Qi Zhenzhen and Li Nuan watched Ruining nervously. They had to admit, this girl had a bit of a storyteller's knack, able to hook your curiosity at crucial moments.
"It's no fun if I'm the only one talking, why don't you two guess?" Ruining put on a rather cheeky expression. "Use your imagination, guess without any limits."
"Yingying escaped? And then spread rumors everywhere about her and Shen Zhixin?" Li Nuan said hesitantly.
Ruining shook her head.
"Could it be that Yingying got involved with Yang Feiran?" Qi Zhenzhen guessed.
"Interesting, but not quite."
Interesting? In a flash, Qi Zhenzhen thought of a possibility.
"Could it be that Yingying and General Shen?"
Li Nuan instinctively wanted to say Qi Zhenzhen was wrong. How could such a preposterous thing happen?
But after hearing her words, Ruining nodded heavily. "Alright, Sister Zhenzhen, your imagination is quite impressive. You actually guessed it! After Yingying tried to kill herself and was rescued, General Shen went to see her, and somehow, they ended up together. Yingying was a grown woman, and after this happened, General Shen, despite the objections of his family, insisted on giving Yingying a proper status. She was the daughter of his old friend; he couldn't ruin her reputation and then abandon her. If he did, how would a young lady live her life? Because of this, Madam Shen almost divorced General Shen. However, considering that the Shen family's children were not yet married, a divorce would only benefit Yingying. Madam Shen endured it. This matter could not be kept from the Yang family. The Yang family felt that the Shen family's conduct was questionable, and therefore firmly withdrew the marriage proposal."
This melodrama, this twist, Qi Zhenzhen felt that even the most brilliant screenwriter from her past life couldn't have written such a plot.
As for that Yingying, women were indeed not to be underestimated; when they became ruthless, they were truly unfeeling.
"Didn't Yingying like Shen Zhixin? General Shen is Shen Zhixin's father. How heartbroken must Shen Zhixin be by her actions? Moreover, because of what she did, Shen Zhixin's good marriage also fell through. The two of them..."
"If Shen Zhixin isn't brain-dead, he'd naturally want to kill her," Qi Zhenzhen interjected. "No outsider can truly fathom Yingying's feelings for Shen Zhixin, but one thing is certain: compared to her future life, her feelings are insignificant. Simply put, such a person loves others, but loves herself the most. General Shen is the head of the Shen family, and she'll only have a good life if she clings tightly to General Shen's leg. I suspect General Shen had quite a bit to drink when he went to see Yingying. That's when this incident happened! I also suspect Madam Shen found no clues about any trickery afterward. She probably just thought it was a case of General Shen acting out of drunken lust."
Ruining's eyes lit up. "Zhenzhen, don't tell me your household also keeps spies?"
Qi Zhenzhen gave her a side-eye. "Such a boring matter..."
"My father enjoys it immensely," Ruining said with a helpless expression.
Since Ruining brought up Prince Rui, Qi Zhenzhen couldn't criticize, so she said, "At first glance, these matters seem trivial, but they can reflect the personalities of the people involved, and some can even become leverage. If, one day, the two sides are in an antagonistic state, one might even use this leverage to their advantage."
Ruining pouted. "Your reasoning is just like my father's. But isn't it wrong to pry into other people's secrets like this? The princes and nobles in the capital outwardly show great respect to my father, but behind his back, they hate him to the bone. They go to the Emperor uncle to complain, and the Emperor uncle always punishes my father with confinement. It's just a show of force with little effect. In the past two years, my father has become even more audacious. The Emperor uncle is truly too much; he shouldn't be so lenient just because they are brothers, should he?"
"You're the one who told us what your father found out," Qi Zhenzhen gave Ruining a look.
As for the leniency Ruining mentioned, Qi Zhenzhen was more inclined to believe that Prince Rui's prying into the private affairs of princes and ministers was done with the Emperor Chongwen's tacit approval.
Ruining stuck out her tongue. "Don't you two tell anyone else about this. Right now, not many people know about it."
Qi Zhenzhen and Li Nuan nodded.
"I've been out for a while; I should go back, or it will be difficult to come out next time. Sister Zhenzhen, Sister Nuan, you two can come to the Prince's mansion to find me when you have time." Ruining stood up. "Although my mother doesn't like me going out often, she is very happy to entertain my friends. Especially Sister Zhenzhen, you're about to marry Brother Anian, and my mother is extremely fond of you."
"Please send my regards to the Princess Consort on my behalf."
Li Nuan took out a sachet from her sleeve. "This is peony fragrance. Last time I visited Prince Rui's mansion, I smelled peony fragrance on the Princess Consort, so I thought she might like it."
Ruining accepted it. "Sister Nuan, I like fruity scents."
"There are no fruits available now. When summer comes next year, I'll make more and send them to you," Li Nuan said softly with a smile.
"We've agreed, then I'll come to your place to ask for the fruity scents," Ruining's round apricot eyes narrowed into a line, a smile spreading across her face.
"Next summer, you won't be coming to the Marquis's mansion to ask Sister Nuan, but to the Qian family's courtyard." Qi Zhenzhen deliberately emphasized the words "Qian family's courtyard."
Ruining played along, exclaiming, "Oh, yes, next summer, Sister Nuan will be married. It's fine, Old Madam Qian is very fond of me, so it will be convenient for me to visit the Qian family."
Li Nuan's cheeks flushed. "You two..."
Ruining stepped forward and linked arms with Li Nuan. "Sister Nuan, don't be shy, this isn't anything embarrassing. Look, our families have a good relationship. It would be wonderful if we could stay close after you get married! This is something to celebrate. Otherwise, if the families of us three marry into incompatible households, would we still be able to stay in touch? Old Madam Qian raised my Emperor uncle. She is like an elder to our Prince Rui's mansion. So, we are all family from now on."
Li Nuan felt a warmth spread through her heart. Ruining was a royal princess, of true royal blood. Her friendly interaction with her was partly due to Qi Zhenzhen's influence, but it also spoke volumes about her excellent disposition.
After seeing Ruining off, Qi Zhenzhen and Li Nuan walked together to the Chaohui Hall.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard the Grand Madam's hearty laughter.
"Oh, Rou'er, great-aunt never knew you were such an amusing person. I can't laugh anymore, or my old bones will give out."
Qi Zhenzhen and Li Nuan entered the room one after another. Li Rou was still contorting her facial features, her delicate face scrunched up, her nose pushed upwards with her hand, looking endearingly like a little pig.
Li Nuan was also surprised. She had never seen her sister look so lively before.