After Shen Wan had Physician Jiang take her pulse, she and Xie Jingyan left the side hall.

The birthday banquet would probably start soon, so Shen Wan had to go to the pavilion. Besides, before she fell into the water, Empress Song sent a palace maid to find her. She had to ask Empress Song if she was really looking for her, or if Fu Shu was using Empress Song's name to corner her on the Jade Bridge and push her into the lotus pond under the guise of apologizing.

Upon reaching the garden, Shen Wan said to Xie Jingyan, "You go about your business; I'll go see Empress Song."

Xie Jingyan then said, "Then be careful."

Shen Wan nodded hurriedly, watched Xie Jingyan walk away, and then walked towards the pavilion with a cold face.

When Shen Wan entered the pavilion, Empress Song had already returned after washing her hands. Upon seeing her enter, a group of noble ladies, including Empress Song, were sizing up Shen Wan. They didn't see any surprise on Shen Wan's face; some admired her, while others were disappointed.

Shen Wan stepped forward, and before she could curtsy, Empress Song said, "The imperial physician said you were not frightened, but I did not believe it. Judging from your complexion, you do not look frightened. You are indeed worthy of being the daughter of the Marquis of Pingyang."

Shen Wan curtsied before saying, "It's not that I'm not afraid, it's just that when I thought I was going to die, the Prince arrived in time and saved me, so I wasn't so scared anymore."

Even though Prince Ling himself was in dire straits, he was quicker than anyone else to rescue Princess Ling.

Empress Song smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Pregnant women are most afraid of twisting their ankles and falling. Today, thanks to you, Shu'er is unharmed. It's just that you suffered a lot because of you. But there are many people in the Imperial Garden. Even if Prince Ling hadn't arrived in time, the palace servants would have rescued you."

After Empress Song finished speaking, Fu Shu stood up and apologized to Shen Wan, her words sincere, as if Shen Wan's falling into the water was truly an unintentional mistake on her part.

Fu Shu is pregnant with a child, and Shen Wan is not seriously ill. Even if she keeps pursuing the matter, no one will believe that Fu Shu would use her unborn child as a pretext to scheme against her. Empress Song will not punish Fu Shu; she will probably only say that Fu Shu is unreasonable. She knows Empress Song all too well.

Shen Wan said indifferently, "The Emperor wants to hold the eldest grandson of the Emperor, and today is also the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Fortunately, it was me who fell into the water. If it were Princess Jin who fell into the water and something happened to the child in her belly, the Empress Dowager would not be able to enjoy her birthday banquet."

It seems she truly doesn't know she's pregnant. Empress Song smiled and said, "Princess Ling is so understanding; I am truly comforted."

Shen Wan sat down, and soon a palace maid brought tea. Empress Song drank her tea, and the other noble ladies also picked up their teacups. Shen Wan was a little thirsty, so she also picked up her teacup.

Through the rising steam of the tea, seeing that Shen Wan had drunk about half a cup of tea, Empress Song glanced at Granny Du without leaving a trace, and Granny Du nodded slightly.

Empress Song's smile deepened, and she was in an even better mood.

Just then, a loud crash was heard as something fell to the ground. Empress Song frowned, and Du Mama asked, "Who's being so clumsy?"

A palace maid immediately came over and said, "It was Eunuch Xiao Xizi from the Imperial Study who accidentally bumped into you and knocked over the pastry plate..."

As they were talking, Xiao Xizi's father-in-law came in. He looked flustered and immediately knelt down.

Empress Song said, "Why is Xiao Xizi here in the Imperial Garden instead of serving His Majesty by Eunuch Yuan's side?"

Xiao Xizi hurriedly said, "His Majesty heard that Princess Ling fell into the water in the Imperial Garden, so Eunuch Yuan sent me to inquire. I went to the side hall but did not see Princess Ling, so I came to the pavilion. I was afraid that His Majesty would be anxious, so I accidentally bumped into a palace maid and disturbed the Empress and the ladies. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

Empress Song said, "Since it wasn't intentional, I won't punish you. Go and report to the Emperor."

