Chapter 23: Shen Shuwan's Seduction

Luo Ningsang had once been so foolish, and now all the resentment buried deep in her heart poured out.

"I couldn't bear to eat or use anything myself, offering all my silver to you, but did you ever spare me a single smile?"

"You said once that Shen Shuwan liked hibiscus cakes, and I ran through several streets in a heavy snowstorm to buy them for you. You loved poetry gatherings with scholars, so I begged my Imperial Father to host them. In the end, because you said I embarrassed you, you were the only one who didn't take me along."

"At those gatherings, everyone praised you and Shen Shuwan as a perfect match. Did you ever think of me for even a second? I wished so much that I could be the one by your side, but because my literary talent was lacking, I was deemed unworthy."

"And those palanquins—you and Shen Shuwan always rode in them, while I walked back on my own two legs every day, never daring to tell my Father, never daring to show the slightest dissatisfaction. If I returned late, I would go hungry; there wasn't a scrap of food left for me."

Luo Ningsang vented everything, recounting the grievances of her past life. The raw, genuine memories brought tears to her eyes.

Hearing this now, Xiao Ze'an felt his guilt overflowing. He was confident that what Luo Ningsang said was true. After all, he considered himself a perfect being in Yanchi in every aspect, and Luo Ningsang had chased after him for so many years.

"Although you used the wrong methods, I know you still like me. I can give you a chance now to be by my side."

Intertwined with guilt and vanity, Xiao Ze'an spoke these words, believing he was compensating Luo Ningsang. In reality, after recent events, he had lost Luo Ningsang’s pursuit and her money. His father no longer allowed him to eat at the main table, forcing him to eat meager meals in the side room with his mother. His father’s legal wife began to pick at every fault he and his mother had, and his father’s attitude toward him had plummeted. As for Shen Shuwan, once she learned he was merely an illegitimate son, she refused to see him. He had gone to the Grand Secretary's residence several times but was turned away at the door, let alone seeing Shen Shuwan to explain himself. In just two days, his life had fallen into hell, which was why he was drinking to drown his sorrows in the middle of the night.

"But those gossiping maids and servants must be punished. Teaching the Princess to behave badly for no reason—they must be severely dealt with."

Now that Luo Ningsang was bowing her head to him, he could forgive her, but he would certainly not let those who had incited the Princess go.

"Fine, as long as you can be by my side and I am qualified to love you, I will return to the palace now and report to my Father, asking him to have all those people executed."

Luo Ningsang agreed immediately. Having played the part this far, she could no longer stand to stay. Without waiting for Xiao Ze'an to reply, she lifted her skirt and ran off.

Once outside the Grand Secretary’s residence, Luo Ningsang let out a long sigh of relief. The plot should be back on track now. Her next step was to wait for Xiao Ze'an to get arrogant and start making demands; no matter what he asked for, she would satisfy them.

Deep within the towering, golden-bricked and vermilion-tiled imperial city, Crown Prince Luo Shaochen was like a white pear blossom blooming in early spring—pure, flawless, and simple-minded, guarding a clear patch of heaven on the edge of the treacherous, power-hungry court. He had yet to grasp the ways of governing a nation or the principles of benevolence, let alone the complexities of human hearts or the dark undercurrents beneath romance.

Luo Shaochen leaned on the window sill of the Crown Prince’s palace, his eyes brimming with spring, smiling with a dazed expression. He recalled the past few days...

Regarding the royal hunt, the Emperor had personally appointed him to be in full charge. This was a perfect opportunity to showcase his ability to coordinate and to uphold the prestige of the royal family, yet he had been at a loss, not knowing where to begin. Although there were precedents for the annual hunts, the Emperor attached great importance to this one, and the scale far exceeded the past because the Mo Emperor of Great Qi was attending; Yanchi could not afford to lose face. He needed to arrange a novel and impressive venue, ensure a variety of fat and healthy game, and cater to the preferences and safety of the princes, ministers, and royal clan. These matters had left him exhausted and sleepless.

Ultimately, following his Father's hint, he had sought help from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister had served three dynasties and was experienced in managing grand ceremonies. Moreover, his family’s library was filled with countless archives, so he would surely find some brilliant methods. Thus, with few attendants and dressed in plain silk robes, Luo Shaochen had discreetly traveled to the Prime Minister’s residence.

