Chapter 43 Slander

As Chen Pingjin handed over the sword, Yan Jue was also closely watching Chen Pingjin.

Seemingly noticing the pattern on the hilt, Yan Jue frowned slightly. "Did you take this sword from the courtyard?"

Shen Pingjin nodded and said, "This is the dowry my mother gave me when I got married. However, there was too much dowry at the time, and I wasn't interested in weapons, so I accidentally left this sword in my room."

"Then why did you suddenly decide to take it back today?"

“That’s because…” Shen Pingjin’s gaze was deep, “This is something my mother left me.”

Yan Jue had heard of Shen Pingjin's mother. He knew that Madam Shen was intelligent and quick-witted, and skilled in mechanical arts, but she had died of illness at a young age due to health reasons.

Yan Jue took the brocade in his hand, tied it around his waist, and then walked side by side with Shen Pingjin back to the front hall.

Ye Ting looked at Yan Jue with a mournful gaze. Yan Jue seemed to notice the gaze, raised his head, and returned it.

Night Court: "..."

He's someone you can't afford to mess with!

Just as Shen Pingjin and Yan Jue sat down, Shen Ruixue, who had just returned from her own courtyard, appeared before everyone.

When Shen Ruixue saw Chen Pingjin, her gaze froze for a moment, then a glint of light flashed in her eyes.

Shen Pingjin shrugged indifferently. In any case, she had already placed her hopes on Yan Jue. If Shen Ruixue wanted to slander and frame her, she would be courting death.

Seeing that everyone seemed a bit distracted, Master Shen coughed loudly, "Today is the day when Pingjin, Ruixue, His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness the Regent return to their parents' home. Everyone can gather here and chat about anything. It doesn't matter what you say today."

Aunt He was still in shock from everything she had learned from Shen Pingjin that day when Master Shen suddenly spoke, bringing her back to her senses.

"Master, on such a joyous occasion, would you like to tell Qingying to go to the storeroom and bring up some wine so that everyone can have a drink?"

Upon hearing this, Master Shen seemed to have been enlightened. He nodded hurriedly, "Good, good, Qingying, quickly go and get the Daughter Red wine that I've been storing in the storeroom for over ten years."

Qingying obeyed, "Master, this servant will obey."

Shen Ruixue had been thinking of ways to embarrass Shen Pingjin in front of everyone, and upon hearing Master Shen's words, she instantly thought of something.

Master Shen had brewed Daughter's Red wine before. He brewed a jar of Daughter's Red wine on the day Shen Ruixue was born and on the day Shen Pingjin got married.

When Qingying brought up the Daughter Red wine and opened it, everyone smelled a strong aroma of wine and its intoxicating mellowness. Su Xuanmao, who had been stunned for a long time, couldn't help but look at the Daughter Red wine the moment he smelled it.

Inside the old earthenware jar was a clear but slightly cloudy liquid. When Mr. Shen opened the jar, his reflection could be faintly seen in the liquid.

Qingying knew Master Shen's temperament best. She walked to the jar, poured the wine into everyone's cup, and then stood obediently behind it.

Master Shen said loudly, "Please don't stand on ceremony, everyone, this is Daughter's Red wine!"

Shen Pingjin has never been a heavy drinker and doesn't drink much, but if the wine in front of her is Daughter's Red, she can accept it.

She had just picked up her cup when a voice reached her ears—

Shen Ruixue held a wine glass, her round eyes looking at Shen Pingjin with a charming gaze. "Sister, today is the day we return to our parents' home. I'd like to offer you a toast."

Shen Pingjin was too lazy to get up and waved her hand, "No need to toast me, you can toast His Highness the Crown Prince."

Shen Ruixue was stunned when she was rejected in public. Her eyes widened. "Sister..."

Shen Pingjin was too lazy to speak again.

Seeing this, Aunt He, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Ruixue, your aunt toasts you!"

Shen Ruixue knew exactly what Aunt He was thinking. She could only bite her lip to suppress the shame in her heart, while at the same time, she gritted her teeth even more at Shen Pingjin.

Hmph, you'll get what's coming to you soon enough. I wonder what you're all so high and mighty about right now!

Shen Ruixue sat back down in her seat, feeling rather annoyed.

Su Xuanmao took in everything that was happening before his eyes. He coldly raised his head and glanced at Shen Ruixue beside him, then stood up from his seat.

"Today is the day of my uncle's return to his parents' home, and also the day of my own return to my parents' home. To show my respect, I have deliberately offered a cup to my uncle and aunt first. I wonder if my uncle and aunt will accept my offer."

Upon hearing this, Shen Pingjin was naturally overjoyed. She stood up and said, "This cup of wine from Pingjin is to wish His Highness the Crown Prince and my sister a harmonious and deep relationship."

Yan Jue also stood up, the brocade on his back becoming even more conspicuous. "The King and the Queen wish His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Crown Princess a harmonious and lasting union."

Su Xuanmao was just being polite, but he didn't expect Yan Jue to actually give him face and toast him.

Now he was caught between a rock and a hard place, so he could only silently drink the wine in his cup.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, Su Xuanmao clearly saw the obvious provocation in Yan Jue's eyes.

This made him clench his fists.

Shen Pingjin naturally did not miss the fleeting surprise on Shen Ruixue's face when Yan Jue sat down.

Shen Pingjin knew what Shen Ruixue was surprised about. She smiled and didn't say a word.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

She doesn't need to say anything; Shen Ruixue will get angry on her own.

As expected, when Shen Ruixue saw the brocade behind Yan Jue, she finally couldn't help but ask:

"Sister, why do you and His Highness the Regent carry a sword on your back when you return to your parents' home?"

Looking at the dishes on the table, Shen Pingjin casually picked up a chestnut pastry, tasted it, and replied, "For self-defense."

Shen Ruixue's smile froze on her face. She asked again, "Then why did you clearly see me take a sword hilt from your courtyard and hang it behind you?"

Everyone was shocked by these words.

Especially Master Shen, who looked at Shen Pingjin in disbelief, "Xiao Jin, you, you brought a weapon here without permission?"

Shen Pingjin shook her head, her eyes filled with doubt. "Father, no, my sister was asking about something else."

Master Shen's brows slowly relaxed upon hearing this. "That's good. You know, the court is very strict these days, and women are generally not allowed to carry weapons for self-defense. But I don't understand why such a rule wasn't abolished sooner."

After all, this rule was established when the Dongyue Kingdom was first founded.

At that time, the country had a strong martial spirit, and women practicing swordsmanship had become a social trend. The first emperor of Dongyue Kingdom could not stand this scene and was determined to change this trend, so he established this rule.

Now, after a long period of recuperation, the martial spirit of Dongyue Kingdom has faded, and the culture of scholars is prevalent. Even the women are mostly well-read.