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

Chapter 104 Shen Li's Reputation

“Of course I can, so will the Zheng family follow?” Shen Li met his gaze, her expression a mix of acceptance and even stronger provocation.

“My Zheng family is naturally not as good as yours. Isn’t it true that the capable should do more?” Zheng Yanran said sarcastically, “You yourself said that the situation in the Northern Territory is difficult.”

"Is being poor the only right thing to do? If that's the case, then the person who would be most right in the world is a beggar," Shen Li retorted calmly.

“You…” Zheng Yanran was furious. What kind of talk was that?

Everyone else present was dumbfounded. Shen Li was a renowned talented woman in the capital. Was this how she was talking to people now?

Zhou Qianqian and Xia Shiyin didn't know how to start the conversation; Shen Li seemed to be in a very bad mood today.

"Alright, alright, why are you two arguing? People who don't know better might think it's a personal grudge, since you both care about the court."

Empress Ning stepped in to smooth things over again, but she also felt that Shen Li was not easy to appease, so she turned to Zheng Yanran instead.

"Yanran is not young anymore. I will personally choose a marriage for you in the future. It must be a good match in terms of social status and both talent and beauty. If either is missing, it will not be good enough for Yanran's beauty."

She said this in a relaxed and somewhat humorous way, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Even those who weren't really amused smiled politely, as they couldn't refuse to give the Empress face.

However, there were some clueless young men who didn't understand. Zheng Yanran didn't show the shy expression a little girl would have when she heard this. Instead, she said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I don't think much of those high-born children. What good is a good background? Having real ability is what matters."

"Yanran," Madam Zheng quickly interjected, "Quickly apologize to Her Highness."

"Madam Zheng, the child is just being straightforward, it's nothing to worry about." Empress Ning's smile froze for a moment, then she acted as if nothing had happened, and asked with a smile, "So, Yanran has someone in mind?"

"No, not at all." Zheng Yanran blushed slightly as she said this, her eyes darting away. "In short, it's good to be from a poor family and to become the top scholar on your own merit."

Shen Li is now increasingly convinced of Gu Chang'an's "honey trap" claim. With his constant talk of a poor family and a top scholar, plus his abilities, it's unlikely that there's another woman in the capital of her age who is a good match for her.

Only Gu Chang'an.

"Oh? So Yanran likes the top scholar. Then next spring will be the special imperial examination. I ask Your Majesty to keep an eye on it, shall I?" Empress Ning found this truly amusing.

Those present genuinely laughed along, thinking to themselves, "This silly girl really spills everything. What will her in-laws think of her if she doesn't marry a top scholar?"

In the end, it was Madam Zheng who spoke up vaguely, and no one brought it up again.

After chatting about some trivial matters, the group dispersed, but many of the noblewomen looked at Shen Li with very unfriendly eyes before leaving.

Although these people had never liked her before, Shen Li clearly noticed that this time was different from before. Before, they disliked Gu Chang'an's wife, but now they disliked her, Shen Li.

This made her very satisfied.

Let whoever wants to be the good person be; from now on, she must have a reputation worthy of Gu Chang'an, and the next time the noblewomen mention her, they will no longer bring up Gu Chang'an.

“Sister Shen hasn’t visited the East Palace in a long time. It’s lunchtime, and the palace has prepared your favorite venison. Why don’t we have lunch together?” Zhou Qianqian spoke up before Xia Shiyin could.

Not to be outdone, Xia Shiyin added, "I don't know what you like, sister, but the palace also prepares lunch. If you have anything you'd like, you can have the small kitchen make it now."

Shen Li seized the opportunity, glanced at Zheng Yanran, and refused, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I still prefer the venison from the Crown Prince's Palace. Let's do it another day."

Upon hearing this, Xia Shiyin cursed Zheng Yanran countless times in her heart, thinking that when the prince asked about it later, she would definitely blame Zheng Yanran.

She couldn't bear that responsibility. She could see that the prince valued Shen Li very much. Even though every time she saw Shen Li, she could think of being thrown into the pool, she still had to greet her with a smile.

She can't just suffer this injustice and then take responsibility for it all.

Shen Li and Zhou Qianqian returned to the East Palace, partly because they genuinely wanted to freeload a meal, and partly because it was unwise to continue distancing themselves from the East Palace.

The Crown Prince's wife is different from the noblewomen. The noblewomen's attitudes do not affect the situation of the court, and the men will not become irrational because of some minor grudges between women.

Although the Crown Prince has suffered repeated setbacks, he is still entangled with the cultural management group. The group is deeply rooted and cannot be eradicated in a short time, so feigning compliance is the best approach.

Only in this way can Li Heng and even Zhou Zhen completely lower their guard.

"Is Sister Shen in a bad mood today?" Zhou Qianqian asked on the way.

Shen Li sighed and said, "Yes, Grandpa is getting old. He can't eat or sleep well when he hears about the urgency of the war. It's really worrying."

Forsythia and peony exchanged a glance.

Is that true?

They hadn't heard about it before they left.

Isn't the old Duke perfectly fine? It's just that his wife stayed behind to take care of him because she was worried about him.

"I see. I thought my sister had quarreled with Lord Gu," Zhou Qianqian said knowingly.

Shen Li shook her head: "He treats me very well. Our relationship has improved a lot, and we don't argue anymore."

Since there's a spy in the family, we can't hide it too much; we can only tell half the truth.

"I never imagined that Lord Gu would be so gentle at home. I've heard that there's no one he can't pry open with torture in the Dali Temple prison. Whether they're guilty or not, they all have to confess and sign their names when they get into his hands."

Zhou Qianqian sighed, "Your Highness and I were initially worried that you would be mistreated after you married into the family."

Lianqiao and Shaoyao were displeased upon hearing this. "Isn't this speaking ill of adults in front of the young lady? You petty people!"

Shen Li was probably going along with what she said, but the sentence "He did do a lot of things he shouldn't have done" was on the tip of her tongue but she just couldn't say it.

"You've only heard about it? Have you ever seen it, sister?" Shen Li asked, seemingly out of curiosity.

Zhou Qianqian shook her head: "No, of course not, but I've heard it's extremely bloody."

"Although I've never seen it in person, I've read about it in many books. Sister, do you know what playing the pipa is?"

Zhou Qianqian shook her head.

"It involves using a knife to carefully remove the skin and flesh from the ribs, exposing the individual bones, right here," Shen Li said, poking Zhou Qianqian's ribs.

Zhou Qianqian was startled by her touch and felt a chill run down her spine.

"Once the bones are exposed, use a dagger, about this long." Shen Li gestured with her hand to indicate the length, and vividly described, "Use this dagger to scrape along each rib. The sound is so crisp, just like this."

She was afraid Zhou Qianqian wouldn't understand, so she ran her fingers over her ribs with a little force, as if she were really playing the pipa on her body.

Zhou Qianqian shuddered and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore, it's too bloody."

"It was my sister who misspoke. I heard my sister talk about torture instead of other things, and I thought she was interested in it recently."

Shen Li narrowed her eyes where Shen Li couldn't see: "You really don't like it? I know a lot more."