Chun Tao saw Shen Miao and hurriedly approached the horse carriage, saying something to the person inside. Immediately afterwards, she saw the curtain of the horse carriage being lifted by someone.

  Inside were Shen Yue and Shen Qing, as well as Ren Yuanyun and Chen Ruoqiu. The four of them couldn't help but stare at Shen Miao's appearance. Chen Ruoqiu's eyes flickered, while Ren Yuanyun furrowed her brow: "Xiaowu, why are you dressed so plainly?"

  "Right," Shen Qing also couldn't wait to speak up: "It looks really ugly, it's better to wear something bright and beautiful. I have a new yellow dress in my room, Chun Tao, take Wu Mei to change into that dress, and accessories, why aren't you wearing any? If someone didn't know, they would think the General's Manor is treating you poorly."

  She secretly suppressed the jealousy in her heart.

  Actually, Shen Qing Sheng is also considered a beautiful and elegant woman. With her usual sunny and generous days outside, she looks like a very dignified noble lady. However, there is one thing that bothers her the most, which is that her skin tone is not particularly fair, but rather tends to be wheat-colored. Which daughter does not hope that her skin is as white as snow? Shen Yue's skin is white, and she doesn't dare say anything, but Shen Miao's skin is also white, and today she is wearing a light blue dress, which makes her skin look even whiter. In this way, among the three daughters of the Shen family, she has the darkest skin tone, and naturally, she is not happy about it.

  Shen Yue carefully examined Shen Miao, seeing that the垂云髻 she was wearing was indeed small and delicate, matching perfectly with her lotus green dress, making her look very elegant. Today, she wasn't wearing those gold and silver accessories, giving off a simple yet naturally noble aura. She smiled and said: "Fifth sister, let's not talk about the clothes for now, but you must wear some accessories, after all, it's our family's face, grandmother will also be displeased if she sees you dressed like this. Moreover, why did you style your hair like that? You're still young, the double ring buns from before were fine."

  Guiyu's face turned pale, but as a servant, she couldn't afford to offend her master. She could only grit her teeth in hatred, thinking that the second and third branches of the Shen family were all treacherous, and they didn't hesitate to harm their own niece. They hoped that Shen Miao would look more rustic and unsophisticated.

  Shen Miao sneered inwardly, Shen Yue had even brought up Old Lady Shen, and she knew that in the past, what she feared most was Old Lady Shen's authority. As for her age, Shen Yue was only one year older than herself, so where did this talk of youth come from? She herself wore a flying immortal hairstyle, with a light pink gauze dress as thin as silk, wanting to be an absolute beauty, why should she be the one to make way?

  They finished speaking, but saw Shen Miao not uttering a word, only smiling and looking at them, wondering what she was thinking. Finally, Shen Qing felt somewhat uneasy under that gaze, and scolded the maid standing by the carriage: "Chun Tao, what are you still dawdling for? Don't hurry up and take Fifth Young Miss to change her clothes?"

  "It's all right," Shen Miao interrupted her, putting on a timely look of distress: "Today's attire is also for a reason. The jewelry given to me by Second Aunt, I really like it, and it's not intentional that I didn't wear it."

  Several people looked at each other in confusion, unsure what Shen Miao meant. Gu Yu and Jing Zhen also exchanged a glance, looking at Shen Miao with some puzzlement.

  "My father is now far away in the northwest, leading his troops to fight bravely. The Xiongnu have not retreated, and the soldiers are wearing armor and enduring hardships. I am in the capital, wearing silk clothes and eating fine food, indulging in leisurely pursuits, admiring flowers and reciting poetry. It's really shameful." Shen Miao lowered her head slightly, her voice also becoming softer: "Last night, a Bodhisattva appeared in my dream, telling me to pray sincerely. I have made up my mind that until my father returns triumphantly, I will not wear bright clothes or accessories."

  No one expected Shen Miao to suddenly say such a thing, usually timid and unable to speak clearly, let alone so eloquently. Shen Yue and Shen Qing were both shocked into speechlessness, while Chen Ruqiu stroked her forehead thoughtfully. As for Ren Yuanyun, she looked somewhat embarrassed - if Shen Miao's words came true and she was the only one praying sincerely for her father, what would that make these Shen family members? But if they wanted her Qing'er to dress so plainly for the chrysanthemum banquet, she would absolutely not agree. Ren Yuanyun gritted her teeth and advised kindly: "Even so, you're still a young lady, why think so heavily, just relax at the chrysanthemum banquet..."

  Shen Miao suddenly bowed deeply to Ren Wan Yun: "I beg of Second Aunt to fulfill Shen Miao's filial piety."

  Standing at the entrance of Shen's mansion, there were also many passersby coming and going. When Shen Miao bowed like this, the passing civilians couldn't help but cast curious glances.

  Ren Yuanyun can make Shen Miao wear gorgeous clothes to maintain the face of the Shen family, but would Ren Yuanyun dare not fulfill Shen Miao's filial piety?

  My elder brother is fighting a war in the northwest. If I don't pray for him, that's my business, but to also not let someone else's daughter fulfill her filial piety, what kind of heart is that?

  Ren Yuanyun's face suddenly turned pale, and she didn't expect Shen Miao to answer like that. What made her even more uncomfortable was that she couldn't refuse. Ren Yuanyun quickly had Chun Tao help Shen Miao up, saying: "You child, how could Second Aunt not support your filial piety? It's hard for you to have such thoughts at a young age, never mind, just be simple and unadorned."

  Shen Qing still had some dissatisfaction, but it was not good to refute her own mother's opinion. However, Shen Yue and her daughter seemed to have seen something, and when they looked at Shen Miao again, their gaze was already different.

  "But," said Ren Yuanyun with a smile, "our carriage is already full, so let the steward prepare another one especially for Xiao Wu. It's more spacious to sit in, and Xiao Wu will follow us in the second carriage, and we'll enter together later."

  Every year at the Chrysanthemum Banquet, Shen Miao would ride in a carriage with these two mother and daughter, but even if there was one more person, it wouldn't be crowded. Today's behavior is just intentional.

  Ren Yuanyun also had her own thoughts, Shen Qing had reached the age of seeking a husband's family, but Shen Xin's official position was higher than Shen Gui's. If there were high-ranking families, they might first consider Shen Miao. Shen Miao was stupid and foolish, as long as no one led her, she would likely make many jokes, only in this way could Shen Qing's magnanimity be set off.

  She had specially prepared two carriages for them. Chen Ruoqiu and her mother were of the same mind, so they naturally wouldn't refuse.

  "Alright, but as Second Aunt instructed." Shen Miao smiled slightly.

  Ren Yuanyun was a bit surprised, didn't expect Shen Miao to agree so easily. Shen Miao had always been timid, previously always sticking to Shen Yue and Shen Qing, and thought it would be difficult for her to have her own carriage alone, but unexpectedly Shen Miao didn't even raise an objection.

  It turns out that her preparation was unnecessary.

  "If there's nothing else, Shen Miao will go to the carriage first." She bowed to the four of them and got into her own carriage.

  That carriage is also spacious, but it's not as exquisite as Ruan Yun's.

  "Letting the young lady sit alone in the carriage is one thing, but to have someone sitting behind her, what kind of heart is this?"

  Jing Zhen looked at Shen Miao with some concern and sighed inwardly.

  Shen Miao's eyes gazed steadily at the candied fruit on the small table, her hand slowly clenched.

  Wanting to sweep away the prestige of Da Fang, deliberately pulling open the distance with Da Fang, making her a laughing stock, and giving Shen Xin a bad reputation?

  She wants to see who will be the one to cause trouble for whom in the end.