Her grandfather had served as the Grand Tutor under two emperors, having taught both the current emperor and the Crown Prince.
Following behind her was Qiu Heran, dressed in a plain-colored gown, with a hint of timidity in her features.
Ji Yunzhan gave a slight bow. “Greetings, sisters.”
Gu Linwan, Zhou Chenxi, and Shen Tinghe exchanged glances, a look of understanding flashing through all their eyes.
Everyone knew that she liked the Crown Prince. For his sake, she had turned down several excellent marriage proposals and remained unmarried to this day.
Yet she always pretended to be aloof and above worldly matters, constantly bringing up her grandfather’s teachings to the Crown Prince, as though she were especially close to him.
Zhou Chenxi disliked this behavior the most, so she deliberately asked loudly, “A-He was present when His Highness summoned Lord Wang. I wonder what His Highness said at the time? Why don’t you tell us so we can hear about His Highness’s benevolent heart too?”
Shen Tinghe immediately understood Zhou Chenxi’s intention. Cooperating with her, she lowered her eyes and said, “His Highness’s discussions concerning state affairs are all confidential. How could I casually repeat them to others?”
“Look at me, I said the wrong thing.” Zhou Chenxi pretended to regret her words and patted her forehead, deliberately glancing at Ji Yunzhan twice as she spoke.
The smile on Ji Yunzhan’s face froze. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around her handkerchief, and her complexion paled slightly. Much of her earlier arrogance disappeared.
She forced a smile. “You girls carry on chatting. A-Ran and I will go have a look over there.”
As Ji Yunzhan left, she cast a deep look at Shen Tinghe.
Her gaze was complicated and difficult to read. There was unwillingness, jealousy, and an extremely well-hidden trace of malice.
Shen Tinghe seemed completely unaware of the heavy gaze behind her. A faint smile rested on her lips.
That smile was not deliberate. It seemed more like a natural calmness she had been born with.
It was precisely this composure that completely ignited the anger in Ji Yunzhan’s heart.
Why?
She had sacrificed so much, carefully maneuvered at every step, and exhausted every scheme, yet all she could do was watch from afar.
Meanwhile, Shen Tinghe did not have to do anything at all. She could simply sit securely in the position of Crown Princess and enjoy unparalleled glory.
Ji Yunzhan sneered inwardly.
The Crown Prince’s inner court would not contain only one woman. When the time came, she would definitely enter the palace.
Shen Tinghe, you won’t be able to keep smiling forever.
Qiu Heran followed behind her. When she passed by Shen Tinghe and the other two, she paused for a moment and gave them a deep curtsy, her eyes filled with apology. Only then did she hurry to catch up with Ji Yunzhan.
“Still, A-Xi, you’re amazing. Just a few words and you managed to send her away,” Gu Linwan said with a laugh.
Zhou Chenxi pursed her lips. “I just can’t stand that pretentious attitude of hers. Does she really think mentioning the Grand Tutor a few times will make her closer to His Highness?”
Shen Tinghe looked in the direction the two had left and sighed softly.
“I feel sorry for Miss Qiu too.”
“Exactly.” Gu Linwan nodded.
“The Qiu family is weak. They can barely maintain their position thanks to the support of the Ji family. Qiu Heran has no choice but to follow Ji Yunzhan in everything. She’s simply caught in circumstances beyond her control.”
As they were speaking, Shen Tinghe caught sight of several elegantly dressed young ladies approaching along the path in the distance. Judging by their direction, they were clearly heading toward Chengxin Pavilion.
She rubbed her temples and stood up.
“I’m going to hide somewhere quiet on the west side for a while. Help me fend them off.”
She was now firmly established as the Crown Princess, and would one day become the Empress who ruled the inner palace. Whenever these noble young ladies saw her, they all came over to curry favor with her.
She was truly tired of dealing with such insincere socializing.
Gu Linwan and Zhou Chenxi exchanged a smile and nodded in perfect understanding.
“Go ahead. We’ve got this.”
