Chapter 60 Blocking People

"Really?" Duan Mengmeng twitched her lips, obviously not believing it, and glanced at her coldly.

She followed Duan Yingying's line of sight and saw Lin Yurou, who was surrounded by many stars. Her eyebrows raised.

His eyes suddenly flashed.

Being able to get engaged to the Shen family, Lin Yurou was envied and envied by countless other ladies. Now it seemed that her second sister was one of them.

She didn't even know when she had such thoughts about the eldest son of the Shen family.

She glanced at Duan Yingying with contempt, "Why are you crying? You've always pretended to be weak when something happened since you were a child. You have no ability at all. It makes me upset just to see you."

There is a reason why she doesn't like her. She is so petty that it would bring shame to the Duan family if anyone tells others about her.

Duan Yingying's face paused, she bit her red lips, and wrung the handkerchief tightly in her hand.

She raised her head and looked at the girl opposite her who was smiling brightly. Her innocent and pure eyes gradually turned dark.

Yes, what's the use of crying.

At this moment, her maid walked in quickly and whispered something to her ear.

Duan Yingying kept her eyes down, so her expression could not be seen clearly.

The maid stepped aside and stood aside. She sat for a while and then found an excuse to leave the hall.

Duan Mengmeng looked at her leaving back, and her cold face suddenly smiled, "This idiot, he actually has a moment of enlightenment."

She raised her eyes and glanced at Shen Anan who was unaware of anything and Lin Yurou who was talking not far away. She sneered and lowered her head to drink tea leisurely.

After all, she is her biological sister, so it wouldn't be a bad idea for her to help her later.

Duan Yingying was quite a distance away from the flower hall, and the maid immediately said, "I have found out everything. Mr. Shen is in charge of entertaining the male guests today. He will pass by the lake pavilion in the backyard later. The girl is waiting there. Maybe you can give it a try."

Duan Yingying bit her red lips tightly, her face full of struggle. After a moment, she suddenly turned around and spoke softly.

"Forget it. This is the Shen residence after all. It's not good to block people on the way and let them know. Mr. Shen is a gentleman. If he knew, he might be unhappy."

She was about to leave when the maid grabbed her wrist and said, "Oh, my dear girl, it's already this late, why are you still fussing about the rules and etiquette?"

"Have you forgotten what the Third Miss said just now? And Miss Lin, you have been offered a marriage by the Shen family and are being praised by many young ladies. You are so proud. This is your only chance to turn things around. Besides, you and Master Shen already knew each other before, and he saved your life. Are you willing to give up just like that?"

Tears welled up in Duan Yingying's eyes again. She was naturally unwilling to accept this. Moreover, on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, she could clearly sense that Mr. Shen was attracted to her.

It was just that she was concerned about her reputation at that time, fearing that if she exchanged her name with Shen Changhe, she would be harassed by Shen Changhe for saving her life, so she did so. If she had known his identity at the beginning, she would have seized this opportunity no matter what.

"Girl, you have to think carefully. If you miss today, you will never have another chance."

Duan Yingying slowly curled her fingers into fists and turned to look at the bluestone path leading to the lake pavilion. One must always fight for a lifetime of happiness.

If Mr. Shen still has her in his heart, being with Miss Lin is just the order of her parents.

"Let's go." She took a firm step and walked onto the bluestone path.

On the other side, many of the girls around Lin Yurou finally left. Shen Anan was busy entertaining the ladies from various families and couldn't take care of staying with her all the time.

Duan Mengmeng finished a cup of tea, then slowly stood up and walked towards Lin Yurou.

Lin Yurou and her have never gotten along, but now they are in the Shen residence, even if she is unhappy, she tries to restrain herself, "Miss Duan San, is there something wrong?"

Duan Mengmeng sat down next to her, smiling, "Nothing, I'm just very surprised. Miss Lin has always been very ambitious and arrogant, how could she be engaged to the young master of the Shen family?"

She tilted her head slightly, "I thought Miss Lin was a noble person, not the kind of person who would try to curry favor with the powerful and value family background."

"What do you mean?" Lin Yurou's face was tense and her eyes were cold.

"It's nothing." Duan Mengmeng chuckled, "I'm just wondering how you can accept a man who has someone else in his heart as your husband."

Watching Lin Yurou's face turning paler and paler, Duan Mengmeng felt extremely happy.

"Why, could it be that Miss Lin's previous nobleness was all an act?"

Lin Yurou clenched her fingertips and pressed them into her palms. A chill slowly crept up her spine and her body trembled slightly.

The sensitivity deep in her heart was easily brought out, causing her to feel panic and embarrassment that she couldn't suppress.

She raised her eyes and looked at where the Duan sisters were sitting. Sure enough, the second Miss Duan was not there. Her eyes darkened instantly and her face became even paler.

