Chapter 33: A Duet in the Peony Garden

Shen Yuling returned to the Prince’s residence from the palace and spent her days admiring flowers and teasing birds in the courtyard.

She didn’t have to appease the emperor in the palace, and she rarely saw Feng Moheng. Life was truly comfortable.

Moreover, although she was the legitimate Princess of the Prince’s residence, she didn’t have to worry about managing many of the affairs.

Feng Moheng had entrusted all the affairs to the steward.

In addition, Lady Yin Yi, sent by the Princess, was also managing many things in the residence.

Not having to manage these, she felt much more relaxed.

However, the servants in the residence were all the type who would curry favor with those in power.

Although Liu Jingyi’s status was lower than Shen Yuling, her treatment in the residence was almost the same.

Even because of Feng Moheng’s affection for her.

Liu Jingyi’s courtyard was built with unparalleled luxury.

Paintings by renowned masters hung on the walls, rare and precious ornaments were everywhere, truly a complete collection, showcasing her wealth and status.

On the contrary, in Shen Yuling’s room, many of the priceless items were her dowry from the northwest.

For example, the yellow rosewood screen with carved dragon and phoenix patterns, and the blue and green enamel screen with floral and bird patterns.

Exquisite and elegant, they were specially prepared for her by her mother.

Last night, Feng Moheng stayed in Ninglan Courtyard, not only stimulating Quan Minghe but also Liu Jingyi.

But the level of stimulation was far from enough.

Shen Yuling sat on the swing she had built in Ninglan Courtyard, gently swaying.

She had to give Liu Jingyi a deeper stimulus.

To make Liu Jingyi no longer believe in Feng Moheng’s words.

She assumed that last night, Feng Moheng’s explanation to Liu Jingyi was merely to repay her for saving him on the cliff, and to give the Princess a show, or something like that.

Liu Jingyi was pitiful.

But pitiful people have their flaws.

Shen Yuling would not feel sympathy.

These years, Liu Jingyi had been controlled by Feng Moheng.

She believed everything Feng Moheng said.

Since that was the case, then let Liu Jingyi have a good look at what the real Feng Moheng was like.

“Master, Lady Liu Jingyi is currently admiring flowers in the Peony Garden.” Xi Tong reported softly.

Shen Yuling curled her lips into a faint smile.

“Then let’s go, let’s put on a good show for Lady Liu.”

After saying that, Shen Yuling lightly touched the ground with her toes, getting up from the swing.

She calmly arranged her skirt.

Peony Garden.

Various kinds of peonies bloomed in competition, vying for beauty, the flowers were in full bloom, exceptionally vibrant and beautiful.

In the center of the courtyard stood an exquisite peony pavilion, with stone tables and benches inside.

Opposite the peony pavilion was a graceful peony pavilion.

The window was half-closed; through the carved window lattices, one could vaguely see the interior.

Artificial hills were also placed strategically throughout the garden.

No wonder Liu Jingyi chose to admire flowers here; sometimes, when people were in a bad mood, seeing these beautiful scenes could truly help them relax.

Shen Yuling walked slowly, stopping by a few peony buds that were about to bloom.

At this moment, the peony buds were like shy girls waiting to be married, tightly wrapped in their youthful faces, yet exuding a vibrant energy that was about to burst forth.

“Xi Tong, pluck all these buds that are about to bloom. When my husband returns in the evening, I want to put them in a vase and send them to him.”

Shen Yuling instructed softly.

“Yes, Master.”

Xi Tong started to pluck the flowers.

She plucked and teased, laughing as she did.

“His Highness the Prince said yesterday that Mistress has a refreshing and subtle fragrance, and he hopes that Master can embroider a fragrant pouch for him.”

“But Master, you’re so lazy. You’re only sending him a vase of flowers.”

Shen Yuling’s face instantly turned red, and she glared at Xi Tong in embarrassment.

“Don’t talk nonsense, a fragrant pouch can’t be embroidered in a moment.”

“I just think these flowers are extremely beautiful, and if my husband sees them, his mood will be lifted.”

