Chapter 9: A Bold Scheme

Shen Yan knelt behind her mother, her eyes lifted to gaze at the Regent’s noble and cold back. Suddenly, a flash of jealousy and resentment crossed her eyes.

Why should such an outstanding man be wasted on Shen Ning?

Shen Ning had already lost her purity. If the Regent was marrying her to secure the loyalty of the Duke of the State’s household, wouldn’t it be the same if I married him?

After all, we are both daughters of the Shen family.

She even had a few more advantages over Shen Ning.

Thinking this way, Shen Yan couldn’t help but speak softly, “Mother.”

“Hmm?” Mrs. Shen had not yet recovered from her shock. Hearing this, she instinctively turned to look at her, “What is it?”

“I want to marry the Regent.” A blush colored Shen Yan’s ears, her voice soft and shy, “Compared to my elder sister who has lost her purity, I should be more suitable.”

Mrs. Shen was startled by her expression. She wanted to marry the Regent?

She couldn’t help but look up at Shen Ning, who was walking towards the Begonia Courtyard, and then at Shen Yan, who was now looking bashful. Her intuition told her that the Regent wanted Shen Ning, and even her temperament, which was unlike that of ordinary women, so cold, as if chilling, as if she had just walked out of an ice cellar…

No, as if she had just walked out of hell, like the Grim Reaper.

Mrs. Shen felt she should immediately refute her daughter’s words, Shen Yan was not suitable for someone as terrifying as the Regent.

But the words rolled around in her mouth several times, and she still couldn’t say them out loud.

What if… what if it was possible?

“Yan, the Regent wants your elder sister.” Mrs. Shen’s brows furrowed tightly, her voice lowered, “And the Regent’s power over the court is only temporary. He won’t live long. Once the Emperor takes power and governs, he—”

“The Regent only wants the daughter of the Duke of the State’s household.” Shen Yan retorted. “Mother, any normal man would not marry a woman who is not pure, especially someone as noble as the Regent, who has never had any feelings for my elder sister.”

Even Qin Yanshu, who had been childhood sweethearts with Shen Ning for many years, broke off the engagement because of her reputation. How could the Regent, with his esteemed status, possibly want a woman who is no longer pure?

And not allowing others to speak of it, isn’t that just because he cares deep down?

“But—”

“And besides, hasn’t the Emperor yet to take power?” Shen Yan said softly. “Someone like the Regent must have ways to protect himself. I’m not afraid.”

Mrs. Shen was taken aback, not understanding why Shen Yan would have such thoughts.

Regardless of whether he has ways to protect himself, how many regents throughout history have met a good end? Especially since the Regent is poisoned…

Mrs. Shen suppressed the panic in her heart, took the hand of a servant, and stood up. She looked up at Madam Qin, who was still in shock.

She was about to speak when Madam Qin coldly glanced at her, her tone carrying a hint of lingering anger: “Return to the estate!”

Mrs. Shen paused, silently watching the Qin family leave.

The events of the past two days had left her exhausted. When the front courtyard finally fell silent, Mrs. Shen turned somewhat wearily to walk towards the inner courtyard.

Shen Yan followed behind her mother: “The Regent has ordered that no one is to mention terms like ‘Soiled flower’ anymore, clearly indicating that he cares. He’s only lowering his status to marry my elder sister to win over the Duke of the State’s household… Mother, what if the Regent later remembers this and develops a grudge against my elder sister, and in turn, takes it out on the Duke of the State’s household?”

Mrs. Shen’s heart sank. This was precisely the concern she and the Duke shared.

“If I were to marry him instead, these problems would not exist.” Shen Yan said, lowering her eyes to hide the cunning in them. “Once I become the Regent’s consort, I will surely bring glory and prominence to the Duke of the State’s household, ensuring that my father reaches the pinnacle of his career and that my elder brother’s official career is smooth.”

Saying this, she lowered her brows and smiled bitterly: “My elder sister treats us like enemies now. If she uses the Regent’s power to retaliate against us, Mother, the Duke of the State’s household might just…”

Mrs. Shen’s heart tightened at the thought of Shen Ning’s attitude today, feeling a chill rising from the soles of her feet to her spine.

Yan was right.

With such an attitude, how could Shen Ning possibly treat the Duke of the State’s household kindly in the future? What if she wanted to retaliate…

“I’ll go talk to your father.” Mrs. Shen said, unable to stay any longer, turning to leave for the main courtyard in a state of panic. After a few steps, she turned back, still uneasy: “Yan, don’t do anything rash for now. We’ll decide after discussing it.”

