Chapter 8 The Same Scent

Standing by the pillar, Qi Zhaoyan raised her hand and removed the blindfold from her eyes.

When the light suddenly appeared, her first reaction was not to look at Chu Xiao, but to turn her head and look at a certain point in the crowd.

Unfortunately, the little princess is only four or five years old, and with her height, it's quite difficult for her to see the person she's looking for over everyone else.

Chu Xiao seemed completely unsurprised by the result, remaining calm and praising, "The princess is intelligent."

Qi Zhaoyan stuffed the strip of cloth into the old woman's hand, grabbed her skirt and ran up the jade steps, suddenly throwing herself into Ye Mingyu's arms.

Her little face flushed red. "Mother, isn't Yan Yan amazing?"

Seeing her darting around like a small cannonball, Qi Jincheng frowned slightly and said, "Slow down."

Qi Zhaoyan playfully stuck out her tongue, then continued to look at Ye Mingyu, waiting for her to praise her.

Ye Mingyu looked down at her with amusement and pinched her little cheek. "Amazing, our Yan Yan is really amazing."

"Tell me," she said, smoothing Qi Zhaoyan's slightly disheveled hair, "What reward does Yan Yan want? A new pony?"

Qi Zhaoyan's big eyes darted around, and she whispered a few words in Ye Mingyu's ear while standing on tiptoe. Even Qi Jincheng, who was standing next to her, couldn't hear what the mother and daughter were saying.

He saw the smile in Ye Mingyu's eyes and felt a little jealous, but he couldn't openly "compete for favor" with his daughter.

After hearing what Qi Zhaoyan said, Ye Mingyu looked up and gazed at a certain spot in the crowd.

Many people were standing in the main hall. The girl's dress was of a low-key color, and she didn't even wear many hair ornaments, but her delicate and pretty face still attracted attention.

With the game over, Qi Jincheng waved his hand, and everyone returned to their seats.

The sounds of string and wind instruments continued, accompanied by constant conversation and laughter.

Shen You's pounding heart finally calmed down a bit. After sitting down, she lowered her eyes and took several sips of sake.

Ye Mingyu looked away and heard Qi Zhaoyan whisper, "Mother, Yan Yan likes pretty older sisters. Can she go play with them?"

Ye Mingyu laughed, teasingly saying, "You were covered by a cloth strip just now, so we couldn't see your features clearly. How could you be sure you were a pretty lady?"

Qi Zhaoyan lowered her voice even further, as if she were revealing a secret, "I smelled the same fragrance as Uncle Chu next to that older sister. A woman who smells so good must be a beautiful woman."

Ye Mingyu recalled Shen You's extremely low-key attire and said softly, "You should go back to Zhaoyang Palace first. The Empress Dowager will send someone to invite you."

"Really?" Qi Zhaoyan's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Mother."

Ye Mingyu pinched her cheek and ordered the nanny to take her back. She turned her head slightly and unexpectedly met Qi Jincheng's gaze.

The sorrow in the man's eyes dissipated considerably when he heard that Qi Zhaoyan had returned to Zhaoyang Palace.

Anhua Palace is Qi Zhaoyan's own palace, and the little girl will finally not bother Ye Mingyu tonight.

Before he could speak, Ye Mingyu said, "I'm a little tired, so I'll head back now."

After speaking, she stood up and, as she left, winked at a palace maid beside her, signaling her to invite Shen You to Anhua Palace.

Qi Jincheng's gaze lingered on her back in her elaborate palace dress until she was out of sight before he looked away.

With Ye Mingyu gone, the palace banquet held little appeal for him. He glanced around and saw Chu Xiao sitting at the lower end of the table, looking thoughtful.

He said, "Duke Zhenguo, shall we go to Prince Gande's place for two dishes?"

Chu Xiao had just withdrawn his gaze from the slender figure when, after a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement.

The two stood up.

The palace banquet was drawing to a close, and people were leaving one after another.

Shen Youyi was about to go back, but just as she made a move, a palace maid approached and whispered, "Miss Shen, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence."

She paused for a moment, then quickly composed herself and asked again, "Is it Her Majesty the Empress?"

"Yes," the palace maid replied politely. Shen You couldn't figure out why the Empress had summoned her, but since she had sent someone to invite her, she couldn't possibly refuse.

