Chapter 313: Chapter 311 Shen Zhaozhao Can Only Be His Woman
Shen Xinghan did not want to go to the Ministry of Justice, but he went anyway.
When he arrived, Haitang stood at the entrance and said, "My lady is currently dressing. Please wait for a moment, Hanlin Shen."
Shen Xinghan knew Shen Yinning was doing this on purpose.
He waited for a full two ke before she appeared.
Just when his patience was wearing thin, Shen Yinning finally lifted the bamboo curtain and walked out gracefully.
She offered a polite bow and said gently, "Cousin."
Shen Xinghan avoided her gaze, his voice frigid: "The sedan is waiting outside the government office."
"But, cousin, you falsely accused me of plotting against Shen Xinglei, saying I was guilty of unlawful imprisonment and abuse..." Shen Yinning stood still, delicately holding a handkerchief, her demeanor both pitiful and haughty. "I am but a helpless woman with no support, struggling to survive in the Capital. Now, thanks to cousin’s slander, I am disgraced. Even my husband finds me vile and conniving, fearing I’ll hinder his career. He’s even threatened to divorce me. Cousin, I am truly afraid."
A Haitang tree, requiring two people to encircle it, stood planted at the entrance of the government office.
It was the season when flowers fell. Deep crimson and pale pink petals covered the branches, with fallen blossoms strewn across the ground.
Beneath the eaves, the young lady appeared more alluring than the flowers themselves, her delicate beauty as fresh and vivid as spring, an image of innocence.
Yet her words were laced with deceit, each one more provocative than the last, a blatant taunt with every syllable.
Shen Xinghan clenched his fists tightly, his reddened eyes meeting hers: "Shen Yinning, do not push me too far."
Shen Yinning tilted her head innocently. "I’ve always been the one at the receiving end of bullying. How could I possibly bully anyone? Cousin, with your fierce accusations, it seems you’re still blaming me for Second Cousin’s death. Since you are convinced I am the culprit, I might as well stay in prison. Once my innocence is proven, I’ll come out."
She turned to head back inside.
Shen Xinghan’s temples throbbed violently.
The Emperor and a hall full of civil and military officials were waiting. If he returned alone, it would embarrass Great Zhou before Yan Country. The officials and the public’s scorn would drown him alive!
Suppressing the surge of anger within, Shen Xinghan spoke in a low voice, "Second Brother’s death was merely an accident. I will withdraw the case tomorrow."
Shen Yinning glanced back at him, her phoenix eyes shimmering with what seemed like clarity but concealed a biting coldness and mockery. "Cousin finally believes I didn’t abduct Shen Xinglei, or imprison or harm him?"
Shen Xinghan pressed his lips together.
As unwilling as he was, he could only reply, "Yes."
"In that case," Shen Yinning gestured for Haitang to bring out a document, "please sign this, cousin."
Shen Xinghan glanced at it briefly.
The document explicitly stated that the Shen Family voluntarily withdrew the case and that Shen Yinning was innocent. It declared that she had never harmed Shen Xinglei and attributed all events to the enemies of Shen Xinglei, with no involvement from her whatsoever.
Shen Xinghan’s face turned ashen. Swallowing his fury, he quickly scrawled his name.
He flung the brush aside. "Is that enough?!"
Shen Yinning picked up the document, blew on the ink to dry it, and smiled. "That will do."
Shen Xinghan turned abruptly and stormed off, his steps hurried.
Shen Yinning followed him.
At first, she merely smiled at his retreating back. Gradually, she began to laugh, at first softly, then louder, until finally she was laughing so hard she could barely stand upright.
Shen Xinghan spun around, his face flushed with evident shame and anger: "Shen Yinning!"
Clutching her stomach, Shen Yinning laughed until her eyes were rimmed red with tears. "You desired to incriminate me and came up with any excuse to do so. Cousin, look at you now—just a little ploy from me, and you’re already forced to admit that I had nothing to do with Shen Xinglei’s death. Back when you and Uncle forced my father and brothers to confess to fabricated crimes, what tricks did you use?"
She knew her father and brothers had endured countless tortures before their deaths.
They were heroes of Great Zhou, yet branded as traitors.
How much must they have been threatened, how much agony must they have suffered, to be compelled to admit to crimes they never committed?
It must have been excruciating...
They were protectors of the borders, paragons of heroism, yet they were imprisoned, tormented, and humiliated by petty villains.
Though everyone in the Capital had benefitted from her father and brothers’ sacrifices—her father had led troops to fortify the frontier, and her brothers had fought invaders with their lives—it was not the battlefield that claimed them. They were betrayed and destroyed by their own people.
Shen Yinning’s phoenix eyes brimmed with tears.
Through her blurred vision, she stared at Shen Xinghan, her crimson lips curling involuntarily.
Half-crying, half-laughing, she appeared utterly deranged.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, Shen Xinghan felt a chill.
That chill crept up from the soles of his feet, traveled along his spine, and spread through his entire body—oppressive and fearsome like the shadow of a demon.
"Madwoman."
He cursed softly, then strode away even faster, as if escaping.
Finally entering the palace, the long-waiting assembly in the Golden Hall came to attention.
Shen Yinning stepped over the threshold, walking steadily into the hall.
This Golden Hall was designated for grand royal banquets, its intricately carved beams and painted rafters adorned with gold lacquer. The golden dragon throne, a symbol of imperial authority, stood atop the crimson dais.
The last time she was here was on New Year’s Eve four years ago.
Four years.
The family was destroyed. Her dearest kin were gone. She had wandered from place to place.
Finally, she had returned from Gan State to this place.
Shen Yinning curtsied and bowed her head with the elegance of a swan lowering its neck. "This humble subject greets Your Majesty. I wish Your Majesty boundless blessings and eternal health."
The hall fell silent in an instant.
All eyes were on her.
Most dazzling of all was her face—exquisite as a lotus in full bloom, with arched brows, rosy lips, phoenix eyes, and peach-like cheeks—a masterpiece of ink and watercolor brought to life.
Her jet-black, luxuriant hair was styled into a loose, cloud-like bun that revealed her smooth, white forehead. Draped in a raven-gray silk robe subtlety embroidered with clouds, she wore muted tones that, rather than diminishing her radiance, heightened the regal and luxurious aura her beauty exuded.
She stood tall and graceful, her pomegranate red silk skirt trailing behind her. The vivid, fiery hues of her gown matched the golden hairpin adorned with turquoise gems in her hair, resembling a blazing flame bursting into everyone’s sight. Her beauty was fierce, threatening to consume the hearts of her admirers with but a glance, reducing them to ashes.
Shen Yinning.
The once acknowledged belle of the Capital, and even after four years, her breathtaking allure remained unchallenged.
Lu Ying tightened his grip on his teacup.
He had grown tired of the way the men in the hall looked at her.
He shifted his gaze toward Yan Zheming.
The man’s light-blue eyes were also fixed on Shen Yinning, devoid of much enmity but instead tinged with interest.
Clearly, Yan Zheming had orchestrated today’s scenario to deliberately coax Shen Zhaozhao into appearing.
What did he intend to do with her?
Exact revenge?
Or claim her?
As a fellow man, Lu Ying suspected it was more the latter.
He knew this was Shen Zhaozhao’s game, but if Yan Zheming dared to cross the line, he wouldn’t hesitate to end the game prematurely.
This sly enchantress belonged to him.
From the imperial throne, Lu Yu finally regained his composure and spoke with authority: "You certainly know why I summoned you to the palace today. Do you have the confidence to regain the upper hand for my Great Zhou?"
Shen Yinning lowered her head slightly. "This humble subject considers it an honor."