"No matter what, I was betrothed by my parents, the matchmaker, and the three letters and six ceremonies. I am better than Miss Duan San. You have been eyeing and dreaming about this person for so many years, but you can't even have a relationship with him. You can only come to me and feel jealous."

"you--"

What Duan Mengmeng hated most was Lin Yurou's mouth. No matter what she said, she was never at a disadvantage and her words could always hit her right in the heart quickly and accurately.

What's even more hateful is that she has a kind and innocent face, and she is gentle and respectful to everyone she speaks to. Even when she stabs people, she remains calm and smiling.

"Oh, when Mr. Shen breaks off the engagement, Miss Lin, don't hide in your bed and cry!"

She flicked her sleeves and left, returning to her seat. Her goal had been achieved, so there was no need for her to continue talking to her.

Lin Yurou snorted coldly.

But no matter how strong her attitude was, she couldn't control the uneasiness in her heart.

She didn't care how envious and jealous the other girls were, except for Miss Duan Er, who made her feel uneasy and frightened.

Duan Mengmeng is so sure, does she know the cause and effect between Master Shen and Miss Duan Er?

Or are the two of them really in love with each other? Is she the one getting in the way?

The more she thought about it, the more restless she became. Lin Yurou managed to remain calm and stood up to leave the hall.

Duan Mengmeng raised the corners of her lips slightly and took a sip of the teacup. Her good sister, she had to thank her for her help this time.

After Shen Anan finished talking to the ladies, she turned around and found that Lin Yurou had left the flower hall at some point.

She tilted her head and asked the maid beside her.

The maid frowned and said, "Miss Lin said she was a little bored and wanted to go out for a walk. She and the second young lady from the Duan family left not long ago, one after the other."

Hearing this, Shen Anan realized that Duan Yingying was also missing. His brows immediately frowned, feeling uneasy. "Go out and look for her. Come back and report if there is anything."

"Yes." The maid immediately retreated.

Shen Anan thought about it, and waved for another maid to come over, "Go to the front yard to see if the eldest brother is there. Don't make any noise, just come back and report to me."

"yes."

——

Shen Changhe was accompanying them in the flower hall in the front yard. The children from poor families and the children from wealthy families were divided into two groups, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Some people who wanted to curry favor with the Shen family kept coming forward, hoping to establish a good relationship with Shen Changhe.

Compared to the aristocratic families, the poor families were much quieter. After all, they had almost never attended such banquets, and the daughter of the Shen family was not something they could dream of.

In their minds, I am just here to make up the numbers.

Zhang Yeyang sat not far from Shen Changhe. During the conversation, Shen Changhe seemed to be talking to him from time to time, ranging from poetry and books to officialdom, and they seemed to be getting along very well.

There was a sense of admiration and praise. No matter whether they were children from poor families or wealthy families, they all had a different feeling towards Zhang Yeyang. Some agreed with him, while others were disdainful. They didn't understand why the eldest son of the Shen family treated an innocent scholar differently.

However, this was the first time that Zhang Yeyang officially showed his face in front of the aristocratic family and left an impression.

Everything was going smoothly until one person showed up and broke the harmonious atmosphere.

As the servant reported, "The Fourth Prince has arrived."

The hall immediately fell silent, and everyone looked towards the door in surprise.

When the tall figure stepped in, they all stood up and saluted.

"The fourth prince."

Xiao Yuan was wearing a dark narrow-sleeved brocade robe with auspicious clouds embroidered with gold thread on the cuffs and a white jade belt around his waist. He looked extremely noble, and with his cold and indifferent face, he looked like the snow on the top of a mountain, seemingly out of reach.

It is even more difficult to look directly at.

His eyes swept across the room lightly, giving people a very oppressive feeling.

Zhang Yeyang once again felt the fear and timidity emanating from the depths of his heart, and he didn't even have the courage to straighten his back.

"Everyone, please sit down."

As soon as he spoke, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and sat down in groups of three or four, but the atmosphere was eerily stagnant and quiet.

The children from poor families lowered their heads, fearing to make mistakes. After all, given their status, not to mention the prince, even a fifth-rank superior was the highest official they had ever seen.

However, the considerations of children from aristocratic families are completely different.

The Fourth Prince almost never attended any royal banquet unless it was necessary, especially since this banquet at the Shen Mansion was obviously to select a husband for Miss Shen.

The Fourth Prince actually came to participate, which made everyone present think deeply.

Shen Changhe frowned, feeling a little worried, but he immediately stood up and gave his seat to Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan was not polite and sat down in his previous seat. "Everyone, don't be shy. Let's continue where we were talking."

Everyone nodded in response, but no one dared to speak.