Hearing this, Shen Wan sneered inwardly. Xiao Xizi was a eunuch in the Imperial Study and a confidant of Eunuch Yuan. He was clever and highly regarded by Eunuch Yuan, who even adopted him as his son in his previous life. Xiao Xizi was ordered to ask questions, but he accidentally bumped into a palace maid and spilled some pastries. Even if Empress Song had a few more lives, she wouldn't dare to punish Xiao Xizi.

Just as Shen Wan was about to tell Xiao Xizi to tell the Emperor that she was alright, she saw Xiao Xizi, the eunuch, quickly get up from the ground and run away as if his life depended on it.

Shen Wan, “…???”

Weren't I ordered to ask her about the circumstances of her falling into the water?

Why did you leave?

A black line slid down Shen Wan's forehead.

The others didn't find it strange. Princess Ling was sitting there perfectly fine, with a rosy complexion. There was no need to ask any further questions; she was clearly alright.

As the eunuch Xiao Xizi ran off, another eunuch came over and reported to Empress Song, "The auspicious time for the birthday banquet is approaching; it's time to take your seats."

Empress Song then looked at the noble ladies and said, "Ladies, please take your seats first. I will go and see the Empress Dowager."

Empress Song will definitely not sit with them; she will sit with the Emperor.

After Empress Song and several concubines left, Princess Huyang and Princess Shou were the first to get up, followed by the other noble ladies. Shen Wan did not want to squeeze in with them, so she lagged behind a few steps.

The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was held in Antai Hall. When Shen Wan arrived, Xie Jingyan had already taken his seat. Shen Wan walked over and sat down next to him.

Opposite him was Xie Jingyin, whose seat was exceptionally spacious, as he was to sit with the two Princesses of Jin.

Xie Jingyin sat in the middle, with Shen Ying and Fu Shu on either side. Both of them were quite good-looking, giving off an air of having one on each side, which must have made many men envious.

Shen Wan sat down and, seeing the food laid out on the table, said, "Why is it different from the others?"

While others had pastries and fruit on their tables, theirs had not only pastries and fruit, but also sunflower seeds, peanuts, and walnuts.

Xie Jingyan said, "No need to ask, it must have been ordered by the Eighth Prince."

He picked up a walnut, gently squeezed it, and it crumbled. He peeled the kernel out and held it to Shen Wan's lips.

Shen Wan's face flushed instantly. Realizing someone had seen her, she was too embarrassed to open her mouth. Instead, she reached out and put a walnut in her mouth, saying, "Walnuts are so hard to peel. The Eighth Prince is too annoying."

"Walnuts are good for the brain," Xie Jingyan said.

Shen Wan looked at him, "You're already smart enough, do you need more help?"

Xie Jingyan looked at Shen Wan, "Is it possible that you need this?"

Shen Wan, "..."

When did she offend the Eighth Prince?

Shen Wan turned her head and glared fiercely at the Eighth Prince.

The poor Eighth Prince was secretly drinking, and when he looked around to avoid being seen, he saw Shen Wan glaring at him.

The Eighth Prince, "...???"

When did he offend the Sixth Princess Consort?

Sixth Brother is afraid of his wife, so he thought that if he angered Sixth Brother one day, Sixth Sister-in-law might say a few good words for him. It is said that if you don't pray for good fortune in ordinary times, it will be useless to pray to Buddha at the last minute. He specially asked the Fourth Young Master of Pingyang Marquis's Mansion about Sixth Sister-in-law's preferences and found out that she liked to eat walnuts. He would cater to her taste.

Could it be that he flattered the horse and got on its hooves?

It's over.

Sixth Brother's temper was bad enough, but I didn't expect Sixth Sister-in-law to be even worse.

The Eighth Prince inwardly groaned, just then, a hoarse voice rang out:

"His Majesty has arrived!"