Chapter 5
But their eyes met directly into Song Xuan's deep gaze.
A hint of inquiry flashed in the man's eyes, but Shen Qingnian's eyes showed a hint of panic. She quickly looked away and raised her hand to smooth the stray hairs at her temples.
The scarlet bracelet on her fair wrist was particularly eye-catching, but Song Xuan found the faint bruises on the girl's wrist even more striking.
Although the bruises had faded considerably, Song Xuan still managed to spot them.
Bruises, crimson earrings...
Before Song Xuan could think further, he heard the girl say somewhat flusteredly, "The flowers and leaves are lush over there, I'll go for a walk there."
After saying that, the girl lifted her skirt and hurriedly left.
At the banquet that followed, Shen Qingnian avoided Song Xuan the whole time, and the two did not exchange another word until the banquet ended.
After the banquet ended, Song Xuan returned to the Eastern Palace.
"Your Highness, the person who administered the drug that day has been identified," Jin Yi handed Song Xuan a letter.
The description above details the person who administered the drug.
After reading it, Song Xuan looked thoughtful.
The person who drugged her was a minor official of the fifth rank. He genuinely wanted to send the woman to his bedchamber, but after realizing he had been drugged, he left on his own, and the woman lost her chance.
Song Xuan's gentle expression turned solemn as he instructed, "Deal with that fifth-rank official, and then thoroughly investigate the woman in the temple that day."
Jin Yi hesitated for a moment: "Your Highness, the woman in the temple that day was most likely an accident. I haven't found any clues yet. It will take some time to find out the woman's identity."
"No matter how long it takes, we must find them," Song Xuan said solemnly, looking at the red jade earring in his palm.
Jin Yi accepted the order and left.
Song Xuan held the red jade earring and looked at it for a long time, and for some reason, Shen Qingnian's appearance came to mind again.
He then shook his head, certain it wasn't hers; if it were, she would have made it clear long ago.
He understood that Prime Minister Shen wanted to send his daughter to the Eastern Palace. If it were really Shen Qingnian, she would have come to ask for a formal title long ago.
Inside the Shen Mansion.
After returning to her residence, Shen Qingnian removed her hairpins and jewelry, which made her feel a little lighter.
The underfloor heating was still burning inside, though not as intensely as before. She sat on the chaise longue, dressed in thin clothes, looking down at a book of poetry.
Song Xuan loved poetry, so she learned many poems and was able to compose excellent poems herself, earning her a reputation as a talented woman in the capital.
It can be said that her every word and action was designed for Song Xuan.
"Miss, today is a good opportunity to meet the Crown Prince, why are you avoiding it?" Xiao Ju, who was standing next to her, poured her a cup of tea and couldn't help but ask.
She followed her mistress to the flower banquet. At the banquet, the Crown Prince treated her mistress with great humility. She didn't understand why her mistress was avoiding him.
Shen Qingnian looked up at Xiaoju. This shouldn't be a question from a maid, but she knew Xiaoju would tell Shen Zheng everything.
She said calmly, "I have already had physical intimacy with the Crown Prince, so we must not rush things."
Upon hearing this, Xiaoju did not ask any further questions.
She couldn't fathom what the young lady was thinking; she simply relayed these words as instructed by the master.
For the next few days, Shen Qingnian did not leave the manor. As the weather improved, the underfloor heating in the house was no longer turned on.
Shen Qingnian would spend her days in her boudoir reading books and practicing calligraphy.
She would occasionally send someone to deliver her calligraphy and paintings to the Eastern Palace, but nothing else.
Song Xuan would occasionally return the gifts, but they were always done with gentlemanly courtesy, leaving no room for criticism and maintaining a very distant relationship.
Rumors in the capital about Lin Yue'er becoming the Crown Princess intensified, with everyone saying that Lin Yue'er would be the future Crown Princess.
That day, after court, Shen Zheng could no longer contain himself and went to Shen Qingnian's courtyard.
Shen Zheng looked at Shen Qingnian, who was drawing flowers and plants, and his face darkened: "Have you heard the rumors that are spreading outside? You told me before that it would be in three months."
These days, the talk of the town is all about the Crown Prince and Lin Yue'er, and some people have even started betting games to see when the two will get married.
It seemed as if Lin Yue'er becoming the Crown Princess was already a foregone conclusion.
Shen Qingnian bowed to Shen Zheng and said respectfully, "Father, have you ever thought about why there are so many rumors?"
Shen Zheng frowned: "It's because the Crown Prince is often seen with Lin Yue'er."
Lin Yue'er would often invite a few friends to go out and have fun, and she would bring the Crown Prince along. Anyone with eyes could see that Lin Yue'er's purpose every time was to see the Crown Prince.
"The Crown Prince is often seen with Lin Yue'er. Does the Crown Prince intend to propose marriage? Have His Majesty and the Empress summoned Lin Yue'er privately?" Shen Qingnian asked gently.
Shen Zheng's expression froze, as if he had been awakened.
If Lin Yue'er is indeed about to become the Crown Princess as rumored, then why haven't the Empress and the Emperor granted her marriage?
Although the Crown Prince kept his appointments every time, he always acted with propriety and never overstepped his bounds.
Judging from this, the rumors circulating outside seem more like the work of the Lin family. The Lin family wants to use other people's opinions to make the Crown Prince compromise and ask for Lin Yue'er's hand in marriage.
Shen Zheng narrowed his eyes and asked Shen Qingnian, "What are your thoughts?"
His daughter was indeed quite capable; she had opened his eyes to a whole new world from that day at the dilapidated temple.
Shen Qingnian smiled and said, "Lin Yue'er is currently enjoying great success. With the Crown Prince's favor, she must be very pleased with herself. Please, Father, host a family banquet for your daughter."
Three days later, the Shen family held a banquet, which was more of a poetry and painting banquet specially organized for Shen Qingnian than a family banquet.
The eldest daughter of the Shen family is not only exceptionally beautiful, but also renowned throughout the capital for her talent.
Today, Shen Qingnian wore a light purple ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and was entertaining guests in the courtyard with Madam Shen.
The pale purple ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) appeared plain, but the hem was embroidered with jasmine flowers, the small jasmine blossoms lifelike and exquisite.
Today, Shen Qingnian applied a little makeup, making her face even more radiant. She wore a jasmine-shaped hairpin in her hair and a string of jasmine flowers on her slender wrist, but she still wore nothing on her ears.
Prime Minister Shen is currently at the height of his power. When he hosts banquets, any noble family that receives an invitation will grace him with their presence.
Recently, Lin Yue'er returned to the capital and gained the favor of the Crown Prince. The eldest daughter of the Shen family, who was originally the envy of everyone in the capital, has become a marginal figure.
I heard that she hasn't been feeling well lately and often stays at home. I suppose this poetry and painting banquet was organized by Prime Minister Shen to bring a smile back to his beloved daughter's face.
"Miss Shen is truly beautiful today, like a walking jasmine," a guest praised. This was Madam Wang from the Wang family, who were on good terms with the Shen family.
Shen Qingnian's attire today was indeed unique, from her ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) to her embroidered shoes and even her accessories, all in jasmine patterns, making her stand out.
Madam Shen glanced in Lin Yue'er's direction, her smile carrying a hidden meaning, and said:
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