CHAPTER 120: CHAPTER 118 WILL SISTER BLESS ME AND THE CROWN PRINCE?

What is the earth-shattering secret about Shen Yinning?

Shen Xinghan squinted his eyes, as if weighing the value of this secret.

After a while, he confirmed that Zhang Cuichun really couldn’t see the dagger in his hand, and only then did he signal his men to rescue her.

The next day, at Shen Guogong Mansion.

Sure enough, Shen Yunxi invited many young ladies to the house, some were already married, while others were still unmarried, but without exception, they were all people Shen Yinning had offended in the past.

Each of them eagerly awaited Shen Yinning’s arrival, wanting to see whether she had aged or become ugly after three years of exile.

The plum blossom banquet was set in the warm pavilion of the garden.

Lu Qianqian was also at the banquet, her face full of gossip: "Yesterday, while accompanying my mother-in-law in the palace, I heard that Shen Yinning returned to the Capital. I was shocked for a long time. I thought she would never return to the Capital in this lifetime! But speaking of which, she used to be so arrogant and domineering, but who would’ve thought she’d end up marrying an insignificant Eighth Rank official? Tut tut, I bet she feels it’s worse than death now. If I were her, I’d have no face to show myself."

"This royal sister of mine has never been ashamed, Qianqian. How could you compare her to yourself?" Shen Yunxi peeled open an orange segment, recalling what Zhang Cuichun told her last night, and her smile deepened, "But sister is also a pitiable person. When you see her later, don’t bully or make fun of her."

The ladies all agreed, but weren’t sincere about it.

If Shen Yunxi really intended to protect Shen Yinning, there would be no reason to host this plum blossom banquet today.

They waited for two quarters, and then Shen Yinning finally arrived leisurely.

Parted for more than three years, the women couldn’t wait to look at her curiously.

The sky was bright, and a thin layer of snow covered the garden.

A beauty as precious as pearls and jade, guided by a maid, gracefully passed through the plum blossom forest and over the arch bridge. Her crimson jacket skirt was exceptionally eye-catching, and the luxurious snow-white fox fur cloak draped over her accentuated the radiant beauty of her face, more lustrous than even the snowy light.

As she approached, she ascended the steps, undoing the fox fur cloak, the golden hairpin by her temple made a crisp and melodious sound.

She handed the fox fur cloak to the maid and said with a smile, "Long time no see, are all you sisters well?"

The beauty’s eyes sparkled, like the bright moon in the sky, instantly illuminating the entire warm pavilion.

The women stared at her face blankly, momentarily speechless.

They already knew Shen Yinning was beautiful, but seeing her again after three years, they were still fiercely amazed.

How could there be such a beautiful woman in the world, whose beauty remained undiminished despite three years of exile? Instead, she was even more charming and captivating than three years ago...

Shen Yunxi secretly gritted her teeth.

A slut is a slut. It was bad enough that she seduced men, but now she’s even attracting women!

When they were children, this slut always took advantage of her looks, getting more New Year’s money than her every year. Even when shopping, those shopkeepers would prefer to give this slut a discount, while ignoring her as if everyone in the world revolved around this slut!

She didn’t invite Shen Yinning today to let her steal the spotlight!

She glanced suggestively at the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

She remembered that this young lady had been heartbroken for a long time after Shen Yinning snatched a loved piece of jewelry from a jewelry shop. Wouldn’t she get even today?

Unexpectedly, the young lady only looked at Shen Yinning shyly and whispered, "She’s so beautiful. That pearl headpiece should indeed be worn by her. Actually, she was right back then; my complexion suits jade better."

Shen Yunxi rolled her eyes and then glanced at a girl in purple.

She recalled this girl’s fiancé had been so infatuated with Shen Yinning that he cried to annul their engagement, causing the girl’s family significant embarrassment in the Capital.

Unexpectedly, the girl in purple showed no resentment towards Shen Yinning, instead revealing a look of admiration and gratitude, saying softly, "Actually, I owe Shen Yinning a thank you. If not for her, I wouldn’t have known my former fiancé was a debauchee, nor would I have met my current fiancé, who cherishes me like a treasure!"

