Chapter 2381: Return to the Capital

After the matter was resolved and Lord Tian returned to the capital, he had to figure out how to explain the situation to the Emperor and smooth over any lingering hostility.

Thus, Lord Tian endured the financial strain and paid the substantial ransom. Fortunately, he was wealthy. When the Fourth Prince seized the capital, many of the ministers who had supported the Crown Prince and other rivals had their assets confiscated. Those who had surrendered voluntarily also contributed considerable wealth.

As a member of the Emperor’s family, Lord Tian had accumulated a significant fortune.

He ultimately paid Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan two million taels of silver, with one million coming from his own pocket, to secure Tian Shanshan’s release.

Shao Yunduan did not bother with any formalities. He simply released them from prison and handed them over to Lord Tian.

The inn where the exchange took place quickly became unpleasantly crowded and filled with a foul odor.

Tian Shanshan wept bitterly. She was deeply aggrieved, resentful, and mortified. As a noble princess, she found it humiliating to appear in such a pitiful and unkempt state in front of so many people, regardless of the circumstances.

Father! Father! Why did it take you so long to come? Why did you come so late? Boohoo…”

Lord Tian was taken aback to see his cherished daughter, who had been pampered all her life, appearing before him in such a wretched, dirty state. His heart ached, and he felt a mix of shock and anger. When Tian Shanshan threw herself at him, he stiffened and was at a loss for how to respond.

Though he had no intention of rejecting his own daughter, he found it difficult to embrace her in such a condition.

Lord Tian instinctively stepped back and quickly instructed someone to take Tian Shanshan away for a thorough wash and fresh clothes.

Tian Shanshan, feeling utterly uncomfortable, sobbed as she left.

Lord Tian, frustrated, muttered angrily, “Shao Yunduan! I’ll remember this! Just you wait…”

After changing the water three times, Tian Shanshan finally managed to clean herself. She donned fresh, soft clothes, enjoyed sweet snacks, and sipped fragrant tea. Only then did she start to feel somewhat normal again.

She shuddered at the thought of the ordeal she had endured and vowed never to go through such a frightening experience again.

“It must be Qiao Xuan’s doing! That wicked woman hates me! Father, you must avenge me!”

Lord Tian comforted her softly. “Alright, alright. Don’t worry. We’ll devise a plan when we get back. This isn’t over yet. I won’t stand by if they overstep! Remember, Shao Yunduan is a wolf. He’ll pay for his reckless ambitions sooner or later. The empire will never fall into his hands. Shanshan, don’t dwell on him anymore.”

Hatred flared in Tian Shanshan’s eyes. She couldn’t stop thinking about how cold and heartless Shao Yunduan had been. If he had any genuine feelings for her, he wouldn’t have treated her this way.

As she recalled the nearly three months of imprisonment and the suffering she endured, her anger only grew.

Her indignation was palpable. She was the Elder Miss, meant to lead a noble and envied life, but Shao Yunduan and Ms. Qiao had ruined everything. They had shattered her future.

How could she ever return to the path she once envisioned?

Even if her parents used the Emperor’s influence to arrange a good marriage for her upon her return to the capital, would any prospective husband truly value and respect her? It seemed impossible.

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