Chapter One: Unworthy to Be Crown Princess

Shen Residence in the capital was imposing, its vermilion gates towering, its carved beams and painted rafters exuding the grandeur accumulated over generations of nobility.

Inside, Shen Ningshuang, the legitimate daughter of the Shen family, stood quietly before her dressing table. Her moon-white brocade dress accentuated her slender, graceful figure, her back straight as a jade statue carved from frost.

Outside, a young woman in pale blue garments knelt awkwardly on the ground. She had been there so long her body seemed on the verge of collapse.

Shen Ningshuang’s maid glanced at the figure outside, then stepped forward to whisper, “Fourth Miss, Second Miss has already been kneeling for nearly half an hour. Should we...?”

Shen Ningshuang’s voice was as cold as ice. “She’s not kneeling for my sake.”

“But if the Master hears of this, he’ll blame you for lacking sisterly affection, accusing you of bullying your half-sister and ruining your reputation.”

Annoyance flickered across Shen Ningshuang’s expression, but she nonetheless stepped lightly to the intricately carved corridor.

As soon as Shen Wan, the one kneeling, saw her, her eyes filled with tears, and she spoke in a pitiful, trembling voice, “Fourth Sister, His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to break off the engagement. I know you must feel aggrieved, but you are the legitimate daughter, noble beyond compare. Even if this marriage is dissolved, your future prospects will never be lacking. But I am of humble birth, and it is rare that His Highness and I are truly devoted to each other. I beg you to let us be together.”

She wiped her tears delicately as she finished.

A cold, mocking smile played on Shen Ningshuang’s lips.

Since the day she was born, the Imperial Astrologer had proclaimed, “This daughter’s destiny is illustrious, perhaps fit to marry into the Eastern Palace.” While still an infant, she had been adorned with the “Crown Princess” title—coveted by others and regarded as a symbol of fortune by all in the Shen household and throughout the capital.

Yet, not long before, the Crown Prince had announced his intent to break off this marriage and instead wed Shen Wan, her half-sister.

The news quickly became the talk of the city; the once-envied Crown Princess was cast down from her pedestal, becoming the laughingstock of all.

“Second Sister, why don’t you tell me exactly how you and the Crown Prince became ‘devoted to one another’?”

Shen Wan shrank back slightly. Although their kingdom was relatively open-minded, an unmarried woman forming an attachment with a man without her parents’ consent was still enough to draw censure.

“It was at the last banquet at the Chen estate. I happened to meet His Highness, and then...” Shen Wan faltered, her voice growing fainter.

“I see. No wonder Father always says you have a gentle and likable nature. In my opinion, your looks are also exceptional—how else could you captivate the Crown Prince at first sight?” Shen Ningshuang’s words dripped with sarcasm, each one a needle.

“I’ve long heard the Fourth Miss of the Shen family is formidable. Clearly you’re the one at fault, yet you’re so sharp-tongued, making things difficult for others. It seems the rumors are true.”

Shen Ningshuang looked over to see the Crown Prince himself. He stood there in a bright yellow brocade robe and jade crown, supposed to be full of youthful vigor, yet his eyes held a hint of malice.

His gaze toward Shen Ningshuang was even darker.

She offered a cool, indifferent salute. “Your Highness.”

With her protector present, Shen Wan’s tears fell even harder. She swayed as if about to collapse.

The Crown Prince hurried forward to support her gently. “Wan’er, are you all right?”

Softly, Shen Wan replied, “Your Highness, it’s all my fault. I know I’m unworthy of you, yet I couldn’t help but admire you. Who knew it would anger my fourth sister? It’s all my fault, please don’t blame her.”

The Crown Prince snorted coldly. “How kind of you, still pleading for her after kneeling so long. Has she shown a shred of sisterly affection? Fourth Miss Shen, you do have a heart of stone.”

He spoke with deliberate volume, ensuring those nearby could not help but turn their heads.

Shen Ningshuang met his gaze, her eyes icy. “Your Highness is well informed. My second sister has only been kneeling here half an hour, and already you know? Are you perhaps personally keeping watch at my residence? Such attention to trivialities truly flatters me.”

Every word was laced with hidden barbs.

The Crown Prince’s face darkened further. To his mind, as the heir apparent, marrying him was Shen Ningshuang’s greatest fortune. Now that he wished to end the engagement, she should be begging him in tears. Yet this woman stood before him calm and unruffled, unsettling him deeply.

“Shen Ningshuang, our betrothal was never my wish. And what do you have to compare with Wan’er? She is gentle and understanding, while you bully your half-sister and lack all propriety. How could you be fit to be Crown Princess?”

“Then in your view, Your Highness, I should swallow my grievances and gracefully bless you and my second sister’s ‘romance’?”

The Crown Prince was momentarily speechless—he was, after all, in the wrong. But so what?

“Shen Ningshuang, don’t mistake kindness for weakness! Treating Wan’er like this and defying your betters—today I will—”

Before he could finish, a clear male voice rang out from the courtyard entrance. “Your Highness, mind your words. The matter of dissolving this engagement has yet to receive the emperor’s decree. My fourth sister is still the betrothed Crown Princess by imperial command. To insult her in public and favor another—would His Majesty approve of such conduct?”

The newcomer, dressed in moon-white robes, carried an air of elegance. It was Shen Ningshuang’s elder brother, the legitimate son of the Shen family, Shen Muyun.

The Crown Prince’s breath caught. Accustomed to deference, he was unprepared for such open rebuke. Though furious, the thought of imperial authority kept him silent, his fists clenched in his sleeves, knuckles white.

Sensing the shift, Shen Wan quickly tugged at the Crown Prince’s sleeve, her voice soft and coaxing. “Your Highness, don’t quarrel with Fourth Sister. This is all my fault for causing such trouble. Let’s go...”

Tears welled in her eyes once more, making her look even more pitiable.

The Crown Prince’s face was as dark as water. “Shen Ningshuang, don’t be too pleased with yourself. The emperor will surely heed my wishes. How long do you think you can keep the title of Crown Princess?”

Shen Ningshuang merely laughed, her amusement full of scorn.

“If Your Highness is so confident, I shall await the imperial edict for the dissolution of our engagement.”

With a final cold snort, the Crown Prince turned and left, leaving Shen Wan awkwardly behind.

Shen Muyun approached, looking at Shen Wan. “It was the Crown Prince’s decision to break off the engagement. Second Sister, kneeling in Fourth Sister’s courtyard—was it only to make things difficult for her?”

Shen Wan seemed fearful of him and murmured, “Brother, I did not mean to trouble Fourth Sister...”

Shen Muyun’s gaze, though not cold, was unmistakably distant. “If that’s the case, you’d best get up. I have urgent matters to discuss with Fourth Sister and cannot host you for tea today.”

He then turned gentle eyes on Shen Ningshuang, his tone soft as water. “Sister, the carriage is ready. Let’s be off.”

His gaze was full of affection, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor.