Nanny Chen looked at Shen with a little uneasiness.

Shen was calm, and her graceful and beautiful face showed no trace of emotion. She said calmly, "Then hurry up and call the doctor... and let Aunt Jiang go over to take care of the patient."

She glanced at the maid in blue coldly, and her expression almost asked directly, why did Chu Lingxiao come to her when he was sick!

Shen continued to walk into the yard, discussing the dowry with Nanny Chen as she walked: "By the way, I remember my third sister told me not long ago that the Prince Jing's Mansion wanted to buy land in Jizhou. Maybe we can take advantage of this opportunity."

"The land that the princess would like must be good farmland." Nanny Chen responded with a smile.

She signaled Dongmei with her eyes to send the guest away quickly, and felt happy in her heart: This marquis, when he has something to do, he comes to bother the lady, and when he has nothing to do, he hugs his beautiful concubines and maids and talks about love. How can there be such a good thing in the world!

Shen's interest became even higher, and she said with a smile: "It happens that there will be a birthday banquet tomorrow, and I can see Third Sister. I will ask her in detail then."

"Isn't this just like the saying goes, if you want to take a nap, someone will bring you a pillow." Nanny Chen said jokingly.

The master and servant entered the house chatting and laughing.

"Doctor..." The maidservant in blue at the entrance of the yard wanted to say something else, but was forcefully blocked by Dongmei and two little maids.

The maid in green stretched her neck to glance at Shen's back, stamped her feet, and finally left.

As soon as she left, someone else came to the main courtyard.

"Young lady." Dongmei looked at Chu Qianhuang in surprise as she walked towards them in a crabapple red jacket, and went out of the courtyard to greet her in person.

Chu Qianhuang smiled faintly and said, "I just came back from the palace."

Today was not Chu Qianhuang's day off, but because tomorrow was the Emperor's Birthday, the Queen allowed her to return home and go to the palace with Shen to attend the banquet tomorrow morning.

Chu Qianhuang had only come back once since she entered the palace as a companion reader. But when she paid her respects to Shen, Shen did not see her.

These days, in the palace, every time she thought of Shen, she felt a little panicked, so she procrastinated and did not leave the palace until this time today.

When she was in the palace, she had already heard the news that the emperor had granted marriage to Chu Qianchen and Prince Chen, and she also knew that the wedding was scheduled for a month later. However, it was only after she returned home that she learned about the news that Chu Lingxiao was caned by the emperor, and that so many things had happened in the Marquis' Mansion.

"The lady is inside, please come in, young lady." Dongmei smiled and stretched out her hand as if to invite someone.

As soon as the two of them reached the entrance of the courtyard, they heard a curious voice from a little maidservant in the direction of the courtyard: "Madame Lin, is the eldest lady really going to give the eldest lady's dowry to the second lady?"

"Of course it's true!" another old female voice said, "The Madam asked me to get the key to open the warehouse."

"This second young lady is so lucky!" the little maid sighed with emotion.

Chu Qianhuang just entered the courtyard at this time. Nanny Lin and the little maid in front also saw Chu Qianhuang and looked a little embarrassed.

The two of them hurriedly saluted Chu Qianhuang, not daring to stay for a moment, and trotted off to do their work.

Dongmei also felt that this was a real unfortunate thing and looked at Chu Qianhuang cautiously.

Chu Qianhuang pursed her lips, her face darkened, and she stopped under the eaves.

She forced a smile and said nonchalantly, "Dongmei, please inform me."

In the past, Chu Qianhuang did not need to report when entering the main courtyard, but the last time she returned home, Shen did not see her.

Dongmei went into the house. After a while, she came out with a more complicated expression on her face. She said in a difficult voice, "Miss, the Madam asked you to go back."

The implication was that Shen still refused to see her.

Chu Qianhuang's body was stiff, and he stood there quietly.

Dongmei was just thinking about whether to persuade Chu Qianhuang, but she saw Chu Qianhuang suddenly kneel down, directly kneeling outside the threshold of the main hall, as if saying, "She won't leave unless Shen sees her."

Dongmei did not try to persuade him and went inside to report again.

Chu Qianhuang knelt for a full half hour.

The sun had completely set, and the sky turned a dark gray-blue. Lanterns were lit in the courtyard and under the eaves, and the yard was exceptionally quiet.

There was a sudden movement at the Xiangfei Curtain leading to the second room. The curtain was opened and Nanny Chen came out and walked up to Chu Qianhuang.

She sighed and advised in a soothing tone, "Miss, the Madam is still angry and there will be a birthday banquet tomorrow. You should go back and rest early."

"There's still a lot of time to come, so why rush?"

Nanny Chen softened her voice and personally helped Chu Qianhuang to stand up, fearing that she would be stubborn and insist on kneeling here all night. After all, there was a birthday banquet tomorrow.

