A trace of anxiety flashed in Sheng Yunrong's eyes. She tightly grasped Xiang Zhu's sleeve, and her tone was somewhat anxious.

"Xiang Zhu, where is my elder brother? Where did he go?" Sheng Yunrong looked around but couldn't find him. She frowned and scanned every corner of the Sheng Mansion, but there was no sign of Sheng Hongye.

Xiang Zhu lowered his head slightly, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said: "Miss, maybe the eldest young master went to the study for something urgent, or was called away by an elder in the mansion."

Sheng Yunrong bit her lower lip lightly and nodded thoughtfully: "Then let's go to the study and take a look."

The two walked through the flowery courtyard, through the winding corridors, and came to the study of Sheng Mansion. The door was ajar, and Sheng Yunrong gently pushed it open, and a quiet fragrance of books came to her face. She looked around, but still could not see Sheng Hongye.

"Brother, are you there?" Sheng Yunrong called out tentatively.

"Come in." Sheng Hongye's voice came from the depths of the study, with a hint of fatigue.

Sheng Yunrong and Xiang Zhu looked at each other and walked in cautiously. Sheng Hongye was sitting at the table, holding an ancient book in his hand, his brows furrowed, as if thinking about something.

"Brother, are you looking for me?" Sheng Yunrong asked softly.

Sheng Hongye raised his head, a trace of relief flashed in his eyes. He put down the book in his hand and said with a smile: "Yunrong, you are here. I have been busy with the affairs of the mansion recently, and I have neglected to care about you."

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly, but she felt a little uncomfortable in her heart: "Brother, I'm fine, I'm just a little worried about you."

Sheng Hongye gently patted Sheng Yunrong's shoulder, his eyes full of care: "Don't worry, I'm fine. It's just that there are some things that need to be dealt with."

Xiang Zhu stood quietly aside, watching the interaction between the brother and sister, and secretly sighed in his heart. The eldest lady and the young master of the Sheng Mansion are always so harmonious, which makes people envious.

"Brother, what have you been busy with recently?" Sheng Yunrong asked curiously.

Sheng Hongye smiled slightly and said, "Something big has happened in the court recently. As the eldest son of the Sheng family, I naturally have to assist my father in handling some affairs. However, you don't have to worry, these are what I should do."

A trace of worry flashed in Sheng Yunrong's eyes. It was obvious that Sheng Hongye had contributed a lot to the family, but she hoped that her brother could live a relaxed and happy life.

"Brother, you should also take care of your health and don't be too tired." Sheng Yunrong said with concern.

Sheng Hongye smiled, his eyes full of warmth: "Don't worry, I know my limits. By the way, how are you doing recently? Have you made any progress in your studies?"

Sheng Yunrong smiled and said, "Brother, don't worry, I will try my best. It's just that sometimes I feel lonely and want to have a companion."

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Sheng Hongye's eyes. He patted Sheng Yunrong's hand and said softly, "Yunrong, you are a smart girl. I believe you will find your own happiness. As for a companion, sometimes, a companion does not necessarily have to be a person. It can also be a book, a piano, or a painting."

When Sheng Hongye came back, he still had a smile on his face, but his expression changed when he pulled Sheng Yunrong into the room.

Sheng Yunrong felt a little uneasy. Her elder brother Sheng Hongye's smile always made her feel warm, but the gloom on his face at this moment made her nervous. She followed him carefully and walked into the room. The door slowly closed behind them with a slight click.

Sheng Hongye turned around and stared at Sheng Yunrong sharply, with a hint of coldness in his eyes. He frowned and said in a slightly cold voice: "Rong'er, do you know how ridiculous you just did?"

Sheng Yunrong's heart tightened. She knew what her elder brother was referring to. She bit her lip and tried to explain: "Brother, that's just..."

"Just what?" Sheng Hongye interrupted her, his tone stern, "Do you know how much of a disturbance your words at the banquet today have caused?"

Sheng Yunrong lowered her head. Her words and actions at the banquet were indeed a bit excessive. But she just wanted to show her talent in front of everyone and win the honor of the Sheng Mansion. She said softly, "I just wanted to win honor for the Sheng Mansion. I know I was wrong."

Sheng Hongye looked at his sister, his eyes gradually softened, but still serious: "Rong'er, can you and I easily shake the reputation of the Sheng Mansion? Your words and deeds represent the reputation of the Sheng Mansion. You must learn to restrain yourself, otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous."

Sheng Yunrong raised her head, tears flashing in her eyes. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying to control her emotions: "Brother, I understand. I will correct it and never embarrass you and the Sheng family again."

Sheng Hongye couldn't help but feel sorry for his sister when he saw her like this. He sighed, walked to Sheng Yunrong, and patted her shoulder gently: "Okay, Rong'er, don't cry. As long as you remember this lesson, I won't blame you anymore."

Sheng Yunrong nodded, tears rolling down her cheeks. She raised her head, her eyes full of gratitude: "Thank you, brother. I will remember it."

Sheng Hongye looked at his sister and secretly vowed in his heart that he must teach her how to protect herself in this dangerous world.

One day, the Sheng Mansion held a banquet and invited dignitaries from all sides. As the eldest daughter of the Sheng Mansion, Sheng Yunrong naturally had to attend. She wore a light blue silk dress, which made her look dignified and generous. At the banquet, she carefully dealt with the guests from all sides and no longer expressed her opinions easily.

Sheng Hongye couldn't help feeling relieved when he saw the changes in his sister.

Halfway through the banquet, a young man named Lin Xuan suddenly challenged Sheng Yunrong and questioned her talent. Sheng Yunrong turned pale, but she did not panic. Instead, she responded calmly and responded to Lin Xuan's doubts with poetry.

Sheng Hongye looked at his sister's performance and nodded secretly in his heart.

After the banquet, Sheng Hongye called Sheng Yunrong aside and praised her: "Rong'er, you performed very well today. You have learned how to survive in this dangerous world. I am proud of you."

Sheng Yunrong stood on the top floor of the pagoda, her eyes were sharp and a mysterious smile hung on the corners of her mouth. Behind her, Ling Meng clenched her teeth, her face was livid, and her eyes were flashing with disbelief and anger.

"Sheng Yunrong, where... where did you get these secrets from?" Ling Meng's voice trembled a little. She had never thought that this seemingly weak young lady actually hid such unfathomable power.

Sheng Yunrong smiled lightly, with an unfathomable look in her eyes: "Lingmeng, do you really think I will reveal all my cards? Let me tell you, the secret of this pagoda is just the tip of the iceberg that I know."

Ling Meng's expression became more and more ugly. She stared at Sheng Yunrong closely, with a sly look in her eyes: "Sheng Yunrong, do you think you can overwhelm me with these? Don't forget, I am the real heir of the Sheng Mansion."

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly, but her eyes were filled with unquestionable determination: "Lingmeng, do you think it's so easy to be the heir of the Sheng Mansion? Do you think the power in your hands can let you do whatever you want?"

The atmosphere between the two of them suddenly became tense. Sheng Yunrong's expression became increasingly cold, while Ling Meng seemed a little flustered.