Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 253 Breaking with the Crown Prince

Moreover, only the emperor's close ministers and the Flying Fish Guards of the third rank and above could wear the flying fish robe. What an honor it was to bestow it upon a minister! And all this favor was given to Shen Li, a female official who had only been in office for half a year. She was practically at the height of her power.

Of course, this is something others can only envy. After all, her achievements in suppressing the rebellion, providing disaster relief, rescuing the emperor, and striking at the Red Lotus Sect without bloodshed are real. Especially the rescue of the emperor; if she hadn't become an official, being granted a county princess or something similar would have been commonplace.

Shen Li thanked him, then looked up and saw Li Heng's murderous gaze.

In Li Heng's view, Shen Li only gained her current favor by betraying him.

After court that day, Shen Li entered the palace and saw Li Heng in the Empress's palace. He hadn't changed out of his court robes yet, and it seemed he had just arrived.

"Greetings, Your Highness. Why haven't I seen the Fourteenth Prince?" Shen Li looked around. This was Li Che's study, but Li Che was not there.

"Shen Li." Li Heng rushed forward angrily and reached out to grab her wrist.

Shen Li reacted swiftly, immediately stepping back. When she looked at him again, her expression sharpened: "If Your Highness takes another step forward, I will certainly report to His Majesty and ask what crime this person has committed by disrespecting the wife of a subject?"

"You..." Li Heng was furious, but he dared not take another step forward.

The building is about to collapse; any overstepping of the bounds could lead to the abyss.

"What have I done to wrong you? Why did you side with Prince Yi and plot against me?" Li Heng questioned with a dark face.

Upon hearing this, Shen Li couldn't help but laugh: "Your Highness is overthinking it. I am wholeheartedly devoted to the country. How could I possibly be accused of betraying and harming you?"

Although she said that, the mocking smile was all too obvious; she was doing it on purpose.

“I have dismissed all the palace servants around you. You may tell me the truth.” Li Heng stared at her: “When exactly did this begin? What kind of bewitching potion did Prince Yi give you?”

"Your Highness, I don't understand what you're saying. If His Highness Ruoche isn't here, I'll take my leave." Shen Li ignored him and walked out.

“Don’t go, Li-meimei…” Li Heng spread his arms to block her way, and when he saw that force didn’t work, he looked aggrieved: “We grew up together, and even if you’re not going to talk to me anymore, you should at least tell me why.”

Seeing his deeply affectionate and sorrowful appearance, Shen Li took several steps back to try to create some distance between them; she felt a little disgusted.

"Is it because I advised you to marry Gu Chang'an that you harbor resentment?" Li Heng continued, "Do you think I would be willing to do that? Just wait for me. As long as I inherit the throne, I will definitely bring you back to be my empress."

Shen Li felt even more distressed. What had she done to deserve such words?

Before she could speak, Li Heng added, "Sister Li, believe me, my heart has always been with you, and that has never changed."

"so what?"

"With my sister's influence today, as long as she helps me, I'm sure I can succeed," Li Heng said earnestly.

What he didn't mention was Shen Li and Gu Chang'an behind her. Gu Chang'an was even more powerful than a year ago, and the influence of this couple in the court was not to be underestimated.

Even without Zhou Zhen, there is still Shen Zizai. As long as Wu Yong is brought down, the Grand Secretary will eventually be his man again.

Everything can start over.

"I promise that as long as I become emperor, Sister Li will definitely be empress, otherwise I will die from being pierced by ten thousand arrows." Li Heng swore to the heavens.

"No need, I have my own husband, and whether it succeeds or not is beyond my control." Shen Li said as she stepped forward, "If Your Highness does not wish for me to appeal to the Emperor, please make way."

"Sister Li..."

"Get out of the way." Shen Li's voice was even colder, and her gaze darkened.

Li Heng almost instinctively stepped aside; he was truly stunned. When he came to his senses, he turned around angrily and stared at Shen Li's departing figure: "Shen Li, come back here! I don't believe you're really this heartless!"

Shen Li did not turn around. As she left the study, the bright and gentle morning sunlight shone on her. The dark blue satin of her court robe reflected the light, shimmering like waves as she moved. The embroidery made with gold and silver threads was even more lifelike and dazzling.

What she was thinking was that now that she had been promoted, she would need to have a new set of clothes made.

The sound of things being smashed came from behind her. She curled her lips into a smile and continued walking into the light.

The congratulatory gifts were delivered to the Shen family that same day, the most important of which was the gift prepared by Princess Xia Shiyin, who even personally came to offer her congratulations.

At this moment, only Xiao Bailing and Shen Yue were at home. The mother and daughter had witnessed the princess's top-notch face-changing ability. Before, she had a cold and aloof expression, but now she was friendly and warm, and her words even had a hint of flattery.

After everyone left, the mother and daughter looked at each other, and Shen Yue spoke first: "My sister is getting better too."

“Your father is in trouble.” Xiao Bailing shook her head slightly and whispered, “If your sister really sides with Prince Yi, then her political views will differ from your father’s.”

"Then what should we do?" Shen Yue asked, puzzled. "Whose side should we help?"

"Ask your sister later. She's more reliable than your dad. He's a good man, but he's not as bright."

Shen Yue agreed wholeheartedly: "That's true."

"By the way, you can't let your father hear this." Xiao Bailing looked around and lowered her voice even further.

Shen Yue nodded repeatedly to indicate that she understood.

Xiao Bailing guessed correctly. Shen Zizai's expression was indeed not good after he returned and heard that Xia Shiyin had arrived. At that time, the mother and her two daughters were in the courtyard discussing what gifts they should bring to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion the next day.

"Come in with me." Shen Ziyi pointed at Shen Li.

"Oh," Shen Li replied and followed.

Xiao Bailing and Shen Yue secretly cheered for Shen Li, but Shen Li seemed very relaxed and not nervous at all.

"Have you really sided with King Yi?" Shen Zizai asked with a stern face as he sat in his study, looking at Shen Li standing in front of the desk.

"Father, how can you believe this? I'm not stupid. If I can't survive by following the Crown Prince, do you think I can by following Prince Yi?"

Shen Zizai breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that you're not confused yet. The matter of the Crown Prince shouldn't be hopeless yet. The most important thing now is to send Prince Yi back to his fiefdom."

This is the biggest weakness of the King of Chess. He is a prince with a fiefdom, which gives him a lot of loopholes to exploit.

“I would like to send it too, but Wu Yong is one of Yi Wang’s men. Do you think it can be done?” Shen Li shrugged.

"That idiot Zhou Zhen." Shen Zizai thought of him with exasperation.

Shen Li comforted him from the side, "Father, don't worry. It's difficult for a prince to become the crown prince. Even if the crown prince falls, he won't be able to win people's hearts unless he accomplishes a few great things."

"As long as you don't help him, I'm not so worried." Shen Zizai felt relieved seeing his daughter's attitude.

"Dad, we're going to Grandpa's house tomorrow. Is there anything you need to bring?" Shen Li changed the subject to something lighter.

"Don't you need to go to the Hanlin Academy?"

"I have rendered meritorious service in saving the emperor, and His Majesty has granted me permission to rest at home before taking up my post."