She nodded to the palace maid, and was about to speak to Shen Yao when Shen Yao turned around. Before Shen You could speak, the palace maid said directly, "Lord Shen, Her Majesty the Empress invites Miss Shen for a chat. She will send someone to escort Miss Shen back to her residence safely later."

Although Shen Yao was puzzled as to why the Empress wanted to see Shen You, he knew he had no right to ask the reason, so he could only repeatedly say hello.

Chen Qiurong, who was standing to the side, hesitated to speak, but seeing that Shen Yao did not say anything, she could only watch as Shen You left with the palace maid.

She approached Chen Xiangning and asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

Why does the Empress suddenly want to see Shen You?

Chenxiang glanced at her and said calmly, "Even I don't know."

“You…” Chen Qiurong felt a little frustrated.

Both are daughters of the Shen family, but Shen Xiangning is more youthful and beautiful. So how come Shen You can catch the Empress's eye, but Shen Xiangning cannot?

But since they were still in the palace, she couldn't say anything more and could only leave with Shen Yao.

***

On the other side.

Shen You followed the palace maids as they walked along the spacious palace path.

Along the way, palace lanterns shone brightly.

Because there is a palace banquet tonight, palace servants can be seen busy everywhere.

Before long, the palace maid leading the way stopped in front of a palace gate, whispered a few words to the eunuch guarding the place, and then led Shen You directly inside.

Shen You saw that the plaque hanging above the palace gate had several large characters written on it: Zhaoyang Palace.

Upon entering the palace gate, one can see winding corridors and pavilions, lotus ponds and small buildings scattered about, every plant and tree meticulously maintained, complementing the summer night breeze.

In the center of the lotus pond, the pavilion's pale golden gauze curtains fluttered gently in the night breeze, and the candlelight shone brightly, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

You can vaguely see two figures, one big and one small, standing there, and hear laughter coming from all around.

The eunuch waiting outside the pavilion announced loudly, "Your Majesty, Miss Shen has arrived."

As soon as she finished speaking, Qi Zhaoyan rushed out like a cannonball, "Fairy Sister!"

Ye Mingyu followed behind her, her eyes full of smiles.

The little girl's voice was childish yet clear, and her call of "Fairy Sister" made Shen You a little embarrassed.

"This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress and Your Highness the Princess."

Ye Mingyu smiled and said in a friendly tone, "Miss Shen, there's no need for such formalities."

Her gaze fell on Shen You's face.

Now that we've gotten closer, the Shen family's daughter is truly graceful and beautiful, a rare and elegant beauty.

No wonder Chu Xiao, who always had a cold face, could never forget her.

Qi Zhaoyan jogged over to Shen You's side, looked up at her, then sniffed at her sleeve, smiling innocently, "Fairy sister, you smell exactly like Uncle Chu."

"Yan Yan," Ye Mingyu said sharply as soon as she finished speaking.

Shen You's heart skipped a beat.

Doubt and surprise welled up in my heart.

Ye Mingyu said apologetically, "Yan Yan is young, please don't take offense, Miss Shen."

"The princess is innocent and adorable."

Shen You would never argue with a child, especially since Qi Zhaoyan was a princess.

Qi Zhaoyan pouted after being scolded by Ye Mingyu and muttered softly, "Mother, did I say something wrong?"

Ye Mingyu sighed and led her into the pavilion, with Shen Youyi following along.

Upon arriving at this brightly lit place, Shen You discovered that Ye Mingyu and her daughter Qi Zhaoyan had been playing pitch-pot.

Arrows and other tools are still displayed in the pavilion.

Qi Zhaoyan's forehead was covered in sweat, which the old nanny beside her was carefully wiping away.

Ye Mingyu finished her tea in one gulp and looked at Shen You with a smile, "Miss Shen, there's no need to be so formal. I'm not one to follow many rules."

Shen You raised his eyes and looked at her face.

Although Ye Mingyu was dressed in an elaborate and gorgeous dress, her eyes and brows revealed a heroic spirit that was not common among women, and her words and actions were decisive and efficient.

Although she still didn't know why Ye Mingyu had specifically asked to see her, she felt a little more at ease at this moment.

