Chapter 94 Shen Yanzhou's Feeding
Dou Wenyi bit her lip lightly, her eyes filled with conflict.
She really couldn't refuse this offer.
She didn't want to damage her relationship with Shen Lishu...
On the day of the Shen family gathering, Dou Wenyi got up very early. After dressing up, she hesitated for a long time in front of the wardrobe, but did not choose a dress.
Because she had informed her grandmother the day before, Old Madam Dou came over early in the morning and insisted on choosing a bright and dazzling scarlet dress for her, a light scarlet bodice, a gold-colored silk jacket, a pleated skirt, and a shawl of the same color.
Her hair was loosely tied up, lightly powdered, adorned with gold hairpins and jade pendants. The contrast of red and white made her face appear as flawless as white jade, radiant and elegant, yet fresh and refined.
She rarely dressed so flamboyantly. Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, she hesitated and said, "Grandmother, isn't this makeup too heavy?"
Grandma looked you over and smiled with satisfaction. "You look beautiful! Don't be afraid. You're old enough to be radiant. Grandma just wants you to be beautiful every day."
She chose the Shen family for Dou Mingxiu because she valued the Shen family's family tradition. After Dou Mingxiu's accident, Shen Yanzhou quickly broke off the engagement, a regret she still feels to this day. Yi'er doesn't want to marry Zhang Chengxian, but if she could be with the eldest son of the Shen family, she could die in peace.
Dou Wenyi stepped down from the Dou family's carriage, where Shen Lishu was already waiting at the door, greeting her with a smile, "Sister Wenyi, you've finally arrived! You look so beautiful today!"
Dou Wenlian pursed her lips and smiled faintly, "Have you been waiting long?"
"No." Shen Lishu rarely saw her dressed so elegantly, and she was somewhat mesmerized. Her skin was as white as ice and her figure was graceful and charming, like a fairy from the heavens. Among the noble ladies of Tianning City, no one could probably match her beauty.
As she spoke, Dou Wenyi presented the carefully prepared congratulatory gift.
After Shen Lishu sincerely thanked her, she affectionately took her arm and said, "Come on, let's go to Tingxue Pavilion."
Shen Lishu was also dressed up today. The two of them stood together, each with their own unique charm, which inevitably caught people's attention and prompted them to inquire and discuss among themselves.
"younger sister!"
As Dou Wenyi passed through the arched gate, she heard a clear, familiar voice.
Shen Lishu smiled broadly, revealing a sweet dimple. "Brother, are you also at the manor today?"
As expected, it was Shen Yanzhou.
Dou Wenyi stopped in her tracks and gave a slight curtsy, "Lord Shen!"
"Fourth Miss, no need for such formalities!" Shen Yanzhou's calm gaze fell upon her, a fleeting look of amazement in his eyes.
His Adam's apple bobbed, he paused, and then said, "Li Shu looks forward to your visit every day. Have a good time later."
Dou Wenyi inexplicably sensed a different emotion in the voice, and nodded shyly, "Mm."
Shen Lishu paused slightly, her suspicious gaze sweeping over the two of them. In the past, her elder brother devoted almost all his heart to official duties, rarely taking a break throughout the year.
No wonder he paid extra attention to the banquet arrangements, from the selection of every snack and recipe to the location for flower viewing, the incense, and even the games they would play. He inquired about everything, made detailed arrangements and adjustments, and even went to the kitchen to give repeated instructions.
He even went so far as to say that he was worried she might not be a good host and ruin the flower banquet, so he was helping her to keep an eye on things!
However, she only invited a few close female friends to her flower banquet. How could she not handle it?
At this moment, the gatekeeper hurried over and reported, "Miss, Miss Meng has arrived."
Shen Lishu explained softly, "Sister Meng is my cousin."
Actually, she hadn't originally planned to invite her; it was she who asked to come.
Shen Yanzhou suggested gently, "Sister, if you have something to do, go ahead and do it. I'll show Miss Dou around."
At this moment, even if Shen Lishu was slow to realize, her brother clearly had ulterior motives. He was usually as cold as an iceberg, and had never cared about any woman like this before.
If Miss Dou could become her sister-in-law, just thinking about it is exciting and something to look forward to!
Shen Lishu smiled meaningfully, "Brother, you mustn't neglect them."
"Sister Yi, I'll be right back." With that, she quickly left.
