Chapter 13: Discovering a New Skill

Inside the Third Prince’s Mansion.

A sharp, crisp sound rang out as a glazed tea cup was forcefully smashed, the sparkling shards scattering in all directions. The sound was sharp and potent, sending a chill through the room.

“Yan Qingyu, have you gone mad?” Xiao Jingren shouted angrily. “How dare you let the Ministry of Justice interfere in Yan Qingxiu’s case!”

Xiao Jingren pointed at Yan Qingyu, his fury barely contained.

“Your Highness, please calm down,” Yan Qingyu said calmly, bowing respectfully. “The scene at the time left little room for my defense. I never expected His Sixth Highness to suddenly appear and accuse Yi An. Rest assured, Yi An will soon take his own life out of guilt, leaving no evidence behind.”

At that moment, a maid entered to clear away the broken glazed tea cup and replaced it with a new one.

Xiao Jingren was originally a prince who had fallen out of favor. Such delicate items could be shattered on a whim.

“I know that Zhang Ting, Minister of Justice, is a smooth operator. I’ve long wanted to find an opportunity to curry favor with Your Highness. Now, with this matter, if you just say a word, he will surely help us.”

Xiao Jingren sneered coldly. “You’re quite the schemer. You stir up a mess and expect me to clean it up for you?”

Yan Qingyu remained silent, knowing that if this plan truly failed, Xiao Jingren would bear the consequences.

Xiao Jingren returned to his seat, smoothing his robes as he sat upright. “Yi An must be eliminated, no doubt. But after all this fuss, the person we should have targeted most remains untouched. How are we to explain this to the Empress? She wants Yan Qingyi’s life! She cares only about the outcome, not the process. Even if Yi An is gone, if the Empress isn’t satisfied, it will all be for nothing!”

“Actually, if it weren’t for that day when Shen He and His Sixth Highness—” Yan Qingyu began, but saw Xiao Jingren’s face turn icy in an instant.

Shen He’s public proposal to the Sixth Prince at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet was known to all. Once so close to Xiao Jingren, now his humiliation was as profound as their past affection.

“Xiao Jingchi, that fool is everywhere ruining my plans!” Xiao Jingren growled.

“That day, he and Miss Shen acted in concert, allowing Yan Qingyi to slip away. Now it won’t be so easy to pin Yan Qingxiu’s death on Yan Qingyi.”

Yan Qingyu glanced at Xiao Jingren, noticing his darkening expression, and quickly added, “But Your Highness, rest assured, I will find a way to keep Yan Qingyi from meddling in the case of the hijacked supply ship. As long as he stays out of it, the Empress won’t pay attention to him.”

“You still don’t understand your brother. Once he sets his mind to something, he never lets go. The title of Cold-Faced Judge wasn’t earned for nothing.”

Yan Qingyu smiled faintly. “Everyone has weaknesses, Your Highness. You can be assured.”

---

At the Shen Residence.

Returning to the Shen Residence, Shen He lay on her bed, staring at the carved ceiling, still unable to sleep.

She feared waking to the painful present again, more afraid that it might all be just a dream.

Recalling that Xiao Jingren was steadily rising on the path to succession, gradually entering the public eye.

The most important thing now was to avoid Xiao Jingren and marry the Sixth Prince, Xiao Jingchi.

Before that, she needed Xiao Jingren to return the silver he had swindled from her.

A sleepless night.

The next day, Xue Yifei of the Xue family sent an invitation, inviting Shen He to a small gathering at the Eight Treasures Pavilion.

Xue Yifei, heir of the Xue family, was a successor of the renowned painter Ji Jue. He was carefree and indifferent to commerce but possessed great talent.

He had once ardently pursued Shen He, only to be repeatedly rejected. After Shen He resolved to marry Xiao Jingren, he had given up and traveled abroad as a merchant.

Why had he suddenly returned?

Recalling harsh words she had once spoken to him, she felt regretful for having been blinded by love and inconsiderate of those around her.

“Gu Yu, go reply for me, say I will definitely arrive on time,” Shen He instructed.

Dressed in simple yet elegant attire, lightly made up, she stepped lightly out the door.

---

Entering the Eight Treasures Pavilion, immersed in its antique atmosphere, she found the quiet, elegant room reserved by Xue Yifei.

Pushing open the door gently, a soft light filled the room, illuminating Xue Yifei’s anxious yet hopeful figure.

Upon seeing Shen He, his eyes shone brightly.

“Ah He!” Xue Yifei strode forward and hugged her tightly.

[Proposal...]

“What did you say?” Shen He pushed him away, shocked.

“I didn’t say anything. What’s wrong?” Xue Yifei looked at her in confusion.

Shen He frowned as Xue Yifei’s hand gripped her shoulder.

