163: flattering Situ Jun

Wang Cheng froze, then abruptly looked up:

"Are you sure there was no mistake in the investigation?"

"No, many merchants have confirmed it," the attendant replied in a deep, firm voice.

Wang Cheng's tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, but his eyes gleamed with thought.

A moment later, he nodded, a hint of joy subtly flashing in his eyes.

He raised his hand, took up a brush, and wrote the words "thorough investigation" on the scroll. The sound of the brush tip scratching the paper was exceptionally clear, the ink marks winding like grotesque snake shadows.

"Issue my order: a thorough city-wide investigation of all outsiders with unknown identities!"

He paused, his tone hardening slightly:

"Additionally, send a message to those lawless aristocratic families, especially those idle Second-Generation Wastrels who frequent brothels – tell their family heads that if they can't control their people, the City Lord's Mansion won't mind doing it for them!"

"Yes!"

The attendant took his leave, and silence once again descended upon the study.

Wang Cheng lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, thinking that he should send someone to report this matter to the Monarch tomorrow.

After all, a Sect Disciple had died in his city, and the repercussions of the investigation could range from minor to severe. Fortunately, the other party was at fault first, and with the Dynasty backing him, the Xuan Yin Sect would likely have no choice but to let the matter rest.

He looked out at the deep night, a hint of resolve flashing in his eyes.

Whether it was the Xuan Yin Sect or Shopkeeper Chen, anyone who dared to cause trouble in East Lin City would pay the price.

But compared to what had already happened, the most urgent matter now was to gain Situ Jun's approval. Otherwise, let alone being 'removed from the list,' the entire East Lin City might suffer.

Thinking of this, he rose from his seat and walked towards his inner courtyard wife's bedchamber... the bedchamber in the back courtyard.

Shen Xingwan glanced at Wang Cheng as he entered, and said coldly:

"My Lord City Lord, you haven't stepped foot in my bedchamber for years. What brings you here today?"

Facing Shen Xingwan's sarcasm, Wang Cheng gave an awkward smile, then sat down and poured himself a cup of tea.

He took a sip, then said helplessly:

"Madam, you know me... In short, I've wronged you. Today, I've come to bring you a Divorce Letter, to return your freedom."

Hearing this, Shen Xingwan froze, her hand, holding the jade comb, stiff in her hair.

She abruptly turned to look at Wang Cheng, her face filled with shock and disbelief.

After a long moment, she said with a trembling voice:

"Are you out of your mind? After so many years as husband and wife, you say divorce just like that, you..."

In her anger, she couldn't even form a complete sentence.

Wang Cheng put down his teacup, his Adam's apple bobbing twice. He avoided Shen Xingwan's gaze and looked at the flickering candlelight on the table.

"I'm not crazy. You haven't been happy these years in the City Lord's Mansion. I'm doing this for your sake."

"Happy? Wang Cheng, you're talking about happiness to me now?"

She suddenly stood up, her skirt sweeping past the chair leg, stirring a gust of wind.

Wang Cheng looked embarrassed:

"Listen to me first. I've already arranged a good place for you to go—to serve Situ Jun, the City Lord of the Northern Frontier, who is also my lord. This way, not only can you continue to live the life of a City Lord's wife, but you can live even better! My lord is powerful, young, and promising; he won't mistreat you."

Shen Xingwan felt as if struck by lightning, staggering back half a step and bumping into the dressing table. Her pale face was reflected in the bronze mirror, full of disbelief, as she stared blankly at Wang Cheng.

Wang Cheng paused, then continued:

"I misgoverned East Lin City and offended my lord today. I... I can only rely on you, Xingwan."

Shen Xingwan clenched the jade comb, her teeth almost digging into her palm:

"Is that your reason for divorcing me? Situ Jun wants to control you, so you come at me? What kind of ability is that! Selling your wife for glory?"

"You don't understand."

Wang Cheng suddenly looked up, his voice rising a few pitches before quickly lowering again:

"My lord is not only young and handsome, but also fair in rewards and punishments. The offense I committed today is no small matter. Either I send you to him, or our entire family, including your Shen family's collateral branches, will be buried at the bottom of East Lin City's moat!"

