Chapter 9
The atmosphere within the Prime Minister's mansion had grown tense. Shen Yue's summons to the palace had spread like wildfire, and the servants whispered about how the Empress herself had taken an interest in her. Some speculated it was a sign of favor. Others believed it was the beginning of her downfall.
Madam Zhen was furious. Shen Ruo was still nursing the wounds of her humiliation at the Plum Blossom Festival, and now, Shen Yue's connection to the second prince was being openly discussed. It was a threat to her carefully laid plans.
Shen Yue, however, remained composed, ignoring the murmurs around her as she prepared for yet another unavoidable encounter—the family banquet that evening.
The banquet was a grand affair, held in the central hall of the mansion. Lanterns cast a warm glow over the polished floors, and the scent of spiced meats and fine wine filled the air. The entire family was in attendance, from the Prime Minister himself to every wife and child under his roof.
Shen Yue sat at her designated place, careful to keep her posture graceful. She could feel Madam Zhen's piercing gaze on her, but she refused to cower.
The Prime Minister cleared his throat, silencing the room. "It has come to my attention that my daughter, Shen Yue, was summoned to the palace." His voice was neutral, but Shen Yue could sense the underlying tension.
Shen Xian, ever the dutiful eldest son, spoke first. "Father, the Empress must have taken notice of her after the festival. It is not necessarily a bad thing."
Madam Zhen let out a soft chuckle, her voice laced with false concern. "Not necessarily, but it does make one wonder. The second prince intervening for her—how unexpected. Perhaps she has been seeking his favor."
Shen Yue stiffened but remained silent. Madam Zhen was baiting her, hoping she would say something incriminating.
"Mother," Shen Lihua interjected smoothly, her expression calm. "Should we not trust the Empress's judgment? If Shen Yue was called, there must have been a reason."
Madam Zhen's lips thinned, clearly displeased with Lihua's interference. Before she could respond, Shen Ruo spoke, her tone laced with barely concealed venom.
"I find it strange," she said, swirling the wine in her cup. "The second prince barely looks at women, and yet he saved you, Shen Yue. What did you do to capture his attention?"
Shen Yue finally looked up, meeting her half-sister's gaze with quiet defiance. "Perhaps it was simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time."
Shen Ruo scoffed. "Or perhaps you are using your lowly background to play the victim and gain sympathy."
A sharp silence followed her words. The insult was clear.
Shen Yue set down her chopsticks, her expression serene. "If that were true, then I must be a poor schemer, given how many still wish to see me fall."
Shen Ruo's face darkened. "You—"
"Enough," the Prime Minister interrupted, his voice firm. "This discussion ends here. Shen Yue, I trust you will not bring unnecessary trouble to this family."
Shen Yue bowed her head. "Of course, Father."
But she knew, as did everyone else at the table, that this was far from over.
Later that evening, as Shen Yue walked through the dimly lit corridors, she felt a presence behind her. She turned swiftly, only to see Shen Qian leaning against a wooden pillar, arms crossed.
"You should be careful," Qian said lazily. "Shen Ruo is more dangerous when she's embarrassed."
Shen Yue regarded her third sister cautiously. "And why are you warning me?"
Qian smirked. "Because watching you hold your own against her is far too entertaining to let you get destroyed just yet."
Shen Yue didn't trust her words, but she appreciated the indirect warning nonetheless.
"Noted," she said before walking past Qian, her thoughts heavy with the unspoken threats that lingered in the night.
Elsewhere in the city, Li Han stood in his private study, staring down at a parchment spread across his desk.
The physician's family had been massacred before he could meet them. The only person who might have had answers about his mother's death was gone.
A shadow flickered in the candlelight. Captain Wei stood by the doorway, his face grim.
"We found traces of poison in their food," he reported. "The same kind that was used on your mother years ago."
Li Han's fingers curled into fists. The murderer was still in the palace.
And now, they knew he was searching.
His grip tightened on the parchment. If they thought he would back down, they were sorely mistaken.