Chapter 49: You Are Shen Ninghua?

Just as she entered the gate of the Palace, Shen Ninghua saw Old Lady Xiao standing not far away and looking at her with sharp eyes. Seeing her coming over, Old Lady Xiao immediately asked, “Didn’t I tell you to follow me? This is the inner courtyard of the imperial palace. Be careful not to violate any rules. Do you want to implicate the entire Shen family?”

Shen Ninghua knew that she was taking advantage of this opportunity to vent some of the frustrations she had for failing to embarrass Zhao Yunxiang and her daughter. However, Shen Ninghua did not want to be scolded for something that was not her fault. “My second younger sister did many things without being criticized, so I was careless. Grandmother, please forgive me.” Shen Linghan was taken into the Palace by the Fifth Prince but went back safe and sound, and Madam Zhao was about to be released. If you had the ability, go and deal with Shen Linghan and Zhao Yunxiang. As for Shen Ninghua, she was not a soft persimmon that anyone could come and pinch her.

When Chu Junyi heard Shen Ninghua’s reply to Old Lady Xiao, a smile flashed in his eyes. He pretended to be coming across, nodded slightly and left at a steady pace.

Old Lady Xiao glared fiercely at Shen Ninghua. “Alright, you think that you are full-fledged. You haven’t learned how to fly, yet you are flapping with all you might. Hmph.” If this Shen Ninghua really thought that she was now capable of anything, then she would just stop taking care of her and see who would be the unlucky one in the end.

Madam Su knew that Shen Ninghua had the situation well in her hand, but looking at Old Lady Xiao’s expression, she couldn’t help but worry. After all, the imperial palace was different from the Shen family, and if they made any mistakes, their life would be at stake.

Sensing Madam Su’s worries, Shen Ninghua comforted her with a smile and followed Old Lady Xiao with her head drooped. She was the most familiar with the imperial palace in front of her. She even clearly remembered the location where the ancient trees were planted. She was the first daughter of Shen Dong, the country’s Prime Minister. As long as she didn’t make a big mistake, it wouldn’t be easy to take her life.

There was still some time before the banquet began. All the people who arrived earlier were waiting at Bifang Pavilion. When Shen Ninghua followed Old Lady Xiao to the door, many people were there. Some of them were sitting and some were standing, chatting happily.

“Greetings, Old Lady Xiao. The empress knows that you are coming, and she has prepared some snacks for you. Please take a seat.” Just as Old Lady Xiao got there, a maid greeted her and saluted.

“Thank you, Miss Mei Xue.”

Mei Xue was Empress Zhao’s chief maid. Her status was higher than that of ordinary concubines of the emperor. Now that she was assigned to personally guide Old Lady Xiao to her seat, the empress was intentionally showing special favor to the Shen family.

Mei Xue had an amiable smile on her face. Her attitude was respectful, but not humble, and she was exceptionally well-mannered. “Old Lady Xiao, you are too polite. The empress personally instructed me a few times to take good care of you. If you need anything, just tell me.”

Old Lady Xiao hurriedly thanked her kindness, but Mei Xue only smiled and didn’t answer. She waited for Old Lady Xiao to sit down and then turned to look at Shen Ninghua. “This must be the eldest young lady. The empress heard that you have returned home, and Her Majesty always said that she wanted to see you.”

Shen Ninghua had a faint smile on her face. She stood up and bowed slightly when she heard this. “Miss Mei Xue, please thank Her Majesty on behalf of me for her kindness.”

“Eldest Miss Shen, you’re too polite. I will definitely convey your thanks on your behalf.” Mei Xue slightly shrank her pupils. She was extremely surprised in her heart. The news from below clearly said that Shen Ninghua had not been properly educated, but what she had just done was obviously court etiquette.

Shen Ninghua smiled reservedly. She shrank her chin slightly, revealing her bright and plump forehead. Her eyebrows were filled with a charm of elegance and beauty.

Mei Xue turned around and saluted. “Old Lady, if there’s anything you need, send someone to tell me. I’m going back to tell Her Majesty first.”

“Alright.” Old Lady Xiao had earned enough face, and her smile was exceptionally brilliant.

Just as Mei Xue left, Zhao Ruyun brought Shen Linghan over and said, “Greetings, Old Lady.”

