Before they knew it, it was time for the Duke of Wei's birthday banquet.

Although Xie Jingyan felt nauseous these past few days, he did not vomit, so he accompanied Shen Wan to the Duke of Wei's mansion to offer birthday greetings as promised.

After breakfast, the two strolled leisurely to the main gate of the Prince's Mansion and took a carriage to the Duke of Wei's Mansion.

On the occasion of the Duke of Wei's birthday, the Duke's mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the atmosphere was filled with joy. Guests came in an endless stream to offer their congratulations, blocking the alley where the Duke's mansion was located.

The road, which is usually unobstructed, took half a cup of tea to travel. Coincidentally, when Shen Wan and Xie Jingyan arrived, Shen Ying and Xie Jingyin also arrived.

Xie Jingyan helped Shen Wan down from the carriage, while Xie Jingyin helped Shen Ying down from the opposite side. Shen Wan only glanced at Shen Ying, and the image of the gentle and boneless Shen Ying from her previous life came into view. Xie Jingyin was just as considerate to Shen Ying as he had been in her previous life.

It seems that learning the art of the bedroom was truly worthwhile.

Upon seeing Shen Wan, Shen Ying held her head high, as if she were noble and unapproachable.

Xie Jingyin helped Shen Ying down from the carriage and looked at Xie Jingyan, saying, "Prince Ling is still ill, is it inappropriate for him to come and offer birthday wishes to the Duke of Wei?"

Coming to offer birthday greetings while ill can be interpreted as showing respect for the Duke of Wei, or it could be seen as bringing bad luck to the Duke of Wei's household; it all depends on how you interpret it.

Xie Jingyan's gaze swept indifferently across Xie Jingyin's face, and he said casually, "Which imperial physician told Prince Jin that I was ill?"

Xie Jingyin's gaze darkened.

Shen Wan forced herself not to laugh out loud.

She had never seen anyone verbally take advantage of Xie Jingyan.

Although Xie Jingyan had been vomiting terribly a few days ago, every imperial physician in the palace and every doctor in the capital had examined him, and none of them said that Xie Jingyan was sick. Not only was he not sick, but his pulse was also steady and he was in very good condition.

All the imperial physicians who were knowledgeable in medicine said that Xie Jingyan was not sick, but Xie Jingyin knew nothing about medicine, so his opinion did not count.

Xie Jingyan was speechless after being asked a question in response, his eyes darkening.

The third master of the Duke of Wei's mansion strode out and said with a smile, "Welcome, Your Highnesses. Please come into the mansion."

Xie Jingyin turned and went up the steps, with Shen Ying following behind. Xie Jingyan naturally took Shen Wan's hand and led her across the threshold, walking forward amidst envious glances.

Shen Wan struggled a couple of times, but couldn't break free, so she could only let him lead her. However, the gazes from those around her made her face flush with embarrassment. If this continued, her skin would eventually become as thick as his.

Just then, a sweet voice called out from behind, "Big sister..."

Shen Wan turned around and saw Shen Wei waving at her.

Seeing Xie Jingyan holding Shen Wan's hand as if no one else was around, the Fourth Master and Fourth Madam smiled but said nothing.

This time, Shen Wan broke free, and Xie Jingyan released her. The Fourth Master and Fourth Madam stepped forward to bow to Xie Jingyan, while Shen Wan called out, "Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt."

Shen Wan blushed, and Shen Wei wasn't much better off. She said happily, "I thought big sister wouldn't come..."

As it turned out, not only did the eldest sister come, but even the Prince of Ling came along.

Shen Wan smiled and said, "My fourth sister is engaged to the heir of the Duke of Wei. How could I not come to the Duke of Wei's birthday banquet?"

Shen Wei stomped her foot inwardly. Her older sister was really something, always taking the opportunity to tease her.

Xie Jingyan and the Fourth Master stayed in the outer courtyard, while Shen Wan, Shen Wei, and the Fourth Madam went to the inner courtyard, where a maid led them to see the Lady of the Duke of Wei.

