The Empress Dowager was well aware of the Princess's confusion, but she had no intention of answering. She simply raised her hand slightly to stop the Princess from continuing, saying, "Let's not mention this matter again."

“But…” Princess Chang opened her mouth, but fell silent under the Empress Dowager’s warning gaze.

Is the Empress Dowager protecting Shen Jinshu? But why would she do this?

Isn't she the one who hates women who will stop at nothing the most?

The eldest princess couldn't understand it; she had countless questions and confusions in her heart.

Not only did the eldest princess see through the Empress Dowager's intentional cover-up, but Song Zhiyu also noticed it.

She also had her doubts, but the Empress Dowager's words were not to be questioned. Even the Eldest Princess dared not refute them, let alone her, an unfavored daughter of a marquis.

Although Shen Jinshu narrowly escaped disaster today, she did not come away empty-handed.

Shen Jinshu's long-cherished dream of winning the three-peat has vanished, and her carefully cultivated reputation is gradually collapsing. All that's needed is the right opportunity to bring her crashing down from her high position.

When the news of her being the daughter of a concubine spreads, it will be enough to ensure that she can never recover.

She wanted to destroy Shen Jinshu's spirit, to make her watch as the reputation and status she cared about most slipped away from her.

They have a long future ahead of them.

*

Seeing that the eldest princess was so sensible, the Empress Dowager raised the corners of her lips in satisfaction.

Suddenly, she changed the subject, drawing everyone's attention to Song Zhiyu, "After this incident, Shen Jinshu can no longer bear the title of leader. In my opinion, Miss Song is the most suitable."

The Crown Prince was right; the selection criteria for the Lake Tour Banquet Champion are not only talent, but also character. Miss Song possesses superb medical skills and a heart dedicated to healing the sick; she truly deserves the title of champion.

Song Zhiyu was startled, feeling the countless gazes falling on her particularly intense.

Amidst countless burning gazes, several complex and venomous looks flashed by in an instant.

Song Zhiyu knew who was looking at her without even looking.

She chuckled softly, her smile growing even brighter as she prepared to infuriate him.

Shen Jinshu clutched her chest, swallowed the blood that was rising in her throat, and slunk away from the banquet with Shen Yanxi's help.

The two men's departure did not affect the mood of the others; what intrigued them even more was the scene before them.

Such a dramatic reversal is truly unexpected.

However, the Empress Dowager's words seemed to leave no room for argument.

They had to admit that Song Zhiyu's acupuncture skills were indeed remarkable, managing to pull a person on the verge of death back from the brink of death.

Such formidable strength is enough to earn him the title of champion.

*

After the banquet ended, everyone left, but they were clearly still somewhat reluctant to leave.

This year's lake cruise banquet was even more interesting than in previous years.

Before leaving, they chatted enthusiastically with their friends about the various interesting things that happened at the banquet that day, and the topics all revolved around Song Zhiyu and Shen Jinshu.

"If you ask me, the biggest winner of this year's lake banquet should be the Marquis of Chengen's mansion."

"I've always heard people say that the young lady from the Chengen Marquis's mansion, who grew up in the countryside, is neither talented nor virtuous, and is not even half as good as Shen Jinshu, but I don't think so."

"I wonder what kind of expression Marquis Chengen will have when he finds out about today's events? His eldest daughter, on whom he had placed great hopes, has been ordered to stay at home by the Empress Dowager, while his youngest daughter, whom he had always looked down upon, has brought honor to the Marquis's mansion."

"..."

Listening to the fading sounds of their conversation, Ye Linxi smiled faintly, "Zhiyu, congratulations on winning first place. The Empress Dowager keeps her word, and from now on, the people of the Marquis's mansion will have something to fear and will certainly not dare to bully you easily."

She had heard about Song Zhiyu's situation in the Marquis's mansion. Now that Song Zhiyu had won first place at the lake banquet, it was a great honor for the Chengen Marquis's mansion.

If Marquis Chengen were a smart man, he would know what to do.

"You don't need to worry. Even without the Empress Dowager's promise, the Marquis's mansion can't bully me. But what about you? Have you made up your mind?" Song Zhiyu didn't want to mention the Marquis of Chengen's mansion, so she smiled and changed the subject.

Ye Linxi nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "I've made up my mind."

She must leave Xiao Xun.

"Okay, my word always stands." Song Zhiyu didn't say anything more. Everyone has their own choices, and she shouldn't interfere too much.

The fact that the two met can be considered a kind of inexplicable fate.

If Ye Linxi asks, she will do her best to help.

The two exchanged a knowing smile, leaving Lu Bai, who was standing to the side, completely baffled.

But since her young mistress had made good friends in the capital, she was naturally happy and grinned foolishly along with them.

"I have to go back now. If I have the chance in the future, I will definitely visit your residence." Ye Linxi saw Xiao Xun walking straight towards her not far away, and her face showed a moment of panic.

After leaving those words, Ye Linxi quickly left the banquet. Her hurried steps and retreating figure conveyed a sense of fleeing in panic, as if she were afraid of being caught up by those behind her.

Just as Xiao Xun was about to rush up and grab the person, his face darkened, and a determined glint flashed in his eyes. He whispered a few words to the Crown Prince, received his approval, and then strode away.

As he passed Song Zhiyu, he gave her a slight nod, his casual tone tinged with a hint of respect, "Miss Song."

Before Song Zhiyu could react, he strode away with his long legs, his eyes fixed on the slender, delicate figure in front of him.

How could a pampered little rabbit escape the watchful eye of a lion?

Xiao Xun took two steps forward and caught up with her. His large, iron-like hand firmly grasped Ye Linxi's slender wrist. His slightly calloused fingertips gently caressed the soft, delicate skin in his hand. Deep in his eyes was a strong desire, as if he wanted to burn the person in front of him to ashes.

Before Ye Linxi could react, Xiao Xun was dragged by the wrist to a secluded corner, and the maid behind him had already been sent away by the man.

"Let me go." Ye Linxi looked nervous, struggling incessantly, carefully observing her surroundings, afraid that someone would see them pulling and tugging at each other.

"What are you afraid of?" Xiao Xun tightened his grip, his broad hand holding the woman's slender wrist tightly. The white wrist bone overlapped with the man's bronze hand, one black and one white, one strong and one soft. The extreme contrast strongly impacted Xiao Xun's rationality, and the taut string in his mind was pulled hard.

He had no doubt that if he used a little more force, he could break that delicate arm.

Seeing that everyone had gone far away and no one had noticed the corner, Ye Linxi felt a little relieved. "Cousin, it's not good to be seen in broad daylight."

"You mean, tonight we can..." Xiao Xun smiled wickedly, his eyes gleaming with cunning, deliberately misinterpreting Ye Linxi's meaning.

Hearing this, Ye Linxi suppressed her panic and, under the man's unusually intense gaze, forced herself to say, "That's not what I meant. I meant that it's not good for us to be seen like this; it's not good for my cousin's reputation."

The more she spoke, the softer her voice became. Under the intense pressure, her soft voice took on a slightly hoarse tone. Her hands, clasped in front of her, clenched tightly, and she unconsciously took a step back.