“You know, he has been busy with official affairs lately, and when he returns home at night, he still has to go and comfort Lady Liu. His body is tired, and his heart is weary.”

Shen Yuling paused.

“If these flowers can make my husband feel relaxed, it would be the best.”

Xi Tong’s eyes lit up.

She suggested, “Then Master, why not invite His Highness the Prince to have dinner in the peony pavilion tonight?”

“This place is full of beautiful scenery; sitting in the peony pavilion, you can see the entire garden. His Highness the Prince will surely be happy to see it.”

Shen Yuling lowered her head slightly, her eyes flickering with thought.

Then she raised her eyes and looked around at the picturesque scenery.

“What you said makes sense, but I don’t know if my husband will have free time tonight.”

“Lady Liu might use the excuse of saving him before to restrain my husband and force him to go to Sujin Courtyard…”

Shen Yuling’s voice softened at this point.

After a moment of silence.

“Forget it, when His Highness the Prince returns, have someone invite him. If he is truly busy, then don’t bother him too much.”

“Yes.”

Behind the artificial hill, Liu Jingyi had been quietly admiring the flowers.

Last night, Feng Moheng stayed at Shen Yuling’s place, which had indeed put her in a bad mood.

She had not expected Shen Yuling to come, but the more she heard the conversation between the mistress and her maid, the uglier her face became.

Why did Shen Yuling’s words always sound so close to Moheng?

Why did Shen Yuling know about her saving Moheng’s life?

What was Moheng like in front of Shen Yuling?

Was Moheng’s relationship with Shen Yuling really just a show for the Princess?

Too many questions popped into Liu Jingyi’s mind.

Because Feng Moheng was the male lead, she had always believed in his character.

She had always felt that if Feng Moheng said he loved her, then it was true.

If one day he no longer loved her but loved Shen Yuling, he would tell her honestly and would not deceive her.

But…

Reality seemed to have slapped her hard.

Hidden behind the artificial hill.

Liu Jingyi unconsciously clenched her fist, her nails digging deep into her palm.

Yet she seemed unaware of the pain; her heart was filled with the sudden suspicion and resentment.

She even longed to confront Feng Moheng immediately and demand a clear explanation.

But reason tugged at her heart, telling her to calm down.

On the other side, Shen Yuling spoke again.

“Xi Tong, let’s go back to Ninglan Courtyard. Choose an appropriate outfit, just in case my husband comes to the Peony Garden to have dinner with me later.”

After saying that, Shen Yuling casually glanced towards the direction where Liu Jingyi was.

A slightly meaningful smile appeared on her face.

She turned and left.

When Shen Yuling was far away, Liu Jingyi’s personal maid, Li Su, saw her master’s troubled state.

With a worried expression, she said, “Master, you can’t believe everything the Princess says. His Highness the Prince has always loved you, how could he be like what the Princess said?”

“You came to the Peony Garden today; if the Princess investigates a little, she will surely know.”

“She deliberately said these things to drive a wedge between you and His Highness the Prince. You must not fall for her trick and believe her words!”

Hearing Li Su’s words of comfort, Liu Jingyi’s heart, which had been churning like waves, calmed down slightly.

Perhaps Shen Yuling really knew she was here, so she deliberately said those things.

Unexpectedly, the naive and innocent female lead in the original text had become so scheming.

It seemed that the female lead’s personality had changed a lot after the male lead was taken away by her.

Liu Jingyi snorted.

If the female lead had really changed so much from the original character, then the male lead probably wouldn’t like her anymore.

She raised her leg and was about to leave the Peony Garden.

But as she took a step, she suddenly thought of something.

She stopped.

Shen Yuling was inviting Feng Moheng to dinner here tonight; if so, then she would stay and watch!

She would see how the two of them interacted.

Hearing is believing, seeing is believing!

Thinking this, Liu Jingyi turned back.

Since it was less than an hour until dinner, she went to the peony pavilion to rest, waiting for Feng Moheng and Shen Yuling to come.