At these words, Zhi Wan and the others stared at him in astonishment.

They never thought he would reject Princess Chang Le so directly.

Bai Yi came to his senses and couldn’t help but feel anxious for him. He tugged on his sleeve and reminded him in a low voice, "Longjin, now is not the time to be stubborn. This is a rare opportunity, you should seize it."

Shen Longjin was unmoved, still holding his bow.

Princess Chang Le looked at him with a half-smile. "I happen to like boorish men. Your refusal is useless. If you know what’s good for you, come with me. I certainly won’t treat you poorly."

Shen Longjin shook his head, not yielding in the slightest. "You may be a princess, but you cannot force someone against their will."

At that, Princess Chang Le’s expression completely darkened.

Seeing this, Yuanbao scolded, "Shen Longjin, it is your good fortune that Her Highness has taken a liking to you. Don’t be ungrateful and anger Her Highness."

"I implore Your Highness to retract your command." Shen Longjin’s bow deepened, but his attitude remained resolute.

Princess Chang Le was so angry she laughed. She flicked her sleeve, clasped her hands behind her back, and said coldly, "To defy me like this, are you tired of living?"

Seeing this, Zhi Wan was startled. Afraid that Shen Longjin didn’t understand the severity of the situation and would lose his life over it, she hurried forward and urged in a low voice, "Mr. Shen, don’t act on impulse. You should just go with the Princess."

Hearing this, Shen Longjin turned his head to glance at her.

She wasn’t wearing a veiled hat today, but her face was covered by a veil.

Although he couldn’t see her whole face, the eyes that were visible were impossibly beautiful.

He paused, then shook his head. "There is no need to persuade me, Miss Zhi. My mind is made up."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan’s brow tightened.

’Why is this man so stubborn?’

’Doesn’t he know the consequences of angering the Princess are severe?’

But when she met his eyes, she knew she couldn’t persuade him.

She walked back to Lady Wei’s side, somewhat dejected.

Seeing the tense atmosphere and fearing Princess Chang Le would punish Shen Longjin, Lady Wei also stepped forward to persuade him. "Longjin, I know you are a good child with your own thoughts and principles. But now is not the time to be willful. If you anger the Princess, you cannot bear the consequences. You are still so young; it would be a terrible loss to throw your life away over this."

"Besides, you won’t lose out by following the Princess. A meteoric rise is practically guaranteed."

Hearing this, Shen Longjin bowed to her. "Thank you for your guidance, Madam Lu, but this humble officer does not wish to go with the Princess, even if it costs me my life."

Lady Wei stared at him in astonishment.

She never thought that even after she had laid out all the pros and cons for him, he would remain so stubborn, willing even to sacrifice his life.

She sighed.

’This child... he’s a good child. He doesn’t bow before power, nor will he bend for wealth and glory. It shows he has courage and integrity.’

’It’s a pity Princess Chang Le has taken a fancy to him. Otherwise, if I had recruited him as Wan’er’s matrilocal husband, he surely would have had a good life with Wan’er, taking care of her and protecting her.’

With this in mind, Lady Wei couldn’t help but say to Princess Chang Le, "Your Highness, this child is stubborn, tactless, and unromantic. He’s no fun at all. Why don’t I find you a new one..."

"Madam Lu, I have taken a fancy to *him*. I have no interest in anyone else," Princess Chang Le suddenly interrupted her. She then took two steps forward, reached out to lift Shen Longjin’s chin, and studied him from side to side for a moment. The anger on her face was replaced by amusement. "The more stubborn you are, the more you pique my interest. I just love taming stubborn mules!"

Shen Longjin’s expression changed, and he brushed her hand away. "Princess, please have some self-respect!"

"Self-respect?" Princess Chang Le circled him playfully. "And what if I don’t have any?"

Shen Longjin’s face was grim. "Propriety, righteousness, integrity, and honor—the Princess should be mindful!"

"I don’t care about propriety, righteousness, integrity, or honor! Since I have taken a fancy to you, you must come with me!" Princess Chang Le suddenly smiled, took two steps back, and waved her hand. A group of Imperial Guards immediately stepped forward and surrounded Shen Longjin.

