"Let Aunt Jin in!" Shen Lixue saw through the wide-open door that there were many servants standing at the entrance of the bamboo garden. If she didn't resolve the matter, she wouldn't be able to leave the Prime Minister's residence in peace.
"Young Miss, please save Caiyun!" As soon as Aunt Jin entered the living room and saw Shen Lixue, she ran over, knelt down, and cried miserably, reaching out to hug Shen Lixue's legs.
Shen Lixue frowned, and gently dodged Jin Yiniang's arm. She disliked excessive physical contact with others: "Jin Yiniang, Caiyun's crime was judged by the Shuntian Prefecture. I am just a daughter of the Prime Minister's family, and I cannot save Caiyun!"
With her arms wrapped around empty air, Aunt Jin's expression was somewhat unnatural. Seeing that Shen Lixue, just as Shen Yingxue had predicted, was making excuses to avoid rescuing Shen Caiyun, Aunt Jin was furious. Following Shen Yingxue's instructions, she burst into tears, crying out, "Miss, Caiyun was imprisoned because of you! You can't just stand by and watch her die!"
Shen Lixue's cold gaze was like a sharp blade, shooting coldly at Aunt Jin: "Aunt Jin, are you really confused or pretending to be? Shen Caiyun was imprisoned to take the blame for Shen Yingxue, and it has nothing to do with me!"
Aunt Jin, clutching her silk handkerchief, wept bitterly, "Miss, Caiyun is your sister, your family! Please, for the sake of your sisterly bond, ask Prince An to put in a good word for Caiyun before the Emperor and release her. Caiyun is a delicate young lady; she can't bear the chilling atmosphere of the prison..."
Clever Words 083: Seducing a Scumbag Father, the Show Begins
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow and looked at Aunt Jin. A dark green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) wrapped around her petite and exquisite figure. Her black hair was styled into an elegant cloud-shaped bun, with a pair of jade hairpins inserted diagonally into the bun, complementing the dangling blue stone earrings. Her pointed little face was slightly pale, and her red mouth kept chattering.
Shen Lixue knew that Aunt Jin was weak-willed, timid and afraid of trouble, but she never knew that she also had a strong and unreasonable side. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, forming a faint cold smile: "Aunt Jin means that my saving Caiyun is a matter of sisterly affection and a matter of course, and if I don't save her, I am a narrow-minded, heartless and ungrateful person!"
Aunt Jin was taken aback, her accusations abruptly ceasing. A hint of embarrassment flashed in her watery eyes as she stammered, "Miss, you've misunderstood... I was merely missing the unfortunate Fourth Miss... I meant no other..."
Shen Yingxue had warned her that Shen Lixue was cunning and treacherous, and told her to be careful. She also told her many ways to deal with unexpected situations. She also thought of many reasons to refute Shen Lixue according to Shen Yingxue's instructions, but she never expected that Shen Lixue would not say much and would directly expose her purpose without any hesitation.
“Aunt Jin, Prince An is a general who leads troops to fight and defend the country, not to deal with these trivial matters. The Shuntian Prefecture sentenced Caiyun to three months in prison, which means that the Qingyan law has imposed this punishment on Caiyun, representing the Emperor's will. Moreover, this punishment has already been handed down for many days. If Prince An were to plead with the Emperor again, wouldn't that be slapping the Emperor in the face and accusing the Qingyan law of being unjust and unfair? In that case, not only would it not save Caiyun, but it would also cause her to be accused of contempt for the Qingyan law, and the three-month prison sentence would turn into three or even thirty years…”
Shen Lixue's words were firm and logical, leaving Aunt Jin speechless and stunned for a long while before she finally reacted, lowering her head and hurriedly saying, "That's not what I meant... Miss, you've misunderstood..."
Shen Lixue curled her lips into a cold smile. Aunt Jin was simple-minded and timid, and would never have thought of such a way to force her to save Shen Caiyun. As for the person who came up with the idea and instigated her, it was either Lei Shi or Shen Yingxue.
“Aunt Jin, Caiyun has been in prison for half a month. She will be released in another two and a half months. You can just wait patiently. There is no need to try to save her. If you do something wrong and harm Caiyun, you will regret it!”
"Thank you for your advice, Miss. I will not do anything foolish again. However, I have a request, and I hope you will grant it!" Aunt Jin said in a low voice, her eyes filled with displeasure: Second Miss was right after all. Eldest Miss would find all sorts of excuses to avoid rescuing Caiyun. Fortunately, I had a backup plan.
