She lowered her head, remained silent for a long while, her lips trembling slightly, and then she made her condition with difficulty: "Your Highness, as long as you can help me and the Prince overcome this difficulty, I promise that in the future, if there is anything I can do to help you, I will do my best and go through fire and water for you!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Hanshan's eyes flickered, as if he was weighing the feasibility of the suggestion.
Zhao Yun secretly breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Shen Hanshan's attitude had softened somewhat.
However, at that moment, she suddenly heard the other party let out a contemptuous laugh and questioned, "What help can a reclusive woman like you be to me? Moreover, I have always despised that fellow Li Zan, and you are his daughter-in-law. Am I out of my mind, or are you so stupid that you dare to ask me for help?!"
Hearing Shen Hanshan's heartless words, Zhao Yun's heart, which had just settled down, started to pound again.
She stammered for a long time, but still couldn't fully express her meaning.
"Du Heng, see the guest out—" Seeing that Zhao Yun had nothing to say, Shen Hanshan stood up impatiently and shouted loudly to Du Heng to send her away.
"Your Highness—" Zhao Yun's voice choked with sobs.
Her heart was filled with despair and resentment, and tears streamed down her face. Being driven out of the palace twice in a row left her feeling helpless and in pain. She felt she could no longer endure such torment.
"Your Highness, you despise Li Zan, and I... I can help you gather evidence!" She said through gritted teeth, as if she had made up her mind.
She knew that if she couldn't find a solution, she might lose everything again.
Upon hearing her words, Shen Hanshan's lips curled into a cold smile. He slowly sat down, his gaze indifferent as he looked at Zhao Yun, as if scrutinizing a clown's performance. Then, he turned to Du Heng and ordered, "Go, brew another cup of hot tea." He added, "Come back and brew another cup for the Crown Prince's wife."
Shen Hanshan slowly savored the freshly brewed hot tea, his gaze never leaving Zhao Yun, yet it seemed as if he was looking into the distance through her.
"Lady Crown Prince, gather evidence?" His tone carried a hint of disdain, as if he didn't care about the suggestion.
“This is no child’s play. If you are just acting on impulse or exaggerating to protect yourself, I don’t have time to play this game with you.” His voice was deep and powerful, revealing a sense of authority.
Zhao Yun felt a surge of anxiety and immediately knelt down, clutching her stomach, her eyes brimming with tears. "Your Highness, please understand," she said, "everything I have said is true, without the slightest falsehood. Li Zan has been corrupt and lawless for years, oppressing the people. Especially after my mother-in-law moved her dowry away, he secretly sold official positions to buy a new house in order to marry Hongyi. Although I am in the inner quarters, I have heard about it. If Your Highness can lend us a hand, I will do my utmost to gather evidence of his crimes."
Upon hearing this, Shen Hanshan raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze falling on her round belly, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes.
After a moment of silence, he said, "Get up. It's too much trouble for me to look down at you while I speak!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun hurriedly stood up and stood respectfully to the side.
After she sat back down in her chair, Shen Hanshan asked calmly, "Why is the Crown Prince's wife so sure that I will help you? You should know that if Li Zan falls, the situation in the court will inevitably become turbulent. Why should I get involved in this mess?"
Zhao Yun raised her head, her eyes flashing with determination and hatred. She gritted her teeth and said, "Your Highness, if you help us, you can not only solve our immediate problem, but also take this opportunity to eliminate the corrupt officials in the court and consolidate your own position. Furthermore, Li Zan and my husband have already broken ties. Although the heir is incompetent, he can become a tool in Your Highness's hands in the future."
Upon hearing this, Shen Hanshan pondered to himself.
Whether he helps her or not is irrelevant to him, but for Zhao Yun, it is a rescue from dire straits.
"Alright, I'll trust you this once." Shen Hanshan finally relented. "But you must remember, this matter is of utmost importance. Once it begins, there is no turning back. If you dare to make the slightest mistake, you will bear the consequences."
Zhao Yun was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed to express her gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness. I will certainly not disappoint you."
Shen Hanshan waved his hand, signaling Du Heng to take Zhao Yun down to arrange the specific matters.
When he was the only one left in the hall, he gently stroked the teacup in his hand, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
What would Zhao Yun think if she found out later that the Eldest Princess was her second younger sister?
The game seemed to be much more interesting than he had anticipated.
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