Chapter Six: What a Delicate Little Flower

Just as Shen Yi was lost in her own thoughts, the owner of the rouge shop brought her back to reality.

"Miss Shen, what do you think?"

Shen Yi reasoned that she shouldn't treat herself poorly, especially since women have no resistance to such things anyway. She replied, "Go ahead and wrap all of these up for me."

The shopkeeper’s face immediately lit up with joy. "Very well! Miss Shen, please wait a moment."

While waiting, Shen Yi began browsing the other items in the shop. She realized that with her current knowledge, making a living in this world seemed rather difficult. Was she destined to cling to Xiao Huaijin’s coattails? No, that wouldn't do—Xiao Huaijin was destined to rebel. Even if she didn't plan on reporting him, the "sickly, delicate" little emperor from the original novel wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Just then, a girl of about fifteen or sixteen approached. She had flawless, refined features and was fanning herself with a round silk fan. She wore a jacket with sleeves embroidered with gardenias, a costly purse shaped like a swimming fish hanging from her waist, and a peach-pink skirt. Beneath the hem of her skirt peeked a pair of plain white shoes embroidered with a solitary heron.

This was Chen Xijun, daughter of the Minister of Rites, Chen Zhitong, and Shen Yi’s "dearest friend." Because Shen Yi was nineteen and Chen Xijun was not yet sixteen, she often called her "Sister," a term that had always charmed Shen Yi. Most of Chen Xijun’s belongings—including the thirty-tael fish purse, her hairpins, and her very clothes—had been gifts from Shen Yi.

Upon seeing Shen Yi, Chen Xijun’s face lit up with surprise. She trotted over happily and hooked her arm into Shen Yi’s. "Sister! What are you doing here?"

Looking at Chen Xijun, Shen Yi couldn't help but chuckle internally. This "little white flower" was so bashful and sweet that even as a woman, Shen Yi found her captivating; men would surely be unable to look away. Yet, Shen Yi remembered all too well that it was this very "little white flower" who had suggested the scheme to embarrass Jiang Nansheng on the eve of her wedding to Xiao Huaijin. Although the plan failed, it was hardly the work of a simple-minded person.

*If you want to play the innocent act, I’ll play along with you,* Shen Yi thought.

She patted the back of Chen Xijun’s hand and said with a hollow, insincere smile, "Little sister, if I’m not here, where should I be? Or perhaps you think I should be kept under house arrest by the Prince indefinitely?"

Chen Xijun looked slightly flustered. "Sister, what are you saying? The Prince dotes on you so much, how could he ever lock you away? It’s just that I did hear he had punished you. I wanted to visit the manor yesterday, but I was afraid of angering the Prince and the new Princess Consort, so I didn't dare go. Sister, you aren't blaming me, are you?"

*Tsk, tsk,* Shen Yi thought, *so young and already such a master of "tea-ism" (manipulative, faux-innocent behavior).* It was likely something she learned from her mother—who, in the context of her previous life, would be considered the mistress who usurped the wife’s position.

Shen Yi shook her head. "How could I blame you? It’s just that now that the manor has a Princess Consort, my life hasn't been easy. I fear the Prince will have her manage the household soon, and when I have nowhere left to go, I’ll have to rely on you to take me in."

Chen Xijun froze for a moment, then immediately replied, "Sister, what are you saying? I see how much the Prince loves you; he could never bear to leave you homeless!" She then whispered, "Don't worry, Sister. The Prince’s interest in that new Princess Consort is only a passing fancy. In the end, the position of Princess Consort will still be yours."

In the past, Shen Yi would have been charmed by such honeyed words and might have even gifted Chen Xijun a portion of her purchases. But now? *Heh.*

Seeing Shen Yi’s smirk, Chen Xijun assumed her words had struck a chord and felt quite satisfied with her performance. She hinted, "Sister, my own rouge and powder have run out. I heard the shop received new stock, and I wonder..."

She left the sentence hanging, but Shen Yi was no fool. The "little white flower" was actually asking for them directly. The original Shen Yi must have been truly brainless not to see Chen Xijun’s true colors—or perhaps she chose not to see them, as she enjoyed the flattery.

Shen Yi said, "Don't worry, little sister. I have bought all the new stock this shop received. I suppose I can sell half of it to you!"

"Thank you, sis—" Chen Xijun, who had been beaming, suddenly froze. After a moment, her expression turned to one of shock. "S-sell? To me?"

Ignoring her expression, Shen Yi turned to the shopkeeper. "Owner, please set aside half for my dear little sister. She wants to buy them; she has always loved the products from your shop."

"Certainly, Miss Shen!" the owner replied.

Shen Yi then instructed her maid, "Liu'er, go settle the bill for our purchases." Liu'er stepped forward, asked the price, and paid thirty-two taels.

Shen Yi then turned to Chen Xijun. "Little sister, the other half is also worth thirty-two taels, but you can just pay thirty. My maid has two taels left over, so consider it a gift. Don't worry about thanking me, and you don't need to pay me back!"

Chen Xijun looked awkward. Where would she get that much money? Her monthly allowance was only two taels, and that was only because she was an only child. Her father’s official salary was only fifteen taels a month; if he hadn't been skimming off the top, a Minister of Rites could never afford such a large estate or so many servants.

Watching Shen Yi’s serious expression, Chen Xijun felt that she had changed, though she couldn't quite put her finger on how. But she had to solve this dilemma. "Sister, I... I don't need that much rouge and powder. Ten taels' worth is enough for me."

This was every bit of savings she had accumulated over the years. To spend it all on rouge today! In the past, she had never spent a penny on these things, always taking them from Shen Yi. Why was it different today? Was it because she hadn't visited after the punishment? *No matter,* she thought, *I can't let such a good "cash cow" slip away.*

Chen Xijun stepped forward, handed over her money, and took the new rouge. Her heart was bleeding. When she looked back up, she found that Shen Yi had already left with Liu'er.

Chen Xijun felt as though she had been tricked by Shen Yi today. But surely not—Shen Yi had always loved her like a sister. It must just be resentment for not visiting yesterday.

Thinking this, Chen Xijun breathed a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Shen Yi had already reached a pastry shop, bought her favorite treats, and returned to the Prince’s manor with Liu'er.