The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Some of the more shrewd ones have already begun to secretly ponder when the Crown Prince will select concubines or mistresses.

Shen Yunlan gripped the rose tightly in her hand, completely unaware that the sharp thorns were piercing her palm.

She watched Shen Tinghe nestled beside the Crown Prince, and watched the Crown Prince so naturally lead her away, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

Boundless jealousy, like a poisonous vine, frantically coiled and gnawed at her heart.

It's always like this! Shen Tinghe always gets the best so easily!

With her noble birth and status as the eldest daughter of the emperor, she now enjoys all the Crown Prince's love and glory.

Even things that Shen Tinghe might not care about or look down on are things that Shen Yunlan could not achieve no matter how hard she tried or how many means she used.

Why? They're both surnamed Shen, and both young ladies from the Prince of Dingshan's mansion. Why are they so different?

Shen Tinghe didn't care about the various thoughts behind her. She took Xie Yanzhao's arm and talked about the scene just now with a smile on her face.

"Brother, I really saw a good show today. It's definitely better to go out and about; it's much more interesting than staying cooped up in the palace."

Xie Yanzhao turned his head to look at her, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "More interesting than keeping me company?"

Every day when he was reviewing memorials in his study, he always wanted her to stay by his side, but Shen Tinghe always found it boring and would either find an excuse to slip away or sit there in a daze.

Shen Tinghe shook his arm, her voice softening slightly: "Oh dear, you're busy with important matters, and I'm just standing here doing nothing to help. It's so boring."

During his time in Lingzhou, the backlog of memorials piled up like a small mountain. As Xie Yanzhao got busier, he wanted to keep her by his side even more.

"Then when we get back, I'll hold Yuan Yuan in my arms and have her read it to me."

He pulled her into his arms and saw where she could run to.

Shen Tinghe drawled out, "Ah~"

Then, as if remembering something, she looked up at him slyly, like a smug little fox.

"Holding me close, are you sure you can still read the memorials, brother?"

Xie Yanzhao nodded earnestly, "It is indeed a test. But it's alright, it's a good opportunity to test my composure."

The warmth and ease that flowed between the two were completely out of place in the scheming and calculating atmosphere of the imperial palace.

Shen Tinghe never had to compete or fight; she was always the one who calmly watched others fight from the sidelines.

Because Xie Yanzhao had already provided her with a safe haven, she could freely live a vibrant and radiant life.

Yongquan Palace

Consort Ming dismissed her attendants, leaving only her personal maid to guard outside the door.

She looked at He Qinghui, who was standing below her, her voice devoid of emotion: "Did you do what happened to Shen Yunlan?"

He Qinghui clenched her cuffs tightly, still wanting to explain, but when she met her aunt's eyes, which seemed to see through everything, she knew she couldn't hide it anymore.

"Yes... but I only sprinkled a tiny bit of powder on her sachet, so it's hard to spot." Her voice trailed off.

"Foolish!" Consort Ming's voice suddenly turned stern.

"Can you guarantee that nothing will go wrong? Does 'difficult to detect' mean 'never to be detected'?"

He Qinghui bit her lip, her grievance mixed with resentment: "Aunt, I just can't stand her attitude... as if my cousin will definitely choose her, and she even deliberately tries to get involved with the Crown Princess."

Consort Ming coldly replied, "You are the undisputed principal wife, why bother with her? No matter how much she tries, she can't surpass you."

With a glance, her personal maidservant presented a delicately embroidered sachet, the very one Shen Yunlan usually wore.

He Qinghui was taken aback: "Aunt, this..."

Mingfei's tone softened slightly, but became even more profound: "From now on, you will be a princess. Remember, you must do things cleanly and leave no trace. Take this and dispose of it."

"Thank you, Aunt. Qinghui will remember this." He Qinghui accepted the sachet, feeling slightly relieved, but another layer of worry immediately arose.

"I just didn't expect that even after Shen Yunlan went through that, my cousin... would still choose her. Aunt, could it be that my cousin really has feelings for her?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Ming's lips curled into a cold smile: "Hmph, Cheng'er doesn't like her at all."

