Chapter 141 A Storm is About to Begin
Back in her room, Shen Qingci stood alone by the window, her gaze passing through the swaying bamboo shadows and landing on the back of Chu Jichen, who was talking quietly with the steward in the courtyard.
Her brows furrowed slightly, her mind a jumble of thoughts.
Wanqing quietly walked up behind her and asked softly, "Miss... are you thinking about the woman and child from Yunmeng Tower just now?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
She slowly shook her head, then nodded slightly as if in agreement, but ultimately remained silent.
What lingered in her mind was not jealousy or resentment.
But... tonight.
How will she face Chu Jichen tonight?
Since their marriage, Chu Jichen has made demands almost every night, his passion so intense it's as if he wants to meld her whole being into his very bones.
She kept trying to convince herself that it was just a mutually beneficial transaction; she gave her body in exchange for his power and protection, which was fair and reasonable.
But what she saw at Yunmeng Tower today was like an invisible thorn, piercing through her carefully constructed psychological defenses.
It turns out, he didn't only have her.
It turns out that he could also show such tenderness to other women and hold other children on his lap.
The thought that he had just returned from that mother and daughter's place tonight, and would soon be sharing a bed with her again to perform marital relations, filled her with an overwhelming sense of resistance and disgust.
Shen Qingci was extremely agitated. She suddenly turned around and said to Wan Qing, "Prepare water, I want to take a bath."
As soon as she stepped into the steamy clean room, Shen Qingci felt a familiar throbbing sensation in her lower abdomen.
A thought struck her, followed by an indescribable feeling of relief...
Sunflower water has arrived.
That's fine.
A self-deprecating smile curved her lips. At least tonight, she had a legitimate reason to refuse his advances.
Sure enough, when night fell, Chu Jichen got into bed and familiarly pulled her into his arms.
His warm lips pressed against her earlobe, his breath hot and full of unspoken implications.
"Qingqing..."
Shen Qingci stiffened for a moment, then smiled and nudged his chest, her voice carrying a perfectly balanced mix of coquettishness and helplessness: "Your Highness, unfortunately, I... have my period today."
Chu Jichen paused, looked up, and met her clear eyes in the dim light. He then raised his eyebrows slightly and chuckled softly.
“I didn’t say… I had to do anything.” He hugged her tighter, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice hoarse, “I just wanted to hold you and kiss you, that’s all.”
Shen Qingci naturally didn't believe it; she could clearly feel the changes in his body.
But since he had given her a way out, she was happy to accept it and simply went along with it without saying anything more.
The next day, Shen Qingci focused all her attention on how to use the flower-viewing banquet hosted by the wife of the Minister of War to bring the Shen family's past back into the open.
From her carefully prepared dressing case, she took out a dazzling, exquisite phoenix hairpin adorned with kingfisher feathers and rubies.
Then, she called Yuanbao in.
“Yuanbao,” she handed over the hairpin, “do you have a way to sneak into the Prime Minister’s residence without anyone noticing and put this hairpin in Liu Ruolan’s dressing case?”
Yuanbao took the hairpin, glanced at it, and nodded confidently: "Your Highness, rest assured! His Highness has someone in the Prime Minister's residence; this matter will be a piece of cake!"
After saying that, he vanished in a flash.
Wanqing then stepped forward, her eyes full of doubt: "Miss, this hairpin... isn't it a keepsake left to you by Madam? How come..."
"Yes." Shen Qingci nodded, a hint of nostalgia and coldness flashing in her eyes. "It's not only my mother's old belongings, but also a gift personally bestowed upon her by the late Empress Dowager. Some of the older ladies of the court in the capital should have seen my mother wearing it."
“However,” she changed the subject, a mocking smile curving her lips, “hairpins, once seen, are simply seen; who would remember them so clearly? At least, that fool Liu Ruolan would definitely not remember them.”
"But this hairpin is luxurious and exquisite enough. Given her personality, once she discovers it, she will surely treasure it and can't wait to wear it and show it off at a flower-viewing banquet or other occasion where everyone is vying to outdo each other."
"I want her to go to that treacherous banquet wearing my mother's belongings." A ruthless glint flashed in Shen Qingci's eyes. "Two days later, we just need to... watch the show."
She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Wanqing, do you still remember Nanzhu?"
Upon hearing this, Wan Qing nodded quickly: "Of course I remember! He was Huo Yunting's loyal bodyguard! But... he should be dead by now. Didn't we arrange for someone to impersonate him and perform for Old Madam Huo at the Huo family to reveal that Huo Yunting was actually killed by Huo Yunzhan?"
A meaningful smile slowly crept onto Shen Qingci's lips.
“That’s right.” She nodded. “This time, I will bring him back to life again.”
"Go and send a message to have that guard prepare again. On the day of the flower viewing banquet, have him wear Nan Zhu's human skin mask, disguise himself as my attendant, and go with us."
Although Wanqing didn't know what her young mistress was up to, she knew this was bound to be another good show. Her eyes lit up, and she excitedly agreed, turning around to make the arrangements.
Two days later, just as dawn was breaking, Yuanbao's figure appeared outside Shen Qingci's window like a ghost.
"Your Highness!" His voice was tinged with suppressed excitement, "Your subordinate has lived up to your expectations! This morning, Liu Ruolan took a liking to your hair ornament at first glance while getting ready, and now... she's already wearing it!"
"Okay." Shen Qingci's lips slowly curved into a cold smile.
The fish have taken the bait.
...
The Ministry of War's residence was bustling with activity today, with carriages and horses filling the gates.
Almost every noblewoman and lady of any standing in the capital received an invitation to the banquet.
When the Regent's Palace's iconic black carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the palace gate, all the noise and discussion instantly fell silent.
Countless curious, inquisitive, jealous, and envious gazes were cast toward the slowly opening car door.
Since the Regent's wedding, the newlywed queen has kept a low profile and rarely appears in public.
The last palace banquet was only attended by a few ladies of high rank, but it was ruined by a shocking scandal before it even began.
Everyone had only heard of her unparalleled beauty and extraordinary skills, but no one had ever seen her in person.
Today, I can finally see its true face!
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shen Qingci, supported by Yun Lan, slowly stepped down from the carriage.
She wasn't wearing an elaborate royal gown today, but rather a simple, elegant lake-blue long dress with wide sleeves. The hem was embroidered with delicate wave patterns in silver thread, shimmering as she walked, making her look like a fairy treading on water.
Her hair was simply adorned with a single white jade hairpin, without any other superfluous embellishments.
Even so, the moment she appeared, she instantly made all the vibrant colors in the garden seem like ordinary, vulgar beauties.
That composed and aloof demeanor, that unadorned beauty that could captivate all, made everyone present understand why the powerful regent would be willing to give up the beauty of his garden for her.
"Welcome, Your Highness!"
The wife of the Minister of War had already received the news and came out to greet him personally, her face full of warm smiles. She led Shen Qingci to the back garden, which was already full of guests.
Along the way, Shen Qingci received countless mixed gazes.
She seemed not to hear, and continued walking with composure.
Soon, she spotted her two true targets in the crowd—
Old Madam Huo, and beside her, Liu Ruolan, who was wearing a phoenix hairpin adorned with red gold and kingfisher feathers and was chatting and laughing with other noble ladies with a smug look on her face.
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