The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Shen Tinghe glanced at the young ladies from prominent families filling the garden, and her gaze inadvertently met a pair of eyes that were fixed on her.

Shen Yunlan.

Upon seeing her look over, Shen Yunlan's lips immediately curved into a gentle smile, and she gracefully curtsied.

A hint of annoyance flashed through Shen Tinghe's mind, and she looked away, but Shen Yunlan had already gracefully walked towards the stone table where she was.

"Sixth Sister." Shen Yunlan's voice was sweet and affectionate.

Shen Tinghe put down her teacup, the porcelain bottom gently tapping the stone surface, producing a subtle yet clear crisp sound.

She raised her eyes, her gaze calm and unwavering: "The palace is a place of great importance, unlike a private residence. Eighth Sister, it would be more appropriate for you to address me as the Crown Princess."

Now you know to come up and try to claim sisterly affection? Back in the Dingshan Prince's mansion, you did plenty of disgusting things.

People like Shen Yunlan are adept at putting on a show, wearing warm smiles on their faces, but their scheming behind the scenes never stops.

Having separated their families eight years ago and drawn clear lines, Shen Tinghe was too lazy to continue feigning friendship with them and maintain that fragile, false kinship.

Shen Yunlan's smile froze, and a hint of embarrassment quickly crossed her eyes.

She originally thought that Shen Tinghe would be mindful of the situation at this palace banquet in front of everyone.

After all, even though the second and third wives had a bad relationship with the first wife in the early years and even separated from the family, in the eyes of outsiders, they still always had the name "Shen".

He Qingsui has her aunt, a noble consort, backing her up, while Shen Yunlan is, after all, a young lady from the Prince Ding's mansion, and the nominal younger sister of the current Crown Princess.

But she never expected that Shen Tinghe would be so ruthless, directly shutting her out.

Consort Ming, who was standing to the side, took in the entire brief exchange and her thoughts turned slightly.

The Shen family's division of the family eight years ago was publicly stated as a precaution to avoid future troubles, given that the Prince of Dingshan was old and frail.

Eight years have passed, and although the old prince lives a secluded life, he is still alive and well.

There must be something hidden here.

Looking at what was happening before her, Shen Tinghe's cold attitude towards this so-called younger sister further confirmed Consort Ming's suspicions.

Without much deliberation, Consort Ming knew which side she should stand on.

Shen Tinghe is the legitimate daughter of a royal family, and now she is the rightful Crown Princess, with Crown Prince Xie Yanzhao behind her.

It's crystal clear who we should side with.

Mingfei wore a polite smile, her voice not loud but loud enough for the nearby tables to hear clearly.

"Miss Shen is still young, and perhaps due to a lack of proper upbringing at home, she does not yet fully understand some of the rules. The Crown Princess's name is already recorded in the Imperial Genealogy, making her a legitimate member of the royal family. It is indeed inappropriate to use her former family name anymore."

Rules are rigid, but people are flexible; it all depends on how those in power perceive them.

Clearly, the Crown Princess was unwilling to acknowledge this younger sister.

With accusations of "not knowing the rules" and "lacking proper upbringing at home" slapped on her, Shen Yunlan's face instantly turned pale.

She stood frozen in place, feeling as if all the seemingly indifferent gazes in the garden were focused on her, those gazes like fine needles, pricking her all over.

She could almost hear the hushed whispers and silent mockery of the noble ladies.

The resentment towards Shen Tinghe in his heart grew wildly like vines.

So many years have passed, and this despicable person is still just as hateful!

Shen Yunlan's throat tightened and she knelt with difficulty: "This humble woman... knows her mistake, please forgive me, Your Highness the Crown Princess."

As she bowed, her gaze involuntarily fell upon Prince Xie Xuancheng, who was sipping tea alone beside her, her eyes filled with a hint of pleading, hoping that he would say something to ease the tension.

However, Xie Xuancheng continued to play with the teacup in his hand, not even lifting his eyelids, as if he were completely detached from the matter.

Shen Tinghe took in her gaze and subtle movements, her eyes growing even calmer: "It's alright. Eighth Sister's personality is exactly the same as when she was little, still so... innocent and naive."

Just like when he was a child, he hasn't made any progress and remains as dull as ever.

Shen Yunlan dug her fingertips into her palm, the sharp pain barely allowing her to maintain her expression.

"This humble woman takes her leave, lest she disturb the Crown Princess, Consort Ming, and His Highness Prince Cheng's enjoyment."

She turned almost hastily and fled the suffocating area.

He intended to use this opportunity to demonstrate his closeness with the Crown Princess and increase his own leverage, but unexpectedly ended up in a sorry state.

The noble ladies who had been chatting and laughing with her just moments before now quietly avoided her gaze, and none of them stepped forward to speak to her.

She stood alone beside a clump of peonies, completely out of place amidst the groups of people around her, chatting and laughing.

Shen Tinghe casually withdrew her gaze, her fingertips lightly tracing the warm rim of the cup.

Want to take advantage of her? That's wishful thinking.

Throughout the entire ordeal, the Prince Cheng, whom Shen Yunlan had been longing for, never paid her any attention whatsoever.

Shen Yunlan clenched her trembling hands, trying to comfort herself.

It must be because Shen Tinghe is the Crown Princess, and has a noble status.

If His Highness Prince Cheng were to rashly speak in defense of himself at this moment, wouldn't that be openly disrespecting the Crown Princess? That would be indirectly offending the Crown Prince.

It might displease her future mother-in-law, so the prince must be thinking of her and has no choice but to keep quiet.

Despite her intense hatred, Shen Yunlan had to admit that the Crown Prince truly doted on Shen Tinghe.

Before the family split up, Shen Yunlan also lived in the Prince's Mansion. When she was young, either Shen Tinghe was taken to the palace for a short stay, or the Crown Prince himself came to the mansion to find her.

The rare and exquisite trinkets, silks, and jewels that flowed into Shen Tinghe's courtyard were all exquisite and rare, making her extremely envious.

Shen Yunlan took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing her surging emotions.

She was absolutely certain that His Highness Prince Cheng had feelings for her.

He Qinghui walked gracefully over and stood beside Shen Yunlan.

Her voice was soft, tinged with just the right amount of concern: "What's wrong, Miss Shen? You don't look too well."

Shen Yunlan quickly adjusted her expression, a seemingly natural smile appearing on her lips.

"No need for Miss He to trouble yourself, I'm fine. I just hadn't seen Her Highness the Crown Princess for a long time, so I went over to pay my respects."

"It's also my fault. I got used to calling her Sixth Sister when we were in the manor, and I forgot to change my address after entering the palace, which was impolite."

She deliberately obscured the reprimand from Consort Ming and the cold rejection from Shen Tinghe, emphasizing only her "past relationship" with the Crown Princess, trying to salvage some face in this awkward situation.

She also told He Qinghui that behind her stood the Crown Princess and the Prince of Dingshan's Mansion.

A hint of disdain flashed across He Qinghui's eyes.

Just now, the aunt Mingfei was very firmly labeled as "not knowing the rules," but the crown princess cousin did not show the slightest intention to defend her.

Now they're putting on airs here, using someone else's name as a pretext.

She sneered inwardly, but showed no sign of it on her face, only saying gently, "I see. Since you are alright, I will go with my sisters to see the newly blooming crabapple trees."

Having said that, she turned gracefully and left with several noble ladies she had been on good terms with.

As she turned away, a triumphant smile flashed in her eyes. She had already achieved her goal.

At this moment, Consort Ming, seeing that the time was almost right, smiled and summoned all the noble ladies scattered in the garden to her side.