Chapter 459: Chapter 457: Aren’t You Afraid of Offending the Empress?
Shen Yinning retrieved the bronze key from the depths of her jewelry box.
She couldn’t figure out what this key might unlock—had Lu Ying guessed it?
He had figured it out but hadn’t told her...
Gripping the key tightly, a foreboding intuition grew more intense within her, as if whatever lay behind this key would pull her into a perilous abyss.
"Forget it."
After a moment of contemplation, she placed the key back where it was.
Dealing with Shen Yunxi and Shen Xinghan, along with Huo Mingyan and Lu Ying, was already tiring her out.
For now, she didn’t want to bring herself additional troubles.
She would address the matter of the key later.
Wei Yu attended to her hair, smiling as she asked, "Does the Commandery Princess have plans for today? I heard from Haitang that during yesterday’s Spring Banquet, you made Consort Rong lose a full fifty thousand taels of silver coins! How impressive!"
Shen Yinning twirled her pearl hairpin. "I don’t plan to do much today; I think I’ll spend some time with Zhuoyu."
Shangguan Min often said that children needed someone to accompany them. Even though they weren’t yet old enough to remember, having a mother’s presence versus not having one would make a difference later on.
Shen Yinning couldn’t quite grasp why this was, but perhaps she did need to spend more time with Zhuoyu.
The day was bright and clear.
The flora and trees on Penglai Island flourished in abundance.
After lunch, Shen Yinning instructed the servants to set up tables and chairs in the garden, where she held Shen Jin’an in her arms, watching the little palace maids play shuttlecock nearby.
Haitang, having fully learned from Shangguan Min, held a copy of the *Analects* and sat beside them, reading aloud to Shen Jin’an.
Wei Yu, however, wasn’t pleased. "Reading is certainly important, but shouldn’t a young princely heir also learn riding and archery? Honestly, at his age, he wouldn’t understand all your ’thus and therefores.’ It’s more practical for me to demonstrate some swordplay for him!"
With that, she took up her longsword and began performing.
For a moment, the garden was full of activity: reading, sword dancing, playing games—a flurry of vibrancy and lively scenes.
Shen Yinning chuckled softly, letting them have their fun.
Suddenly, Cuicui approached and respectfully announced, "Commandery Princess, Lady Liao has arrived."
Shen Yinning arched an eyebrow.
Liao Lili had a small round face, with rounded eyes and a round nose. Her hairpins and ruqun were always in hues of apricot pink or powder blue, making her look like an uninformed young girl at first glance.
Yet, for her to secure Lu Ying’s special mercy—permission to set foot on Penglai Island—she was undoubtedly unrivaled among the ladies of the Capital.
Shen Yinning never underestimated her. "What method did you use to convince Lu Ying to let you see me?"
Liao Lili pushed a brocade box forward. "A jade pendant."
Shen Yinning opened it.
It was half of a Double Fish Jade Pendant.
The jade was radiant and smooth, with red streaks naturally threading through the material, seamlessly blending into the carved fish tails.
It was an exceptionally rare and valuable piece.
"The other half was gifted to the Holy Emperor." Liao Lili covered half of her face with a round fan, leaving only a pair of slyly smiling eyes visible. "I noticed that while the Holy Emperor showed no expression, he was rather pleased. When I told him I wanted to gift this half to you, he generously granted me entry."
Shen Yinning toyed with the jade pendant.
The Double Fish Jade Pendant symbolized unity. Shen Yinning’s relationship with Lu Ying was clandestine by nature; having others play matchmaker in this way certainly delighted him.
She set the jade pendant aside. "What business brings you to me?"
Liao Lili shook her fan and signaled her maidservant to present what they’d brought.
Shen Yinning stared at the chest of silver notes. "A hundred thousand taels?"
"The silver notes lost by the Empress and Consort Rong during the gambling game—all right here." Liao Lili tilted her head cheekily. "I’m not foolish. I know Princely Heir Huo’s victory was all thanks to your efforts. So these silver notes should be returned to you. Please do consider accepting them, Commandery Princess."
Shen Yinning’s lips curved into a half-smile.
Their relationship had always been one of mutual exchange.
