To be precise, it didn't "jump" out.

Instead, she was hiding behind everyone and spouting nonsense, but the people weren't stupid. Afraid of getting into trouble, they all took three steps back to avoid her.

She was completely isolated, which made her stand out.

The man probably hadn't expected everyone to be so astute, and his face stiffened.

Shen Jiao chuckled lightly, "Who should be talking about whom? So, who are you?"

The man's face darkened further, and he said angrily, "You don't even know who I am?"

Judging from this, they might be someone the original owner knew?

Shen Jiao spread her hands innocently and said, "There are so many people in the world. If we introduce ourselves properly, I will definitely try my best to remember them. But there are also many fighting cocks in the world. Although their plumage is different, they are all livestock in essence. Is it wrong for me not to recognize which livestock it is?"

Upon hearing this, several of the bolder women burst out laughing.

The way this Empress of Great Yan insulted people in a roundabout way was quite amusing.

They all replied, "There's nothing wrong with it."

"That makes a lot of sense."

"Livestock is livestock, no matter how well you dress. That's the principle."

Seeing this, the cockfighting girl was speechless with anger. If she refuted, wouldn't that be tantamount to confirming what Shen Jiao had said?

But not refuting it would only fuel her anger. She looked around and found no one speaking up for her, so she stormed off in a huff.

Shen Jiao didn't take this person to heart, and turned to the little eunuch and said, "Go and bring over the box for drawing lots, I won't go over there."

"Yes." The little eunuch responded and left.

Everyone was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting that the empress, who had won the emperor's favor, would be so easy to talk to, and would actually let go of the person who had defied his authority.

This is quite different from the pampered and unrestrained women of their fathers' generation.

He truly deserves the title of having a broad mind!

However, most of the people present were ladies from respectable families. Although they were confused, they all bowed to Chen Jiao in unison after regaining their senses.

Shen Jiao raised her hand and smiled, "No need for formalities. You are all ladies attending the Four Flowers Banquet. You are both rivals and teammates. Relax and don't be nervous."

Why are you so afraid? I don't eat people, she silently added in her mind.

But the tyrant's power was too great, and Shen Jiao felt that if she stayed any longer, it would be as unsettling as a homeroom teacher lingering at a class reunion.

Feeling helpless, she decided to move to another room first.

Unexpectedly, after taking only two steps, a clear, startled cry suddenly rang out behind me—

"Wow, Sister Li, your skin is so white, like snow!"

Shen Jiao's brow twitched involuntarily, and she stopped in her tracks.

The man continued, “Oh my, tsk tsk tsk, amazing! Hmm! Hmm! Hmm! Amazing! Sister Chen, your eyes are so big and bright, like grapes. Anyone who gives you a look will be captivated. If I were a gentleman, I would definitely take Sister Chen home and hide her away, admiring her every day.”

Shen Jiao found these excessively shameful lines strangely familiar.

I thought it was Liang Heng, but the voice lacked any masculinity; it was high-pitched, thin, and weak, without any of Liang Heng's elegant demeanor.

Could it be the young doctor's long-lost sister?

As Shen Jiao was pondering, the person spoke up again with great interest: "Oh my, Sister Lin, your hands are so smooth! Your skin is delicate and radiant, just as tender as a newborn baby's! Touching them feels like I'm sliding to the heavens!"

The tense and reserved atmosphere was immediately disrupted by this person's grand and straightforward interruption, and the lively and cheerful atmosphere returned to normal.

Several people blushed at the praise, covering their faces and saying, "Oh, no, no, could you please explain more clearly?"

"No, no, could you please praise me again?"

"Hide it? Where to hide it? How to hide it?"

Despite the playful banter across from her, Shen Jiao couldn't resist turning her stiff neck to get a closer look.

As a result, my already stiff neck became even stiffer.

A tall, slender woman in black was surrounded by a group of beautiful women, and her masterful flattery made many of them chuckle.

The woman in black lightly tapped the shoulder of the woman who was a head shorter than her and said coquettishly, "You're so annoying!"

"..." Shen Jiao's scalp tingled instantly.

The woman in black appeared slender and thin in front of the man, but among a group of delicate women, she seemed excessively strong and out of place.

It's the same principle as planting a pine tree in a field of cabbages.

People cannot choose their birth, nor can they determine their height or frame. Shen Jiao thought to herself that she shouldn't be prejudiced against people so easily, as it was very disrespectful.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she saw something!

The woman in black was wearing a folding fan with shimmering tassels at her waist.

Her expression was cracked.

Liang Heng would always carry this folding fan to fan herself, whether she had something to do or not. It's no exaggeration to say that she would recognize it even if it were ashes.

Shen Jiao could hardly believe her eyes.

She was initially disappointed that the young miracle doctor wasn't there.

Unexpectedly, the miracle doctor himself not only arrived early, but also successfully infiltrated the group and went on to win over the ladies, even reaching the point of holding hands and chatting happily with them.

Liang Heng noticed Shen Jiao, who was standing there in a daze with a complicated expression, early on. He smiled and said goodbye to the ladies, then came to Shen Jiao with his large, slender waist, carrying the lottery box.

She performed a very affected, seemingly charming curtsy: "Your Majesty, shall we draw lots?"

Shen Jiao raised her hand to cover her eyes: "...Don't talk, my eyes hurt so much."

Sorry, she doesn't want to draw lots right now; she wants to draw people.

Seeing this, Liang Heng winked at her with his left eye in a coquettish manner and repeated himself.

"Your Majesty, shall we draw lots?"

"Let's talk outside." Shen Jiao pressed down her restless hand, afraid that she would lose control and pick off the mole that Liang Heng had specially glued on the corner of her lip.

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