Shen Tinghe lifted the hem of her skirt and turned toward the western side.
The wind rustled through the bamboo leaves, blocking out the laughter and commotion from the pavilion and finally allowing her to find a moment of peace.
Shen Tinghe stood beside Qinfang Lake. She closed her eyes, feeling the gentle breeze brush against the loose strands of hair by her temples.
The fresh scent of grass mingled with water lilies filled the air, temporarily dispelling some of the heaviness in her heart.
A few steps behind her stood two maidservants, Qinglan and Qingdai.
Both women stood tall and straight, their eyes sharp. Even in ordinary maidservant clothing, they could not conceal the capable bearing that came from years of training.
They had been sent by Xie Yanzhao. Officially, they were there to attend to her personally, but in reality, they were covert guards assigned to protect her safety.
At the residence, Shen Tinghe was usually attended by Qingyu and Qingxu. Whenever she went outside, however, these two women both capable of taking on ten opponents alone would inevitably accompany her.
“Miss.”
When Shen Tinghe looked at the colorful koi swimming playfully in the lake and took another small step forward, Qinglan and Qingdai spoke almost simultaneously.
Although the lake was not particularly deep, the Crown Princess’s safety was His Highness’s top priority, something he had repeatedly emphasized. There could be no room for the slightest accident.
A faint smile curved Shen Tinghe’s lips. Without turning around, she said, “Don’t worry. Do you really think I’m going to fall in?”
Qinglan and Qingdai exchanged a glance before quietly stepping forward. They positioned themselves on either side of her, forming a subtle protective stance.
The Crown Princess was His Highness’s most precious person. Nothing could be allowed to happen to her.
Just then, from behind the artificial rockery not far away came a hushed, furtive conversation.
“M-Miss, if we do this… won’t we be discovered?” a maidservant asked, her voice clearly trembling with fear.
“What are you afraid of?” another female voice replied, sharp and spiteful. “I paid a high price for that medicine. Once it gets onto the clothes, it evaporates. No one will notice a thing.”
Shen Tinghe raised an eyebrow and paused.
She recognized that voice.
It belonged to Du Yixian, the daughter of Vice Minister Du.
“That slut Ji Yunzhan! Relying on that fox-like face of hers, she not only seduced my brother, but even Brother Qinglin has been completely bewitched by her!”
“Does she really think that by pretending to be so aloof and pure, His Highness the Crown Prince will take a liking to her? Dream on! Today, I’m going to ruin her. Let’s see which man will dare marry her afterward.”
Du Yixian gave a cold snort, her tone smug.
“Ji Yunzhan has already been stripped and thrown into the room. Now go and lure Li Ke over.”
“Miss, I… I don’t dare…” The maidservant’s voice trembled.
“Useless!” Du Yixian hissed.
“Li Ke is nothing more than a low-ranking eighth-rank official. What is there to be afraid of? He’s drunk out of his mind. How could he figure anything out? All you have to do is lead him to the door and let him go inside himself. As long as the two of them are alone together in the same room, Ji Yunzhan’s reputation will be completely ruined!”
Shen Tinghe understood immediately.
It was yet another crude scheme, nothing more than an attempt to destroy a woman’s reputation and chastity.
And this time, Ji Yunzhan was the target.
Speaking of Ji Yunzhan, Shen Tinghe’s feelings were complicated.
She did not like Ji Yunzhan, but she could not simply stand by and watch another woman have her reputation destroyed. A little sympathy still stirred in her heart.
She sighed softly, turned around, and asked Qingdai, “Where is the nearest guest room around here?”
Qingdai immediately replied, “Miss, if we head east for about a hundred steps, there is an elegant private room prepared specifically for guests.”
“Then it’s probably that one.” Shen Tinghe’s eyes shifted slightly. “Let’s go take a look.”
The three of them headed toward the guest rooms on the eastern side. When they were still a few steps away from the door, Shen Tinghe stopped.
She could imagine the situation inside. Ji Yunzhan was probably in a disheveled state right now, so there was no need to let any more people see her.