Chapter 18
“Father, now that the embroidery has been destroyed, I can only try to repair it.”
Shen Zheng nodded: "If you need anything, just ask. Take good care of the injury on your face and make sure it doesn't leave a mark."
Shen Qingnian was very obedient. After thinking for a moment, she said with some worry, "Mother seems to have a lot of dissatisfaction with me. Please pay more attention, Father."
With the Crown Prince's birthday approaching, if the mother were to interfere with her daughter's plans, the father's grand scheme would likely be ruined.
Shen Zheng narrowed his eyes, a hint of doubt in his expression: "I will handle this matter myself."
If Shen Qingnian really cared so much, she should have been on guard after that bitch came. Why did she destroy everything?
Seeing this, Shen Qingnian's eyes welled up with tears, and her tone was somewhat sad: "Father, when I visited Aunt last time, Aunt seemed to have lost some weight."
If she stays in the capital, she might die of depression. Her daughter wants to take her mother back to her hometown, Lincheng, after everything is settled.
She looked worried and appeared to be in great distress.
Shen Zheng concealed the doubt in his eyes.
Yes, Shen Qingnian cares most about Aunt Liu. She will use every means to become the Crown Princess. Today's events are probably just her overthinking.
Shen Zheng said, "Focus on your embroidery and make sure you finish that painting, 'Peace and Prosperity.' I will handle your mother's situation personally, and I will not allow her to attend the Crown Prince's birthday celebration. She cannot hinder you."
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and strode away.
That bitch almost ruined his plans; he's going to personally use family discipline!
The Shen family's discipline was like a stick covered in barbs; a few blows and the person was left with only a breath left.
On that day, Shen Zheng beat Madam Shen ten times with a stick. In the end, he only spared Madam Shen's life because of her maternal family.
Madam Shen was beaten until she was covered in blood and barely clinging to life. The entire room was filled with the oppressive smell of blood.
At this point, the Shen family announced to the public that Madam Shen had caught a cold and was seriously ill.
Upon hearing the news, Shen Qingnian was busy repairing the embroidery, her expression indifferent, and she didn't even look up.
After Xiaoju finished her report with a pale face, she finally spoke: "Take out the silver notes from my jewelry box and find an opportunity to send them to my aunt's courtyard."
Xiaoju's legs went weak, but she still whispered, "Miss, what if the butler finds out..."
Shen Qingnian's actions in dealing with Madam Shen truly shocked Xiao Ju. Madam Shen, who had been so arrogant, was beaten unconscious on the bed by the master in the blink of an eye.
The young lady's methods were ruthless.
Shen Qingnian rubbed her slightly sore shoulders, and Xiaoju quickly stepped forward to massage them for her.
"If you can't even handle this small matter, how will you get rid of the Shen family? Although I promised to take you out, if you don't have any ability, how can you stand on your own?" Shen Qingnian was a little helpless, and she could only patiently teach her.
Xiaoju is really timid. Although the two are partners, Xiaoju's incompetence really drags her down.
Finally, Xiaoju left with the silver notes.
A moment later, the butler walked in with a smile: "Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince has sent something over again. It's a painting and calligraphy, a very rare piece by a great Confucian scholar from the previous dynasty."
Although the Crown Prince hasn't met with the young lady these past few days, he has been secretly sending her things every now and then.
Shen Qingnian glanced at the brocade box in the butler's hands and said calmly, "Thank you, butler."
The steward placed the brocade box on the table and said, "Master specifically asked me to ask you, are you not going to return the gift this time either?"
Every time the Crown Prince sent something, he would inform Shen Zheng immediately.
Shen Qingnian said, "No need. Go tell Father that many things will be more delightful if we wait a while."
Only when the fish are sufficiently enticed will they be more determined to bite the hook.
After the housekeeper left, she got up and put the things Song Xuan had given her into the cabinet. The cabinet contained all the things Song Xuan had sent over the past few days, and she hadn't opened any of them.
Close your heart, and you'll be calm and clear-headed, allowing you to leave with grace...
*
Song Xuan was indeed anxious.
The things he had sent these days seemed to have disappeared without a trace. He wanted to go to the Shen residence to ask about it, but he was afraid of being too forward.
In addition to the matter at the temple, although he had a suspicion, he had not been able to investigate it thoroughly for a long time.
He could only wait, wait for the results to come out.
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On the day of the Crown Prince's birthday, the Emperor granted a general amnesty, and the whole country celebrated.
A banquet was held in the palace, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. That night, noble families and nobles all entered the palace to celebrate the crown prince's birthday.
Shen Qingnian was also dressed up in a gorgeous pink dress, with exquisite hairpins in her hair, Shu embroidery shoes on her feet, and a pair of jade earrings, which was rare for her. Her delicate makeup made her look like a fairy in a painting.
However, the white gauze wrapped around her fingertips seemed somewhat out of place.
Xiaoju helped Shen Qingnian into the carriage, exclaiming repeatedly, "Miss will surely outshine all the noble ladies today."
Her daughter is truly beautiful, it's just a pity she's such a pitiful person...
After her mindset changed, Xiaoju saw many things she hadn't noticed before, and she could also understand to some extent why Shen Qingnian was ruthless.
The father's coercion, the mistress's treachery, and that weak and easily bullied birth mother...
If her young lady weren't ruthless, she would probably have been buried in the mansion long ago. She thought it would be good if her young lady could run away with Aunt Liu.
Shen Qingnian sat in the carriage, the light makeup unable to conceal the faint dark circles under her eyes. She had been embroidering day and night for the past few days, and had finally finished the painting "Peace and Prosperity".
Inside the palace, many court officials and dignitaries had already arrived.
Shen Qingnian went in with Shen Zheng. Madam Shen was on her last breath and naturally couldn't come.
The palace banquet was very grand. The emperor attached great importance to the crown prince's birthday, and every corner of the palace was carefully decorated.
Today, the Crown Prince was unusually not wearing white, but rather a dark blue robe with a dragon pattern printed on it, which added a touch of majesty to his gentle and handsome face.
As soon as Shen Qingnian entered the hall, Song Xuan immediately cast his gaze at her. She pretended not to notice and spoke quietly with Shen Zheng, appearing to be a father and daughter with deep affection.
She rarely dressed in fancy clothes; she usually dressed simply, though the fabric was exquisite, the style was always the simplest.
When Song Xuan saw her in her gorgeous clothes, his eyes lit up and his heart beat faster, but he quickly and restrained himself and looked away.
The empress beside her noticed her son's lapse in composure. Following his gaze, she couldn't help but smile slightly, "This is what it means for a goddess to descend to earth."
When his mother exposed his secret, Song Xuan pursed his thin lips and said gently, "Mother, the matter has not yet been investigated."
He wasn't sure if Shen Qingnian and the woman in the temple were the same person...
The Empress covered her mouth and remained silent, but a slightly teasing smile escaped her eyes, making Song Xuan feel somewhat uncomfortable, causing his ears to turn slightly red and his heart to beat a little faster.
He felt a surge of excitement, but he had to remind himself not to rush things or be too forward with the beautiful woman.
When you truly like someone, you will consider many things and be limited in many ways. Even if you are a prince, you are still a mortal.
The Empress smiled, her eyes crinkling. She and the Emperor had gone through the same thing, so how could she not see through her son's thoughts?
This bittersweet state of being will become her most cherished memory, and she certainly won't interfere.
The emperor and empress were in perfect harmony, and naturally they hoped that the crown prince could find true love.
A moment later, the palace banquet officially began—
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