She knows her own son best.

His heart has always belonged to only Shen Tinghe.

Thinking of this, Consort Ming felt a pang of bittersweet pain in her heart. Her devoted son would never be able to marry the woman he longed for.

She composed herself, looked at He Qinghui again, and said in a lecturing tone, "What are you afraid of? She's just a concubine now. Once she enters the Prince's mansion, won't she be completely at your mercy? You're the principal wife, can't you even control a concubine?"

He Qinghui still had concerns: "But after all, she is surnamed Shen... If she goes too far, it might be difficult to explain."

No matter what, Shen Yunlan is the legitimate granddaughter of the Prince of Dingshan and the younger sister of the Crown Princess.

Mingfei chuckled dismissively and reached out to grasp He Qinghui's hand: "Her Shen and Shen Tinghe's Shen are not the same Shen. Just go ahead and do your thing. Her people can't reach that far behind the scenes when it comes to matters in the inner court."

According to proper etiquette and rules, Shen Tinghe is currently the only legitimate daughter of the Prince of Dingshan's mansion.

Shen Yunlan? Born to the second wife, and her grandmother was also the second wife of the Prince of Dingshan. Her father was only a fourth-rank official, so the He family had nothing to fear.

"Sui'er, show the courage of a principal wife," Consort Ming patted the back of her hand, her words carrying a profound meaning.

"Cheng'er's backyard is now entirely in your hands."

With this guidance and support, He Qinghui's last bit of hesitation disappeared, and her expression became firm: "Sui'er understands."

On the other hand, Shen Yunlan was unwilling to accept defeat after the banquet. She disregarded etiquette and seized an opportunity to stop Xie Xuancheng, who was about to leave the palace, behind a secluded rockery in the Imperial Garden.

Looking at the handsome yet indifferent face before her, Shen Yunlan subconsciously reached out to tug at his sleeve.

Xie Xuancheng dodged to the side with a small movement, but his aloofness was like a bucket of ice water, drenching Shen Yunlan.

He frowned, his impatience undisguised.

"Miss Shen, although I have chosen you to enter my household, we are not yet married. We must not disregard proper etiquette, so it would be best if you would be mindful of your conduct."

Shen Yunlan's eyes welled up with tears, her voice choked with sobs and accusation: "Why? Your Highness, we have so many memories together, so many secret meetings, I don't believe you have no feelings for me at all! Why did you give the position of principal wife to He Qingsui?"

Xie Xuancheng listened as if he had heard a joke.

"Memories? Secret meetings?" He repeated the two words, his tone casual.

"The Changguo Duke's Mansion is a routine visit for me. Meeting Miss Shen was purely accidental. At Tianlu Residence, I was always accompanied by two servants. How could there be any talk of a secret rendezvous? Miss Shen's speculation shows that she truly does not understand etiquette."

"In that case, I will send several capable matrons to your residence to properly instruct Miss Shen in etiquette. Before your marriage, you can stay at home and study without worry, and you don't need to go out unless necessary."

This was tantamount to a disguised form of house arrest. Shen Yunlan was struck dumb, staring at him in disbelief.

Xie Xuancheng had no intention of saying anything more, and turned to leave without the slightest hesitation.

What an idiot.

His last bit of patience had run out.

Apart from a slight resemblance in their eyebrows and eyes, they are completely different from Yuan Yuan.

In this generation of the Shen family, besides Shen Tinghe, there are four other daughters.

Shen Yunshu is already married, Shen Yunshi is a concubine's daughter, and Shen Yun'an is not old enough.

Otherwise, how could it be her turn?

If she behaves herself after entering the manor, Xie Xuancheng wouldn't mind having another exquisite object of interest.

If they still don't know their place, what does it matter if an unfavored concubine dies suddenly in the backyard of the Prince's mansion?

Behind the artificial hill, only Shen Yunlan remained standing there, her body ice-cold. The courage and passion she had just felt had now turned to humiliation and lingering fear.