left in disbelief, Changyang spoke coldly, “Don’t think you can keep threatening me just because of Aunt Wang!”

Shen Yi smiled faintly but said nothing.

Seeing his indifference, Changyang’s displeasure grew. “I’m speaking to you, are you deaf?”

“What’s there to say?” Shen Yi replied coolly. “You and I are nothing but pawns in a political marriage. No matter how much you say, can you really decide my fate?”

Changyang was taken aback by his words. Looking into his indifferent eyes, she felt an inexplicable unease.

Shen Yi sat by the table and took a sip of tea. “I’m just waiting for the imperial edict.”

Her expression grew complex upon hearing this.

Shen Yi was nothing like the useless man the rumors described; today, he showed a measure of courage and cunning.

She knew that at the morning court, officials would surely discuss how to deal with Shen Yi’s scandal from last night.

Changyang, well-read in poetry, history, and classics, and having lived long within the palace, was aware of the tangled affairs of the powerful families.

She had heard whispers of secret matters within the court.

The officials would use this incident to criticize Shen Yi, implicating the Prince of Zhenmu.

Though she admired the Prince of Zhenmu, Shen Yi’s presence was undeniably the greatest blot on his illustrious life.

No matter how you behave now, you cannot hide your debauchery, your gambling, and your dissipated lifestyle! Changyang sneered inwardly. I will not be fooled by your disguise!

She snorted and said, “Whatever the outcome, you must give me an explanation about Aunt Wang’s matter! From now on, we have three rules: no interference with each other. You live in the Western Garden, I live in the Eastern Garden!

“No matter what reckless things you do, clean up after yourself! Don’t sully my reputation!”

Shen Yi smiled faintly, unconvinced. “That suits me just fine.”

Changyang frowned. Suits you just fine? Have you forgotten who last night behaved like a rogue, threatening to barge into my courtyard?

Now that I’ve lowered myself to speak with you, you’re acting cold and distant?

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside.

“The imperial edict has arrived! Princess Changyang and Prince Consort Shen Yi, please receive the decree!”

At these words, Shen Yi set down his teacup and stepped outside with a complicated expression.

He knew he would not die, but the nature of his punishment was unknown.

He was tired of this feeling of helplessness over his own fate.

Just now, he had wanted to abduct the princess and flee, wandering the world.

After all, the empire was in chaos. With his disguise and abilities, he could live well anywhere.

But thinking of the thousands of Shen clan members who would suffer because of him, he could not bear to face that.

Their family’s sole reliance on loyalty to the emperor had earned them a lifetime of honor and peace.

The one who arrived was a eunuch.

Shen Yi recognized him as Eunuch Cao, who had previously delivered the marriage edict.

Beside him stood a man dressed in plain clothes, his hair grayed, appearing to be in his fifties.

Suppressing his thoughts, Shen Yi knelt on one knee to receive the edict.

Princess Changyang lowered her head and saluted respectfully, secretly hoping their father, the emperor, would punish Shen Yi properly.

“By the Mandate of Heaven! The Emperor decrees:

“Last night, on the day of Prince Consort Shen’s wedding, he caroused in a brothel, showing blatant contempt for imperial authority!

“Moreover, his licentiousness and lawless conduct are beyond pardon!

“The entire city now knows, damaging the emperor’s prestige!

“Yet, in light of the Prince of Zhenmu’s loyal service and distinguished military achievements,

“Though he cannot escape the death penalty, he shall not be spared from a severe punishment!

“Shen Yi is hereby sentenced to serve one month at the Vanguard Camp of the Northern Army, where he shall establish a vanguard cavalry unit, commanding one hundred soldiers! He shall be the first to scale enemy walls and strike down the rebels of Fengtian! His merits shall atone for his faults!

“As for Princess Changyang…”

Upon hearing this, Changyang’s face lit up with joy, not bothering to listen closely to the rewards for her and her family.

With this decree, Shen Yi would immediately be sent to the front lines as part of the suicide squad.

The Vanguard Camp was the spearhead of battle—storming enemy walls, killing foes.

They faced relentless volleys of arrows, a death-defying mission.

Climbing atop the enemy city meant confronting dozens of assailants.

Without unstoppable courage and unparalleled prowess, Shen Yi surely would not survive.

Changyang was instantly gleeful and cast a glance at Shen Yi, eager to see his expression of fear.

Yet, she was stunned.

Instead of fear, she saw Shen Yi’s lowered head lift slightly, a smile playing on his lips.

What?

At this stage, you can still smile?

Are you foolishly brave?

Changyang sneered in her heart, mocking him. Let’s see how long you can keep up this act!

“Please, Princess Changyang and Prince Consort Shen, receive the edict!”

“I humbly accept the decree…”

“My son…”

The two stepped forward to receive the edict, while the other servants remained kneeling, afraid to move.

Off to the side, Shen Yi spotted Shen Jianren among the crowd.

Eunuch Cao ignored Shen Yi completely, smiling instead at Changyang.

“Your Highness, the Emperor knows your anger and has arranged fifty Imperial Guards for your command.

“The unit is led by Captain Yang Lintan of Changning.

“The Emperor also sent a message for you.”

Changyang’s joy was boundless.

Yang Lintan was her cousin, who had just been promoted two ranks from captain to colonel.

She looked up at the solemn Eunuch Cao.

“Zhaoqin, I know you have suffered injustice. Rest assured, I will stand up for you,” the eunuch said.

Tears pricked Changyang’s eyes. Having grown up without a father’s love, she was deeply moved.

Her father still cared for her!

“Eunuch Cao!”

At that moment, Shen Yi appeared, smiling broadly and interrupting the tender scene between father and daughter.

Eunuch Cao’s face darkened with disdain. “What is it? Afraid now? Are you going to beg the emperor for mercy?”

Changyang glared at him in displeasure. “Hmph! Afraid now? Too late!”

Shen Yi held the edict, beaming. “Eunuch Cao, please convey to His Majesty—I don’t need to wait a month. I am ready to depart immediately!”

Eunuch Cao twitched in disbelief. “Are you mad? The emperorI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.