Chapter 351

Ying let Yin Lan bring her in.

Soon after, a delicate and soft figure entered the main room of Changfeng Pavilion.

When Ying looked up, she saw that Shen Ruxu had changed into a light blue embroidered silk gown with butterfly patterns. Her black hair was coiled neatly into a chignon bun. She walked in gracefully, lifting the curtain.

"Gu Ying, greetings."

Upon entering, Shen Ruxu immediately gave Ying a proper young lady's courtesy, affectionately calling her "Gu Sister" with an insincere smile on her face.

Having been in the Prince's residence for less than two days, she had already assumed an air of arrogance. Ying felt nauseous hearing it, but still maintained her composure and smiled back at her, signaling for her to rise.

"What brings Miss Shen here?"

Shen Ruxu sat down next to Mrs. Lin and curved her lips, saying, "I waited for a long time without seeing Mother return, so I was worried and wanted to come see what is going on, Mother. What were you discussing with Gu Sister that kept little Xu waiting so long at home?"

Mrs. Lin smiled kindly, "Nothing much, just selecting the yard where we will live in the future."

"Oh? Have you decided? Xu hopes to live with Mother. I wonder if Gu Sister can oblige?"

Mrs. Lin gently laughed, "Ying has agreed already. We will live in Lingxi Pavilion next to Changfeng Pavilion from now on." Shen Ruxu stiffened. She had thought Ying would deliberately make things difficult for her, so she could gain some sympathy in front of Mother. She did not expect Ying to not cause her any trouble at all, instead depriving her of an opportunity.

She forced a smile, and happily said, "That is wonderful news. This way, Mother is closer to the Heir Apparent. Over the years, Xu has seen how much Mother misses the Heir Apparent. Now she can finally be reunited with him clearly under the moonlight. Xu is overjoyed for Mother."

Shen Ruxu chatted and joked with Mrs. Lin, completely disregarding Ying. Ying was unbothered as well. She took the warm water brought by Yin Lan and leisurely drank a sip, silently ridiculing in her heart.

Shen Ruxu's words were quite interesting. Mrs. Lin was the Heir Apparent's birth mother. What could possibly happen to her in Changfeng Pavilion? By saying she was worried, she was implying that Ying, the proper daughter-in-law, was not a good person.

Moreover, it was almost dusk, around the time the Heir Apparent would come off duty. Her coming at this moment clearly revealed her ulterior motives that Ying understood perfectly.

After Cheng left the Prince's residence, no one had dined in Chunshan Courtyard.

If nothing unexpected happened, the Heir Apparent usually took his meals in Changfeng Pavilion. Now that Mrs. Lin was back and residing in Changfeng Pavilion again, she would naturally dine with the Heir Apparent.

Zhao Hui dining alone was boring, so he also went to Changfeng Pavilion to eat.

The father and son had finally begun reconciling after much difficulty, so Ying turned a blind eye, allowing Changfeng Pavilion to become the main base of the Prince's residence.

As Mrs. Lin's adopted daughter, Shen Ruxu entered the residence. To please Mrs. Lin, Zhao Hui also recognized her as an adopted daughter. To Zhao Hui, she was just an adopted daughter without blood relations or feelings. She had no right to dine with the Heir Apparent, yet she deliberately came to Changfeng Pavilion to wait for Mrs. Lin, purely to wait for the Heir Apparent.

Sure enough, not even half a stick of incense later, noise of the Heir Apparent returning to the residence came from outside.

Shen Ruxu's eyes lit up as an enchanting, bewitching look flashed through her eyes.

Ying did not miss the abnormal anticipation in her eyes. She felt even more irritated. Shen Ruxu was merely a fallen flower. How dare she fancy the Heir Apparent? This girl was far too ambitious.

What upset Ying the most was that Mrs. Lin was clearly aware of Shen Ruxu's behavior, yet she condoned it...

Ying's chest felt stifled and frustrated. She found it hard to breathe.

Why did Mrs. Lin dislike her so? Was she not better than Shen Ruxu?

...

Although lively with many people, Ying had no appetite for this dinner. She ate a few bites and used the excuse of feeling unwell to return to her chambers.

Yin Lan brought tea for her to rinse her mouth. Yanzhi pitifully stayed by her side as well. She was indignant, "My Lady, how can that Shen girl be so excessive? I saw her eyes practically sticking onto the Heir Apparent... Calling him Elder Brother Du affectionately, clearly trying to irritate someone."

Recently, Yanzhi had made a mistake by passing on a letter, so Ying punished her to stand facing the wall in reflection.

Feeling wronged, she bit her lip. Righteously angry for her mistress, she asked, "My Lady, you don't look well. Are you alright?" Seeing Yanzhi's aggrieved appearance, Ying no longer had the heart to be angry at this maid. In this life, she owed her for a lifetime. She only wanted to treat her well. The punishment over the last few days was just to make her remember an important lesson. She smiled and stroked Yanzhi's head, saying, "I'm fine."

Seeing her mistress forcing a smile, Yanzhi felt even more heartache. "Does Miss Shen really get to live in the Prince's residence? If not, let's find a way to drive her out!"

Yanzhi's naive words made Ying laugh out loud. After laughing for a while, she sobered up again, feeling awful. She rinsed her mouth, pursed her lips, and suppressed her smile as she contemplated how to get along with Mrs. Lin and Shen Ruxu next.

Yin Lan poked Yanzhi's little head, "Silly girl, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Yanzhi pouted, "I'm not spouting nonsense. The Heir Apparent treats our mistress well. As long as Mistress is willing to mention it to him, the Heir Apparent will certainly be able to resolve this Shen girl problem."

Yin Lan turned to look at Ying's expression. Seeing her face slightly pale, she said sympathetically, "Does my mistress want to tell the Heir Apparent? I also feel that keeping Shen Ruxu is asking for trouble. Back in Yueyang, she nearly harmed you and the young heir. Who knows if she will plot something malicious again in the future? The young heir in my mistress' belly will be five months soon. That woman is very sinister and has Mrs. Lin's favor. We cannot underestimate her."

Ying sat silently for a while, her small hand caressing her bulging belly. Her mood was a bit heavy.

Yin Lan's words struck her weakness. Shen Ruxu was not a good person.

She had thought that exposing Shen Ruxu's true colors to Mrs. Lin would make Mrs. Lin wary of her. She did not expect Mrs. Lin to be soft-hearted, easily moved by Shen Ruxu's tears and pleas.

Now was the time the Heir Apparent wanted to make amends with Mrs. Lin. As long as Mrs. Lin did not wish for Shen Ruxu to leave, even the Heir Apparent would find it very difficult.

Ying sighed softly, feeling exhausted and helpless for the moment.

She rubbed her aching temples, "Let me think carefully about this. It cannot be rushed."

Yin Lan said sympathetically, "My lady, don't be too worried. At worst, Shen Ruxu would not dare extend her hands into Changfeng Pavilion."

Ying nodded helplessly and let them exit first.

After washing up and changing, she had just prepared to lie down and rest when she heard steady, masculine footsteps at the door.

Still upset, Ying knew it was the Heir Apparent returning but did not wait for him. She turned and went to bed, pulling the covers over herself.

After drinking some hot wine, Zhao Changdu's mind was restless and his body heated. Not seeing the person he wanted to see upon entering, he walked around a screen to the inner room. Seeing a small mound under the embroidered quilt on the bed, the corner of his mouth lifted in a faint smile.

These days, Mother had safely returned, putting him in a very good mood.

He walked over and sat on the bedside, patting the young girl and asking, "Asleep?"