Shi Xiuzhu was too generous, so generous that Ling Mama even gave her an inappropriate look.
Unfortunately, the red veil was too thick, obscuring Shi Xiuzhu's vision and preventing Ling Mama from discerning her thoughts.
Judging from her posture and speech alone, she certainly has the bearing of an empress.
Regardless of Shi Xiuzhu's intentions, Ling Mama made it clear why Tong Wanyan didn't come to pay her respects, which was a way of showing respect and face to Shi Xiuzhu, and avoiding any misunderstanding that Tong Wanyan was arrogant and didn't know proper etiquette.
After leading Princess Fan and Princess Tang to pay their respects to the Crown Princess, Granny Ling withdrew.
The bridal chamber, adorned with red ribbons, was quiet and peaceful, with only Shi Xiuzhu and her attendant, Granny Xi, present. No one dared to cause a disturbance in the Crown Princess's wedding night.
After completing the formalities, Yinreng was led to the bridal chamber. Listening to the wedding officiant's chanting, he lifted his veil and drank the nuptial wine. Afterward, only the two of them remained in the room.
Without the veil to cover her face, Shi Xiuzhu's nervous gaze darted around.
Good heavens! Is her innocence really going to be ruined today?
"Master, on this wedding night..." Shi Xiuzhu stammered.
Her voice was a little hoarse because she hadn't drunk any water or spoken all day.
Yinreng got up, moved a stool, and sat down opposite her.
"I've heard that the Crown Princess has a very good relationship with her sisters and is very kind to women. I happened to acquire eighteen paintings of beauties from the market, and the brushstrokes and style are very similar to the flower and bird paintings that the Crown Princess paints at home." Yinreng calmly opened the box placed to the side, took out a scroll, and untied the rope tied to it, revealing the contents of the scroll.
Shi Xiuzhu gasped slightly, his face turning pale.
To be honest, she could deny that the painting had anything to do with her.
The so-called similarity in style actually reveals very little that can be examined closely. Apart from masters of calligraphy and painting, ordinary people would never guess that they are the work of the same person.
However, the fact that Yinreng was able to collect all the paintings and quietly display them in his new room shows that there is no denying it.
"My lord, do you want me to have the title of Crown Princess, but not the reality of our marriage?" Shi Xiuzhu said this with a heart full of joy.
The Crown Prince is a good man; he's handsome and intelligent, and he doesn't even need to take advantage of her innocence—he hands over all the power to her. There's no one better than the Crown Prince in the entire world.
Shi Xiuzhu looked at Yinreng eagerly, and Yinreng awkwardly threw the red veil into her arms.
“Cover your eyes, or at least tone down your gaze. You look so hungry and predatory, I almost thought you were a man,” Yinreng said bluntly.
There's no such thing as showing mercy or tenderness to a beautiful woman.
Shi Xiuzhu chuckled and tossed the apple in his hand aside.
"I also regret that I wasn't born a man. Don't worry, Your Highness, the examining nanny checked me, and I'm definitely a girl." Shi Xiuzhu knew how serious it was to cause trouble in the palace, so she didn't dare to make a fuss.
Yinreng was taken aback by her words, exclaiming, "She really dares to say that!"
What kind of person did his father choose? He's two-faced.
If he hadn't persistently kept an eye on things, they might not have discovered Shi Xiuzhu's extraordinary qualities.
"A woman's body with a man's heart, have you been wronged?" Yinreng said.
Shi Xiuzhu lowered her head shyly, her face covered in heavy makeup, obscuring her flushed cheeks.
“It’s quite unfair,” Shi Xiuzhu said.
Yinreng was amused; this person was quite adept at climbing the ladder.
It must be said that, apart from Shi Xiuzhu's manly demeanor, he is quite capable in other aspects as well.
For example, observing people's words and expressions.
"Your Majesty, I am more than willing to occupy the position of Crown Princess for you. I will fulfill my duties impeccably and will not hold you back. I truly dote on Consort Tong as if she were my own younger sister. I will also fulfill my duties as an elder to the young prince and princess. My nephews and nieces all like me very much." Shi Xiuzhu, having her pretense torn away by Yinreng, directly expressed her loyalty.
Yinreng stared at her without speaking, the faint smile on his lips seemingly unchanged since he entered the room. It was clearly a forced smile.
Shi Xiuzhu's heart pounded, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him, and he understood what he meant: "I am not without desires either."
Yinreng changed his sitting posture: "I would like to hear the details."
"If you can successfully ascend the throne, can I fake my death and leave the palace?" Shi Xiuzhu asked expectantly.
"Fake death, and then what?" Yinreng hadn't expected this from her: "Abandon the Shi family and the Guarjia clan?"
“My family never intended for me to be the Crown Princess.” Shi Xiuzhu twisted her waist. “Master, could I take off the phoenix crown on my head first? It’s too heavy and it’s hurting my neck.”
Yinreng covered his eyes. Shi Xiuzhu's movements were indeed rough: "Go wash your face first before you come."
It was a bit hot today, and Shi Xiuzhu's Crown Princess auspicious robes were very heavy. Her red veil was completely sealed, and her makeup was cracked and clumped.
It wouldn't have mattered if her expressions and movements had been smaller before, but Yinreng scared her so much that she ran away.
"Alright, Master, please sit and wait a moment!" Shi Xiuzhu called the maid she had brought from home into the room and hurriedly went to remove her makeup.
A moment later, she came running back like a whirlwind.
The maidservant following behind her, wiping her face with a handkerchief, looked embarrassed.
"Xiao Lian, go out first, don't disturb me and Grandpa," Shi Xiuzhu said.
Xiao Lian bowed, took the handkerchief, and walked out reluctantly.
Her little darling, with water droplets still on her face and her hair not yet styled, was going to meet the Crown Prince like that. It was truly awful.
Shi Xiuzhu didn't care what Xiaolian was thinking.
She was eager to discuss important plans with Yinreng, which concerned her future freedom.
"Your Majesty, I'm back." Shi Xiuzhu smiled cheerfully at Yinreng.
With her striking eyebrows, clear eyes, straight nose, and thin lips, she truly looked like a handsome young man when dressed up.
Yinreng said, "Sit properly. What happened to all the proper upbringing you received from those well-bred young ladies?"
Shi Xiuzhu waved her hand generously: "If I were truly a lady from a prominent family, I would be crying and clinging to your leg right now. You are a smart and magnanimous person, why should I pretend with you? In front of outsiders, I guarantee I will be a noble and dignified Crown Princess, but in private, please let me relax."
"Let's talk about faking my death. I want to fake my death, leave the Qing Dynasty, and go out to sea to see what the world outside the Qing Dynasty is like. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. I am willing to die in a foreign land and also want to see a wider world." Shi Xiuzhu's back was straight, his thin body and fair face really resembled a tall and proud green bamboo under the cold autumn frost.
"The name that Old Master Shi gave you suits you very well," Yinreng said.
Shi Xiuzhu's lips curled slightly, his gaze clear and upright: "My father taught me very well."
"If you do what you say, I will grant your wish. Even if you want to change your request later, I will still grant it. But if you have other ideas, many of my concubines have died in Yuqing Palace." After giving a sweet treat, Yinreng suddenly struck a blow.
Shi Xiuzhu smiled calmly and said without fear, "Sir, just look at my sincerity, and I will do my best to help you."
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