Chapter 391: Chapter 389: You Hate Me For a Reason
Even though Lu Ying’s decree included an order for Shen Yinning to go to the temple for self-reflection, since he hadn’t sent anyone to oversee it, she naturally wouldn’t bother to comply.
She unfurled paper and laid out her ink and brushes on the writing desk, methodically writing down the two names: "Shen Xinghan" and "Shen Yunxi."
After Lu Ying ascended the throne, all his former Crown Prince faction allies had soared with him to prominence. Even Shen Xinghan had inherited the Duke title of Shen Guogong Mansion and been appointed as the Minister of War. He had seamlessly taken over the network that Shen Yan had left behind, and coupled with the influence of his father-in-law, the Prince of Qinghe, the Shen Family’s power in court remained as dominant as ever, untouched by Shen Yan’s death.
She couldn’t target Shen Xinghan...
She could assassinate Shen Yan and escape execution relying on Cui Ji’s Red Book Iron Certificate, but that trick couldn’t be used again to target Shen Xinghan.
There was no second Cui Ji in the world who would sacrifice a Red Book Iron Certificate to save her.
Shen Yinning circled the name "Shen Yunxi."
The tip of the wolf hair brush traced ink onto the paper: Arrogant and egoistic, petty and jealous, devoid of any talent in learning.
She paused, then added another phrase: Addicted to gambling.
Back before Shen Yunxi was married, she was fond of gambling with her friends. Later, after becoming Crown Princess Consort, her habits worsened. A significant portion of the Shen Family’s and Eastern Palace’s treasury had ended up in her hands, only to be lost in bets to other noblewomen and young ladies of the Capital.
Now that Shen Yunxi was titled Consort Rong and idle all day, she would likely return to her old ways.
Shen Yinning’s eyes flashed slyly as she crossed out Shen Yunxi’s name on the paper, a plan already forming in her heart.
The beaded curtain lifted as Haitang entered to announce, "Commandery Princess, the lady has arrived."
At first, Shen Yinning didn’t react. Then, recalling it must be Shangguan Min, she said, "Invite her in."
When Shangguan Min stepped inside, the xuan paper on the desk had yet to be put away.
Shen Yinning smiled. "Elder Sister, your timing is unfortunate. I was just practicing calligraphy."
Shangguan Min’s expression stiffened.
The way she called her "Elder Sister" rolled off her tongue so naturally.
But was this "practicing calligraphy"?
This was clearly the Book of Life and Death from King Yan’s palace! Look—Shen Yunxi’s name was even marked with a cross!
Clutching her handkerchief tightly, Shangguan Min lowered her voice, "Commandery Princess, you are far too careless around outsiders. How can such things be allowed to be seen by others?"
"Outsiders?" Shen Yinning gestured for her to sit. "I’ve never considered you an outsider. Good Elder Sister, you and I are now in the same boat."
Shangguan Min was left speechless once again.
How was it that marrying Cui Ji wasn’t what she feared most, but instead, it was being married alongside Shen Yinning that frightened her?
She knew perfectly well the enmity between Shen Yinning and the Shen Family. As Shen Yinning sought to confront the Shen Family, Cui Ji was bound to support her.
And as Cui Ji’s wife, with the Prime Minister’s Mansion standing behind her, didn’t that mean the entire Prime Minister’s Mansion was now tied to Shen Yinning’s vendetta?
Shangguan Min suddenly felt she had miscalculated.
Shen Yinning was observing her closely.
In the past, she and Shangguan Min were famously known as the twin belles of the Capital. She was renowned for her beauty, while Shangguan Min was celebrated for her exceptional intellect.
However, she found Shangguan Min dull and uninteresting, while Shangguan Min thought her ostentatious and domineering. As a result, though both were women of great renown, they never got along.
A sly glint of mischief flashed through Shen Yinning’s phoenix-shaped eyes as she deliberately feigned grievance. "Elder Sister, are you afraid I’ll cause trouble and drag you down with me? I know well that in the Capital I am detested by all, both man and beast alike. It’s natural that you dislike me as well..."
The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she sounded, even going so far as to press a handkerchief to her face as though crying.
