Chapter 22: Shen Yi's Astounding Discovery

"Wait, I don't quite understand!"

Liu Ruyan looked at Shen Yi's expression and sighed inwardly. She was truly a naive and innocent soul; it was no wonder she had never realized that Liu Ruyan was merely feigning a close friendship with her.

"It is quite simple. My aunt became Empress only after harming the Prince of War's biological mother, clearing the path for her own son to ascend the throne. Between my aunt and the Prince of War, only one can survive."

Shen Yi was aware of the tension between the Empress Dowager and the Prince of War, but she couldn't fathom why the young Emperor was also embroiled in it. "Then why would the Emperor join forces with the Prince of War to deal with you?"

Liu Ruyan did not hesitate. She had come today to confess, and since Shen Yi had asked, she decided to reveal everything. "Because the Empress Dowager has been ruling from behind the curtain, and she covets the throne itself. My Liu family will naturally do everything in our power to support her. After all, she is only in her thirties. If she secures that position, perhaps the next Emperor will not be surnamed Xiao, but Liu. If I were to become Empress or enter the palace, my dear cousin would likely find it impossible to sleep or eat in peace."

Shen Yi froze. What had she just heard? This was information she was never meant to possess. She felt a sudden, sharp resentment toward Liu Ruyan.

Liu Ruyan’s goal was simple: she could no longer keep these burdens locked inside, or she would surely suffocate from the pressure. If Shen Yi shared the weight, however, it would be different. Liu Ruyan glanced at Shen Yi and felt a surge of satisfaction at the kaleidoscope of expressions crossing the other woman’s face.

Shen Yi sank into a chair, filled with regret. She was just a simple, harmless girl, yet she had stumbled into this web of chaos. Liu Ruyan’s visit today was clearly more than just an apology; she wanted to ensure Shen Yi would never know a moment’s peace again. It seemed she had underestimated the cunning of the ambitious Liu Ruyan.

Shen Yi took a deep breath. "You came to tell me all this? Every word is earth-shattering. If you needed someone to talk to, you should have gone to your future husband. Why come to me?"

Liu Ruyan turned, then glanced back. "Because you are the only person in this capital who has treated me with genuine sincerity. I want you to grow up quickly and stop being so foolish. Everyone who approaches you has an agenda. As for my future husband, he is stubborn; if he knew, it would jeopardize his future. It was only through these recent trials that I finally understood what it means to be loved."

"What does it feel like?"

As a former office worker, Shen Yi had never experienced true love. Even when she had been in a relationship, she had spent her meager four-thousand-yuan salary—after taxes and insurance—sending three hundred dollars a month to support a boyfriend studying abroad, only to be dumped in the end. She had loved, but she had never been loved. The original owner of this body had been the same.

She longed to know what that feeling was.

Liu Ruyan thought of Xu Zhilin, a sweet smile touching her lips. "It means that when you are misunderstood, he will steadfastly choose to believe in you. Even if the whole world points their fingers at you, he will use his own body to shield you from the gossip."

With those words, Liu Ruyan left.

Shen Yi remained, feeling as though she were sitting on pins and needles, a thorn in her back, a lump in her throat. She knew she had to prepare to leave the Prince of War’s estate, to go to a strange place and start a new life. If it came to it, she would head to the frontier; she refused to believe she and Liu'er couldn't survive on their own.

"Liu'er! Liu'er!" Shen Yi called out.

Liu'er hurried over. Seeing Shen Yi’s frantic state, she asked, "Miss, what is it?"

Shen Yi looked at her—slender and fragile. Could she really drag this girl into a life of hardship? Yet, the girl was so loyal, the type who would give her life for her mistress. It would be cruel to leave her behind.

"We are going to see the Princess Consort," Shen Yi declared.

Jiang Nansheng? Liu'er wondered if her mistress was finally going to have a showdown. Had she come to her senses, deciding to accept the position of a secondary consort instead of the primary one? Shen Yi, unaware of Liu'er's thoughts, marched toward Jiang Nansheng's courtyard.

...

Jiang Nansheng was studying medical texts. She had to admit that even as a medical doctor from the future, there were merits to ancient medicine. She was just marveling at a prescription for treating consumption when her maid, Cui'er, burst in, breathless.

"Princess... Princess Consort, Shen Yi is coming this way, looking quite aggressive!"

Jiang Nansheng stood up, surprised. What was Shen Yi planning? A confrontation? She sat back down slowly; after all, she was the mistress of the estate. No matter what Shen Yi wanted, if she refused to engage, Shen Yi could do nothing.

Shen Yi arrived outside the room. She didn't enter immediately, but told Liu'er to wait outside before stepping in alone. She bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Princess Consort."

One does not strike a smiling face. Jiang Nansheng smiled thinly. "Sister Shen, there is no need for such formalities. But since you have come so suddenly, I assume you have something to tell me?"

Shen Yi glanced at Cui'er, and Jiang Nansheng understood instantly. "Cui'er, you may step out."

Cui'er hesitated but obeyed. Once she was gone, Jiang Nansheng poured a cup of tea for Shen Yi. "Why don't you sit and speak?"

Shen Yi hesitated, suddenly struck by a terrifying thought. Jiang Nansheng was the protagonist, a woman with every advantage—not only was she a transmigrator, but she was also reborn. As someone who had lived before, she should know that Shen Yi’s son was actually Xiao Huaijin’s child. Yet, she showed no sign of wanting to bring the boy to the estate. Did she not know the child was Xiao Huaijin’s seed? But how could a reincarnated soul not know?

And how had she died in her past life? In the original story, Xiao Huaijin had been reported for treason by the original owner and thrown into prison to be executed. The original owner had gone to the young Emperor to demand the position of Empress, only to be beheaded herself.

Shen Yi hadn't finished the book. The novel *The Counterfeit Prince* was crudely written, even by the author Luo Xi’s standards. She had only read up to the point where the character sharing her name was beheaded and Xiao Huaijin was imprisoned. Knowing Luo Xi’s style, the leads would surely find a way to save each other, leading to Xiao Huaijin ascending the throne and Jiang Nansheng becoming Empress. If Jiang Nansheng had become Empress, it would have been a happy ending. But Jiang Nansheng had died, which was precisely why she had returned as a reincarnated soul.