Following the sacrificial ceremony of the Dayong Dynasty, a banquet was held in Liangyuan, the royal garden on the outskirts of the city, as was customary.
The emperor hosted a banquet for civil and military officials and their families to demonstrate that the emperor respected the virtuous and was benevolent and magnanimous.
Shen Yunjiao had just taken the banquet invitation from a servant when she saw her half-sister standing by the moon gate of the covered walkway waiting for her.
Upon seeing her arrive, Shen Yunmo immediately greeted her with a broad smile.
“Sister, it’s been a long time. Mo’er was sick a few days ago and stayed in her room. I’m so glad to see you today. Why don’t you let Mo’er ride in the same carriage with you?”
Shen Yunmo and Shen Yunjiao are three years apart in age, and their personalities are also completely different.
In the eyes of others, although the second daughter of the Shen family was a concubine's daughter, she was gentle, kind, knowledgeable and reasonable, much better than the domineering Shen Yunjiao.
Moreover, Shen Yunmo's appearance is also five-tenths similar to Shen Yunjiao's.
Although she is not as bright and beautiful as Shen Yunjiao, she has a different kind of gentle charm.
Looking at her half-sister's pretty face, which resembled her own, Shen Yunjiao recalled some passages from the original text.
After the original owner, Shen Yunjiao, died, Shen Yunmo used an excuse to marry Fuxia off to a lame old man. The old man was not only lewd and disgusting, but he also beat people from time to time. Fuxia eventually became depressed and hanged herself.
Looking at her seemingly innocent half-sister, Shen Yunjiao felt a chill run through her heart.
She replied to Shen Yunmo with a cold expression: "You can ride in one carriage yourself. The Shen residence is so big that it can easily accommodate two carriages."
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Shen Yunmo's face, but she still continued to feign weakness, saying, "Sister, it's been so long since I've seen you. I want to have some intimate words with you."
"There's no need for that. I have nothing to say to you." Shen Yunjiao didn't even glance at her and brushed past her.
"Miss, aren't you usually closest to the Second Miss?" Fu Xia asked softly, supporting Shen Yun.
Why is the young lady acting so strangely today, being so cold to the second young lady?
Shen Yunjiao reached out and ruffled Fu Xia's hair, then sighed and said, "You don't understand."
Fu Xia naturally had no idea of her original fate.
Shen Yunjiao would never allow such a tragic thing to happen to her.
"Go back to your room, change your clothes, and then go out."
Shen Yunjiao wore white lab coats most of the time in her previous life, which has caused her to feel aesthetically fatigued whenever she sees white clothes now.
A girl is like a flower at eighteen.
Now that she's been given a second chance at life, she's determined to dress herself up nicely this time.
Shen Yunjiao chose a spring-green wide-sleeved cross-collar top and a jade-green silk skirt.
The skirt is brightly colored, as splendid as rosy clouds.
She wore her hair in a drooping bun, adorned with pearl hair ornaments, and possessed bright white teeth and fresh lips. Her radiant and wealthy aura was so captivating that it was impossible to look directly at her.
"The girl is so beautiful," Fu Xia said, stunned.
Unfortunately, the son-in-law was blind.
Shen Yunjiao smiled and said, "Let's go, my brother must be waiting at the door."
As expected, when Shen Yunjiao arrived at the gate, the Shen family carriage had been waiting for a long time.
Shen Qinghuai helped his sister into the carriage, and then sat down himself.
"Why did you two get into a fight? I think she left on her own first," Shen Qinghuai asked gently.
"Brother, are you angry with me?" Shen Yunjiao was taken aback at first, then immediately lowered her head and asked, "I just felt that I didn't get along with Yunmo, so I didn't want to ride in the same carriage with her."
It's common for sisters to quarrel, especially since Shen Yunjiao is his own sister.
Shen Qinghuai immediately shook his head, "It's fine if you don't want to sit with Yunmo. I support you in befriending whomever you want, both inside and outside the manor."
Shen Qinghuai's unconditional trust and support deeply moved Shen Yunjiao. "Thank you, brother."
Only now did Shen Yunjiao truly understand what it meant to have a brother.
—
Liangyuan was a royal garden, with palaces and temples connected together, covering an area of 300 li (approximately 150 kilometers) and a grand scale.
The banquet was held in the East Garden. When Shen Yunjiao arrived, she happened to encounter Princess Anle's entourage.
After the brother and sister paid their respects to Princess Xiao, Shen Qinghuai went to the banquet first.
Today, Xiao Anle wore a crimson silk blouse paired with a dark blue pleated skirt with a ball pattern, looking just like a blooming peony.
With a gentle smile, she took Shen Yunjiao's hand affectionately and said, "Long time no see, Yunjiao."
"Princess, how have you been?" Shen Yunjiao looked at Xiao Anle with admiration. "Is the princess wearing pearl flower face ornaments today? They look beautiful."
"You're so sweet-talking." Xiao Anle smiled gently, then noticed that the carriage behind Shen Yunjiao had a sign that read "Shen Family Mansion."
"Why did you arrive in the Shen family's carriage?" Xiao Anle asked curiously.
"I'm going back to the Shen residence," Shen Yunjiao replied, waving her hand dismissively.
Surprised, Xiao Anle noticed the guests coming and going around her, so she quickly said, "Let's go inside and talk."
"You two! Wait for me!"
A clear, melodious voice, like that of a cuckoo, rang out from not far away.
Shen Yunjiao looked to her right and saw Jiang Rong hurriedly running over, lifting her skirt.
Like a cute little rabbit.
Shen Yunjiao was in a great mood upon seeing her and waved, saying, "Slow down."
The three met, exchanged greetings, and walked hand in hand through the moon gate into the banquet hall.
The princesses and noblewomen each took their seats at a separate table.
Shen Yunjiao was still placed next to Pei Zhixuan, with Fang Ziyu sitting beside him.
Ugh, so annoying. I don't want to sit next to them.
Shen Yunjiao had enjoyed a few peaceful days at the Shen residence, which made her feel annoyed whenever she saw Pei Zhixuan's face.
Forget it, let's just treat him like he's invisible.
Pei Zhixuan had not seen Shen Yunjiao for three or four days.
She looked stunning today.
Her stunning beauty captivated everyone the moment she entered the hall.
Pei Zhixuan naturally noticed her presence as well.
Moreover, Pei Zhixuan noticed that after Shen Yunjiao left the Pei residence, she blossomed even more beautifully, like a newly opened flower.
But the moment she sat down, her expression became indifferent and aloof.
A hint of displeasure flashed across Pei Zhixuan's face.
Shen Yunjiao naturally ignored him, her attention focused on the pile of delicious food on the table.
As she silently drooled, she suddenly heard Pei Zhixuan turn his head and say to her in a deep voice, "Shen Yunjiao, go back to the Pei family after the banquet."
Upon hearing this, Fang Ziyu suddenly clenched her five fingers on her sleeve.
What? Pei Zhixuan wants Shen Yunjiao to return to the manor so soon?
She refused to accept it!
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunjiao, equally unconvinced, immediately retorted, "I'm not going back."
Pei Zhixuan was taken aback, anger rising in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and whispered, "You dare say no?!"
"Of course I dare. Even if you put a knife to my throat, I won't go back. Besides, wasn't it you who drove me away?" Shen Yunjiao sneered.
She hadn't even had a few good days left, so going back to the Pei residence was just asking for trouble.
"you!"
Just as Pei Zhixuan was about to reprimand him, he heard a eunuch announce from the head of the hall: "His Majesty has arrived, Consort Shu has arrived, and His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
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