Chapter 382 Sworn Sister

Shen Wantang thought for a moment but couldn't come up with any clues, so she asked Qin Xin, who was the most well-informed, "Do you know if any strange people have come to see Lin Rouxin during the few days she stayed at Jixin Nunnery?"

"This... I didn't notice, but since the Princess Consort wants to know, I'll ask her tomorrow."

"You know people at the Jixin Nunnery?"

"Yes, didn't Aunt Chu used to live in Jixin Nunnery? The young master went there every day, so I kept an eye out and sent some snacks and charcoal to the nuns there so I could find out about the young master and report back to Granny Quan. Now, I'm quite familiar with them, so it shouldn't be difficult for me to find out anything!"

Shen Wantang chuckled: "You really are a talent. Dujuan, bring fifty taels of silver for Qinxin."

Du Juan agreed and turned to fetch fifty taels of silver.

Qin Xin was surprised: "Princess Consort, why are you giving me so much silver? I haven't even gotten any information for you yet!"

Shen Wantang looked at her with great appreciation: "Whether you can find out the information or not, you will be rewarded with silver as compensation for the expenses incurred in bribing the people. If you need to send something to the nun at Jixin Nunnery, you can use this silver, which will save you from spending your own money."

Qin Xin happily accepted the silver: "Yes, this servant thanks the Princess Consort for her reward!"

She was adept at social interactions and knew that you couldn't just rely on talking to get secrets out of someone.

The money spent on cultivating relationships was real money, but luckily she had good relationships with the people in the kitchen, so she could always get some exquisite pastries, and sometimes even a few live fish, a few pieces of beef bones, etc. She would take these out to give as gifts, which saved her money and quickly built rapport, making people feel comfortable talking to her about anything.

Of course, nothing is as useful as silver.

She was glad that she had a generous master who casually rewarded her with fifty taels of silver, which made up for all the money she had previously invested, and she even made a profit!

She made up her mind that if she didn't find out something useful for Shen Wantang by tomorrow, she would stay at Jixin Nunnery and pester those female nuns every day!

Just then, Granny Chai came in: "Princess Consort, the Prince has arrived."

Shen Wantang paused slightly: "It's really not easy. He actually took the initiative to step into our courtyard." A few days ago, Xiao Qingyuan had been avoiding her.

Granny Chai added, "The young master came with Miss Lin."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wantang immediately perked up: "Please come in!"

A moment later, Xiao Qingyuan led Lin Rouxin inside.

Xiao Qingyuan spoke first: "Shen Wantang, this is my newly adopted sworn sister, Lin Rouxin. Remember, she is now your sworn sister too. As her sister, she has a share of everything in the Prince's mansion! If I find out that you have neglected her, I will not let you off lightly!"

Shen Wantang ignored him and looked at Lin Rouxin instead.

She was petite and slender with fair skin, exuding an air of delicate fragility. The deep bloodstain on her neck further accentuated her fragile and vulnerable appearance.

She wore a grayish-brown nun's robe, typical of the Jixin Nunnery, and a gray hat, yet it couldn't conceal her delicate features and graceful demeanor.

Upon hearing Xiao Qingyuan's words, she said, "Rouxin greets the Crown Princess. I apologize for the trouble caused by my sudden visit to the Prince's residence. I don't want anything; I would be grateful if you could just provide me with a safe place to stay."

Her tone was gentle and soothing, her voice melodious and pleasant, and her manner extremely sincere. Moreover, when she spoke, she would raise her head and look at people earnestly with her eyes full of spring water.

Anyone who saw her would think she was a very innocent and simple girl.

But Shen Wantang knew that Lin Rouxin was definitely not as simple as she appeared on the surface.

Shen Wantang spoke calmly: "Your Highness, have you discussed your decision to adopt a sworn sister with Father and Mother? If she is to have a share of everything in the palace, it requires Father and Mother's approval. I cannot make that decision on my own."

Xiao Qingyuan frowned: "I'm just acknowledging a sworn sister, why should I discuss it with my father and mother? Anyway, starting tomorrow, Rouxin's clothes and accessories will all be the same as Qingxi's, as will her monthly allowance and the maids and nannies she serves!"

Shen Wantang would never agree to that, otherwise not only would Xiao Qingxi come and scold her, but her mother-in-law would also be angry.

Moreover, Xiao Qingxi is a princess, and she has as many as twelve maids and nannies in her courtyard. This number of servants is comparable to that of a princess. Lin Rouxin is not a princess, so how could she possibly receive such treatment?

Xiao Qingyuan was easy to talk about, pushing all the work onto her and then running away to have some peace and quiet. But her life in the Prince's mansion was not going to be easy!

"It would be best for Your Highness to discuss Miss Lin's matter with your father and mother again. As long as they agree, I will naturally treat her as a younger sister."

Shen Wantang was unyielding on this point. Seeing that Xiao Qingyuan was about to speak, she immediately said, "It's getting late, Your Highness, why don't you take Miss Lin to rest first? The Yueju Courtyard next to Your Highness's courtyard is still empty, so why don't you let Miss Lin stay here for the time being!"

Xiao Qingyuan hesitated for a moment, then asked Lin Rouxin, "What do you think?"

Lin Rouxin replied obediently, "It's all up to my sworn brother. Being able to live in the Prince's mansion is a blessing I earned in my past life."

Xiao Qingyuan nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, if you need anything, just ask me. I will do everything I promise you!"

"Thank you, my sworn brother. I will definitely keep my promise to you. Although I am a woman, I am a woman of my word. Please rest assured, my sworn brother."

Xiao Qingyuan was even more satisfied after hearing this.

He even looked at Lin Rouxin with a hint of tenderness and pity: "You're dressed so thinly, don't stand here. Come on, I'll take you to your courtyard."

He turned and walked out, and Lin Rouxin obediently followed beside him.

After everyone left, Shen Wantang instructed Granny Chai: "Go to Mother's courtyard and tell Granny Quan that I've let Lin Rouxin stay here first. If Mother doesn't want her to stay, I can kick her out."

"yes."

Granny Chai responded and went out.

A moment later, she returned: "The Princess Consort's idea is to let her stay here for now, and not to kick her out. It's easier to control her in the Prince's residence. Moreover, the Princess Consort thinks that the Prince's method is very good, and she even praised him this time."

"Okay, I understand."

Xiao Qingyuan's actions coincided with the Princess's previous thoughts. However, if Lin Rouxin had stayed earlier, the Princess might have treated her more politely, but now...

Lin Rouxin was already a thorn in the side of the Princess and Xiao Qingxi. When she was at Jixin Nunnery, they both wanted her dead. Now that she had come to the Prince's Mansion, they probably wanted her dead even more.