Shen Youying frowned, unable to see through her act, and could only take out the freshly picked lotus pods and lotus flowers: "I picked some lotus pods and lotus flowers, they are still fresh, so I brought some to you."
Shen Muyu gestured for Dongqing to take it, then couldn't help but say sarcastically, "Everyone outside says that Second Sister is well-mannered and polite, but I think that's an exaggeration. She's only been back for a few days and she's already secretly gone out to pick lotus pods."
Shen Youying didn't argue with her, and said gently, "There's lotus leaf and lotus seed chicken for dinner, would you like some, big sister?"
Shen Muyu immediately shut her mouth indignantly.
Seeing that Bai Luo had given the things to Dong Qing, Shen Youying turned around and went back to her own courtyard.
"Judging from the young lady's appearance, the woman on the pleasure boat doesn't seem to be her," Danzhu said softly after returning to the room.
Shen Youying stared for a long time but couldn't see anything wrong; only that strange feeling lingered in her mind. But after thinking about it carefully, she couldn't figure out how Shen Muyu could be involved with Prince Chen, so she could only shake her head: "I hope I'm just overthinking it."
*
Two days later, on the fifteenth of June, it was Shen Youying's birthday.
Shen Mingjiang was a rough man, and in previous years his eldest son had chosen his daughter's birthday gift. Now that his eldest son was gone, he worried that the gift he chose might not be good and might remind his daughter of her painful memories, so he simply went to Shangyi Mountain and hunted a sika deer.
He personally sliced the venison and ordered the chef to prepare a whole deer feast.
Knowing her father's thoughts, Shen Youying deliberately avoided mentioning Shen Xiuyi, whose whereabouts were unknown, and the family ate a meal in a relatively harmonious atmosphere.
However, while digesting her meal, Shen Muyu couldn't help but ask, "It's my second sister's birthday, why didn't the Prince of Qin send anyone to congratulate her?" She feigned surprise and said, "The Prince of Qin wouldn't have forgotten that today is my second sister's birthday, would he?"
Shen Youying didn't realize that Xue Shen had forgotten; given the Prince of Qin's personality, he probably didn't even know what day her birthday was.
However, she had no expectations of the King of Qin, so she wasn't hurt or dissatisfied by Shen Muyu's sarcastic remarks. She glanced at Shen Muyu indifferently: "If you want to see the King of Qin so much, I will write a letter and invite him to come."
Shen Muyu naturally didn't want to see that evil spirit; she probably wouldn't be able to eat if she sat at the same table with him. But she was unwilling to be controlled by Shen Youying, and muttered, "If you can summon the Prince of Qin with just a letter, that's your skill. I'm afraid my second sister doesn't have that ability."
Shen Youying waved her fan and walked to the other side, too lazy to argue with her.
I had only taken two steps when the gatekeeper came to report that someone from the Prince of Qin's residence had arrived.
Shen Youying paused, then continued forward and asked, "Who's here?"
"It seems to be the chief secretary of the Prince of Qin's mansion."
Shen Youying thought about it for a moment and understood. The King of Qin might not remember her birthday, but Wang Deshun was always thorough in his work and probably knew her birthday, so he wouldn't make any mistakes in etiquette.
Therefore, she went to the front hall without any hesitation.
Wang Deshun had indeed come to deliver a birthday gift.
He was round and plump, and his smile was amiable: "The prince originally prepared a birthday banquet for the princess, but thinking that the princess had not been home for a long time, she might prefer to celebrate her birthday with her family, so he ordered us to send her birthday gifts."
After he finished speaking, a servant carried in three boxes.
Shen Muyu curiously peeked inside and saw that it was filled with some novel little trinkets, but nothing particularly valuable.
She couldn't help but purse her lips.
Wang Deshun said, "These are all trinkets that the Prince collected from various places. He was afraid that the Princess would be bored at the estate, so he sent them to her to cheer her up." He then took out a brocade box from his sleeve and presented it to her, saying, "This is a birthday gift that the Prince personally chose for the Princess."
Shen Youying took it and discovered that the brocade box contained a hairpin.
This hair ornament is exceptionally unique, its entire body adorned with the outline of a blooming peony, crafted from gold thread. The petals are made of extremely thinly carved pink Hetian jade, the leaves from translucent jadeite, and the bud from a pearl, creating an incredibly lifelike design. Amidst the pink petals and green leaves, a slender gold chain hangs down with a few petals that have drifted and curled.
If it were worn in the hair bun, it could almost be mistaken for the real thing.
Such exquisite craftsmanship is even rarer than the finest jade material.
Shen Youying gently stroked the peony petals, unable to hide her delight. Regardless of whether it was Qin Wang's doing or not, this birthday gift was exactly what she wanted.
No woman dislikes beautiful and unique jewelry.
"Your Highness has gone to great lengths."
"If the princess is pleased, then the prince's efforts have not been in vain."
Wang Deshun smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he took his leave, saying he needed to return to report to the Prince of Qin.
Since he had said so, Shen Youying could no longer persuade him to stay. After thinking about it, she was quite satisfied with the birthday gift. Out of a sense of reciprocity, she took out two cans of lotus leaf tea that she had made the day before and gave them to Wang Deshun: "There's nothing good on the estate, but this can of lotus leaf tea is made by me according to an ancient method in a book. Take it back and let the prince try it."
Wang Deshun's smile widened as he accepted the lotus leaf tea and left with a beaming grin.
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