The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 46 I Am Willing

Chapter 46: Chapter 46 I Am Willing

Haitang was about to leave when a strange young maid suddenly burst in.

She was mute, gesturing frantically while letting out indistinct sounds, then shoved a slip of paper into Shen Yinning’s hands before bolting away like a rabbit.

The note bore Xue Mianmian’s handwriting, warning her that Xue Ling had secretly sent someone to tip off Lu Zhengliu under her name, disclosing the matters about the spy mistress and sachet. He intended to pin the betrayal of the Crown Prince on her, urging her to take precautions.

After reading it, Shen Yinning chuckled with amusement, "No need to look for Lu Zhengliu; someone has already done the job for us."

She gestured for Haitang to burn the note, then closed her eyes and leaned against the bath barrel. Her mind flitted between the malicious schemes of Xue Ling and the disdain Lu Ying and Shen Yunxi harbored toward her, gradually forming a bold plan.

Shen Yinning finished her bath and slept until noon in her tent before rising.

Just as she finished dressing, Yin Shanshan suddenly barged in, plopped into a round-back chair, and began wailing in anguish—a picture of utter grievance.

Wei Yu brought a cup of hot tea and asked with a smile, "Madam, why are you crying like this?"

Yin Shanshan, tears streaming down her face, complained, "They’re bullying me! My husband is the Prime Minister’s protégé, and my elder brother is a favorite of the Crown Prince. I, Yin Shanshan, am no less respectable! I was kind enough to deliver name cards to those noble ladies, thinking we could all get acquainted. But they outright refused to accept them and even ridiculed me for reeking of money, claiming I wasn’t fit for their circle!"

Shen Yinning picked up the small box on the table.

Inside was a stack of cards densely packed.

She pulled one out for inspection. It bore Yin Shanshan’s name and a description identifying her as the "CEO of Tornado Express."

She didn’t quite understand what "CEO" meant and guessed it might be akin to a shopkeeper.

The ladies accompanying the royal hunt—wealthy and noble—naturally looked down upon women who flaunted themselves to run businesses; their mockery of Yin Shanshan’s commercial scent was, of course, expected.

Yin Shanshan continued her lamentations: "Those women are narrow-minded and ignorant. I didn’t want to argue with them, so I took my name cards to visit esteemed officials and aristocratic sons instead. Yet they disdained me for being mere feminine company and spouted nonsense about propriety between men and women, then had me chased out! Waaa—these people are so old-fashioned, completely clueless about gender equality!"

Haitang and Wei Yu exchanged glances.

This Madam Yin was truly peculiar, sounding as if she had lost her senses!

Shen Yinning instructed, "Prepare a basin of water for Madam Yin to wash her face."

Haitang curtsied and hurried off to comply.

After crying herself hoarse, Yin Shanshan began wiping her face, grumbling as she did so, "These ancient people are completely clueless. They don’t realize that, sooner or later, I will rise above them all and amaze the world. My husband is the Prime Minister’s protégé; my elder brother is the Crown Prince’s favorite. Once my express delivery company covers the whole realm, those who scorned me will regret it when it’s too late!"

Shen Yinning propped her chin in thought.

Yin Shanshan didn’t have many friends and always liked running to her to vent complaints.

Her gaze drifted to the fine print beneath "Tornado Express"—"Deliveries for all aspects of life: Order today, arrive tomorrow. Fast as a tornado."

Her mind wandered to Shen Yunxi’s words:

——"I recently acquired a superb jade slab. Last month, I sent it to Jiangnan and commissioned the most famous Jade Master in the southern region to craft a three-foot-tall White Jade Buddha Statue for my father. I’m certain he’ll love it."

Uncle truly leads a blessed life.

Lavish celebrations for his fortieth birthday, unlike Father, who spent his fortieth in a sunless prison cell.

Shen Yinning’s delicate fingers brushed across the name card. If Shen Yunxi’s White Jade Buddha Statue were to be completed just days before the birthday celebration, the official transport route wouldn’t make it in time. She’d undoubtedly seek alternative methods.

If Shen Yunxi were to rely on Yin Shanshan’s so-called express delivery service to send the White Jade Buddha Statue to the Capital...

