Cui Ji glanced at Shen Yinning.
In this dynasty, the social atmosphere was open, and there were quite a few books among the commoners depicting romance and intimacy, even ones involving fictionalized current figures. Generally, if the public doesn’t raise an issue, the officials won’t pursue it.
But Shen Yinning was the most profit-driven woman Cui Ji had ever seen. He didn’t think she did this simply because she had nothing better to do.
Thinking about the recent uproar in the Capital over those novels, he immediately guessed that Shen Yinning was secretly fueling the fire.
He said, "If it’s true, the profits should be confiscated, and depending on the severity, those involved should be detained in the government office, awaiting their family to pay bail. Madame Shen, is it that you wish to anonymously report someone?"
He placed emphasis on "anonymously."
Shen Yinning took out a letter from her sleeve and pushed it in front of Cui Ji.
The handwriting was strong and powerful, thoroughly dissecting the issue, pointing out that the current Crown Princess Consort Shen Yunxi and the concubine of the Assessor of the Ministry of Justice, Yin Shanshan, used their position of writing novels to fabricate rumors about the Crown Prince, spreading lewd and filthy writings widely among the common people.
"Wow!" Lu Jiazhe leaned over for a look and laughed, "I heard the servants in the mansion discussing these novels, and thought it was written by one of Shen Yunxi’s sworn enemies, but didn’t expect it was her herself! Making herself the protagonist of the novel and selling it everywhere, she’s truly a talent!"
Shen Yinning took a sip of wine and said, "Yin Shanshan aside, but Shen Yunxi, being the Crown Princess Consort, I fear Lord Cui would not dare arrest her."
Cui Ji put away the letter, still maintaining a calm demeanor: "The emperor’s crimes are treated the same as those of commoners. As an official of the Ministry of Justice, I should enforce the law impartially. How can I differentiate based on the social status of the offender?"
Shen Yinning lazily rested her cheek on her hand and said, "Lord Cui, you truly are incorruptible and unafraid of power."
Though it was a compliment, the tone carried no discernible praise or criticism.
However, Cui Ji seemed accustomed to her sarcastic tone.
Lu Jiazhe shouted, "Now that we’ve finished with business, Sister Shen, let’s play finger-guessing and drink! I must give you a proper welcome!"
He’s quite lively, and even with only three people at the table, he kept the atmosphere lively and cheerful.
Cui Ji listened to him and Shen Yinning’s jokes and laughter, quietly eating and drinking at the side.
The setting sun of a summer evening shone through the patterned window onto Shen Yinning’s East Pearl Earrings, reflecting a pale golden light.
That light cast a shadow on the back of Cui Ji’s slender hand, dazzling his eyes.
Perhaps it was because of a little girl on the street selling gardenias that evening, for Cui Ji, this dusk seemed to carry an indescribable fragrance, just like those two years he spent with Madame Shen in Gan State, the scent he often smelled.
From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Shen Yinning’s face, slightly red from the wine.
Cui Ji thought silently, he must also be feeling a bit tipsy.
When Shen Yinning returned to Gao Family in Lotus Alley, the sun had already set behind the courtyard wall.
The courtyard was quiet, with no sign of the maids or women.
She thoughtfully glanced at the slightly ajar screen door, then pushed it open and entered.
A young man sat upright in the grandmaster’s chair, his eyes closed as if in light sleep. His dark, gold-embroidered robe spread across the chair, highlighting his profound and imposing features in the shadows, his thin, lowered lips exuding a silent sense of pressure.
"Oh," Shen Yinning closed the door and coquettishly sat in his lap, "What wind blew Brother Lu Ying here?"
Lu Ying opened his eyes.
They were very close, and he could clearly smell the scent of wine on the woman.
He said, "Have you been drinking?"
Shen Yinning took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped away the light sweat on her neck: "The room was stuffy, so I went to the tavern for a while. Brother Lu Ying, you didn’t say I couldn’t go out."
Lu Ying looked at her.
It was midsummer, and the woman wore the thin, open-collared gauze skirt popular in the Capital. Due to the heat and because she had just come from outside, her delicately fair neck was beaded with fragrant sweat, the silky blouse clinging to her skin, outlining the curves of her body.
His eyes darkened: "Were you alone?"
"Who else would there be?" Shen Yinning replied coyly, "Would I be drinking with that fool Gao Zheng?"
"You enjoy dealing with smart people and naturally wouldn’t share a table with Gao Zheng. However—" Lu Ying gently caressed her delicate cheek, his narrow eyes growing even darker, "the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Cui Ji, is indeed a rare smart person."
Shen Yinning raised her eyebrows: "Did you have someone follow me?"
Lu Ying didn’t answer.
His calloused fingers traced the contour of Shen Yinning’s lips and continued down her neck.
The ties at the front were loosened.
Her dress fell to her waist.
The woman let out a suppressed cry, with a hint of pitiful sobbing, her lowered lashes shielding a glimmer of hate in her eyes.
Lu Ying suddenly turned Shen Yinning’s face to him.
He spoke word by word: "Cui Ji also came from Gan State, you knew each other long ago, didn’t you? Shen Yinning, what did you do behind my back in Gan State?"
Shen Yinning lifted her long lashes, quietly looking at him.
After a moment, she suddenly laughed.
She was extremely beautiful, and even though the situation was quite embarrassing, her beauty made it hard to look away.
She leaned closer to Lu Ying’s ear, her voice both alluring and provocative: "You guess?"
A surge of intense emotion suddenly erupted in Lu Ying’s chest.
He stared hard at the woman in his arms.
During those three years when Shen Yinning was exiled to Gan State, she sent him letters every other week, filled with sweet words of love, telling him how much she missed and loved him, urging him to find a way to bring her back to the Capital as soon as possible.
He thought, he believed, at least during those three years in Gan State, Shen Yinning was loyal and that she liked him.
But the appearance of Cui Ji, like a resounding slap, struck him hard in the face.
Just as she had done to him three years ago before the downfall of the Shen Guogong Mansion!
At her core, Shen Yinning was still the same as before: selfish, greedy, deceitful, flirtatious, and uncontrollable!
She was the most beautiful yet the most deceitful woman in the world; she was only fit to be a plaything in bed.
He knew of Shen Yinning’s flaws.
Yet, despite everything, at this moment, he was still moved by Shen Yinning.
He didn’t know where this emotion came from, but he knew he didn’t feeling of losing control.
He said, "I forbid you from seeing him again."
"Does Your Highness intend to restrict my freedom?"
"Your Highness, could it be that you have fallen for me?"