Everyone turned to see Ji Yunzhan approaching with graceful steps. She wore a long dress embroidered with light green cloud patterns, her hair adorned with seven precious hairpins. Her posture was upright yet carried a hint of aloofness.
Her grandfather had served as Grand Tutor for two dynasties, having taught both the current His Majesty and the Crown Prince.
Following behind her was Qiu Heran, dressed in plain-colored garments, her eyes and brows tinged with a trace of timidity.
Ji Yunzhan gave a slight curtsy. “Sisters.”
Gu Linwan, Zhou Chenxi, and Shen Tinghe exchanged glances, a flicker of understanding passing through their eyes.
Who didn’t know of her affection for the Crown Prince? For his sake, she had turned down several favorable marriage proposals and remained unmarried to this day.
Yet she insisted on putting on an air of lofty detachment, often mentioning her grandfather’s tutelage of the Crown Prince as if to imply a special closeness between them.
Zhou Chenxi disliked this affectation the most and deliberately raised her voice to ask, “When His Highness summoned Minister Wang, A He was present. I wonder what His Highness’s exact words were? Let us also hear of His Highness’s benevolence.”
Shen Tinghe immediately understood Zhou Chenxi’s intention and cooperated by lowering her gaze. “His Highness’s words during official discussions are confidential matters. How could I casually disclose them?”
“Oh, my mistake,” Zhou Chenxi feigned regret, patting her forehead while deliberately glancing at Ji Yunzhan a few times.
The smile on Ji Yunzhan’s face stiffened. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around her handkerchief, her complexion paling slightly as her earlier arrogance faded considerably.
She forced a slight smile. “You all continue chatting. A Ran and I will go take a look over there.”
As Ji Yunzhan departed, she cast a deep glance at Shen Tinghe.
The look in her eyes was complex and difficult to decipher—filled with resentment, jealousy, and a deeply concealed malice.
Shen Tinghe seemed completely unaware of this heavy gaze. A faint smile played on her lips.
This smile was not deliberate but rather an innate serenity.
It was precisely this composure that ignited the fury in Ji Yunzhan’s heart.
Why? She had given so much, scheming step by step, calculating every move, yet could only watch from afar.
Meanwhile, Shen Tinghe, without lifting a finger, could securely assume the position of Crown Princess, enjoying unparalleled glory.
Ji Yunzhan sneered inwardly. The Crown Prince’s harem would not consist of only one person. When the time came, she would certainly enter the palace.
Shen Tinghe, you won’t keep smiling forever.
Qiu Heran followed behind her. As she passed Shen Tinghe and the other two, her steps paused slightly. She offered them a deep curtsy, her eyes filled with apology, before quickly catching up to Ji Yunzhan.
“You’re really something, A Xi. Just a few words and you shut her up,” Gu Linwan said with a laugh.
Zhou Chenxi curled her lip. “I just can’t stand her pretentious act. Does she really think mentioning the Grand Tutor a few times will bring her closer to His Highness?”
Shen Tinghe gazed in the direction the two had left and sighed softly. “It must be difficult for Miss Qiu as well.”
“Exactly,” Gu Linwan nodded. “The Qiu family is weak, barely maintaining their standing with the support of the Ji family. Qiu Heran has no choice but to follow Ji Yunzhan in everything.”
As they spoke, Shen Tinghe noticed several elegantly dressed noble ladies approaching from a distant path, heading straight toward the Clear Heart Pavilion.
She rubbed her temples and stood up. “I’ll go to the west side for some peace and quiet. Please cover for me.”
Now that she was the confirmed Crown Princess and would one day become the Empress, these noble ladies would inevitably flock to her, seeking favor and currying favor.
She was thoroughly weary of such hypocritical social niceties.
Gu Linwan and Zhou Chenxi exchanged a knowing smile and nodded in unison. “Go ahead, we’ll handle things here.”
Shen Tinghe lifted the hem of her skirt and turned, heading westward.
