The originally noisy front hall suddenly fell silent, and everyone's eyes fell on the purple figure behind Luo Xueyan.

  The girl's cloak had been taken off, revealing a purple silk dress with intricate floral patterns that accentuated her slender figure. She slightly raised her chin, gazing straight ahead as if the many noblewomen present were beneath her notice. Her skin was so pale it seemed almost translucent, making her features appear even more delicate. However, it was her pair of sparkling black eyes that truly captivated - her eye sockets were round and her gaze clear, giving off an air of innocence like a newborn animal, yet simultaneously exuding a quiet depth as if she had witnessed decades of life's trials. This blend of worldliness and naivety wove together to create a contradictory beauty.

  She followed Luo Xueyan's footsteps, step by step, into the hall. Unlike Luo Xueyan's somewhat nimble movements, the girl's hands were clasped together in front of her chest, yet they didn't appear stiff or awkward. It was as if she had practiced that movement a thousand times and it had become second nature to her. Even with just a casual gesture, she executed it with precision, not missing a single detail. Her long skirt fluttered gently with each step, like an unfolding flower, but the flower was unassuming and didn't show off its beauty, much like the girl herself. Her movements were extremely natural, yet every step she took was visually stunning, pleasing to the eye while also exuding a subtle sense of dignity. The women seated in the hall were all from high-ranking families and had undergone strict training in etiquette and palace rules. They thought they had done well for themselves, but upon seeing this girl, they couldn't help but feel surprised, because if it were them instead, they wouldn't have been able to walk with such elegance.

  Sometimes, shape can be imitated, but spirit cannot. The purple-robed girl's expression was calm and unruffled, her posture relaxed, as if this road were her own backyard, without any panic, caution, impulsiveness or fear, walking lightly, with a kind of condescending attitude towards the crowd.

  It's as if she were the real mistress of this palace.

  The thought flashed through her mind, and those women couldn't help but be shocked, simply because this girl was none other than that good-for-nothing Shen Miao!

  Before, in the examination hall, Shen Miao's transformation was clear to everyone. However, after that, Shen Miao and Shen Qing both claimed illness and stayed at the mansion, not even attending Guangwen Hall. Although she defeated Cai Lin in the examination hall, what was revealed was only ferocity and boldness, but etiquette and demeanor cannot be achieved overnight. Shen Miao had been at a disadvantage for so many years since the return banquet, and it's not easy to turn things around. Who would have thought that today, upon seeing her, people felt that Shen Miao was like a completely different person from before? Not only were her attire and manners flawless, but everyone also had a subtle feeling that Shen Miao surpassed all the official daughters in the hall!

  Shen Miao followed behind Luo Xueyan, facing the gaze of everyone, but no one saw the stiffness at the corner of her mouth.

  More than a decade had passed, and she finally returned to this place once again. The cage that had witnessed her relentless struggle against fate in her past life - she wanted to see if it could still hold her captive this lifetime!

  Every brick and tile here is deeply engraved in her heart, even with her eyes closed, she can find the way. As for those tedious palace rules and etiquette, doing them day after day has almost become second nature. In this hall, closing her eyes seems to bring back the image of Yuwenyu smiling as she asked for pastries, and Fuming shaking his head in disapproval of the national policy. Love and hate are intertwined, bitterness and sweetness mixed together, re-entering here again, a hundred emotions surge, but what burns fiercely in her heart is the flame of revenge!

  Xiao Lizi stared blankly at the purple-clothed girl walking behind the elegant woman, his heart shocked. He had just heard from the palace maid in the garden that Shen Xin's daughter was a coarse and rustic person, but now that he saw her, it turned out to be completely different. The girl had an aura of nobility all over her body, as if looking at her for another moment would be unbearable under her majesty, how could she be a rustic person?

  He was thinking, but saw the girl's gaze sweep over his body, slightly condensed. Xiao Lizi suddenly became tense, only knowing that he and Miss Shen had never met before, could this be the fate mentioned by the old man in the palace? Was Miss Shen going to take him seriously? While feeling anxious and excited, he saw Shen Miao's gaze turn away instantly, as if it was just an accident. Xiao Lizi felt a little disappointed for a moment, not knowing why, but he always felt that if he could get close to Miss Shen, there would be great fortune waiting for him. And now it seemed like he had missed that great fortune by a hair's breadth.