Shen Linghan’s face was filled with inconcealable excitement. Although Old Lady Xiao’s expression immediately became gloomy when seeing her, she did not feel embarrassed. She only softly said, “Grandmother.”

“Where have you been?” Old Lady Xiao was unhappy.

“I…” Shen Linghan lowered her head.

Zhao Ruyun held her hand and explained for her, “I just brought my cousin to see my aunt, Her Majesty. Aunt praised Linghan a lot. The banquet is about to begin, so I’ll leave first. Old Lady, please forgive me.” After saying that, she directly left.

Old Lady Xiao’s face was livid with anger. She coldly snorted at Shen Linghan, “Take your seat!”

“Yes.” Shen Linghan obediently sat aside, but her fingers kept pulling her sleeves tightly.

Seeing her actions, Shen Ninghua couldn’t help but feel a little puzzled. Even if she had met the empress, there was no need for her to be so excited. Is it possible that something happened in the empress’ palace…

After a while, Mei Xue returned, “Ladies, the banquet has started.”

Everyone stood up and tidied their clothes. After everyone was prepared and stood in order, Mei Xue turned around and gave a signal. Dozens of imperial maids entered in turn, leading everyone according to their ranking to Wan’an Pavilion where the banquet was held.

Shen Ninghua and Shen Linghan walked side by side. As they walked, a bright yellow tassel appeared in Shen Linghan’s sleeve. Shen Ninghua’s heart skipped a beat and a guess surged into her mind. Did Shen Linghan see the Crown Prince in the empress’ palace? In the imperial palace, other than the emperor, the only person who could use the color bright yellow was the Crown Prince. If the emperor had rewarded Shen Linghan with something, she must have proudly shown it to Old Lady Xiao. Therefore, it must belong to the Crown Prince so that she hid it like this. Suppressing the surging thoughts in her heart, Shen Ninghua followed the guiding imperial maid to her seat.

Wan’an Pavilion was extremely large. Except the host seats, the other seats were already filled with people. Shen Ninghua swept her gaze around and met the gaze of the Second Prince, Baili Jinchuan.

Baili Jinchuan stealthily raised the teacup in front of him and lowered his head to take a sip. Shen Ninghua smiled and nodded in return. After that, she swept her gaze over Baili Jinze, who looked neither happy nor angry. Her heart flickered with sharpness. The Second Prince was conferred the title of Commandery Prince, and Baili Jinze must be extremely upset. After all, he could not bear to see anyone who excelled him.

Chu Junyi was sitting opposite Shen Ninghua. He saw their actions and lowered his eyes to conceal the emotions in his eyes. The aura around him became slightly colder.

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“His Majesty has arrived. Her Majesty has arrived.”

Everyone knelt on the ground and saluted. After a crisp sound of pearls and jade, they heard a dignified and deep voice, “As you were.”

Shen Ninghua slightly raised her gaze to look at the emperor Baili Qingcang, who was sitting on the throne. He was already fifty-eight years old, and his hair and beard were a little gray, but the aura around his body was very complicated. When he accepted the kneeling of the officials, his aura was icy cold, and his expression was like a sharp blade that was immersed into a cold and deep pool. Once the blade emerged from the water, the killing aura became more obvious and sharper, which made people frightened at a glance. But now, he had restrained his sharpness, and looked calm like the surface of a lake that was blown by a gentle breeze, which made him look amiable.

Baili Qingcang looked at the crowd and said, “The Second Prince is a heroic and skilled warrior. He safeguarded the border of our Da’an and drove the army of the Great Yue Kingdom a hundred miles away. I am very happy. I specially hosted this celebration banquet today, and there is no need to be too concerned about the etiquette. It is best that everyone has a good time today.”

“Your Majesty, you are so merciful.” Everyone hurriedly knelt on the ground. “Thank you for your benevolence.”

When everyone sat down again, Baili Jinchuan stood up and said, “Father, I’m embarrassed by Your Majesty’s undeserved praise. The peace of the border is not something that I can accomplish alone. It’s the work of thousands of soldiers who bravely serve the country without fear of death. Father, you bestowed on me a salary of a thousand taels of gold, but I feel uneasy in my heart. I’m willing to exchange all the rewards for silver to settle the families of the soldiers who died on the battlefield.”

