Shen Huaixu had already noticed that Yi Xi was intentionally approaching her, but she didn't want to know what her purpose was, so the other party didn't say anything, and she just focused on admiring the flowers.
"To be honest, there's something I've always felt sorry for my sister."
"I don't think I've ever met Sister Yi. Where does the apology come from?"
Recalling the scene when she first met Shen Huaixu, Yi Qian inevitably thought of Shen Su.
When they first met, she was attracted by the vigorous figure of Shen Su, who radiated a dazzling but not scorching light like a phoenix rising from the ashes. She was surprised to learn that he was Shen Su, and at the same time, she also knew that the young lady he was caring for so tenderly and attentively was his daughter...
She lowered her head slightly to tidy up her hair and talked about the farce that happened in the Yi family a few days ago.
Chen Huaixu waved his hand nonchalantly, "How can you blame the host for what the guest said? My father was just anxious at the moment. I hope our two families don't create any rift over this matter."
Yi Qian recalled the look of anger and glare on the face of Marquis Xuanping when her father mentioned him, and felt helpless, thinking that a rift had probably already arisen between them.
"By the way, sister, do you know where that outstanding young lady comes from?" Shen Huaixu asked.
"She is the third daughter of the Zhenyuan Marquis, Shangguan Ruoyan. Her father, the Zhenyuan Marquis, is a veteran minister who followed His Majesty in conquering the world. Her family has some connections with Concubine Xian in the palace." Having said this, Yi Qian paused and added, "The Shangguan family is interested in marrying into the royal family."
Hearing this, Shen Huaixu smiled knowingly, "Thank you, sister, for the reminder."
Yi Qian knew she understood from her expression, and she became even more certain that the young woman in front of her, although she grew up in the countryside, was smart and cautious. It would be difficult to get Shen Su to treat her differently by starting with her.
She knew that she couldn't tell others about her thoughts, and she also knew that she had a chance only if Chen Su wanted to marry a second wife. Besides, her father and mother would never let her become someone else's second wife...
Thinking of this, Yi Qian felt hopeless, and the smile on her face became a little forced. The consolation was that although she didn't understand Shen Huaixu, she could see that she was someone worth making friends with.
Shen Huaixu was thinking about something and didn't pay attention to Yi Qian's expression.
It seems that the Shangguan family is taking sides. Judging from Shangguan Ruoyan's enthusiasm towards Princess Chaohua just now, she must be interested in Prince Yan's party. The only unmarried man of marriageable age in Prince Yan's family is Cang Heng. It is not a good deal if someone takes the initiative. Moreover, in ancient marriages, it is even more taboo for the woman to take the initiative.
The thought only flashed through her mind, and she put it behind her.
She asked Fu Tuan to list the rare plants in the Imperial Garden that she had not collected and store them in a file on the light screen, intending to slowly make money from them in the future.
Princess Chaohua didn't know she had become a lamb to be slaughtered. She didn't know when she had formed a deep friendship with Shangguan Ruoyan, and how they had suddenly become so close? Compared with Shen Huaixu's approach, Shangguan Ruoyan's behavior was too unwise.
She interrupted Shangguan Ruoyan's warm greetings and said, "Someone, take me to change clothes."
She then said to Shangguan Ruoyan, "I believe Miss Shangguan is no stranger to the Imperial Garden. You can take them for a good tour first."
"Don't worry, Princess. I will."
Shangguan Ruoyan looked at Princess Chaohua's departing back, a faint smile appearing on her face.
At this time, Wang Ru, who had been following Shangguan Ruoyan, came over and whispered, "Sister Yan'er, I just vaguely saw Prince Jinghe heading east."
After he finished speaking, the other young ladies also came over, their words full of envy.
Shangguan Ruoyan dealt with it absentmindedly for a while, and finally found an excuse to leave with the people she was on good terms with.
"Did you see clearly? Are you sure it's the Prince of Jinghe?"
Wang Ru hesitated and stammered, "It's not very clear."
Shangguan Ruoyan glared at her unsatisfiedly and said, "Go and take a look."
*
With the points settled, the flowers in the imperial garden no longer held such a strong attraction for Shen Huaixu. Yi Qian followed the palace maid to change clothes. She waved to the palace maid not far away and was about to ask her to take her downstairs to rest when she heard someone behind her ask -
"Should I call you Jiang Huaixu or Shen Huaixu?"
Chen Huaixu turned around and looked at the person who came. Cang Heng was standing not far away with his hands behind his back. He was no longer as embarrassed as before, and his appearance became even more handsome.
"Same here, you weren't the Prince of Jinghe before."
Cang Heng slowly walked up to Shen Huaixu and asked, "How are you these days? How are the villagers of Shili Village doing now? Did Jiang Erlang take part in this year's Tongsheng exam?"
With so many questions right off the bat, Shen Huaixu couldn't help but tease, "Prince Jinghe is really busy. He used to be so close to my second brother, and I even called you Brother Yun. But you haven't even written a single letter since we parted. It's really sad."
When it comes to talking, Cang Heng has always been outdone by Shen Huaixu. "I can't argue with you, but I've had a lot of trivial matters since returning home. I didn't want to implicate you, so I didn't send you a letter. Please forgive me."
A smile flashed across Chen Huaixu's eyes. What she admired most about Cang Heng was that even though he was a prince, he never spoke with the airs of a superior.
"I was just joking, please forgive me, Your Highness. The villagers in Shili Village have farmland and houses, and they can even run small businesses. Their lives are much better than before they fled the famine. My second brother, on the other hand, is obsessed with taking the imperial examinations, and he wouldn't miss any opportunity. He took first place in the county exam in March, and the results of the prefectural exam should be out by now, though the letter hasn't reached me yet. I suspect they'll be good."
Cang Heng nodded, "That's good."
He paused, but couldn't help asking, "Why did you become the daughter of Marquis Xuanping?"
"That's a long story." Shen Huaixu looked around. "If you want me to tell you a story, why not treat me to a cup of tea?"
Cang Heng curled his lips and said, "Please."
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