Chapter 37: Who Shall Accompany Her to the Palace?

Upon hearing this sound, the group collectively raised their heads and looked toward the main gate, their expressions varying.

Shen Ningyuan’s eyes darkened. She had not expected the imperial decree from the palace to arrive so quickly. It was clear that the Empress could no longer wait to find fault with her and the Shen family.

Shen Ningyuan cast a faint look at Cui Jin. She truly had not expected her mother to have offended the Empress so deeply. Perhaps this was the legendary "sins of the mother visited upon the daughter." Shen Ningyuan could not help but break into a cold sweat for herself.

More anxious than her was Cui Jin. After snapping out of her shock, she stood up abruptly and cursed, "Those two black-hearted wretches from the Ji family haven’t been in the palace long, yet the Empress is already so eager to summon Yuan'er—this is clearly a scheme to help the Ji family target us!"

"No, absolutely not! We cannot let Yuan'er go to the palace!" After waving her hands dismissively, Cui Jin gripped Shen Ningyuan’s hand tightly. "If the Empress wants to see Yuan'er, let her come and invite her in person. Regardless, I am not letting her go today; no one is taking Yuan'er away!"

"If she must go, then I will accompany her!"

Cui Jin was determined not to let Shen Ningyuan enter the palace alone. Seeing Cui Jin acting in her usual boisterous and self-righteous manner, Shen Potian could not help but knit his brows. He truly had no way to deal with his wife. Thinking this, he signaled to Qin Lin to step outside and handle the people from the palace. Just as he was preparing to compromise and let Cui Jin accompany Shen Ningyuan, Song Yan’er’s crisp voice rang out in the hall.

"Father, Mother, why not let me accompany Yuan'er to the palace instead?"

The group froze, their eyes fixed on Song Yan’er.

"You... are willing to accompany Yuan'er to the palace?" Cui Jin asked, her expression hesitant as she scanned Song Yan’er. This daughter-in-law of hers was calm and poised, but she almost never interfered in the family’s affairs. Why would she suddenly offer to accompany Shen Ningyuan?

Shen Ningyuan was also surprised, her gaze locked on Song Yan’er, sharing the same confusion as her mother.

Facing the questioning looks of the group, Song Yan’er remained composed. She smiled gently and said, "My elder sister entered the palace as a consort, and I have not seen her for many years. I might as well take this opportunity to visit her and share some intimate words."

As she spoke, Song Yan’er looked at Shen Ningyuan with a smile. "Yuan'er, do you think this is feasible?"

Shen Ningyuan hesitated. Her sister-in-law’s elder sister, Song Ying'er, had been in the palace for many years. Now that she had finally risen in status and was enjoying the Emperor's favor, she had been granted the title of Concubine Ying. With this connection, the Empress would have to show some restraint. Having Song Yan’er accompany her was indeed the most appropriate choice. However, Song Yan’er was pregnant, and she worried about the impact on the child.

Before Shen Ningyuan could nod, Shen Potian agreed readily. "Good, good, good! Your sister-in-law is steady by nature; it is most fitting for her to accompany you!"

"Shen Potian!" Cui Jin called out in a low voice, signaling with her eyes toward Song Yan’er’s belly. The burly man finally realized his mistake and immediately shook his head. "No, your sister-in-law is with child; she cannot go to the palace!"

Shen Ningyuan was important, but the unborn child in Song Yan’er’s womb was equally vital.

"That’s right, Big Sister-in-law’s pregnancy has been unstable; she cannot go!" Shen Haoyue added coldly in protest. Shen Haobai remained silent, only looking at Song Yan’er with concern.

Yet, faced with everyone’s worries, Song Yan’er had already made up her mind. She raised a hand to touch her stomach, a cold smile playing on her lips. "It is precisely because I am pregnant that I am the most suitable person to go. The child comes first; the Empress will not dare to do anything to me."

Furthermore, if the Empress was truly foolish enough to harm her child, she might as well take the opportunity to aid her elder sister and drag the Empress down with her. Moreover, although her elder sister held the title of Concubine Ying, her position in the palace remained precarious. This was the perfect chance to scout the situation and report back to her parents so they could prepare in advance.