Chu Qianhuang stood up, smoothed her dress, and said politely, "Madame Chen, I understand. It was me who made Mother angry. I will slowly make amends to her in the future."

Silver moonlight poured down under the eaves, her face was half in shadow and half in moonlight, the skin on her cheek was like mutton-fat white jade under the moonlight, and the pair of eyes in the shadow were as deep as a pool, pitch black, with a calmness beyond her age.

Chu Qianhuang raised her hand and made a gesture, and the head maid Baoqin handed over an embroidered belt-like object.

"Madam Chen, my mother always has abdominal pain when she has her period. I heard about a secret recipe in the palace. Put medicinal herbs in this belly belt. Wearing it around the waist and abdomen can relieve pain. I made this myself." Chu Qianhuang said.

Nanny Chen took the belt from Baoqin and breathed a sigh of relief. She smiled and said, "Don't worry, young lady. I will tell Madam."

Nanny Chen wanted to explain the dowry issue again, but after thinking about it, she didn't say it. Shen and Chu Qianhuang are mother and daughter. Shen just temporarily moved Chu Qianhuang's dowry. She would definitely not let Chu Qianhuang down. Chu Qianhuang's dowry would only be better.

No matter how much she said now, it would be better to let Chu Qianhuang witness it with her own eyes.

Chu Qianhuang smiled slightly, then stroked in the direction of the side room, and said to Shen: "Mother, I'll take my leave first."

Dongmei sent Chu Qianhuang away, and Nanny Chen took the belt given by Chu Qianhuang into the side room and explained the benefits of the belt with a smile.

"Madam, the eldest girl is a filial child and she always thinks of you."

"The eldest girl is still young, so she doesn't understand your painstaking efforts now. But when she grows up a few years and experiences more, she will understand..."

Nanny Chen wanted to say something good about Chu Qianhuang. After all, there was no overnight grudge between mother and daughter. Even if Chu Qianhuang did something wrong, Shen could teach her slowly.

Shen rubbed his brows tiredly and said nothing.

Seeing that Shen looked tired, Nanny Chen took a break and advised, "Madam, would you like to rest first?" Nanny Chen temporarily put the belt on the coffee table.

Shen pretended not to hear anything and stared blankly at the belt on the coffee table, remaining silent.

In a trance, Chu Qianhuang's voice rang in her ears again: "I was painting on the second floor of Bixiao Tower that day. Later, I saw the beautiful winter jasmine flowers near the rockery. I was in the mood and wanted to pick some back."

"I also dropped a purse beside the rockery, luckily my second sister picked it up. I spent a long time embroidering the peony flowers on that purse, luckily I didn't lose it."

Shen stared at the peony pattern embroidered on the belt, her eyes darkening.

Shen suddenly remembered that it had rained in the morning when Chu Yunmu fell off the rockery. By the morning, the ground was almost dry, but there was mud near the rockery. Chu Qianhuang always loved cleanliness. Logically, even if she thought the forsythia was beautiful, she would have asked her maid to pick it.

Nanny Chen looked at Shen in a daze and felt a little worried. She called her several times before Shen came to her senses.

Nanny Chen felt that something was wrong with Shen, so she personally prepared calming tea for her, lit the calming incense given by Chu Qianchen, and helped Shen to rest.

Shen was weighed down with worries and tossed and turned in the first half of the night. It was almost midnight when she finally fell asleep to the soothing scent of the calming incense.

She slept until the cock crowed.

When Shen put on her clothes and came out from the inner room to the main hall, Chu Qianchen also arrived and came over to pay his respects to Shen.

Chu Qianchen dressed up specially today. Her bright red jacket sparkled in the sunlight. She had her hair tied up in a crescent bun, and her hair was like clouds. She only pinned two glittering gold-thread garnet pearl flowers on her temples.

A smile bloomed on the girl's delicate face, as if a tree full of delicate flowers were in full bloom. As she looked around, she exuded a bright and beautiful glow.

Nanny Chen looked at Chu Qianchen who was walking slowly towards her, and was a little dazed for a moment. Suddenly, she overlapped the girl in front of her with another graceful figure in her memory...

It was Shen who woke Nanny Chen up again: "Go and get that set of ruby ​​head ornaments."

When Nanny Chen brought the jewelry box, Chu Qianchen happened to walk in front of Shen. Shen took her hand, liked her more and more the more she looked at her, and personally put a ruby ​​pearl flower on her finger, and also matched her with a set of earrings and a necklace.

"This headdress looks much better on Sister Chen. Not only does it not overshadow the main subject, but it actually adds to the beauty."

"Madame Chen, please go get me another pair of gold bracelets inlaid with eight precious stones."

"Yes, a young girl in her prime should dress up like this!"

