The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Everyone turned around and saw Ji Yunzhan walking gracefully towards them. She wore a light green long dress with cloud patterns, and her hair was adorned with seven precious hairpins. Her posture was upright, yet she carried a hint of aloofness.

Her grandfather was the Grand Tutor of two dynasties, having taught both the current emperor and the crown prince.

Qiu Heran, who followed behind her, wore a plain dress and had a timid look in her eyes.

Ji Yunzhan bowed slightly: "My dear sisters."

Gu Linwan, Zhou Chenxi, and Shen Tinghe exchanged glances, a knowing look flashing in their eyes.

Everyone knows she loves the Crown Prince. For his sake, she turned down several good marriage proposals and remains unmarried to this day.

He has a penchant for putting on an air of superiority, frequently mentioning his grandfather's teachings to the crown prince, as if he were exceptionally close to the prince.

Zhou Chenxi disliked her behavior the most, and deliberately raised his voice to ask, "When Your Highness summoned Lord Wang, Ahe was also present. I wonder what Your Highness's original words were? Let us also hear Your Highness's benevolence."

Shen Tinghe instantly understood Zhou Chenxi's intention and lowered her eyes to say, "Your Highness's remarks during the meeting are all confidential, how could I casually divulge them?"

"Look at me, I misspoke." Zhou Chenxi slapped her forehead in feigned annoyance, glancing at Ji Yunzhan as she spoke.

Ji Yunzhan's smile froze, her fingers unconsciously clenched her handkerchief, her face paled, and much of her previous arrogance vanished.

She forced a smile: "You guys keep chatting, Ran and I will go take a look over there."

As Ji Yunzhan left, she gave Shen Tinghe a deep look.

His eyes were complex and difficult to decipher; they contained resentment, jealousy, and even a hint of deeply hidden sinister malice.

Shen Tinghe seemed completely oblivious to the heavy gaze upon her. A faint smile played on her lips.

The smile wasn't forced; it was more like an innate peace.

It was this composure that ignited the fury in Ji Yunzhan's heart.

Why? She sacrificed so much, meticulously planned and schemed, yet she could only watch from afar.

Shen Tinghe, on the other hand, didn't have to do anything to sit comfortably in the position of Crown Princess and enjoy unparalleled glory.

Ji Yunzhan sneered inwardly. The Crown Prince's harem wouldn't consist of only one person; she would definitely enter the palace eventually.

Shen Tinghe, you won't keep laughing forever.

Qiu Heran followed behind her. When he passed Shen Tinghe and the other two, he paused slightly, bowed deeply to them, and looked at them with apologetic eyes before quickly catching up with Ji Yunzhan.

"You're really something, Axi. You shut her up with just a few words," Gu Linwan said with a smile.

Zhou Chenxi pouted: "I just can't stand her pretentious attitude. Does she really think that mentioning the Grand Tutor a few times will make her closer to His Highness?"

Shen Tinghe gazed in the direction the two had left and sighed softly, "It must have been difficult for Miss Qiu."

"That's right." Gu Linwan nodded.

"The Qiu family is weak and only has the support of the Ji family to barely stand. Qiu Heran can only follow Ji Yunzhan in everything and has no choice but to do so."

As they were talking, Shen Tinghe caught sight of several elegantly dressed noble ladies walking along the path in the distance, heading straight for Chengxin Pavilion.

She rubbed her temples, stood up, and said, "I'm going to the west to find some peace and quiet. You guys help me block them out."

She is now the undisputed Crown Princess, and will one day become the Empress, ruling the entire nation. These noble ladies, upon seeing her, all fawn over her and try to curry favor.

She was utterly fed up with this kind of insincere and hypocritical behavior.

Gu Linwan and Zhou Chenxi exchanged a smile and nodded in tacit agreement: "Go ahead without worry, we'll take care of things here."

Shen Tinghe lifted her skirt, turned around, and walked towards the west.

The wind rustled through the bamboo leaves, shutting out the laughter and noise in the pavilion, finally allowing her a moment of peace.

Shen Tinghe stood by Qinfang Lake, her eyes closed, feeling the breeze brush against the stray hairs at her temples.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and water lilies, temporarily dispelling some of the stuffiness.

A few steps behind her stood two maids, Qinglan and Qingdai.

They stood tall and straight, with sharp eyes; even in ordinary maid's attire, their well-trained competence was undeniable.

The two men were sent by Xie Yanzhao, ostensibly to serve her personally, but in reality, they were her bodyguards protecting her safety.

Shen Tinghe was mostly cared for by Qingyu and Qingxu in the mansion, and when she went out, she was always accompanied by these two girls who were each worth ten.

"Miss." Seeing Shen Tinghe gazing at the koi playing in the lake and taking a small step forward, Qinglan and Qingdai spoke almost simultaneously.

Although the lake is not deep, the safety of the young lady is the most important matter that His Highness has repeatedly emphasized, and there is no room for the slightest mistake.

Shen Tinghe smiled faintly, without turning around: "Don't worry, I'm not going to fall, am I?"

Qinglan and Qingdai exchanged a glance, then quietly stepped forward, flanking her on either side, forming a delicate protective stance.

The young lady is His Highness's life; not even the slightest mishap can occur.

Just then, from behind the artificial hill not far away, came a low, furtive conversation.

"Miss, will we be discovered if we do this?" A maid's voice was filled with obvious fear.

"What are you afraid of?" another female voice rang out, sharp and sarcastic: "I bought that drug at a high price. It evaporates as soon as it gets on your clothes, without anyone noticing."

Shen Tinghe raised an eyebrow and paused slightly.

She recognized the voice; it belonged to Du Yixian, the daughter of Vice Minister Du.

"That bitch Ji Yunzhan, relying on her somewhat seductive appearance, not only seduced my brother, but even Qinglin was completely bewitched by her!"

"Does she really think that by putting on an aloof act, His Highness the Crown Prince will take a liking to her? Dream on! Today I'm going to ruin her, and see which man will dare to want her after that."

Du Yixian snorted coldly, his tone smug: "Ji Yunzhan has already been stripped naked and thrown into the room. Now go and lure Li Ke over."

"Miss, I...I dare not..." The maid's voice was trembling.

"You good-for-nothing!" Du Yixian hissed.

"Li Ke is just a lowly eighth-rank official, what's there to be afraid of? He's drunk and confused, what could he possibly discover? Just take him to the door and let him go in by himself. As long as they're alone together in a room, Ji Yunzhan's reputation will be completely ruined!"

Shen Tinghe understood.

This is yet another clumsy trick, nothing more than an attempt to ruin a woman's reputation.

This time, it was Ji Yunzhan who suffered the consequences.

Speaking of Ji Yunzhan, Shen Tinghe's feelings were somewhat complicated.

She disliked Ji Yunzhan, but seeing a woman's reputation ruined still stirred a pang of pity in her.

She sighed softly, turned around, and asked Qingdai, "Where is the nearest guest room around here?"

Qingdai immediately replied, "Miss, walk about a hundred steps to the east, and there is an elegant private room that is specially prepared for guests."

"That's probably it." Shen Tinghe's eyes flickered slightly. "Let's go take a look."

The three walked towards the guest rooms on the east side, but stopped a few steps away from the door.

She could imagine the scene inside; Ji Yunzhan was probably disheveled at the moment, so she didn't want any more people to see her.