Chapter 26: The Crown Prince Extends an Olive Branch

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Of late, every pair of eyes in court and country had been fixed upon the Ministry of Justice.

After all, no one had expected the matter to become entangled with affairs of the previous dynasty.

Fearing any connection with those involved, officials throughout the capital, great and small, had recently begun acting with extreme restraint, doing everything they could to avoid suspicion.

At that moment, the Crown Prince was like an ant on a hot griddle.

Ever since the roster of remnants from the previous dynasty had been discovered in the Empress’s palace, the Emperor had confined the Empress to her quarters. The Crown Prince could not even see her, much less learn what was happening on her side.

As for the Ministry of Justice, it was practically an impregnable fortress. Not a scrap of information could be extracted from it.

He was the legitimate heir and had been appointed Crown Prince at an early age. The officials of every faction ordinarily treated him with great respect, yet within the vast bureaucratic system of the Three Provinces and Six Ministries, there were very few men he could truly command—men who were genuinely loyal to him.

For one thing, he did not want the Emperor to discover that he was forming a faction for personal gain. For another, those officials had spent years navigating the treacherous waters of the court; they were all old foxes. Before the matter of the succession was settled, none of them would lightly choose a side.

As a result, amid the conflicts of the imperial court, he often found himself isolated, helpless, and in dire straits.

While he was at his wits’ end in the Eastern Palace, one of his advisers offered, “Your Highness, in my humble opinion, why not pay a visit to the Shen residence?”

The Crown Prince replied helplessly, “It is not that I have never considered it. But now that the matter concerns the previous dynasty, Shen Fengmo must also avoid suspicion. I fear he will be of little help.”

The adviser coughed twice and lowered his voice. “Your Highness, have you considered discussing the matter with the Fourth Miss Shen?”

The Crown Prince stared at him in confusion. “Discuss what with her?”

“Your Highness, did you notice nothing during the confrontation in the imperial study? This Fourth Miss Shen is surely, as that condemned servant claimed, no ordinary young lady of a noble household.

“She is so young, yet when summoned before His Majesty, she remained calm and composed, showing not the slightest trace of fear. Her words were clear and logical, every sentence well founded. She effortlessly seized upon the flaws and vulnerabilities in that condemned servant’s testimony and successfully cleared herself of suspicion. Her intelligence and quick wit are plain to see.”

“Even so, I insisted on breaking off our engagement before, and we parted on very bad terms. If I take the initiative to show her goodwill now, do you really think she will agree?”

“Your Highness, there are no eternal enemies in this world, only eternal interests. That condemned servant was determined to drag her down with him that day. How could she not hate him to the bone?

“She, too, will surely wish to uncover who tried to frame her. Then she and Your Highness will share a common enemy. If the two of you join forces to expose the person behind all this, she can clear her name, while Your Highness can resolve the crisis facing Her Majesty the Empress.”

The Crown Prince said doubtfully, “Does she truly possess such ability?”

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The adviser hurriedly replied, “Your Highness, you might as well give it a try. If she truly has such ability, it can only benefit you. After all, your engagement still stands. A woman so intelligent is worth taking into your fold, even if she comes with a measure of suspicion.”

The Crown Prince pondered this.

He had never held much affection for Shen Ningshuang, which was why he had given little thought to the consequences when he broke off the engagement.

Now, asking him to set aside his pride and bow his head to Shen Ningshuang was something he was wholly unwilling to do.

But their interests were now intertwined, and the situation was critical. If he continued to quibble over trivial matters of romantic sentiment, he would only appear narrow-minded.

After much hesitation, the Crown Prince finally made up his mind. “Very well. Let us pay a visit to the Shen residence.”

When Shen Wan heard that the Crown Prince had arrived, her heart surged with excitement. Unable to restrain herself, and paying no heed to her usual decorum, she hurried toward the front courtyard, only to find Shen Fengmo welcoming the Crown Prince into the residence.

Seeing her breathless appearance, Shen Fengmo said displeasedly, “What are you doing here?”

