Chapter 26: If Gong Yan Gu says no, will Miss Shen believe it?
The days in the Lin Mansion became extremely quiet.
Shen Zhiwei moved into a small building in the corner of the West Garden. Three meals a day were delivered to her punctually, each exquisitely presented and served at just the right temperature. Lin Wenyuan never set foot in the West Garden again. If he occasionally ran into her in the front yard, he would avoid her and walk around, his face a mixture of pale and blue.
Shen Zhiwei enjoys his leisure time.
She spent most of her time reading on the soft couch by the window, a pot of tea always warming at her side. The black cat became a regular on her couch, at first squatting reservedly on the footstool, but after a few days, it leaped up with familiarity, finding a warm spot not too far from her, curling up and snoring.
It was not as alert as ordinary wild cats. Instead, it was lazy and would be touched and held. It accepted all the dried fish that were fed to its mouth and ate it politely. The barbs on its tongue licked the fingertips, which was a little itchy but not painful.
Sometimes Shen Zhiwei would be so absorbed in watching that his fingers would unconsciously scratch its chin. It would then raise its head, purr with satisfaction in its throat, and its bright cat eyes would narrow into slits, looking extremely pleased.
That afternoon, sunlight streamed through the window lattice, tanning the bones. Shen Zhiwei was holding a volume of hydrological records from the previous dynasty, feeling a bit sleepy. A black cat curled up at her lap, its furry tail grazing the pages intermittently.
Outside the window, there was a faint commotion in the front yard, as if some distinguished guest had arrived. Shen Zhiwei ignored it and simply turned the page of his book.
The black cat beside her legs suddenly moved its ears, raised its head, looked out the window, and made a very low cry in its throat. It stood up, stepped on her legs and walked to the window, looked out, looked back at her, and nudged her wrist with its head.
"What's wrong?" Shen Zhiwei put down the book and looked in the direction of its gaze.
At the ceremonial gate in the front yard, a very familiar green-covered carriage was slowly entering. The young eunuch sitting on the shaft was none other than a person from the Eastern Palace.
Xiao Lingjun is here.
Shen Zhiwei raised an eyebrow.
The black cat seemed a little anxious. It paced back and forth beside her hand twice, then tugged at her sleeve with its claws, and the gurgling sound in its throat became low.
Shen Zhiwei found it interesting and reached out to pick it up in his arms, stroking its fur: "Why are you panicking? It's not like he's here to catch you."
The cat stiffened in her arms for a moment, then relaxed, still turning its head to stare out the window, the tip of its tail tapping her arm nervously.
The noise in the front yard gradually approached, as if it was heading towards the study.
Shen Zhiwei held the cat in her arms and picked up the book again, but she couldn't read a single word. Her fingertips twisted the edge of the page unconsciously, and she could feel the little thing in her arms' heartbeat speeding up.
About an incense stick later, footsteps came towards the West Garden.
Very light, only one person.
Shen Zhiwei raised her eyes and looked at the bright yellow figure that appeared at the gate of her courtyard, with no followers behind him.
Xiao Lingjun stood there, his eyes first falling on the dark furry ball in her arms. After a pause, he moved his gaze towards her, his lips curved in a familiar arc to Shen Zhiwei.
Shen Zhiwei didn't stand up, but just placed the book on her knees, her fingertips stroking the black cat's neck intermittently. The cat tensed in her arms and made a very low purr in its throat.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, are well and well," she nodded slightly, her tone indifferent and polite. "I didn't know Your Highness would come, and I'm sorry for not coming to greet you."
Xiao Lingjun walked slowly into the courtyard, his eyes sweeping around the simple yet clean yard, and finally fixed on her figure leaning against the window. "I was discussing matters with the Grand Tutor and stopped by to see you. Miss Chen, are you getting used to living in the West Garden? If there's anything you need, please tell the servants."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. This place is very nice and quiet." Miss Shen raised her eyes, her gaze clear and without the slightest timidity. "My uncle treated me very well and did not lack anything."
Xiao Lingjun's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he looked at the black cat on her lap: "This cat... looks wild and untamed. Miss Shen needs to be careful and don't get hurt."
Shen Zhiwei gently scratched the black cat's chin with her fingertips. The cat squinted in pleasure and purred even louder. She looked at Xiao Lingjun, her lips curled up in a very slight arc.
"Your Highness, you're joking. This little thing is very docile. It rubs against people's palms when given a little food. Where does its wildness come from?" She said in a relaxed tone. "On the other hand, some people look dignified and serious, but it's hard to tell what they are thinking."
