Chapter 392: Chapter 390: Shen Yinning Just Can’t Learn the Restraint of Central Plains Women
Shen Yinning certainly wasn’t so reckless as to wander to the Prime Minister’s Mansion for leisure.
On the day Cui Ji and Shangguan Min returned to visit their family, she had lunch at the mansion, brought Haitang and Wei Yu along, and headed out to the streets.
Late summer had arrived, and the clothing shops had stocked up on fresh designs for skirts and blouses.
Shen Yinning was known for her prodigal spending. Whenever the seasons changed, she would order dozens of sets of clothes, shoes, and socks, and her generosity extended to buying new attire for the maids in the household as well. She cared only for quality and design, never the price, earning herself a position as an esteemed customer in the Capital’s shops.
Though her recent discord with the new Emperor had stirred some controversy, this new Emperor was "radiant like the moon in the sky, pure like the snow in the mountains"—an upright and austere man who practiced self-restrain. Yet surprisingly, he had committed the absurd act of seizing another man’s wife exclusively for her. This demonstrated that even though she was now Cui Ji’s cherished concubine, the palace’s resident would not necessarily hold a grudge against her.
In short, to the sharp and well-informed shopkeepers, Princess Zhaoning remained someone absolutely untouchable in the Capital.
As soon as Shen Yinning arrived at Lianru Villa, the shopkeeper respectfully invited her upstairs.
The shopkeeper personally brought her a cup of Biluochun tea and said with a reverent tone, "The new designs for autumn have just arrived. Shall I bring them over for the Princess to take a look?"
Shen Yinning hadn’t yet responded when a disdainful voice suddenly interrupted, "Already someone’s concubine and still can’t sit still, parading about in public! How shameless!"
Shen Yinning raised her eyebrows and looked over.
It turned out the speaker was Yin Shanshan.
She had come shopping for clothes with Gao Yun, accompanied by two maids trailing behind, their arms full of newly tried outfits.
Shen Yinning folded her gold-etched fan, playfully tapping the delicate skin of her chin with its edge, and smiled softly, "Oh, who do I see? So it’s the two of you. Dear Shanshan, we’re all concubines here, so why is it that you can show yourself in public, but I can’t?"
Yin Shanshan proudly rolled her eyes. "I’m not like you. My husband has no other women in his household—though I may be a concubine, I’m practically no different from a legal wife."
At the end of the day, still a concubine.
Shen Yinning couldn’t fathom where Yin Shanshan’s misplaced arrogance came from.
Gao Yun covered her mouth in amusement. "What Shanshan means is that, though she’s a concubine, she isn’t managed by a mistress and even oversees the household’s finances, making her rather distinguished. Unlike you, Princess, who has the Prime Minister’s daughter as her superior. I’ve even heard that Cui Ji hasn’t stayed in your rooms for several days—surely that daughter of the Prime Minister is quite a formidable character, forbidding him from visiting you. With such a strict and jealous mistress above you, Princess, you must be suffering terribly."
Yin Shanshan followed suit with laughter. "Dear sister, how pitiful. Those of you without main-character halos are all like this. If you were willing to bow your head to me, perhaps I might soften my heart and teach you how to be a concubine, how to survive under a mistress’s rule. Otherwise, who knows how much suffering the Prime Minister’s daughter will put you through!"
Shen Yinning glanced toward the carved staircase.
And what a coincidence—Shangguan Min had arrived.
Having apparently just returned from her family home, she’d stopped by the shop, likely to pick out new dresses. Flanked by two maids and the shop attendants of Lianru Villa, she stood quietly at the stairs, having overheard the entire exchange between the two "sisters-in-law."
She stifled a laugh and called out, "Sister."
Sister?
Yin Shanshan and Gao Yun froze, quickly turning to look.
Shangguan Min clasped her hands across her chest and descended the staircase step by step. "I wasn’t aware that I am not only strict and jealous but also the cause of suffering for the Princess."
The two sisters-in-law’s faces turned pale instantly, realizing this was none other than the Prime Minister’s daughter.
