Chapter 42 Suspicion

Chapter 42 Suspicion

Yu Zheng sat high above, his dark eyes scrutinizing Shen Changze below, speaking indifferently.

"Marquis Jing'an, do you know that your wife nearly jumped off a cliff today?"

What?

Shen Changze was shocked. "Your Highness, what do you mean by this?"

Yu Zheng briefly recounted the incident involving Jiang Shu.

Shen Changze listened in disbelief.

No wonder none of the guards from the Marquis's residence had returned; they had all been killed by bandits.

"Your Highness's great kindness, I will never forget." Shen Changze stood up and bowed in gratitude.

If Yu Zheng had not intervened today, not only would Jiang Shu have lost her life at the cliff, but the reputation of the Marquis Jing'an's residence would also have been irreparably damaged.

Failing to maintain discipline at home and allowing relatives to be disgraced, leading to the humiliation and death of his wife, would certainly make him a laughingstock in Shang Jing.

"I will inform the authorities that the bandits attacked me, not mentioning your wife. As for the people in the Marquis's residence, it depends on how well Marquis Jing'an governs his household."

After saying this, Yu Zheng stood up and walked out with long strides.

He could only do so much.

"Your Highness, let me see you off," Shen Changze said respectfully, following behind Yu Zheng.

Yu Zheng ignored him and left the Marquis's residence directly.

For someone who had abandoned his wife and returned alone to the capital, he held deep contempt.

After sending Yu Zheng away, Shen Changze rushed straight to Listen Bamboo House.

Jiang Shu was leaning tiredly on a soft couch, while Lady Fang was treating her injuries.

Seeing Jiang Shu's swollen knee, Shen Changze frowned and asked, "Is it serious?"

Lady Fang replied, "There is no damage to the tendons or bones. She should be able to walk again in a few days."

Shen Changze held back many words, waiting patiently for Lady Fang to finish applying the medicine and leave.

Once Lady Fang was gone, Shen Changze dismissed the servants and closed the door.

Jiang Shu knew he had questions and waited calmly.

Shen Changze stood before the couch and said, "Prince Jing said Zhao Dezhu colluded with the bandits, forcing you to almost jump off the cliff. Are you alright?"

Jiang Shu remained silent, answering with silence.

Shen Changze knew she was angry with him for leaving her behind, and softened his tone. "I didn't know Zhao Dezhu would be so bold."

He added solemnly, "Now you should understand that Zhao Dezhu did not escape because of me."

If he had let Zhao Dezhu go, why would he seek revenge like this?

Jiang Shu laughed bitterly. "Are you asking me to apologize for misunderstanding you?"

She had barely escaped death, and he was arguing about such trivial matters.

Did her life mean less to him than his own innocence?

The moment she saw Zhao Dezhu, she knew his escape had nothing to do with Shen Changze.

But bringing it up now made her find it absurd.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency," Jiang Shu said, her eyes slightly moist, choking back tears.

Shen Changze frowned. "That's not what I meant."

Jiang Shu turned her head to look out the window, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Seeing her so unreasonable, Shen Changze said irritably, "Are you very close to Prince Jing?"

The usually aloof Prince Jing, who disliked socializing, not only saved Jiang Shu but personally escorted her back to the residence, helped her out of the carriage, and even explained everything to him, covering for her to protect her reputation.

There must be something more to this.

"Are you suspecting something?" Jiang Shu stared straight at Shen Changze, her eyes filled with mockery.

Shen Changze felt a pang of annoyance under her gaze. "I am your husband. I have the right to ask about your relationships with other men."

A fine right indeed.

Jiang Shu smiled wryly. "If I say I am not close to Prince Jing, would you believe me?"

Though she and Yu Zheng had saved each other's lives, they had no further interactions. How could they be considered close?

Shen Changze looked at her skeptically, his face expressing disbelief.

"Are you really not close to Prince Jing?" Shen Changze persisted.

