A gust of wind suddenly arose.
The osmanthus blossoms fell in a flurry, brushing against the stray hairs on Yan Zhuoxu's forehead, casting an even darker shadow over his sharp eyebrows and eyes.
He gazed at the fallen flowers covering the ground.
My heart sank, leaving only scattered pieces on the ground.
fraud.
Last night, she was still holding onto him, saying that she could only see him.
Today, she smiles at another man.
Yan Zhuoxu's knuckles cracked, his cold, sharp jaw clenched, desperately suppressing the surging anger within him.
...
Ye Jinghong's eyes were filled with surprise when he saw Shen Zhiyi greet him.
"Second Miss, do you still remember me?"
Shen Zhiyi politely replied, "Young Master's talent is renowned throughout the capital; who doesn't know him?"
She and Ye Jinghong had met briefly at a poetry gathering two years ago.
He has a gentle and refined appearance, yet his eyes and brows reveal ambition, making him stand out even in a crowd.
Not to mention his extraordinary talent.
Their future prospects are undoubtedly limitless.
Therefore, despite her less-than-ideal family background, she still won the favor of many young ladies.
Ye Jinghong became visibly excited.
"The Second Miss is exceptionally beautiful. I was deeply impressed by her when I first met her at the poetry gathering years ago."
Shen Qingyuan, standing to the side, saw the emotions almost overflowing in Ye Jinghong's eyes, and her expression twisted for a moment.
The handkerchief was almost torn to shreds.
At the poetry gathering that year, the woman who won first place was clearly Shen Qingyuan!
How could I not be impressed by her?
She took a deep breath, stepped between the two, and said, "Stop chatting, sister, let's look at the reward."
"Don't keep the eunuchs waiting."
Shen Zhiyi turned her head and looked at the eunuchs, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes.
"For me?"
She thought these were gifts from Shen Qingyuan, which she had deliberately brought to her to show off.
After all, this kind of thing has happened countless times before.
The head eunuch stepped forward and said with a smile, "The Empress has decreed that Miss Shen should not be disturbed."
"These things were all ordered by His Highness the Crown Prince and arranged by Her Majesty the Empress. I hope Miss Shen will like them."
Was it a gift from Yan Zhuoxu?
Shen Zhiyi was stunned for a moment.
After regaining his senses, he quickly expressed his gratitude.
The eunuchs opened the lids one by one.
"This is the Flowing Cloud Brocade bestowed by His Highness. There are only three pieces in the entire palace. Apart from the Empress Dowager and the Empress, you are the first person to wear the Flowing Cloud Brocade."
The eunuch smiled and said, "Her Majesty the Empress is very thoughtful. She sent someone to the Prime Minister's residence to ask about Miss Shen's measurements, and then found the best embroiderers in the palace to work overnight to make it for her."
"Miss Shen is truly blessed."
Shen Zhiyi's face flushed slightly.
Thinking back to that night, when Yan Zhuoxu was nuzzling her temples and crumpling her dress, his promise to buy her a new one was not a lie...
Shen Qingyuan's face turned ashen.
The Flowing Cloud Brocade is rare; even though she was the Crown Princess in that dream, she hadn't seen many pieces.
Shen Zhiyi has not yet entered the Eastern Palace, yet she has already been rewarded with such fine materials?
A pang of sadness welled up in her heart.
The eunuch opened another lid: "These are pearls personally bestowed by the Empress Dowager. Each one is large and round. The Emperor asked for them recently, but the Empress Dowager only gave him two. Now, this whole bushel is being given to the Second Miss."
Shen Zhiyi was flattered and overwhelmed.
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness."
The eunuch added, "And this red gold filigree hairpin inlaid with rubies, bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress, was a gift from the late Emperor when Her Majesty entered the Eastern Palace."
"The pigeon blood ruby on this is a rare and precious item!"
"Now, it is also bestowed upon the Second Miss."
Shen Zhiyi knew exactly what this meant and expressed her gratitude sincerely.
Shen Qingyuan's lips turned deathly pale in an instant.
Your Majesty, is this a tacit acknowledgment of Shen Zhiyi's status as Crown Princess?!
Her steps faltered.
He managed to hold on by supporting Lianxing's hand.
If Mother knew about this, she would probably fall ill from anger again.
Ye Jinghong's expression was also not good.
"And these rouge, face powder, bracelets, waist ornaments, shoes, and pendants," the eunuch said with a smile, pointing to the remaining gifts. "They were all carefully selected by Her Majesty the Empress for the Second Miss."
Shen Zhiyi thanked them one by one.
"We will convey the Second Miss's gratitude to the Empress Dowager and the Empress back to the palace."
The eunuch's smile was quite meaningful.
"However, Your Highness, you will still need to personally go and express your gratitude."
After he finished speaking, he sent someone to deliver the items to Shen Zhiyi's meditation room, then bowed and took his leave.
Shen Zhiyi is also leaving.
Shen Qingyuan grabbed her arm, "Where are you going, little sister?"
“Thank you.” Shen Zhiyi opened her eyes and said sincerely, “Master Kongchen, oh no, Your Highness, I must thank you in person to show my respect.”
She looked towards the osmanthus tree outside the hall.
There was no one there anymore.
She quickly looked away, "Sister, after you finish praying, you should go down the mountain as soon as possible."
Shen Qingyuan was anxious and blocked her way.
"How can I, as the eldest sister, feel at ease leaving my younger sister alone in the Buddhist temple?"
“I’ve decided to stay here and wait until you decide to go back, then we’ll go down the mountain together.”
Shen Zhiyi raised an eyebrow and parted her lips slightly, "Whatever you say."
She turned and left the main hall.
"Second Miss, please wait!" Ye Jinghong chased after her and stopped in front of Shen Zhiyi. "Second Miss, may I have a word with you in private?"
Shen Zhiyi turned around, glanced at Shen Qingyuan, and nodded.
The two walked away side by side.
Shen Qingyuan stood in the hall, her body went limp, and she leaned against a pillar.
“Miss…” Lianxing helped her up with concern.
"I never imagined my half-sister would be so capable." Shen Qingyuan suddenly felt a surge of crisis and grabbed Lianxing's hand. "Lianxing, tell me, His Highness the Crown Prince treats her so differently, treating her illnesses and bestowing gifts upon her. Now, Ye Jinghong's heart and eyes are completely devoted to her..."
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