Gao Yun hid behind Yin Shanshan, tugging at her sleeve stealthily.
Yin Shanshan stammered, "This—this was all Shen Yinning’s idea..."
"Do you take me for a fool?" Shangguan Min had zero tolerance for gossipy women. "Before I got married, I’d already heard tales of the formidable concubine from the Gao Family, who not only seized control of the household but also spread rumors about Princess Zhaoning among the Capital’s women. Previously, it wasn’t my concern—but now that Princess Zhaoning is married into the Cui Family, she is one of mine. If I hear you slandering her or speaking poorly of her again, I will report directly to the Emperor and accuse your husband of incompetence in managing his household!"
Her style of handling matters was entirely different from Shen Yinning’s.
Though she usually appeared gentle and elegant, full of literary charm, when angered, her authority as a mistress was unequivocal.
Add in her father’s influence as the current Prime Minister and Cui Ji’s position as Gao Zheng’s superior, Yin Shanshan and Gao Yun wouldn’t dare talk back. Their courage nearly failed them altogether, and, abandoning their shopping trip, they fled in a panic, clutching each other.
Only then did Shangguan Min turn to Shen Yinning. "Are you alright?"
Shen Yinning’s almond-shaped eyes curved into a playful smile. "Sister, so I’m married not to Cui Ji but to you? Am I yours now? How deeply moved I am."
The teasing words made Shangguan Min flush with embarrassment.
Unable to hold back her thoughts, Shangguan Min wondered whether Shen Yinning hadn’t changed at all since childhood—still so unbearably cheeky, saying whatever came to mind, and utterly devoid of the Central Plains women’s subtlety.
Afraid that Shen Yinning might notice her flushed cheeks and tease her further, she turned aside to examine the clothing. "I’m merely fulfilling my duties as the legal wife."
"Then, in return, let me help you choose outfits," Shen Yinning quipped cheerfully. "Feel free to buy whatever you like; I’ll cover the cost."
Shangguan Min fingered the silk fabric.
How ridiculous—when had a mistress bought clothes with the bill charged to the concubine?
The world had truly gone upside down!
She replied gently, "I know the Princess is generous, and I appreciate the sentiment, but—"
Shen Yinning interrupted, "Anyway, you and Cui Ji combined still don’t have more money than I do. Oh, and add in the Prime Minister’s Mansion too—it’s still less than me."
Shangguan Min had no words to counter.
Shen Yinning directed the shopkeeper, "Use my sister’s measurements to make all the new autumn styles with the best materials."
Shangguan Min: ...
She’d been spoiled by her husband’s concubine.
Just earlier, when returning to the family, her mother had repeatedly warned her to be wary of Shen Yinning.
But now, it seemed she couldn’t guard against her at all.
The two women left Lianru Villa together, and when Cui Ji, waiting outside, saw them, he paused, startled.
Quickly stepping forward, he stared intently at Shen Yinning. "Why is the Princess here? The rumors haven’t yet settled, and coming out like this could provoke criticism. I don’t wish for the Princess to face gossip."
Shen Yinning casually waved her fan. "I’m fine; you go ahead and ride your horse."
Cui Ji glanced at her worriedly again before reluctantly mounting his horse with furrowed brows.
Settling into the carriage with Shangguan Min, Shen Yinning asked curiously, "Seeing him like that, don’t you ever feel jealous or upset?"
She couldn’t detect any trace of bitterness or grievance in Shangguan Min’s gaze.
When Shangguan Min had looked at Cui Ji earlier, her eyes were still filled with admiration and respect.
Yet, she recalled how Shangguan Min had once adored Lu Ying, almost possessively, refusing to allow any other woman near him.
Why was Shangguan Min so different now?
With slight confusion, Shangguan Min replied, "Why should I feel jealous or upset? I only want to read his next essay. If he can’t produce good writing, then I’ll be upset."
Shen Yinning fell into an odd silence.
So, had Shangguan Min married Cui Ji, or had she married his essays?