Shen Yanxi watched Pei Qingyan's tall figure leave, his expression dazed, and for a moment he fell into deep thought.
More than one person had said this to him. He used to dismiss it, but now he felt a pang of sadness and inexplicable distress.
Shen Yanxi thought that he was probably ill.
People around gradually left the lotus pavilion to prepare for the upcoming lake tour banquet.
Only Shen Yanxi stood there, his expression complicated, clutching his chest, seemingly lost in thought.
"Fourth Brother, what's wrong? Are you upset that I didn't stand up for Second Sister just now?" Shen Jinshu frowned, feeling uneasy. She couldn't quite see through Shen Yanxi.
"No, don't overthink it. I was just thinking about other things." Shen Yanxi waved his hand, not taking Shen Jinshu's words to heart, and even comforted her instead.
If Song Zhiyu hadn't consistently opposed the Marquis's mansion and repeatedly hurt Shu'er, leaving them with a bad impression, he wouldn't have misunderstood her.
But asking him to apologize was absolutely out of the question. Shen Yanxi was seething with anger, and he didn't think he had done anything wrong.
As for Shu'er, she owes Song Zhiyu even less.
Thinking of this, Shen Yanxi's emotions calmed down a lot, the sour feeling in his heart faded, and he regained his confidence.
He stepped closer to Song Zhiyu, blocking her path, and said, "What I said just now was out of consideration for our blood ties; I was trying to plead for you."
You are, after all, a member of the Marquis's household, so naturally I cannot disregard the Marquis's reputation. You…”
"A good dog doesn't block the way." Upon seeing the two, Song Zhiyu's smile faded considerably.
She could guess what Shen Yanxi was going to say even with her eyes closed; it would be nothing more than those same few accusations made with absolute certainty.
When she's in a good mood, she naturally has the patience to argue with him.
But she wasn't in a good mood and couldn't be bothered to listen to Shen Yanxi's barking.
Lu Bai raised her hand and swept Shen Yanxi aside, protecting Song Zhiyu behind her, determined not to let the Shen family touch even a corner of her clothes.
“Miss, it’s a bit noisy here. I don’t know what’s making that noise. Let’s leave first to avoid getting any bad luck.” Lu Bai deliberately raised her voice, her cheerful voice clearly reaching Shen Yanxi’s ears.
“That’s true.” Song Zhiyu nodded slightly, not even glancing at Shen Yanxi, and left directly.
Shen Yanxi snapped out of his daze, his fair and handsome face instantly turning red as he glared hatefully at the departing figures of Song Zhiyu and her servant.
*
Behind the artificial hill.
"I warned you before, you are not allowed to touch Song Zhiyu without my permission. What, does my word no longer matter?" Prince Li grabbed Shen Jinshu's wrist, tearing off his gentle mask and revealing the violent rage in his eyes.
His face darkened, and he tightened his grip even more. "I really underestimated you. You even managed to use Yu'er, making everyone run wild."
Shen Jinshu bit her lower lip, a flash of pain crossing her face. "Your Highness, this matter has nothing to do with me. I did not know that the Seventh Princess would target Song Zhiyu. If I had known the Seventh Princess's plan, I would have stopped her no matter what."
Even if I cannot stop it, I will take all the blame upon myself and will never allow anything to happen to the princess. Please believe me, Your Highness.
"Is that so? I misunderstood you?" Prince Li smiled gently, but there was no smile in his eyes, and the strength in his hands did not loosen.
He admired Shen Jinshu's pained and restrained expression, and felt a sense of pleasure.
"Your Highness, I swear to heaven that I knew absolutely nothing about this matter." Shen Jinshu's face was pale, but her tone was firm, revealing not a single flaw.
She was indeed unaware of the Seventh Princess's plan, but she could guess a little. She merely fueled the flames, not orchestrated it.
Even if Li Wang were to investigate, he would absolutely not be able to find anything about her.
Li Wang narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze seemingly able to see through to the depths of her heart.
Shen Jinshu clutched the sides of her dress, met Li Wang's sharp gaze, forced a smile on her pretty face, and suppressed the unease in her heart.
"It was my fault for losing my composure and misunderstanding Shu'er." After a long while, Prince Li calmed down, released Shen Jinshu's wrist, and regained his usual gentle demeanor.
He gently stroked Shen Jinshu's wrist, which was reddened by his warm fingertips, and his tone softened, "Yu'er is my own sister. I was very worried when something happened to her. Shu'er is always understanding and should understand me."
"Your Highness understands, I don't blame you." Shen Jinshu tugged at the corners of her mouth and looked down at their clasped hands.
Upon hearing this, Prince Li smiled, knowing full well the art of giving a slap followed by a sweet treat. He reached out and patted Chen Jinshu's head, his voice so gentle it could melt water, "My dear, once you win the championship at the Lake Tour Banquet and catch the Empress Dowager's eye, you can marry me in style."
Knowing that Shen Jinshu was determined to marry him, Li Wang naturally knew how to appease her with things she cared about.
After saying this, Shen Jinshu's face showed a sincere smile, her cheeks flushed, and she grasped Prince Li's hand in return, "This subject will do her best to not disappoint Your Highness."
"I believe you. Alright, the lake tour banquet is about to begin, so hurry up and prepare. I have important matters to attend to, and I will spend time with you after the banquet." Prince Li withdrew his hand, and the smile on his face faded the moment he turned his head away.
Once the figure of the Prince of Li had completely disappeared from Shen Jinshu's sight, she finally released her right hand, which had been hanging by her side, and her smile faded, as if the shyness she had just felt was just an illusion.
She carefully put away the torn handkerchief and was about to leave when she heard a series of hurried footsteps not far away. Looking up, she saw a familiar figure.
Shen Jinshu curled the corners of her mouth, a dark glint flashed in her eyes, and tears fell without warning.
Halfway there, the prince's son suddenly heard weak, pitiful sobs that sounded vaguely familiar.
He paused slightly in his footwork, and before he could think further, he changed direction.
Upon seeing the beauty weeping, the prince's son felt a pang of sympathy. "Shu'er, why are you crying here? Have you suffered some injustice? I will go and avenge you."
"Your Highness, no one bullied me. I was just sad that my second sister misunderstood me again, but I only wanted to plead for her." Shen Jinshu's lips, hidden under her handkerchief, were slightly upturned, but her face showed a wronged expression, her eyes were brimming with tears, and she looked pitiful.
Sure enough, the prince's son immediately took the bait, "Did Song Zhiyu bully you again? This prince will teach her a lesson."
After saying this, the Prince's heir ignored Shen Jinshu's attempts to stop him and quickly left.
"Fool." Shen Jinshu wiped away her tears, a smile spreading across her face, and she scoffed softly.
She could only hope that the Prince's son wouldn't waste her painstaking performance.
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