After giving her contraceptives, she went mad, criticizing the prince for turning white-haired overn

Behind the screen, a hunchbacked man dressed in a brown robe stared intently at her with dead fish eyes.

The man's eyes gleamed with lust, his gaze fixed on the girl's exquisite body, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

As expected of Ye's daughter, her beauty is truly extraordinary.

Back then, the Ye family was renowned throughout the capital. Before she was married, countless young men from prominent families would wear out the threshold of the Ye family.

Her daughter was indeed no less remarkable.

Inside the hall, Shen Ning sensed something was amiss.

She remained expressionless, silently clenching her clothes, holding her breath, and retying her belt.

Then he picked up the clothes that the nanny had prepared and strode toward the door.

Fortunately, the door to the sleeping quarters was not locked.

It seems that someone deliberately arranged this place specifically to spy on her while she changed clothes.

After opening the door and going outside, there were few palace maids to be seen outside the side hall.

Shen Ning did not leave immediately, but instead went around to the north side of the bedroom to quietly observe the movements inside.

Before long, a hunched-over, one-eyed man with gold teeth emerged from behind the screen.

The man had an old face, one eye covered by a half-black mask, his back was bent like a bow, and his face was gloomy.

It is the Wing King.

"I never expected that she would leave."

"I am quite curious about what the Ye family's daughter looks like..."

"Is she as soft as her mother was back then?"

Shen Ning's breath caught in her throat, and she felt her whole body stiffen and grow cold.

After the man left, she returned to the main hall to find the old woman from before.

When the old woman saw that she hadn't changed her clothes, her expression suddenly changed.

"Second Miss Shen, is it because you look down on the clothes bestowed upon you by the Empress?"

Shen Ning shook her head and smiled, "Granny, you've misunderstood."

"The clothes bestowed by Her Majesty are extremely precious, made entirely of the finest gold thread. I dare not offend Her Majesty."

The old woman looked somewhat helpless, glancing towards the side hall with a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

"Miss, why don't you go inside and change?"

Shen Ning's attitude was firm: "I won't change."

"I will explain everything to Her Majesty the Empress when I see her later."

The old woman's face darkened. "Very well, young lady, come with me to see Her Majesty."

Shen Ning nodded and followed the old woman into the main hall of the Phoenix Palace.

Upon entering, one would see that the Empress had already ordered a banquet to be prepared.

Upon seeing that Shen Ning was still wearing the same clothes, the Empress's face immediately darkened.

"Miss Shen, didn't I tell you to go change your clothes?"

Shen Ning held the garment and immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty has misunderstood."

"This humble woman simply dares not offend the Empress's body."

As she spoke, she slowly unfolded her clothes.

The garment was a crimson brocade jacket with a mink fur collar, embroidered with a hidden auspicious pattern.

At the cuffs, a phoenix pattern is subtly woven with gold thread.

Shen Ning gently revealed the phoenix pattern.

"Her Majesty the Empress is a phoenix ordained by Heaven, the mother of the Great Yan nation. If I, a humble woman, were to wear this attire, wouldn't that be presumptuous and offensive?"

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The Empress's eyes darkened, and her hand holding the teacup paused.

She then smiled and said, "Second Miss Shen is so thoughtful."

"Granny, go find Miss Shen another set of clothes for her to change into."

"Your Majesty," Shen Ning interrupted softly.

"My presence in the palace has already caused Your Majesty trouble."

"The tea stains have almost dried, so there's no need to change your clothes."

Seeing Shen Ning's insistence, Empress Jiang frowned slightly.

Could it be... that she discovered something?

"That's enough."

"Miss Shen, come here and have a meal with me."

Shen Ning nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Guided by a palace maid, Shen Ning took her seat in a seat below and to the side of the Empress.

The Empress gently served her food.

"On the day of the spring hunt, Miss Shen was truly unforgettable."

"I never expected General Shen's daughter to be so heroic."

"May I ask who Miss Shen's archery teacher is?"

Shen Ning's brow twitched slightly, vaguely sensing that the Empress's words were a test.

She smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, I learned it from my father."

"Seven years ago, my father returned to the Shen residence and told me that a woman should always have some skills to rely on in this world."

"My father is stationed on the frontier year-round, and my mother passed away early, so I taught myself riding and archery, practicing every day according to the archery manuals left by my father."

"With time and practice, you'll get better at it."

The Empress seemed to believe it but didn't press the matter further.

However, she could tell that Shen Ning was a smart person.

She is beautiful, intelligent, and the legitimate daughter of a general. If she gains more experience, she will likely be extraordinary in the future.

She served Shen Ning a few more bites of food and asked about General Shen's recent situation.

After offering some words of encouragement to his ministers and comforting the women of the Shen family, he ordered someone to escort Shen Ning out of the Phoenix Palace.

After Shen Ning left, Granny Wang came in from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, the matter has not been accomplished."

The Empress leaned against the soft couch, her expression indifferent.

"The Ming King wanted to catch a glimpse of the beauty of Lady Ye's daughter... Unfortunately, this girl is too clever."

She put down the handkerchief in her hand.

"Go and tell him not to ask me for help again."

"The Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching; let him figure out a way himself."

"General Shen is currently far away beyond the Great Wall, and these children have no one to protect them. They will eventually fall into the wolf's den."

The old woman nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."

After being escorted out of the Phoenix Palace by the nanny, Shen Ning walked alone towards the palace gate.

She was very careful throughout the journey.

Now, she and her sister Shen Wan are being targeted.

As she reached the corner of the corridor, a figure suddenly blocked her way.

Shen Ning was forced to take a step back, her back slamming against the cold pillar.

The man's old, decaying face looked even more grotesque and terrifying in the shadows.

A dead fish-like eye was fixed on her, as if it wanted to devour her whole.

When he grinned, revealing a few gold teeth, Shen Ning shuddered.

In her past life, she heard from her grandmother that the Ming King had almost defiled her mother at a palace banquet.

At that time, my mother struggled desperately to break free. Although she preserved her innocence, she developed some estrangement from my father from then on.

Because of this, my mother was tormented by my grandmother for many years.

The power to manage the household also fell into the hands of the second aunt.

Although the Empress Dowager suppressed the matter, secrets can't stay hidden forever.

The news eventually reached the Shen family mansion, and the mother was devastated and fell seriously ill.

Moreover, this King Ming liked to use the heads of young girls to make wine bowls.

"Miss Shen, why do you want to leave as soon as you see me?" The man's voice was hoarse.

They approached Shen Ning step by step.

"I never expected that the daughter born to Lady Ye would be so unforgettable."

Shen Ning gripped her skirt tightly, her fingertips digging into her palms.

She forced down her nausea and quickly avoided the other person's gaze.

"Your Highness, please forgive me, but I am about to leave the palace."

"What's the rush? Can't you keep me company for a few minutes?" The man said, reaching out to touch her face.

Shen Ning sidestepped.

The man let out a cold laugh.

"This face really does look just like your mother's."

"That figure, tsk tsk, seems even more alluring than your mother was back then."

Shen Ning said coldly, "Your Highness, please have some self-respect. This is a palace corridor!"

King Ming grinned as if he had heard a joke.

"Miss Shen, don't be afraid. I cherish women the most."

"I just wanted to say a few kind words to the girl."

As he spoke, he reached out his hand to Shen Ning again.

Shen Ning took a step back, her whole body stiff and tense.

Even if someone sees it, they can report it to His Majesty.

His Majesty and the Empress Dowager would only bestow her upon this man.

She would also feel it was an honor for her.

"Your Majesty has a refined taste."

Just then, a familiar voice came from the side.