  Before Mrs. Shen could gather her thoughts on where this absurd idea came from, a tall woman sitting in the front hall laughed and said: "Mrs. Shen, you're making us wait!"

  Lu Xueyan slightly furrowed her brow, then immediately broke into a bright smile: "The road was a bit delayed."

  "The fifth young lady is getting more and more charming every day," said the tall woman, her eyes falling on Shen Miao again, half-true and half-false: "It's really going to be a fiancée, thinking back, she was still a little thing."

  Upon hearing this, Luo Xueyan's smile immediately sank. The engagement between Shen Miao and Shen Xin was utterly inexplicable to Luo Xueyan, as it was something the Shen family had arranged behind her back. She didn't acknowledge it one bit, nor did she fear offending the Wei family. In terms of family background, the Wei family wasn't inferior, but they couldn't compare to the Shen family. At most, they would offend the Wei family, but what was more important than Shen Miao's happiness? Moreover, Madame Wei wasn't even present at the moment. With the intention of clearing up these matters for Shen Miao, Luo Xueyan spoke up: "What kind of talk is this? Our Jiao Jiao has only just reached adulthood, and it's not necessary to marry her off so early. I want to keep Jiao Jiao by my side for a few more days."

  As soon as this was said, all the ladies and girls were stunned. After all, Shen Miao's engagement had been a hot topic not long ago. Later, at Old Mrs. Shen's birthday banquet, the rest of the Shen family almost took it for granted. How could it be that now, when it came to Luo Xueyan, it seemed like the engagement was going to be called off?

  The tall woman narrowed her eyes, seeming to sense something was off. Her smile grew even more meaningful as she said, "Oh? So Mrs. Shen wants to keep Miss Shen Wu for a few more days? But didn't you all say just the other day that Miss Shen Wu is getting engaged?"

  "Madam is really good at joking," Luo Xueyan was not afraid of anything, nor did she fear the contradictions within the Shen family being exposed in front of everyone. With other people from the Shen family like that as relatives, what's the point of maintaining those appearances? She raised an eyebrow and said loudly: "What kind of logic is it that a daughter gets engaged, but her parents don't know anything about it? My husband and I are completely unaware of what you're talking about, Madam. Where did this engagement come from?"

  As soon as Luo Xueyan finished speaking, whispers broke out around her. The tall woman was also taken aback by Luo's words and was momentarily stunned.

  It's not that there aren't any cases where parents don't know about their daughter's engagement, but Shen Miao being engaged to Luo Xue Yan and Shen Xin not knowing about it can only mean one thing - the Shen family is hiding it from them. As for why the Shen family would do such a thing, well, that's a whole different story.

  Just as everyone was lost in thought, Ren Yuanyun and Chen Ruoqiu arrived.

  Shen Gui and Shen Wan also went to the main hall of the men's residence first. Ren Yuanyun led Shen Qing, Chen Ruoqiu and Shen Yue to walk slowly over.

  Shen Qing was out for the first time since she had been bedridden with illness, and in these days she had become much thinner and paler. She was supposed to be in the best years of her youth, but already there were faint signs of age and fatigue. To conceal her pallor, she applied a thick layer of rouge and powder, and wore a red dress. Shen Qing was not suited to such bright colors, and at first glance, it looked very incongruous, somewhat strange and unseemly. Moreover, she was pregnant, and although she tried hard to hide it, her steps still looked a bit unsteady.

  As for Shen Yue, she was still wearing a light pink long dress with a delicate pattern, her movements slow and gentle, her makeup subtle. She looked like a soft and weak beauty with a strong scholarly aura. If it were in the past, she would have definitely attracted everyone's attention, but not today. With Shen Miao's presence, Shen Yue's steps seemed awkward, her movements stiff, her expression tense, even her clasped hands seemed to be using too much force. In short, she couldn't compare to Shen Miao in any way. Thinking of this, the expressions of the crowd became somewhat strange. When did Shen Yue, the most outstanding one in the Shen family, get left far behind by Shen Miao?

