The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 72 - 71 He Dislikes Women Who Lie the Most

Chapter 72: Chapter 71 He Dislikes Women Who Lie the Most

Shen Yinning asked, "Who is this child?"

Haitang, her face full of indignation, replied, "This is the child you sent to study under the tutelage of Old Master Yu last month. The old master disliked calling him ’Doggie,’ so he specially gave him the name Bai Heming. Seeing that he was still young, Old Master Yu permitted him to return home once every fortnight. The last time he came back, he specially picked a bouquet of wildflowers for you. He ran to our courtyard intending to kowtow and thank you, but you happened to be away at the Shen Garden that day."

Shen Yinning quietly observed the child.

About three or four years old, he was plainly dressed, covered in mud from being bullied, yet clutching tightly onto a bouquet of small wildflowers.

He cried pitifully, "I’m not lying! I really became a student of Master Yu, wuwuwu!"

Unable to stand the sight, Shen Yinning stepped forward. "What is this commotion?"

Bai Heming’s eyes lit up as he saw Shen Yinning.

He weakly crawled to her feet. "Madam... Madam..."

The child, still so young and already enduring such torment, could no longer hold on and fainted with tears in his eyes.

Shen Yinning instructed Haitang, "Take him to my courtyard and call for a doctor to examine him."

"Hold it!" Yin Shanshan interjected with displeasure. "Elder Sister, do you not know? Brother Hong and Brother Hui rummaged through this little scoundrel’s bundle and found brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. How could a child born to a servant afford such expensive items? He must have stolen them! Beginning as a thief while still so young, not to mention lying through his teeth about studying under Old Master Yu, claiming the writing tools were a gift from the old man—it’s downright laughable! Since my husband tasked me with managing the household, I naturally have to mete out proper punishment! I only gave him two strokes with the rod and let Brother Hong and Brother Hui play ’riding the dog’ on him as a minor lesson; it’s not as if he would die from it! Why are you being so soft-hearted? If you interfere with my running of the household, I might as well give up on managing it altogether!"

Shen Yinning never anticipated that sending Bai Heming to study would end up harming him.

She clarified, "He truly has been accepted as a student under Old Master Yu."

Just then, Gao Zheng arrived.

Hearing her words, his brows furrowed. "Shen Yinning, I know you have a kind heart, but to defend this little thief, you’re willing to lie to the entire family? If this child dares steal at such a young age, who knows what kind of trouble he’ll cause when he grows up. If you ask me, better to beat him to death now with sticks!"

Shen Yinning’s gaze remained calm. "Even when the government investigates a case, it requires evidence and witness testimonies. If you claim the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones in his bundle were stolen, then has anyone in the household reported missing these specific items? Is there anyone who can act as a witness to this alleged theft?"

The courtyard fell into a brief silence.

Shen Yinning bent down and picked up the scattered writing tools. "These items were indeed gifts from Old Master Yu to the child, yet you’ve wrongfully accused him of theft. Gao Zheng, Yin Shanshan, you owe this child an apology."

"Elder Sister, have you lost your mind? We are the masters; he is the servant. Where in the world would you find a master apologizing to a servant? You were born and raised in this era—do you even understand the meaning of hierarchy and social status?!" Yin Shanshan sneered.

Both Gao Zheng and the Gao matriarch nodded, deeply agreeing with her.

Yin Shanshan added, "Besides, even if no one in the household is missing items, who’s to say he didn’t steal them from outside? My husband and I are planning to go out of town tomorrow to bring Brother Hong and Brother Hui to see Old Master Yu and ask if he would take them as students. If you insist that Doggie is one of Old Master Yu’s students, we’ll ask him directly tomorrow!"

Gao Zheng nodded in agreement, advising, "Shen Yinning, stop making a fuss. Otherwise, if you embarrass yourself in front of someone as dignified as Old Master Yu, it won’t reflect well on you either."

"Whose face will be embarrassed remains to be seen."

With a cold laugh, Shen Yinning left with Haitang, Wei Yu, and Bai Heming.

The Gao matriarch spat in disdain at her retreating figure. "Utterly shameless and stubborn! Our Gao Family is truly unlucky to have married such a liar and a jinx!"

Gao Zheng silently stared after Shen Yinning’s back, his eyes filled with a mix of pity and helplessness.

He could understand Shen Yinning’s vain need to prove her worth, but of all the things she shouldn’t have done, she had no business fabricating tales about Old Master Yu’s involvement.

Did she not know how much he despised women who lied?