[So beautiful...] Though the voice was Xue Yifei’s, his lips had not moved.

Shen He was stunned—could she hear Xue Yifei’s inner thoughts?

Regaining her composure, she asked, “Why have you returned?”

Xue Yifei released her and said, “I heard about your troubles and hurried back, but still missed your funeral.”

He led her to the round table inside the room. “All your favorite dishes.”

Shen He glanced at the food, indeed all her favorites.

Looking at Xue Yifei, who had fallen silent, she curiously picked up her chopsticks, eating slowly.

“I heard you embarrassed the Third Prince at the birthday banquet? Congratulations!” Xue Yifei laughed, pouring her a cup of tea.

“You’re the first to congratulate me!” Shen He took the tea with a hint of surprise.

“Of course! I’m overjoyed!” Xue Yifei’s face was lit with unrestrained excitement, his eyes sparkling with genuine joy.

He was still the same, openly expressing his true feelings—a reckless freedom that sometimes inspired envy.

“But I hear you’re going to marry the Sixth Prince?” Xue Yifei’s smile faded, replaced by puzzlement.

“Yes.” Shen He’s tone was resolute.

“Why? Was it just a temporary expedient?” Xue Yifei probed.

“No.” Shen He shook her head, her gaze serious.

“Why?” Xue Yifei’s voice carried disbelief as he gripped her arm tightly.

[Fool...] Xue Yifei’s thoughts came again.

Shen He looked at his hand holding her arm.

Could it be that only those in physical contact could hear each other’s thoughts?

Earlier, it was because Xue Yifei hugged her that she heard his inner voice.

She recalled the light that had surrounded her in the Netherworld and the words: “Consider this a gift from me. It will help you.”

Had she been granted the ability to hear others’ thoughts?

Though the voices came only as fragments.

Calmly, Shen He removed Xue Yifei’s hand. “Yifei, I carry too many burdens. You are a simple man deserving of better—a person who can spend your life with you.” Her tone was gentle, tinged with regret.

“In my eyes, you are the best,” Xue Yifei said firmly and softly.

Taking a deep breath as if making a decision, he was about to speak when Shen He hurriedly interrupted, fearing he might truly propose.

“Yifei, can’t we just be the best of friends?”

She looked at him sincerely.

Xue Yifei said anxiously, “Friends? I don’t want to be just friends, Ah He...”

“Yifei! At the Empress Dowager’s banquet, I already made my choice. It cannot be changed.”

“As long as you’re not married, why can’t it be changed?”

“What cannot change is my heart! Marrying into the royal family means wealth and honor. No matter what others say, I will be a princess. As long as Xiao Jingchi remains healthy, I will hold that title firmly!”

Xue Yifei smiled bitterly. “To reject me, you say such things?”

“Yifei, I’m truly happy you came back to see me. I regret the harsh words I once said that hurt you. I don’t want to lose you as a friend.”

Xue Yifei said nothing. Shen He patted his shoulder.

[Opportunity.] Xue Yifei thought fiercely.

Indeed, the inner voice seemed to convey only key words.

“By the way, I don’t know much about business. Since you’re back, I want to ask: what kind of trade is most profitable?” Shen He suddenly changed the subject.

“Do you want to go into business?” Xue Yifei asked curiously.

Shen He told him about helping Xiao Jingren buy mines and win hearts, using her own silver to advance funds for him.

Xue Yifei slammed the table. “You’re crazy!”

Shen He smiled ruefully. “Yes, I was mad then. Now that I’m clear-headed, I must make him pay back every coin.”

Xue Yifei’s interest was piqued. “What do you plan to do?”

“Make Xiao Jingren pay the price,” Shen He said coldly, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes.

“I’ll help you,” Xue Yifei said without hesitation.

Shen He smiled. “I haven’t even told you what I want to do yet.”

“Whatever you say—we’re friends.”

Shen He smiled brightly. “Xiao Jingren needs money, and lots of it. If we make him believe it’s a lucrative venture, he’ll invest willingly. But he’s sly; we must gain his full trust.”

Xue Yifei chuckled. “Ah He, you’ve heard the saying ‘no cheat no business.’ Who can out-sly me? Just leave it to me!”

Shen He laughed heartily, feeling truly glad.

Xue Yifei produced an invitation card and handed it to her. “The Xue family is holding a horse meet in a few days. You must attend.”

A horse meet?

Shen He recalled how, in her past life, she had competed at the horse meet to save Xiao Jingren’s face but had not only failed to win but also fallen from her horse, losing all dignity.

She had been mocked by the ladies, causing her pregnant cousin Shen Wei to argue on her behalf, only to fall and miscarry from the stress.

Now, she knew the horse’s sudden disobedience had been tampered with.

This time, she would not let those who harmed her succeed again.