Would that not offer her a chance to tamper with the parcel?

She, too, had a "gift" she wanted to send to her dear uncle.

When Shen Yunxi traced the incident back, it would lead directly to Yin Shanshan instead.

Thinking this through, Shen Yinning said softly, "Sister, you’re a genius in business. You’re destined to be the richest person in Great Zhou one day. Why let a few harsh words distress you? Since your delivery service is targeted at noble households, in my opinion, why not raise the prices to, say, 500 taels or 1,000 taels per delivery? That way, while ordinary folks wouldn’t afford your services, it’d establish your reputation in aristocratic circles. Wouldn’t wealthy patrons follow naturally?"

That fool, Shen Yunxi, always believed the more expensive, the better.

The higher Yin Shanshan’s rates, the more likely she’d catch Shen Yunxi’s attention.

Yin Shanshan grasped Shen Yinning’s meaning.

Shen Yinning was suggesting she target the high-end market.

That suited her. After all, the upper class matched her status as a government lady, didn’t they?

She broke into a smug smile and boasted, "Hmph, I actually thought of that long ago but hadn’t mentioned it yet! Don’t think you’re too clever now!"

"I’m naturally dull and far from being as brilliant as you, Sister." Shen Yinning smiled warmly, "Sister’s extraordinary talent is truly unparalleled. I salute you!"

Yin Shanshan basked in the compliment.

She dabbled her handkerchief and sneered at Shen Yinning, "Have you been staying in your tent all day? Now that you’re finally out, you should go out for a stroll, meet some of those noble ladies, and expand your network. Don’t stay cooped up in the tent; it’s petty and diminishes your husband’s prestige."

She spoke with the authority of a household matron reprimanding a junior wife.

Shen Yinning maintained her light smile, "You’re right, Sister. I shall go out immediately."

Yin Shanshan watched her leave the tent and took a sip of tea, contentedly.

Having a main wife like Shen Yinning—what a weakling.

No backbone whatsoever, only knowing how to obey a concubine’s instructions.

To outsiders, it might seem Shen Yinning was the concubine, and Yin Shanshan the matron!

Shen Yinning stepped out of the tent, immediately adorning a veil to cover her face.

The sun was setting, blanketing the horizon with a fiery glow.

Hoofbeats sounded.

Shen Yinning turned toward the noise. A young man with jet-black hair, crimson lips, a golden hairpin, and a vermilion robe galloped upon a white horse, flanked by a dozen noble sons, heading charismatically toward the encampment at the mountain’s base.

Prince Shen, Lu Zhengliu.

Lu Ying had tried to harm him using the sachet, yet he emerged unscathed.

If Lu Ying saw this, wouldn’t she be furious?

As this thought crossed her mind, she made her way to Xue Ling’s tent.

Xue Ling had gone hunting with Lu Ying. The tent was utterly silent.

She passed the screen and saw Xue Mianmian embroidering beside the candlelight. Her delicate white neck was still fastened with chains, one end of which was affixed to the bedpost. Her movements were limited to this small space behind the screen.

She called out, "Mianmian."

Xue Mianmian looked up in astonishment, "How are you here?!"

"I came to see you." Shen Yinning gently touched the chain, concern on her face. "Where’s the key?"

"He keeps it on him at all times; it’s not easy to obtain." Xue Mianmian shook her head sadly, then asked urgently, "By the way, did you read the note I sent you? You must be careful!"

Shen Yinning gave her a reassuring look, "Don’t worry."

Xue Mianmian anxiously continued, "Weren’t you exiled to Gan State? How are you back in the Capital, and even became the Crown Prince’s..."

She hesitated to utter the word "Forbidden Fruit."

She knew how exalted and righteous Shen Yinning had been three years ago.

"It was all part of my plan. Only this way could I return to the Capital and have a chance to avenge my father and brothers. Becoming his Forbidden Fruit—I did so willingly. But what about you? How did Xue Ling reduce you to this state? Do the Xue family members, especially Xue Chief of Staff, know? They raised you for years; surely they wouldn’t stand by and let Xue Ling mistreat you..."

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