Although Yang Shi and Madam Ding were detestable, their thoughts remained unspoken, and Shen Qingtang couldn’t openly confront them over mere intentions.
Yet, Shen Qingtang had no desire to linger and exchange pleasantries. Using fatigue from a sleepless night as an excuse, she retreated directly to Fangfei Courtyard to rest.
Upon returning to Fangfei Courtyard, she happened upon Jinshu carrying a bowl of Tranquility Soup.
But now, Shen Qingtang had even less appetite than before. Her white porcelain spoon stirred the Tranquility Soup absently, yet she took not a single sip.
Noticing Shen Qingtang’s distracted state, Jinshu quietly asked Huaping, “What’s the matter with Miss?”
Huaping whispered, “Earlier at Yulan Hall, Madam Ding expressed her wish for her niece to enter the Eastern Palace and hoped Miss could arrange a meeting between Ding Ru Shan and the Crown Prince.”
Jinshu was startled and quickly glanced at Shen Qingtang, lowering her voice to ask, “Miss didn’t agree, did she?”
Huaping shook her head. “How could an unmarried young lady like Miss involve herself in such matters?”
“Besides, Miss knows her limits. She would never presume upon the Empress and Crown Prince’s favor to overstep.”
Jinshu let out a long sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
[Thank goodness Miss didn’t agree. If the Crown Prince found out, who knows how furious he would be!]
She cast a worried look at Shen Qingtang. [Miss is so innocent—how could she know the Crown Prince behaves entirely differently around her compared to others!]
[His Highness is still restraining his feelings only because Miss’s marriage to Young Master Lu is delayed for at least two more years, and Miss remains unaware of his affections. His Highness cherishes her and doesn’t wish to startle her. But if Miss were to truly provoke him, who knows what might happen…]
Shen Qingtang’s mind was in turmoil, unable to bear listening any longer. She tossed the spoon into the bowl with a clatter.
The sharp “clang” echoed jarringly in the quiet room.
She stood up, her voice tinged with unmistakable weariness. “You may leave now. I wish to rest alone for a while.”
Jinshu hurried forward, gently persuading, “Miss, it’s already noon. Why not have lunch before resting? The small kitchen is still keeping warm your favorite Jade Chicken Shreds Congee.”
“I’m not hungry.” Shen Qingtang’s tone was flat. Without another glance at them, she walked straight to the Black Rosewood Canopy Bed in the inner chamber.
Huaping and Jinshu exchanged uneasy looks, both sensing her unusual mood but not daring to press further. They curtsied and withdrew softly, carefully closing the door behind them.
Shen Qingtang lay on her side on the bed, her back to the door, the brocade quilt pulled up to her chest, yet sleep eluded her completely.
Her gaze fell upon the embroidered crabapple flowers on the bed curtains, but her eyes drifted vacantly into emptiness as memories spun through her mind like a revolving lantern.
Years ago, her adoptive mother, Wen Shi, had gone to a temple to pray for her deceased biological daughter. On her return, she unexpectedly found the infant Shen Qingtang, barely alive, swaddled outside the temple gates.
Wen Shi held her and wept half the night, claiming this was her daughter reincarnated and returned to seek her. She then brought Shen Qingtang back to the Marquis’s estate, cherishing her as dearly as her own eyes.
Wen Shi was the Empress’s younger sister, and the two shared an exceptionally close bond. Initially, the Empress had been deeply distressed seeing her sister grieve the loss of her child. After Wen Shi adopted Shen Qingtang, her spirits gradually improved.
Moreover, Shen Qingtang had been adorable and charming since childhood, so the Empress loved her for her mother’s sake and doted on this niece dearly.
Later, when Wen Shi passed away from illness, she pleaded with the Empress on her deathbed to take good care of her daughter. The Empress, who already adored Shen Qingtang and was honoring her sister’s dying wish, readily agreed and henceforth paid even closer attention to Shen Qingtang.
Although An Cheng Hou was stern by nature, he treated Shen Qingtang no differently from his own two biological sons.
Although Yang Shi was not deeply affectionate with Shen Qingtang, they at least maintained a harmonious facade, and she never made things difficult for her.
Eldest brother Shen Zheng, following their mother Wen Shi’s instructions, had always been very protective of his younger sister Shen Qingtang.
Yang Shi’s son Shen Ming, though a bit mischievous, had become much more disciplined and well-behaved in the two years since he began studying at Qingyun Academy.
Her fiancé Lu Rongyu had been considerate and caring toward her since childhood…
She also had two loyal maids, Jinshu and Huaping, by her side.
In the past, Shen Qingtang always felt she was the happiest person in the world, cherished and protected by so many, with nothing to worry about in this lifetime.
But today, that perception was like a porcelain bowl suddenly shattered, broken beyond repair.
Shen Qingtang pressed her cheek against the cool pillow, tears silently streaming down her face…
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the window lattice when light, unhurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
Jinshu entered quietly and spoke softly through the bed curtains, “Miss, are you awake? Your cousin has come to see you. Would you like to meet her?”
“If you don’t wish to see her, this servant will send her away.”
Shen Qingtang hadn’t been asleep to begin with, her voice slightly hoarse: “Let my cousin in.”
Shortly after, Ding Ru Shan entered carrying a gold-traced food box.
“Tangtang, I heard from the maids that you didn’t eat lunch,” she said, placing the food box on the table and opening it to reveal a white porcelain stew pot inside.
“Thinking you might have no appetite, I specially went to the small kitchen to prepare bird’s nest with rock sugar. Have some while it’s warm.”
Shen Qingtang came to sit at the table, accepted the stew pot, and forced a faint smile: “Thank you, cousin. I just didn’t sleep well last night. I took a nap just now and feel much better.”
Then she looked toward Jinshu and Huaping standing nearby, “My cousin and I have some private matters to discuss. Please wait outside.”
The maids acknowledged and withdrew, the door closing gently behind them.
Ding Ru Shan looked at Shen Qingtang, sighed first, and said apologetically, “Tangtang, my mother’s words earlier must have put you in an awkward position. Please don’t take it to heart. She’s just too anxious about my marriage prospects and momentarily overstepped.”
She lowered her head, her voice growing softer: “Actually, I know my place. Although my family serves as officials, we’re far inferior to the capital’s nobility. My looks and talents are merely average—how could I possibly catch the Crown Prince’s eye…”
“Then what are your own thoughts, cousin?” Shen Qingtang’s gaze rested on her face. “Do you truly wish to enter the Eastern Palace?”
Ding Ru Shan’s cheeks instantly flushed red. She twisted her handkerchief between her fingers, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum: “I… I don’t know either. A woman’s marriage has always been decided by parental orders and matchmakers’ words. I’ve always followed my parents’ arrangements.”
But Shen Qingtang clearly heard her inner thoughts.
In truth, Ding Ru Shan had seen the Crown Prince before.
Ding Ru Shan stayed at the Marquis’s residence for short visits every year, and Xiao Chengyu often came to see Shen Qingtang—sometimes bringing her favorite snacks, other times with novel trinkets.
She had glimpsed him from a distance a few times. The man carried an air of noble elegance, so handsome it was almost blinding.
Occasionally, she happened to be with Shen Qingtang and took the opportunity to curtsy and greet the Crown Prince. Unfortunately, his eyes were only for her cousin, his gaze never once lingering on her.
Yet Ding Ru Shan couldn’t help thinking: [The Crown Prince is so extraordinarily handsome. What immense fortune it would be to become his Liangdi. And… what if His Highness sees my virtues and truly grows fond of me?]