Liao Lili facilitated the traps she laid for Shen Yunxi, and in return, Shen Yinning rewarded her with money and wealth.
There was no affection between them. Frankly, if their schemes were ever exposed and they betrayed each other, Shen Yinning wouldn’t be the least surprised.
But today...
Shen Yinning raised her fox-like eyes. "Aren’t you afraid of offending the Empress with this move, Lady Liao?"
Huo Mingyan was notoriously petty.
Should she discover that Liao Lili had handed over her lost money to Shen Yinning, she would undoubtedly hold a grudge.
"There’s no one else here. Why is the Commandery Princess playing coy?" Liao Lili’s eyes curved with harmless mischief. "I may be a humble household concubine’s daughter, timid, foolish, and unworldly, but your unparalleled beauty and brilliance, combined with your golden match with the Holy Emperor, have earned my utmost admiration. Compared to this wealth, forging good relations with you is undoubtedly more important, don’t you agree?"
Shen Yinning handed Shen Jin’an to Nanny Chen.
She picked up her warm almond tea and sipped gently.
Liao Lili was here to pledge allegiance.
Perhaps seeing how Lu Ying had obediently hung on Shen Yinning’s every word just the day before, she must have weighed her options and decided to stand on Shen Yinning’s side over Huo Mingyan’s.
Shen Yinning let out a faint chuckle. "A timid, foolish concubine’s daughter wouldn’t become the second wife of the Commissioner of Salt and Iron. That marriage you snatched from your legitimate elder sister couldn’t have suited you more. They say wealth and power nurture beauty—just look at you, Lady Liao. That alabaster complexion and perfect figure; even I can’t help but admire you."
Liao Lili covered her smile with her fan. "So, will you accept this chest of silver, Commandery Princess?"
Shen Yinning called, "Haitang."
Haitang, understanding her signal, immediately took the chest of silver notes away.
A genuine smile lit up Liao Lili’s face as she softly added, "I’ve heard that behind Shengguo Temple, there’s a newly built temple dedicated to Yue Lao. It’s said to be particularly effective for seeking marriages and progeny. Many noblewomen and young misses from the Capital have flocked there to pray. Strangely enough, some longtime childless women found themselves expecting soon after. If Consort Rong knew about such a miraculous place, she’d likely pay a visit. Of course, with the abundance of gambling houses outside the temple, who knows if she might end up distracted and lured away midway?"
Shen Yinning lowered her gaze, smiling faintly. "Shengguo Temple has a Yue Lao temple?"
"Why wouldn’t it?" Liao Lili pressed her fan to her chin, her round face radiating a mischievous glint. "If the Commandery Princess wishes it, then there can be one."
After Liao Lili’s departure, Haitang spoke cautiously. "This Lady Liao smiles like Sudhana beside the Bodhisattva, but beneath her facade, she’s certainly not some harmless soul!"
"Anyone who can play dumb for over a decade, seizing a good marriage from a legitimate mother and two legitimate sisters, could never be harmless." Shen Yinning leisurely skimmed the tea’s surface for floating impurities. "Still, I find her quite likable."
For half a month following that, Lu Ying continued to stay at Penglai Palace.
Others might not have noticed, but Huo Mingyan was keenly aware.
Sitting before her bronze mirror as she combed her hair, her expression was as cold and taut as water. "Is Shen Yinning really that captivating?"
Han Sang adorned her with a Phoenix Hairpin, murmuring respectfully, "In this servant’s humble opinion, Princess Zhaoning’s fickleness and haughty airs could never compare to Your Grace’s bold and unrestrained nature. You are the most dazzling Bright Pearl on the grasslands outside the border!"
"And yet, all he sees is Shen Yinning!" Huo Mingyan hurled the wooden comb heavily onto her dressing table. "Amidst the six palace beauties, not a single one can catch my cousin’s eye!"
The palace maids fell to their knees, trembling as they pleaded, "Your Grace, please quell your anger!"
Han Sang leaned in and whispered, "If only Your Grace could conceive the imperial heir, you might just reclaim His Majesty’s attentions. Or perhaps, even if another in the harem were to bear a child, Your Grace could always adopt the heir as your own!"