Prince He remained relentless.
Shen Qingwu took a deep breath, lifting her head with tearful, blurred eyes, her appearance resembling a frightened fawn.
“Imperial Uncle, I told you that you scared her, didn’t I?” The Fourth Prince spoke in her defense, yet his eyes were full of mockery. “A beauty like her should be cherished and protected in the palm of one’s hand.”
Even though Shen Qingwu’s appearance haunted his thoughts, he could not forget the humiliation of being publicly rejected.
He secretly plotted to first break her spirit, then bestow favors upon her, so she would feel grateful and devoted, leaning on him from then on…
As he thought about it, he unconsciously chuckled.
Shen Qingwu frowned slightly, feeling an urge to check the Fourth Prince’s pulse to see if there was something wrong with his mind.
Fortunately, Ye Chen finally averted his gaze and said indifferently, “I mistook her for someone else.”
It was merely a momentary resemblance in their eyes; upon closer inspection, they were entirely different.
“Your Highness, the Fourth Prince!” Shen Qingxi hurried over, lifting the hem of her skirt, and stood intimately close to the Fourth Prince. When she looked up, her eyes sparkled with admiration.
The Fourth Prince glanced down at her flamboyant attire and found it unbearably vulgar. He subtly stepped back half a step and said politely, “Second Miss Shen is here too?”
If not for Shen Qingwu, it would be one thing—he had an affair with Shen Qingxi while betrothed to Shen Qingwu, and this must not be discovered.
This was not the same as his usual frivolous pursuits.
Shen Qingxi naturally understood this as well, which was why, upon seeing the Fourth Prince joking with Shen Qingwu from afar, she had to suppress her jealousy.
“Yes,” she forced a smile, first bowing to Ye Chen, then warmly taking Shen Qingwu’s hand. “My cousin is entering the palace for the first time; it’s safer for her to stay by my side.”
Shen Qingxi was only domineering at home; in front of outsiders, she always pretended to be gentle and proper.
“Shall I introduce you to a few Kyoto Noble Ladies?” she asked gently, though she had already schemed how to make Shen Qingwu embarrass herself in front of those young ladies.
Her shabby and pitiful appearance would inevitably invite ridicule.
Unexpectedly, Shen Qingwu broke free from her grip, frowning and saying, “I don’t want to go. I just want to wait here for the banquet to start.”
She opened her clear, almond-shaped eyes wide and spoke earnestly, “As long as I stand here, I won’t make any mistakes.”
Her lonely yet resilient demeanor made Ye Chen, who was about to leave, pause in his steps.
Shen Qingxi forced a smile, trying to keep her tone gentle. “Cousin, you won’t make any mistakes if you follow me either.” As she spoke, she reached out to pull her again.
Shen Qingwu struggled, her movements exaggerated but lacking strength. “No, let go of me. I don’t trust you.” She resisted with her whole body, her eyes brimming with tears. “You’re hurting me…”
The surrounding guests turned to look, only to see Shen Qingxi forcefully tugging at the pitiful Shen Qingwu.
Shen Qingxi hurriedly released her hand. Furious but unable to show it, she smiled and explained to the onlookers, “I didn’t use any force. My cousin has lived in the mountains for a long time and is unfamiliar with the ways of the world… Perhaps she still doesn’t fully accept me since her return.”
As she spoke, she also adopted a hurt expression. “It must be that I, as her younger cousin, haven’t done well enough…”
Feeling some affection for her, the Fourth Prince spoke in her defense. “Second Miss Shen, there’s no need to blame yourself. We all know you have a soft and kind heart.”
The surrounding crowd echoed with agreement and comforting words.
Amidst these voices, Shen Qingwu lowered her head, her hands seemingly nervously fiddling with the hem of her skirt.
In reality, her eyes were darting around, searching for small stones on the ground.
Suddenly, a figure stepped in front of her, blocking all gazes.
Shen Qingwu looked up to see Prince He’s broad back forming a barrier that shielded her from all stares and whispers.
His fingers leisurely twirled a jade bracelet as he spoke with a smile: “Eldest Miss Shen should stand right here. This is perfect.”
