"Qianxin." When Shangguan Jin saw Shen Qianxin, he immediately revealed a gentle smile, and his eyes also showed deep affection, but behind the affection was naked calculation.
Shen Qianmo watched all this from the shadows, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips.
The princes of the royal family are indeed natural-born actors. They can all convincingly feign deep affection. They all wear that same gentle smile and that same loving gaze. But behind this gentleness and affection lies calculation and conspiracy.
"Eighth Prince." Shen Qianxin smiled shyly, looking at Shangguan Jin with some embarrassment. Although she married Shangguan Jin for power, how could she not be moved by such an outstanding man as Shangguan Jin, who was so gentle to her?
"I already told you, call me Jin," Shangguan Jin said with a gentle smile, correcting him with a touch of domineering.
"Hahaha. Good, good! Seeing that you two have a good relationship, I'm relieved. I'll grant you your marriage proposal!" Shen Lingyun showed a loving father's expression, looking at the two of them with satisfaction.
"Since the Prime Minister has agreed, then I, Shangguan Jin, will request the Emperor to grant us the marriage." Upon hearing Shen Lingyun's words, Shangguan Jin's brow twitched slightly, and a calculating glint flashed in her eyes.
"Very well! But Eighth Prince, there's no need to stand on ceremony. Call me Father-in-law!" Shen Lingyun patted Shangguan Jin on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "Now that the Crown Prince is missing and there's no one to take his place, I think the Eighth Prince is very capable."
"If my father-in-law can help, I will do my best!" Shangguan Jin keenly understood the meaning in Shen Lingyun's words and immediately replied.
A pair of sharp, eagle-like eyes gleamed with an unwavering confidence. Now, with Shen Lingyun as his backer, the Demon Palace's assistance, and the capital's military power at his command, even with the Empress and the Grand General as his backers, Shangguan Che was no match for him!
"Of course! We're just waiting for the Emperor to bestow the marriage upon us, then we'll be family!" Shen Lingyun patted Shangguan Jin on the shoulder and laughed.
"yes."
"Hahahaha." The two looked at each other and laughed, each with their own calculations in mind.
"Alright. Qianxin, why don't you accompany the Eighth Prince for a walk in the courtyard?" Shen Lingyun glanced at Shen Qianxin standing to the side and instructed her with a smile.
"Yes." Shen Qianxin curtsied to Shen Lingyun and then left the room with Shangguan Jin.
"Qianxin, if I become emperor in the future, I will surely make you empress!" Shangguan Jin said affectionately, holding Shen Qianxin's hands.
Shen Qianxin's eyes were filled with excitement. He actually promised her the position of empress!
Shen Qianmo was already leisurely sitting on a stone bench to the side. Seeing this scene, he couldn't help but laugh out loud. They really are brothers; their words are exactly the same!
Unfortunately, it was all a lie! After becoming empress, it will only lead to her death!
"Is this the Third Miss?" Shangguan Jin had seen Shen Qianmo at a banquet before, and his temperament had attracted him. Now that he saw Shen Qianmo again, he naturally had some impression of her.
“That’s right. She is my younger sister, Qianmo. We have a very good relationship.” Shen Qianxin explained with a smile, her words and actions displaying the gentle grace of a well-bred young lady.
Shen Qianmo had to admire Shen Qianxin's acting skills. Even though she hated her to death, she could still pretend to have a very harmonious relationship with her.
"I wonder what the Third Miss is laughing about?" Shangguan Jin asked humbly upon hearing that she was the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's family.
"Seeing my brother-in-law and sister so happy makes Qianmo happy." Shen Qianmo stood up calmly, her noble and otherworldly demeanor inspiring a desire to look up to her. Her smile was enigmatic, making it impossible to discern her true feelings.
Her eyes, as black as ink, were incredibly lively, yet also like a bottomless pit, drawing people in without them even realizing it.
"Thank you so much, sister! Jin, let's go for a walk over there." Shen Qianxin smiled and tugged at Shangguan Jin's sleeve.
The way Shen Qianmo spoke stung Shangguan Jin deeply. She believed that aside from her status, she was inferior to Shen Qianmo in every way. Yet, Shangguan Jin was actually drawn to Shen Qianmo!
She didn't care what kind of backing Shen Qianmo had, nor how Shen Qianmo had killed Yin Youlan and Shen Qianyu. She, Shen Qianxin, was not someone to be trifled with! Once she became Empress, she would deal with Shen Qianmo slowly!
