The Double-Chapter 591 - 172 Commoner_5

Because once Emperor Hongxiao knew that his minister had such an affair with the current princess, Shen Yurong’s official position would certainly be a high seat of no use. Even now, his position was already precarious.

Inside the Shen residence, Shen Ruyun and Mother Shen were there. Shen Yurong sat in the room; these past few days he still attended court as usual. Surprisingly, the Emperor had not uttered a single opinion about him, and as for how many impeachment accusations the Imperial Censors had against him, Shen Yurong could guess even with his eyes closed. Emperor Hongxiao said nothing, and Shen Yurong also wanted to pretend as if nothing had happened, but how could that be possible?

Not to mention the derisive looks these people gave him, there was also the laughter and talk about this matter that they brazenly engaged in along the road after leaving the imperial audience hall, and some even bluntly asked him what it felt like to be with the princess, and when they could attend the wedding banquet of him and Princess Yongning?

Shen Yurong was crystal clear in his heart; these people thought that after such an incident, Shen Yurong would lose his office sooner or later anyway, and there was no need to fawn over someone who would soon become a commoner, no need to feign calmness. When the wall falls, everyone pushes, and when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter all the more deeply for those in the official circles.

Therefore, these past two days, whether traveling from home to the imperial audience hall or from there back to the Shen residence, leaving home and returning required tremendous courage. And his courage was now exhausted.

Seeing him return, Shen Ruyun asked, "Big brother, did His Majesty say anything today?"

Shen Yurong replied, "Nothing."

Shen Ruyun patted his chest as if relieved and said, "That’s good, that’s good. I thought this time you couldn’t save your official position. It seems Princess Yongning spoke for you in front of His Majesty, and you’ve escaped danger this time."

Mother Shen also said, "That’s right. You should find a chance to visit the princess and comfort her. After such an incident, she’s a woman and must be deeply hurt."

Shen Yurong felt a deep weariness. He truly didn’t understand why, at this point, Mother Shen and Shen Ruyun still had expectations for Princess Yongning. Didn’t they realize that after this affair, not only he, but also not just Li Xian, even Princess Yongning herself would probably have no chance of returning to favor.

Emperor Hongxiao remained silent, not out of favoritism towards his minister Shen Yurong, excusing him even when such an incident occurred, but because he knew that even without saying anything, Shen Yurong and Li Xian would take the initiative to resign from office.

Yes, he was prepared to resign proactively. He wanted to stubbornly remain in the imperial audience hall, but after these last few days, Shen Yurong found it was just too difficult. If he had to live like this day after day, year after year, as long as he remained in officialdom, this matter would be repeatedly brought up as a reminder and even as a reason to attack him. He couldn’t go on living like this.

"Tomorrow, I will explain to His Majesty that I want to resign," Shen Yurong said.

"What?" Shen Ruyun and Mother Shen both exclaimed in shock, with Mother Shen standing up and looking at Shen Yurong, "What did you just say?"

"I want to resign," Shen Yurong said with utter calmness.

"You’re insane," Mother Shen said anxiously: "Even His Majesty has not punished you, why resign proactively? Now what you need to do, rather than resign, is to talk properly with Princess Yongning. Since she has already divorced Li Xian and others know of your relationship with her, you can marry her. Isn’t that perfect?"

Shen Yurong suddenly felt somewhat amused. If Princess Yongning overheard these words, she’d undoubtedly be extremely pleased. Princess Yongning wished to marry into the Shen family, and Mother Shen wished to bring Princess Yongning into their home; it sounded quite blissful, except for himself.

Although he had incurred the "Love Debt" himself, he now felt that if he couldn’t stand it, he could still avoid it—he didn’t want this "Love Debt" anymore.

"Big brother, you need to think it through," Shen Ruyun said: "If you resign, you lose everything. All your efforts before will have gone to waste, and what can our Shen family rely on for a living? You surely don’t want Mother to go back to doing needlework for others! And I fear I won’t be able to continue in the Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion!"

Shen Yurong was also somewhat lost; all his life, he had struggled tirelessly for nothing more than to stand out. Once he had reached officialdom and climbed with each promotion, now, everything had come to an abrupt halt. If he resigned now, everything would revert to the beginning—all would be lost.

Glory and wealth turned to illusions, enmity and love dissolved in an instant.

And there was Xue Fangfei...

He thought in a daze.

"Big brother, what are you really thinking? Don’t just stand there silently," Shen Ruyun urged, unable to bear Shen Yurong’s silence any longer.

Just then, a young servant from the Shen residence rushed in, his expression urgent. Seeing Shen Yurong, he said, "Young Master, something has happened."

"What is it?" Shen Yurong asked.

"Everyone is saying outside, Princess Yongning has been demoted to a commoner by His Majesty today!"

Demoted to a commoner? It meant she was no longer the esteemed princess high above, no different from the ordinary people below, a loathed ant, a commoner.