Today is Chu Qianchen's first time to attend a formal occasion like the Longevity Banquet, and it is also her first time to appear as the future Princess Chen. Shen hopes that everything will be perfect so that those who want to watch the fun can see how outstanding Chu Qianchen is.

Shen adjusted the position of the pearl flower for Chu Qianchen again. Although she had let it go, she still felt a little conflicted sometimes: even if Prince Chen was safe and sound, some people would say that Chu Qianchen got the lucky marriage, but no one would know that she didn't need Prince Chen's Mansion to add icing on the cake.

I could have chosen a more comfortable marriage for this child.

Shen took Chu Qianchen to Rongfu Hall first. When they arrived, Chu Qianhuang was already there.

Rongfu Hall was filled with female relatives, making it a very lively place.

Everyone's eyes turned to Shen and Chu Qianchen, including Chu Qianhuang.

On weekdays, if there was nothing to do, the girls would always come to Rongfu Hall by themselves, so Chu Qianhuang came alone this morning.

Besides, Shen didn't see her yesterday, and Chu Qianhuang didn't want to go to the main courtyard to make herself unhappy. What she didn't expect was that Chu Qianchen actually came here with Shen.

The women in this room were all smart people. They had also heard about how Chu Qianhuang had displeased the Shen family. At this moment, they couldn't help but reveal some meaningful expressions and exchanged glances secretly.

When Shen and Chu Qianchen walked into the main hall, Second Madam Liu said with a half-smile, "Sister-in-law and Sister Chen look more like mother and daughter!"

As she spoke, Liu deliberately glanced at Chu Qianhuang who was sitting diagonally opposite her, and subconsciously made a sarcastic remark to Chu Qianhuang and Chu Qianchen, intending to stir up trouble.

Chu Qianchen glanced at Liu lightly without saying a word, but Chu Qianling shuddered and quickly pulled Liu's sleeve.

The only way to heal the scar on her face is with the All-Cure Ointment in Chu Qianchen's hand. As long as they don't get the All-Cure Ointment, they cannot offend Chu Qianchen.

Besides, Chu Qianchen is going to marry Prince Chen to bring good luck, so there is absolutely no possibility for her and the Second Prince!

Just thinking about this, Chu Qianling felt happy.

Liu also thought of the Shiquan Ointment, so she quickly looked away and said no more.

The lady was also there and saw what just happened.

To be honest, she sometimes felt this way, and couldn't help but feel mocking in her heart: She, the eldest daughter-in-law, must have been bewitched by Chu Qianchen. Who would alienate their own biological daughter and get close to a concubine's daughter? No matter how much Chu Qianchen tried to please her, he didn't crawl out of her belly, how could he be on the same page with her!

Never mind.

Anyway, Chu Qianchen, the troublemaker, is about to get married, and she will no longer be jumping around in front of Shen. Shen and the eldest son will eventually be able to repair the rift.

The lady really wanted Chu Qianchen to get married quickly at this moment. Her thoughts were also reflected in her actions. She said calmly: "Now that everyone is here, let's go."

So, everyone surrounded the lady and went to the ceremonial gate.

The only female members of the royal family who could enter the palace to attend the banquet today were the Lady Dowager, Mrs. Shen, and the sisters Chu Qianhuang and Chu Qianchen. Others could only look at them with envy. Several younger girls were already thinking in their hearts that when Chu Qianchen came back, they would definitely ask her in detail how grand and magnificent the birthday banquet would be.

The carriage drove out of the Marquis' Mansion at a little after 11:00 a.m. The Madam Dowager and Shen sat in one carriage, while Chu Qianchen and Chu Qianhuang sat in the second carriage at the back.

Chu Qianchen leaned against the carriage with his eyes closed, looking as if he didn't want to say anything more.

However, even if she closed her eyes, she could still feel the gaze of the other person in the carriage falling on her, with a bit of inquiry and scrutiny.

The carriage shook slightly as the carriage galloped.

Chu Qianhuang's hesitant voice suddenly rang out: "Second sister, I also heard in the palace that the emperor has granted you and His Royal Highness Prince Chen a marriage."

Chu Qianchen opened his eyes, met Chu Qianhuang's eyes like a deep spring, and said "Oh" casually.

Her expression was calm, which made Chu Qianhuang a little confused.

"I always thought you would marry Cousin Zhao, but I didn't expect the Emperor would..." Chu Qianhuang sighed softly, with a look of regret and sympathy.

She calmed herself down, and then continued, "After I returned home yesterday, I heard from my grandmother that my father had sent you to Yanghe Village. I didn't expect so many things to happen at home in the past two days. Second sister, you must be very uneasy, right?"

Chu Qianhuang said it in a tactful way, but in fact, the lady severely criticized Chu Qianchen, saying that she didn't care about the family, that she was always making trouble, that she was greedy, and that she couldn't understand why Chu Qianchen became like this...