Hearing these words, Baili Qingcang was full of praise. “You are truly my good son. Alright, as you said.”

“Thank you, father.”

All the officials praised the emperor’s wisdom and the Second Prince’s benevolence. For a moment, Wan’an Pavilion was filled with praise and joy.

Shen Linghan, however, looked at Baili Jinchuan with a somewhat unhappy expression, as if she had great resentment in her heart. Shen Ninghua couldn’t help but frown. Shen Linghan hadn’t learned her lesson. It was a big taboo to reveal emotions on such an occasion, especially when the person she was targeting at was the Second Prince. Was she crazy? Fortunately, everyone’s attention was focused on the emperor.

“The banquet now begins.” After the loud announcement of the imperial eunuch who presided over the banquet, the sound of stringed and woodwind instruments immediately rang out. Everyone began to drink and toast to each other cheerfully.

Shen Linghan quickly restrained her emotions and drooped her head.

The emperor had ordered that today there was no need to be concerned about etiquette. Although no one dared to cross the line and act too casually, they must put on in a lively and cheerful manner to make the banquet a happy event.

Shen Linghan poured two cups of wine. She raised one cup and said to Shen Ninghua, “Eldest sister, I was very naive before and misunderstood you on some matters. Please don’t blame me. This cup of wine is my apology to you. Please forgive me.”

Shen Ninghua turned to look at her. “Too many things happened during this period of time. I can’t even remember them all. Which matter are you apologizing for?”

Shen Linghan’s hands that were holding the wine cup shook, and her smile suddenly stiffened. “Let bygones be bygones. From now on, I will definitely do everything as you wish.” After saying that, she raised her head and drank the wine.

Shen Ninghua picked up the wine cup. The wine was clear and had a faint fruit fragrance. It was the extremely precious Hundred Fragrance Wine of the Da’an dynasty.

“Eldest sister, you don’t want to drink the wine. Are you still angry with me?”

Shen Ninghua curled her lips. She raised her head and drank the wine. “No.” She wasn’t angry, she was resentful!

Shen Linghan was extremely happy, and her face was filled with a brilliant smile.

Shen Ninghua’s expression was indifferent. She turned around and no longer tried to guess what Shen Linghan got up her sleeves. She would roll with the punches and waited for Shen Linghan to make a move.

Suddenly, she felt a gaze fall on her. She couldn’t help but follow her senses and look over. It was Baili Qingcang! The person who had looked at her was actually the emperor Baili Qingcang! Shen Ninghua restrained her thought of lowering her head and looked at him doubtfully. She even narrowed her eyes and smiled.

Baili Qingcang’s gaze paused for a second. After a moment of surprise, he curled his lips and asked, “You are Shen Ninghua?”

Shen Dong hurriedly put down his cup and wanted to stand up and apologize before he heard Shen Ninghua’s crisp voice, “Your Majesty, I am Shen Ninghua.”

“Right.” Baili Qingcang sized her up and praised, “You are a pretty girl. How old are you?”

“Your Majesty, I am fourteen.”

“Alright, go back to your seat.” It looked as if Baili Qingcang just wanted to ask these questions. He no longer paid attention to Shen Ninghua. But everyone else had their own speculations. Usually, they could interpret a hundred meanings when the emperor made a single frown, not to mention this occasion on which he paid attention to a young unmarried lady who did not have much fame.

Shen Dong knew that the war manual that the Second Prince had offered to the emperor was bought from Shen Ninghua. Did the emperor notice her because of the war manual?

Empress Zhao Huiying said, “Prime Minister Shen, you have raised two good daughters. Ninghua has outstanding appearance, and Linghan’s talent is impressive. I also heard that Linghan and your first son are an auspicious pigeon pair, but I’ve never seen them before. Now I’ve seen them both on the same occasion.”

Shen Ninghua looked up. Zhao Huiying was dressed in a red empress dress. She wore a bead hairpin on her head with a pattern of five phoenixes worshipping the sun. She also wore twelve golden hairpins and jade clips which tied her hair up high. Her eyebrows were dark, and her lips were red like vermilion. She spoke with an appropriately slow pace and an elegant aura. She looked just like a noble phoenix, making people feel a sense of inferiority.

At this moment, her words drew everyone’s attention to Shen Linghan!

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