Chapter 19: Is the Prince Jealous?-Quando a concubina diz que eu não mereço? A filha legítima renascida, abalando a corte e conquistando o posto de fênix(Chuva intensa)

As the two walked near a rockery, faint voices drifted toward them. Shen Ning-shuang became instantly alert. She made a quiet "shush" gesture to Leng Zhao-wen, then leaned her ear against the rock to listen intently.

"There, Wan-er. What the Empress did today was merely to test her, not out of any genuine affection. Do not let it weigh on your heart." A man’s voice spoke first, filled with reassurance.

"Your Highness, it is not that I am sad, but I worry that I am too ordinary, and my status too lowly, that I truly cannot catch Her Majesty’s eye." Shen Wan’s voice was laced with grievance and inferiority; the bitterness in her tone seemed ready to overflow.

"Rest assured, I have already found a way regarding our betrothal. I have also discussed it with General Shen. As long as you are registered under your stepmother’s name, you will hold the status of a legitimate daughter, and then you may marry into the Eastern Palace with grandeur."

Shen Wan’s tone turned instantly excited, filled with irrepressible joy: "Truly? Your Highness is not deceiving me?"

"When have I ever deceived you?"

"Your Highness, poor Wan-er has always been lonely and helpless. To receive such favor from you now—even if it is but a fraction—is a joy I shall never regret in this life."

Following this, there came the low, intimate whispers of two lovers pouring out their hearts, occasionally punctuated by rustling sounds, appearing exceptionally suggestive in the quiet corner of the garden.

Shen Ning-shuang’s face darkened, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists. Shen Feng-mo had actually agreed to give Shen Wan the status of a legitimate daughter? It had to be said, it was a clever plan, but had Shen Feng-mo considered her mother’s feelings at all?

Years ago, Shen Ning-shuang’s parents had fallen in love at first sight and soon became husband and wife. Shen Feng-mo had even promised her mother a life of devotion to her alone. Alas, love is a fragile thing, and so-called promises can drift away on the wind at any moment.

Not long after her mother gave birth to their two children, Shen Feng-mo brought home three girls, claiming they were born to a woman he had kept hidden from the family. Now that the woman had passed away, he claimed he could not let his bloodline wander, and had no choice but to bring them into the manor. This sudden turn of events hit her mother’s loving heart like a bolt of lightning. The sweet past turned into a mocking joke in an instant.

They had argued and fought more times than could be counted. After countless cycles of disappointment and pain, her mother finally lost all hope. She resolutely left the Shen estate to practice Buddhism in a temple, cutting off all worldly ties and refusing to be involved in the trifles of this world ever again. And now, not only had Shen Feng-mo broken his oath and shattered her mother’s heart, but he intended to have Shen Wan adopted under her mother’s name?

Sensing her emotional turbulence, Leng Zhao-wen tugged at her hand, his eyes filled with concern and worry, silently urging her not to sink too deeply into sorrow and anger. Shen Ning-shuang took a deep breath and led Leng Zhao-wen away.

Upon returning to the banquet, Shen Ning-shuang’s expression remained grim. Though she tried her best to conceal it, her tightly pressed lips and slightly trembling fingertips betrayed her. Leng Zhao-wen leaned in discreetly and whispered, "Shuang-er, do not make yourself ill with anger. There are many eyes here; you must not lose your composure."

Shen Ning-shuang nodded slightly, taking another breath to suppress the rising fury in her heart. Shen Wan and the Crown Prince had returned to their seats at some point. Shen Wan’s gaze drifted toward Shen Ning-shuang intentionally, her triumph undisguised.

The Empress sat at the head of the table, whispering with the imperial concubines. Her gaze fell inadvertently upon the returning Shen Ning-shuang and Leng Zhao-wen, and a flicker of subtle suspicion crossed her eyes. What had those two been doing? Why had they been gone so long?

Could it be that Leng Zhao-wen had taken a fancy to the fourth daughter of the Shen family? The thought flashed through the Empress’s mind, setting off alarm bells in her heart. This was no good for her. Although Leng Zhao-wen had been raised by her side, he was not her own flesh and blood, and there was an inevitable sense of distance. If he sought to lean on the great tree that was the Shen family, did it mean he had designs on the throne? If that were true, he would surely become a major threat.

She cast a subtle look toward the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince understood immediately and gave her a reassuring gesture. He would watch Leng Zhao-wen’s every move, ensuring no threat to his position remained.

The banquet continued in a seemingly harmonious atmosphere, with the noblewomen beginning a new round of competitions in poetry and song, but Shen Ning-shuang had no heart to participate. Her gaze wandered, and she noticed that Leng Yi-chen’s seat had been empty for quite some time.

Before long, as the banquet drew to a close, the guests rose to take their leave. Shen Ning-shuang hurried toward the exit, with Leng Zhao-wen following closely behind, whispering, "Shuang-er, I shall escort you back to your manor."

Shen Ning-shuang nodded. Just as they stepped out of the palace gates, before they could board the carriage, a black shadow flickered like a ghost. Leng Yi-chen stood firmly in their path. His eyes were like cold stars, his gaze icy as he spoke in a low voice: "Are the two of you planning to leave together? Could it be that you did not chat to your heart's content at the banquet just now?"

Leng Zhao-wen remained calm, smiling in response: "Imperial Uncle jokes. I was merely asking the Fourth Miss Shen for some pointers on swordsmanship and exchanging pleasantries. The Fourth Miss came accompanied by the Second Miss, and since the Second Miss has been escorted home by the Crown Prince, I am simply taking the opportunity to see the Fourth Miss home so she is not lonely on the road."

"Is that so?" Leng Yi-chen gave a cold huff, turning his gaze toward Shen Ning-shuang: "Why not let this Prince escort the Fourth Miss instead? We could also discuss the favor you owe me?"

Shen Ning-shuang was startled; she had not expected Leng Yi-chen to bring this up now. Without waiting for their agreement, Leng Yi-chen boarded the carriage first. His eyes were heavy with gloom; he had not intended to meddle, but seeing Shen Ning-shuang and Leng Zhao-wen so close caused an inexplicable agitation to stir within him, a nameless emotion taking root and leaving his mind restless.

Watching his behavior, Leng Zhao-wen gave Shen Ning-shuang a playful wink, as if silently mocking the "difficult situation" she was about to face. Seeing this, Shen Ning-shuang wanted nothing more than to punch him to vent her frustration.

The conversation to follow would likely not be pleasant, for no matter how one looked at it, the man in the carriage was radiating a "stay away" aura of freezing pressure, clearly burning with rage. Escape was useless; under Leng Zhao-wen’s "every man for himself" look, Shen Ning-shuang stepped into the carriage.