With this in mind, Song Yan’er stated firmly, "I have already decided to accompany Yuan'er. You need not try to persuade me further."

She turned a pleading look toward Shen Ningyuan. Shen Ningyuan’s expression sank. She could tell that her sister-in-law had her own agenda for entering the palace. Thus, she nodded and smiled, "Then many thanks, Sister-in-law, for accompanying me."

The matter was settled. Song Yan’er would accompany Shen Ningyuan.

"Then let’s quickly prepare the carriage to take them to the palace," Cui Jin said urgently.

Qin Lin stepped in to remind them, "There is no need to prepare one; the carriage arranged by the palace is already waiting outside the main gate."

Cui Jin paused, her face filling with fresh indignation. "They won't even let us prepare our own carriage? This is clearly an attempt to bully Yuan'er!"

Shen Ningyuan quickly stepped in to soothe her. "Mother, set your heart at ease. We shall face whatever comes our way; everything will be fine."

Cui Jin finally restrained her emotions, no longer wishing to add to Shen Ningyuan’s burden. As the group saw them off, Song Yan’er climbed into the carriage first. Just as Shen Ningyuan was about to follow, Cui Mingzhu’s eager voice called out, "Perhaps I should accompany my cousin and sister-in-law as well? Three are always better than two."

Shen Ningyuan’s expression turned cold. Even now, Cui Mingzhu would not give up!

Before she could speak, Song Yan’er pulled back the curtain and looked down at Cui Mingzhu. She countered without a hint of politeness: "Why would you go to the palace, Cousin? Do you have an elder or younger sister in the palace you wish to share intimate words with?"

Cui Mingzhu’s face stiffened instantly. She had neither father nor mother and had been fostered by the Shen family since childhood—a fact known to all. Song Yan’er’s words were a deliberate humiliation. Without waiting for a reaction, Song Yan’er reached out and pulled Shen Ningyuan into the carriage. "Yuan'er, let’s go."

Once Shen Ningyuan was inside, Song Yan’er cast a cold look at Cui Mingzhu and dropped the curtain heavily. The carriage rattled away toward the Imperial Palace. The Shen family stood where they were, filled with concern for the two women while also wondering why Song Yan’er’s attitude toward Cui Mingzhu had suddenly turned so sour. Even more strange was that Shen Ningyuan, who had always shielded Cui Mingzhu, had not spoken a word in her defense. This was entirely unexpected.

Inside the carriage, Shen Ningyuan studied Song Yan’er. "Sister-in-law, your attitude toward Cui Mingzhu these past few days has become increasingly harsh." It had reached the point where she was no longer willing to hide it.

Song Yan’er scoffed, "I told you, she is no good. You don’t need to be so polite to her in the future."

Shen Ningyuan smiled, biting her lip. "Thank you for the reminder, Sister-in-law."

Song Yan’er arched an eyebrow and snorted, "Still so formal with me?"

"Then, once we return, I shall treat you to a meal, just the two of us," Shen Ningyuan said with a grin.

Song Yan’er did not stand on ceremony. "I want the braised pork knuckle from Juedefu. You must have someone reserve a few in advance so I can eat my fill!"

"Agreed!" Shen Ningyuan laughed heartily. This was the first time she had seen such a lively side of her sister-in-law. Her parents had always described her as steady and composed, but now she understood—it was not that she lacked spirit, but rather the patience, restraint, and humility a new bride adopted for self-preservation. This was true wisdom.

"By the way, what do you think the Ji family will say about you to the Empress?" At the mention of this, Song Yan’er furrowed her brows. Being summoned to the palace so abruptly certainly didn't bode well.

Shen Ningyuan smiled calmly. "Sister-in-law, don't worry. No matter what they say to the Empress, I have a way to handle it."

"That is good, then."

Though the words were spoken lightly, the look in Song Yan’er’s eyes as she watched Shen Ningyuan remained filled with concern.