Status?
Shen Jintang's fingers suddenly tightened, as if she were thinking about something else.
The sun was shining brightly outside the window, and the cicadas' chirping grew louder and louder, making people feel restless.
Lin Tingwan picked up her teacup and slowly skimmed off the foam. The aroma of tea rose gently, but it couldn't suppress the probing in her words.
"Jin Tang, are you really not going to ask the Crown Prince for a formal title?"
Hearing the voice, Shen Jintang snapped out of her reverie, but she didn't rush to answer. Instead, she gently smoothed out a wrinkle on her sleeve before raising her eyes and smiling faintly: "Why did the princess suddenly bring this up?"
Lin Tingwan put down her teacup, the porcelain clinking softly against the sandalwood table.
She smiled, but her eyes were fixed on Shen Jintang's face, as if trying to find something in her expression.
“I’m a few years older than you, so I’m always thinking of you.” Her tone was gentle, but her fingertips unconsciously traced the rim of the glass. “What is Prince Gu’s status? He’s the only son of the Eldest Princess, personally appointed by His Majesty as the heir apparent, and he will inherit the title in the future. Although you have gained his favor now, if you don’t have a proper title, what will happen in the future…”
She deliberately left her sentence unfinished, leaving half of it hanging in the air, waiting for Shen Jintang to continue.
Shen Jintang already understood what Lin Tingwan meant, but she just smiled gently and reached out to add tea for her.
The tea was poured into the cup, the sound of the water gurgling down, making her voice sound exceptionally clear and melodious.
She lowered her eyelashes, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Of course I don't have the good fortune of a princess to receive a promise of lifelong devotion from her beloved."
Upon hearing this, Lin Tingwan felt a surge of pride.
Yes, she is a princess, of noble status. Shen Huaixu married her, how could he dare to have any other thoughts?
She recalled Shen Huaixu's composed demeanor in the imperial court, such a promising man, yet he only had eyes for her, and a sweet feeling welled up in her heart.
She slightly raised her chin, her tone filled with self-righteous pride: "Of course, if he dares to have any other thoughts, His Majesty and my mother will be the first to not let him off the hook."
"But speaking of which, what are your plans with the Crown Prince?"
Looking at her like this, Shen Jintang's smile deepened, yet it inexplicably sent a chill down one's spine.
Lin Tingwan is far too arrogant and needs to be taught a lesson. Otherwise, her constant behavior in front of her, while not a concern for Lin Tingwan, is still annoying.
She gently set down her teacup, her voice still soft, but with a hint of warning: "I know how well the young master treats me. As for a title..." She paused, then looked directly at Lin Tingwan, "If I were to actually ask for a title, do you think he would grant it to me?"
Lin Tingwan was taken aback.
She had expected Shen Jintang to refuse, to be modest, or even to show some unease, but she never expected that Shen Jintang would ask her back, with a tone that was even a little... certain?
"Of course I'll give it to you." Lin Tingwan quickly composed herself and smiled. "The Crown Prince listens to you completely; who in the capital doesn't know that? Even if you can't become the Crown Prince's wife, the title of a concubine is just a matter of a word."
Shen Jintang lowered her eyes, her fingertips lightly tracing the rim of the cup, as if deep in thought.
Sunlight streamed obliquely through the carved window lattice, casting dappled light and shadow on her profile, making her features appear even more serene.
“The princess is right.” She finally spoke, her tone gentle, yet strangely devoid of emotion. “But the young master is proud and dislikes being manipulated. If I were to actually ask for a title, it would seem like I was being deliberate.”
Lin Tingwan's eyes flashed, and she subconsciously clenched her handkerchief.
She originally wanted to provoke Shen Jintang, hoping to make her lose her temper and cause a scene with Gu Zhixing. However, she did not expect Shen Jintang to deflect the question so easily and even implied that she was meddling in other people's business.
"You're quite patient," Lin Tingwan's smile faded slightly. "But in this world, you can't just wait. Men, once the novelty wears off, even the best feelings will fade."
Shen Jintang looked up at her and suddenly smiled softly.
“Your Highness is right.” Her tone remained gentle, but a faint glint of sharpness flashed in her eyes. “However, Your Highness, do you think the Prince’s treatment of me is merely a passing fancy?”
Lin Tingwan's breath hitched.
Shen Jintang's words were spoken lightly, yet they were like a fine needle, piercing her heart unexpectedly.
Gu Zhixing's favoritism towards Shen Jintang was well-known not only among the people in the Princess's residence, but also throughout the capital.
His love was never hidden, as fiery and unrestrained as the summer sun.
He loves Shen Jintang, and he wants the whole capital to know that Shen Jintang is the person he cherishes most in his heart.
Anyone who dares to embarrass her in the slightest is going against Gu Zhixing.
This blatant favoritism is more precious than any gold or silver jewelry.
Moreover, he was such an arrogant person, yet he was willing to personally select fabrics for her clothes, inquire about her meals, and even... personally choose the maids around her.
This is hardly just a passing fad.
Clearly...he took it to heart.
Lin Tingwan felt a slight tightness in her chest, but she couldn't show it, so she forced a smile and said, "In that case, you should strike while the iron is hot."
Seeing her expression, Shen Jintang knew what it meant to stop when the point was right. As long as Lin Tingwan didn't keep saying irrelevant things in front of her and trying to sow discord, that would be fine.
So she gently shook her head and stood up.
"It's getting late, and I still need to teach the palace servants etiquette." She straightened her skirt, her movements elegant and composed. "Please sit down, Your Highness. I'll take my leave now."
Lin Tingwan watched her turn and leave, her fingertips unconsciously digging into her palm.
Shen Jintang walked at a leisurely pace, her skirt brushing against the threshold without leaving even a single extra wrinkle.
She walked so steadily, as if the conversation just now was nothing more than an insignificant chatter rather than a test concerning her future.
Lin Tingwan stared at the receding figure and suddenly realized—Shen Jintang wasn't afraid to ask for a formal title.
She disdained to want it.
Or rather... she doesn't need it at all.
The thought flashed through Lin Tingwan's mind, and she felt a sudden pang of indescribable jealousy.
She looked down at her carefully painted nails and suddenly found the bright balsam color extremely glaring.
—What makes Shen Jintang so special?
How could a woman of humble origins command the obedience of someone like Gu Zhixing, to the point that... she didn't even need to fight for a title?
The cicadas outside the window were chirping more and more noisily. Lin Tingwan clenched her handkerchief tightly until her knuckles turned white.
She didn't realize that her eyes were now filled with a hint of jealousy.
Shen Jintang walked out of the door, gave a few instructions to the nanny beside her, and then left Yutang Palace.
Along the palace road in late spring, crabapple blossoms were in full bloom, their pink and white petals swaying gently in the breeze, as if nodding to passersby.
Shen Jintang walked slowly along the bluestone path, her plain white embroidered shoes making a soft rustling sound as she stepped on the falling petals.
She reached out and brushed against the flower branches that drooped over the palace wall, her fingertips touching a few drops of dew, which felt cool to the touch.
"Miss Chen! Please wait!"
A clear voice, tinged with urgency, suddenly came from behind.
Shen Jintang paused, and before she could turn around, she heard the sound of clothes fluttering. A figure in green lightly flipped over the vermilion palace wall, the hem of his clothes stirring a breeze, and landed steadily in front of her.
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