Shen Qingtang’s heart nearly stopped in fright!
She hurriedly replied, “The selection of the Crown Princess is a matter for the Emperor and my aunt to decide. Tangtang wouldn’t dare to comment.”
She cautiously glanced at Xiao Chengyu and said, “Cousin, I really must return to the estate.”
Xiao Chengyu sighed, stood up, and said, “Very well, I’ll escort you out of the palace.”
Shen Qingtang informed Qinghe that she would return another day to pay her respects to her aunt, then hastily made her way toward the palace exit.
Halfway there, Xiao Chengyu suddenly spoke up, “Tangtang, would you like to visit the Eastern Palace with me to see Tuantuan? Tuantuan has grown even chubbier lately.”
Tuantuan was a small white cat raised by the Crown Prince—utterly adorable and exceptionally affectionate.
Shen Qingtang adored Tuantuan and had once even asked the Crown Prince if she could take the cat back to the Marquis Estate to raise. Xiao Chengyu never hesitated to shower her with rare treasures, but that was the one time he had refused her request.
Thus, if Shen Qingtang wanted to see Tuantuan, her only option was to visit the Eastern Palace to play with the cat.
Having grown up meeting frequently, Xiao Chengyu had always treated her like a beloved younger sister, so she was thoroughly familiar with the Eastern Palace and never felt like an outsider there.
But from now on, it was clear she could no longer visit…
The thought of never seeing Tuantuan again inevitably dampened her spirits.
She said softly, “Another day.”
“Very well, another day it is,” Xiao Chengyu replied, studying her intently for a few seconds before saying nothing more.
Before parting, however, he cast a sharp glance at the maid behind Shen Qingtang.
Jinshu promptly bowed her head respectfully.
Once outside the palace gates, Shen Qingtang felt her legs go weak.
Only when the carriage had traveled some distance from the palace did she slowly let out a sigh of relief.
Initially, she had thought her newly acquired mind-reading ability was an incredible blessing.
She had even considered sharing this “good news” with the Crown Prince, thinking this ability might be of some help to her cousin.
He had always been so kind to her, and she wanted to repay him in some small way.
But she never could have imagined she would accidentally uncover such absurd thoughts in his mind…
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around her skirt, but the sudden realization that the dress she was wearing had been personally chosen by the Crown Prince made her release it hastily, wishing she could rush back to the estate and change out of it immediately.
Jinshu glanced cautiously at Shen Qingtang and asked with concern, “Did you not sleep well last night, Miss?”
Shen Qingtang looked at Jinshu, hesitating to speak.
Jinshu and Huaping had grown up with her, and both were utterly loyal. However, compared to the lively Huaping, Jinshu was more composed and steady.
That was why Shen Qingtang always preferred to bring Jinshu with her whenever she entered the palace.
Although she was the daughter of a marquis’ household, she was an adopted child. Her adoptive mother had treated her with immense kindness, but sadly, she had passed away from illness when Shen Qingtang was just seven years old.
Later, her adoptive father Chengan Hou married a stepmother, Yang Shi.
Yang Shi was polite to her, but there was no genuine affection between them.
Chengan Hou was busy with official duties and paid little attention to household matters. As long as she had food and clothing, he didn’t inquire too much.
Her elder brother Shen Zheng was kind to her, but he was five years older, and given the differences between men and women, there were many things she couldn’t comfortably discuss with him.
In the past, aside from her aunt the Empress, the people she relied on most were her Crown Prince Cousin and her fiancé, Lu Rongyu.
Now, suddenly learning of the Crown Prince’s intentions, she didn’t know who to confide in.
Jinshu was two years older than her, like an elder sister. Perhaps she would have some good advice?
Shen Qingtang took a deep breath and was about to speak to Jinshu when she suddenly overheard Jinshu’s inner thoughts.
[Miss does seem off today, but from the coming-of-age ceremony until now, nothing unusual has happened, and Miss hasn’t met any outsiders. Even when Young Master Lu wanted to speak with Miss alone, someone discreetly prevented it.]
[The Crown Prince instructed me to report Miss’s every move promptly. If I can’t even handle such a small task, I fear His Highness will be angry…]
Hearing Jinshu’s thoughts, the color drained from Shen Qingtang’s face.
Her fingers trembled uncontrollably, and she swallowed the words she had nearly spoken.
Jinshu and Huaping had grown up with her, and she had always believed they were loyal only to her.
But she never imagined Jinshu had been bribed by the Crown Prince and was secretly reporting her whereabouts to him!
She didn’t even know when this had started…
Seeing Shen Qingtang’s pale complexion, Jinshu asked worriedly, “Is Miss unwell? We really should have had the imperial physician examine you back at the palace.”
Shen Qingtang shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”
Jinshu’s eyes filled with concern. “It’s my fault for not taking better care of Miss. When we return to the Hou residence, I’ll prepare a bowl of Tranquility Soup for you. You can rest properly this afternoon. If you still feel unwell, we must call the imperial physician.”
Shen Qingtang, cherished by the Empress and the Crown Prince, had always been attended by imperial physicians whenever she felt unwell since childhood.
Jinshu’s worry and concern seemed genuine, and after so many years together, Shen Qingtang believed Jinshu wouldn’t harm her.
But from now on, she would no longer trust Jinshu.
What about Huaping?
Was Huaping also the Crown Prince’s person?
Lost in these troubled thoughts, the carriage suddenly pulled over to the side of the road.
Then, a familiar, gentle voice sounded from outside the blue satin curtain: “Tangtang.”