Chapter 305: Chapter 303: Has She Begged the Crown Prince?
Lu Ying tidied her appearance, picking up the embroidered shoe that had fallen to the ground. "No."
Shen Yinning puffed her cheeks, dissatisfied as she watched him put the shoe back on her. She silently cursed, this dog of a man—he’s eaten his fill, yet his attitude shows no sign of softening...
Ignoring her irritable gaze, Lu Ying methodically helped her into her attire.
His lashes cast a shadow as he worked with meticulous care; not a single complicated ribbon or hidden clasp was misplaced. He resembled someone thoroughly dressing and adorning his porcelain doll.
Once he finished, Lu Ying stood before Shen Yinning, reaching out to tuck a stray wisp of hair back behind her temple. "We depart in two days. This time is different from the trip to Jiangnan, Shen Zhaozhao. I promise you, one day I will bring you into the palace. When that time comes, should you wish for children, no matter how many, you will have them."
Shen Yinning let out a noncommittal "hmph," jumping off the desk and turning to leave.
As soon as she slid open the folding door, Zhang Keyuan—who had been eavesdropping at the door—nearly toppled over in shock.
Scrambling to his feet, he kept his head bowed low, frightened and not daring to let his eyes wander. "I-I-I only came to ask if His Highness the Crown Prince plans to take his midday meal at the Ministry of Justice. I didn’t see anything, absolutely nothing!"
He was a slippery figure in the bureaucracy.
Never in all these years had he taken sides in the struggles between princes, adhering strictly to the policy of self-preservation.
Inside the room, Lu Ying spat out a single cold word: "Leave."
"Yes, sir!"
Zhang Keyuan immediately rushed away.
Shen Yinning’s fair face remained cold as she stalked through the corridor. Catching up to him at a corner, she called out, "Master Zhang."
Zhang Keyuan gave a startled "Ah" and instinctively kept some distance, a broad, smiling expression plastered across his plump, round face. "Madam Shen—oh no, Miss Shen!"
"Madam Shen"? How could she possibly be Gao Zheng’s wife? She was clearly the Crown Prince’s hidden treasure!
Thinking back to the sounds of water splashing and soft gasps he overheard at the door, Zhang Keyuan couldn’t help but feel a shiver run down his spine, his thoughts thrown into a tizzy.
The Crown Prince, always so aloof and dignified, his refined demeanor practically untouchable—he had a reputation for keeping his distance from women. Who would have thought that in such matters he could be so... vigorous? Zhang Keyuan had loitered outside for a full two *ke* before it finally ended!
Recalling how Shen Yinning had so captivated the Crown Prince, to the point where she might one day enter the palace as his consort, Zhang Keyuan’s attitude grew all the more deferential. "I wonder, Miss Shen, what matter prompts you to summon me?"
Shen Yinning laughed mockingly. "Master Zhang truly knows how to navigate things. I’ve yet to completely clear my name and remain a prisoner of the Ministry of Justice. A prisoner strutting so openly before you—and not only do you refrain from detaining me, but you smile and ask what I need?"
"This..." Zhang Keyuan coughed awkwardly, though his face remained a mask of joviality. "Miss Shen has a compassionate nature; anyone could see you’re not the kind of vile woman who would misuse private imprisonment or cruel punishments! Shen Xinglei’s case surely has deeper layers of intrigue."
Shen Yinning had no patience to debate such nonsense with him. Her tone became serious. "If Master Zhang feels this case is too thorny, might I suggest transferring me to the Ministry of Justice for Cui Ji to handle?"
Zhang Keyuan’s eyes brightened.
He couldn’t have asked for a better solution!
To hand off this hot potato to the Ministry of Justice would offend neither the Crown Prince nor the Empress Dowager and would also avoid crossing the Crown Princess Consort or the Shen Guogong Mansion—a perfect outcome!
Without hesitation, he followed Shen Yinning’s intentions, personally arranging an escort to deliver her to the Ministry of Justice.
Welcomed into one of the private chambers within the government office, Shen Yinning glanced at the spread of melons, pastries, and a fine pot of tea laid out on the table. Internally, she chuckled at Lu Ying’s misconception.