“...Fourth Miss.” Shen Yanzhou spoke first, her eyes smiling, her voice gentle as if it contained a thousand words.
Dou Wenyi was looking up when he suddenly stopped in his tracks, almost bumping into his back.
A crisp, refreshing scent of pine wafted into her nostrils. He wore a white brocade robe, which intertwined with her crimson skirt, adding a touch of ambiguity.
Shen Yanzhou turned around, and their eyes met. Dou Wenyi blushed with embarrassment, wishing she could dig a hole and disappear. She hurriedly took a step back and asked, "Hmm?"
"Don't worry about the kiln; it won't implicate the Dou family. However, the assassination of Steward Meng and Scarface Zhang San at the Ministry of Justice is a serious matter, so don't delve into it." The warmth in Shen Yanzhou's eyes seemed to melt away like ice and snow.
"Huh?" Dou Wenyi was startled and her expression changed slightly. Just what extraordinary abilities did Dou Mingyan possess to be able to plant assassins in the Ministry of Justice?
Shen Yanzhou secretly regretted bringing up this topic and wasting such a beautiful time. He changed the subject, "I have some very interesting county annals. Would you like to take a look?"
After saying that, he added, "It's right in front of Chunhua Pavilion."
"good."
Dou Wenyi followed him into the pavilion. Several exquisite white porcelain bowls and plates were already set on the stone table, filled with various snacks. At a glance, they looked quite fresh and delicious.
"Want to try some?"
Dou Wenyi glanced at him, picked up a thin piece of taro and yam cake from the small dish, took a bite, and then suddenly paused.
How does it taste?
She remembered the taste of the taro and yam cake.
She was fortunate enough to have tasted it once in her past life. It was when she was released from prison that Shen Yanzhou brought it to her, along with a pot of plum wine.
She later searched for that flavor several times in Tianning City, but never tasted it again.
She picked up another piece, chewing slowly. The taro and yam cake was soft and crumbly, melting slowly in her mouth. It wasn't too sweet and tasted very refreshing and delicious.
She smiled brightly, "Delicious, really delicious... Do you have plum wine?"
"Yes! Wait a moment, I have plenty here, I'll take some back with me later." Shen Yanzhou's earlobes turned slightly red, and she was slightly taken aback. How did she know that he had also brewed plum wine?
Dou Wenyi was naturally unaware that these snacks were actually made by Shen Yanzhou himself.
People admire the gentleman who stays away from the kitchen, but Shen Yanzhou was not only proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but also had a deep understanding of cooking and winemaking.
However, very few people have ever had the chance to taste his cooking, fewer than one hand in total. Even when Shen Lishu occasionally clamored for some, he would always make excuses to avoid it.
——
When Dou Wenyi returned to the flower hall, she could hear the cheerful laughter of young girls from afar.
"Miss Jiang, you've made it again!"
They were playing pitch-pot, and when they saw her coming, they greeted her warmly.
Shen Lishu introduced them one by one, "This is Miss Dou, Dou Wenyi."
"Miss Dou, you are so beautiful and charming. Come on, let's play together."
There was Jiang Qinghuan, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, and Gu Lingrong, the younger sister of Gu Yufeng, the commander of the Imperial Guards. In her previous life, they had almost no contact, but the two of them were cheerful and lively, eloquent and full of witty remarks, praising her endlessly.
Their enthusiasm made Dou Wenyi feel very welcome, and she didn't stand on ceremony. She interacted with them frankly and quickly became one of them.
Dou Wenyi had little affection for Meng Jingshu, the Princess Consort of Rui. Of course, they didn't need to be intimate; maintaining a superficial politeness was enough.
Meng Jingshu, like her, greeted her in a lukewarm manner and then went about her own business.
However, the atmosphere at the banquet was very harmonious and lively. Afterwards, they ate crabs, drank fruit wine, and played the game of "flying flowers". As evening approached, Dou Wenyi's cheeks were slightly flushed, and she seemed a little drunk.
Since her rebirth, she has never relaxed for a moment.
Today, without Xie Guidu, without Dou Mingyan, without the messy troubles of the Dou family, and without Pei Siyan, she felt very comfortable and content.
At this moment, the Chaohua Hall of the East Palace was brightly lit.
Several confidential reports lay on the table. Pei Siyan's gaze lingered on a line of small print: "Radiant beauty, mutual affection."
The image of her laughing and chatting with other men, singing and drinking, flashed through his mind, making his heart burn like a raging fire!
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