"Second sister, I know you have your difficulties." Chu Qianhuang held Chu Qianchen's hand sympathetically with a sincere expression.

She understood that the reason why Chu Qianchen had made such a fuss with the mansion, even at the cost of offending her grandmother and father, was most likely because she couldn't let go of the Second Prince and wanted to cancel this marriage.

Chu Qianchen has liked the second prince since childhood, and Chu Qianhuang has always seen this.

"..." Chu Qianchen looked at Chu Qianhuang with a puzzled expression.

"Brother Zhao came to me and said he wanted to meet you." Chu Qianhuang continued to talk to herself, "Don't worry, I will find a way to connect you two. Everything is up to me..."

In fact, Gu Nanzhao wanted to leave the palace to meet Chu Qianchen in person, but Concubine Chu disagreed and asked someone to follow Gu Nanzhao all day, so Gu Nanzhao could only ask Chu Qianhuang to help him pass the message.

Chu Qianhuang wanted to tell Chu Qianchen that the Second Prince had many reasons to do so, and to comfort her, but Chu Qianchen said, "Stop the car!"

These two words were obviously not directed at Chu Qianhuang.

Chu Qianhuang was stunned and looked at Chu Qianchen in confusion.

Chu Qianchen smiled and said, "Big sister, do you dare to say this to grandma in person?"

Chu Qianhuang: "..."

Chu Qianhuang had never expected Chu Qianchen to have this kind of reaction. Her eyes gradually widened and she froze.

Outside, the coachman responded, and the carriage slowed down and stopped by the roadside.

Chu Qianchen pulled back his hand and said nonchalantly: "Why don't I go and tell my grandmother, and tell her, Big Sister, you instigated me to break up the marriage?"

Chu Qianchen pretended to get up and get out of the car.

"Second sister!" Chu Qianhuang became anxious when she saw this. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed Chu Qianchen's wrist, holding it tightly, fearing that Chu Qianchen would really go to the lady dowager and tell her.

Chu Qianhuang looked at Chu Qianchen in disbelief, her eyes filled with doubt, as if she was wondering whether Chu Qianchen was telling the truth.

The two sisters looked at each other. Chu Qianchen was smiling and calm; Chu Qianhuang had a gloomy face and her eyes flickered.

The carriage fell into silence.

The noise outside seemed to be coming from near and far away, and the atmosphere was slightly tense.

The carriage in front noticed that Chu Qianchen and his companions' carriage had stopped, and also stopped.

Nanny Wang got off the carriage at the order of the Madam Dowager, hurried to the outside of the carriage, and asked, "Young Miss, Second Miss, is there anything wrong?"

Just as Chu Qianchen was about to speak, Chu Qianhuang's face became even worse, and she said first: "Madame Wang, it's nothing. I just ate a little too much this morning, and I felt a little uncomfortable when I sat in the carriage. I'm fine now." She casually evaded Madame Wang.

Nanny Wang asked a few more questions with concern, and only after making sure that Chu Qianhuang was really okay did she return to the first carriage in front.

Chu Qianchen didn't stop her from speaking, but just looked at her with a smile.

Chu Qianhuang became more and more uneasy and let go of Chu Qianchen's wrist. She always felt like something was out of control and even her breathing became less smooth.

She could almost hear her own breathing and heartbeat clearly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Chu Qianhuang calmed down and said to the driver, "Let's continue on our way."

The driver responded, cracked his whip, and the carriage continued to move forward, speeding up little by little.

Chu Qianchen suddenly moved his face forward a little, close to Chu Qianhuang. The two were only an inch apart and could continue to feel each other's breath.

Chu Qianchen curled her lips slightly, and her shallow smile revealed a hint of ambiguous understanding, as if she had a calmness that everything was under her control.

She smiled and said, "You, do you think I don't know that you have 'ulterior motives'?"

Her pair of distinct black and white phoenix eyes stared at Chu Qianhuang, like a bright mirror or a deep pool, as if they could reflect all the haze in the world and leave nothing to hide.

The girl in front of him was as arrogant as a leopard, completely different from the gentle and docile girl she used to be.

"..." Chu Qianhuang's heart sank when she looked at him with her sharp eyes. A moment of panic appeared on his face, which he couldn't hide.

Did Chu Qianchen know? !

Chu Qianhuang couldn't look Chu Qianchen in the eye and could not help but step back, bumping her body into the coffee table next to her.

"Bang!" The teacup on the coffee table was knocked over and the hot tea spilled out, splashing onto the back of Chu Qianhuang's hand...

Chu Qianhuang cried out in pain and quickly withdrew her hand, but the back of her white, jade-like hand had already been scalded red by the scalding tea.

She lowered her eyelids and blew on the back of her red hands. Her heart was pounding and her mind was in a mess.

(End of this chapter)