The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 144 - 142: She Always Despised Shen Yinning

Chapter 144: Chapter 142: She Always Despised Shen Yinning

Shen Yinning took a sip of tea.

If the Gao Family treated her with respect, she might have been willing to lend a hand to Gao Yun and Zou Dacheng.

But the Gao Family members were narrow-minded and scheming, hardly worthy of attention.

She deliberately put on a troubled expression: "I’ve written several letters to the Crown Prince, begging him to help my brother-in-law get appointed as an imperial merchant, but every one of them was rejected. After all, I’m just a woman and shouldn’t interfere too much in the court’s appointments. Besides, the Crown Prince doesn’t take me seriously, so no matter how much I plead, it’s all in vain."

Gao Yun rolled her eyes. "Hmph, useless."

She had always looked down on Shen Yinning.

This woman wasn’t good enough for her elder brother in the past, and now that her brother had become a Capital Official, she was even less worthy!

Her elder brother, destined for a brilliant career and possibly even the Prime Minister’s seat, deserved only a wife of noble birth or a princess with power!

Gao Zheng’s expression darkened. He scolded, "I’ve already guaranteed to my sister and brother-in-law that I can get them the imperial merchant’s plaque. Now you’re saying it can’t be done? Where does that leave my reputation?! Last time, when we sought Old Master Yu’s mentorship, you didn’t help Hong and Hui, but instead supported the son of some cook! Shen, have you ever thought of me as your husband or this family as your own?"

Yin Shanshan sneered. "To think that, as a former daughter of the Duke Mansion, you can’t even handle such a trivial matter! I managed to pull strings to get Zheng sent to be a Capital Official, and yet you, as the lady of the house, can’t find a way to make your brother-in-law an imperial merchant?!"

Shen Yinning clutched her handkerchief and pretended to cry: "It’s all my fault for failing you. I’ve thought long and hard, and this matter really needs Shanshan’s help. Since my brother-in-law is a favorite in the Crown Prince’s inner circle, surely becoming an imperial merchant is just something he can take care of with a word. Shanshan, please, Yun and Dacheng have traveled a long way to get here, it hasn’t been easy for them; you must help them!"

Gao Yun and Zou Dacheng immediately looked to Yin Shanshan.

Gao Yun implored, "Yes, Sister Shanshan, we’ve even sold off our family estate to make this journey. Before we left, we made it clear to everyone that we were heading to the Capital to become imperial merchants. If we come back empty-handed, how shameful would that be! Sister Shanshan, you can’t just leave us in the lurch!"

Yin Shanshan felt rather smug.

So what if Shen Yinning was from an esteemed family or the legitimate wife? Now that the Gao Family had something to settle, weren’t they all begging her for help?

She said confidently, "Don’t worry, I’ll definitely ask my brother to make arrangements for you."

Speak of the devil and he shall appear—Yin Yang arrived.

Today, he was dressed in a silk brocade robe, trying his best to look impressive.

Zou Dacheng immediately stood up enthusiastically, a smile on his face: "So this must be Brother-in-law? Truly, a man of great bearing and elegance!"

Gao Yun chimed in and covered her nose, whispering to Shanshan, "Sister Shanshan, what’s that smell on him?"

Yin Shanshan noticed it too.

It smelled like horse urine, sharp and pungent.

She frowned and asked, "Brother, what is that smell on you?"

Yin Yang felt embarrassed.

Although he worked as a sedan bearer, he also took care of feeding the horses.

He had just come from the stables after his shift and had hurriedly changed clothes without having time to bathe. How could there not be a smell?

Shen Yinning, holding her delicate chin in her palm, observed his awkwardness with amusement and teased demurely, "I heard that Brother-in-law is a valued advisor in the Eastern Palace. Perhaps this is some exotic fragrance we’ve never encountered before?"

"Exactly, exactly!" Yin Yang glanced at Shen Yinning gratefully. "The scent on me is from a perfume bestowed by the Crown Prince himself. I heard it’s a tribute from the Western Regions, worth a thousand taels per ounce, unavailable elsewhere—but of course, you wouldn’t recognize it!"

Although Yin Yang had been bribed by Shen Yinning, all communications went through Cuicui, so he didn’t know this beautiful woman was the very person lining his pockets.

