Shen Muyu subconsciously tried to comfort Chen Wang, thinking that perhaps she had misunderstood.
She tentatively began, with a hint of expectation, "I am, after all, just a concubine, so it's not appropriate for me to invite my second sister over to talk all the time."
Prince Chen casually replied, "What's this? Please come if you wish. The Princess Consort isn't the type to mistreat her concubines. Having a sister to keep you company makes me feel at ease." He flicked Shen Muyu's cheek with his finger and said with pity, "Look how haggard you've become."
Shen Muyu's heart sank heavily, unwilling to believe her own guess. But her woman's intuition kept telling her that Prince Chen meant it that way.
Even though Shen Youying had already married and become the Princess of Qin, he still coveted her and had ulterior motives.
Shen Muyu thought of herself again. The day she met Chen Wang was the day Shen Youying shone brightly. Even if she didn't want to admit it, she was indeed extremely embarrassed on the polo field that day.
But Prince Chen took a liking to her, and after that invitation, he sent her even more invitations and gifts.
Shen Muyu became completely immersed in his gentleness and thoughtfulness, falling headlong into it and never being able to climb out again.
But is he truly in love with her, which is why he's being so attentive?
Or is there something else going on?
As Shen Muyu felt the warmth of the other person's fingers, goosebumps involuntarily rose all over her body. The sensation was like cold snake scales scraping against her skin, making her want to scream and run away.
But Prince Chen just looked at her with a smile, as if he could see right through her, yet as if he hadn't noticed anything at all.
Shen Muyu couldn't figure it out, and felt a chill run through her body. If she hadn't clenched her teeth tightly, they would have been chattering and making a clattering sound.
It seemed that Prince Chen wanted to make up for his previous neglect of her, so he spent a tender time with her, and then had his servants bring him various rewards before leaving the Banana Garden.
After he left, Shen Muyu collapsed onto the bed, feeling completely drained.
Her mind was a jumbled mess, sometimes thinking of Prince Chen, sometimes of Shen Youying.
When Dongqing came over, she was startled to see Shen Muyu looking dazed. She called out to her several times before Shen Muyu came to her senses and slowly said, "I'm fine."
*
On the other hand, after leaving the Prince Chen's mansion, Fang parted ways with Shen Youying and returned to the estate.
As soon as she returned to the courtyard, she saw Shen Mingjiang sitting in the hall drinking tea. When he saw her return, he looked up at her, his expression unreadable: "You went to the Chen Prince's Mansion?"
He should have kept quiet, because once he brought it up, Fang couldn't hold back anymore. She burst into tears and recounted all the mistreatment Shen Muyu had suffered, like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.
"When she was still a young lady, she never suffered the slightest grievance. Like a little peacock with her eyes upturned to the sky, she looked down on everyone. Now that she's married into another family, she's not only thinner and more haggard, but her spirit is also not what it used to be. Although she says she's fine, I can't tell that she's lying to me!"
If she were truly doing well, why would she have miscarried?
"Everyone says Prince Chen is gentle and considerate, but I think he's not as good as Prince Qin." The more Fang thought about it, the more upset she became, and she spoke without thinking.
Everyone says that the King of Qin is cruel, but she sees that Shen Youying is doing quite well in the King of Qin's mansion. She has all the dignity that is due to her. She looks rosy-cheeked and has bright eyes. She has never suffered any hardship. She is nothing like her Yu'er!
"What's the use of saying all this now? Didn't Zhao Zhao and I try our best to dissuade you back then? The Chen Prince's Mansion is a quagmire. Once you go in, how can you expect to come out unscathed?"
Thinking of his daughter who had miscarried, Shen Mingjiang couldn't bring himself to do it. He got up and started to walk out: "Have someone prepare a car. I'll go pick her up."
Fang was taken aback, then quickly caught up, stammering, "I... I tried to persuade her, but Yu'er is stuck in a rut..."
Shen Mingjiang paused, turned around, and waited for her to finish speaking.
Fang's voice grew increasingly weak: "Master knows she's stubborn; once she's made up her mind, nothing can change it. I've tried everything—persuasion, even crying..."
Moreover, she thought about it carefully in the car later and realized that her daughter was right.
Since things have already come to this, if I were to ask for another letter of divorce and ask to go home, wouldn't I end up losing out on both sides?
Shen Mingjiang was so angry that even at this point, the mother and daughter were still so stubborn. He didn't want to say another word and stormed off to the front yard.
*
On the Double Ninth Festival, Shen Youying accepted Xie Qinglan's invitation and accompanied her on a boat trip on the lake.
Ostensibly a lake excursion, it was actually a gathering specially organized by Xue Liulang so that he could spend more time with his fiancée. He had his older sister, Princess Yuxian, host the event.
Xie Qinglan was shy. She insisted on bringing Shen Youying along.
Shen Youying was indeed curious about this Xue Liulang, so on the Double Ninth Festival, she had a carriage prepared to take her to Jinming Pond.
Jinming Pond draws water from the Jinshui River, and in the middle of the water stands the Baojin Tower, a five-hall complex with interconnected halls, magnificent pavilions, rare flowers and rocks, exotic birds and beasts, docks, warships and dragon boats—everything is complete.
On one side of Baojin Tower, there is also a fairy bridge with three rainbows on the bridge surface, vermilion lacquered railings, rows of goose pillars below, and a towering peak in the center, called Camel Peak.
Both the founding emperor and the founding emperor of this dynasty once inspected the Divine Guard Tiger Wing Navy at Jinming Pond, taught them boating, and practiced water sports.
This tradition has continued, and every year from March to April, the emperor would issue a special decree to allow ordinary people to go to Jinming Pond for spring outings and picnics. At the same time, the Great Wei navy would also drive dragon boats and warships to conduct drills and battles on the water, which was very lively.
If it is already autumn, then the time when Jinming Pond is open to the public has passed, and the shore of Jinming Pond is not as lively as in spring. There are only a few boats drifting slowly on the water, but it has a more elegant and quiet atmosphere.
Princess Yuxian specially arranged for a three-story pleasure boat to be brought over. The first floor was mainly for the use of the servants, who were always ready to be summoned by their masters. The second and third floors were for sightseeing and entertainment. Musicians played the zither at the bow and stern, and the clear and melodious music floated on the water. Guests burned incense, drank tea, and chatted about everything under the sun, creating an elegant and interesting atmosphere.
Shen Youying and Xie Qinglan boarded the boat hand in hand, and she teased in a low voice, "I wonder if this was arranged by Princess Yuxian or Xue Liulang?"
Xie Qinglan blushed at her teasing and glared at her with a mixture of shyness and anger: "Stop talking! He's coming over. Don't let him hear us!"
Shen Youying stopped herself in time and turned her gaze to Xue Liulang, who was walking towards her.
Xue Liulang was extremely tall and slender. His bamboo-green round-necked robe exuded a strong scholarly air. At first glance, regardless of his appearance, his temperament was very gentle and pleasant.
Looking at his appearance, he is also handsome and refined, which is the kind of elegant and scholarly look that is very popular nowadays.
Shen Youying happened to squeeze her friend's hand and said in a low voice, "He is indeed a handsome young man."
Xie Qinglan blushed and reached behind her to pinch the flesh on her waist.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
