Snapping out of their daze at her beauty, they then noticed Song Zhiyu's clothes, their faces showing undisguised surprise, and they began to whisper among themselves.
"If I'm not mistaken, that's the 'Flowing Skirt' that's the prized possession of Yu Chang Pavilion. How could it be on her?"
"I heard from Miss Yun of Yushang Pavilion that she gave her store's prized possession to a destined person, but I never expected that the real daughter of the Marquis's mansion would be the destined person she was talking about."
"Have you all forgotten that not long ago Miss Yun sent people to throw Miss Shen and Fourth Young Master Shen out of Yushang Pavilion?"
But then he turned around and gave the store's prized possession to the second young lady of the Marquis's mansion. This action was truly baffling.
"..."
Shen Jinshu forced a smile, her expression displeased, but she refrained from speaking out due to the occasion.
"Shu'er, don't be sad. Once today is over, no one will remember this anymore." Shen Yanxi gently patted Shen Jinshu's shoulder to comfort her, his words carrying a deeper meaning.
Shen Jinshu lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, concealing the emotions surging beneath them. "What do you mean by that, Fourth Brother?"
"You'll find out soon enough, Fourth Brother will definitely not let you suffer any injustice." Shen Yanxi grinned, keeping everyone in suspense.
The best way to suppress a scandal is to create an even bigger one to divert everyone's attention.
Shu'er had suffered humiliation because of the Yushang Pavilion incident, and spent her days hiding in her room, weeping. As her elder brother, how could he not feel sorry for her?
If Shu'er were to suffer a second blow today because of her background, her body might not be able to withstand it.
Therefore, he absolutely could not allow this family reunion banquet to proceed smoothly, and he absolutely could not allow Song Zhiyu to take everything away from Shu'er.
Moreover, he did not fabricate facts to slander Song Zhiyu; it was her own despicable character that was the problem.
Thinking of what Song Yaozu had said, Shen Yanxi's heart instantly hardened.
Upon hearing this, Shen Jinshu lifted her eyelids and glanced at Shen Yanxi imperceptibly, her expression softening slightly.
It seems the plan is going smoothly; her elaborate scheme to lure Shen Yanxi into the trap has paid off.
Fourth Brother, you mustn't let me down.
*
Seeing that it was almost time, Shen Feng stood up and said, “Thank you all for coming to the Marquis’s family reunion banquet today. This is my daughter, Song Zhiyu. She was lost in the countryside when she was young and was only recently found by us.”
Even though Shen Feng was displeased, he still had to put on a good show in front of so many people.
As he spoke, Shen Feng's eyes suddenly reddened, and he looked like a loving father. "To my shame, if it weren't for my negligence as a father, the villains wouldn't have taken advantage of the situation and stolen my newborn daughter, leaving her to wander in the countryside and suffer all kinds of hardships."
Fortunately, God has been kind to me. After many years, I have finally found this child. From now on, your father, your mother, and your brothers will do everything we can to make it up to you.
I only hope that you won't resent us and do anything that hurts yourself or others.
Shen Feng spoke the last sentence while looking at Song Zhiyu, a fleeting threatening glint in his eyes.
He never wanted to hold this family reunion banquet, let alone acknowledge Song Zhiyu's identity.
Since he had no other choice, he had no choice but to go with the flow.
Song Zhiyu chuckled. She was no longer a pushover. She retorted with a smile, "Father, you are mistaken. I am naturally delighted to be found and brought back to the Marquis's mansion. How could I possibly be dissatisfied?"
As long as my brothers don't make things difficult for me because of Shen Jinshu, we can certainly get along well.
She emphasized her words at the end.
As long as she remains in the Marquis's residence, she will naturally "get along well" with them; however, how she does so is entirely up to her.
"You..." Shen Yanxi was about to jump up and down, but before he could even open his mouth, Shen Mingyi stopped him in time, and the words got stuck in his throat, so he shut his mouth awkwardly.
The time wasn't right yet, so he decided to tolerate Song Zhiyu for a while.
Hearing Shen Feng's words and sensing the tense atmosphere between the father and daughter, the guests present couldn't help but recall the incident of the Shen siblings being thrown out of Yushang Pavilion.
Then, considering Song Zhiyu's clothes, their expressions gradually became meaningful.
It seems that this true daughter of the Marquis's family is not favored by her father and brothers. She is from the countryside, what a pity for such a beautiful girl.
Many people gave up on the idea. A noblewoman with no power, influence, or favor was beautiful but lacked knowledge. Marrying her would only be for admiring her beauty, and she would bring no benefit to their careers.
However, Shen Feng's smugness did not last long before it was completely shattered by the huge commotion coming from outside.
"Her Highness the Eldest Princess has arrived!"
Accompanied by a sharp, piercing male voice, the Princess, dressed in magnificent palace attire, slowly approached, surrounded by a crowd.
What was most shocking was the large boxes behind her, which were carried into the Marquis's mansion like a flowing river.
The box was opened, and the gold and silver jewelry overflowing from it glittered in the sunlight. All kinds of jade and gemstones were on display, dazzling the eyes and hurting the eyes of many.
"Today is the day Zhiyu officially regains her identity, and I have been invited to offer my congratulations. This small token is my congratulatory gift." The Princess pointed to the boxes of jewelry behind her, waved her hand, and ordered the servants to carry them all to Songxi Courtyard.
She disliked the people of the Marquis's mansion and knew Song Zhiyu's attitude towards it, so she would never allow the Marquis's mansion to gain even the slightest advantage.
Song Zhiyu curtsied in thanks, knowing that the princess's actions were intended to elevate her status and prevent others from looking down on her, so she continued speaking in accordance with the princess's words.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Your gift is too precious. I am truly unworthy of it."
The eldest princess personally helped the man up, reiterated Song Zhiyu's identity, and even joked with great interest, "You are my savior, and it is only right that I give you whatever I can. After all, my life is worth more than this little treasure."
Compared to Song Zhiyu's radiant smile, Shen Feng couldn't even manage a smile. He watched helplessly as more than a dozen boxes of gold and silver jewelry were carried to Songxi Courtyard, his face turning pale and then flushed – a truly dramatic sight.
However, everyone's attention was focused on Song Zhiyu, and no one noticed the change in his expression.
The guests present stared in disbelief at the dozens of boxes of gold and silver jewelry in front of them, and were astonished. They thought, "Is this all the treasures I have?"
As expected of the eldest princess, she is very generous.
What shocked them even more was that the savior mentioned by the princess was none other than Song Zhiyu, the highly skilled female physician rumored in the capital.
Wasn't she said to be from the countryside and have no ink on her chest?
What they didn't know was that the appearance of the others next would only shock them even more.
"The Duke of Ling's mansion has arrived—" Another loud and clear male voice echoed in the air for a long time.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Duke Ling and his wife walking in front, with Ling Wushuang following closely behind, directing the servants carrying boxes behind them.
Another dozen or so boxes?
The guests' eyelids twitched, and they inexplicably felt that the Duke of Ling's mansion had also come for Song Zhiyu.
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