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.