Chapter 609: Chapter 607: The Transmigrated Woman Who Self-Destructed 18 Times (Part 38)

After all, he wouldn’t actually let someone die on this ship, so he ordered the maid outside to take the person away. If something truly fatal happened, even if his father was busy, he would make time to deal with it. He was only just getting through his confinement and didn’t want any more trouble.

However, tonight’s incident would probably not be kept under wraps.

Since he couldn’t keep it hidden, he wouldn’t avoid it either, otherwise being caught by his brothers would be even worse.

Jiang Yuan hurriedly arrived at the bow of the ship, where another vessel had already approached, intending to take the people from this lantern ship away.

The still drowsy Shen Nanqiao and her maid were helped out by Jiang Yuan’s men.

It was then that Jiang Yuan realized the two women he had been with earlier were familiar faces, one of whom was even his fiancée. His face changed dramatically. Instinctively, he took off his robe and wrapped Shen Nanqiao tightly.

If they were seen, they would both be utterly disgraced.

At this moment, Jiang Yuan only thought Shen Nanqiao had been plotted against, but luckily she stumbled upon him by accident. Nevertheless, he couldn’t say he was pleased.

Unfortunately, Jiang Yuan’s attempt to hide Shen Nanqiao’s appearance almost went awry because Zuo Lanshuang wasn’t going to let it happen.

Even though there was some distance and most people didn’t see clearly, she would make sure that word got out by morning that Shen Nanqiao and her maid were the ones tied to Jiang Yuan on the ship.

Moreover, it wasn’t just Jiang Yuan’s people on that lantern ship.

The maid who helped Shen Nanqiao earlier had already recognized her, though she was just surprised.

"Cover her up with clothes as well," Jiang Yuan said impatiently, noticing Shen Nanqiao’s maid’s face still exposed.

When the rescue ship arrived, the group hurriedly boarded it.

The previously burning lantern ship was left unattended. It was full of flammable materials, so fighting the fire was evidently difficult. With everyone having evacuated, there was no need to risk it further. The ship quickly became a mere shell under the blazing flames.

The ship where Jiang Yuan resided now sailed in a different direction. No matter what, he didn’t want this incident to escalate, and it wouldn’t look good if too many people saw what was going on, even though some people would certainly figure it out.

"No one on the ship was harmed."

"The lady and her maid were on board, but both appeared unwell." An informant approached Shen Zhengjie, updating him with the latest information, looking hesitant as if there were more unsaid. But from just those words, he already understood what had happened.

Shen Zhengjie clenched his fists. Their siblings’ scheme had failed. Not only failed but had backfired. There was no need to think hard, this incident certainly couldn’t be unrelated to Zuo Lanshuang.

Yet he could do nothing, despite seeing Zuo Lanshuang there looking shocked, he didn’t even dare to question her.

How could this happen?

In their past life, didn’t Daoist Bai Hong control Zuo Lanshuang effortlessly and have her harm Empress Chu?

This time, not only was Zuo Lanshuang not under the influence of magic, but she even managed to trick them without a trace.

Now that his sister and the Fourth Prince had such a relationship, while the matters on the ship could be hidden from most, those well-informed would find out. Besides, with the Fourth Prince having this relationship with his sister, it’s impossible for him to accept any future entanglement between her and the Sixth Prince.

Their prior intentions couldn’t be revealed to the other party at all, or it would be a disaster.

Despite being reincarnators, how did they end up like this?

At that moment, another person squeezed through the crowd, locating Shen Zhengjie. He recognized this person as being associated with the Fourth Prince.

Knowing everything, Shen Zhengjie still had to pretend to be unaware.

When he heard that the Fourth Prince was inviting him over, he feigned confusion and complied.

Zuo Lanshuang lowered her eyes, smiling unwaveringly.

Could it really end like this? Of course not.

The Fourth Prince had to know more.

"Miss, should we head back now?" the head maid asked.

Zuo Lanshuang replied, "Let’s stay a bit longer. The Lantern Festival only happens once a year, I haven’t seen enough of it."

On Ah Chen’s side, the burning lantern ship no longer commanded attention. Yet shortly after, Shen Zheng’an’s people returned, reporting the owner of the lantern ship and detailing Jiang Yuan and Shen Nanqiao’s master-servant status on board.

"It seems someone purposely leaked this incident. By tomorrow, those who should know will likely know."

At that moment, Shen Zheng’an clearly understood the Shen Zhengjie siblings’ scheming; they were attempting to kill three birds with one stone.

Many people knew about Zuo Lanshuang’s interest in the Sixth Prince. Publicly, she had a high status, and if the Sixth Prince really considered taking a wife, her chances were quite high. Just her status alone was enough to cause a stir; it wouldn’t be something easily dismissed.

Openly, Miss Chu was the life-saving benefactor of the Sixth Prince. The Shen Zhengjie siblings probably knew things about the future, believing Miss Chu actually had some relationship with the Sixth Prince, and held a great hostility towards her. Thus, they intended to remove her.

Then there was the Fourth Prince, being entangled with two women aboard the lantern ship during the Lantern Festival, one of whom was the Chief of Staff’s daughter. With such an incident, if word got out, Shen Nanqiao would have no grounds to break off her engagement.

Unfortunately, they had plotted against the wrong people, now trapped in their own snares.

However, Shen Zheng’an was still angry.

"Find a way to reveal their scheming to the Fourth Prince," Shen Zheng’an instructed. Although the Shen Zhengjie siblings wanted to back the Sixth Prince now, if a settled situation could no longer be altered, they would naturally switch to supporting the Fourth Prince once again.

These two, who believed they knew future events, were likely quite arrogant, presuming others’ fates could be toyed with at their will. They had to be made to suffer for their underestimation.

Once the Fourth Prince learned of their scheming, they would not have an easy time.

Two people attempting to betray him, even trying to ruin his reputation—it’s hard to imagine anyone, particularly the Fourth Prince who wasn’t one to be trifled with, letting such actions slide effortlessly.

Moreover, the Fourth Prince wouldn’t allow the siblings any chance to seek refuge with the Sixth Prince.

With these thoughts, Shen Zheng’an felt significantly more at ease.

He also thought of the people he had sent out, uncertain about their status, hoping they could find them soon. He was eager to know what secrets the Marquis Mansion still concealed, especially regarding his birth mother.

A cool breeze blew by, reminding Shen Zheng’an of the current time, prompting him to glance at Ah Chen beside him, accidentally meeting her smiling eyes, which made his face heat up instantaneously.

"Want to stroll around some more?" he asked.

Gone was the commanding presence he had earlier, now everything he felt was transparently evident on his face.

"Let’s walk a bit more," Ah Chen said. The Lantern Festival here was truly fascinating.

She glanced at those releasing river lanterns, each making their own wishes.

Following her gaze, Shen Zheng’an said, "Let’s release two river lanterns too."

To make a wish of some sort.

"Miss, that seems to be Miss Chu over there. Should we go over?" the head maid asked Zuo Lanshuang.

Zuo Lanshuang spotted Ah Chen, also noticing a man walking with Ah Chen. Though he had his back turned and she couldn’t see his face, she sensed something exceptional between them. Even with curiosity, it wouldn’t be wise to disturb them now.

"No need," she said.

She and Miss Chu had no conflicts, and at this point, they probably had some camaraderie, right? Even if there were conflicts, she wasn’t in a position to provoke someone like that.

Despite her admiration for the Sixth Prince, as long as she kept her wits about her, she wouldn’t do anything foolish.