Chapter Ten: The Authority of Household Management

Just as Shen Yi was about to speak, Xiao Huaijin’s next words stunned her beyond measure.

“Yi’er, if I were to die, what would you do?”

Shen Yi stared at Xiao Huaijin in shock, utterly bewildered by his words. Why would he die for no reason? Could it be that his injury was far more serious than she thought, and he had little time left?

Lost in thought, Shen Yi watched as Xiao Huaijin suddenly laughed.

“Don’t worry. I’m only speaking hypothetically. I’m fortunate and strong—I won’t abandon you. After all, I promised your brother I would take care of you for life.”

With that, Xiao Huaijin tucked away the purple-gold pill.

Seeing him carefully put the pill away, Shen Yi prepared to take her leave. At that moment, Jiang Nansheng hurried in, breathless, her chest heaving as she urgently asked, “Your Highness, did Shen Yi meet with Liu Ruyan?”

In the previous life, after Shen Yi met Liu Ruyan, someone administered a slow-acting poison to His Highness. Although I treated him, he nearly lost his life. This time, I won't let Shen Yi poison him again.

Shen Yi looked up silently toward the ceiling.

Though Xiao Huaijin understood the implication from a past life, hearing it from Jiang Nansheng made him utterly confused. Still, he wanted to know why Jiang Nansheng suspected Shen Yi of poisoning him.

He asked, “Yi’er did meet with Liu Ruyan—what’s the problem in that?”

Jiang Nansheng turned coldly to Shen Yi. “Shen Yi, His Highness and I have matters to discuss. Please leave.”

Shen Yi rose, ready to go.

But Xiao Huaijin stopped her. “If the princess consort has something to say, she can say it in front of me and Yi’er. Yi’er is my sworn sister, not an outsider.”

Hearing this, Jiang Nansheng sneered in anger.

“Fine. Since His Highness insists Shen Yi stay, I’ll be blunt. Shen Yi took something from Liu Ruyan that will poison His Highness with a slow-acting toxin. One misstep and His Highness will suffer eternal ruin.”

Shen Yi tried to speak but was silenced by a look from Xiao Huaijin.

“Princess consort, are you referring to this?” Xiao Huaijin produced a wooden box and tossed it onto the table.

Jiang Nansheng stepped forward, opened the box, and revealed a purple pill inside, adorned with intricate patterns—oddly beautiful.

Surprised, Jiang Nansheng exclaimed, “It’s the Purple-Gold Pill!”

She sniffed it and quickly detected the problem.

“No, this is indeed the Purple-Gold Pill, but it contains an added insect—Mylabris. Mylabris is highly poisonous; ground into powder, it conflicts with the pill’s medicinal properties. If His Highness takes it, he will die instantly!”

Turning coldly to Shen Yi, Jiang Nansheng said, “So, Shen Yi, His Highness treats you like a sister, yet you dare poison him. Guards! Arrest Shen Yi and deal with her accordingly.”

Two palace guards entered to seize Shen Yi.

Xiao Huaijin waved his hand, signaling them to stand down. Though puzzled, they obeyed and retreated.

Fuming, Jiang Nansheng shouted, “Your Highness, at a time like this, you still protect Shen Yi? I know Shen Yi’s brother died defending you on the battlefield, and you raised her and gave her a life she never had before. Is that not enough to repay your kindness?”

“Your Highness, Shen Yi tried to poison you today, and you refuse to punish her—have you fallen in love with her?”

Shen Yi thought bitterly: Sister, I really am not part of your little game! If you’re so interested, why not play behind closed doors by yourselves?

Suddenly, Xiao Huaijin slammed the table, furious. “Enough! I know whether Yi’er would harm me or not!”

Tears welled in Jiang Nansheng’s eyes, her expression pitiful as if to evoke sympathy.

Shen Yi considered comforting her but refrained—after all, she was the villainous supporting character. Comfort would have to come from Xiao Huaijin, the male lead.

Xiao Huaijin approached Shen Yi and said, “Yi’er, the princess consort means no harm. Please don’t take offense. I trust you both; I believe everything you do is for my sake. Now, you should leave. I’ll persuade the princess consort. Once she understands your nature, she won’t hold grudges.”

Shen Yi nodded and left.

Back in the courtyard, she exhaled deeply.

The next day at breakfast, she saw Xiao Huaijin and Jiang Nansheng acting lovingly again.

Shen Yi realized no matter the conflicts between the leads, they always resolved them. Yet Jiang Nansheng’s gaze toward Shen Yi remained filled with distrust.

Jiang Nansheng did not believe Shen Yi had changed.

After all, in their previous lives, she and His Highness had suffered greatly at Shen Yi’s hands.

At the table, Xiao Huaijin said, “In three days, the Empress Dowager will host the Blossom Viewing Banquet. When you both attend, there must be no quarrels. If the Empress Dowager learns of discord in the Prince of War’s mansion, she may have other ideas.”

Both agreed, but Jiang Nansheng kept a sharp eye on Shen Yi, scheming quietly.

At that moment, Shen Yi could not hear what Jiang Nansheng was thinking.

As Shen Yi finished eating and prepared to leave, Jiang Nansheng called out, “Sister, please wait!”

Shen Yi turned back, and even Xiao Huaijin looked on curiously at Jiang Nansheng.

Jiang Nansheng grabbed Xiao Huaijin’s hand. “Your Highness, now that I have married into the Prince’s mansion as the princess consort, and Sister is here, shouldn’t Sister hand over the household management to me?”

A flicker of hesitation crossed Xiao Huaijin’s face.

He hesitated. “The mansion has always been managed by Yi’er, and she runs it impeccably. You have never managed the household before. I worry you might not do well.”

Jiang Nansheng disagreed.

“Your Highness, precisely because I’ve never managed the household, I want this responsibility. Sister is already nineteen; it’s time she finds a suitable husband. You can’t have her remain in the mansion forever, becoming an old maid. Though one more person in the mansion doesn’t matter, it’s damaging to Sister’s reputation.”

Xiao Huaijin pondered deeply, then said, “Princess consort, you have a point. Yi’er, you should hand over household management to the princess consort.”

Shen Yi didn’t mind. If Jiang Nansheng wanted it, she could have it. After all, she would leave the Prince of War’s mansion sooner or later. This responsibility was a burden to her.

After Shen Yi agreed, Jiang Nansheng snorted coldly inwardly.

“Shen Yi, don’t think I don’t know how much silver you’ve embezzled over the years. Once I take over, I’ll expose all your falsified accounts to His Highness. I don’t believe that day His Highness will still protect you. You must know His Highness despises those who are not clean-handed.”

Shen Yi thought, So that’s what’s been waiting for me here!