Madam Jiang looked at Old Madam Shen in disbelief. Was she... going to accept that girl, Shen Yuan?

Just because she saved her?

Seeing that Madam Jiang remained silent, Old Madam Shen became even more certain of her conjecture: "The more I think about it, the more likely it seems. Didn't you say you hadn't seen the bodies of those two children? Maybe those two children aren't dead, and that Granny Liu is taking good care of them!"

“This…” Madam Jiang bit her lower lip tightly. “Although I have not seen the bodies of those two children, my mother has. She instructed Granny Liu to dispose of the children.”

Madam Shen patted Jiang's hand, "Why don't you go back and ask your in-laws? Maybe you'll find out the truth!"

Seeing the smiling face and hopeful eyes of Old Madam Shen, Madam Jiang pursed her lower lip into a line. She knew that now was not the time to contradict Old Madam Shen, so she nodded.

"I'll ask my mother about this when I get home in a couple of days."

Madam Shen: "When the time comes, take Yuanyuan with you."

Jiang hesitated for a moment, then agreed, "Okay!"

After leaving Madam Shen's courtyard, Madam Jiang was preoccupied with worries.

Just then, Shen Yunjin returned from outside and saw her mother walk past her with a blank face, not even glancing at her. Strangely, she chased after her and called out, "Mother!"

Jiang came to her senses and, seeing Shen Yunjin return, asked, "Where did you go today? I haven't seen you all day."

Shen Yunjin lowered her head shyly, "I'm going to see my brother, the Crown Prince."

Upon hearing Shen Yunjin mention Xiao Yuncheng, Madam Jiang's expression softened considerably, and a smile appeared in her eyes. However, she still couldn't help but remind her, "Jin'er, your marriage to His Highness the Crown Prince is a done deal. I know you've admired him since childhood, but you're not married yet. Don't keep running to the Crown Prince's residence, lest people gossip and you lose face as the legitimate daughter of our General's Mansion!"

Shen Yunjin nodded obediently: "Mother is right, Jin'er will remember."

"Peach Blossom, keep an eye on the young lady these next few days, make sure she doesn't run away from the manor again." Madam Jiang gave Shen Yunjin's personal maid a sharp look, then turned and went back to Wude Hall.

Watching Madam Jiang's departing figure, Peach Blossom cautiously said, "Miss, why don't you postpone your visit to His Highness the Crown Prince until a couple of days later..."

"Since when did it become your place to tell me what to do?"

Shen Yunjin glared at Tao Hua.

The next day, Shen Yunjin went out of the manor as usual, but was stopped by the gatekeeper. It turned out that Madam Jiang had not only instructed Taohua, but also the gatekeeper, to prevent Shen Yunjin from leaving.

Seeing that she couldn't get out, Shen Yunjin angrily smashed a porcelain teapot.

"I just made plans with my brother, the Crown Prince, to go on a spring outing to the Peony Garden together. If I don't go, that bitch Wang Qingxi will definitely seize the opportunity to seduce my brother again!"

Peach Blossom advised, "Miss, there's no need to worry. His Highness treats you and Miss Wang differently!"

"What's the use of being different? Which man doesn't have multiple wives and concubines? My brother, the Crown Prince, is going to be the emperor. He won't be like my father, who only married my mother for his entire life. I must firmly grasp His Highness's heart!"

After Shen Yunjin finished speaking, a brilliant idea suddenly came to mind.

"The gatekeeper wouldn't let me leave the manor, but he didn't say that he wouldn't let that bitch Shen Yuan leave!"

Peach Blossom exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, this won't do..."

Shen Yunjin interrupted her decisively, "Go find me some simple clothes."

——

The results of the imperial examination have been released, and today is the day for the top scholar to parade through the streets on horseback. So Shen Yuan got up early this morning to wash and dress, intending to go out.

But when she reached the gate of the general's mansion, the gatekeeper blocked her way.

"Second Miss, Madam instructed that you should not go out for the next two days."

Second Miss?

Shen Yuan frowned. Why would the gatekeeper mistake her for Shen Yunjin?

A maid from Changfeng Residence stepped forward: "Look carefully, this is the eldest young lady of the manor! It is the eldest young lady who is leaving the manor!"

"But Miss already went out! She went out alone!" The gatekeeper rubbed his eyes, carefully examined Chen Yuan for a few moments, then slapped his thigh. Oh no! He'd put the wrong person in the wrong place!

The one in front of you is the young lady!

The maid continued, "We are all from the young lady's courtyard, and this is our young lady. The young lady is leaving the manor, so quickly prepare the carriage!"

The gatekeeper had no choice but to bite the bullet and prepare another carriage.

As Shen Yuan left the General's Mansion, she kept wondering why Shen Yunjin had used her identity to go out.

What is she trying to do?

Do you want to see Xiao Yuncheng?

Thinking of this, Shen Yuan gave Xiao Ling a look.

Xiao Ling understood and nodded.

Today, the top scholar is parading through the streets, and Zhuque Street was packed with people who came to watch the ceremony early in the morning. Shen Yuan got off the carriage from the General's Mansion, and the restaurant manager immediately came to greet her and arranged a private room with an excellent location for her.

Shen Yuan was surrounded by the crowd as she entered the private room.

She untied her cloak and sat down by the window. The floor was very high, and her private room was located facing the street. Sitting by the window, she could have a panoramic view of the entire Suzaku Street.

Shen Yuan held her teacup and waited for a short while before the sound of gongs and drums rang out from the street.

The man on horseback, dressed in a crimson satin brocade robe and wearing a scholar's hat, came from the street corner. It was none other than Lü Jimin, who lived next door to Shen Yuan.

Seeing that Lü Jimin was still the top scholar in this life, Shen Yuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief for him.

Then she turned her gaze to the man following behind Lü Jimin. Chu Yuning had a porcelain-white face and a slender figure, but because she was wearing a brightly colored scholar's robe today, she looked quite well.

His appearance immediately attracted the attention of many young women.

"Is this the third-place winner of this year's imperial examination? He's so handsome! I'm going to throw my flowers at him!"

As soon as she finished speaking, many women rushed to throw flowers at Chu Yuning.

This is a custom of the Great Yan Kingdom.

Throwing a flower branch expresses a woman's admiration, while accepting the flower represents accepting her affection.

The private room where Shen Yuan was also had flowers prepared by the restaurant manager, including crabapple blossoms, peonies, and mountain peach blossoms, all arranged in colorful vases.

But Shen Yuan's gaze did not linger on those beautiful flowers.

She looked at the vase filled with water in front of her, a faint smile playing on her lips. Chu Yuning rode through the streets on horseback, while she sat high in the pavilion. Who would win and who would lose in this life was still uncertain!