CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 53: IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN THIS WOULD HAPPEN TODAY, WHY DID I EVER BETRAY YOU?

The mountain winds crossed the borders, rustling through the fields and hills.

Cui Ji suddenly looked Shen Yinning straight in the eyes and said, "I know the rules of the Capital. Whoever is stronger, gets Shen Madam. How can Shen Madam be so certain that in the future, I won’t become powerful enough to claim Shen Madam?"

The usually gentle and composed man revealed, for the first time in front of Shen Yinning, an intense ambition and aggressiveness. At this moment, his gaze bore an uncanny resemblance to that of Lu Ying.

Shen Yinning smirked; her long, curled lashes veiled the ambition mirrored within her eyes.

She said, "The day I found you by the roadside, I saw the pride buried in your bones. Cui Ji, having ambition is admirable, but don’t aim it at me. I, Shen Yinning, am not something that can be so easily taken by anyone."

...

After the autumn hunt concluded, Shen Yinning was taken to the Eastern Palace by Lu Ying. During the day, she was tasked with washing Shen Yunxi’s clothes, while at night, she was summoned to his study, either to prepare his ink or serve him in bed.

On this particular day, Lian Ye approached her with a tray and instructed, "Here is a silk robe, worth a thousand gold coins, exceedingly precious. In two days, the Crown Princess Consort will wear it at the Third Princess’s flower banquet. Wash it clean and don’t forget to use that special spice from your hometown—the Consort enjoys that scent."

Shen Yinning acknowledged with a nod.

She had already been in the Eastern Palace for seven days. Every day, she used that special fragrant powder to wash Shen Yunxi’s clothes and socks; even her pillowcases and quilts were soaked in it. Too lazy to wash by hand, Shen Yinning only stepped into the basin barefoot and trampled a few rounds. So thoroughly infused with fragrance, everything smelled as though it had been pickled.

Counting the days, in just over half a month, Shen Yunxi would no longer be able to conceive a child.

This fragrant powder worked even better than musk.

In quite a good mood, Shen Yinning soaked the silk robe in the water spiked with fragrant powder. She had just picked up her bowl and chopsticks to eat lunch when the courtyard door was abruptly kicked open.

A tall girl with a ponytail barged in, accompanied by several guards.

The girl’s voice was icy as she said, "Are you the one who reported to Prince Shen and got Qing Liu killed?"

Shen Yinning tilted her head and asked, "And you are?"

"I am the Crown Prince’s trusted bodyguard, Rui Zhu, and I grew up with Qing Liu as her close sister. I was out on an errand these past few days, and just returned to find out that Qing Liu was killed because of you." The girl advanced step by step, her voice sharp. "I’ve also heard that you’re not an ordinary palace maid, but the daughter of Shen Zhi—Shen Yinning, the Crown Prince’s former fiancée?"

Lu Ying’s inner circle had always been aware of Shen Yinning’s existence.

So it wasn’t surprising Rui Zhu knew of Shen Yinning’s identity.

Shen Yinning smiled faintly, "Did the esteemed Rui Zhu Lady come seeking revenge today? I still insist on the same words: Qing Liu’s death was not my doing—"

"Silence!" Rui Zhu slapped the bowl and chopsticks out of her hands.

Glancing at her untouched meal on the ground, Shen Yinning’s expression darkened: "First, Qing Liu’s death had nothing to do with me. Second, even if her death were my doing, it is up to the Crown Prince to decide my fate. Does Rui Zhu Lady intend to overstep her authority?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Rui Zhu suddenly slapped her across the face.

As a trained martial artist, Rui Zhu’s strength was immense.

The side of Shen Yinning’s face immediately swelled red and hot. She clutched her cheek, stumbling down onto the stone steps. Frowning, she looked up at Rui Zhu.

Tears welled in Rui Zhu’s eyes as she exclaimed, "You venomous wretch, you don’t deserve to speak Qing Liu’s name! The Crown Prince forbids me from taking your life, so I’ll make you wish you were dead! All of you, listen to me: from today onward, do not let her eat good food or drink good water, do not bring her any supplies! See her once, beat her once!"

Rui Zhu’s gaze landed on the basin where the silk robe floated. Without hesitation, she tore open several large gashes in the fabric.

She sneered, "I hear Shen Yinning is now tasked with washing the Crown Princess Consort’s clothes. Let’s see how you explain this ruined garment to her. Let’s go!"

The courtyard was left in chaos.

Shen Yinning lowered her lashes, a chill gleaming in her eyes.

She could take her time avenging the slap, but the damage to Shen Yunxi’s silk robe was an urgent issue.

Just half a month more, and she could ensure that dear sister Yunxi would never bear children. She couldn’t afford any mistakes at such a critical juncture.

That night.

Lu Ying had just entered his study when he heard the sound of sobbing coming from behind a screen.

Shen Yinning sat at the edge of the bed, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief.

Her human-skin mask removed, the lantern light revealed a face as vivid as the hibiscus flower, marred by swelling and a fresh, red handprint.

He asked, "You were beaten?"

Shen Yinning turned her back to him. "I’ve said it before: Qing Liu’s death had nothing to do with me. Yet Brother Lu Ying doesn’t believe me. No one believes me! Today, your maid Rui Zhu slapped me, and she even deliberately tore apart my sister’s silk robe... In two days, when Lian Ye comes to collect it, what will I give her? If my sister finds out I ruined her robe, I’ll surely be punished..."

Teardrops rolled down her face.

Under her rain of tears, she could tug at anyone’s heartstrings.

Lu Ying’s voice was aloof as he remarked, "If you knew this day would come, why did you betray me back then?"

"I didn’t betray Brother Lu Ying!" Shen Yinning wailed louder, her delicate shoulders trembling. "I didn’t kill Qing Liu, I really didn’t!"

She was a master at deception.

Lu Ying could no longer discern truth from falsehood.

He turned away to handle the memorials on his desk.

Shen Yinning sobbed for a while and, seeing that he neither comforted her nor helped, she reddened her eyes and climbed into his lap.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, tears glittering in her eyes, she pleaded softly, "This humble woman knows Rui Zhu Lady shared a deep bond with Qing Liu Lady. She misunderstood, thinking I killed Qing Liu, so she scolded and hit me. I don’t begrudge her that. But for her to intentionally tear apart the Crown Princess Consort’s silk robe, how can I bear the consequences? Your Highness, won’t you think of something for me? When the Crown Princess Consort sends someone for the robe, how shall I explain myself?"

Lu Ying flipped through the memorials. "You’re afraid now?"

Shen Yinning swayed coquettishly in his arms. "Your Highness..."

Seeing that Lu Ying still didn’t respond, nor did he propose a solution, Shen Yinning clenched her teeth. She leaned in, pressing her lips against his.

The palace lanterns cast a faint golden glow on the autumn night.

Shen Yinning straddled his waist, kissing his lips delicately, sparing no effort to please him, resembling a docile little beast.

The memorials scattered to the floor from the desk.

An hour later.

Shen Yinning lay with a soft pillow propping her waist. Her face was flushed, her phoenix-shaped eyes dazed as she looked at Lu Ying. "Your Highness, will you help this humble woman with the matter of the silk robe?"