Shen Miao?
Feng An Ning couldn't help but be startled. She and Shen Miao usually sat at the same table in Guangwen Hall, so naturally she could see it more clearly than others. It was indeed Shen Miao.
Shen Miao's temperament had calmed down considerably over the past few days. Although she had been quiet before, now that she no longer followed Shen Yue and Shen Qing around, saying foolish and ignorant things, she looked quite good now that she was quiet. Feng An Ning had thought Shen Miao had simply become a little smarter, but she hadn't expected that after dressing up so formally, she would look so shocking.
Because she had lost some weight while recuperating after falling into the water some time ago, she hadn't noticed it on weekdays, so it looked like her chin was a little pointed, making her look more like a fourteen-year-old girl than the eleven or twelve years old she was before.
It was as if a young beast that had been curled up in its den finally showed its claws for the first time after sleeping for a long time.
Pei Xiucai was also among the male relatives. Although he was currently only a scholar in Guangwen Hall, people respected those with talent and he held considerable status among the officials. He was still young, and with such talent, if he entered the court, he would surely be able to hold an official position. Officials are shrewd people who know how to pave the way for the future. Pei Lang might not be without a future of success.
Shen Miao's gaze swept across the men's seats and lingered on Pei Lang for a moment.
She knew that during today's examination, although Pei Lang was a scholar of books and mathematics, during the competition of talents, a student who was proud of his talent challenged him. Pei Lang's essay "Practicing Law" was brilliant and well-reasoned, and it caught Fu Xiuyi's eye that day. Later, in order to win over this talented person, Fu Xiuyi did many things to show respect to him, and finally got Pei Lang, a great general.
This must never happen in this lifetime.
Pei Lang was sensitive enough to sense that the girl's gaze seemed to be fixed on him from afar, scrutinizing him like a wild animal assessing its prey. This gave him a strange feeling. He followed her gaze and looked back, but Shen Miao had already turned her head away.
The adults around him were all amazed: "General Shen's daughter is so magnanimous at such a young age. She should not be underestimated in the future."
"She's not bad looking." A young man in blue said, "Why didn't I realize before that Shen Miao is quite a beauty." The young men looked at the girl, only at her appearance.
“What a pity he’s such an idiot.” Cai Lin came back to his senses after a brief moment of surprise. He was unhappy that everyone was looking at Shen Miao but ignoring Shen Yue, so he snorted.
"You're the idiot!" A sudden voice exploded in his ears. Cai Lin was startled and saw a small girl in a red satin dress glaring at him angrily. He was short in stature, but he looked very imposing.
"I'm sorry," the young man in blue, who had rushed over after hearing the news, smiled good-naturedly at Cai Lin, "My brother was rude and bumped into me."
Cai Lin was about to curse, but when he saw that the person was Su Mingfeng, the son of the Pingnan Earl, and that the person was none other than the Second Young Master Su Minglang, he swallowed his words. Su Mingfeng was Xie Jingxing's best friend, who would dare to offend him?
"Brother," Su Minglang pulled the corner of Su Mingfeng's clothes, "that sister is so beautiful, you should marry her and make her your sister-in-law."
Su Mingfeng's mouth froze. Fortunately, Su Minglang's voice was very low and no one around heard it. He leaned forward slightly and asked, "Second brother, do you know Miss Shen?"
"I don't know him." Su Minglang played with his fingers innocently.
Su Mingfeng stopped talking.
Shen Miao followed Ren Wanyun and her group and walked to the women’s table.
Generally speaking, at the female banquet, the ladies would sit according to their close friends, and the young ladies did the same. However, Shen Miao usually stayed at the Shen Mansion except for Guangwen Hall. Not to mention Shen Yue and Shen Qing, no one in Guangwen Hall wanted to befriend her. She was not annoyed or afraid, and found a seat on her own. She was not afraid of being isolated by these young girls. On the contrary, she enjoyed the quiet feeling.
The girls were already a bit jealous of Shen Miao's different outfit today, wanting to see her embarrass herself and deliberately ignoring her. However, they saw Shen Miao sitting alone, not looking miserable at all. On the table was a chessboard and playing cards prepared to keep the girls entertained. She thought for a moment, then took the chess pieces from the chess basket and began playing chess on her own.
She was a complete novice in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She had previously resented the strict instruction of her second and third wives, and after marrying Fu Xiuyi, she had even less time to learn. So, upon returning from Qin in her previous life, she felt a sense of inferiority when faced with the singing, dancing, and graceful Madam Mei. The concubines in the harem compared her to Madam Mei, calling her a rough-hewn, ignorant of the arts, and uncouth. It was no wonder that Fu Xiuyi ignored her, the empress.
However, one doesn't have to know how to play chess. Although she doesn't know how to play chess, she has studied a lot of military tactics during her years in Qin State for Fu Xiuyi. She doesn't know how to play chess, but she knows how to use troops. This is war chess.
The daughters of the noble families watched from afar, and saw that Shen Miao was calm and composed. That kind of indifference and superior demeanor clearly separated her from everyone else, as if, as if she was above and the others were below.
"Fifth Miss looks quite different now." Madam Yi and Ren Wanyun said with a smile, "She seems to have grown into a grown-up girl." She couldn't say that Shen Miao looked even better than Shen Yue and Shen Qing, so she could only gently remind Ren Wanyun.
How could Ren Wanyun not know? She was adept at reading people's expressions. Just now, as they walked along, everyone's eyes weren't on her, nor on Shen Yue and Shen Qing, but clearly on Shen Miao, who was at the end. She gnashed her teeth inwardly. It seemed Shen Miao had invested heavily this time. Knowing that Prince Ding would also come to verify, she was trying every possible means to attract Prince Ding's attention and compete with her Qing'er?
She raised her tea bowl and looked at the male relatives across from her with a smile: "That's right. I'm not young anymore. The old lady loves Xiaowu and said that since my uncle is not around, she asked me to look for a suitable man before I went out this time."
Chen Ruoqiu, who was sitting next to him, looked at each other?
Shen Yue and Shen Qing were both older than Shen Miao, yet they chose to see Shen Miao first. This couldn't be out of Madam Shen's kindness. Madam Shen hated the entire First House family, so how could she possibly let Shen Miao have a good life?
Chen Ruoqiu's gaze fell on Shen Qing, who was talking to Yi Peilan. Ren Wanyun seemed anxious to finalize Shen Miao's marriage before Shen Xin returned. Why? Because Shen Qing also admired Prince Ding? To eliminate this biggest threat to Shen Qing?
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard a commotion coming from the men's seats. Madam Jiang said, "Prince Yu is here."
Shen Miao, who was holding the chess piece, paused and the white piece immediately fell to the ground. She raised her eyes and looked towards the men's table with a calm look.
Prince Yu, the lame widower whom Old Madam Shen wanted her to marry in her previous life, is sexually lascivious and disabled, and is now 42 years old.
If she hadn't been infatuated with Fu Xiuyi at that time and hadn't run away to marry him, she would have probably become a pile of dried bones in Prince Yu's mansion.
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