Shen Qingtang’s heart sank slightly as she gently reminded, “Cousin, I often enter the palace to accompany the Empress, so I understand palace life better than anyone.”
“Though it appears glorious and prosperous on the surface, the hidden schemes and lack of freedom make it hundreds of times more difficult than life outside,” she continued sincerely. “With your gentle nature, cousin, you’re truly unsuited for such a place. It would be better to find someone who genuinely cares for you. Even an ordinary noble family where you can live in mutual respect and peace would be preferable to constant fear and worry.”
Ding Ru Shan’s body visibly stiffened, her fingers tightening around her handkerchief.
After a long pause, she whispered, “I… I know you mean well, Tang Meimei.”
“But my mother says even ordinary households have multiple wives and concubines, inevitably leading to competition. Since we must compete anyway… why not aim for the most esteemed man in the world? At least winning there would bring lifelong honor and favor.”
Hearing this, Shen Qingtang found it difficult to persuade further, and the room fell into silence.
After a while, Ding Ru Shan spoke softly, “Tang Meimei, I’ve never asked anything of you before. I just… just want to see His Highness, even if only to exchange a few words.”
“His Highness treats you like a younger sister. If there’s an opportunity during this time, could you arrange for me to meet him? If he truly shows no interest in me, I won’t persist and will never trouble you about this again.”
Had this been before today, Shen Qingtang likely wouldn’t have refused her familiar cousin’s earnest request.
After all, it would merely involve arranging a meeting between Ding Ru Shan and the Crown Prince Cousin—a simple favor for her, and she wouldn’t get involved in whatever followed.
But now, when she was actively avoiding the Crown Prince, how could she possibly take the initiative to bring Ding Ru Shan to see him?
Shen Qingtang pressed her lips together and said quietly, “Cousin, it’s not that I don’t want to help you. But the Crown Prince isn’t my actual cousin, and it’s really not appropriate for me to interfere in his selection of a consort…”
Ding Ru Shan responded awkwardly, “No, it’s alright… Tang Meimei, don’t feel pressured.”
“Actually, I never had such grand ambitions before. It’s just that my mother suddenly conceived this idea this year and has been constantly mentioning it to me, so I…”
She looked at Shen Qingtang and took her hand, “Please pretend I never brought this up. Let’s remain as close as before, and don’t let this create distance between us.”
Shen Qingtang nodded, “Of course, cousin. I only hope you won’t blame me for being unable to help.”
They changed the subject, casually discussing other matters like the popular cosmetics and dress styles in the capital recently.
Noticing Shen Qingtang’s low spirits and tired appearance, Ding Ru Shan didn’t stay long before leaving.
During dinner time.
Shen Qingtang sat at the table, gazing at the exquisite dishes spread before her without any appetite.
Jinshu pulled Huaping aside to the outer room and worriedly said, “What’s wrong with the young lady today? Why has she been so despondent and refusing to eat? How can this continue?”
Huaping looked equally puzzled, “I don’t know either. When the young lady went out this morning, she seemed perfectly happy. Could something have happened in the palace?”
Jinshu shook her head, carefully reviewing the day’s events, “Nothing particularly unusual occurred…”
After the young lady entered the palace, she continued to act coquettishly toward the Empress as before. However, the Empress was preoccupied with trivial matters of the harem and left for Shoukang Palace before finishing her morning meal.
Later, the young lady was reading in Kunning Palace until…
Jinshu’s brow twitched. If one were to ask when the young lady started acting strangely, it was after meeting the Crown Prince!
Yet, when the young lady first saw the Crown Prince, she had clearly been very happy.
What could have happened for the young lady’s attitude toward His Highness to change so suddenly?
Could it be… that the young lady has discovered His Highness’s feelings for her?
But Jinshu quickly dismissed this thought.
In her view, the Crown Prince’s demeanor today was no different from before. The young lady was innocent by nature, still somewhat childlike—how could she have suddenly noticed something amiss without reason?
The young lady had distanced herself from the Crown Prince several times today, and His Highness was clearly displeased, though he restrained himself from showing it.
Although the young lady claimed she hadn’t slept well last night, she had napped at noon…
As she pondered, Shen Qingtang suddenly said, “Take the food away. I’m not hungry.”
Jinshu hurried in and saw that the food on the table remained untouched. Worried, she asked, “Young Lady, is the food not to your liking? What would you like to eat? This servant will have the chef prepare something else.”
Shen Qingtang shook her head. “No, I’m just not hungry.”
Jinshu sighed and instructed the maids to clear the table.
Shen Qingtang picked up a book and leaned against the beauty couch by the window, flipping through it idly, but her mind was far from the pages.
Before long, the voice of the mansion’s chef echoed from outside the courtyard.
The chef stood at the doorway and anxiously said to Jinshu, “Miss Jinshu, was there something wrong with the food I prepared today? Why didn’t the young lady take a single bite?”
Jinshu shook her head and whispered, “The young lady has no appetite now, but we can’t let her go hungry. Make sure the kitchen keeps someone on duty tonight. If the young lady gets hungry late at night, you must prepare food immediately.”
The chef nodded hastily. “Don’t worry, Miss Jinshu. I’ve freshly cooked the Jade Chicken Shreds Congee that the young lady loves, and the Ginseng Black Chicken Soup is still simmering in the kitchen. We can deliver it as soon as the young lady wants to eat!”
He added with a troubled expression, “I’m just afraid the young lady might harm her health by not eating. I truly cannot bear such responsibility.”
Through the window, Shen Qingtang clearly overheard the chef’s anxious thoughts:
[The Crown Prince paid a hefty sum to poach me from Deyuelou just because the young lady enjoys my cooking. Although His Highness is generous and I earn more in a month at the Marquis’s residence than I did in a year at the restaurant, this silver isn’t easy to come by.]
[If the young lady loses her appetite because of my cooking, the Crown Prince will never let me off!]
Hearing this, Shen Qingtang irritably tossed the storybook aside.
She hadn’t known before that the chef had also been hired by the Crown Prince.
She used to think her Crown Prince Cousin was merely attentive and caring in every way, but only today did she realize how controlling he was—even meddling in what she ate for her three daily meals.
If it were just a brother’s affection for his younger sister, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but unfortunately…
Huaping, standing nearby, cautiously asked, “What’s wrong, Young Lady? Is the storybook not good? Should this servant fetch you another one?”
Shen Qingtang didn’t want her bad mood to disturb everyone in the courtyard.
“It’s nothing. I’m a little hungry now. Have the kitchen bring a bowl of Jade Chicken Shreds Congee.”
Hearing that Shen Qingtang was finally willing to eat, Huaping immediately brightened up. “Would you like anything else, Young Lady? The chefs can prepare it right away!”
Shen Qingtang shook her head. “Something light is fine for the evening.”
Huaping nodded. “You’re right, Young Lady. Eating greasy food at night can cause indigestion. This servant will go and give the order right away!”
Outside the door, the chef, upon learning that Shen Qingtang was finally willing to eat, breathed a sigh of relief and quickly left with profuse gratitude.