Chapter 334: Chapter 332: In the Past, I Was Foolish
The standard and formal reply format need not be discussed; the key lies in the careful deliberation over the phrasing in the letter, every word and sentence crafted with utmost formality.
Such statements as "The Yan people are deceitful and ruthless, known in history to repeatedly betray alliances—what’s more, to betray you? Collaborating with Yan Zheming is akin to seeking sustenance from a tiger," and "Words spoken within the boudoir are only suited as private whispers between you and me, never to be shared with outsiders. Never again write such things in letters—it may leave evidence for others to use against you"...
Such incessant exhortations.
Qian Duobao clutched the letter fondly, exclaiming, "Truly worthy of the Crown Prince—upright and solemn! Someday, I must offer incense to the ancestors and tell them that I, Qian Duobao, did not follow the wrong master!"
"Enough!" Lu Jiazhe snatched the letter from his hands. "Focus on drafting a reply instead."
Lu Ying’s tone in the letter was overly serious and overly formal.
Replying as before would come across as frivolous.
They sought to facilitate Shen Yinning and Lu Ying’s alliance and didn’t wish to ruin this affair.
The three racked their brains in silence, sitting there staring blankly at one another.
After a while, Wen Liluo spoke first, "I don’t know how to write letters—you all are aware of this. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have invited the Heir of Prince Su to assist us."
Lu Jiazhe groaned in frustration, "All I can write are clever quips and cheeky remarks."
Qian Duobao propped his head on his hand, sighing deeply, "I can only write bawdy marketplace banter; for formal documents, I always have my family’s accountants handle them."
As the trio stared at each other, a maid suddenly stepped forward to report, "Miss, the girl from the Xue Minister’s Mansion has arrived, expressing interest in purchasing some jewelry."
Lu Jiazhe’s eyes brightened, "Perfect timing!"
When Xue Mianmian and Xue Qingqing were invited upstairs, both looked utterly baffled.
After learning the details of the situation, only Xue Qingqing remained utterly bewildered.
Xue Qingqing exclaimed in disbelief, "What?! Sister Shen and the Crown Prince—"
"Shh!" Xue Mianmian nervously covered her mouth, whispering anxiously, "Sister, be mindful of eavesdroppers."
Xue Qingqing’s face was a picture of shock, as though she had stumbled upon some explosive gossip.
She had no idea that there were such scandalous secrets in the Capital!
The Crown Prince, typically so aloof and proper in his demeanor, the epitome of order and restraint—how could he...
How could he take another minister’s wife?
She suddenly recalled the storybooks that had been popular in the Capital last year.
No wonder the Crown Princess Consort had been so furious; it turned out those stories were based on true events!
Lu Jiazhe spoke earnestly, "Xue Family’s sister is the most proper among us, more virtuous and decorous than any of us. Please find a way to draft a reply to the Crown Prince on behalf of Sister Shen—adapt its content as you see fit, and ensure it pleases him even more."
Xue Mianmian pondered.
The Crown Prince’s affection for Zhaozhao, to Zhaozhao, was indeed an advantage, enabling her eventual revenge to proceed more smoothly.
She agreed with great enthusiasm.
The love letter drafted by Xue Mianmian, after being processed with movable type to appear as Shen Yinning’s handwriting, was swiftly delivered to the Eastern Palace.
Lu Ying was in his study discussing politics with his advisors.
When he opened the envelope, the girl’s reply was indeed far more proper this time, adhering strictly to the letter’s format and using remarkably decorous and elegant phrasing, akin to what one might expect from a proper young lady from an established family.
Among its contents were two sentences:
——"I always thought Lu Ying brother to be aloof, unfeeling, and detached; hence, I dared not entrust you with all my trust. Upon receiving your letter today, I realize now that Lu Ying brother is genuinely attentive to my well-being. My past actions were immature and reckless—I beg that you do not hold such indiscretions of mine against me as a mere girl. From now onwards, I promise to reform myself, and serve Lu Ying brother faithfully and earnestly."
Lu Ying reread the letter repeatedly.
