Shen Yunjiao has been staying at the Pei residence these past few days taking care of Pei Zhixuan, changing his dressings and performing acupuncture, using all the knowledge she has acquired throughout her life. Fortunately, Pei Zhixuan is slowly recovering.

The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet is today. Following the example of the previous dynasty, all civil and military officials of Dayong are required to attend and offer their congratulations.

Shen Yunjiao sat by the window, looking at the lush green trees outside, but felt a little lost.

Xiao Huaijin hasn't come to see me these past few days.

Is he really angry?

Shen Yunjiao sighed softly. How could she be so absent-minded after just a few days apart? She had promised herself she wouldn't be love-struck.

Pei Zhixuan walked in from outside at this moment, carrying a bunch of lotus flowers from somewhere.

"Yun Jiao, please help me put the flowers in the vase."

Shen Yunjiao nodded casually: "Put it there."

These past few days, Pei Zhixuan has been taking advantage of his injuries to order her around.

One minute I'd ask her to close the window, the next I'd ask her to grind ink.

Knowing that she was good at acupuncture, I would quietly ask her to help with acupuncture when my wounds started to hurt.

So they're treating her like a free babysitter...

Moreover, it was quite obvious that Pei Zhixuan was enjoying himself.

Shen Yunjiao called out to Fuxia, "Help Your Highness arrange the flowers, I need to do my hair."

Pei Zhixuan's gaze swept lightly across her face as he asked in a low voice, "Are you going to the palace later?"

Shen Yunjiao nodded and focused her attention on washing up.

Pei Zhixuan stood behind. He didn't ask Fu Xia for help, but instead took scissors and cut the flowers one by one before putting them into the porcelain vase.

"Yun Jiao, let's go together."

Shen Yunjiao's hand froze. "Your illness hasn't fully healed yet, and you still want to enter the palace?"

"It's the Empress Dowager's birthday, I have no choice but to go," Pei Zhixuan said with a soft cough.

Shen Yunjiao inwardly refused.

Going with Pei Zhixuan is not a wise choice.

Pei Zhixuan caught a glimpse of Shen Yunjiao's conflicted expression out of the corner of his eye, but pretended not to notice and continued arranging flowers.

But his hands remained behind his back, and he dared not bend over, which made him look rather miserable.

Shen Yunjiao thought for a moment and decided to go together, just in case Pei Zhixuan encountered any unexpected situations on the way.

"Let's do it together then."

A moment later, Shen Yunjiao finished her makeup and turned around. She saw the aloof and noble Pei Zhixuan arranging the flowers in the vase, a gentle smile on his lips.

After a moment of hesitation, Shen Yunjiao asked, "Are you leaving or not?"

"Hmm." Pei Zhixuan nodded and calmly withdrew his hand.

Dayong Chongzhao Hall.

The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was decorated in the style of the previous dynasty, making the main hall look like a fairy palace on earth. Outside the hall, ceremonial guards stood solemnly, and banners fluttered in the wind.

The officials who came to offer their birthday wishes wore red flowers in their hair, and the atmosphere was filled with joy. The concubines and palace maids were all dressed up as beautifully as flowers, and they surrounded the Empress Dowager as she ascended the throne.

Seeing his mother so happy, Emperor Zhaowu was naturally beaming with joy. He personally poured a cup of birthday wine and went to offer his congratulations to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile and accepted the Emperor's obeisance.

When Emperor Zhaowu returned to his throne, Empress Dowager Xiao asked her personal maid, "Why hasn't Jin'er arrived yet?"

"Your Majesty, His Highness just sent someone to tell you that he has caught a cold and will not be attending the birthday banquet today."

"Then quickly send the imperial physician to examine her," the Empress Dowager said, her brows furrowing with worry.

Jin'er has never been the healthiest child.

While she was away practicing Buddhism, she would often receive news of Xiao Huaijin's illness.