Seeing Shen Xingwan about to retort, Wang Cheng had to deceive her, deliberately making the situation sound extremely serious.

Shen Xingwan's expression froze. When she turned, the anger in her eyes had faded, replaced by a still, dead calm.

"Wang Cheng, you truly have a good plan! Using me to please Situ Jun in exchange for your future. I agree to this!"

Wang Cheng didn't expect Shen Xingwan to agree so readily. He was first stunned, then a relieved joy flashed in his eyes, and he quickly said:

"Xingwan, it's good that you understand. I knew you were a reasonable person. Actually..."

"Shut up."

Shen Xingwan coldly interrupted him, picking up the jade comb from the dressing table and slowly combing her long hair. The reflection in the glazed bronze mirror spoke in a tone so flat it was as if she were talking about someone else's business:

"Give me the Divorce Letter!"

Wang Cheng awkwardly took the already written Divorce Letter from his sleeve and handed it over. The ink on the paper still looked fresh.

Shen Xingwan's fingertips trembled as she took it, but she stubbornly held back her tears, simply stuffing the Divorce Letter into her cosmetic box.

She raised her hand to smooth her temples. Though her reflection in the glazed bronze mirror was pale, a faint glow ignited in her eyes.

"Situ Jun, is it? City Lord of the Northern Frontier, young and promising, powerful... he certainly sounds much stronger than you, you coward."

Wang Cheng's face instantly flushed red, but he stammered, unable to retort.

Shen Xingwan turned to face the bed, her tone flat as she said:

"Lord City Lord, you may leave. I need to rest."

Wang Cheng's expression froze, but he still added:

"Xingwan, please get dressed and made up, then come with me to see my lord. I still have to apologize to him later."

Hearing this, a blush rose on Shen Xingwan's calm face, clearly indicating her extreme anger.

She said defiantly:

"Good, very good! I'm not coming back tonight once I leave!"

Wang Cheng's face turned green from her retort, but he could only nod awkwardly:

"You... it's good that you understand."

With that, he turned and quickly left, as if fearing that lingering for another moment would freeze him with the chill in the room.

The moment the door creaked shut, Shen Xingwan violently smashed the jade comb against the glazed bronze mirror.

The mirror shattered with a clang, reflecting her fragmented image, much like her current state of mind.

She clutched the dressing table, gasping for breath, her knuckles white from the force. The Divorce Letter slipped out of the cosmetic box and fell at her feet.

The words "Divorce" on it stung her eyes.

"Situ Jun..."

She whispered the name, her tongue almost biting through.

What did Wang Cheng take her for?

A plaything to curry favor with his superior?

She had endured living as a widow in the City Lord's Mansion all these years.

She had also endured the servants gossiping behind her back.

She had thought there would eventually be a day when she would break free, but instead, she was met with such humiliation.

The wind outside the window, carrying night dew, beat against the window frame, like someone quietly sobbing.

Shen Xingwan bent down to pick up the Divorce Letter, re-inserted it into the cosmetic box, locked it, and then turned to open the wardrobe, taking out the most luxurious long dress in a smoky rose color.

Though the woman in the bronze mirror had a pale face, there was no longer any trace of timidity in her eyes.

She meticulously drew her eyebrows and applied rouge before the shattered mirror. Her originally delicate features now held a determined, alluring charm.

"Situ Jun... City Lord of the Northern Frontier..." She traced the rouge on her lips with her fingertip. "Since you, Wang Cheng, think I can please him, then I shall go and meet this important figure."

Just as she finished dressing, the timid voice of a Servant Girl came from outside the door:

"Madam, the Lord City Lord has sent this Servant Girl to attend to your departure."

Shen Xingwan took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The night was heavy, and Wang Cheng was already waiting outside the courtyard. Seeing her emerge, a flicker of admiration appeared in his eyes, quickly replaced by anxiety:

"Let's go quickly, my lord must be getting impatient."

Shen Xingwan didn't look at him, heading straight for the carriage.

The carriage compartment was silent, save for the sound of the wheels rolling over the bluestone pavement.

Shen Xingwan lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, watching the familiar City Lord's Mansion gradually recede. Suddenly, she felt a slight loosening in the long-blocked place in her heart.