"Seize him and send him to my bedchamber!" Princess Chang Le commanded.

"Yes!"

The Imperial Guards responded with a resounding cry.

Zhi Wan and the others were dumbstruck.

’Is Princess Chang Le really serious?’

"Princess Chang Le, you can’t force someone against their will!" Shen Longjin clenched his fists.

"I just love forcing people against their will!" Princess Chang Le scoffed with a laugh.

Shen Longjin had learned martial arts in the army, but two fists are no match for four hands. He was quickly defeated.

Zhi Wan and the others could only watch as Shen Longjin was seized and carried away with great fanfare.

"Zhi Wan, I stole your man today. I’ll treat you to a meal some other day to apologize!" Princess Chang Le winked at Zhi Wan.

Sweat beaded on Zhi Wan’s forehead as her mouth twitched. "You speak too gravely, Your Highness."

’Apologize?’

’There’s really no need.’

’I couldn’t possibly bear it.’

Princess Chang Le said no more and gracefully boarded her carriage and left.

The atmosphere was momentarily strange.

"Longjin... he won’t be in any trouble, will he?" Bai Yi couldn’t help but break the silence.

Lady Wei came back to her senses and said comfortingly, "No, he won’t. Longjin... good days are ahead of him."

Although being a male consort wasn’t a respectable title, it came with endless wealth and glory.

Hearing this, Bai Yi was relieved.

He cupped his fist to Lady Wei and Zhi Wan. "Thank you for your hospitality today, Madam Lu and Miss Zhi. This humble officer will return to the barracks now."

Lady Wei nodded and glanced at Nanny Fang.

Nanny Fang understood and said to Bai Yi, "Mr. Bai Yi, a word in private, if you please."

Bai Yi was a little confused, but he still followed her to the side.

"Wan’er, let’s get into the carriage first," Lady Wei said, pulling Zhi Wan by the hand into the carriage.

After Nanny Fang returned, the carriage departed from Qingyin Pavilion, and the group returned to the Duke Dingguo Mansion.

Today’s events had put Lady Wei in a bad mood.

’Who would have thought that of the matrilocal husband candidates she had arranged for Zhi Wan, one would be snatched away by Princess Chang Le, and the other seduced away by a lowly maid?’

Zhi Wan could see she was in a poor mood and offered comfort, "Aunt, I don’t mind what happened today, so you shouldn’t take it to heart either."

Lady Wei sighed and patted her hand. "This must be hard on you."

Zhi Wan smiled and shook her head. "It isn’t, Aunt. I have you, and I have my cousin."

She truly didn’t feel it was hard. After all, she had only met Shen Longjin and Bai Yi three times.

It was just that those two had been quite suitable candidates for a matrilocal husband, and now that they were suddenly taken, she would have to spend more time searching all over again.

Seeing that she truly wasn’t bothered, Lady Wei felt relieved. She held her hand and said, "Don’t worry, I will definitely find you an even better matrilocal husband."

"Mm."

「Outside the Duke Dingguo Mansion.」

After the carriage came to a steady stop, Zhi Wan and Lady Wei had just disembarked when they saw Old Madam Lu alighting from another carriage, supported by Aunt Wang and her son.

It was unclear what amusing thing Aunt Wang had said, but Old Madam Lu was smiling so hard her face was a mass of wrinkles.

"Mother."

"Old Madam."

Lady Wei and Zhi Wan stepped forward to pay their respects.

Seeing the two of them, Old Madam Lu’s expression cooled slightly. "You went out as well?"

"Yes." Lady Wei nodded and took Old Madam Lu’s arm from Aunt Wang.

"This concubine greets the Madam," Aunt Wang said, hurrying to bow to her. She then pulled her son over and urged, "Xuan, quickly, call her Mother."

Lady Wei didn’t even lift an eyelid. Her voice was cold. "Don’t just call anyone that. I only have one son, Lu Zhan. Others should not try to claim a connection."

Hearing this, Aunt Wang nervously twisted a handkerchief, looking awkward and flustered. "This concubine knows the Madam is displeased, but Xuan... is the Duke’s son. He should, he should call you Mother."