Chapter 5: Sweet as Honey

Watching the young girl’s anxious expression, Liu Gonggong, having realized the situation, shook his whisk and respectfully said, “Your Highness the Eldest Princess, Minister Pei, please follow this humble servant.”

Upon arriving at the imperial study, Jiang Ning immediately spotted the emperor seated above—Jiang Heng.

Though already over forty, he appeared well-preserved; his sculpted features clearly revealed that in his youth, he must have been an exceptionally handsome man.

Noticing the newcomers, a flicker of mild surprise passed through Jiang Heng’s eyes.

When did his daughter become so beautiful?

After a moment of silence, Jiang Heng narrowed his eyes slightly and cleared his throat.

“Ning’er has arrived.”

In the original text, Jiang Ning did not have a very close relationship with the emperor. Compared to the arrogant and overbearing Eldest Princess, the emperor favored the gentle and delicate Seventh Princess.

Of course, this so-called Seventh Princess was the reincarnated heroine.

Hearing Jiang Heng’s stiff words, Jiang Ning stepped forward and gave a perfunctory bow: “Greetings, Father.”

At this moment, Pei Heng, standing behind Jiang Ning, bowed in unison.

Jiang Heng lifted his gaze to look at Pei Heng.

“Pei Heng, do you know why I specifically asked Ning’er to bring you here?”

Jiang Heng’s words drew a cold sneer from Pei Heng.

So, Jiang Ning only brought him to the palace because it was the emperor’s order!

This woman was truly skilled in sweet talk; he had foolishly believed she had genuine feelings for him…

Seeing Pei Heng remain silent, Jiang Ning lifted her foot and stomped heavily on him.

“Pei Heng, are you deaf? The princess’s father is asking you a question!”

To Pei Heng, Jiang Ning’s slight force was nothing more than a tickle, with no trace of intimidation.

Yet that soft touch inexplicably stirred a strange feeling in his heart.

After a long pause, Pei Heng slowly spoke, “I do not know.”

Jiang Heng tapped the table firmly, enunciating each word.

“I have brought you here to discuss your origins.”

Upon hearing this, no great emotion crossed Pei Heng’s face. “What does Your Majesty mean?”

Jiang Heng rose slowly.

“In truth, you are not of humble birth. Your father is this man beside me, the current Grand Tutor, Shen Yujing.”

At this, Jiang Heng went on without pause, “As a scion of a noble family, it is truly unsuitable for you to remain in the princess’s residence.”

“If you wish, you may leave the princess’s mansion and continue your official duties at court. I can grant you an even higher position than before.”

When Jiang Heng finished, Shen Yujing, standing nearby, said with a stern face, “His Majesty is right. You are my son, so naturally, you cannot stay in the princess’s residence.”

“Tomorrow, you will return to my household. From now on, you will be a member of the Shen family.”

Shen Yujing’s matter-of-fact tone elicited a laugh from Pei Heng.

“Grand Tutor Shen, I do not have a father like you.”

“You think you can take advantage of me just by pressing your lips together? How ridiculous.”

Unexpectedly ungrateful, Shen Yujing clenched his fists and scolded sharply, “Nonsense! How can you be so disrespectful before His Majesty?”

“Indeed, I should not have harbored hopes for someone raised in the countryside like you.”

Listening to this scoundrel’s reproach, Pei Heng narrowed his eyes and saluted Jiang Heng.

“Your Majesty, you must be mistaken. How could a man of humble origins like me be connected to Grand Tutor Shen?”

Jiang Heng furrowed his brows, clearly uninterested in the details of the father-son relationship.

“I have already had it investigated. There is no error. As a child, you were accidentally lost among the common folk, and your biological father is indeed Grand Tutor Shen.”

Seeing that Pei Heng showed no intention of acknowledging this, Jiang Ning hurriedly spoke up.

“Pei Heng, the princess has always known you did not like her.”

“Now that your identity is clear, the princess will give you one last chance. From now on, you are no longer Minister Pei.”

“You and I have no further connection.”

Watching the young girl so eagerly trying to drive him away, Pei Heng felt something was amiss.

Wasn’t this Eldest Princess very fond of him?

By all logic, she should be clinging to him, refusing to let him go…

Seeing Pei Heng still hesitate, Jiang Ning smiled toward Shen Yujing.

“Grand Tutor Shen, I will have Pei Heng’s belongings packed today.”

“Tomorrow morning, please come to collect him promptly.”

Unexpectedly ruthless, Pei Heng curled his lips, his gaze growing colder.

“Eldest Princess, I never said I wanted to return to the Shen family.”

His words struck like a thunderclap, shattering Jiang Ning’s heart.

She clutched her chest, helplessly looking at those beside her.

“Pei Heng, I have already let you go. What more do you want?”

“Do you really want to stay in the Eldest Princess’s mansion and continue living like a dog?!”

The girl’s incredulous expression left Pei Heng feeling quite displeased.

She was the one who snatched him first; by what right could she discard him now?

After a moment of silence, Pei Heng flicked his sleeve and knelt before Jiang Heng.

“Your Majesty, I do not wish to leave the Eldest Princess.”

“Even if I must be a dog by her side, I would accept it gladly.”

Pei Heng’s words caused the other three present to break into expressions of shock.

At this moment, Shen Yujing, who had until now maintained a composed demeanor, nearly lost his breath in anger.

“How… how could I have a son like you? You good-for-nothing scoundrel!”