Inside the main hall, the Duchess of Wei was serving tea to the noble ladies who had come to offer their congratulations. They were chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Upon seeing Shen Wan and the others enter—or more accurately, upon seeing the Fourth Madam and Shen Wei enter—the lively chatter quickly subsided, and their gazes invariably fell upon Shen Wei. Clearly, they were not scrutinizing the Fourth Miss of the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion, but rather the future wife of the Duke of Wei's heir.

The daughter of a fourth-rank official—no, when Shen Wei was engaged to the heir of the Duke of Wei, Master Shen was only a fifth-rank official. For the daughter of a fifth-rank official to marry the heir of the Duke's mansion, even as a second wife, was still an incredibly high achievement.

Many noble ladies' daughters didn't marry as well as Shen Wei. After all, even though the capital was full of powerful and wealthy people, there were not many heirs of the Duke's mansion. If it weren't for the fact that the heir of the Duke of Wei had a two-and-a-half-year-old son, they would really be extremely envious.

As Shen Wan walked in, she felt an uncomfortable gaze. She looked up and saw the Lady of Wuding Marquis.

Lady Wuding tried her best to maintain her composure, but her face was still very pale. Her lips were tightly pursed, and the corners of her eyes were red. Her daughter, whom she cherished dearly, was gone, and the heir of the Duke of Wei was about to marry a new bride. As the mother of the deceased wife of the heir of the Duke of Wei, how could Lady Wuding be in a good mood when she saw Shen Wei? Especially since the third young lady of the Wuding Marquis's mansion had suppressed Shen Wei a few days ago and had been tricked out of a jade hairpin by Shen Wan, losing face.

Lady Wuding looked Shen Wei up and down with a critical gaze. Not only did the Fourth Madam and Shen Wei feel uncomfortable, but Shen Wan was also very unhappy. It was too disrespectful.

The contempt in the eyes of the Marquis of Wuding was undisguised. She doubted what kind of judgment the Duchess of Wei had, that she would choose a woman who was inferior to her daughter in every way as the heir to the position of the second wife.

Lady Wei did not take Lady Wuding's displeasure seriously. She chose Shen Wei, but Lady Wuding disliked that the fourth daughter of the Shen family had a poor background and a soft personality. However, if she really chose someone who was good in every way, Lady Wuding would worry that the title of Duke's Mansion would not be passed on to her grandson in the future. There is no such thing as a perfect match. Unless her son never remarries, Lady Wuding will not be satisfied.

It's only natural for mothers to think about their children's future.

The Lady of Wuding was like this, and so was she.

The Pingyang Marquis's Mansion and the Wuding Marquis's Mansion were both related by marriage to the Wei State Duke's Mansion, so she treated them equally. The Wei State Duke's wife warmly invited Shen Wan and the Fourth Madam to sit down and praised Shen Wei highly.

The others also offered a few words of praise, giving face to the Duchess of Wei and to Shen Wan.

The main hall was spacious, but there were too many noble ladies who came to offer their congratulations, so Shen Wan and Shen Wei didn't stay long. The young ladies from prominent families were all in the garden, so they went to the garden as well.

Inside the garden of the Duke of Wei's mansion, hundreds of flowers were in full bloom, a riot of colors, and young ladies from noble families strolled among them, their silvery laughter carrying far and wide.

Upon seeing Shen Wei, many young ladies from prominent families displayed envy, jealousy, and resentment on their faces, especially Zheng Ruyi, the third daughter of the Marquis of Wuding's mansion, whose fists clenched tightly beneath her sleeves when she saw Shen Wei.

The girl standing next to her added fuel to the fire, saying, "The daughter of a fourth-rank official is able to marry the heir of the Duke of Wei, all thanks to your elder sister's good fortune. It's truly enviable."

Zheng Ruyi already disliked Shen Wei intensely, so she couldn't stand these words and was so angry that her internal organs ached.

They're just engaged!

Whether she will be able to marry into the Duke of Wei's mansion in the end is still uncertain!

Her eyes fell maliciously on Shen Wei, and a calculating glint flashed in them as if she had just thought of something.