Chapter 40 Past Life and Present Life: Similar Flowers, Different People

Su Xuanmao seemed to have a firm grasp on Master Shen's temperament, maintaining the bowing posture for a long time. Master Shen looked at Su Xuanmao and finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Your Highness, please rise. This is a matter I cannot make a decision on!"

Su Xuanmao remained bowed, his voice low, "I humbly request my father-in-law's consent!"

What's the difference between this and a threat?

Master Shen was at his wit's end, and after a long while, he finally spoke: "Your Highness, you can't do this. You must know that this is Pingjin's matter, and even as Pingjin's father, I cannot make the decision!"

Upon hearing this, Su Xuanmao finally straightened up. As the Crown Prince, he wasn't stupid. "Is Master Shen worried about Father Emperor?"

It should be noted that the Shen family, as a well-known scholarly family in the capital, coupled with their current power and influence in the court, has become a coveted prize for many.

The Shen family had two daughters, both of whom had reached marriageable age. After the Emperor learned that Shen Pingjin and the Crown Prince were in love, he personally issued an edict to marry Shen Pingjin to Su Xuanmao.

Since the Shen family already has a Crown Princess, according to the principle of balance, Shen Ruixue can only marry a good-for-nothing.

The brocade screen soared down, and Shen Ruixue fell to the ground.

Who knew that such an accident would happen on our wedding day!

Although Mr. Shen was honest and simple, and had a strong scholarly air, he was not a fool.

The two daughters of the Shen family have already married His Highness the Crown Prince, and the Emperor will not tolerate the Crown Prince's concubine also being from the Shen family.

Master Shen shook his head and sighed, "I am a loyal subject of the Emperor, so why would I worry about him?"

But if Shen Pingjin becomes the Crown Prince's concubine, then it's possible that the Emperor is worried about the Shen family.

Su Xuanmao was puzzled. "Then why didn't my father-in-law agree? It's clearly a matter of mutual consent."

Su Xuanmao seemed to have gone mad, frantically seeking Master Shen's permission.

Finally, when Aunt He came in front of them, Su Xuanmao slightly changed his posture.

As if seeing a savior, Master Shen walked to Aunt He's side. "Jinzhi, you've come at the right time. Ruixue has just returned. You all should have a good chat. I'll go talk to Pingjin first. It's not good to see her all alone there."

Aunt He was stunned for a moment, but before she could answer, she saw Master Shen flee towards Shen Pingjin as if he were deliberately avoiding her.

Aunt He had originally intended to ask Shen Ruixue about her entry into the palace that day, but seeing the Crown Prince in front of her, she knew that she probably wouldn't be able to ask.

As Su Xuanmao watched Master Shen leave, a cold glint gradually appeared in his eyes.

No one could stop him from bringing Shen Pingjin into the house and making her his concubine.

He glanced at the man standing not far away beside Shen Pingjin. Hmph, even Yan Jue couldn't stop him from taking Shen Pingjin away!

Shen Ruixue was also taken aback when she saw Aunt He arrive. She gently tugged at Aunt He's sleeve, glancing at her every now and then, and asked softly, "Mother, why are you here?"

Aunt He replied, "I just found out about something and wanted to ask you about it myself."

Shen Ruixue was somewhat puzzled, but when she saw Su Xuanmao's sinister gaze, she shook her head. "Mother, let's talk about it when we get inside the manor later."

Even if Aunt He were confused, she wouldn't cause any trouble now. She nodded, "Alright, Mother will listen to Ruixue."

With Aunt He's approval, Shen Ruixue breathed a slight sigh of relief.

When Master Shen walked up to Shen Pingjin, he looked flustered, which puzzled Shen Pingjin.

"Father, what's wrong with you? Why do you look like you've fled a famine?"

Master Shen recounted the events in a terrified manner, while Yan Jue, who had listened to the entire story, had a deeply furrowed brow.

He said, "Are you saying that Su Xuanmao wants to disregard the fact that Pingjin is my princess consort and wants to bring her into the Crown Prince's harem to make her the Crown Princess?"

Master Shen: "Although I know that Pingjin and His Highness the Crown Prince once had a deep affection for each other, but... but Pingjin has let go, so why can't the Crown Prince let go?"

Yan Jue snorted coldly. As a man, he naturally knew what Su Xuanmao was thinking.

Wildflowers are more fragrant than garden flowers.

Shen Pingjin was shocked by what her father said. She thought that Su Xuanmao would at least wait until she and Yan Jue divorced before he would set his sights on her. She never expected that Su Xuanmao would be so heartless as to want to steal another man's wife.

Shen Pingjin didn't know what Su Xuanmao was thinking. After all, in her previous life, she had devoted herself to Su Xuanmao, but he was still easily seduced by Shen Ruixue and lost his soul.

On the contrary, since she took the initiative to leave in this life, Su Xuanmao has become even more obsessed with her.

Yan Jue said in a slightly deep voice, "Pingjin is my lawfully wedded wife, and I will naturally not allow His Highness the Crown Prince to steal her away."

Master Shen was very pleased to hear this. "With just one word from the Regent, I feel much more at ease. I hope the Regent will keep his word."

Yan Jue nodded: "That's natural."

It was early morning, and the air outside was damp. Master Shen couldn't stand the cold wind, so he whispered a few words to Yan Jue, gave some instructions to the others, and went into the mansion.

Su Xuanmao, Aunt He, and the others followed Shen Pingjin and Yan Jue into the mansion.

The homecoming banquet in Dongyue Kingdom was originally just an ordinary meal, but Su Xuanmao and Yan Jue were the Crown Prince and Regent, respectively, and the Shen family was a famous scholarly family, so the banquet was very lavish.

A table made of fine mahogany was laden with a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast. Yan Jue, Su Xuanmao, and the others took their seats. Because of what had just happened, the two of them were surrounded by an aura that kept strangers at bay.

Shen Pingjin couldn't stand it anymore and suggested that she go for a walk in the backyard.

Master Shen thought Shen Pingjin was homesick and urged her to leave quickly.

Shen Ruixue naturally had her own courtyard in the Shen family mansion. Seeing Shen Pingjin leave like this, she was a little curious and asked Master Shen for permission.

Although Shen Pingjin and Shen Ruixue were born out of wedlock and legitimate respectively, in Master Shen's heart, they were basically treated equally.

After receiving Mr. Shen's consent, Shen Ruixue turned and left.

Suddenly, only a few people, including Aunt He, Su Xuanmao, Yan Jue, and Master Shen, were scattered around the huge table.

For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

At this moment, Shen Pingjin had already arrived at her courtyard.

Looking at everything familiar before her, Shen Pingjin's eyes welled up with tears.

In her past life, she had a joyful and glamorous wedding right here, her hands covering her heart, where she placed the mandarin duck pouch that she had specially embroidered for Su Xuanmao.

In this life, she also embroidered a mandarin duck purse, but the person who embroidered it was different.

Pear blossoms were scattered in the courtyard, each white flower swaying in the wind, filling the air with an explosive sweetness. The sweetness reached her nose and lingered around her. Chen Pingjin took a deep breath, slowly lifted her foot, and walked forward.

Before chapter 35, the female lead is testing the male lead, testing his sincerity. After chapter 35, she gradually trusts him, and the romantic and career storylines slowly emerge. Every supporting character will have their own story.