“Qianqian, look, this is a father. This is what is called family affection.” Shen Qianmo revealed a sarcastic and weary smile. “Go and fetch Fengming.”
"Yes, Miss." Qianqian replied with her head down. She understood that although her young mistress seemed extremely strong, she was still soft-hearted. Although she hated this father to the extreme, she still had some feelings for him. However, this father hurt her young mistress time and time again.
Fengming was brought back quickly. Shen Qianmo placed Fengming on the table and gently stroked it.
Perhaps only Qin could truly understand her heart.
Her ten fingers gently pressed onto the strings, and a melody of "Helpless" flowed from Chen Qianmo's fingertips. It carried a murderous intent, her love, her hatred, and her state of mind.
As soon as Shangguan Che entered the mansion, he heard Shen Qianmo's zither music. Although it was not as majestic as the "Jiangshan Opera", he was certain that the piece was composed by the same person.
It seems that the opera "Jiangshan" was indeed played by someone from the Prime Minister's residence. It wasn't Shen Qianyu. So, who could it be?
Shangguan Che raised his eyebrows curiously. Instead of visiting Shen Lingyun through the main gate, he changed his approach and climbed over the wall, following the sound of the zither.
In the distance, a pavilion can be seen. A woman dressed in white is playing the zither.
Her white robes fluttered in the wind. From a distance, the woman's face was obscured, but her noble and ethereal aura made her seem like a celestial being descended from heaven, captivating all who beheld her.
Shangguan Che stood still, listening quietly to the melody. In the music, he heard a woman's love and hate, a woman's magnanimity, and a ruthless and decisive opinion.
A slow smile spread across his lips. He had finally found the person who had played the Jiangshan Opera that day. He was eager to see who it was!
Shangguan Che strolled to the pavilion, smiling gently, "Miss's zither playing is truly beautiful, I admire it!"
Shen Qianmo's zither music abruptly stopped. Looking up, she saw the person still dressed in white, just as she had seen him for the first time. Only the initial excitement had vanished without a trace. What remained was only hatred and contempt.
"Qianmo greets the Third Prince." She bowed calmly, her attitude distant and cold. She had no desire to have any further involvement with Shangguan Che.
"So it's the Third Miss of the Prime Minister's Mansion. I just heard you play a song that is very similar to your sister's 'Jiangshan Opera.' I wonder if you could play a song for me, Miss?" Shangguan Che was intrigued by Shen Qianmo's indifferent attitude. This unassuming woman was unmoved and so cold to him.
"Please forgive me, Third Prince. I cannot play the Jiangshan Opera!" Shen Qianmo replied coldly. Shangguan Che must have realized that if she played it, it would inevitably cause trouble.
"Oh? Jiangshan Opera isn't some obscure piece. Miss, your musical skills are so superb, how come you don't know it?" Shangguan Che persisted after hearing Shen Qianmo's answer, a hint of interest in his eyes. This woman is interesting!
"If I don't know, I don't know!" Shen Qianmo's eyes were icy cold. She didn't want to say anything more to Shangguan Che and pulled Qianqian away.
As Shen Qianmo brushed past him, Shangguan Che smiled and said, "Miss, wait a moment! I know you're the one who played the Jiangshan Opera that day!"
Chapter Thirty-Three: Is Shangguan Che Going to Marry Her?
"Qianmo doesn't understand what the Third Prince means. The Jiangshan Opera was performed by my eldest sister." Shen Qianmo's dark eyes were clear and bright, showing no sign of lying.
Looking into her dark eyes, Shangguan Che felt drawn by a strange power, finding the ordinary-looking woman before him to be as beautiful as a celestial being.
"Is that so? I hope Shangguan Che will have the honor of hearing that Jiangshan Opera again." Seeing that Shen Qianmo seemed unwilling to talk to him, Shangguan Che smiled and said gently and politely.
Shen Qianmo looked at Shangguan Che suspiciously. He was always the kind of person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. How could he let her leave so easily?
Suppressing her doubts, Shen Qianmo led Qianqian back to their room. She frowned; things were likely to get complicated.
"Miss, what's wrong?" Qianqian asked with concern when she saw her mistress frowning. That third prince was so handsome and polite; why did her mistress dislike him so much?
