At this moment, when no one was watching, Shen Mu glared fiercely at her fourth son, Shen Qingbo, with a clear warning that if he dared to speak up, she would knock his head off.
"Jiaojiao, there are many fine items here. Take your time looking at the others—if you like something, just take it."
Shen Jiaojiao lowered her head deeply, a flash of resentment flickering in her eyes.
So it’s true—without blood ties, no matter how sweet the promises were before, now they waver!
If it were before, Fourth Brother would have given her the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks without hesitation, but now he was telling her to pick something else.
After all, things are different.
When Shen Jiaojiao looked up again, her face was full of smiles.
"Alright, Fourth Brother, I’ll take a look at the others."
Shen Mingzhu examined the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks in her hand but couldn’t see anything special about them.
[Host, this is a treasure! Previously, these Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks were gifted to Li Consort. Thanks to them, she avoided several assassination attempts in the imperial harem.]
[Oh, really?]
System, [Yes.]
Shen Mu, overhearing Shen Mingzhu’s conversation with the System, thought about Shen Jiaojiao’s close interactions with the Second Prince, Yan Yunxuan. It was clear how the Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks ended up in the hands of Li Consort in the harem.
To think that this "daughter" of hers was quite something!
What Shen Mu realized, Shen Qinghong and Shen Qingbo naturally grasped as well.
Instantly, their gazes toward Shen Jiaojiao shifted noticeably.
Especially Shen Qingbo, who felt much more clear-headed.
Shen Jiaojiao picked and chose, finally selecting a jade hairpin and an overseas jewelry box adorned with gems.
Shen Mingzhu, meanwhile, slipped the string of red coral beads directly onto her wrist.
"Mother, I’ve made my choice."
"Nothing else catches your eye?"
Shen Mu asked her with a cheerful smile.
"Nothing!"
Wang Shi, listening to Shen Mingzhu’s inner thoughts, was deeply shaken.
She had been feigning sleep with her eyes closed but had been closely observing the situation all along.
Could it all be true?
She knew that Xie Shi had sold off some of the household servants. Opening her shrewd eyes, she had Gui Momo help her up.
"I’m tired. You young people should enjoy yourselves."
After speaking, she cast a meaningful glance at Shen Mingzhu and Shen Jiaojiao before leaving.
Though she had left, she couldn’t stop reflecting on whether her insistence on keeping Shen Jiaojiao back then had been right or wrong.
After all, humans are emotional creatures.
Well, she would observe a little longer!
If things didn’t work out, she would simply prepare a dowry and marry her off as soon as possible.
Today’s events had a significant impact on Shen Qingbo.
After Shen Mingzhu and the others left, he pulled his elder brother into his study.
"Elder Brother, is it true?"
Shen Qinghong replied, "It’s likely true."
At least, based on their interactions with Shen Mingzhu over the past few days, every one of her inner thoughts that their parents had verified had turned out to be accurate.
"Elder Brother, you don’t think I’ll really end up… like that, do you?"
Shen Qinghong looked at his youngest brother solemnly and said,
"Qingbo, don’t worry. I won’t let any of that happen!"
"Besides, Father and Mother already know—they’ll definitely prevent it!"
"Elder Brother, my Wenxi Poison-Repelling Chopsticks! Do you think Shen Mingzhu—no, Mingzhu—will return them to me?"
He currently had three people attending to him closely: two young servants and one study attendant.
They had all grown up with him and were bound by life contracts. Which one of them had betrayed him?
After Shen Qinghong left, Shen Qingbo sat quietly in the study, reflecting on everything that had happened that day, his temples throbbing with pain.
Could Shen Mingzhu’s words be trusted?
After all, those were her inner thoughts. Logically, she had no reason to fabricate them.
Was Jiaojiao really as she described in her treatment of him?
Shen Mingzhu, however, gave it no further thought. She enjoyed a sumptuous dinner and slept soundly until late the next morning.
She lingered in bed for a while before lazily getting up.
How wonderful it was to live a carefree life!
After washing up, the maids brought the meals from the kitchen.
“Hmm, not bad!”
Once she finished eating, Shen Mu arrived with her maids.
“Mingzhu, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Every year, the palace invites the families of officials of the fifth rank and above to attend the banquet in the palace. Get ready—the manager of Jinlu Pavilion will come to your courtyard later to take your measurements for new clothes. Don’t go anywhere else.”
“Understood, Mother.”
[Gua Gua, Jinlu Pavilion’s business is so prosperous. Who owns it?]
[Host, the owner behind Jinlu Pavilion is Crown Prince Yan Beichen.]
[Wow, the Crown Prince is impressive! He even has a shop that earns mountains of gold!]
[Host, as you say, anyone who can become the Crown Prince must have some skills. Besides, without money, who would follow you?]
Shen Mingzhu chuckled.
[Gua Gua, you’re right!]
Shen Mu nearly stumbled and fell upon hearing this.
Because she knew that Jinlu Pavilion was originally a shop owned by a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan. So, it actually belonged to the Crown Prince…
She had learned this secret…
Uh…
Couldn’t this child save these explosive revelations for after she left?!
The answer was clearly no!
…………
The autumn air was crisp and refreshing, and fallen leaves drifted everywhere, painting the earth in shades of gold. The withered yellow leaves danced in the wind, like golden paper scattered across the sky, a sight utterly enchanting.
Soon, the annual Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.
On the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the eighteenth year of Yuanjing, the Mid-Autumn Festival—the most significant celebration in the Great Yan Dynasty after the New Year.
The entire Shengjing was filled with joy, and the people were immersed in the atmosphere of reunion.
Early in the morning, Shen Mingzhu was pulled out of bed by her maids, washed, dressed, and made up, before finally boarding a carriage with Shen Mu to head to the palace.
Inside the palace, the Mid-Autumn banquet was in full swing, with Emperor Yuanjing Yan Linghan celebrating alongside his ministers.
In the grand hall, Shen Mingzhu sat with Shen Mu, occasionally exchanging pleasantries with the wives and daughters of other officials. Everything seemed perfect.
Shen Mingzhu glanced at the wilted fruits before her, feeling no interest whatsoever.
Shen Jiaojiao, on the other hand, followed behind the second branch of the Shen family, smiling as she chatted with her familiar friends. From time to time, she would glance at Shen Mingzhu, then casually turn away, making Shen Mingzhu feel utterly bored.
Why wasn’t Shen Jiaojiao following Shen Mu?
The reason, of course, was that the second branch of the Shen family had fully supported keeping Shen Jiaojiao in the household. Since the second branch had no daughters of their own, Shen Mu had kindly allowed her “good sister-in-law” to bring Shen Jiaojiao to all future banquets.
This move had sparked much discussion outside, but Shen Mu paid it no mind.
Now, she cared even less!
All she needed to do was take good care of her Mingzhu!
Soon, the Emperor entered with the Empress, noble consorts, and other concubines. After everyone knelt and paid their respects, palace maids brought out an array of pastries and delicacies.
Just as Shen Mingzhu had taken a bite of a chestnut cake, Yan Yunxuan abruptly stood up from his seat.
"Father, on this festive occasion when the moon and families reunite, your son shares mutual affection and deep connection with the Second Young Lady of Changping Marquis Manor, Shen Jiaojiao. I humbly request Your Majesty to bestow her upon me as my principal consort."
After speaking, Yan Yunxuan glanced in Shen Jiaojiao's direction, his gaze filled with tender affection and unwavering confidence.
[Hah! You scumbag, think I actually like you? Get lost! The farther the better!]
Thus, these treasonous inner thoughts resounded throughout the imperial palace hall.
Ear-splitting!
Deafening!