The noble girl is beautiful.

Shen Yourong looked around but saw no one nearby. She held the sachet in her hand, unsure whether to leave or stay.

“This isn’t mine,” She said. “It belongs to Shen Qingyan, who asked me to find someone to repair it.”

Ji Zhuo raised an eyebrow, his eyes suddenly showing amusement. Shen Yourong explained, although she didn’t need to, but she did so for his sake, which pleased him.

“It’s been many days since we last met, Eldest Miss, are you well?” He asked.

He didn’t genuinely inquire, or else he wouldn’t have questioned right away.

“I’m fine, thank you for your concern,” Shen Yourong replied.

At this point, she hesitated. As a matter of courtesy, she should ask him how he was doing. But the thought that perhaps he had already anticipated her question made her reluctant to ask.

After a moment’s hesitation, she decided not to speak. He smiled at her and said, “How impolite.”

She grumbled inwardly but obediently remained silent.

He looked at her and suddenly chuckled. She lifted her eyes to him and asked, “What are you laughing at?”

He didn’t answer directly, only saying, “You should go back now. If you linger any longer, your brother might come out.”

She didn’t understand his meaning but followed his advice and turned to leave. After taking a few steps, she couldn’t resist turning her head to look back. He was still standing there, his white attire almost blending into the snow.

The moment he saw her turn back, he smiled. It was as if the ice and snow had melted instantly, making it almost impossible to look away.

She quickly turned her head back, feeling regretful. She scolded herself for looking back.

Back at the pavilion, He Xiaofang had just started performing a new play. Shen Qinghan explained to Shen Qingyan that this act was about the Goddess of the Nine Heavens descending to earth to help the people and assist the heroes in vying for supremacy during chaotic times.

Peeling melon seeds, Shen Qingyan smiled and said, “Isn’t this the story of the Goddess and the Yellow Emperor? The Goddess assisted the Yellow Emperor in pacifying the world and bestowed upon him immortality. Does this play also involve some sort of divine maiden assisting a king?”

Shen Qinghan replied, “Why do you always have to add romantic elements? Can’t it just be a straightforward story of the Goddess assisting the Yellow Emperor?”

“That wouldn’t be interesting,” Shen Qingyan said, eating preserved fruits. “The divine maiden falls in love with the king at first sight, devotes her entire life to assisting him in vying for supremacy. However, the king, ambitious and utilitarian, only uses her love for his own gain, despising her lofty status. Unable to attain the king’s affection, the divine maiden leaves him, never to see each other again in this life. The king regrets too late, spends his remaining years seeking immortality not for longevity, but only to see the divine maiden once more.”

Shen Qinghan paused for a moment and said, “That… sounds quite novel.”

Shen Qingyan burst into laughter.

Shen Yourong returned to her seat. “Since you have such imaginative ideas, why not write a play yourself? When the time comes, we’ll have it performed and we’ll reward you handsomely.”

Shen Qinghan smiled, and Shen Qingyan raised her hand. “There’s nothing to it. I’ll start writing it now. When the time comes, I’ll ask He Xiaofang to perform it. It’s just that my literary skills are not good. Second sister, you’ll help me.”

Shen Qinghan pointed at her and said, “You see, she sounds so serious.”

Shen Qingyan said with a smile, “Why wouldn’t I be serious? I really intend to do this. I’ll go find He Xiaofang later.”

“I advise you to save your breath,” Shen Yourong returned the jewelry to them. “We’re not allowed to reward anyone, especially not when family members are present.”

Shen Qingyan took back her bracelet. “How dull.”

Shen Yourong pulled her down and said, “This is your sachet, and it has been repaired. Take a look.”

She took the sachet and examined it carefully. Indeed, it was as good as new. She happily said, “Thank you, Elder Sister!”

The feast and the play continued until the afternoon when everyone dispersed. The Fourth Prince, reluctant to return to the palace so early, was sent by Shen Shuo to rest in his own courtyard.

Afterward, everyone went their separate ways. Shen Qingfeng stayed behind to handle household matters. As he turned around a corner of the corridor, Shen Shuo was suddenly stopped by someone.

“The Eldest Young Master left in such a hurry. Are you planning to raise an army for an inquiry?” Ji Zhuo came leisurely from outside the Moon Gate, looking up at him.

Shen Shuo’s expression was cold, and his brows furrowed deeper. “Raise an army for an inquiry? What is Prince Duan saying?”

“The Eldest Young Master is a smart person, why pretend to be confused?” Ji Zhuo folded his hands and said, “She is just a girl from a secluded family. What’s wrong with admiring talents when she’s young?”

Shen Shuo’s face grew darker. “Of course, she did nothing wrong. Those who deceived her with ulterior motives are at fault.”

