Chapter 57: Brothers Growing Apart

Faced with her brother’s questioning, Cen Changjing hesitated. Throughout her life, she had spoken her mind to anyone without restraint—anyone except her brother. With him, the words simply would not come.

“Jing’er, why are you hesitating? Is there something you cannot speak of? Tell me. I will take care of everything for you,” Cen Changxiao urged her gently.

Cen Changjing glanced at her brother, then at Shen Hezhi and his companion sitting not far away. At last, she steeled herself and, for the first time in her life, did something she knew would betray her brother’s trust.

“Every word I have said is true! It is His Highness, the Ninth Prince, who has wronged me! I carry his child, yet because of Wang Fei, he does not dare to acknowledge it!” Cen Changjing pointed an accusing finger at Shen Hezhi.

Shen Hezhi’s expression darkened at the accusation, but he maintained his composure, his voice cold. “Do you think I don’t know what I have and haven’t done? Cen Changjing, I don’t know where you found this bastard, but now you expect me to take responsibility?”

“That’s enough, Hezhi! No matter what, she is my sister. There’s no need to be so harsh with your words—she is but a woman,” Cen Changxiao said, displeased, as he held his sister protectively.

Cen Changjing hid in her brother’s embrace, unable to utter another word, her heart heavy with guilt.

Hearing Cen Changxiao’s defense, disbelief flickered in Shen Hezhi’s eyes. “Are you truly going to protect your sister, regardless of right or wrong?”

“Your Highness has always been known for his amorous ways. Though you have concealed your sharpness for years, your frequent visits to the pleasure houses are no secret. No one can deny this. And everyone has seen how you once treated my sister,” Cen Changxiao retorted, eyes narrowed, anger in his voice.

“What are you implying with these words?” Shen Hezhi asked, his tone growing colder.

“With all the years of affection between you, you should at least give my sister a proper status. Though you have already married your Princess Consort, there are no other women in your manor. It would be entirely appropriate for you to make my sister your secondary consort,” Cen Changxiao said, meeting Shen Hezhi’s gaze without a hint of fear.

For a moment, Shen Hezhi silently met Cen Changxiao’s eyes. Suddenly, he laughed, taking a few steps before returning to his seat, now even more composed than before.

“Very well, Changxiao. I once thought you a reasonable man. You can protect your sister—I won’t harm her. But you choose to believe her without even investigating the matter. Excellent! What a devoted brother you are!”

Despite Shen Hezhi’s volatile demeanor, Cen Changxiao was unafraid, his gaze unwavering.

“There’s no need for Your Highness to say more. If this were any other matter, I would stand by you. But my sister has never lied to me, and she swore she never would. That is why I believe her,” Cen Changxiao replied.

Shen Hezhi applauded coldly. “Very well, as you wish.”

After this, he rose and approached Cen Changjing, reaching out as if to grasp her chin, but Cen Changxiao intercepted him.

“If you have something to say, say it here. There’s no need to lay a hand on my sister,” Cen Changxiao said sharply.

Shen Hezhi looked at Cen Changxiao for a moment and withdrew his hand, standing tall above him.

“If she wishes to become a secondary consort, so be it.”

He then turned, walked to the stone table, took Yan Heru by the hand, and led her back inside. Before closing the door, he gave an order:

“Shen Yi, prepare the ceremony to take a secondary consort at once. Time is short, so keep it simple. I want it done within an hour.”

As his words fell, the door closed behind him.

Cen Changxiao stared quietly at the bedroom door. He knew an unbridgeable rift now lay between him and Shen Hezhi, but he felt no regret. For his sister, he would do anything, without remorse.

Cen Changjing, seeing her brother and Shen Hezhi at odds because of her, was at first filled with guilt. But then a thought struck her: if her brother no longer served Shen Hezhi, he could join the Sixth Prince’s retinue instead! The Sixth Prince was a different man entirely, and if her brother could serve under him, his future would be limitless.

Nestled in her brother’s arms, Cen Changjing’s mind spun with schemes, pondering how to make this possibility a reality.

She knew her brother’s temperament well. Unless Shen Hezhi truly wronged him, not even the threat of death would drive him away.

“Jing’er, don’t be afraid. I am here,” Cen Changxiao whispered, holding her tighter. His words broke her train of thought.

Cen Changjing quickly hid the calculations in her eyes and, as she looked up at him, her expression was one of utter misery.

“Brother, wuu wuu…” she sobbed, clinging tightly to his clothes and shaking her head, unable to say a word.

Seeing his sister like this made Cen Changxiao’s heart ache all the more. Though he was deeply dissatisfied with Shen Hezhi’s arrangement, he knew it was the greatest concession Shen Hezhi would ever make. If he pressed further, nothing would be achieved, and all would suffer.

“Jing’er, don’t cry,” Cen Changxiao said, gently wiping her tears. “Let’s go home.”

Cen Changjing nodded, still huddled in his embrace, making Cen Changxiao all the more determined to seek justice for her.

Meanwhile, Shen Hezhi led Yan Heru back into the room. Yan Heru sat quietly at the table, saying nothing.

Shen Hezhi sat on the bed, his face full of anger. Seeing Yan Heru so indifferent, he grew even more upset.

“Do you truly have nothing to say about what happened today?” he demanded abruptly.

Startled, Yan Heru frowned in confusion, turning to him. She had not been thinking about Cen Changjing at all. Her mind was preoccupied with the medicinal preparations she had just made, wondering about the proper dosage.

But Shen Hezhi’s sudden question left her puzzled.

“Is Your Highness displeased that I didn’t concern myself with this matter, that I embarrassed you?” Yan Heru asked.

Shen Hezhi rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I meant. Never mind, just go back to your herbs. I’m leaving.”

With that, he pushed open the door and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Yan Heru was full of questions.

Had she inadvertently offended him again? Truly, this man was utterly baffling...