jdhmnovel Chapter 147 The Prince of Xiang's Mansion
Chapter 147 The Prince of Xiang's Mansion
Shen Yanchu stood in the courtyard of the Princess's residence, gazing at the familiar plants and trees, his heart filled with conflict. He had lived there for some time, and even though his parents were busy, they would always find time to sit and chat with him; he cherished this warmth. However, the thought of the upcoming matchmaking banquet made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Shen Yanchu had longed for freedom since childhood and had an instinctive resistance to arranged marriages. He knew that once caught in the vortex of arranged marriages, it would be difficult to escape. After much thought, he decided to return to his Xiang Prince's mansion. Rather than waiting for fate to decide for him there, he would return to his own territory and take control of his life again.
Having made up his mind, Shen Yanchu did not bid farewell to his mother. He knew that if he told her, he would definitely be stopped. Under the cover of night, he quietly scaled the wall and slipped out of the Princess's residence. His figure moved like a ghost through the quiet streets and alleys, speeding towards the Prince of Xiang's residence.
Before long, Shen Yanchu arrived at the gates of the Prince of Xiang's residence. Looking at the familiar gate, a strange sense of emotion welled up within him. More than two years had passed; in those two years of his disappearance, he had weathered countless storms. Now, he had finally returned to this familiar place.
Uncle Chen, the steward of the Prince's mansion, was patrolling the residence when he suddenly saw a figure appear at the door. He stared at the figure in astonishment, his eyes filled with disbelief. His master had been missing for over two years, and now his sudden return left him momentarily speechless. But quickly, he wiped away his tears and stepped forward to offer a deep bow.
"This old servant greets Master. Master, you've returned safely. This old servant is truly..." Uncle Chen burst into tears before he could finish speaking. Shen Yanchu stepped forward to help him up and patted his shoulder.
"Uncle Chen, don't be like that. I'm back safe and sound, aren't I?" Shen Yanchu's voice carried a hint of warmth.
Steward Chen was overjoyed and wept, immediately leading his master into the mansion. The guards and maids in the mansion, hearing the commotion, rushed over. Seeing the prince return, they were all delighted and stepped forward to pay their respects.
Shen Yanchu didn't seem annoyed at all. Instead, he asked them to stand up and greeted them with a smile. This caught everyone off guard. The prince was known for his cold demeanor, always aloof and disliking others getting close to him. They hadn't expected him to change so much since his return.
Steward Chen also noticed the prince's change and felt gratified. However, he still ordered someone to quickly prepare food for the prince.
Shen Yanchu returned to his study, looking at the familiar furnishings, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He sat down, closed his eyes, and recalled the experiences of the past two years.
Two years ago, Shen Yanchu was assassinated in an accident. He was hunted down by a group of mysterious people and had no choice but to flee the capital. Stranded in the desolate mountains, he was determined to avenge himself and sent people to investigate who the traitor among his own people was and how someone close to him could have poisoned him.
It's unlikely that the current emperor would want to harm him, after all, his mother is his own sister. His mother and father played a significant role in his ascension to the throne.
My father was from the Cui clan of Qinghe. He passed the imperial examination with top honors, and my mother fell in love with him at first sight. The two were married by imperial decree. They went through many trials and tribulations before they were able to be together. The Cui clan of Qinghe also played a significant role in helping my uncle secure his throne.
He once engaged in a thrilling battle with the leader of the Demonic Cult, ultimately defeating him and saving countless lives through his superior martial arts skills and unwavering will. He also infiltrated enemy territory to obtain crucial intelligence, rendering invaluable service to the imperial court.
However, no matter how comfortable he felt outside, it was never home. His heart always longed for his family and friends in the capital. Now, he had finally returned, and he was determined to protect his family and home.
He is a prince of the Cangling Kingdom. Miss Shi is right. As a prince, his only duty is to protect the people and ensure their safety throughout their lives.
Just as Shen Yanchu was immersed in her memories, Butler Chen knocked on the door and came in.
"Your Highness, the food is ready," Steward Chen said respectfully.
Shen Yanchu nodded and got up to go to the main hall. Looking at the sumptuous meal on the table, a warm feeling welled up in his heart. These were all familiar flavors that he hadn't tasted in a long time.
At the age of fifteen, he was granted the title of Prince of Xiang by the emperor for his military achievements. He was given a separate residence and would occasionally visit the Princess's residence to meet with his father and mother. However, due to his official duties and long-term campaigns, he rarely saw them.
He sat down and began to savor the food. Every bite brought him a long-lost sense of warmth and happiness.
After finishing his meal, Shen Yanchu decided to give the Prince's residence a thorough overhaul. He summoned the guards and maids and gave them a lecture.
"During the two years I was away, everyone suffered. Now that I'm back, I will never let you suffer again. From this day forward, I will revitalize the Xiang Prince's Mansion." Shen Yanchu's voice was firm and powerful.
Hearing this, everyone was filled with emotion and anticipation. They all expressed their willingness to follow the prince and work hard for the prosperity of the prince's mansion.
In the days that followed, Shen Yanchu became very busy. On the one hand, he strengthened the defenses of the Prince's Mansion, and on the other hand, he sent people to investigate the events of that year. After all, how could he let those who dared to plot against him live on? No matter who they were, he would not let them go.
Meanwhile, chaos reigned in the Princess's residence due to Shen Yanchu's disappearance. The Princess and her husband were both angry and worried upon learning that their son had escaped by climbing over the wall. They sent people everywhere to search for Shen Yanchu, but to no avail.
Just as they were extremely anxious, Steward Chen arrived at the Princess's residence on the Prince's orders. "This old servant greets Your Highness, the Prince has already returned to his own residence and specifically sent this old servant to inform Your Highness."
He brought a letter from Shen Yanchu. In the letter, Shen Yanchu expressed his apologies to his parents and explained why he had left. He stated that he did not want to be bound by the matchmaking banquet and wanted to pursue his own freedom and happiness. He also told his parents that he had returned to the Xiang Prince's Mansion and that they should not worry.
After reading the letter, the princess and her husband were somewhat angry, but they understood their son's thoughts. They decided to stop pressuring him to go on blind dates and instead respect his choice.
Meanwhile, in the Prince Xiang's residence, Shen Yanchu was unaware that his parents had forgiven him. He continued to strive for the future of the Prince's residence. One day, he received a mysterious invitation. The invitation read: "To learn more about what happened back then, please meet at the Sanqing Temple outside the city in three days."
Shen Yanchu looked at the invitation, a strong sense of curiosity welling up inside him. He knew that there must be a great secret hidden behind this invitation. He decided to accept the invitation; he wanted to see who was behind it all.