The Double
Chapter 111 - 111 77 Banquet Invitation_3

111: Chapter 77: Banquet Invitation_3 111: Chapter 77: Banquet Invitation_3 Princess Yongning believed that Shen Yurong was born to be her nemesis.

She had forsaken her princessly dignity for Shen Yurong, set aside her pride, and even killed his wife.

She also revealed to him smiles she never showed to others.

All of this was just to make Shen Yurong return her love in kind.

She loved Shen Yurong very much.

Prince Cheng began to inquire about some matters with Shen Yurong, who stood upright, neither servile nor overbearing, exhibiting quite a capable demeanor.

Prince Cheng’s satisfaction with Shen Yurong increased more and more.

Although Shen Yurong had conflicts with Princess Yongning, Prince Cheng didn’t think this was any serious fault.

Those who achieve great things do not fuss over trifles, and what is more trifling than a woman of no use?

People in this world are either stepping stones or stumbling blocks.

One should step on the stepping stones and toss aside the stumbling blocks.

Shen Yurong had merely discarded a stumbling block, but his road ahead would become increasingly broad, an open path.

…

“Shen Yurong has gone to Princess Yongning’s Mansion, and Prince Cheng is also there,” a guard in black reported.

In the study of the Duke Residence, Jih Heng replaced the book he had taken from the wooden shelf.

The guard vanished as quietly as he had appeared.

“It seems that Shen Yurong and Prince Cheng are now connected,” Lu Jiu said with a chuckle as he sipped his tea, looking at Jih Heng.

“It was inevitable,” Jih Heng said as he replaced the book but did not leave.

Instead, he stood in front of the yellow pear wood shelf, seemingly in search of another book.

“Congratulations, my lord, your plans have taken another step forward,” Lu Jiu said.

“With Shen Yurong siding with Prince Cheng, Prince Cheng will gain a powerful ally among the new nobility, and his power will increase significantly.”

Jih Heng replied nonchalantly, “Shen Yurong is ambitious, Prince Cheng is ambitious, and those with ambition give off the same scent.

Just as a wolf will not keep the company of dogs, Shen Yurong, in court, will not choose the Emperor but Prince Cheng, for only Prince Cheng can satisfy his ambition.”

“My lord always has sharp insights,” Lu Jiu sighed.

Suddenly recalling something, he said, “It’s just a pity about Chengxuan Envoy Meng Youde.

Previously, he was aligned with the Right Chancellor.

But now that he has offended Princess Yongning, he has effectively offended Prince Cheng.

Since the Right Chancellor is Prince Cheng’s man, naturally, he won’t use Meng Youde anymore.

Meng Youde is quite capable, actually—”

The Meng Family originally served the Right Chancellor and, by extension, Prince Cheng.

However, due to the incident at the horse ranch involving Meng Hongjin and Princess Yongning, the Meng Family was destined to be abandoned by Prince Cheng.

It wasn’t so much that Prince Cheng bore a grudge, but with Meng Youde’s daughter harmed to such a degree, even if he claimed not to mind and continued to serve Prince Cheng, resentment would inevitably linger in his heart.

With resentment, one might bite back someday.

Prince Cheng, cautious and suspicious, would certainly not use Meng Youde again.

In fact, based on capability, Meng Youde might grow to be quite an asset in the future.

Even as an outsider, one would feel regret on Prince Cheng’s behalf.

It’s a pity that the situation has come to this, beyond salvage.

“This time, it’s also because of Miss Jiang the Second,” Lu Jiu chuckled.

“Earlier, Ye Shijie changed his plans due to Miss Jiang the Second’s intervention, and now, Meng Hongjin, because of Miss Jiang the Second, is causing the Meng Family to break away from Prince Cheng.

In both instances, Miss Jiang the Second has thwarted my lord’s plans.

She and my lord seem to have a fated enmity.”

“Are you suggesting that Miss Jiang the Second did this intentionally?” Jih Heng asked.

“Doesn’t my lord think so too?” Lu Jiu smiled as he replied, “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have sent Wen Ji to investigate who has been advising Ye Shijie behind the scenes.”

Finally finding the book he was looking for, Jih Heng pulled it out and turned around, a bright red robe adorned with the embroidery of a golden butterfly fluttering behind him.

He said, “It’s Miss Jiang the Second.”

Lu Jiu’s smile faded as he looked at Jih Heng, “The Jiang Family…”

“Not the Jiang Family,” Jih Heng slowly curved his lips into an enigmatic smile.

“It’s Miss Jiang the Second.”

“Isn’t it interesting?” Jih Heng leaned back lazily and said, “I suspect that Miss Jiang the Second is here to be my nemesis.”

…

The summer dragged on, and though it seemed about to turn to autumn, there appeared to be no hint of the coming coolness, the scorching sun relentlessly continuing its blaze, wilting the flowers in the garden.

Therefore, the late-arriving rain was always particularly welcome.

It had rained during the night, and by morning it hadn’t stopped, though it had turned from a downpour to a drizzle.

Rainwater dripped down the eaves in fine streams, pattering onto the courtyard’s bluestone bricks, washing them exceedingly clean, making them look like pristine jade stones, almost as if one could smell the fragrance of the earth.

Tonger carried in the breakfast, surprised to see Jiang Li still asleep.

Usually, Jiang Li woke up quite early.

She didn’t have the habit of sleeping in, and every time Tonger brought breakfast, Jiang Li would already have washed and dressed herself.