Shen Qianmo had no interest in seeing the hatred in Shen Qianxin's eyes or the doubt in Shangguan Jin's eyes. She simply yawned lazily and walked towards her own courtyard.
Shangguan Jin stared blankly at Shen Qianmo's retreating figure. Why did he find this plain-looking young lady from the Prime Minister's mansion so ethereal, unknowingly captivating his heart?
"Jin, what are you looking at?" Shen Qianxin saw Shangguan Jin's reluctant expression and felt a surge of resentment. She pretended to be coquettish and tugged at Shangguan Jin's sleeve.
"It's nothing. I'm just curious why your sister is so ordinary-looking when Qianxin is so beautiful." Shangguan Jin saw the doubt in Shen Qianxin's eyes and immediately smiled, speaking gently.
"My sister was quite pretty when she was little, it's just a pity that girls change a lot as they grow up." Shen Qianxin smiled immediately after hearing Shangguan Jin's explanation, and then pretended to be regretful.
Chapter Thirty-Two: A Series of Schemes
"Miss, His Majesty has already decreed that the Second Miss will be betrothed to the Eighth Prince." Qianqian placed a plate of fruit on the table and said to Shen Qianmo.
"Shangguan Che must be worried now! He will definitely come to the manor to find my eldest sister, but Father can't hand her over. In this case, the Prime Minister's manor has no way out and can only do its best to help Shangguan Jin." Shen Qianmo stretched out her slender fingers, picked up a grape and put it in her mouth. Her eyes were full of planning and a smile appeared on her lips.
"Mo'er, so you're here! I've been looking for you for ages." Shen Lingyun saw Shen Qianmo and Qianqian eating fruit in the pavilion from afar and hurried over.
"What does Father want with Mo'er?" Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow. Could this old fox want her to marry Shangguan Che in place of Shen Qianyu? If so, he's miscalculated!
She had already made a mistake in her previous life, and this time, she would never marry Shangguan Che again!
“Mo’er, your eldest sister is currently missing, but the Third Prince is very fond of her. I’m afraid this might cause trouble. How about I tell the Third Prince that you played the opera ‘Jiangshan’? I believe that with his appreciation for that piece, he will treat you well.” Shen Lingyun lovingly patted Shen Qianmo’s head, looking helpless, his eyes filled with affection for his daughter.
Shen Qianmo sneered inwardly. In her previous life, Shen Lingyun had used this same hypocritical kindness to gain her trust, making her act like a fool, allowing him to manipulate her at will, and even loving this so-called father.
But now, Shen Qianmo is no longer the innocent and kind Shen Qianmo of her previous life, and she would never accept being manipulated by Shen Lingyun.
"Father, how could you be so confused! This is absolutely unacceptable!" Shen Qianmo stood up, walked to Shen Lingyun's side, and looked as if she was considering Shen Lingyun's best interests.
"Mo'er, tell me, why is it absolutely impossible?!" Shen Lingyun asked, recalling Shen Qianmo's insights on the Crown Prince's matter.
“Father, think about it. What kind of person is the Third Prince? How could he tolerate someone deliberately deceiving him? Besides, the Third Prince’s affection for Eldest Sister is not only because of that song, but also because of Eldest Sister’s outstanding looks and talents! If it were a woman like Mo’er, who is plain-looking and has no talent other than playing the zither, the Third Prince would probably think that Father is deliberately making fun of him!” Shen Qianmo said to Shen Lingyun with a worried expression.
"What Mo'er said makes sense; it was my oversight." Upon hearing Shen Qianmo's words, Shen Lingyun also felt that this matter was not feasible, and his gaze towards Shen Qianmo became filled with doubt and admiration. This daughter actually possessed such a mind; if properly utilized, she could certainly become a valuable pawn.
"Father, you must give up this idea. Otherwise, if the marriage fails, it might cause the Third Prince to resent the Prime Minister's Mansion!" Seeing Shen Lingyun's pensive expression, Shen Qianmo gave him another dose of harsh medicine.
"Alright, alright. I understand. Originally, I didn't want Mo'er to suffer any injustice." Shen Lingyun patted Shen Qianmo's head with a loving expression, but the calculation in his eyes was even deeper.
"Mo'er knows that her father loves her." Shen Qianmo raised an innocent smile. Naturally, the scheming in Shen Lingyun's eyes did not escape her notice. She would see what tricks Shen Lingyun could play!
"Alright, then I won't disturb you any longer. Mo'er, get some rest." Shen Lingyun didn't want to exchange any more pleasantries with Shen Qianmo. He patted Shen Qianmo's shoulder and left.