The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 61 - 60 The Crown Prince wants you to go to Shen Garden immediately

Chapter 61: Chapter 60 The Crown Prince wants you to go to Shen Garden immediately

Shen Yinning was brought back to Lotus Lane from Xiao Kan Temple by Gao Zheng.

She rarely showed her face in the Gao Family, so even after being gone for so long, no one except Gao Zheng had noticed her absence.

When she came to pay her respects to Gao Madam, the latter couldn’t help but curse, "It’s truly unheard of! A daughter-in-law who only visits her mother-in-law once a month—you might as well wait until I’m dead before coming!"

Shen Yinning toyed with the tea cup. "Then should I leave?"

Gao Madam was enraged. "You—"

Gao Zheng interrupted her, "Mother, Shen suffers from poor health, which is why she seldom comes to pay her respects. Please don’t blame her."

"No wonder Sister looks a bit thin." Yin Shanshan soothed Gao Madam, "Besides, Sister comes from the countryside—it’s understandable she doesn’t know proper etiquette. Mother, why bother quarreling? Someone, bring over Hong and Hui to cheer up the elder."

Shen Yinning raised her eyes to look at her. "How’s your courier company doing? Is it still running?"

"Of course!" Yin Shanshan straightened her neck. "Though there’s been little business recently, it will surely make money in the future! And aside from the courier company, I’m planning to open a western-style restaurant catering exclusively to the elite—it’ll be bringing in a fortune daily! I’ve always been destined for a life of toil, unlike Sister, who enjoys such blessings of leisure!"

Shen Yinning didn’t know what a western-style restaurant was, but she was relieved her courier company hadn’t folded yet.

This would make it easier for her to tamper with Shen Yunxi’s White Jade Buddha Statue birthday gift someday and deliver an immense "surprise" to her uncle.

As they talked, Gao Hong and Gao Hui were led in by their wet nurses.

Gao Zheng, watching the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law playing with the children, said to Shen Yinning, "I’ve inquired about it. The noble families in the Capital start hiring tutors for their young heirs as early as two or three years old. Now that Hong and Hui have reached that age, I’d like you to help me find out whether there are suitable reputable tutors in the Capital."

Shen Yinning toyed with the tea cup.

So this explained why Gao Zheng had rushed to bring her back from Xiao Kan Temple to the Gao Family.

"Brother Zheng!" Yin Shanshan suddenly exclaimed, "Sister came from the countryside; she’s never seen the world and doesn’t associate with prominent officials or affluent wives. How could she possibly know anything about tutors or distinguished educators? You’re asking the wrong person!"

Gao Zheng furrowed his brows.

No matter how undeserving Shen Yinning might seem, she was once the esteemed daughter of Duke Mansion.

How could she not know where to find renowned tutors?

If she could appeal to the Crown Prince, wouldn’t Hong and Hui easily secure esteemed teachers?

So he scolded, "I’m discussing the tutoring matter with Shen. Why are you interrupting?!"

"Hong and Hui came out of my belly; how can you say I can’t have a say?!" Yin Shanshan stomped her foot. "While Sister may be their legitimate mother, she’s ignorant and ill-read. I, on the other hand, have an older brother who’s an aide in the Crown Prince Mansion. Sister is just a rural woman—how does she have the ability to hire renowned tutors?! I’ll handle my children’s tutoring personally; there’s no need for Sister to interfere!"

Afraid Shen Yinning might harm her two sons, Yin Shanshan immediately instructed the wet nurses to take them away.

Gao Zheng seethed. "Absurd!"

Gao Madam chided, "I think you are the one being absurd! Shanshan is right. Shen, a rural woman, wouldn’t know how to educate children. Shanshan must take charge herself. Shanshan, don’t listen to Brother Zheng—how you teach the children in the future will be up to you!"

Only then did Yin Shanshan break into a smile and respectfully bow. "Thank you, Mother!"

Shen Yinning couldn’t care less about the Gao Family’s two sons.

She was heading back to the side courtyard but was stopped halfway by Gao Zheng.

Gao Zheng said uneasily, "Miss Shen, Shanshan was being inconsiderate; please forgive her. As for hiring a tutor, it must still fall to you. Though our marriage is only nominal, Hong and Hui still call you their legitimate mother; you should take responsibility for them."

Shen Yinning casually plucked a black chrysanthemum.

Legitimate mother?

Yin Shanshan guarded against her like a hawk, terrified the children would bond with her, so they had never called her "Mother" since birth.

Not that Shen Yinning cared, anyway.

Mindful that young children were innocent, she said, "My childhood tutor, Elder Yu, lives in the North Suburb. If you’re willing, I can write a letter to introduce you to him."

Elder Yu adored her like no other.

When her father and brothers had endured misfortune, Elder Yu had even lowered his dignity to personally plead on their behalf.

But now, yielding herself to Lu Ying, she had lost the face to meet him.

Gao Zheng exclaimed in excitement, "Elder Yu? Could this be Elder Yu Qingheng?! I’ve heard that half the court officials in the Capital passed through his tutelage. Scholarly men everywhere have studied his works to some degree. Back when I was poring over books in the cold, I memorized several of his essays—such piercing insights, each word brilliant as a gem! Truly an exemplar for all readers nationwide!"

"Indeed."

"If Hong and Hui could study under him, their futures would undoubtedly be illustrious and highly esteemed!" Gao Zheng was overjoyed. "Miss Shen, I don’t know how to thank you! If this succeeds, I’ll have Hong and Hui kowtow to you. Once they rise to prominent positions, I’ll make sure they honor you well and petition the Emperor for a title, making you an Imperial Decree Lady!"

Imperial Decree Lady?

Shen Yinning scoffed.

Her ambitions for returning to the Capital had never just been about becoming an Imperial Decree Lady.

She nodded slightly at Gao Zheng before walking away.

Back in the study, Shen Yinning quickly wrote the recommendation letter and asked Wei Yu to deliver it to Gao Zheng.

As Wei Yu left, De Sun arrived.

He courteously informed, "The Crown Prince invites Madame Shen to meet at Shen Garden."

Shen Yinning glanced at the several Golden Guards following behind him.

Judging by the timing, Lu Ying must have already learned of Shen Yunxi’s infertility.

His visit was likely an attempt to settle accounts with her.

Unperturbed, she softly replied, "I’ve just returned to the Capital from Xiao Kan Temple today and feel terribly fatigued. Could the meeting be postponed to tomorrow?"

De Sun remained silent, only smiling.

"I understand His Highness’s intention." Shen Yinning lifted her fingers to adjust her hair ornament. "De Gonggong, may I tidy myself up first before seeing the Crown Prince?"

De Sun replied respectfully, "Madame Shen, the Crown Prince demands your immediate appearance at Shen Garden."

Shen Yinning paused briefly, her smile not reaching her eyes. "If His Highness is so eager to see me, I shall go at once."

She followed De Sun out, discreetly signaling Haitang to find a way to contact Empress Dowager Li.

Haitang understood and planned to head to Xiao Kan Temple after De Sun and Shen Yinning departed, only to be intercepted by Nanny Chen.

Nanny Chen sternly remarked, "You and Wei Yu might have shielded Madame Shen before, but today’s matter is of grave importance. Haitang, do not act recklessly! I’ll personally supervise you and Wei Yu—no one is to leak any information!"

Shen Garden.

Shen Yinning wasn’t taken to the upper floors but was directly escorted into the dungeon.

Passing through a dimly lit, narrow tunnel, she saw Lu Ying sitting in the Interrogation Hall, dressed in white like snow, sipping tea.

Upon hearing the footsteps, Lu Ying looked up at her.