She hesitated before asking, "May I ask, Your Highness, did you smell a fragrance on me just now?"

“Yes,” Qi Zhaoyan nodded, “but Uncle Chu told me quietly that if you smell it in a crowd, you should pretend you didn’t smell it.”

That's why she lingered in front of Shen You for so long, but still didn't say it outright.

Upon hearing this, Shen You pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and her eyes were filled with unreadable emotions.

Qi Zhaoyan wiped her sweat, took a few steps, and came to her side. "Fairy sister, are you unhappy?"

Shen You smiled at her, "I'm not unhappy."

Hearing this, Qi Zhaoyan smiled sweetly, "Then can we go horseback riding together?"

"I just got a pony a few days ago, but I haven't ridden it yet."

Shen You subconsciously looked at Ye Mingyu, who was rolling up her sleeves, seemingly wanting to play another round of pitch-pot.

Noticing Shen You's gaze, she said, "I've heard that Miss Shen's maternal grandfather was also a military general. Was he skilled in horsemanship?"

The Ye family behind Ye Mingyu is a prominent family in the Great Qi Dynasty, producing military generals for generations. She was skilled in horsemanship from a young age, and she also fought alongside Qi Jincheng during the years he led his troops into battle.

Shen You's maternal grandfather entered the army through the military examination and often joked that he was a rough man. After having a daughter, he only hoped that she would study and write, become a well-mannered lady, and not get involved in these habits of wielding swords and spears.

Shen You was the same.

Therefore, Shen You could ride a horse, but his riding skills were not good. He could ride slowly for a couple of laps, but he could not ride with heroic spirit.

"Fairy sister, is it alright?"

Qi Zhaoyan tugged at her sleeve, her big, watery eyes full of anticipation.

Shen You paused for a moment, then agreed, "If Your Highness speaks, this humble woman will naturally accompany you."

“Shen You,” Ye Mingyu put down the arrows she was preparing for the game of pitch-pot, “you don’t mind me calling you that, do you?”

Shen You shook her head, "Your Majesty may address me however you wish."

“Yan Yan is spoiled. If you feel it’s too much to ask, it’s okay if you don’t go.”

Shen You smiled and said, "To be honest, although my maternal grandfather was a military general, I am not very good at riding. But if I were to go to the horse farm and ride a couple of laps with the princess, I should be fine."

"Really?" Qi Zhaoyan excitedly hugged her arm. "Fairy sister, you promised me?"

Shen You looked down at her, and was infected by her smile. "I only hope that Your Highness will not find my riding skills lacking."

With the matter settled, Qi Zhaoyan was in high spirits and pulled Shen You up from the embroidered stool. "Fairy sister, shall we play pitch-pot together?"

She pouted, "I always lose to Mother. Let's team up, can you help me?"

Ye Mingyu watched her act shamelessly quietly, laughing heartily, while inwardly cursing Qi Jincheng countless times.

Qi Zhaoyan's shameless behavior is exactly what she learned from Qi Jincheng.

In the end, the game of pitch-pot could not continue, because an eunuch rushed over from outside the pavilion and said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is looking for you everywhere."

Shen You recognized him as Qi Jincheng's eunuch.

Ye Mingyu had no choice but to put down the arrow and instruct the palace maid beside her to escort Shen You out of the palace gate.

“There are carriages waiting outside the palace gates; they will take you back to the Chengde Marquis’s residence.”

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ye Mingyu smiled, "If we meet in private in the future, we don't need to be so polite."

Both were descendants of military generals, but their different upbringings led to different personalities. Ye Mingyu found this feeling quite novel and felt a greater sense of closeness to Shen You.

As soon as he finished speaking, the eunuch couldn't help but look in this direction again, clearly indicating that Qi Jincheng was looking for someone very urgently.

Shen You smiled gently, pursed her lips, and after bowing, left Zhaoyang Palace led by a palace maid.

The palace path was long and quiet, with a gentle night breeze blowing, and the palace lanterns in the eunuchs' hands swayed softly.

Having entered the palace today, Shen You was already quite tired, and all she could think about was getting into the sedan chair as soon as possible.

However, just as she turned out of the Zhaoyang Palace gate, a tall and slender figure suddenly came into her view from the side of the palace road.