After the Dragon Boat Festival, the Shen family began preparing for the marriage proposal. The entire Duke's mansion was bustling with activity, and Xu Yunyi immediately noticed her daughter's unusual behavior.
“Ever since the Dragon Boat Festival, I’ve often seen you lost in thought. What’s wrong?” she asked with concern.
"Mom, I'm fine. It's probably just too hot."
As Shen Zhiyi spoke, she waved her flower petal fan a few times, revealing the five-colored silk threads on her wrist.
She was preoccupied with something and didn't notice, but Xu Yunyi noticed the lotus root pink jade hanging from the bracelet. Having seen many fine things, she recognized it at a glance; this jade was quite valuable, and moreover…
It did not belong to the Duke's mansion.
My daughter has never worn five-colored silk since she got married, so who gave her this?
Before Xu Yunyi could ask anything, a maid brought over the betrothal gift list. "Madam, please take a look."
She was inspecting the betrothal gifts when Shen Muzhi burst in again, shouting, "Little sister, let's go ride horses!"
“It’s so hot, I’m not going,” Shen Zhiyi refused.
"Let's go, staying at home is too boring."
Shen Muzhi, being straightforward, simply pulled her outside. Shen Zhiyi tried to ask her mother for help, but was ignored. Xu Yunyi only told her, "Come back soon."
The Shen family had all seen how deeply she loved Song Yuxiu. Now that they were divorced, and the situation was so messy, whenever they saw her in a daze, they assumed that she couldn't let go of the matter. That's why Shen Muzhi often invited her out.
Shen Zhiyi sat in the carriage, still thinking about what Zhou Xuance had said a few days ago.
It seems that His Majesty already had the idea of targeting the Shen family when he sent my father and brother back from the northern frontier...
Throughout history, both thunder and rain have been considered imperial favors.
How can we break this deadlock?
In his previous life, the Shen family suffered a calamity because of a defeat in war. Someone wrote a letter accusing the father and brothers of colluding with barbarians. Later, letters exchanged between the Shen family and the Southern Frontier, as well as royal tokens of the Southern Frontier, were found in the Shen family's home.
However, this was all based on the defeat in the war, and the situation is different now.
No one was authorized to search the Duke's mansion, and Shen Zhiyi, taking advantage of her elder brother's wedding, had the servants thoroughly clean the house, finding nothing amiss.
Perhaps the fact that Zhou Xuance did not die has quietly changed the fate of the Shen family.
"Little sister, we've arrived!" Shen Muzhi's voice was loud and clear, filled with barely suppressed joy.
"So fast?" Shen Zhi's thoughts were pulled back.
It takes at least half an hour to get from the Duke's mansion to the horse farm. How long has it been? As she leaned out of the carriage, her heart skipped a beat. "Second brother, have you come to the wrong place?"
"No."
The words "Regent's Palace" are clearly written on the gate!
"You came to the Prince's mansion to ride a horse?" Shen Zhiyi gritted her teeth.
“When the prince came to the manor last time, he mentioned that he had fine horses in his household. I can’t very well refuse him.”
"They might just be being polite. If you take it seriously, you'll only be causing them trouble."
"Don't worry, it won't happen. I've been here several times already."
"What?" Shen Zhiyi asked in surprise.
When did Xuance become so close to her family this week?
“I met him when I went to court before. I asked if I could bring you along. He was reluctant at first, but I managed to get him to agree to let you come and see the horses with my persuasive skills.”
Shen Zhi was taken aback.
he……
Still not happy?
Second brother, are you serious?
This week, Xuan Ce was quite good at putting on an act.
As the brother and sister were talking, a servant from the Prince's mansion opened the door, and Kong Qing came out to greet them, "Second Young Master Shen, Miss Shen, please come in."
Having already come to this, Shen Zhiyi could only get off the carriage and say, "I apologize for the inconvenience, and I hope it did not disturb Your Highness."
"No, just an incense stick's time ago, His Majesty summoned the Prince to the palace and specifically ordered me to stay and entertain the two of them." Kong Qing led the two into the Prince's residence.
Shen Muzhi leaned closer to Shen Zhiyi and said in a low voice, "Don't be afraid. This regent is not as tyrannical and bloodthirsty as the rumors say. After meeting him a few times, I think he is a nice person. He is very polite to me, unlike any other member of the royal family I have met. So don't be nervous."
Chen Zhiyi smiled sullenly.
My second brother's brain is so bad, he's probably been sold out and he's even helping the seller count the money.
However, with Zhou Xuance absent, Shen Zhiyi felt much more at ease. She knew that the Prince's mansion occupied a large area, but she did not know that there was a horse farm at the back, where many fine horses were indeed kept.
Since her marriage, Shen Zhiyi has rarely ridden a horse.
After a long period of seclusion in the inner chambers, and ten years of living a life of hardship, she had even forgotten that she had once ridden horses freely and unrestrained.
“This horse is the gentlest, Miss Chen, you can give it a try.” Kong Qing pointed to a white horse.
Shen Muzhi led the horse and held the stirrups for her, and only loosened the reins after she and the horse had gotten used to each other.
Galloping on horseback, the wind waving its wings, is a unique kind of joy.
As if she could forget all her worries, a smile unconsciously appeared on Shen Zhiyi's lips.
Kong Qing looked at it, but subconsciously looked away.
To make Miss Shen enjoy her ride, he lied and said he wasn't at home, then hid in the shadows to spy on her, essentially becoming a thief...
No matter how much you do, Miss Shen won't know, so wouldn't all your efforts be in vain?
After the horseback riding session, Kong Qing invited the two of them, "It's hot outside, have some tea before you go."
"I've already troubled you enough today," Shen Zhiyi politely declined.
"Before the prince left, he specifically instructed me to take good care of the two of you. If he returns and finds out that I have neglected you, he will surely reprimand me."
Helpless, Shen Zhiyi could only head to the flower hall.
A maidservant had already served tea and snacks.
She picked up a piece symbolically, took a bite, and immediately realized something was wrong.
this……
It looks like he made it himself.
Shen Muzhi had no idea who made it. He was used to being rough and tough in the army, so he swallowed the pastries one by one and exclaimed, "These pastries are good, little sister, you should eat more."
"Mm," Chen Zhiyi responded in a muffled voice.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com