Hearing from Madam Shen that the General's Mansion did not have Liu Mama's indenture, Shen Yuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
When she came out of Madam Shen's courtyard, Bai Zhi handed her a red invitation card with gold lettering.
"Young Miss, this is an invitation from the Princess's residence!"
Upon hearing the words "Princess's Residence," Shen Yuan paused, lowered her eyes to look at the invitation in Bai Zhi's hand, and did not take it.
The invitation was wrapped in fine red silk, with the three large gold-embossed characters "Princess's Residence" and the exclusive green peony seal of the Princess's Residence.
Bai Zhi blinked in confusion when she saw Shen Yuan staring intently at the invitation.
Shen Yuan snapped out of her daze, took the invitation, and glanced at it.
Xiao Yunyan hosted a Hundred Flowers Banquet at the Princess's residence, inviting women from the capital to come and enjoy the flowers and the banquet in seven days.
This invitation was sent by Xiao Yunyan to the General's Mansion, inviting the women of the General's Mansion to attend the banquet.
Shen Yuan closed the invitation and weighed it in her hand.
Originally, this invitation should have been sent directly to Madam Jiang, who would have only taken Shen Yunjin to the banquet and not her.
Now that Jiang is under house arrest, the invitation naturally fell into her hands.
Who gets to attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet at the Princess's residence is entirely up to her.
Shen Yuan returned to Changfeng Residence with the invitation. As soon as she entered the house, she saw Shen Yunjin rushing over with her maid Taohua.
She must have heard about the invitation from someone in the household, because as soon as she entered the room she went straight to the point: "Did you receive Princess Jingwan's invitation? Let me see it!"
Shen Yuan held up the invitation in her hand and smiled: "Sure!"
Shen Yunjin reached out to take it, but Shen Yuan suddenly pulled her hand back.
"But you have to beg me to call me 'big sister' so I can hear it."
Shen Yunjin crossed her arms and sneered, "Who do you think you are, older sister? You're just a wild girl! Mother doesn't even acknowledge you as her daughter! Even if you were born from her womb, you're still no match for me and my brother!"
Why should I compare myself to three idiots?
"you……"
"Bai Zhi, see the guest out." Shen Yuan waved her hand, signaling the maid to escort Shen Yunjin out.
When Shen Yunjin saw that Shen Yuan was trying to send her away, she immediately became anxious, "What day is the Hundred Flowers Banquet scheduled for? I want to go with you!"
Xiao Yuncheng will definitely attend the banquet at the Princess's residence. She hasn't seen Xiao Yuncheng for half a month, and this is her only chance to see him, so she must go!
However, Shen Yuan did not want Shen Yunjin and Xiao Yuncheng to reconnect, not only because she did not want the General's Mansion and the Crown Prince's Mansion to form an alliance, but also because... she did not want to send that fool Shen Yunjin to his death for the time being.
Therefore, Shen Yuan refused Shen Yunjin without any hesitation, saying, "General Shen asked you to stay at home for the next few days. I advise Sister Yunjin not to go out for the time being."
Shen Yuan's voice was gentle, but her tone carried an undeniable firmness.
After she finished speaking, she glanced at Bai Zhi, who immediately bowed and pointed to the courtyard gate: "Second Miss, please!"
Seeing that Shen Yuan wouldn't listen to reason, Shen Yunjin glared angrily at Bai Zhi, "What's so great about her! I'm going to find my father and grandmother right now. I'm definitely going to attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet!"
Shen Yuan chuckled lightly, not taking it to heart.
The next day, Shen Yuan knocked on the door of the Vice Minister of War's house with gifts.
When the other party saw her get off the carriage from the general's mansion and be surrounded by the general's guards, they treated her very kindly.
Shen Yuan made the excuse that the gift was too expensive and that Shen Wei, who was usually honest and upright, could not accept such a valuable gift, so she returned it. In return, she gave him a sachet that she had made herself, with the words "Bai Cao Tang" embroidered on it.
Seeing that Shen Yuan was being so polite, the other party naturally couldn't show any displeasure.
They accepted the gift and praised Shen Yuan highly.
Shen Yuan continued her mission for several days, visiting the homes of officials throughout the capital. This not only confirmed her status as the eldest daughter of the General's family, but also made her the subject of endless discussion among the officials' families.
Shen Yuan was busy until the day of the Hundred Flowers Banquet, when she finally dealt with the matter of Jiang Shi secretly accepting gifts.
She returned from outside the mansion and was stopped by the servants guarding the gate. "Miss, the old lady requests your presence."
Seeing that the person who came was the old nanny who served Madam Shen, Shen Yuan guessed what it was about. She sighed helplessly and followed the old nanny to Madam Shen's courtyard.
Sure enough, Shen Yunjin was there too.
Upon seeing Shen Yuan, Shen Yunjin raised an eyebrow at her smugly.
Shen Yuan pretended not to see it, bowed to Madam Shen, and sat down.
After exchanging a few casual words, Madam Shen casually brought up the matter of the Hundred Flowers Banquet, saying, "...We cannot refuse the Princess's invitation, so the General's Mansion must send someone to attend. Your mother is under house arrest, and I am old, so the only ones who can go out to attend the banquet are you and Jin'er."
"Since you're new to the capital, you probably don't know any of the court etiquette, and you don't know any of the noble ladies in the capital. In that case, let Jin'er accompany you tomorrow. It'll be good for you two sisters to keep each other company and let people see the elegance of our General's Mansion's twin beauties."
Madam Shen's words were impeccable, every word seemed to be for Shen Yuan's benefit, leaving Shen Yuan with no way to refuse.
Ke Shenyuan pushed aside her teacup and said softly, "Reporting to the old lady, it's not that I didn't want to take Yun Jin with me, but the general forbade her from seeing His Highness the Crown Prince. The Princess's residence is holding a banquet, and His Highness the Crown Prince is very likely to appear as well. If my sister and His Highness were to run into each other, what would happen? Wouldn't that remind her of her painful memories and embarrass her? That's why I thought I would go to the banquet alone."
Shen Yuan is a sensible girl!
Madam Shen gave Shen Yuan an approving look, but then her gaze was suddenly drawn to Shen Yunjin's pitiful face. Seeing her red eyes, Madam Shen couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness and affection.
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