"What is it?" Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow. She had refused to help Shen Caiyun, but Aunt Jin hadn't made a scene. Instead, she was able to calmly negotiate with her, which meant she had come prepared.
“Caiyun has been imprisoned, and her innocent reputation is ruined. She can’t find a good family. Miss, you have a kind heart and are very compassionate. I beg you to take Caiyun to the Holy King’s Mansion. She is of low health and cannot be a concubine, but she can be a mistress or a concubine…” Fearing that Shen Lixue would not agree, Aunt Jin lowered her conditions one after another and expressed her wishes in a roundabout way.
"Aunt Jin, may I ask what status Caiyun will have when she marries into the Holy King's Mansion? Half-sister? Dowry maid? Or concubine?" Shen Lixue looked coldly at Aunt Jin. She didn't make a fuss, but she was actually plotting this. She was really as stupid as a pig.
"We'll do whatever Miss says. Whatever status Miss wants Caiyun to have, that's what she'll have!" As if she hadn't noticed the sarcasm in Shen Lixue's words, Aunt Jin entrusted Shen Lixue with making the decision on Shen Caiyun's life's most important matter.
Shen Lixue curled her lips into a cold smile. Aunt Jin had no shame whatsoever in order to marry her daughter to Dongfang Heng: "Did Shen Yingxue come up with this idea?"
Aunt Jin was taken aback, then nodded: "The second young lady said that when she marries Prince Zhan, she will take Caixuan to Prince Zhan's mansion as a concubine, and the two sisters will work together to deal with the other women in the mansion." The eldest young lady should follow the example of the second young lady and take Caiyun to Prince Sheng's mansion. The two sisters can work together to deal with the enemy. What's wrong with that?
"Does Aunt Jin think Prince An is a spoiled brat who spends his days riding horses and walking birds, or a spineless coward who can't get up after being kicked down? Does he listen to women in everything and accept any woman you throw at him?" Looking at Aunt Jin, who was secretly pleased with herself, Shen Lixue was full of sarcasm. How could someone as simple-minded and stupid as her have survived until now?
“Miss, Prince An is a royal prince. Even without Caiyun, he would not marry you as his only principal wife. Rather than having him take other women as concubines, it would be better for him to take Caiyun. You two sisters can look after each other in the Holy Prince’s Mansion!” Aunt Jin, like an elder, patiently and earnestly comforted Shen Lixue.
Men are all lustful and greedy. No matter how many women they have around them, they will never get tired of them. Caiyun's looks are top-notch. If she hadn't gone to prison, she would have been more than qualified to be a concubine!
“Aunt Jin, don’t forget, Prince An is a royal prince, and Caiyun has been imprisoned and violated the Qingyan Law. According to royal regulations, royal sons are not allowed to take criminal women as wives or concubines. If Caiyun comes with me to marry into the Holy Prince’s Mansion and people see through your intentions, I’m afraid that before she can be made a concubine, Aunt Jin will have already been beaten to death…” Shen Lixue’s tone was soft, but it carried a fatal blow.
Aunt Jin's smug face instantly turned deathly pale as she stared at Shen Lixue in shock: "Are you telling the truth?"
"If you don't believe me, you can ask Father. He is the Prime Minister of Qingyan and knows the laws of Qingyan better than I do!" Shen Lixue replied calmly, ignoring Aunt Jin, and went straight to the table to sit down and sip her tea. In fact, the laws of Qingyan stipulate that royal family members are not allowed to take the daughters of disgraced officials as wives or concubines. Shen Lixue changed the meaning and made it sound more frightening. Aunt Jin couldn't tell the truth from the falsehood, so she couldn't be blamed.
"Then...what should we do?" Aunt Jin was so frightened that she was completely at a loss. Her eyes were filled with anxiety. She was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Caiyun was her only daughter, and she would have to rely on Caiyun for the rest of her life. Of course, she didn't want Caiyun to be beaten to death. But if Caiyun couldn't marry into a good family, what blessings would she have left to enjoy?
"Aunt Jin, what is a woman's greatest reliance besides her husband?" Aunt Jin was pushed to the edge, her thoughts were somewhat confused, and she was very agitated. Seeing that the time was right, Shen Lixue took the opportunity to help her sort out her thoughts and let her follow her train of thought.