  Shen Yue was still young and didn't notice, but Chen Ruoqiu could keenly sense the difference in the gazes of those ladies. If it were any other day, the attention on her mother-daughter duo would be filled with envy, admiration, or praise. However, today, it seemed like they were being scrutinized even more? Chen Ruoqiu's eyebrows twitched; etiquette and demeanor had always been her proudest aspect, and she was extremely strict with Shen Yue about it. She was confident that no noble lady in the capital could surpass her daughter's elegance, but judging from these people's expressions, who else could have done better?

  She naturally didn't know that someone who was better than Shen Yue was right in front of her.

  Shen Miao sat next to Luo Xueyan, who was also one of the main characters at today's court banquet, but seemed to be isolated by others.

  Indeed, the noble families of the capital have always had their own circle. Men are easier to deal with, as they speak with official titles and intersect on their career paths; even if they dislike each other in private, they must still put on a good face. Women are different, however - most of the noblewomen of the capital are proud and arrogant, such as the legitimate daughters who refuse to play with the illegitimate ones, and the native-born residents of the capital look down upon outsiders.

  Luo Xueyan is that outsider.

  If she were from the rich lands of Jiangnan, it would be fine. But Luo Xueyan came from the harsh and cold northwest, and when she first arrived in Dingjing City, she couldn't even speak Mandarin. Her accent was secretly ridiculed by these ladies for a long time. They mocked that the northwest desert had strong winds and sandstorms, making women's skin extremely delicate, bandits roamed freely, and people were afraid of being robbed on the road. As for goods, they were scarce, and it was rare to see good silk fabrics all year round. Of course, there is an exaggeration in this, but the targeting of Luo Xueyan is real.

  Moreover, when Wu Jiang himself went onto the battlefield, Luo Xueyan was the first one to be stationed at the head of Jing City.

  When it comes to things that they themselves cannot do, especially if those things are extremely rare, people tend to exclude and oppose them. This is not just limited to women, men are the same. As a result, Luo Xueyan was excluded from the circle of noblewomen in Beijing. Moreover, Shen Miao had previously been a complete and utter failure, so these two mother-daughter pair became the objects of ridicule among these ladies.

  Mrs. Bai invited Chen Ruoqiu to sit next to her, as they were close friends and naturally sat together. Bai Wei also pulled Shen Yue over to sit beside her. Ren Yuanyun walked over to sit with Mrs. Yi, while Yi Peilan looked at Shen Qing with a hint of reproach: "You've been gone for so long, I heard you were ill. Hmm, you do look thinner, but your face seems a bit puffy?"

  Shen Qing hastily lowered her head and muttered, "Perhaps it's because I've been lying in bed for too long." Ren Yuanyun had brewed a lot of medicine to calm the fetus for her. Although Shen Qing also resented the child in her belly, she was even more afraid that if she miscarried, she would never be able to become a mother again. Therefore, she could only grit her teeth and drink it down. Since she needed to nourish the fetus, she couldn't avoid taking various supplements, which naturally made her gain some weight. Although her figure wasn't obvious now, she had already started to swell up a bit.

  Yi Peilan didn't suspect anything else, she just patted Shen Qing's hand and said: "You should take good care of your body now that you're engaged, don't ruin it."

  Shen Qing's body trembled slightly, and she lowered her head without speaking. She knew that Ren Yuanyun had told her about the marriage proposal from the Huang family, and she knew that Huang Dexing was considered a young talent, but for some reason, she felt strongly resistant to this marriage in her heart, as if intuitively sensing that beneath the seemingly bright and beautiful marriage, there was some unknown danger.

  Yi Peilan's voice was not small, and it happened to be heard by Madame Huang, who was sitting on one side. When Madame Huang heard this, she looked at Shen Qing with a critical eye. As for this marriage, she just wanted to find a nominal wife for her son, and Shen Qing was still worthy of her son, but today's sickly appearance... She hoped that Shen Qing wasn't a weakling, after all, she still had to give birth to a son for the Huang family, and as for other things, let her do whatever she wanted.

  At that moment, Madame Bai was whispering to Chen Ruoqiu: "Ruoqiu, I think the Fifth Miss of your household is not simple."

  "Oh?" Chen Ruoqiu asked curiously: "Why say so?"