The residence was deep and winding, its carved beams and painted pillars reflecting the heritage of a noble family. Luo Shaochen humbly sought the Prime Minister’s advice on the hunt, but the Prime Minister found him hopelessly dull, unable to grasp even a hint, requiring hand-holding. The Prime Minister initially lacked patience, but out of respect for the Crown Prince’s status, he explained a few things. He had intended to be perfunctory, but then he noticed his daughter passing by several times, casting lingering glances at the Prince. The Prime Minister immediately understood her intentions.

Previously, his daughter had been close to Xiao Ze'an. Xiao Ze'an was talented, elegant, and skilled in poetry; as the legitimate son of the Grand Secretary, he was a match for Wan'er. But two days ago, Wan'er had returned home in tears, saying Xiao Ze'an had deceived her—he was merely an illegitimate son. If his daughter married an illegitimate son, she would spend her life in poverty and humiliation, her pride crushed by the cold stares of others.

It appeared his daughter had found a new target. With the Crown Prince visiting today, this was a heaven-sent opportunity, and as a father, he naturally had to give her a push.

"Your Highness, please rest for a moment. I will have my daughter serve you tea. I have an urgent matter to attend to in the residence, and I shall return shortly."

The calculating Prime Minister withdrew, creating an opportunity for his daughter to be alone with the Prince.

Shen Shuwan was like a datura blooming in a thorn bush—beautiful and alluring but hiding a deadly poison. She was adept at using a weak and delicate facade to disguise the schemes churning in her heart. From the moment she knew Luo Shaochen had stepped through the gates, her heart was like a lake rippled by a spring breeze, and beneath those ripples lay endless greed and vanity.

"Your Highness, hearing how you have been toiling over the hunt, my heart truly aches for you."

Shen Shuwan moved with lotus-like steps, her gold-flecked skirt swaying, and knelt gracefully before Luo Shaochen. With a silk handkerchief half-covering her face and her eyes lowered, she looked as tearful and lovable as a flower in the rain.

Luo Shaochen hurriedly reached out to help her up, his fingertips brushing her slender, boneless arm, and his ears turned crimson. He stammered, "Miss Shen, there is no need for such formality. I came here rashly to ask the Prime Minister for advice on the hunt's arrangements."

When he finished, he looked up and met Shen Shuwan’s affectionate gaze. His heart raced, and he quickly looked away.

"You have worked hard, Your Highness. This is tea I brewed myself; please, have a taste."

Shen Shuwan lifted her delicate hands and presented the tea, bringing with it a faint, lingering fragrance. Luo Shaochen took the cup and immediately took a sip, burning his tongue so badly he stuck it out. Shen Shuwan covered her lips and giggled, amused by his comical display. Though embarrassed, Luo Shaochen simply scratched his head awkwardly, happy to have made the beauty laugh.

"Then please rest, Your Highness. I shall take my leave."

Shen Shuwan withdrew at the perfect moment. She understood that staying too long on the first encounter would make her intentions too obvious, and that men were fickle—the more unattainable something was, the more they pined for it. Today, she had planted the hook in Luo Shaochen’s heart; he would surely spend the night lost in memories of this brief encounter.

She had also put great effort into her unique fragrance, which was not common. She had deliberately made physical contact while serving the tea so the scent would linger on him. She had spent a lot of effort to manipulate Xiao Ze'an, but a simpleton like Luo Shaochen would be hers in a few days.

As expected, after returning to the palace, Luo Shaochen’s mind was filled with Shen Shuwan’s laughter. Whether it was a hallucination or his own longing, he kept catching the scent of her fragrance, sinking deeper into a whirlpool of yearning. From then on, he visited the Prime Minister’s residence daily, hoping to see her. But for several days, she did not appear, leaving him feeling empty inside.

Shen Shuwan, of course, knew he was coming. She could not easily appear after setting the hook. Only when his anticipation reached its peak would it be time for her to perform.

That day, as the first rays of dawn touched the courtyard, Shen Shuwan waited in the front hall with delicate refreshments. On a blue-and-white porcelain plate lay soft, fragrant cakes, accompanied by a handwritten note: "Your Highness, rising early is hard work. Please accept these small refreshments as a token of my sincerity. May all your endeavors go smoothly."

The handwriting was elegant, and the note was filled with subtle emotion. After several days of not seeing her, this proactive gesture left Luo Shaochen nearly dizzy with joy. He spent the entire day with a smile on his face, feeling as if he were walking on air.

