Gao Zheng thought the more he considered it, the more it seemed possible.
No wonder the Crown Prince cared for Shen Yinning so deeply, doing everything he could to bring her back to the Capital.
When Gao Zheng thought about how, despite his humble origins, he had married the Bright Pearl of the Duke Mansion—the former fiancée of the Crown Prince—even knowing it was just a sham marriage, a fiery heat surged uncontrollably within him.
He hurried to Yin Shanshan's boudoir, woke her from her dreams, and pinned her beneath him, ravaging her fiercely.
The eighth day of April, Bathing Buddha Festival.
Shengguo Temple buzzed with the sound of people. At the foot of the mountain, food stalls serving porridge stretched for two miles, drawing countless commoners here to offer incense and prayers.
When Shen Yinning stepped off the Gao Family's carriage, her face veiled, her eyes immediately fell on Lu Ying at a distant stall serving porridge to the people. Shen Yunxi stood beside him, and the two looked like a perfectly matched couple.
"Elder Sister, what are you looking at?" Yin Shanshan followed her gaze and laughed, the tone of her voice carrying a hint of pride. "Elder Sister, you must be so ignorant and inexperienced. How can you seem more like a country bumpkin than I am? That young man is none other than the current Crown Prince. I once caught a distant glimpse of him on the street! And the woman beside him is the Crown Princess Consort. Today they are serving porridge and spreading goodwill among the people—a harmonious couple, deeply in love!"
"Shanshan," the Gao matriarch suddenly spoke urgently, "didn't you promise to help me obtain an invitation to the dharma lecture? Why haven't you secured it yet? Could it be your elder brother failed to get it?"
Yin Shanshan's smile froze.
She had specifically reminded her elder brother a couple of days ago, but he claimed he was too busy to bother with such trivial matters. Fearing she would be dismissed by the Gao matriarch, just as Shen Yinning was, she didn't dare reveal the truth.
Not knowing what to do, she stalled for time as much as possible: "Mother, isn't the dharma lecture in the afternoon? Why are you in such a rush? My brother is currently ensuring the Crown Prince's safety and has no time to see me. During the vegetarian meal at noon, he'll surely deliver the invitation to me himself."
The Gao matriarch instantly beamed with joy. "Oh, so that's how it is. Shanshan, you truly are a considerate one, much better than some others. Our Gao Family will depend on you in the future."
Yin Shanshan, proud after the praise, shot a smug glance at Shen Yinning.
But Shen Yinning was no longer standing there.
She stood amidst the commoners lining up for porridge, moving steadily toward Lu Ying's stall.
When it was her turn, Shen Yunxi was basking in the flattery of several noble ladies nearby, oblivious to her surroundings crowded with jostling commoners.
With her face veiled, Shen Yinning's long, curled lashes quivered slightly. She looked at Lu Ying with eyes brimming with tender emotion and unshed tears.
Lu Ying appeared not to recognize her identity and indifferently handed her a bowl of porridge.
Taking it, Shen Yinning concealed her movement behind the bowl and lightly traced her pinky across the center of Lu Ying's palm.
Lu Ying frowned, locking eyes with her for a moment.
Shen Yinning glanced quickly at Shen Yunxi, then smiled sweetly, her voice barely audible: "Brother Lu Ying, I'll be waiting for you in the first Zen room on the south side."
But even as noon approached, Lu Ying still hadn't come.
Expressionless, Shen Yinning stepped out from the Zen room and headed directly for a Buddhist Hall within the temple.
Gui Quan and De Sun stood beneath the hall's veranda, and upon spotting Shen Yinning approaching, they hurriedly bowed in greeting.
De Sun respectfully said, "Madam Shen, you've come at an inopportune time. His Highness and the Crown Princess Consort just finished consulting the Abbot on Buddhist Law and are now meditating quietly inside. Madam, perhaps you could return another day to seek an audience with His Highness?"
Shen Yinning ignored him.
She pushed open the hall's door and stepped inside.
This particular hall was free of incense-bearing pilgrims, reserved exclusively for the Crown Prince. Back when she was still the cherished young lady of the Duke Mansion, Shen Yinning had accompanied Lu Ying here for meditation.
Her cold gaze locked onto the backs of the duo seated on the meditation cushions.
Shen Yunxi sat facing the Buddha statue, eyes closed, speaking softly, "Your Highness, I know about the woman you keep outside the palace and often bring to Shen Garden. To have earned Your Highness's favor is that sister's fortune. However, keeping her outside the palace forever isn't a long-term solution."
Lu Ying didn't respond, slowly opening his eyes.
Because Shen Yinning had wrapped her arms around him from behind.
She leaned close to his ear, her crimson tongue flicking against his neck, then began planting a flurry of tender kisses along his cheeks and lips.
Meanwhile, Shen Yunxi kept talking incessantly: "In my opinion, it would be better to bring that sister into the Eastern Palace sooner rather than later. She could keep me company and share amusing tales of commonfolk to lighten my mood. Together, we sisters could serve Your Highness in harmony. I used to be somewhat jealous, but I've since overcome that flaw…"
At her side, Lu Ying pushed Shen Yinning away, only for her to coil around him again like a water snake.
She clung to his neck, one shoulder slipping free of her clothing, draping herself bonelessly in his arms.
With her head tilted up, her lips parted ever so slightly as she soundlessly asked, "Why didn't you come to the Zen room?"
Lu Ying's brows furrowed deeply as he tried to push her off again, but her soft, delicate fingers mischievously trailed down along his abdomen.
The blood in his veins froze in an instant.
Shen Yinning seemed satisfied with his response.
She reached up and sensuously removed the golden hairpin from her bun, letting her dark tresses cascade like sea kelp. Just as she bent toward Lu Ying's lips for a kiss, he suddenly lifted her into his arms and strode purposefully out of the hall.
Shen Yinning flashed a triumphant smile and, through the crook of Lu Ying's elbow, cast a flirtatious air kiss back at Shen Yunxi.
Behind them, Shen Yunxi remained seated, obliviously continuing, "Wouldn't it be better to bring that sister into the palace sooner? I'm even hoping she could bear Your Highness a child within the Eastern Palace. What does Your Highness think?"
She finished speaking but waited in vain for a response.
When she finally opened her eyes, the meditation cushion beside her was empty—Lu Ying had disappeared without a trace.
Only a golden hairpin lay abandoned on the tiled floor.
Her eyes widened in shock, and she picked up the hairpin, bringing it to her nose. Inhaling deeply, she was met with a strong scent of cosmetics.
This was a hairpin worn by another woman!
It must belong to that vixen in Shen Garden!
That wretched woman had dared to seduce the Crown Prince right under her nose!
How audacious could she possibly be?!
She even left the hairpin here as a deliberate provocation!
"Ahhhh!"
Shen Yunxi's chest heaved with fury, her face contorted, her entire body trembling as she let out a series of shrill screams.
She furiously hurled the hairpin to the ground, her voice sharp as a knife: "Someone! Search the entire Shengguo Temple! Even if you have to turn it upside down, find that shameless wench for me!"