"It's alright. Qianqian, I just feel uneasy. I'll go to the front hall and see what tricks Shangguan Che is up to." Shen Qianmo said, patting Qianqian's head.
"The Third Prince looks so gentle and refined, why does Miss seem to dislike him so much?" Qianqian looked at her young mistress with suspicion and asked innocently.
"Gentle and refined? Qianqian, didn't I tell you that the more harmless someone seems, the more terrifying they are!" Shen Qianmo's lips curled into a mocking smile, a hint of hatred flashing in her eyes.
Gentle and refined!? That's what she used to think too. But what did she get in the end? His hideous smile and that deadly poison! She would never forget the savage and triumphant expression on his face as he poured that poison into her mouth, without a trace of remorse!
When Shen Qianmo arrived near the front hall, Shangguan Che also happened to enter the front hall.
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister." A gentle and polite smile, and a courteous demeanor.
His white robe, trimmed with gold, accentuated his noble bearing. He wore a smile, but his eyes held an icy chill.
"I didn't know the Third Prince had arrived. What are your orders?" Shen Lingyun glanced at Shangguan Che, a hint of difficulty in his eyes. He guessed that Shangguan Che had come for Shen Qianyu, but unfortunately, Shen Qianyu had already disappeared and was most likely dead. How could he explain this to Shangguan Che?
Forget it. Shen Qianmo is right! If he has to offend him, he has no choice but to do so. For now, his only option is to wholeheartedly help Shangguan Jin win the throne.
"Shangguan Che has come to propose marriage." Shangguan Che looked calmly at Shen Lingyun. This old fox looked troubled. Could it be that he was planning to do everything he could to help Shangguan Jin?
With the Empress's support and the General's backing, he was not afraid of Shangguan Jin, but if Shen Lingyun gave him his full assistance, his position would be threatened.
A few days ago, the Emperor betrothed Shen Qianxin to Shangguan Jin. Everyone thought that Shen Lingyun was on Shangguan Jin's side, which was a great disadvantage to him.
He had originally come to propose marriage to Shen Lingyun and marry Shen Qianyu. But now he had changed his mind. Now that he knew who was behind the "Jiangshan Opera," why should he marry Shen Qianyu?
Shen Qianmo is the legitimate daughter; marrying her would surely be more useful.
"A marriage proposal? To be honest, Third Prince, my daughter Qianyu suddenly disappeared a while ago. In order not to worry the Emperor, I have not reported it." Shen Lingyun showed a troubled expression, his words were quite ingratiating. Although he had no choice but to abandon Shangguan Che and protect Shangguan Jin when he was forced to, he did not want to offend Shangguan Che so early.
Shen Qianmo revealed a cold smile outside the door. Shen Lingyun, that old fox, still wants to please both sides even now! He really has a very clever mind.
"Is that so?" Shangguan Che's attitude was unexpectedly cold; he merely smiled slightly and uttered two words.
Shen Lingyun was momentarily unable to fathom Shangguan Che's thoughts. He had come to propose marriage, wasn't it to marry Shen Qianyu? Why was he so calm upon hearing the news of Shen Qianyu's disappearance?
"Shangguan Che has come today to marry the Third Miss, Shen Qianmo," Shangguan Che said with a smile, enunciating each word clearly.
Shen Lingyun stared at Shangguan Che in astonishment, and Shen Qianmo outside the door was also shocked. Shangguan Che wanted to marry her? Just because he knew that she was the one who played the Jiangshan Opera?
"Shangguan Che already knows who played the Jiangshan Opera! I believe the Prime Minister is also aware that the reason Shangguan Che fell for Qianyu was simply because of that piece of music. Now that I have found the true performer, I will naturally marry her." Shangguan Che looked at Shen Lingyun, a cold smile escaping his gentle demeanor. "If I marry Qianmo, I will certainly protect her well and will never let the crime of deceiving the emperor fall on her head."
Shen Lingyun's expression changed slightly. What a cunning Shangguan Che! The crime of deceiving the emperor—a grave charge. Although there was no concrete evidence, if this were to be exposed, the Prime Minister's residence would certainly suffer the consequences.
“Then I will agree to the marriage on behalf of Qianmo…” Shen Lingyun revealed a fake smile and was about to agree to the marriage on behalf of Shen Qianmo when he was suddenly interrupted.