Shen Changhe's eyes were fixed on Xiao Yuan's clothes today, and his thin lips were pursed into a straight line.

Except for palace banquets, he had never seen him dressed so formally. The dress with a pattern of auspicious clouds inlaid with gold thread was only worn by the royal family.

Just by sitting there, the majestic aura and supreme dignity he exudes are enough to make people feel intimidated and dare not look directly at him.

It's just a banquet, why is it so grand?

The uneasiness in Shen Changhe's heart grew stronger, and the knuckles holding the teacup turned slightly white.

I began to wonder whether I should call my father over to take charge.

He was not sure about facing Xiao Yuan.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, a young man from an aristocratic family took the initiative to speak to ease the situation. "Just now, Master Shen was talking about going to the lake pavilion to write a poem about the lake today. Let all the talented people compete to see who has outstanding talent and can win first place."

Poetry writing competition? Xiao Yuan raised his eyebrows, and a cold smile appeared in his eyes.

"Really? That's great, I can just join in the fun."

After saying that, he tilted his head and looked at Shen Changhe, "I just wonder if there are other talent competitions besides poetry writing competitions?"

Shen Changhe stared at him intently and replied calmly, "Yes, there are tables and chairs in the lake pavilion. You can paint or defend your thesis."

"Oh, that's interesting." Xiao Yuan's lips twitched, "Mr. Shen is a military commander, why does it sound like the joy of a scholar? It doesn't fit in with the military commander family of the Shen Mansion."

His gaze swept in the direction of Zhang Yeyang intentionally or unintentionally, his eyes full of sarcasm.

Shen Changhe naturally understood the hidden meaning in his words, and now he has determined the purpose of Xiao Yuan's visit today.

A complex expression flashed across his face, and he said calmly, "It is precisely because my family is full of military generals that we admire civil officials."

Xiao Yuan nodded without comment and slowly stood up, "Then what are you waiting for? Let's go, and let this prince broaden his horizons and see the amazing talents of everyone present."

He said it calmly, without even the slightest change in expression, but everyone in the hall instantly felt a chill down their spines, as the chill slowly corroded their bodies and minds.

Those words sounded like a warning, but more like a threat.

Xiao Yuan was the first to leave the flower hall, and the rest of the people naturally followed immediately. Shen Changhe glanced in the direction of Zhang Yeyang, with unstoppable worry in his eyes.

If Xiao Yuan took action, even if he cheated Zhang Yeyang, he might not win.

However, the Fourth Prince is extremely talented and has long been the best in the capital. Even if he loses to him, it is not shameful. After all, even if he takes part in person, the most he can do is not lose so badly.

The male guests went to the lake pavilion in a mighty procession, and Shen Changhe immediately called a servant and gave him very thoughtful instructions.

"Send people to guard the area around the lake pavilion to prevent the girls from the women's quarters from accidentally entering."

After receiving the order, the servant took a shortcut and immediately went to make arrangements.

"Miss, I think it's Master Shen who is here." Duan Yingying, who had been waiting for a while, stood behind the flower tree. When she heard the maid's words, her eyes immediately lit up.

At this time, maids and servants had already come over and began to evacuate the servants around the lake pavilion, preventing anyone from approaching.

Duan Yingying held the handkerchief nervously. Once the male guest arrived, she would be asked to leave by the servants of the Shen Mansion, and she would lose the opportunity to meet Master Shen.

She had been waiting for a long time and had even thought about what she was going to say. How could she be willing to leave like this?

Her eyes were fixed on the rockery at the entrance of the lake pavilion. She ran over without thinking and hid inside when the maid came looking for her.

The little maid was very happy to see her own girl go in, but she had already been discovered, so she had to retreat and go to guard outside.

Lin Yurou, who had been looking for her along the way, happened to see her.

From the maid, she also learned that Master Shen would come to the Lake Water Pavilion in a while. She raised her eyes and stared at the Lake Water Pavilion, her face pale, and her nails dug into her palms.

"Miss, maybe it's just a misunderstanding. Look, the servants of the Shen Mansion have already started to evacuate people. How could Master Shen have a private meeting with Miss Duan Er here?"

The word "secret meeting" sounded extremely sharp and piercing in Lin Yurou's ears.

She frowned and scolded, "Don't talk nonsense."

The word "secret meeting" cannot be used casually. Even if the two of them...are in love with each other, she doesn't want to ruin their reputation with such a dirty word.

"I just spoke nonsense at the moment." The little maid immediately apologized.

But both the master and the servant knew that whatever they had just said or the hope in their hearts were just self-consolation.

Lin Yurou stared at Duan Yingying's maid squatting behind a flower tree, looking towards the lake pavilion from time to time. It was obvious that the second Miss Duan was inside.