Ji Zhuo smiled and said, “Indeed.”

Shen Shuo frowned slightly. Ji Zhuo sighed and said, “She was originally a clean and innocent girl kept in seclusion. Why did she attract so many wolves and tigers? Eldest Young Master, you understand in your heart that those who deceive and provoke her are all aiming at the power of the Qi State Mansion. How could she be free from being implicated by your Qi State Mansion?”

He himself was the wolves and tigers he spoke of, yet he could self-righteously push the blame onto the Qi State Mansion. His words struck at the heart of Shen Shuo. Shen Yourong, a naive girl, how could she withstand someone like him, so upright and eloquent with his sweet words? What Shen Shuo hated most was that Prince Duan was precisely brought into the Qi State Mansion with great respect.

His face was so dark it could have dripped water. Ji Zhuo looked at the snow outside the leaves and suddenly asked, “Do you think the Fourth Prince will be a suitable match for the Eldest Miss?”

Shen Shuo remained silent. Ji Chengyao certainly wasn’t, as he showed no interest in her. Even if they were married, how could he treat her well?

“I don’t think so either. She is destined for a prominent match,” Ji Zhuo said with a start. “She would not marry the Fourth Prince.”

Shen Shuo paused, his thoughts swirling. “What do you mean?”

Ji Zhuo’s voice was calm. “I mean she will become the future Empress.”

Shen Shuo was stunned. Ji Zhuo looked directly at him and said, “She will become the Empress, the mother of the Crown Prince. She comes from a strong maternal family, her elder brother is a prominent minister in the court. Her life will be extremely noble, even if her maternal family suffers a disaster, it will be a hundred years after her.”

Ji Zhuo was telling him that if he ever became emperor, he would make Shen Yourong his Empress, and ensure her children by his side. He wouldn’t touch the Qi State Mansion during her lifetime.

Shen Shuo’s mind churned with thoughts. This was a pivotal decision, and he couldn’t make it lightly. The Fourth Prince was the only fully grown prince of the Emperor, the definite heir to the throne. He had no reason to switch allegiance to Prince Duan, who was so ambitious and secretive.

But deep down, did he truly believe the Fourth Prince would become the next monarch? Regardless of the Emperor, could the Fourth Prince himself contend with this ambitious uncle?

After a long silence, he finally asked, “If I don’t agree with you, what will you do to her?”

Ji Zhuo’s expression showed no disappointment. He glanced at him and said, “She’s just a young girl. What would I do to her? That would be too despicable.”

Shen Shuo sneered coldly, “You know about despicable.”

Their conversation came to an end. Ji Zhuo didn’t press him to make a decision, instead giving him ample time.

Back in the courtyard, Shen Yourong hadn’t even entered the house when she saw several maids gathered in the corridor.

“What’s going on?” She asked.

Hua Mei hurried over and said, “It’s something sent by Prince Duan. It seems to be a specialty from the northern borders, several thick and pure white fox furs, enough to make a complete fox fur coat. There are also some pottery figurines, depicting cows, horses, and camels, very interesting.”

Shen Yourong took one out to look, noticing the pottery figurines were not very delicate, exuding a rugged and barbaric aura, as if glimpsing the vast yellow sand of the northern frontier through them.

“There’s one more thing,” Hua Mei couldn’t wait, gesturing for the little maids to step aside. She took out a handkerchief from her bosom, inside of which was a jade pendant strung with a red string.

Shen Yourong picked up the jade pendant, a small round button that could be unscrewed with a little force, one side engraved with characters, resembling a seal.

She called for some rouge, dipped it, and stamped her hand with a small “Xian” character. She realized it was a small seal with rouge on it when the jade button was closed.

Sitting down in the corridor, she couldn’t stop smiling as she held the small seal. She glanced around, seeing the swing in the courtyard and said, “Sweep the swing, I want to swing.”

Du Juan had just ordered someone to collect the box when she saw her want to swing, and advised, “It’s cold outside. How can you play?”

“It doesn’t matter,” She sat down on the swing without saying a word. Indeed, it was cold outside. She buried her head in her cloak, her hands tucked into her sleeves, both round fists holding a small seal, rocking gently.

She was so happy, just receiving a small item. She had no idea that in Ji Zhuo’s heart, her entire future had already been calculated.

At the courtyard gate, Shen Shuo watched the lively Shen Yourong. He rarely saw her like this. The eldest daughter of the Shen family was self-disciplined and courteous, virtuous and refined. All her actions were aimed at becoming a qualified noblewoman, and thus, the girlish part of her was meant to be discarded.

But as her older brother, he truly wished that she could remain a girl forever, staying at home as a dignified and carefree young lady, rather than marrying into someone else’s family and experiencing all the bitterness and sorrow.
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