Side chamber.

Bai Heming lay on the bed, his wounds expertly dressed, and his small face thoroughly cleaned.

When he looked at Shen Yinning, his grape-like eyes were full of admiration as he said in his childish voice, "Thank you for saving me, Madam... My mother told me that a lowly child like me doesn’t deserve your help, let alone the opportunity to study. It’s only because of your Bodhisattva-like kindness that you’ve helped me..."

All her life, Shen Yinning had never been praised for having a "Bodhisattva-like kindness."

She smiled faintly and gently instructed him, "As a person, one’s dignity lies in self-respect. Although you come from humble beginnings, as long as you strive for better, there’s no shame in that. As the saying goes, ’Are kings and ministers born into nobility?’ Your destiny lies in your own hands. As long as you work hard at studying, you’ll surely measure up to—or even surpass—Gao Hong and Gao Hui one day."

Bai Heming nodded earnestly. "I even picked some beautiful flowers for Madam, but they’ve gotten all dirty and don’t look nice anymore..."

Shen Yinning looked at the small bouquet of wildflowers in his hand.

Despite the beatings and bullying, he had never loosened his grip. Now, they looked wilted and droopy, losing the freshness and vibrancy they once had when first picked.

But the thoughtfulness behind the gesture was rare and precious.

Shen Yinning solemnly said, "Thank you."

She instructed Wei Yu to place the wildflowers into a white porcelain vase, then asked, "Hadn’t Yin Shanshan already hired a tutor for her sons? Why does she now want to visit Master Yu?"

While arranging the flowers, Wei Yu responded, "This servant looked into it. It turns out the tutor Yin Shanshan hired last month was a fraud. He stayed at the Gao household for over half a month, gathering information about the layout and the daily routines of the servants. Then one night, he escaped with over a thousand silver notes and various gold and silver jewelry. They still haven’t caught him. After discussing the matter, Yin Shanshan and Master Gao decided it would be safer to hire a reliable tutor, so they’re planning to bring the two young masters to see if Old Master Yu would accept them."

Haitang led Bai Heming’s mother into the room. "Countless children of noble families in the Capital can’t even catch Old Master Yu’s attention. Yet Yin Shanshan is so confident in her sons—"

Perhaps realizing that gossiping behind others’ backs wasn’t appropriate, Haitang abruptly stopped speaking.

However, everyone present understood the unspoken truth.

Gao Hong and Gao Hui had been spoiled and pampered from a young age. They were not only talentless but also selfish and unimaginative. Without someone influential making an introduction, Old Master Yu wouldn’t even spare them a glance.

Madam Wang, her eyes red-rimmed, dragged Bai Heming forward to kowtow to Shen Yinning. "Last month, Madam gifted us a bag of silver coins, saving Doggie’s life from the brink of death. Now, you’ve saved him yet again from Yin Shanshan today. Madam, my child and I don’t know how to repay your kindness!"

Shen Yinning gently helped her up. "Since Master Yu has given him a proper name, call him that. Don’t refer to him as ’Doggie’ anymore."

"Yes, yes!" Madam Wang wiped her tears earnestly. "Madam’s great kindness can never be repaid, not even in a lifetime! From now on, my son and I will be your most loyal servants. Even Heming’s life belongs to you!"

Bai Heming said in his clear voice, "Madam, I will study hard, and even lay down my life, to repay your great kindness!"

Shen Yinning did not expect repayment from a young child.

Helping Bai Heming had cost her no more than a few words.

After the mother and son left, Haitang said, "All this time, people took Madam to be cold and aloof. But in truth, you have such a kind heart."

Shen Yinning shot her a look. "The reason I arranged for Bai Heming to study under a renowned teacher was merely to spite Gao Zheng and Yin Shanshan. I’m no kind-hearted person."

Haitang and Wei Yu exchanged a knowing smile.

They were long accustomed to Shen Yinning’s hard exterior and soft heart.

The next day.

It was Old Master Yu’s birthday, and a continuous stream of students arrived to pay their respects, making the Yu residence more lively than usual.

Shen Yinning did not run into Lu Ying but encountered Gao Zheng and Yin Shanshan outside.

The two, carrying large bundles of gifts and accompanied by Gao Hong and Gao Hui, appeared very much like they were there to seek a master for their children.

Seeing Shen Yinning step off the carriage with Bai Heming in tow, Yin Shanshan exclaimed in incredulity, "You? What makes you think you’re qualified to come here?! And you even dare bring that lowly brat along?!"