"Of course it's a son or a daughter!" Aunt Jin frowned and answered irritably. It was something even a child knew, yet Shen Lixue still asked her. How foolish.
“Sister Caiyun is in prison and has a stain on her record. Even if she is rescued, she won’t be very reliable. Why doesn’t Aunt Jin choose someone else to rely on?” Shen Lixue lowered her voice for the last sentence, speaking mysteriously and persuasively.
Aunt Jin was taken aback, and looked at Shen Lixue with a puzzled expression: "I don't understand what Miss means..."
Shen Lixue glanced at Aunt Jin, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Aunt Jin is still young..."
"You mean, let me..." Aunt Jin's eyes widened suddenly, her gaze towards Shen Lixue filled with shock and disbelief.
“That’s right!” Shen Lixue nodded with a smile. She wanted Aunt Jin to seduce Shen Minghui and have a son to rely on.
Lei gave birth to the only son in the Prime Minister's mansion. Everything in the mansion belonged to her son, and no one came to take it away. She was very leisurely every day. Apart from establishing her authority, she tried every means to deal with Shen Lixue.
Shen Lixue is the daughter of the Prime Minister's family and can't do anything to Lei Shi for the time being, but she is happy to do things that make Lei Shi unhappy. If Jin Yiniang gets pregnant with Shen Minghui's child, Lei Shi will definitely be furious and have a lot of trouble.
"I am already thirty years old..." Aunt Jin lowered her head, a blush rising on her cheeks, her voice as soft as a mosquito's thread.
"Aunt Jin is very well-maintained and looks no more than twenty-four or twenty-five. She is in the prime of her youth. If she takes some supplements and chooses the most suitable day, she will definitely be able to conceive a son..." Shen Lixue only said that Aunt Jin could conceive a child. As for whether it would be a son or whether Lei would find an excuse to abort it, she had no idea.
"Really?" Aunt Jin's gaze towards Shen Lixue instantly became friendly, and her tone of voice became much gentler. If she gave birth to a son, he would be the second son of the Prime Minister's family, and at least a third of the family property would belong to him. With her son as a support, she would have more confidence. Caiyun would have her own younger brother to back her up, and she would definitely be able to marry into a relatively good family. It would be a wonderful event where everyone would prosper together. Could it really be realized?
"It's been over ten years, and I haven't been able to get pregnant again. Can I really have another child?" The good news from Shen Lixue came so suddenly that Aunt Jin could hardly believe it.
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow: "The fact that she has not conceived for many years may be due to unfavorable celestial and terrestrial conditions, or it may be that someone deliberately tampered with things. The concubines in the Prime Minister's mansion only have daughters and no sons. Hasn't Concubine Jin ever suspected anything?"
"This..." Aunt Jin, Aunt Zhao, and Aunt Li all suspected that something was wrong and had even sought medical help privately, but the doctors said that everything was normal for them and they really didn't know the reason for their infertility.
"If Aunt Jin doesn't want to have a son, I won't force her!" Seeing that Aunt Jin was still hesitating, Shen Lixue slammed down her teacup, splashing tea everywhere, and stood up, striding out.
"Young Miss, wait, I was just joking." Aunt Jin hurriedly stepped forward, blocking Shen Lixue's path. Looking into Shen Lixue's calm and unwavering eyes, Aunt Jin lowered her head slightly and asked in a low voice, "Young Miss, is this a collaboration?"
Shen Lixue shook her head: "It's not a collaboration, just helping out. I'll provide you with a prescription to nourish your body, but everything else is up to you. I won't interfere!" Whether she can have children depends on her own abilities.
Aunt Jin is simple-minded and only thinks of herself when things happen. She is short-sighted and only drags things down. Shen Lixue will not cooperate with this kind of person.
"If I am pregnant, Madam will do everything in her power to deal with me. At that time, Miss will be able to rest easy. In other words, my pregnancy will save Miss from trouble. Miss should at least give me something in return!" Aunt Jin muttered dissatisfaction. Her voice was moderate enough for Shen Lixue to hear, but not sharp or grating.
"Your son was born to be your lifelong support. Isn't that enough of a reward?" Shen Lixue looked at Aunt Jin with a half-smile. She always felt that it was only right for others to help her, and that it was a heinous crime for others not to help her. They didn't owe her anything, so why should they help her?