Once suspicion takes root, trust is lost, and any explanation becomes futile.

Jiang Shu understood this well and did not bother with explanations. "What do you want to hear?"

"I only want to hear one honest word from you." Shen Changze's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone forceful.

"I am not familiar with Prince Jing, but I do have some acquaintance with the Empress Dowager."

Jiang Shu felt utterly exhausted and did not wish to entangle herself further with Shen Changze. She turned around and lay down.

However, Shen Changze was not willing to let her go so easily and continued, "Just that?"

"If My Lord Marquis wants to hear more, please just say it directly." Jiang Shu grew annoyed, her voice turning cold.

Shen Changze's anger surged: "What is your attitude?"

Jiang Shu frowned tightly and said, "I am truly tired today and do not wish to argue pointlessly with My Lord Marquis. If you find my attitude unsatisfactory, seek Lady Xu instead."

"Jiang Shu, have you forgotten who is in charge in this household?" Shen Changze suddenly leaned over and pinned her down.

Her almond eyes widened abruptly, then contracted with disgust. Jiang Shu trembled as she coldly questioned, "What does My Lord Marquis intend to do?"

"I am your husband; I can do whatever I want." Shen Changze angrily raised his hand and tore open Jiang Shu's collar.

Realizing resistance was futile, Jiang Shu gave up struggling. With a heart full of despair, she sneered, "My Lord Marquis's actions are no different from those of the bandits who coerced me today."

"What did you say!" Shen Changze's face flushed with rage, his expression fierce as if he wanted to devour Jiang Shu.

Jiang Shu refused to look at him and closed her eyes in mockery. A hot tear rolled down, landing on Shen Changze's hand.

The hand supporting Jiang Shu's face trembled from the heat. Shen Changze suddenly stood up and left in a fit of anger.

Jiang Shu lay motionless on the couch.

She opened her eyes and stared at the flickering candlelight, recalling Shen Changze's persistent questioning. Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind.

The ladies of Shang Jing looked down on her for being the daughter of a merchant, except for Yu Lan, who never discriminated against her and actively befriended her. Whenever she faced difficulties or bullying, Yu Lan would boldly step forward to protect her. Why was that?

Was it Yu Zheng's doing?

When news reached Mother Shen and the matriarch that Prince Jing had escorted Jiang Shu back to the manor and had a secret conversation with Shen Changze, they immediately sought him out for an explanation.

"Grandmother, Mother," Shen Changze greeted them with a stern face.

The matriarch dismissed the servants and asked urgently, "Why did Prince Jing escort Jiang Shu back to the manor? What did he want from you?"

Shen Changze replied briefly, "Jiang Shu encountered bandits on her way back to the capital. Prince Jing happened to pass by and rescued her. He discussed with me the need to keep the incident secret to preserve the reputation of the Marquisate."

"Why would Prince Jing help the Marquisate?" Mother Shen wondered.

Everyone in Shang Jing knew Prince Jing's character—he was not one to meddle in others' affairs.

The matriarch also looked puzzled.

Shen Changze furrowed his brows and gave the reason Jiang Shu had provided: "Jiang Shu is acquainted with the Empress Dowager."

"How could I forget that in my haste? It makes sense now." Mother Shen smiled in realization, all doubts dispelled.

The matriarch also ceased her suspicions and asked another question, "How did you end up returning separately from Shu'er?"

Given Shen Changze's martial arts skills, if he had been with Jiang Shu, perhaps Prince Jing's rescue would not have been necessary.

"I... I received an urgent message and needed to rush back to handle it," Shen Changze lied offhand.

Mother Shen gently patted her chest and said, "Fortunately, you returned early and avoided those vicious bandits."

She had heard that the guards had died. If Shen Changze had been there, he might have been injured.

As for Jiang Shu, since she was safe, it did not matter who saved her.

The most pressing task now was to restrain the servants in the manor from spreading rumors that could tarnish the reputation of the Marquisate.