  "Miss Shen Wu must have someone guiding her from behind. Just now when she came in, all the ladies saw that her demeanor and etiquette were even more proper than those in the palace. I'll say something unpleasant, but I'm afraid even Yu'er would pale in comparison."

  Chen Ruoqiu was stunned and said: "What are you talking about? Who doesn't know that Wu Niang is the most ignorant of etiquette?"

  Bai Wei was Chen Ruoqiu's handkerchief friend and also came from a scholarly family, so she naturally had very high requirements for etiquette. Today, she looked at Shen Miao with such high regard that Chen Ruoqiu felt it was unthinkable. While feeling absurd in her heart, she couldn't help but glance over at where Luo Xueyan was sitting.

  Lu Xueyan was isolated, sitting alone on one side, while Shen Miao sat next to her. Lu Xueyan, after all, had a lot of experience and wouldn't be fazed even if no one paid attention to her. She just needed to maintain the calm composure she had on the battlefield, where she remained unruffled even when Mount Tai collapsed in front of her. But Shen Miao, a young girl, sat up straight with her back erect, and although others didn't talk to her, it seemed like they weren't intentionally cold-shouldering her, but rather, they didn't dare speak to her.

  Chen Ruoqiu's fingertips were trembling slightly.

  The ladies on this side each had their own thoughts, and in the main hall, Shen Xin's words also stirred up a huge wave.

  "Is what Shen Ai Qing said really true?" Emperor Wen Hui asked.

  Emperor Wen was approaching sixty years old, but he didn't show any signs of aging. A smile hung on his face, and his eyes were sharp and piercing, with a hint of the fierce edge of his youth still visible. At this moment, he looked at Shen Xin below him and asked in a deep voice.

  Just now, in the presence of all officials, Emperor Wenhui praised Shen Xin, but Shen Xin asked Emperor Wenhui to grant him a favor, allowing him to stay in Dingjing City for half a year longer, wanting to accompany his wife and daughter at home.

  For so many years, the great general Shen Xin has been fighting on the battlefield, brave and invincible, but he has never made such a request. For a moment, it makes people think deeply, and the ministers' expressions change. At this critical juncture, does Shen Xin really want to stay in the capital for half a year just to accompany his loved ones?

  Emperor Wen Hui looked at Shen Xin, who had not yet died in the struggle for the throne among his sons. The situation was changing rapidly, and any intervention by either side would cause a change in the entire situation. Some time ago, Shen Xin's eldest daughter, Shen Miao, had been rumored to be infatuated with Ding Wang, but Emperor Wen Hui had thought that if this fat meat fell into Fu Xiuyi's hands, it would be a disaster. However, there was suddenly no news of it later. Now, Shen Xin suddenly made this request, could it be that he had another plan?

  He carefully measured the man below, Shen Xin's skin was dark and his eyes were firm, standing straight like a small mountain. He looked at Emperor Wen Hui with respectful movements, he was a loyal and brave iron man. However, for an emperor to control his ministers, it is not about appearance but value. For Emperor Wen Hui, anyone who posed a threat to the throne, no matter how great their achievements, had to be eliminated cleanly and efficiently.

  After a moment, Emperor Wen Hui burst out laughing and said: "For so many years, General Shen has been guarding the northwest. Now that we have defeated our enemies, I am deeply delighted. To have such a great general is a blessing for Ming Qi. Whatever General Shen requests, I grant it!"

  Shen Xin immediately thanked: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

  This action caused the others in the hall to turn their heads. Emperor Wenhe allowed Wan to leave on his own, leaving only a group of people behind. Shen Xin's previous actions were indeed unexpected, and the first person to speak up was Lin'an Marquis Xie Ding, who had dealt with the Shen family for a lifetime and apparently did not understand Shen Xin's actions either. He sneered: "General Shen, aren't you afraid of fighting? Staying in Dingjing City for half a year is to enjoy life?"

  Shen Xin heard the words, not only was he not angry, but he laughed and showed a row of white teeth, saying: "Is Lord Xie envying this general? Ah, it's no wonder, after all, Lord Xie doesn't have a wife or daughter..."