"Ah, I see..." Gao Yun exclaimed, then took on a blissful expression. "At first, the smell was a bit strong, but the more I smell it, the sweeter and more intoxicating it becomes! Truly unique! Husband, the Capital is so different from Gan State; even the perfumes here are extraordinary!"

Shen Yinning nearly burst out laughing.

To think they were mistaking the stench of horse urine for an exotic and luxurious fragrance—Gao Yun might just be history’s most distinguished connoisseur.

Seeing that his ruse had worked, Yin Yang wore a triumphant grin and sprawled onto his seat, adopting an air of the Crown Prince’s confidant.

When the dishes were served, Yin Shanshan eagerly picked up a piece of abalone and placed it on Yin Yang’s plate. "Brother, out of everyone here, you are the closest to the Crown Prince. Please, speak on behalf of my brother-in-law and ask the Crown Prince to arrange for him to become an imperial merchant! Once my brother-in-law becomes successful, he surely won’t forget your great kindness!"

Yin Yang, his mouth greasy from food, mumbled through a full mouth, "So this is why you invited me to dinner today!"

Gao Yun personally rolled up her sleeves to pour him a drink. "Brother-in-law, everyone knows you’re capable. Tell us, can this be done?"

Yin Yang wiped his mouth.

Truthfully, he didn’t understand why the Gao Family believed Gao Zheng’s promotion to Capital Official had anything to do with him, nor where they got the idea that he was the Crown Prince’s confidant or an Eastern Palace advisor.

Ever since they arrived in the Capital, they had treated him with great courtesy and showered him with gifts of silver notes and local specialties.

It would’ve been foolish not to accept such free benefits, so naturally, he had taken them all.

Now, they wanted him to perform a favor?

His eyes turned as he schemed. He might as well agree for now to set up the next opportunity to demand more benefits.

Once the New Year passed, he could simply tell them that the position couldn’t be obtained because the relatives of the Empress Dowager or Noble Consort Zhang also wanted to be imperial merchants, and their connections were too strong for him to budge.

Surely, this group wouldn’t be able to uncover his deception.

Having thought it through, he feigned difficulty and said, "This matter isn’t entirely out of reach, but it’s no easy task. The position of imperial merchant is full of opportunities for profit, and many are eyeing it. You’re not the only ones who’ve approached the Crown Prince..."

Gao Yun smiled gracefully and interrupted, "Though we come from a small place, we know that life in the Capital is expensive and money is essential. Please, Brother-in-law, accept this modest token of our appreciation."

Yin Yang glanced at the envelope she pushed toward him.

He weighed it in his hand—it seemed to contain around 500 taels in silver notes.

He smirked.

What was 500 taels? His employer gave him that much every month!

Setting the envelope down, he forced a tight smile and said, "To be honest, this matter isn’t easy to accomplish."

Zou Dacheng pressed directly, "We’re all family here, Brother-in-law, just say what you mean—how much do you need to secure the imperial merchant position?"

"At least this much!"

Yin Yang held up three fingers.

Gao Yun hesitated. "Three hundred taels?"

Yin Yang shook his head, saying, "Three thousand taels!"

Three thousand taels!

Gao Yun and Zou Dacheng gasped audibly.

They had sold off their ancestral estate and property, and even so, they only had about 6,000 taels of patterned silver left. Giving up half of it as a bribe to Yin Yang was truly painful.

Shen Yinning smiled serenely.

The Gao Family was truly remarkable.

Without first investigating Yin Yang’s background, they had plunged headlong into bribing him.

Seeing that Gao Yun and Zou Dacheng were still hesitating, she decided to fan the flames: "I’ve heard that the imperial merchants are extraordinarily prestigious. Not only do they supply tea to the palace, but they also work closely with court officials. After a year or two, their network will expand, and routes will open up—how could they not make money? No wonder every imperial merchant lives extravagantly, dressed in gold and silver, with mansions more luxurious than even those of first-rank officials."

Her words were like bait.

The thought of someday amassing a fortune and rivaling nations made Gao Yun and Zou Dacheng set aside their hesitation. They resolutely handed over 3,000 taels of silver notes to Yin Yang.

What’s 3,000 taels?

Soon, they would be rolling in wealth!