Chapter 22: The Crown Prince of the Capital Circle Makes His Entrance

Shen Chutang went straight to the hospital. Upon arrival, she found Shi Hanhan sitting alone on the bed. Because of Shen Chutang’s instructions, Shi Hanhan dared not expose herself to the sun. She wore a sun hat, with a veil hanging down that covered her completely.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Chutang asked.

The moment she heard Shen Chutang’s voice, Shi Hanhan quickly lifted the veil and called out sweetly, “Sister Chutang.”

The skin revealed beneath the veil was fair and delicate, as smooth as that of a newborn. Her eyes had also returned to their normal position, no longer frightening to look at.

“Sister, my birthday is in a couple of days. My family is holding a coming-of-age ceremony for my eighteenth. You’ve given me a new life. Would you be able to come?” Shi Hanhan’s eyes were filled with hope.

Shen Chutang had intended to refuse, but seeing the expectation in Shi Hanhan’s eyes, the words of refusal caught in her throat and would not come out.

“All right, but I won’t stay long.”

“Okay!” Shi Hanhan smiled and handed her the invitation. Then she added, “By the way, I heard my brother has already visited your home to thank you. Did you like the gift he brought?”

“Your brother’s gift?”

Shi Hanhan nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. My family dotes on me. They knew you saved me, so they sent you two luminous pearls. If they see I’ve fully recovered, I’m sure they’ll thank you again!”

From this, Shen Chutang immediately understood what had happened. She had only told Shi Hanhan her surname was Shen, so they didn’t know her full name. The Shi family must have mistaken Shen Tingting for her, and Shen Tingting, shameless as she was, had simply accepted the gifts with a clear conscience.

It seemed that, for the sake of that night’s banquet, Shen Chutang would have to attend in person.

…

On the day of the banquet, Shen Chutang wore a simple black dress. After all, it was Shi Hanhan’s coming-of-age celebration—she had no intention of stealing the spotlight. Shen Tingting, however, thought differently. She was decked out in a high-end gown worth tens of thousands, looking resplendent as she chatted with Tian Xiaowei.

“Tingting, you look gorgeous today—like a real fairy!” Tian Xiaowei exclaimed.

Shen Tingting smiled smugly. “This dress is one of a kind in the whole capital.”

Tian Xiaowei’s face filled with envy. “Wow, only you could pull off a dress like that. By the way, I heard the young master of the Shi family went to your house recently to propose?”

“It wasn’t a proposal, just a visit to express his thanks,” Shen Tingting replied.

“I bet he’s taken a liking to you and used that as an excuse to get close!” Tian Xiaowei said with a wink.

Shen Tingting smiled coyly. “Maybe so. No wonder he insisted I attend tonight’s banquet.”

Seated on a nearby sofa, Shen Chutang shook her head at these words. She had seen people shameless before, but never anyone quite so brazen.

Tian Xiaowei leaned in, still gossiping. “I heard that tonight, the crown prince of the capital—the young master’s friend—is coming! If anyone managed to marry him, she’d be second only to royalty, becoming the true crown princess!”

Shen Tingting’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really?”

“Of course!”

At that moment, a group of people entered from the doorway. Shi Wanhsiung, the head of the Shi family, entered the hall with his wife, Duanmu Jing. Beside him stood not only his son Shi Shaoxun, but also a strikingly handsome young man.

Shi Wanhsiung addressed Lu Beiqin, “Young Master Lu, it’s a pleasure to have you here today. I’m sure Hanhan will be delighted.”

Lu Beiqin nodded slightly. “Hanhan is like a little sister to me. As her older brother, it’s only right that I come to offer my congratulations.”

From a distance, Tian Xiaowei spotted them and exclaimed, “Shi Shao is here, and the man beside him is so handsome! Isn’t that the legendary crown prince of the capital?”

This crown prince kept a low profile. He rarely attended any of the city’s banquets, and when he absolutely couldn’t avoid it, he’d send his secretary in his stead. People often said he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, living a life of endless luxury and indulgence. Anyone who dared cross him would be dragged out and fed to the dogs without a second thought—ruthless, violent, and, above all, a notorious womanizer.

Very few had seen his true face. Now, all eyes in the room turned to the entrance.

Shen Chutang, too, turned her gaze toward the door.