"That’s not what I meant!" Shangguan Min panicked. "As the primary wife, I should be magnanimous. For as long as you remain in the Cui family’s rear courtyard, it is my duty to protect you. Protecting the concubines is, after all, a responsibility of the primary wife. Speak not of dragging anyone down—such words are far too distant!"
Shen Yinning lowered her handkerchief, revealing a face free of tears.
She hadn’t expected that, in her state of urgency, Shangguan Min would say something like this.
Setting down the handkerchief, for the first time, she took a serious look at the young woman before her, who was just a shade older than herself.
Then, she suddenly smiled warmly. "When my parents were alive, they used to praise Elder Sister as the paragon of noblewomen from great families, urging me to learn from you. But I didn’t believe it and looked down on your stiff and overly virtuous ways, so I despised associating with you. But now, I realize that you truly are a paragon."
Not only did she harbor no bitterness or jealousy, but she even wanted to shield her.
Shen Yinning couldn’t imagine how things would unfold if their positions were swapped.
She figured she would have long since confronted Cui Ji.
Shangguan Min felt uncomfortable under Shen Yinning’s praise.
She didn’t think herself as good as to deserve being called a paragon.
But the girl in front of her was a stunning vision, overflowing with radiance, those phoenix eyes brimming with sincerity and what appeared to be admiration when they looked upon her.
It was hard not to feel embarrassed.
Moreover, she was far from being just a pretty face. Shangguan Min still felt grateful for the time Shen Yinning had helped her out of a predicament at Shen Guogong Mansion, saving her from marrying Shen Xinglei, that butcher of innocents.
Breathing in the fragrant air of the room, Shangguan Min suddenly understood why so many noble sons in the Capital were eager to prostrate themselves at Shen Yinning’s feet, figuratively kneeling before her pomegranate skirt.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her lashes as she picked up her teacup. "I’m not as good as you say."
Shen Yinning leaned closer, holding her fan, with an even more earnest expression. "But Elder Sister, you really are just that wonderful."
The unexpectedly magnified face, paired with a devastating beauty of absolute perfection...
Shangguan Min’s heart raced faster, as even the tea she sipped seemed to taste sweeter than usual.
Unable to endure Shen Yinning’s fervent gaze any longer, she hurriedly set down her tea. "I... I have accounts to attend to. I’ll take my leave now."
Shen Yinning instructed Haitang to see her out.
Wei Yu, full of curiosity, asked, "How odd. The lady came all this way to see you, yet she didn’t say why and left after just a brief moment..."
Shen Yinning also recalled that Shangguan Min hadn’t mentioned her purpose for coming.
Leaving the courtyard where Shen Yinning resided, Shangguan Min’s trusted maid, Shilan, said, "Madam, weren’t you planning to ask Commandery Princess Zhaoning about what Lord Cui likes? Why didn’t you bring it up and instead left so abruptly?"
Shangguan Min paused, her cheeks still faintly tinged with a hint of redness. "I forgot."
Shilan clicked her tongue, frustrated. "When you were married off, the Old Madam exhorted you over and over again: you must win Lord Cui’s heart and never let Commandery Princess Zhaoning overshadow you. You ought to show a bit more determination."
Shangguan Min didn’t respond, her mind still occupied by thoughts of Shen Yinning’s radiant, smiling demeanor.
That delicately sweet "Elder Sister" had been all it took for her to realize she would never be able to compete with Shen Yinning.
Moreover...
What point was there in asking about her husband’s preferences? Shangguan Min didn’t believe Shen Yinning cared about what Cui Ji liked.
A beauty as flawless as a goddess seemed born to be adored and cherished. How could she care about the preferences of an ordinary man?
"Madam!" Seeing Shangguan Min lost in thought, Shilan couldn’t help but call to her.
Shangguan Min came back to her senses. "There’s plenty of time later for those matters. The most pressing thing now is preparing for the day after tomorrow’s homecoming visit—oh, by the way, go back and ask the Commandery Princess if she wants to return to the Prime Minister’s Mansion with us that day. It might be a good chance for her to relax."
Shilan: "..."
She had seen people bring their husbands back for the ceremonial homecoming visit after marriage.
But bringing their husband’s concubine? That was a first.