Xiao Lingjun's eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at her fingers stroking the cat. Her slender fingertips weaved through the inky black fur, causing a dull pain in his eyes.
"Miss Shen is quite insightful," he smiled and took a half step forward. "It reminds me of an old friend. She also always likes to say things that seem to imply something, making it hard to guess what she's thinking."
The black cat glanced at Xiao Lingjun and wagged its tail.
Shen Zhiwei chuckled softly, not stopping teasing the cat: "Oh? Did Your Highness guess what that old friend was thinking?"
Xiao Lingjun was silent for a moment, then he shifted his gaze from the cat to look into her eyes. His gaze was deep, as if he wanted to salvage another silent shadow from these young and clear eyes.
“If I say no, do you believe it, Miss Shen?”
"It doesn't matter whether I believe it or not," Shen Zhiwei lowered her eyelashes and said lightly, "The old friend is gone. No matter how much Your Highness speculates, it will only disturb your mind. It is better to cherish what is in front of you..." She paused and tapped the black cat's nose with her fingertips, "...Meow?"
The black cat was startled by her pointing, then dissatisfiedly pushed her fingers away with its furry head, changed direction, and faced its butt towards Xiao Lingjun, but its tail was still hooked around Shen Zhiwei's wrist.
Shen Zhiwei's fingertips were still touching the black cat's wet and cold nose. As soon as the cat's drawn-out meow fell, he couldn't help but frown.
The sunlight outside the eaves was shining brightly, making the cat's fur in her arms fluffy and warm.
Xiao Lingjun was nailed to the spot by her perfectly imitated cat meow. He looked at her smiling profile, the sunlight outlining the curve of her slender neck. The gloomy inquiry in her eyes suddenly shattered, the light rippled, and she actually smiled too.
Very light, but real.
"I didn't know that there was such a person hidden in the Taifu Mansion..." He paused, choosing his words, "a wonderful person."
"Your Highness is too kind. I just learned some funny tricks when I was bored. They can't compare to the great affairs of state that Your Highness is busy with every day."
There is a needle hidden in cotton.
How could Xiao Lingjun not hear it? The smile in his eyes deepened. He took a few steps forward, closer to the window: "I think it's a pity that Miss Shen is trapped in this small courtyard with such a temperament."
Before he finished speaking, the black cat in Shen Zhiwei's arms suddenly kicked its legs and jumped down from her lap without any warning. It landed silently and slipped under the bed, leaving only the tip of its hairy tail wagging impatiently outside.
Shen Zhiwei: “…”
Xiao Lingjun: "..."
The two looked at each other, and Shen Zhiwei spread his hands: "See, the wild nature has not been tamed, your highness is right."
Xiao Lingjun laughed and shook his head. "In three days, the palace will hold a banquet to celebrate the victory of the Northern Frontier soldiers and also to welcome my third brother. By then, all the young men of marriageable age in the capital will be entering the palace. If Miss Chen has some free time, why not come and join in the fun? It's more interesting than having to deal with this inhuman cat all day long."
A hissing sound, almost like grinding teeth, came from under the bed.
Shen Zhiwei raised an eyebrow, glanced at the bottom of the bed, then looked at Xiao Lingjun and said slowly: "Your Highness, is this welcoming banquet to celebrate the soldiers' success, or is it a Hongmen Banquet specially set up for His Highness the Third Prince?"
Xiao Lingjun's expression remained unchanged as he responded in a gentle voice, "Miss Shen, you're joking. This is naturally a celebration banquet. My third brother suffered a lot in the Northern Frontier. Now that he's back in Beijing, I, as his elder brother, should show my appreciation."
"Your Highness is so kind and respectful to his brothers. It's touching," Shen Zhiwei nodded, her tone sincere. "In that case, I will definitely attend the banquet on time. I will also see with my own eyes what a heroic figure the Third Prince is. He is worthy of your Highness's concern."
The two of them were talking nonsense, but she found it boring and stared at him with a smile, her chin propped up by her hand.
Xiao Lingjun was choked by her words, and then laughed: "Miss Shen's mouth is really unforgiving."
"Others can't see through my feelings, can it be that Miss Shen can't see through it either?"
"Your Highness's intentions are full of twists and turns. With my limited knowledge, how dare I speculate? If I'm wrong, wouldn't it be a waste of Your Highness's special trip?"
