Chapter 623: Chapter 621: The Transmigrated Woman Who Self-Destructed 18 Times (End)
After Shen Zhengjie was beheaded, the deranged Shen Nanqiao finally came to her senses, reflecting on the past few years and froze.
This life seemed different.
The Prince was not confined, and was even valued highly by the current Emperor, gaining some fame among the people.
Shen Nanqiao finally reacted, realizing that her pursuit was nothing more than wealth and stability. What happened before? Why did she argue with a mere Jin Zhu? She was the Princess Consort Xian, being envied by countless noblewomen. Even if the Prince didn’t ascend the throne, she wouldn’t have to worry for her entire life.
Just as Shen Nanqiao was preparing for a good life, Jiang Yuan ruined her.
Outwardly, it was said she was sent to a convent for a rest, but in reality, she was taken to the dungeon. Years had passed, but Jiang Yuan still held a grudge over Shen Nanqiao’s betrayal and scheming. He couldn’t ask Shen Zhengjie, it was inconvenient; questioning Shen Nanqiao wasn’t as cumbersome.
Shen Nanqiao continuously admitted her mistakes to Jiang Yuan, promising that she would behave as a proper Princess Consort Xian and wouldn’t anger him again. Yet, she didn’t realize that her fate was sealed the moment she schemed against Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Yuan sneered and waved at Jin Zhu beside him, "Come here."
Jin Zhu obediently approached, displaying loyalty, but also making Jiang Yuan laugh. This Jin Zhu was indeed perceptive. As long as she didn’t harbor ulterior motives, given what she had done over the years, he wouldn’t treat her poorly.
At that moment, Shen Nanqiao’s mind became exceedingly clear, her face suddenly turning pale, realizing everything.
It turned out Jin Zhu had long disclosed the siblings’ scheme against the Prince. No wonder, no wonder Jin Zhu always came to provoke her over the years; it was all at the Prince’s behest.
"Prince." Shen Nanqiao cried, still hoping to fight.
But Jiang Yuan was unappreciative and waved Jin Zhu away.
Once only the two remained in the dungeon, he asked, "I want to know, why did you so decisively scheme against me back then, insisting on boarding that ship?"
"You better confess honestly. I have many ways to deal with dishonesty," he added, "If you confess honestly, I won’t kill you."
Trembling with fear, Shen Nanqiao couldn’t help but harbor some hope, ultimately admitting that she was a reincarnator.
Jiang Yuan was shocked, never imagining such a bizarre thing. Remembering Shen Zheng’an’s scheming back then, he asked a few more questions, realizing the siblings had schemed once so long ago, his expression cold with sneers.
These siblings were truly cunning.
But also quite foolish!
Despite having the upper hand, they accomplished nothing, his face full of disdain.
If given this opportunity... without Chu Chen, the Sixth might’ve died at his hands long ago.
Thinking of Shen Nanqiao saying that Chu Chen was the Empress Chu in a previous life, completely different from this life, Jiang Yuan vaguely guessed that Chu Chen was an anomaly too, definitely not the Empress Chu in Shen Nanqiao’s memory. But Chu Chen, from the start, was someone he’d rather not provoke, even knowing all this, he didn’t want to do anything.
The Sixth had Chu Chen’s help and the Azure Dragon’s protection, it could only be said that some people were just lucky; he gradually let go of the matter.
The old grudges with the Sixth, even as Emperor, he let go of completely, reused him, if he could do that, Jiang Yuan holding more grudges would seem petty; he didn’t consider himself inferior in this aspect, just that the opposition was luckier.
"Since you look down on me, I shall set you free."
"But you cannot be my discarded consort Shen Nanqiao anymore, you can be anyone else."
Shen Nanqiao had just shown joy, realizing the meaning, yelling she’d be willing to go to the convent to pray for Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Yuan dismissively said, "Depend on no one but oneself, there’s no need for prayer. If it really worked, I’d pray thrice a day, then all of mankind need not strive, merely pray all day and live well. Possibly?"
Even the Sixth, protected by the Azure Dragon, merely built the Qinglong Temple to give thanks, not actually relying on the Azure Dragon. Over the years, he recruited many talents for water control.
Even with a Bai Hong Taoist, the Sixth pondered how to solve the drought, never pinning hopes on those Taoists.
Undeniably, the Sixth was sometimes quite admirable.
As for when he’d oppose him, Jiang Yuan seemed faint-hearted, remembering they got along back then until the time when he witnessed an embarrassing incident. For the Sixth, Jiang Yuan felt some jealousy, which became more intense after that.
His consort passed away early, but was incredibly gentle.
And his own mother... let’s not mention.
Shen Nanqiao was sent away, Jiang Yuan didn’t send her out penniless, he even converted her dowry into silver and returned it to her.
Shen Nanqiao realized this was the best outcome, maybe having witnessed Jiang Yuan’s brutal side, fearing provoking him, she left with the silver, ashamed.
Jiang Yuan wasn’t soft-hearted, letting Shen Nanqiao go was merely for her not to be an eyesore.
With Shen Nanqiao’s nature, even with a large amount of silver, she couldn’t have good days.
Didn’t she disdain him? Then go live without him.
Sure enough, less than three months later, half of Shen Nanqiao’s wealth was gone, realizing it was hard to live alone, she planned to remarry with silver. Lacking status now, her options were limited. Which bureaucratic family didn’t ensure equal standings, matching backgrounds?
Yet she didn’t want a hard life, so ruled out craftsmen and farmers altogether, eventually choosing a merchant, handsome and facing crisis. Shen Nanqiao used her silver to help him overcome the crisis, aiming for a favorable impression, believing after shared hardship, he wouldn’t treat her poorly.
Yet unaware that society was rampant with heartless people, and she was divorced.
When slapped by her husband, Shen Nanqiao awoke from her dreams, recalling hidden memories from her previous life.
In the previous life, although Jiang Yuan was confined, life was difficult but not unlivable, just unable to leave the mansion. Jiang Yuan was capable, even in defeat, secretly maintaining some industries. Waiting for the storm to pass, then planning slowly, feigning illness to avoid disaster, waiting for the chance to escape.
At first, she didn’t know, when he appeared critically ill, her heart panicked.
From high to low, Shen Nanqiao couldn’t endure such days.
Seeing Jiang Yuan nearly dying, and trouble at the Marquis Mansion, was she really to stay in this mansion for life? Thus, Shen Nanqiao had other ideas, planning to escape with her dowry. But needed arrangements for leaving, she contacted Shen Zhengjie’s old acquaintance, who also admired her. Their plans fell into Jiang Yuan’s spies, naturally failing.
Previously gentle Jiang Yuan drastically changed after that.
About this, even in the dungeon, Shen Nanqiao didn’t confess.
After reincarnating, she pretended it hadn’t happened, deceiving even herself, so Jiang Yuan didn’t hear her lies.
Faced with another slap from the merchant, Shen Nanqiao mournfully cried.
How could this be, was she not a reincarnator? If only... if only she hadn’t betrayed Jiang Yuan.