Being in the Ministry of Justice’s prison wasn’t like coming home; being in the Ministry of Justice’s headquarters truly felt like home.
Lu Ying wanted to send her back to Gan State, but Cui Ji was practically his nemesis. As far as the Ministry of Justice was concerned, Lu Ying had no authority.
If she remained within the Ministry of Justice, she could easily bide her time for several days.
Taking a seat, she smoothed her skirt and raised her gaze to observe Cui Ji. "You handled Shen Xinglei’s matter quite skillfully."
Cui Ji poured her tea. "I heard Shen Xinglei almost named you outright. That was my failing—if the drug had been a little stronger, you wouldn’t have had even a single moment of fear."
Shen Yinning accepted the cup. "Lu Ying plans to send me back to Gan State... Cui Ji, I need to see Lu Jiazhe now."
Cui Ji’s eyes flickered, instantly deducing her underlying motives.
He nodded. "I’ll send for him immediately."
Two hours later.
"Sister Shen!"
Lu Jiazhe arrived, looking deeply ashamed. "It’s all my fault! I must have been spotted when seizing Shen Xinglei, and that’s how Shen Xinghan caught onto this! I nearly got you killed!"
"You risked yourself for me. Not being dragged down by me is already a blessing—I would never blame you." Shen Yinning gestured for him to sit. "The envoys from Yan Country will soon head south. When His Majesty sends emissaries to greet them at the city’s northern gates, I need you to volunteer to join that delegation and inform the Yan Country envoys that I’m in the Capital."
Lu Jiazhe scratched his head, his youthful face full of confusion. "But why?"
Shen Yinning didn’t answer.
Beside her, Cui Ji provided the explanation. "The one leading the Yan delegation to establish the alliance with Great Zhou is the Crown Prince of Yan, Yan Zheming. Some years ago, during the war against Yan, Shen Xinghan killed his younger brother, Yan Zhehai. If Yan Zheming learns that Shen Xinghan’s younger sister is still in the Capital and her current position is precariously low, he will undoubtedly stop at nothing to avenge his brother."
Lu Jiazhe’s face immediately fell. "Then why would you want him to know Sister Shen is still in the Capital?! Sister Shen, shouldn’t you be avoiding him at all costs?"
"If Cui Ji’s deduction is correct," Cui Ji glanced at Shen Yinning, "Madam Shen intends to use this to rid herself of the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince wishes to send Madam Shen back to Gan State, but if Yan Zheming intervenes, His Majesty, for the sake of diplomatic relations, would undoubtedly let Madam Shen remain. Furthermore, Madam Shen still bears unresolved allegations; as long as that cloud lingers, she is bound to the Heavenly Prison. However, if Yan Zheming demands Madam Shen’s release, she can leverage this to leave the prison entirely."
Shen Yinning smiled brilliantly at Cui Ji.
As expected of someone she had personally trained—their thinking was perfectly aligned.
Cui Ji’s pale ears flushed faintly red as he lightly lowered his lashes.
Lu Jiazhe frowned. "But it’s still too dangerous! Sister Shen, wouldn’t it be better to appeal to the Crown Prince? Perhaps his heart softens, and he allows you to stay in the Capital? And there’s also the Empress Dowager—she adores you! Surely she would agree to release you from the Heavenly Prison."
"I’ve pleaded with the Crown Prince already, and he refused." Shen Yinning’s tone was light. "As for the Empress Dowager, she has already spared me from the Ministry of Justice’s torture. But for her to offer me further protection, she would need leverage, and clearly, I have none to offer."
Cui Ji looked at Shen Yinning.
She... had pleaded with the Crown Prince?
How exactly had she done so?
The spring sunlight was warm, and he noticed Shen Yinning was wearing a front-fastened, floral-patterned sheer blouse today. Her fair, delicate neck and collarbone were exposed, and he sharply caught sight of faint red marks.
Marks resembling intimate bite wounds.
His face turned pale abruptly, and his hands, hidden in his sleeves, quietly clenched into fists.