The rustle of bamboo leaves in the wind gradually muffled the laughter and clamor from the pavilion, finally granting her a moment of peace.
Standing by the edge of Qin Fang Lake, Shen Tinghe closed her eyes, feeling the gentle breeze brush against the stray hairs at her temples.
The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and water lilies, temporarily dispelling some of the stifling atmosphere.
A few steps behind her stood two maidservants, Qing Lan and Qing Dai.
Their postures were upright, their gazes sharp. Even dressed in ordinary servant attire, they could not conceal the seasoned efficiency born of rigorous training.
The two had been sent by Xie Yanzhao—ostensibly to attend to her personally, but in reality, they were covert guards tasked with ensuring her safety.
While within the residence, Shen Tinghe was usually cared for by Qing Yu and Qing Xu. But when she ventured outside, it was always these two young women, each capable of holding off ten adversaries, who accompanied her.
“Miss.” Seeing Shen Tinghe gazing at the koi fish frolicking in the lake and taking another small step forward, Qing Lan and Qing Dai spoke up almost simultaneously.
Though the lake was not deep, the safety of the young miss was a matter His Highness had repeatedly emphasized as of utmost importance, leaving no room for the slightest mishap.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Shen Tinghe’s lips as she replied without turning around. “Don’t worry, it’s not as if I’m going to fall in, am I?”
Qing Lan and Qing Dai exchanged a glance, then quietly stepped forward, positioning themselves on either side of her in a subtle protective stance.
The young miss was His Highness’s life; not even the slightest risk could be allowed.
At that moment, from behind a nearby rockery, came the sound of hushed, furtive conversation.
“Y-young miss, won’t we… be discovered like this?” a maidservant’s voice asked, tinged with obvious fear.
“What is there to fear?” another female voice, sharp and caustic, retorted. “That medicine cost me a fortune. Once it touches clothing, it evaporates without a trace—completely undetectable.”
Shen Tinghe raised an eyebrow and paused her steps.
She recognized that voice—it belonged to Du Yixian, the daughter of Vice Minister Du.
“That bitch Ji Yunzhan, relying on her seductive looks, not only ensnared my brother but even has Qinglin Ge utterly bewitched!”
“Does she really think putting on an act of aloofness will make the Crown Prince take notice of her? Dream on! Today, I’m going to ruin her. Let’s see which man would dare want her after this.”
Du Yixian snorted coldly, her tone triumphant. “Ji Yunzhan has already been stripped of her clothes and left in the room. Now, go and lure Li Ke over.”
“Young miss, I… I don’t dare…” The maidservant’s voice trembled.
“Useless wretch!” Du Yixian hissed in reprimand.
“What is there to fear from Li Ke? He’s just a lowly eighth-rank official, drunk and muddle-headed—what could he possibly notice? All you have to do is lead him to the door and let him enter on his own. Once they’re alone together in that room, Ji Yunzhan’s reputation will be utterly destroyed!”
Shen Tinghe understood immediately.
Another clumsy scheme, nothing more than an attempt to ruin a woman’s virtue.
And this time, the victim was Ji Yunzhan.
Thinking of Ji Yunzhan, Shen Tinghe’s feelings were somewhat complicated.
She did not like Ji Yunzhan, but witnessing a woman on the verge of having her reputation destroyed stirred a flicker of compassion within her.
She let out a soft sigh, turned around, and asked Qing Dai, “Where is the nearest guest room around here?”
Qing Dai immediately replied, “Back to you, Miss. About a hundred paces to the east, there is an elegant side room prepared specifically for guests.”
“That is most likely the place,” Shen Tinghe’s eyes flickered slightly. “Let’s go take a look.”
The three of them walked toward the guest room to the east. When they were still a few steps away from the door, Shen Tinghe halted.
She could imagine the scene inside. Ji Yunzhan was likely disheveled at the moment—it was best not to let more people see him.