However, some people say that Xiao Yunyan is now nearly thirty years old, which is the age when ordinary people would be old enough to be grandmothers. Marrying Chu Yuning is not considered a step up for Chu Yuning.

People in the capital had all sorts of opinions, but only Shen Yuan knew why Xiao Yunyan had taken a liking to Chu Yuning.

What Xiao Yunyan needed was not a husband, but an easy puppet to manipulate.

Chu Yuning was completely under her control.

As the banquet began, a small boat floated on the lake, carrying several musicians.

The melodious sound of a zither filled the air as beautiful dancers swayed on the shore.

Beautiful scenery, beautiful women, and fine wine complement each other perfectly.

Xiao Yunyan sent people to move the green peonies she had planted in her back garden to the pavilion for everyone to admire.

The green peony is delicate and beautiful, with its petals overlapping like jade.

Xiao Yuncheng suggested using this green peony as the theme for a game of "flying flowers" (a traditional Chinese poetic game).

The first character is "green".

Xiao Yunyan spoke first, "The Green Field Hall occupies the most beautiful places, and the road leads to the residence of Lord Ling."

After she finished speaking, she raised her hand to Shen Yuan, signaling her to come and take it.

Shen Yuan didn't expect Xiao Yunyan to point out her, but she still replied with a line of poetry: "Small greens interspersed with long reds, dewy buds amidst misty clusters, flowers blooming and falling, cherishing the passing years together."

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Yunjin hurriedly replied, "Remember the green silk skirt, everywhere you look, you cherish the fragrant grass."

As she spoke, she lowered her shoulders and glanced at Xiao Yuncheng, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Xiao Yuncheng also looked at Shen Yunjin.

Shen Yunjin was overjoyed, but she accidentally knocked over the teacup in front of her. The light green tea spilled onto her crimson skirt, leaving yellowish-brown tea stains.

The tea was still a bit hot, and Shen Yunjin immediately screamed and stood up from her seat. She shook her skirt and looked disgusted.

Seeing this, Xiao Yunyan smiled and said, "Someone, take Miss Chen to the backyard to change her clothes."

Shen Yunjin thanked them and followed the servants of the princess's residence out.

For some reason, looking at Xiao Yunyan's smile, Shen Yuan suddenly had a bad feeling. So she grabbed Shen Yunjin: "I'll go with you!"

"Who needs you to accompany me!" Shen Yunjin pushed Shen Yuan's hand away in disgust, turned around and walked out of the pavilion.

Shen Yuan had no choice but to chase after her, but as soon as she stepped onto the waterside pavilion, she was tripped by a maid standing beside the pavilion for some reason, and then she lost her balance and fell straight into the lake.

With a "splash," water splashed everywhere.