In that moment, she was inexplicably reminded of her childhood, when she’d been bullied by other children due to her frail health. Her father had suddenly appeared before her just like this, shielding her from everything.
He not only frightened those children to tears but also lectured their parents along with them.
From then on, no one dared to make fun of her anymore, and she lost all childhood playmates.
As a child, she felt lonely, but now she understood those were never true friends. And her father’s broad back remained the most reassuring presence in her memories.
“Your Highness Prince He?” Shen Qingxi couldn’t conceal her astonishment. She had only been confined for over ten days – when had Shen Qingwu managed to entangle herself with Prince He?
Remembering how she had seen the Fourth Prince chatting happily with Shen Qingwu from afar earlier, Shen Qingxi clenched her fists tightly inside her sleeves. She truly couldn’t afford to remain trapped in the ancestral hall any longer!
“Hmm?” Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, a faint smile still playing on his lips, yet it made Shen Qingxi dare not speak further. She could only grit her teeth and retreat, while the surrounding crowd tactfully dispersed.
Only the Fourth Prince remained standing in place.
Ye Chen pointed into the distance: “Little Seven is looking for you.”
“Is that so?” The Fourth Prince looked around before reluctantly leaving.
After he had gone far enough, Ye Chen finally stepped aside. The palace lanterns once again illuminated Shen Qingwu’s face.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Shen Qingwu deliberately made her voice soft and sweet, perfectly matching her current appearance.
She looked up to see half of Prince He’s face hidden in the interplay of light and shadow, his expression unreadable, seemingly different from when they’d met at the Ghost Market.
“No one will disturb you anymore.” Ye Chen leaned against a tree with crossed arms, neither leaving nor intending to continue the conversation.
So Shen Qingwu quietly remained where she was.
Her sparkling eyes appeared to be curiously surveying the surroundings, while in reality she was discreetly observing Shen Qingxi’s every move.
The Fourth Prince had taken her to where Seventh Princess was. She was bowing, smiling ingratiatingly, and toasting before a group of princes and princesses. The banquet hadn’t even started yet, but her steps were already unsteady.
“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, Her Highness the Grand Princess, and His Highness the Crown Prince have arrived—”
A shrill voice suddenly pierced through the noise, and Qionglin Courtyard instantly fell silent. All imperial relatives, nobles, civil and military officials with their family members, regardless of what they had been doing before, now left their seats in unison. According to their ranks, they either knelt or bowed, their movements perfectly synchronized as they chanted in unison:
“Pay respects to His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, Her Highness the Grand Princess, and His Highness the Crown Prince—”
“We wish His Majesty boundless blessings and sacred peace, Her Majesty a thousand years of auspicious fortune, Her Highness the Grand Princess golden peace, and His Highness the Crown Prince a thousand years of life!”
The chorus of voices reverberated under the brilliant lantern lights, displaying the supreme authority of imperial power and ultimate honor.
Was the main event finally about to begin?
Shen Qingwu took a deep breath, watching the bright yellow imperial boots pass before her eyes, unconsciously tightening her grip on the object concealed in her sleeve.
Suddenly, a hand extended before her.
Shen Qingwu was momentarily stunned, then looked up in confusion to meet the Grand Princess’s warm smile.
She beamed radiantly, placed her hand in the offered one, and was immediately pulled up by the Grand Princess’s strength.
The Grand Princess wore a slate-blue palace dress today, adorned with minimal accessories. Only the emerald bracelet on her wrist accentuated her increasingly luminous complexion.
Both luxurious and dignified, yet without overshadowing the main guests.
“Eldest Miss Shen has a delicate constitution, do not kneel for too long.” She gently patted Shen Qingwu’s hand. “Child, you shall remain by my side today.”
Shen Qingwu showed gratitude and nodded softly.
She knew the Grand Princess was looking after her. While accepting this kindness, a sense of guilt rose in her heart, causing her to unconsciously clench her fingers.
From beginning to end, it had been her putting on an act and using the Grand Princess, yet the Grand Princess genuinely cared for her.
Seeing the Grand Princess halt her steps, the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince also stopped.
The Emperor lightly held the Empress with one hand while standing with his hands behind his back, exuding authority without anger: “You are… the daughter of Yongyi Hou?”