  "Ah!" Xie Ding's face turned iron-green, Shen Xin this guy looked like a rough and unrefined person without any tricks up his sleeve, but in reality he was the most venomous with his words. The death of Yu Qing Gong Zhu and Xie Jing Xing treating him as if they were strangers was already Xie Ding's Achilles' heel, and Shen Xin even ruthlessly gave him a stab in the back. Xie Ding truly wished to use a single spear to pierce Shen Xin to death.

  Fu Xiuyi looked at Shen Xin, his face also quite colorful. The Shen family had repeatedly exceeded his expectations. In the past, Shen Miao had a crush on him, and although he was annoyed, he thought that there was something to be gained from the Shen family. Later, Shen Miao actually clarified in person that she had no such intention, leaving Fu Xiuyi to be ridiculed by Zhou Wang and Jing Wang. Now, Shen Xin's proposal to stay in the capital for half a year was even more baffling. Fu Xiuyi had an inexplicable feeling that the seemingly most reliable Shen family had suddenly become an unpredictable stone, as if it would produce countless variables in the future, affecting the entire situation...

  Shen Xin's unconventional move left the officials bewildered, but the reward he received today was indeed enviable. The others swarmed forward, offering congratulations and chatting with him, either sincerely or hypocritically. Shen Xin chatted with them about the interesting things in the northwest, but didn't notice a sinister gaze behind him.

  Those eyes stared at Shen Xin, like a venomous snake lurking in the grass, waiting for an opportunity to pounce and bite him to death. And the person staring at Shen Xin was none other than Yu Qinwang, with one side of his robe empty, playing with the abacus in his hand.

  The atmosphere was indeed intense, and Shen Qiu also blocked Wei Qian in the corridor outside.

  Wei Qiansheng was also a talented person, modest in appearance, but compared to Shenqiu who was full of health and vitality, he seemed too weak. He looked at Shenqiu, furrowed his brow and asked: "General Shen, you have stopped me, what is your noble intention?"

  Shen Qiu looked up and down at Wei Qian, he himself was open-minded and friendly, if it were before, he might have made friends with him. But since hearing Shen Miao say that Wei Qian already had someone in his heart, looking at this person now makes him feel like they don't get along. In Shen Qiu's eyes, his own sister is perfect, she can only look down on others, where would she tolerate being looked down upon?

  "Are you Wei Qian?" Shen Qiu's tone wasn't pleasant either.

  Wei Qian was taken aback and sensed the malice of the newcomer, saying: "Exactly."

  "I didn't come for anything in particular," Shen Qiu patted Wei Qian's shoulder and said, "I just wanted to mention that there were rumors circulating about my sister being engaged to your family, but since it was just a rumor, my family didn't pay much attention to it, and your family shouldn't either." Shen Qiu took a step back, his tone suddenly cold and serious as he added, "My sister's choice of husband will naturally have to be approved by me first!" With that, he turned around and walked away without looking at Wei Qian's expression.

  Wei Qian stood there, stunned. Shen Qiu's words were clearly meant to distance himself from the Wei family, but... he did have a crush on her, and Shen Qiu didn't need to make him sound like a useless fool. The Shen family was being overly protective, besides, this marriage had nothing to do with him in the first place!

  Outside the corridor, Gao Yang couldn't help but look at Wei Qian, who was standing there in a daze, shook his head and said: "The Shen family is really too overbearing, this kind of arrogance, doesn't even put the Wei family in their eyes."

  "Have you had enough?" The purple-robed youth beside him raised an eyebrow, his tone not quite pleasant: "Is that all?"

  "Wei Qian is your man." Gao Yang said: "He was bullied like this, and you didn't stand up for him?"

  "If you like it, go." Xie Jinghang glanced at him.

  "I don't dare." Gao Yang said with a look of watching a good show: "That Shen family girl has so many people protecting her, and if one is not careful, trouble will come to the door. However," he smiled warmly, but his tone had a few hints of schadenfreude: "Today, Prince Yu is present, I'm afraid things can't end well. I heard that Prince Yu plans to marry Princess Wang. Guess which Shen family girl he wants to marry?"

  "I guess he can't get married." Xie Jinghang raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling forward.

  In the garden, a familiar figure ran up and said something to the little eunuch on the other side, then stuffed a sachet into the little eunuch's hand.

  That figure was Shen Miao's personal maid, Jing Xiu.