Chapter 15: She Has Too Many Secrets
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Shen Ningshuang took a step back. She did not wish to anger him or make things difficult at this moment; the timing was simply not right, and such actions would bring her no benefit. She had been too impatient.
“Thank you for your time today. However, if Your Highness changes your mind, you may come find me at any time.”
With that, she turned, leapt onto the beam above the room, and vanished. Only when her presence completely faded did Leng Yichen breathe a sigh of relief. This girl’s strength was truly unfathomable—not only agile but also adept at reading people’s hearts.
Her daring to appear alone in his study today—was it proof she had enough confidence to believe she wouldn’t die by his hand?
“Ye Feng!”
Ye Feng, standing not far from the study, hurried inside at his summons. He glanced around carefully—no one else was there—but still caught the faint scent of rouge lingering in the air.
Ignoring Ye Feng’s gaze, Leng Yichen asked, “What have you found out about Shen Ningshuang so far?”
Ye Feng hesitated. “It’s difficult to gather information about ladies of the inner chambers. This young lady is especially elusive; whether at grand palace banquets or small gatherings among close friends, she is rarely seen.
“However, a servant from the Shen estate mentioned that Shen Fengmo once doted on this daughter, but a few years ago, after a fierce quarrel between father and daughter, their relationship grew distant. Even the bond between Shen Muyun and Shen Fengmo became strained.”
A quarrel?
Leng Yichen pondered deeply. From Shen Ningshuang’s earlier demeanor, it was clear she wished to avoid mentioning Shen Fengmo. Shen Fengmo had only one legitimate son and one daughter—what could have driven such a rift?
Only those involved would truly know.
“What about Yuhua Pavilion?”
“Yuhua Pavilion’s background is clean, purely a commercial establishment. But at some unknown point, their staff began increasing, and the auctioned items became rarer and more unusual. I conclude their wealth must be enormous.”
“To run such a shop at the foot of the Imperial City, there must be powerful backers. Have you found out who?”
Ye Feng shook his head. “Over the years, many have tried to trouble Yuhua Pavilion, but they have all mysteriously avoided harm. Even their upper echelons have rarely seen the true master.”
“I recall you mentioning someone in the mansion might have ties to Yuhua Pavilion?”
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Ye Feng’s expression grew puzzled. “Indeed, but this person is not only highly capable but also extremely loyal to Your Highness. I would stake my life on it.
“Although he worked at Yuhua Pavilion before entering the mansion, that alone doesn’t prove he is their spy. Besides, as a mere shop, Yuhua Pavilion would gain little from monitoring the mansion—and such actions would risk exposure.”
Leng Yichen massaged his temples. The more he investigated, the more tangled the questions became.
“Do you suspect a connection between the Shen family and Yuhua Pavilion?”
He shook his head.
Not the Shen family—Shen Ningshuang herself. He even entertained the wild thought that she might be the true mastermind behind Yuhua Pavilion, but such an idea was absurd. That girl defied all conventional reasoning.
He waved Ye Feng away and sat alone in the study chair.
No matter how vast the mansion was, his world was confined within this small study.
He was accustomed to solitude; the outside world’s bustle seemed forever irrelevant to him.
To others, he was of noble birth, able to have whatever he desired.
But he felt he had been superfluous from birth.
He was the twelfth prince of the late emperor—twelfth, indeed. With so many sons, even the royal family would hardly cherish him.
His mother died while still favored, so the late emperor had some regrets, paying more attention to his youngest son.
Yet even that little affection sparked jealousy. From childhood, many harbored ill intentions toward him, seeking to harm him.
Gradually, he withdrew from others.
To protect himself, he trudged painfully along a thorny path, striving to grow stronger.
Step by step, he fought bloodily on the battlefield, earning military merits through countless life-and-death struggles.
He understood only with sufficient strength could he deter those who wished him harm and carve out a sliver of survival in the ruthless palace intrigues.
It was said the late emperor, on his deathbed, specifically instructed the current emperor to care for him well. To honor this, the current emperor must bestow him greater favor.
Yet how could his brother not be wary of him, especially as his prestige and influence grew?
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He had thought of how to keep himself safe, but the current emperor left him no escape.
He did not know whether Shen Ningshuang was testing him. If she sought a way out, he was hardly the best choice.
He was a prince; to advance further, the only path seemed to be rebellion—a road stained with blood and slaughter.
Would Shen Ningshuang abandon so many safe options to walk such a path with him?
He shook his head silently.
In this world rife with schemes, he had long decided no one was truly trustworthy. He could only sink alone into the abyss of solitude.
Three days later, the Flower Viewing Banquet arrived as scheduled.
Hosted annually by the Empress, the banquet was a grand event eagerly anticipated by all. Its scale and splendor made it the highlight of the Imperial City.
Yet this year was different. The matter of the black-clad men remained unresolved, and the lurking danger cast a gloomy shadow, forcing the event to be held with restraint.
The carriage rocked gently along the road. Inside, Shen Ningshuang’s eyes were half-closed, drowsy. At the other end, Shen Wan sat motionless.
Being of secondary birth, she technically should not attend, but through connections with the Crown Prince, she brazenly tagged along.
If Shen Muyun were present, Shen Ningshuang would have avoided sharing a carriage with her. Shen Wan’s cautious demeanor suggested she feared being bullied.
Speaking of Shen Muyun, he had recently been left in the military camp by Shen Fengmo.
Though the father-son relationship was complicated, as the only legitimate son of the Shen family, Shen Muyun bore the heavy burden of inheriting the family’s legacy. He often stayed in the camp for ten days or more, sometimes a month without returning home.
Had Shen Muyun been at the mansion, Shen Ningshuang would not have risked climbing into Leng Yichen’s study in the dead of night.
Recalling that night’s experience, a wave of frustration rose within her.
When would Leng Yichen finally understand her intentions?
Lost in her thoughts, the carriage slowed to a stop.
Shen Ningshuang inhaled deeply, straightened her clothes, retrieved the invitation, and stepped down.
Servants awaited nearby, respectfully guiding her toward the Imperial Garden.
Within the garden, blossoms bloomed in vibrant hues, vying for beauty as if in a silent pageant.
A gentle breeze carried the overwhelming fragrance, nearly drowning the senses.