“My second sister grew up in the countryside, and everyone knows what the conditions there are like. Naturally, she didn’t have the opportunity to learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I think it’s fine for her as she is,” Shen Jinshu said at the right moment.
She smiled sheepishly and continued, "Talent is not the standard for judging a woman. My second sister is not good at anything, but with the Marquis's mansion here, so what if she has no talent at all? The Marquis's mansion can protect her."
On the surface, Shen Jinshu's words seemed to be helping Song Zhiyu out of a predicament, but upon closer examination, she was constantly emphasizing the fact that Song Zhiyu couldn't do anything.
They also intentionally or unintentionally revealed how good the Marquis's mansion was to Song Zhiyu, and how willing they were to protect her.
Lu Bai secretly rolled her eyes; she knew the young lady would definitely jump out again.
If the Marquis's mansion had truly treated her young lady well, they wouldn't have fallen to this state.
"Miss Ming, don't you know about my relationship with Shen Jinshu?" Song Zhiyu asked with a half-smile, implying that she and Shen Jinshu were not sisters and should not get involved.
Mingzhu's smile froze as she realized Shen Jinshu's identity, and for a moment she was at a loss for words to refute or salvage her previous statement.
"Song Zhiyu, stop fooling around." Shen Yanxi frowned and scolded her angrily, afraid that Song Zhiyu would make a fool of herself regardless of the occasion, and even more afraid that she would turn her anger towards Shu'er again.
If he had known that Song Zhiyu was going to attend the lake tour banquet, he should have tried his best to stop her. Otherwise, she wouldn't have offended everyone and lost face for the Marquis's mansion.
Thinking of the Seventh Princess and the Prince's heir, Shen Yanxi suddenly felt a headache coming on.
"Young Master Shen, are you really Miss Song's biological brother?"
Pei Qingyan's seemingly random remark left Shen Yanxi somewhat bewildered, but he still subconsciously admitted it, replying, "Of course, what else could it be but you?"
He didn't know when it started, but he accepted Song Zhiyu as his younger sister without any resistance, and he was still unaware of the changes in himself.
Pei Qingyan shook his head and chuckled, his words carrying a hidden meaning, "Seeing the different attitudes that Young Master Shen has towards his two younger sisters, I thought the Marquis of Chengen's mansion had mistaken them for someone else."
Those who don't know the situation might think Miss Song is the adopted daughter who has no blood relation to you. After all, the difference is quite significant.
"you……"
Shen Yanxi was speechless for a moment. Even if he was stupid, he could tell that Pei Qingyan was mocking him.
"It's all because Song Zhiyu keeps making things difficult for Shu'er. If she weren't so bad-natured and intolerant, why would I treat her differently?" Shen Yanxi was actually well aware that the difference in his attitude towards his two sisters was too great, but people's hearts are always biased.
One is Shen Jinshu, who grew up with me since childhood. She is not my biological sister, but she is closer to me than a biological sister. The other is Song Zhiyu, my biological sister who has only recently returned. I know very little about her.
In matters of the heart, it's no surprise that they leaned towards Shen Jinshu; it's only natural.
He did want to treat Song Zhiyu better, but she had been making things difficult for Shu'er ever since she returned to the manor, and had even poisoned him repeatedly with despicable methods. He simply couldn't convince himself to do it.
Besides, even if he were to back down, it's not certain that Song Zhiyu would appreciate it.
She is a cold-hearted, heartless person.
Thinking of this, Shen Yanxi suddenly felt a little sad.
"Oh."
Pei Qingyan snorted coldly, slamming the teacup heavily on the table, making a clear, crisp sound that made Shen Yanxi's heart tremble involuntarily.
He just couldn't understand why Pei Qingyan was always involved and seemed to be working against him, especially regarding Song Zhiyu.
Shen Yanxi suddenly recalled Shen Jinshu's unconscious words, and looked at Pei Qingyan with a probing gaze, even a hint of hostility.
Could it be that Pei Qingyan really has those kinds of feelings for Song Zhiyu...?
Pei Qingyan ignored Shen Yanxi's ulterior motives and didn't even glance at him.
He stared intently at Song Zhiyu, a barely perceptible tension lurking deep in his eyes.
Consort Cheng was the birth mother of the Seventh Princess. She doted on her only daughter and spoiled her so much that she became unruly.
Now that the Seventh Princess has been punished by His Majesty because of Yu'er, it's hard to guarantee that Consort Cheng won't hold a grudge against Yu'er and deliberately make things difficult for her.
Pei Qingyan's worries were not unfounded. When Consort Cheng heard Song Zhiyu's name, her eyes immediately sharpened. She looked the person up and down and smiled strangely.
"So you are Song Zhiyu. I have long admired your name." Consort Cheng smiled and deliberately emphasized the words "Song Zhiyu".
"Your Highness is too kind." Song Zhiyu stood up and bowed, accepting Consort Cheng's so-called "praise" without any hesitation.
She looked up and met Consort Cheng's gaze, clearly seeing the ruthlessness in her eyes.
After driving away the younger one, an older one came.
Song Zhiyu knew perfectly well that Consort Cheng had been eyeing her for a long time.
After all, the Seventh Princess was punished because of her, so Consort Cheng naturally wanted to vent all her anger on her.
"Miss Song is truly capable; even my Seventh Princess has fallen into your hands." Consort Cheng drawled, her words carrying a chilling undertone, exuding the oppressive aura of someone accustomed to a high position.
Upon hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but glance at the two of them. Even the Prince of Li straightened his expression, a hint of displeasure flashing across his face, but it vanished in an instant.
Shen Yanxi held his breath, his gaze towards Song Zhiyu filled with complex emotions. He knew that with Song Zhiyu's ruthless nature, he would eventually run into a brick wall.
This time, she's really in deep trouble.
Song Zhiyu was not frightened at all. Her smile remained, and she stood straight. The ribbon tied around her waist swayed gently in the breeze. Every move she made was flawless, which made Consort Cheng's already irritable heart even more uncomfortable.
Seeing that the situation was not good for Song Zhiyu and worried that she would suffer, the eldest princess hurriedly spoke up, "Your Highness, please be careful with your words. The Seventh Princess was punished for making a mistake, but it has nothing to do with Miss Song."
"Your Highness, please don't be anxious. I was just joking with her." Consort Cheng stared at Song Zhiyu for a moment, then suddenly laughed. Her eyes softened instantly, as if her previous aggressive demeanor was just their illusion.
But Song Zhiyu dared not let her guard down, nor did she believe that Consort Cheng would let her off easily.
"Miss Song has come to the lakeside banquet, I presume you have made some preparations? I have heard that Miss Song's medical skills are superb, and she has cured many difficult and complicated diseases. If that is the case, she must be excellent in other aspects as well." Consort Cheng picked up where Mingzhu left off.
Upon hearing this, Mingzhu's eyes suddenly lit up. "Your Majesty, I have heard that Miss Song's sword dance is exceptional, even more so than her medical skills."
I suppose Miss Song will be performing a sword dance today.
After saying that, she gave Song Zhiyu a provocative look, putting her in a difficult situation where she couldn't move forward or backward.
If Song Zhiyu refuses, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting that she has no talent, and might even offend the Empress Dowager and Consort Cheng?
It would be even better if she agreed. Sword dancing is no simple skill, and Mingzhu doesn't believe that Song Zhiyu can even do that.
At that time, it will be the Chengen Marquis's mansion that loses face, and even Shen Jinshu will not be able to escape the consequences.
No matter what choice Song Zhiyu makes, the final result will only be humiliation.
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