The gentle and delicate energy emanating from the letter was palpable; were it not in Shen Yinning’s handwriting, he might have suspected that some spirit had possessed her.
Was it possible that the proud and brash Shen Zhaozhao could write a sentence like "My past actions were immature"?
As his finger brushed against the letter paper.
Lu Ying couldn’t discern whether her repentance was genuine or a performance, but receiving such a reply undeniably brightened his mood.
Seated below him, Shen Xinghan subtly shifted his gaze to the letter paper.
Unfortunately, Lu Ying held the letter firmly in his palm, preventing Shen Xinghan from glimpsing the contents.
Only the envelope—
Shen Xinghan’s eyes narrowed.
The envelope bore the inscription "To the Crown Prince’s Hands," unmistakably in Shen Yinning’s handwriting.
Shen Xinghan silently tightened his grip on the teacup in his hand, surprised to find that Shen Yinning had maintained correspondence with the Crown Prince all along.
Then again, his cousin, such a rare beauty—any man would find her unforgettable.
The Crown Prince was also a man; coupled with their prior relationship, rekindling old feelings and continuing an ambiguous entanglement was nothing shocking.
Yet the current political climate placed the Shen Family at a grave disadvantage.
With his father stripped of military power, the Shen Guogong Mansion was little more than an empty shell.
The Crown Prince’s affections were focused on Shen Yinning; toward Xi’er, he held no romantic regard, only a slight sense of obligation.
Xi’er herself lacked ambition—in all these years failing not only to bear a child, but daring to fabricate a pregnancy.
The false pregnancy hung over the Shen Family like a sword; when it inevitably fell, its repercussions would likely implicate not just Xi’er but his father as well.
Shen Xinghan’s gaze darkened, and he abruptly spoke, "Your Highness just mentioned the need to deal with Yan Zheming before he departs the Capital, to destroy that inequitable inter-state alliance, and to sabotage Lu Zhengliu’s faction’s ambitions to sue for peace and pledge subservience. I have a plan—would Your Highness permit me to share it?"
Lu Ying folded the letter neatly. "Speak freely."
"According to the information I’ve received, the Yan Crown Prince is set to leave the Capital in seven days. With the onset of midsummer approaching, it would be prudent to follow traditional customs and host a grand Lantern Festival in the Capital. The Yan Prince wishes to observe the life of the Great Zhou people—he will not forgo the opportunity to personally stroll the streets. Amid the chaotic crowds of such an event, eliminating the Yan Prince would be almost effortless."
Lu Ying lowered his gaze thoughtfully.
Since last year’s Yuan Festival, when Shen Zhaozhao ignited Gold and Jade Hall and the Lamp Sea Bodhisattva in the Capital, the government had been wary of another citywide fire disaster, imposing curfews for an extended period and even shutting down night markets.
Now, under the excuse of midsummer festivities, hosting a Lantern Festival seemed a plausible initiative.
Seeing no opposition from Lu Ying, Shen Xinghan discreetly relaxed his tense posture.
Yan Zheming, who robbed the Shen Family of military power, certainly deserved to die.
If they could capitalize on this occasion to eliminate Shen Yinning as well, then all the better.
At least it would diminish one enemy for the Shen Family, freeing them from some of the restraints on all fronts.
The inhabitants of the Capital were fond of merrymaking.
Upon hearing news of a grand Lantern Festival to occur three days hence, countless merchants transported fireworks to the Capital, previously closed night markets reopened for business, vendors rubbed their hands eagerly, hoping to make sizable profits, and the citizens all beamed with anticipation, ready to revel in the festivity.
"Lantern Festival?"
Shen Yinning was standing under the covered veranda feeding birds when she glanced at the invitation Haitang presented, raising her brows slightly.
Haitang smiled and said, "It’s organized by the government, supposedly to enhance the prosperity of the Capital’s markets. Not only have they prepared an abundance of fireworks, but they’ve also invited performers of various acts from neighboring regions to the Capital. The Yan Crown Prince has expressed that he’s never witnessed the Capital’s Lantern Festival before, thus chartering a painting boat and inviting you and Prince Duan to attend together."