Sheng Yunrong led Pei Jinxiao to the studio and unfolded the scroll. Pei Jinxiao's eyes were sharp and he saw the artistic conception of the painting in a moment. He couldn't help but exclaim: "The eldest lady is indeed worthy of her reputation. This painting is lifelike, like a fairyland."

Sheng Yunrong blushed slightly and said, "Prince Jing, you are too kind. This is just a small token of my appreciation."

Pei Jinxiao smiled slightly and said, "Miss, you are too modest. I have something to ask of you, is it okay?"

Sheng Yunrong's eyes flickered, and she said, "Prince Jing, please speak."

Pei Jinxiao said, "In recent years, disasters have occurred frequently in the Western Wei Dynasty, and the people are suffering. I would like to hold a charity sale to raise funds for the victims. I wonder if the young lady can lend me a hand?"

Sheng Yunrong's eyes flashed with surprise, and then she smiled and said, "This is a good thing. I am willing to serve you."

Pei Jinxiao nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss. I'll have my servants bring some calligraphy and paintings, and ask you to help identify them."

Sheng Yunrong said: "Prince Jing, rest assured, I will do my best."

The two chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere was harmonious. At this time, Sheng Yunqin, the second lady of the Sheng Mansion, walked in. She looked at Sheng Yunrong and Pei Jinxiao with a smile on her face, and a hint of sourness rose in her heart.

"Sister, His Royal Highness Prince Jing." Sheng Yunqin bowed slightly.

Sheng Yunrong said, "Second sister is here, it's a good opportunity for us to discuss the charity sale together."

Sheng Yunqin smiled slightly and said, "Sister, your paintings are so exquisite that I am ashamed of myself. I am willing to support you in this charity sale."

Pei Jinxiao's eyes flashed with admiration, and he said, "The two young ladies of the Sheng Mansion are indeed each talented. It is a blessing for the Western Wei to have you."

Sheng Yunrong and Sheng Yunqin smiled at each other, each with their own thoughts in their minds.

Finally, the day of the charity sale arrived. The Sheng Mansion Garden was crowded with people and bustling. Sheng Yunrong and Sheng Yunqin were dressed in their best clothes, standing in the crowd with smiles on their faces.

Pei Jinxiao walked up to Sheng Yunrong and whispered, "Miss, you have made a great contribution to this charity sale."

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly and said, "Prince Jing, you are overpraising me. This is the result of our joint efforts."

At this time, Sheng Yunqin came over and said with a smile: "Sister, we succeeded."

…

Sheng Yunrong looked at the painting in her hand with satisfaction. In the painting, a plum blossom that stood proud of the frost stood out in the snow, which was particularly eye-catching. She gently put the painting away and looked out the window. She saw that the garden of Sheng Mansion was covered with a thick layer of snow. The affairs of Sheng Mansion seemed to be like the snow, gradually piling up in her mind.

"Miss, Prince Jing is here." The voice of the maid Xiaohong was heard outside the door. Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly, collected her thoughts, and walked slowly.

In the hall of Sheng Mansion, Prince Jing Jinxiao was already sitting in the first seat. He was wearing a black robe, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. He looked noble yet easy-going. Sheng Yunrong walked in, smiled at him, and bowed: "Your Highness, it is a great honor for us to have you here."

Prince Jing Jinxiao smiled slightly, his eyes lingered on Sheng Yunrong for a moment, and said, "Miss Sheng's paintings have long been famous to me, and I came here today to see them in person."

Sheng Yunrong blushed slightly and said softly, "Your Highness, thank you for the compliment. This is just a little hobby work of mine."

The two sat down and the maids served tea. Sheng Yunrong picked up the teacup and said softly, "Your Highness, do you know why the plum blossoms in the snow can bloom alone?"

Prince Jing Jinxiao thought for a moment and replied, "The plum blossom is tough and not afraid of the cold, so it can bloom alone in the snow."

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly, with admiration in her eyes: "Your Highness is indeed knowledgeable. Just like this plum blossom, we must also learn to be tenacious in adversity, so as to welcome the arrival of spring."

Prince Jing Jinxiao's eyes flashed with a strange light, and he nodded and said, "Miss Sheng, what you said makes sense. I have something to ask of you, can Miss Sheng lend a hand?"

Sheng Yunrong gently put down the teacup, her eyes firm: "Your Highness, please speak."

Prince Jing Jinxiao pondered for a moment and said, "Recently, the war on the border of Western Wei has become intense. I want to go to the front line, but there are disputes among the parties in the court, so there may be changes. Does Miss Sheng know the situation in the court?"

Sheng Yunrong frowned slightly and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. The government of Western Wei is stable, but there are indeed some villains who are trying to sow discord in the court recently. I am willing to provide some information to Your Highness."

Prince Jing Jinxiao's eyes flashed with gratitude, and he said, "I am grateful to you. Miss Sheng, do you know who in the court is most likely to be the traitor?"

Sheng Yunrong thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, among the ministers in the court, the one who is most trusted by the emperor is the Minister of War, Lord Zhao. But he is an upright person and is unlikely to be a spy. On the contrary, Lord Li, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, has always been at odds with Your Highness and may have ulterior motives this time."

A cold light flashed in Prince Jing Jinxiao's eyes, and he said, "I understand. Miss Sheng, can you help monitor this person?"

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I will do my best."

Sheng Yunrong raised her hand high, pretending to hit Qin Wenyuan's cheek. However, at the moment of touching, her hand stopped in mid-air. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes, both anger and reluctance. Qin Wenyuan did not move, and looked at her firmly.

"Sheng Yunrong, go ahead and hit me." Qin Wenyuan said calmly, as if he had already anticipated her action.

Sheng Yunrong finally put her hand down slowly. She stared at Qin Wenyuan and said coldly, "Qin Wenyuan, you really disgust me. You betrayed me for power back then, and now you come to pretend to please me. Do you think I will forgive you easily?"

Qin Wenyuan's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "I know that my actions back then hurt you, but I really had no choice. Over the years, I have been atonement for my mistakes back then."

"Atonement? Do you think your so-called atonement can make up for my hatred for you?" Pain flashed in Sheng Yunrong's eyes. She gritted her teeth and continued, "Back then, I was pregnant with your child and endured all the pain alone. I walked in the snow in the cold winter just to bring you a cotton coat. But you were having fun with those women in the mansion."

Qin Wenyuan's face turned pale, his lips trembled, and he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't open his mouth.

Sheng Yunrong looked at him and felt a surge of pleasure in her heart. She continued, "Do you think I will forgive you so easily just because of your apology? You are wrong, Qin Wenyuan. I will never forgive you."

Qin Wenyuan closed his eyes in pain, lowered his head, was silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "I know that the mistakes I made cannot be made up. But I am willing to spend the rest of my life to atone for my sins, even if it is just to do something insignificant for you."

Sheng Yunrong sneered: "Do you think I will accept your charity? Qin Wenyuan, you are wrong. Although I, Sheng Yunrong, am no longer the innocent girl I was back then, I still have my dignity and backbone. I will not let you see me bowing to you."

Qin Wenyuan raised his head and looked at Sheng Yunrong firmly: "I know that I can't make you forgive me immediately. I am willing to wait, even for a lifetime."