When the sun was high, Shen Shuwan arrived with a chessboard, smiling gently. "Your Highness, the spring sunlight is lovely and the game is ready. Would you care to play a match to pass the time?"

She blinked her long lashes, and Luo Shaochen, unable to resist such provocation, sat down in a daze. On the board, black and white stones intertwined. Shen Shuwan would tilt her head, pretending to think hard, or cry out in feigned frustration, acting coquettish to undo her moves. Her soft, delicate behavior left Luo Shaochen distracted, causing him to make mistake after mistake.

At dusk, as the sunset gilded the residence, Shen Shuwan led him for a stroll in the garden, where they were surrounded by a sea of flowers. She leaned down to sniff a blossom, the flower in her hair swaying as if about to fall, and whispered, "Your Highness, look at these flowers, blooming so freely—just like the joy I feel when I see you."

As she spoke, she looked up, her eyes swimming with deep affection.

Time and again, Luo Shaochen felt as if he had fallen into an invisible, soft net, entangling him tighter the more he struggled. He forgot his original purpose, and the royal hunt was reduced to mere background noise, his heart and eyes filled only with Shen Shuwan’s every smile and gesture.

The two often whispered under the flowers and moonlight. Shen Shuwan told him anecdotes and trivial stories, which Luo Shaochen listened to with delight, occasionally chiming in to make her giggle behind her hand. Sometimes, when the moonlight shimmered on the quiet lake, she would coax him to go boating. The small boat would rock, and she would pretend to be frightened, falling into his arms, her body trembling slightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Luo Shaochen, unable to withstand this, felt his whole body burning, his heart pounding like a drum, and he tightened his arms, drowning in this gentle trap.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... Luo Shaochen, you are smiling so dizzily. Tell me, which girl has stolen our Crown Prince’s heart?"

Luo Ningsang’s voice abruptly cut through Luo Shaochen’s memories. Having finished her business, she had run from the Grand Secretary’s house to the palace to ask her brother for help, only to find him looking like a lovesick maiden.

"Imperial Sister, stop teasing me. What have you come to see me about?" Luo Shaochen touched his nose awkwardly, quickly changing the subject.

"Oh, I need a small favor. To deal with Xiao Ze'an, I promised him I would dismiss all the maids and servants who serve me in the palace. Brother, please help me quietly relocate them outside the palace, give them some silver to live well, and make sure no one finds out."

Luo Shaochen was confused. "Why dismiss them for no reason?"

"Don't ask so many questions. Just do as I say; I have my reasons." Luo Ningsang couldn't explain the rebirth and the plot, so she adopted a firm attitude.

"Understood, Imperial Sister. I will ensure it is done flawlessly." It was rare for her to ask him for a favor, so he would make sure to do it well.

"How are your preparations for the hunt going? I hear you’ve been at the Prime Minister’s residence every day lately." Luo Ningsang eyed him sideways, suspecting his lovesick state was related to Shen Shuwan.

"I have learned a lot from the Prime Minister. Don't worry, Imperial Sister, I will be able to manage the hunt well." Luo Shaochen spoke without conviction, his guilty expression inviting suspicion.

"How about we add a program to the hunt?" Luo Ningsang whispered a brilliant plan into his ear, telling him to schedule it at the very beginning of the hunt.

"Have you considered this carefully, Imperial Sister?" Though he didn't understand why she would suddenly do this, he chose to trust her.

"Yes." Luo Ningsang was resolute.

"Brother, let me advise you one more time: stay away from that Shen Shuwan at the Prime Minister’s residence."

...

Back in Great Qi, after Mo Youli finished his daily court duties, he would look up toward the direction of Yanchi, his palm brushing the pendant on his chest.

"Mo San, go call Mo Jiu."

"Yes, Master."

Before long, a woman in tight-fitting clothes, looking capable and heroic, knelt before him.

"Master."

"Change your identity, infiltrate Yanchi, and enter the palace. Go to Princess Luo Ningsang’s side. Your task is to protect her and send news back to Great Qi."

Mo Youli still couldn't stop worrying about that innocent, lively, and foolish girl. Most importantly, he wanted to know what she was doing every moment. After much deliberation, he felt Mo Jiu was the most suitable. From Mo Yi to Mo Shi, they were ranked by their martial prowess.