Xiao Huaijin had no biological mother to take care of him, so he naturally received less love and care growing up.

Although Consort Shu treated Jin'er well, she was not her own daughter after all, so she could not be compared to her biological daughter.

Fortunately, Consort Shu was childless, so Empress Dowager Xiao was able to leave Jin'er alone in the palace without worry.

After Shen Yunjiao and the other noblewomen knelt and bowed to the Empress Dowager, she returned to her seat.

Her gaze unconsciously swept across the entire room, trying to find Xiao Huaijin's figure.

"Have some porridge." Pei Zhixuan moved a bowl of sweet porridge in front of Shen Yunjiao.

Seeing that she seemed a little distracted, Pei Zhixuan asked softly, "Are you looking for someone?"

Shen Yujiao snapped out of her daze, her expression somewhat unnatural. "No, I was just curious and wanted to take a look."

"If you like, I'll take you for a stroll outside later. The flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom today, and the Empress Dowager has permitted all civil and military officials to bring their families to see them," Pei Zhixuan suggested, his gaze falling on Shen Yunjiao's face, instantly captivating her.

Today, Shen Yunjiao wore light makeup, her face as beautiful as a peach blossom, and she was dressed in a plain silk dress with a yellow gauze shawl, adorned with a golden nine-phoenix hairpin. She was truly stunning at first glance.

The banquet was more than halfway over, and the guests were free to get up and move around as they pleased.

Seeing her father and brother sitting in front, Shen Yunjiao turned to Pei Zhixuan and said, "I'm going to find my father and brother."

Pei Zhixuan had no choice but to nod with difficulty.

Shen Yunjiao walked up to Shen Zhizhang, bowed to her father and elder brother, and then sat down next to them.

"Your relationship with your children is truly harmonious," Emperor Zhaowu said to Shen Zhizhang with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhi immediately led Shen Yunjiao and Shen Qinghuai to step forward, kneel down, and kowtow, saying, "We are entirely relying on Your Majesty's support. Your Majesty's rule is effective, and the four directions are filled with songs and dances, the people live in peace and prosperity, and the officials' homes are tranquil."

Emperor Zhaowu laughed heartily, "Your words are exactly what I wanted to say, my dear minister. Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the three members of the Shen family replied in unison.

As soon as Shen Yunjiao returned to her seat, she saw Xiao Anle walking towards her.

Shen Yunjiao quickly stepped forward, took Xiao Anle's hand, and asked with concern, "Why have you become so thin in just a few days?"

When Xiao Anle saw Shen Yunjiao, her eyes welled up with grievances. "Yunjiao, let's go outside and talk."

Shen Yunjiao nodded quickly: "Okay."

The two of them walked hand in hand to the pavilion in the Imperial Garden.

Xiao Anle dismissed the servants, and only Xiao Chen and Xiao Anle had the opportunity to tell Shen Yunjiao about the events of the past few days.

It turns out that Xiao Anle and Wen Zisong were in love, but Wen Zisong's family had arranged a marriage for him from childhood, while the emperor intended to marry the princess to the prince of the Northern Hu in order to win over the Northern Hu.

Xiao Anle fell ill upon hearing the news and has been unable to eat or feel depressed ever since.

"Yun Jiao, what should I do?" Xiao Anle's eyes were red and her voice trembled slightly.

Shen Yunjiao sighed, "What did Wen Zisong say?"

“He said he would ask my father to cancel the engagement. He has always been firm in his decision not to marry anyone but me, but as for me,” Xiao Anle said with worry, “I am a royal daughter, and I cannot make my own decisions about marriage.”

“My father said that as a princess, I should make sacrifices and contributions for the friendship between the two countries. But Yun Jiao, don’t I have the right to choose?” Xiao Anle couldn’t hold back her grief any longer. She leaned on Shen Yun Jiao’s shoulder and kept crying.

Shen Yunjiao gently patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don't be sad, Anle, I'll help you think of a way."