The celebration banquet held for the Crown Prince was exceptionally grand, and since it was close to the Dragon Boat Festival, it was said that a game of shooting rice dumplings would be held in the palace. Rice dumplings and glutinous rice balls were placed in gold vessels and shot at with small horn bows, for good luck.

This happens every year, but this year's winner is said to be eligible for a marriage bestowed by His Majesty.

"The winds in the capital are changing so fast. During the Pear Blossom Gathering, these young ladies of high society in the capital were hoping to marry the Regent, but now they are eagerly hoping to become the Crown Prince's concubine."

Wen Qing had arranged to meet Shen Zhi that day, and the two were selecting jewelry at the Jade Pavilion.

"I understand," Shen Zhiyi chuckled softly.

The Crown Prince has just won a battle, making his position as heir apparent even more secure.

Although she was a concubine, once the crown prince ascended the throne, she would become a proper imperial concubine.

However, what no one knew was that the Crown Prince was poisoned by a Gu curse. Now everyone was vying to dress up and try to win the favor of noble people, so there were many noble ladies in the Jade Essence Pavilion.

Shen Zhiyi picked up a necklace. "What do you think of this?"

"nice."

Just as Shen Zhiyi was about to ask Hongrui to pay the bill, the necklace in her hand was snatched away.

"It's really good, pay up." The woman's voice was clear and bright. Shen Zhiyi looked closely and realized that she was Wei Mingzhen, the daughter of the current Left Prime Minister.

He used to have a good relationship with Song Ruoying, and always acted bossy towards her.

“Such a bright color would naturally look best on a girl my age.” Wei Mingzhen glanced at Chen Zhiyi and Wen Qing.

A divorced woman,

An old maid,

She naturally looked down on it.

“Shen Zhiyi, you’ve been married before, so don’t even dream of marrying into the royal family again.” Wei Mingzhen leaned closer to her and said in a low voice, “A used shoe that’s been worn by someone else, you still want to marry a prince? Don’t even dream about it.”

After she finished speaking, she turned around and left with an arrogant expression.

"Has Wei Mingzhen gone mad?" Wen Qing, who was nearby, naturally heard what she said and looked at Shen Zhiyi. "Why don't you say something in rebuttal?"

"I'm too lazy to argue with idiots."

On the way back to the manor, Shen Zhiyi asked, "Does Wei Mingzhen like the Crown Prince?"

Wen Qing chuckled: "You used to focus all your attention on Song Yuxiu and never paid any attention to her. The one she wanted to marry was always the Third Prince, but she was still too young when the Third Prince was choosing his consorts."

"Since your divorce, the Crown Prince and the Third Prince have been frequently trying to curry favor with you, and you have long become a thorn in the side of many people."

Shen Zhiyi said helplessly, "I'm already avoiding them."

"That doesn't stop them from being jealous of you."

Wen Qing sighed, "I really don't understand. It's the Crown Prince and the Third Prince who want to marry you, not you who are pestering them. If they have the ability, they should stop these two from bothering you. Why do they have to make things difficult for you when they can't even handle men?"

"Men are the ones who cause all the trouble, but women only know how to fight amongst themselves."

Her father was a former Grand Tutor, and she received a good education from a young age, so she naturally had a keen eye for people and things.

When the carriage arrived at the Duke's mansion, Shen Zhiyi invited her to dine at her home.

"I won't go. My parents are waiting for me at home," Wen Qing said with a smile.

"My brother is home."

"..."

Wen Qing paused for a few seconds, then followed her off the carriage.

Shen Jingchuan was indeed in the manor today. Upon seeing Wen Qing, he greeted her politely, "Thank you for taking care of my little sister. I hope she didn't cause you any trouble."

"Young Master, you are too kind."

After the meal, Shen Zhiyi and Wen Qing practiced shooting at the rice dumplings in the courtyard. Because the rice dumplings were slippery and difficult to shoot, the two of them did not intend to win the first place, nor did they want to lose face, so they had to practice a bit beforehand.

Shen Zhiyi, having grown up watching her father and brothers ride horses and shoot arrows, learned quickly by imitation.

Wen Qing's posture wasn't even standard.

Shen Jingchuan watched from the side, his brows furrowed.

The soldiers were used to training each other, and when they saw someone not doing a proper horse stance, they wanted to kick them. But when they saw Wen Qing's clumsy movements, they were anxious.

“Brother, why don’t you go and give them some guidance?” Shen Zhiyi suggested.

Shen Jingchuan had also reached his limit.

When instructing archery, although he tries his best to avoid touching the subject, physical contact is still unavoidable.

This made both of them blush.

Xiao Zhongxuan brewed some herbal tea and placed it on the stone table in the courtyard. He looked at Shen Zhiyi and shook his head, then asked her in a low voice why.

"They're both not young anymore, how can they be so innocent? They blush even if you just touch their fingers."

How am I supposed to bring the two of them together in this situation?

"Judging from your tone, you seem to have a lot of experience in this area."

That's because...

Because I've lived two lifetimes.

Xiao Zhongxuan bent down to pour her some cool tea, getting closer to her. His breath instantly enveloped her ear, and his lips almost touched hers.

His voice was as gentle and clear as ever: "Yiyi, you are very experienced. When will you teach me more?"

teach?

What are you teaching?!

These words seemed to have a hidden meaning, which made Shen Zhiyi's ears burn with embarrassment.

Her ears instantly turned a blush.

Before anyone could notice, Xiao Zhongxuan quickly leaned down and lightly pecked her ear, his breath biting her ear, the burning sensation instantly sending waves of heat through her.

“You…” Shen Zhiyi instantly covered her ears and turned to glare at her angrily.

Both my elder brother and Sister Wen are here.

He's gone mad!

That's incredibly audacious!

Xiao Zhongxuan straightened up and brought over the cool tea. "Miss, it's hot. Your ears are so red. Have some tea to cool down."

"..."

Shen Zhi was so angry that she wanted to kick him twice.

Her small gestures and expressions are much richer; Red Stamen and Green Lotus stand to one side, also with a smile on their face.

In fact, their daughter was supposed to be like this all along. Ever since she married that scumbag, her vitality has been gradually worn away, as if she was forced to grow up suddenly. It breaks their hearts to see her like this.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!