That's what she was thinking, but Wenren Yue didn't hesitate to take the letter and put it away, showing no intention of opening it in front of everyone.
Seeing this, Wenren Xue scoffed coldly, "Little sister, is there something shady in this letter?"
Because of the struggle for the position of family head, Wenren Xue looked down on Wenren Yue in every way and would often make sarcastic remarks to her.
Why is it that she is the eldest legitimate daughter, yet her father is unwilling to pass the position of family head to her?
Why is it that Wenren Yue's talent for forging weapons is better than hers, and why does she receive praise from everyone?
She was unwilling to accept this. She believed that she was in no way inferior to Wenren Yue, and she was determined to take the position of head of the family. She could not allow Wenren Yue to outshine her.
A month is enough time for her to cooperate with Li Wang, achieving a win-win situation where each gets what they need.
In the future, when she becomes the head of the family, the Wenren family will also be able to gain the attention of the imperial court.
What can Wenren Yue use to compete with her?
"You can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth." Wenren Yue glanced at her, uttered these words, and walked away lightly, ignoring Wenren Xue's ashen face.
That girl must have something important to tell me; I need to go back right away.
*
Half a month later, the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet arrived as scheduled.
Although Shen Jinshu was not the principal wife of Prince Li, she had already adopted the demeanor of one, sitting beside Prince Li with a beaming smile, and even chatting with the other princes' wives nearby.
"Your Majesty, I didn't expect Consort Shen to be so capable. She gained Ling Shuang's trust so easily. You didn't choose the wrong person." The nanny whispered to Consort Cheng, feeling that Consort Shen was indeed a woman with tricks up her sleeve.
Ling Shuang was Shen's mother's maiden name; she changed her surname after being brought back to the Duke of Ling's mansion.
"Heh, in the end, it's still that Ling Shuang woman who's stupid, being played like a fool. No wonder Shen Feng has to keep a mistress." Consort Cheng sneered, shaking her fan. She disliked Shen Jinshu and naturally looked down on her in every way.
The old woman nodded repeatedly in agreement, and she couldn't help but want to call Chen's mother stupid.
"Let's not talk about her anymore. Just thinking about her gives me a terrible headache." Consort Cheng waved her hand impatiently. For some reason, her headaches were becoming more and more frequent.
The nanny, with keen insight, began to massage Consort Cheng's head. "It's a pity that Madam Su isn't qualified to attend the birthday banquet, otherwise we could have had her massage you. Every time she massages you, Your Highness's headaches improve considerably."
"That girl's cooking skills are quite good; she's more to my liking than Shen Jinshu." Consort Cheng agreed with this statement, but it was a pity that Su Ying's status was too low, so she couldn't find a reason to promote her.
The old woman stopped talking and focused on massaging Consort Cheng's head, her movements careful, gentle, and skillful.
After a short while, Emperor Yun and Empress Dowager took their seats and began to enjoy the singing and dancing performances below the stage, accompanied by melodious music.
This year's birthday banquet was different from usual, with a unique flavor. Even the songs and dances were novel, which inevitably aroused the Empress Dowager's interest.
She glanced at Consort Cheng with approval and nodded in satisfaction. "Today's birthday banquet was quite well organized. I heard that Jinshu came up with a lot of ideas. You should reward her handsomely."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand."
Consort Cheng couldn't understand why the Empress Dowager liked Shen Jinshu so much, and even praised her to her face.
But she was always good at putting on a show, so when the Empress Dowager spoke, she naturally had no objections. With a smile on her red lips, she looked at Shen Jinshu, her face full of undisguised affection. "I've long heard that this girl is capable. When she was still a young lady, she organized many banquets for Old Madam Shen. She did a great job, and everyone in the capital praised her."
"Well, it just so happens to be the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, and this girl also wants to show her filial piety, so I'll have her help me with the preparations. As long as the Empress Dowager is satisfied."
"This is all I should do."
Shen Jinshu did not claim credit, and her humble and natural demeanor, with her lowered head and submissive eyes, greatly pleased Consort Cheng.
The Empress Dowager favored gentle and dignified women, and Shen Jinshu's every move pleased her. The knot in her heart gradually disappeared, and a few fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes as she smiled.
Upon seeing this, Li Wang merely glanced at him indifferently, downing one cup of wine after another, his face grim.
The "grain transport embezzlement case" from years ago has been reopened and thoroughly investigated by Emperor Yun. Pei Qingyan clearly already has a lot of evidence against him.
But that man was very stubborn; no amount of coercion or bribery worked. He was determined to get to the bottom of the old case.
Unfortunately, the crown prince intervened, and he didn't even have a chance to make a move.
The current situation is unfavorable to him. If he continues to investigate and finds out something, he will have no choice but to cut off his own arm to survive.
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. He drank glass after glass of wine, but his head started to throb, and he even started seeing double images in front of his eyes.
This wine...
Li Wang reached out and pinched the space between his eyebrows, his eyes revealing a few traces of crimson, and he looked somewhat unwell.
“One thing at a time. You have been well-educated by the Marquis’s family. You have organized this birthday banquet in a very proper manner, and your behavior is impeccable. You will be able to share the burden for Prince Li in the future.”
As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall froze. Everyone had different expressions and didn't know how to continue the conversation.
But the eldest princess had no qualms. She gently adjusted the pearl hairpin on her head and said leisurely, "Mother, have you forgotten that the Marquis of Chengen committed a grave error and should have his property confiscated and been exiled?"
But His Majesty is merciful. Remembering the merits of the Marquis of Cheng'en's ancestors and considering Song Zhiyu's success in curing the plague in Liangzhou, he merely stripped Song of his title and confiscated his residence, without pursuing the matter further.
She specifically mentioned that Emperor Yun only made an exception for Song Zhiyu because he didn't want others to point fingers at her.
Even though Shen Feng has committed countless evil deeds, his status gives him a huge advantage.
To outsiders, Shen Feng is Song Zhiyu's biological father, and the blood relationship is difficult to sever.
However, Song Zhiyu ruthlessly severed ties and personally wrote a letter severing ties, which inevitably drew criticism from those old-fashioned people.
But who knows, if His Majesty hadn't been concerned about Song Zhiyu's reputation, he would never have let Shen Feng off so easily.
Those old guys who have died don't have that much influence.
Shen Jinshu's hand, which was resting on her skirt, suddenly tightened, her red nail polish digging deeply into her palm, leaving several crescent-shaped marks.
Even though the Empress Dowager was willing to promote her, the Eldest Princess still openly humiliated her.
The pain eased her senses slightly, and she forced herself to calm down, her voice still soft and gentle, "Your Highness is absolutely right. We really owe a lot to Second Sister this time."
Upon hearing this, the eldest princess merely chuckled coldly twice, her mocking sneer particularly clear in the silent hall.
Not to mention that Song Zhiyu has now severed ties with the Shen family and will have no further connection with them in the future, as a daughter of a concubine, how dare she act like an elder sister? It's truly absurd.
"Xiang'er..." The Empress Dowager raised her eyes slightly, giving the eldest princess a stern look, warning her not to go too far.
It's unclear what kind of spell Song Zhiyu has cast on Xiang'er, but she's completely lost her mind, repeatedly disregarding Jinshu's feelings for her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