Shen Yan nodded obediently: “Mother, don’t worry.”

Only then did Mrs. Shen leave with peace of mind.

Shen Yan watched her mother’s retreating figure, and the image of the Regent’s god-like face and his aura of ruling the world involuntarily appeared before her eyes. A look of determination appeared on her face.

Such an outstanding man must be hers.

A woman who encountered bandits in the mountains and was violated, how could she be qualified to possess such a perfect man?

She was thinking for Shen Ning’s sake, and even more so for the Shen family’s sake, to avoid the Regent bringing up old grudges in the future.

At that time, not only would Shen Ning die a miserable death, but the Shen family would also be implicated.

Therefore, her marrying him was the best decision.

A smile of successful scheming flashed across Shen Yan’s lips.

But there needed to be a reason for her to marry him.

Shen Yan returned to her room and called her personal maid, Xiao Lan: “Go and send a message to Qin Yanshu’s servant. Tonight, at the dead of night, have Young Master Qin send a smaller carriage to the back gate of the Shen family. He will get what he wishes for.”

Xiao Lan listened, her heart pounding: “Second Miss, this…”

“Just go.” Shen Yan said.

“Yes.” Xiao Lan accepted the order and left.

Shen Yan sat in front of her dressing table, looking at the reflection in the mirror of a face no less beautiful than Shen Ning’s, her eyes narrowing slowly.

Where did she fall short compared to Shen Ning?

Qin Yanshu couldn’t forget Shen Ning and was determined to take her as a concubine. Her marrying the Regent in Shen Ning’s place wouldn’t be the best of both worlds?

It wouldn’t offend the Regent, nor would it lead to a falling out with the Qin family.

Shen Yan thought this way, feeling it was both reasonable and appropriate.

At noon, while Shen Ning was napping in her room, Shen Yan personally brought lunch to her.

“Elder Sister.” Shen Yan stood by the bed, calling her gently to wake up. “You didn’t eat anything this morning. I specially asked the kitchen to make a nourishing soup, along with a few dishes you usually like.”

Shen Ning opened her eyes, the cold light flashing in them like a knife, startling Shen Yan so much that she involuntarily took a step back, as if afraid that Shen Ning might become violent with her.

However, she quickly realized that such a reaction was inappropriate and hurriedly put on a friendly smile: “Elder Sister, get up and eat.”

Shen Ning got up, and the maids from the Begonia Courtyard quickly brought water in to attend to her.

After a simple wash, Shen Ning sat indifferently at the table.

Shen Yan brought the soup to her: “Elder Sister, try this soup.”

Her kind and enthusiastic attitude, her gentle and considerate appearance, made one almost believe that there was a deep sisterly bond between them, stronger than gold.

Shen Ning’s gaze fell on the soup before her, her voice indifferent: “Bring another bowl over.”

“Elder, Elder Sister?” Shen Yan was visibly taken aback. “This nourishing soup is not much, it’s specifically for you to replenish your body.”

Shen Ning calmly looked at her: “I don’t want to repeat myself.”

Shen Yan stiffened, then handed her a bowl.

Shen Ning methodically used a spoon to divide the soup in half, offering one half to Shen Yan: “Eat with me.”

Shen Yan’s expression completely froze, her heart in turmoil: “Elder Sister…”

“What?” Shen Ning looked up at her, her eyes dark and eerie, as if she knew everything: “Is there a problem?”

“I…” Shen Yan laughed awkwardly. “This soup was specially made for you by the kitchen, and besides… I had just eaten before coming here…”

“Do you need me to feed you?”

Shen Yan’s face changed. She remembered that she had not only added something to the soup but also to a few other dishes. No matter which one Shen Ning ate, she couldn’t escape it.

And she only needed to take a small bite to reassure her, which shouldn’t be too harmful.

Shen Yan forcibly suppressed her unease, picked up a porcelain spoon, and began to eat in small bites.

Shen Ning just watched her quietly, her eyes deep and unfathomable, making it impossible to see what she was thinking.

After a few bites, Shen Yan, seeing that Shen Ning hadn’t moved, laughed dryly: “Elder Sister, why aren’t you eating?”

“You eat first.” Shen Ning said coldly.

Shen Yan’s hand gripping the spoon tightened. She was about to persuade her again when she heard Shen Ning say: “Finish the soup first before saying anything.”