She answered with a pitiful expression, “Father, there are a few things I wish to say to His Highness.”

The Crown Prince was clearly no longer as warm toward her as he once had been. “Second Miss Shen, I have important business today. Whatever you wish to say can wait until another day.”

Shen Wan was stunned. She stared at him in disbelief.

What had he called her? Second Miss Shen?

Her eyes immediately reddened, and tears began to glisten in them. With a voice full of tangled emotion, she called, “Your Highness, you...”

The Crown Prince was already anxious enough as it was. He had no time to coax her, yet neither did he wish to hurt her too deeply. Softening his tone, he said gently, “You have always been obedient and sensible, and you know how to distinguish what is urgent from what is not. I have matters to attend to now. We can speak another day. Go back and rest, and do not let yourself catch a chill.”

With that, he followed Shen Fengmo toward Shen Ningshuang’s courtyard.

Shen Ningshuang was still confined to the Shen residence, under the supervision of people from the palace. Given the Crown Prince’s status, however, seeing her was not difficult.

Although Shen Ningshuang was somewhat surprised by his arrival, she was not particularly astonished.

Her quarters were spacious and bright. A finely crafted screen stood between the couch and the outer room. Seated at the table, the Crown Prince watched her brew tea with graceful familiarity. Her movements were elegant, her figure alluring, and he found his thoughts wandering despite himself.

The room did not appear luxurious, yet every detail revealed refined taste. Most striking of all was the delicate fragrance that seemed to permeate the air. It was unlike any ordinary incense, yet it left one feeling refreshed, tranquil, and exceptionally comfortable.

The Crown Prince had to admit that Shen Ningshuang’s beauty was unquestionably among the finest in the capital’s circle of noble ladies. Yet she herself was like the fragrance floating through the room—pure, fresh, and untouched by worldly dust. Unlike other women, she did not pout or indulge in coquettish complaints.

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Perhaps for precisely that reason, a woman like her was unlikely to make a man’s heart race at first sight.

A pair of jade-like hands placed a teacup before the Crown Prince, and Shen Ningshuang sat down across from him.

“May I ask what brings Your Highness here today?”

The Crown Prince let out a soft sigh. “Fourth Miss, breaking off our engagement did indeed cause you considerable grievance, but I truly had no choice.”

He shook his head slightly, putting on an expression of helplessness. “The affairs of court are as treacherous as shifting clouds. Though I am the Crown Prince, I fear my position is far from secure. As for this engagement...”

“Your Highness.” Shen Ningshuang interrupted his explanation. “I understand that your circumstances are difficult. There is no need to blame yourself further over the engagement.”

The Crown Prince was taken aback for a moment, then said, “In the past, I thought you lived secluded within the inner chambers and knew nothing of the dangers of court. But now I see that Fourth Miss’s intelligence is beyond the reach of most men. I have come today because I wish to discuss certain matters with you.”

“Are you referring to the recent affair concerning the remnants of the previous dynasty? I have heard that His Majesty was enraged and confined Her Majesty the Empress to the inner palace. Since mother and son share such deep affection, Your Highness must be deeply worried as well.”

A hint of admiration flashed through the Crown Prince’s eyes. “Precisely. Fourth Miss is indeed wise.”

“Then have you come today because you believe I might be able to help?”

The corners of the Crown Prince’s lips lifted into a meaningful smile. “Fourth Miss, let us speak frankly...”

Their discussion did not last long. About the time it took to finish a cup of tea, Shen Ningshuang personally escorted the Crown Prince out.

From a short distance away, Shen Wan watched the two of them chatting and laughing. Before leaving, the Crown Prince even patted Shen Ningshuang affectionately on the shoulder.

She clenched her handkerchief, her expression twisting.

A moment later, her eyes shifted, as though she had made some decision.

Shen Ningshuang glanced in her direction, then looked once more at the Crown Prince’s departing figure.

Since you both insist on courting death, I may as well send you on your way.