Chapter 15: The Trap

Shen He fixed her gaze and saw that the visitor was none other than Xiao Jingren. He gently grasped her hand, his tone carrying an unwavering certainty: “A He, come with me.”

Shen He neither withdrew her hand nor spoke. To Xiao Jingren, this simple gesture transformed into a spark of unexpected joy, tinged with an elusive urgency.

He led Shen He through the bustling crowd of the horse club, stepping into a quiet, grassy clearing.

Sunlight fell softly over the tranquil scene.

Shen He’s heart suddenly jolted, her fingers instinctively tightening their grip.

Before her stood Xiao Jingren, his sharply defined features quietly overlapping with the face she remembered—one that had once mercilessly trampled her dignity.

In that moment, past humiliations intertwined with the gentleness in front of her.

“Your Highness,” Shen He forced a smile, struggling to suppress the urge to slap him.

“A He, when did the bond between us grow so distant?” His voice was low, magnetic.

Shen He pressed her lips together, as if restraining something fierce within. Finally, she forced herself to say, “Brother Jingren.”

Uttering those four words almost made her gag.

“How have you been these past few days?” Xiao Jingren’s voice brimmed with concern.

“A He,” he continued, his tone carrying a barely perceptible tenderness and warmth, “since the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, I have thought of you every moment.”

Thought of me? Shen He sneered inwardly, the bitter laugh audible only to herself. Surely what he’s thinking of is that qin-shaped jade pendant.

Without revealing her thoughts, she held Xiao Jingren’s hand firmly.

“Brother Jingren, do you truly like me?” Her voice was soft and delicate, like a gentle stream, eyes shimmering with a hint of hope.

At her words, Xiao Jingren’s body trembled slightly. “Of course I do. A He, why would you ask that?” he answered without hesitation.

Yet to Shen He, his inner thoughts were starkly different:

‘As I thought, she still cares for me, or why would she ask such a question? Once I get that qin-shaped jade, marrying her wouldn’t be a problem.’

So it was as she suspected.

Shen He sneered coldly.

She gently released his hand, feigning sorrow: “But recently I’ve noticed my stepsister seems to fancy Your Highness as well. If that is so, I cannot stand in her way.”

“Why would you say that?” Surely Shen Jiao must have planted some words in front of Shen He—what a despicable woman.

“That’s precisely why, at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, I thought to let you two be. If you truly love each other deeply, I, Shen He, will step aside and never become a stumbling block between you.”

At this thought, a cold smile tugged at the corners of Shen He’s lips as she turned to leave.

“A He!” Xiao Jingren’s urgency overflowed as he hastily grabbed the sleeve of her robe.

In the tug, an envelope slipped unnoticed from Shen He’s sleeve.

Bending down, Xiao Jingren picked it up. “What’s this?” He opened it, finding pages densely covered with writing and some diagrams.

“A gold mine?”

Shen He’s heart leapt with secret delight, but she feigned anxiety: “Brother Jingren, give it back quickly!”

She reached out to snatch it.

Xiao Jingren dodged her hand, studying the contents carefully.

“This gold mine has a vast reserve!” His eyes glinted with greed.

A faint, barely perceptible smile curved Shen He’s lips.

He’s hooked.

“Yes, I was going to tell you, but the extraction costs are too high. I fear I cannot afford it, so I didn’t want to trouble you,” Shen He said, feigning regret.

“How much do you need?” Xiao Jingren asked eagerly.

“At least twenty thousand taels of silver for now, and possibly more later,” Shen He demanded boldly.

“Twenty thousand taels?” Xiao Jingren frowned slightly.

It was no small sum.

“Yes, so perhaps it’s best to forget it. I know Your Highness has many expenses now and may not have much to spare. It’s better we don’t get involved.”

Shen He looked at him with pitiful eyes.

Xiao Jingren hesitated for a moment.

Though twenty thousand taels wasn’t astronomical for him, it still required careful consideration.

“A He, you’re so thoughtful, always considering me first. If the gold mine is real, its future profits will be great. Keep this with me; I’ll study it carefully when I return.”

As expected, sly as ever, Shen He thought, Xiao Jingren still did not fully trust her.

“Brother Jingren, do you not believe me? If so, why say more?” Shen He feigned annoyance.

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, A He, but I worry you may not know much about these matters. I know more people, so it’s no trouble to ask around.”

The materials prepared by Xue Yifei naturally showed no flaws.

“You really are thorough, Brother Jingren,” Shen He thought with satisfaction.

“If it’s genuine, you need not worry about funds; I will arrange that.”

Xiao Jingren—this lifetime, you shall taste the bitterness of being deceived.

Returning to her seat, Shen Yan asked anxiously, “Eldest sister, what’s wrong?”

Shen He patted Shen Jiao’s hand lightly. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing.”

‘Eldest sister is such a good person; she will be fine,’ Shen Yan’s heart whispered timidly.

Shen He smiled faintly, knowing well that though Shen Yan outwardly obeyed Shen Jiao, they were not truly aligned.

Shen Yan was kind-hearted but had been suppressed terribly by Shen Jiao and Madam Shan since childhood, too afraid to speak or express herself.

Shen He squeezed Shen Yan’s hand tightly and pulled her down to sit.

Shen Jiao sneered coldly, casting a disdainful glance at Shen Yan, who quickly withdrew her hand, falling silent.

Shen He noticed that Shen Jiao had already changed into her polo attire.

“Eldest sister, care for a game?”

In a past life, Shen He’s equestrian skills were no match for Shen Jiao’s, which cost her face at the horse club.

But after the Xue family’s horse club incident, Shen He had trained tirelessly so she could stand better behind Xiao Jingren in the future.

Now, Shen He’s horsemanship was top-notch.

Feigning humility, Shen He said, “My skills can’t compare to my sister’s.”

Shen Jiao smirked confidently. “It’s just for fun. Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you. A Yan, come help your sister change.”

Shen Yan stood frozen, nervous, unable to speak.

Shen He smiled gently. “A Yan, let’s go.”

They headed to the changing tent, where Shen Yan helped Shen He change clothes, cautiously whispering, “Eldest sister… please be careful.”

Seeing Shen Yan’s unease, Shen He patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry.”

‘Second sister tampered with Eldest sister’s horse gear. Should I tell Eldest sister? What if she gets hurt?’ Shen Yan looked as if she might cry.

Shen He gave Shen Jiao a calm, confident look. “Rest assured, A Yan, Eldest sister will be careful.”