"Of course not. I'm overjoyed by your filial piety. In this mansion, only you, me, and a few other sisters serve the Prince. You are the most favored, and I will have to learn from you in the future."
With a gentle smile on her face, Shen Jinshu gently took Su Ying's hand, looking completely harmless.
But the more she acted this way, the more wary Su Ying became.
Her narrow phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of her eyes lifted as if she were deep in thought.
Shen Jinshu is a deep and calculating person. She doesn't get angry even after being provoked like this. She's really not easy to deal with.
No wonder he lost face so badly yesterday, yet he can still stand here nonchalantly today; his temperament is truly terrifying.
But Su Ying wasn't stupid. If she didn't have some skills, she would have been devoured long ago by following the unpredictable Prince Li.
“Sister is absolutely right, but when it comes to serving the prince, I still have a lot to learn from you.” Su Ying smiled and withdrew her hand, a hint of disdain flashing in her lowered eyes.
She glanced at Shen Jinshu almost imperceptibly, referring naturally to the rumors that had been circulating in the capital, a shameful secret that Shen Jinshu couldn't bear to share.
Shen Jinshu's hand froze in mid-air, then naturally withdrew after a moment, seemingly unaffected by Su Ying's words.
But only Xiuyue, who was following behind her, knew that Shen Jinshu was furious. If it weren't for the occasion, she would probably have taken her anger out on herself.
Just as the atmosphere froze, the old nanny who served Consort Cheng stepped forward at the right moment, her slightly mean triangular eyes narrowing as she said, "Her Highness the Consort invites you in. Please come in quickly, lest you keep Her Highness waiting."
"Look at me, I was so happy to see my sister that I forgot about Her Majesty's lotus seed soup." Su Ying patted her head lightly, smiled, took the tray from the maid, and followed the old nanny into the palace.
Watching Su Ying's graceful figure, Xiu Yue was so angry that her nose almost crooked. "Miss, that woman is too presumptuous. You are a concubine, with a rank far above hers, yet she doesn't take you seriously at all."
"She won't be arrogant for long." Shen Jinshu narrowed her eyes, her gaze towards Su Ying as if it were poisoned, sinister and terrifying.
A lowly dancer dares to presume to climb above her; she is truly overestimating herself.
Before Xiuyue could even understand the meaning of those words, Shen Jinshu put her smile back on her face, gracefully straightened her sleeves, and followed after her with delicate steps.
*
Three days later, at the Marquis of Chengen's residence.
Today is the day Shen Jinshu returns to her parents' home. Shen Feng had the servants busy themselves early in the morning, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the two.
Before long, the carriage leaving the Prince's Mansion slowly came to a stop at the gate of the Marquis's Mansion.
Upon seeing this, Shen Feng's eyes lit up, and he immediately went to meet him.
The Prince of Li was quite accommodating; his warm smile made it impossible to tell that he had looked so sullen just three days ago.
"Where is the Second Miss? Does she not welcome us?" Prince Li asked with a half-smile, his sudden words silencing everyone, who were at a loss for words.
Shen Feng could no longer laugh. He thought to himself, "This is bad. Prince Li still has his eye on the dowry issue."
Although Shen Jinshu couldn't fathom Prince Li's thoughts, she keenly sensed something amiss. "Second Sister prefers quiet and is rather shy; perhaps she's not used to such liveliness..."
"I see. But I don't think it's possible. After all, someone would do something like blocking a bridal sedan chair in the street." Prince Li suddenly launched an attack, clearly still holding a grudge against Song Zhiyu for demanding her dowry in the street that day.
Song Zhiyu's ruthless actions made the Prince Li's residence a laughing stock in the capital.
Shen Feng was seething with anger. He had been trying to cause trouble for Song Zhiyu for the past few days, but he just couldn't catch her. He couldn't even get into Songxi Courtyard, which made him furious.
"Go and invite the second young lady over." He winked at the butler, emphasizing his words, telling him to bring her here at all costs.
The butler hurriedly left, inwardly groaning. He had absolutely no desire to take on this task assigned to the second young lady.
But he couldn't disobey his master's orders, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go find someone.
I thought it would be another long wait, but I never expected to run into Song Zhiyu, who was returning home, as soon as I got to the gate.
Before the butler could finish speaking, Song Zhiyu readily agreed, her decisive and efficient departure leaving the butler rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
Did the sun rise in the west today?
When did the Second Miss become so easy to talk to? Is it because she is worried about the existence of Prince Li?
Unable to figure it out, the butler quickly followed, thinking that as long as the person was invited, that was enough.
*
As soon as Song Zhiyu stepped into the main courtyard, she was greeted by a set of emerald green teacups, followed by an angry roar, "You rebellious daughter, you still know how to come back!"
Song Zhiyu slightly turned her body to avoid the teacup, not taking Shen Feng's anger to heart.
"Today is the day my eldest sister returns home, so naturally I have to come back to visit and, incidentally, to ask for some things back."
Meeting Song Zhiyu's teasing gaze, Shen Jinshu's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and an ominous premonition arose in her heart.
Upon hearing this, Shen Feng realized that he had lost his composure in front of Prince Li, and cold sweat broke out on his brow.
He was so angry that he momentarily forgot that the Prince was still beside him.
"Second Miss is truly skilled. If I remember correctly, Second Miss asked for favors three days ago." Prince Li still maintained his gentle and gentlemanly demeanor, but Song Zhiyu could still see the murderous intent hidden deep in his eyes.
Song Zhiyu has repeatedly embarrassed him and ruined his plans, so Li Wang wishes he could get rid of him as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, this woman is very cunning and has the Crown Prince protecting her, making her quite difficult to deal with.
However, the feud between the two had already begun, and King Li would eliminate this threat sooner or later.
"Your Highness is absolutely right, but it's hard to guard against a thief within the family. I've lost so many things, so naturally I have to demand them back properly." Song Zhiyu nodded seriously, meeting Li Wang's fierce eyes without fear.
Shen Feng was the first to lose his composure, his face turning pale and then red, looking extremely unpleasant. "You scoundrel! How dare you be so insolent in front of His Highness? You have absolutely no manners!"
He knew perfectly well who Song Zhiyu was referring to as a traitor within the family. It was precisely because he knew this so clearly that he couldn't help but jump up and down, afraid of losing face in front of Prince Li.
Song Zhiyu ignored Shen Feng's tantrums and stared straight at the sachet tied around Shen Jinshu's waist. She couldn't help but laugh out loud, "The sachet made of shimmering brocade that eldest sister is wearing is the only one of its kind in the entire capital. His Majesty bestowed it upon the eldest princess."
The eldest princess, feeling sorry for me, had already given me this shimmering brocade as a gift on the day of the family reunion banquet.
Upon hearing this, Shen Jinshu jumped up from her seat, instinctively gripping the sachet at her waist.
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