Xiao Lingjun finally couldn't help laughing out loud and shook his head. "Forget it, I can't argue with you. Three days from now, at twilight hour, before the palace gates are locked, someone will come to pick you up." He paused, his eyes sweeping over her plain dress. "You don't have to be overly formal with your clothes. Just be casual."
"Your servant obeys your command." Shen Zhiwei said respectfully.
The tip of the tail under the bed swung even louder, almost making the sound of wind.
Xiao Lingjun seemed to have not heard the noise at all, and just looked at Shen Zhiwei with a smile: "That's very good."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince gave a brief nod and turned to leave. The bright yellow hem of his robe disappeared outside the door, and silence returned to the courtyard.
Shen Zhiwei then bent down and reached under the bed: “Come out, the person is gone.”
A furry paw reluctantly rested on her fingertips, and then the whole cat was dragged out. The black cat's mane was still standing, its eyes staring at the gate, and a dissatisfied purr came from its throat.
Shen Zhiwei picked up a clean soft cloth beside her, scooped it up onto her lap, and carefully wiped the dust off its paws. The cat froze for a moment, then relaxed, purring comfortably. It even turned over on its belly to let her wipe its other paw.
"Look at how capable you are," Shen Zhiwei tapped its wet nose with her fingertips, "you crawl under the bed when people come, and you act like a spoiled brat when they leave."
The cat meowed in dissatisfaction and brushed its tail across the back of her hand, making it itchy.
Three days later, as dusk fell, the palace lanterns lit up one after another, illuminating the vermilion palace walls with radiant light.
A carriage stopped silently at the side door of the Lin Mansion. A young eunuch with a respectful look came in, waiting with his head bowed.
Shen Zhiwei pushed the door open and came out with brisk steps.
She wasn't dressed up, wearing only a long, turquoise satin dress made of newly imported Jiangnan brocade. The hem was embroidered with a few scattered white plum blossoms, outlined with silver thread. It was simple yet elegant. Her long hair was loosely tied up, pinned with a white jade hairpin. As she walked, the pearls and jade tinkled softly, creating a subtle sound.
She has never liked complicated things, so it is rare for her to pay attention to dressing like this.
When she reached the front of the carriage, she suddenly felt the hem of her skirt sink. She looked down and saw that the black cat had followed her out without her noticing. It was hooking its claws on the fabric of her clothes. It tilted its head, and its gilded cat eyes reflected the light of the palace lanterns, showing a bit of... reluctance.
Shen Zhiwei bent down and pressed its head with his fingertips: "Why, do you want to go to the palace for a feast too?"
The black cat purred twice, rubbed its head against her wrist, and wrapped the tip of its tail around her, gently entangling it.
"The palace has strict rules, so I can't take you with me," she chuckled, picked it up, and handed it to the waiting maid of the Lin Mansion. "Keep an eye on it, don't let it slip away and cause trouble."
The maid hurriedly hugged the fur ball that suddenly fell into her arms. The black cat struggled a few times and meowed in dissatisfaction in Shen Zhiwei's direction. In the end, it did not move anymore, just staring at her with a pair of eyes.
Shen Zhiwei didn't delay any longer and turned to get on the car.
She sat down by the window, listening to the clatter of wheels over the cobblestones, her fingertips tapping unconsciously on her knees.
Palace Banquet…Xiao Wangqing.
She really wanted to see what Xiao Wangqing looked like in this life.
The carriage passed unimpeded, entering the palace grounds and stopping at a secluded avenue. A waiting eunuch bowed and led the way, guiding her through several halls. The sounds of laughter and chatter gradually drew nearer.
The banquet was held in the Linhua Hall, brightly lit and filled with the melodious sounds of stringed instruments and bamboo pipes. Many young men from the imperial clan and officials' daughters had already arrived, adorned with splendid attire and adorned with pearls and jade, gathering in groups of three or four, chatting and laughing in low voices.
Shen Zhiwei's appearance did not attract much attention. She found a seat by the window that was not conspicuous and sat down. Immediately, a palace servant quietly came forward and poured her warm plum wine.
She picked it up and took a sip; it was sweet and sour and delicious.
Almost the next moment after she put down the cup, a slightly sharp message came from the eunuch outside the hall.
"The Third Prince has arrived—!"
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The author has something to say: Miss Shen and the crown prince are talking nonsense and are full of loopholes.
Telepathy
The author has something to say:
I was a little confused when writing about cats. Before writing this chapter, I went to a cat cafe. The kittens were so cute.
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