Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 36

Shen Tangning wasn’t surprised that the Princess Royal had seen through her little ploy. After all, the woman had once studied the art of rulership. Shen Tangning had mentally prepared herself for this before even arriving.

Still, being granted an audience was already half the battle won.

She remained composed, gracefully kneeling. “Your Highness, please quell your anger.”

Yan Mingyi narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her. “That line— ‘endure the present in silence, rise like a hidden dragon tomorrow’—was that meant for me to hear?”

Shen Tangning paused briefly, then raised her head. “For Your Highness, and for myself.”

Yan Mingyi let out a short laugh. “At least you’re honest.”

Her tone revealed nothing, leaving Shen Tangning unsure whether it was approval or sarcasm.

Shen Tangning smiled faintly. “In front of Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare bluff.”

“You and your aunt… truly nothing alike.” Yan Mingyi averted her gaze. “Get up. Didn’t expect your courage to have grown this much after all these years.”

Shen Tangning rose as instructed, blinking at the unexpected comment.

“Your Highness has met me before?”

Yan Mingyi slowly poured herself tea, steam blurring her elegant features. “Once. You were just a child then cautious and reserved, trying so hard to act mature beyond your years. Just like your aunt.”

She let out a soft snort, unclear if she was mocking or reminiscing.

A flicker of emotion flashed through Shen Tangning’s eyes. The Princess Royal had mentioned the late Empress multiple times; her tone laced with subtle complexities she might not even realize herself.

She had once heard from her mother that the Princess Royal and the Empress were quite close in their younger years, but something must have happened to make them mortal enemies.

That, too, was part of why she’d dared to come.

“This ‘chance meeting’ of ours—surely you had a deeper purpose?” Yan Mingyi, never one for subtlety, bluntly exposed her true intentions.

Under that piercing gaze, Shen Tangning felt completely exposed. In this second life, few people could still instill such pressure on her.

“Your Highness is indeed perceptive.”

She chose to admit it without hesitation. Trying to play mind games with someone like the Princess Royal would only make her look foolish.

Yan Mingyi gave her a sidelong glance and tilted her chin. “Sit.”

Once Shen Tangning had taken her seat, the Princess Royal slid a teacup toward her. “Try it. Tell me how it tastes.”

Shen Tangning didn’t dare refuse. Who in the world could say they’d tasted tea personally brewed by the Princess Royal?

Carefully, she cupped the hot porcelain, blew away the foam, and took a sip—only for her expression to turn a little odd.

Yan Mingyi looked on with amusement. “Well?”

Shen Tangning took another sip to make sure it wasn’t just her imagination, then set the cup down with an unreadable expression, suppressing the bitterness on her tongue. “It’s… quite unique.”

She hadn’t expected the Princess Royal’s demeanor to be so regal, yet her tea-making skills… indescribable.

“Pfft—”

A soft laugh escaped from Yinfang nearby.

Yan Mingyi shot her with a sharp glance. “Find that funny?”

Yinfang quickly straightened her expression. “This servant was out of line.”

The Princess Royal didn’t pursue the matter further, instead turning her sharp gaze back on Shen Tangning. “If it’s terrible, say so. Don’t pretend otherwise. You’re quite the hypocrite.”

That was just unreasonable.

If Shen Tangning had said it was awful, the Princess Royal might’ve thrown her out on the spot.

So the rumors were true—Her Highness was indeed unpredictable.

“Well then, what exactly do you want from me?” Clearly satisfied with her little moment of mischief, Yan Mingyi was now in a better mood.

Shen Tangning didn’t know how to begin. To say she hoped the Princess Royal would support the Crown Prince—outright political alignment—was no small matter. That was practically asking for her own execution.

She lowered her gaze, her demeanor demure and harmless. “I once heard the Crown Prince speak of Your Highness. He spoke of you with great admiration, so I thought… perhaps I could get to know you.”

Yan Mingyi abruptly stood. Her smile vanished. In a flash, her warmth turned to frost.

“I don’t have time for these hollow excuses.”

She turned to leave.

Shen Tangning’s heart sank. If she failed to win over the Royal Princess now, she might never get another chance.

Without thinking, she rushed forward and dropped to her knees in front of the princess.

“I dare not deceive Your Highness—this visit is on behalf of my cousin, the Crown Prince!”

Yan Mingyi froze.

She looked down at the girl kneeling before her.

Shen Tangning’s eyelashes trembled, but her voice remained calm, a show of resolve as much as desperation. “You are his aunt. Even if Your Highness cannot support him… I beg you not to oppose him.”

She stared hard at the hem of the princess’s robes, hands slick with cold sweat.

She knew this was too bold. Her little ploys were nothing before the Princess Royal. Perhaps… from the very start, Her Highness had already seen through her.

But Shen Tangning had no time to play the long game. She didn’t know when exactly the Third Prince had begun courting the Princess Royal’s favor—only that in two months, her cousin would return to the capital.

He would come back to being a war hero, crowned in glory. And yet… he’d be met with false charges and six months of imprisonment.

Shen Tangning shut her eyes briefly, then heard that cold voice above her.

“Raise your head.”

She obeyed.

Yan Mingyi studied her closely. Though Shen Tangning was married, she was still very young. It was said the ladies of the Shen family were both beautiful and talented. She had never paid for it much mind.

But today’s meeting proved the rumors weren’t baseless.

The girl’s looks were striking—vivid but not vulgar. Her eyes, clear and cool, reflected every emotion she held back.

Yan Mingyi suddenly curved her lips into a smile and lifted Shen Tangning’s chin. “I like your eyes.”

A flicker of confusion crossed Shen Tangning’s gaze, but she responded smoothly, “It is my honor.”

Yan Mingyi straightened, her expression unreadable.

It wasn’t that Shen Tangning’s eyes were particularly beautiful—but rather, she saw in them something that reminded her of herself.

“Shen Tangning, I’ll remember you.”

With a final look, she turned and walked away.

…

“Can’t remember the last time Her Highness spoke so much to a junior. She seems to like Miss Shen?” Yinfang, an old servant of the Princess Royal, couldn’t help asking.

Yan Mingyi shot her a look. “You’re good at guessing my thoughts now?”

Yinfang lowered her head with a smile. “This servant was too bold.”

“She’s an interesting one.” A flicker of nostalgia flashed through the Princess Royal’s eyes. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “She reminds me… of myself.”

Yinfang nodded. “Miss Shen may be young, but she’s no fool.”

Yan Mingyi curled her lips. “A woman with ambition? I don’t see anything wrong with that.”