Shen Wan wore a pomegranate-colored gauze dress, which was the envy of every young lady from a respectable family. In particular, this gauze dress was a gift from the Emperor to Shen Wan, which even the princesses in the palace did not have. This was truly a favor that was one in a million.

His envy was palpable.

Princess Shouchun was having a great time playing pitch-pot with a group of young ladies from noble families when she learned that Shen Wan was wearing a light-colored gauze dress. Her good mood vanished instantly.

When Princess Shouchun saw Shen Wan's radiant appearance again, she almost bit her teeth to pieces.

Princess Ling did it on purpose!

Just a few days ago, he used a sprained ankle as an excuse to get his father to punish his mother by making her copy one hundred Buddhist scriptures!

Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Princess Ling knows perfectly well that this shimmering silk dress is what she wants most. Why wear any dress? She insists on wearing the shimmering silk dress to the palace to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday, as if she is afraid that others will not know that her father favors her, the prince's wife, more than she, the princess herself!

Jealousy twisted Princess Shouchun's beautiful face; this dress should have been hers!

No!

She can't embroider pomegranate flowers, but if she embroiders her favorite hydrangea flowers, she'll look ten times more beautiful than Princess Ling wearing them!

It might not be long before Princess Ling gets to wear a bolt of that fine silk gauze, which would be a real waste.

Princess Shouchun's eyes were cold, and everyone around her dared not breathe. Fu Shu walked over and saw that Princess Shouchun's gaze was fixed on Shen Wan. Others might not know, but she knew that Princess Shouchun wanted the Yanxia Silk, so much so that even the Emperor had bestowed it upon Shen Wan, and Empress Song still wanted to get it from Shen Wan to give to Princess Shouchun.

She was just wondering what to do to appease Empress Song's anger, and here it was!

Meanwhile, Shen Wan, seeking some peace and quiet, moved away from the crowds to quietly admire the flowers and watch the butterflies flutter by. Just as she was engrossed in watching, she heard a soft call, "Big sister..."

Shen Wan turned around and saw Shen Wei waving at her with her maid Chunlan.

The Fourth Master has been promoted to the rank of Fourth Grade Official. From now on, Shen Wei and the Fourth Madam will be eligible to attend all kinds of palace banquets. Shen Wei walked over and said, "Eldest Sister is here. I've been looking for you for ages."

This was her first time entering the palace, and Shen Wei was quite excited, finding everything new and fascinating.

For Shen Wan, the Imperial Garden was not as interesting as the Ling Prince's Garden; she was just looking for a place to pass the time.

Although they had only met at the Duke of Wei's birthday banquet, Shen Wei had endless things to say to Shen Wan. However, before they could chat for long, a palace maid came over and bowed, saying, "Princess Ling, the Empress requests your presence at the pavilion."

What do you want from her now?

Shen Wan's eyes showed a hint of impatience.

Empress Song was annoyed that she had "twisted her ankle" and asked the Emperor to punish her. It's not like she couldn't have noticed. If they were to find her at this time, it was definitely not going to be anything good.

Empress Song sent someone to invite her, but she refused, which meant she didn't respect Empress Song and was disrespectful to the Empress. She was afraid that the palace rules would be copied so many times that her hands would cramp up.

Shen Wei wanted to go with Shen Wan, but it wasn't a good thing. Shen Wan wouldn't let Shen Wei go with her. Shen Wan instructed Shen Wei, "You don't like going to crowded places, but don't go to places in the palace where there are few people either."

Shen Wei nodded repeatedly.

After giving instructions to Shen Wei, Shen Wan led Yin Shuang and followed the palace maids to the pavilion where Empress Song was entertaining noble ladies.

As they crossed the white jade bridge, they happened to see Fu Shu coming with her maid, and the two met face to face.

The palace maid curtsied to Fu Shu, who glanced at Chen Wan and asked, "Where are you taking Princess Ling?"

The palace maid replied, "Her Majesty the Empress is looking for Princess Ling."

Fu Shu said, "Go wait under the bridge for a while. I have two things to say to Princess Ling."

The palace maid was somewhat troubled, "But what about the Empress..."

Fu Shu said, "If the Empress wants to hold me accountable, I will take responsibility."

Knowing how much the Empress valued Fu Shu and the eldest grandson in Fu Shu's womb, the palace maid curtsied and stepped down from the white jade bridge.

Shen Wan didn't think she had anything to talk about with Fu Shu, but she didn't want to see Empress Song either, so she didn't say anything and just looked at Fu Shu.

Fu Shu's figure was still as graceful as before. She was only two months pregnant, so her pregnancy was far from showing. Perhaps due to morning sickness, Fu Shu's cheeks had become a bit thinner.

Shen Wan remained silent, so Fu Shu said, "I never expected that my cravings during my pregnancy would cause Princess Ling to sprain her ankle. I'm truly sorry."

Although she said she was sorry, Shen Wan didn't see a trace of apology on Fu Shu's face.

Regardless of what she was thinking, at least she had apologized. Shen Wan said, "It was my own fault for walking in a hurry. It has nothing to do with Princess Jin. If Princess Jin wants to eat the pastries and dishes made by Imperial Chef Li in the future, she can simply send the Imperial Chef to Prince Ling's residence to learn. There is no need to disturb the Empress for such a trivial matter."

Fu Shu said, "I also wanted to send someone directly, but I had many unpleasant experiences with Princess Ling before, so it was really difficult to ask. Princess Ling is much more magnanimous than Shen Ying. I was just being petty and judging her."

Shen Wan, “…???”

A perfunctory apology would suffice; there's no need for such heartfelt words.

Could it be that she suffered a setback with Shen Ying and wanted to win her over? After all, she and Shen Ying grew up together and she knows Shen Ying much better than Fu Shu does. She wanted to start with her and find a way to defeat Shen Ying.

Shen Wan was willing to watch them fight like dogs and reveal Shen Ying's affair to Fu Shu. However, Shen Ying's learning of bedroom arts would disgrace the Pingyang Marquis's family, and she, as the legitimate daughter of the Pingyang Marquis's family, would bear the brunt of it. Such a method that would harm the enemy a thousand while hurting herself eight hundred was not advisable. Moreover, Fu Shu was pregnant, so telling her would not be of much use. She could only mock Shen Ying, but she probably didn't even dare to mock her because of Xie Jingyin.

Shen Wan looked at Fu Shu, "The Princess Consort of Jin called me over; it must be more than just an apology, right?"

Fu Shu smiled and stepped aside.

This was to tell Shen Wan that her stopping her was really just to apologize.

Shen Wan said nothing more and prepared to cross the White Jade Bridge.

However, she had only taken a few steps when Fu Shu also needed to cross the bridge.

Sudden--

Fu Shu tripped on her skirt, stumbled forward, and lunged at Chen Wan.

Rushing towards her, Shen Wan had nowhere to hide and was pushed off the white jade bridge by Fu Shu.

Thump.

Shen Wan fell into the lotus pond.

The water in the lotus pond splashed high, soaking Fu Shu completely.

Silverfrost was stunned.

When he realized what was happening, he hurriedly called out, "Your Highness!"

"Help! Someone come quick!"

"Help!"

Yinshuang burst into tears.

Soon, people nearby heard the cries for help and rushed over.

The succulents thrashed about in the water.

Fear gripped my heart.

This scene was all too familiar. Three years ago, in the dead of winter, Shen Rong had thrown her off the bridge in the same way. The icy lotus pond water nearly drowned her. Even after being rescued, she fell seriously ill and nearly died.

Shen Wan tried her best to stand up, but the more afraid she was, the more she struggled and the less she could stand. Her heart was racing and she felt like she couldn't breathe.

Suddenly someone hugged her from behind and whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid..."