Shen Yunxi was so angry she nearly spat blood.

A bunch of useless people, who had just been excitedly discussing how to make Shen Yinning suffer, got turned back to their original selves with just one encounter, not daring to utter a word!

She decided to take matters into her own hands.

She gave a sarcasm-laden smile, "Sister, you really kept us waiting."

"Shen Yinning, you used to always arrive last, but now you’re just a wife of an Eighth Rank minor official. How do you have the face to make us wait?" Lu Qianqian said maliciously, "In my opinion, you should be punished with three cups of wine! Someone, bring her the wine!"

Lian Ye immediately brought out three bowls of wine that had been prepared beforehand, "Madam Shen, please?"

Shen Yinning looked over.

It was less about three cups of wine and more like three large bowls of wine. Even an average man couldn’t drink that much, let alone a woman like her.

Shen Yunxi and Lu Qianqian were clearly trying to have fun at her expense.

Before she could say anything, a clear boyish voice suddenly came from not far away, "Oh, sister-in-law, are you hosting a banquet here?"

The women looked over and saw that it was Lu Jiazhe speaking. He and the Crown Prince, along with others, were heading this way.

Shen Yunxi’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly performed the curtsy with the ladies, "I thought His Highness was too busy with official duties to come today, but didn’t expect you actually came. Did you come for me? I’m just staying at my maternal home for a few days, no need for you to worry so..."

Lu Ying’s gaze shifted past her, landing on Shen Yinning.

If not for Shen Zhaozhao, he would have had no desire to come to the Shen Family.

He brushed his sleeve and took a seat, "What are you discussing?"

"Royal Brother," Lu Qianqian spoke up, "sister-in-law is hosting a plum blossom banquet. Shen Yinning arrived the latest, so we punished her with three cups of wine, but she refused!"

Lu Ying looked at the three cups of wine.

Using large bowls as wine cups clearly showed they were bullying Shen Zhaozhao.

He remembered that Shen Zhaozhao not only had poor alcohol tolerance but also behaved terribly when drunk. There were not only women but also men present. If she stripped and acted crazy in front of them, revealing herself, wouldn’t she be taken advantage of?

His face darkened, ready to make an excuse for Shen Yinning, when Lu Jiazhe suddenly rolled up his sleeves, "Sister-in-law, that was unkind. Shen Sister only just returned to the Capital, and you didn’t even hold a welcoming feast for her, but you’re bullying her instead? Never mind, I’ll drink these three cups for Shen Sister!"

With that, he lifted a bowl and brought it to his lips.

Shen Yunxi gritted her teeth in frustration.

She only wanted to trouble Shen Yinning. What did this have to do with Lu Jiazhe?!

After downing three large bowls, regardless of how well Lu Jiazhe could hold his liquor, he couldn’t help feeling dizzy and thoroughly drunk, mumbling incomprehensible things and exited the warm pavilion waving his arms.

Shen Yunxi couldn’t be bothered with him, sitting closely next to Lu Ying, with a face of innocence, "Sister, although you were once the Crown Prince’s fiancée, the woman the Crown Prince truly wants to marry is me. The past with you was just a game. Now that the Crown Prince and I are married, you will give us your blessings, won’t you?"

Shen Yinning paused and smiled, "The Crown Prince and my younger sister are a perfect match, a heavenly made pair. I am also very pleased to see this and of course, I shall give my blessings."

She poured a cup of wine, "I wish the Crown Prince and my sister an early birth of a noble son and a long-lasting union!"

Lu Qianqian interjected, "Do you even need to say that? My elder brother and sister-in-law will surely have a long-lasting union! Shen Yinning, my elder brother is the most upright and stern person, and don’t think that just because you and he had a previous engagement, you can seduce him! Stay away from my brother in the future!"

Upright and stern?

Shen Yinning’s smile held a trace of mockery.

She used to think Lu Ying was uptight and dull, but now she couldn’t see where he was stern at all, only seeing him as insatiable and uninhibited in his desires for another man’s wife.

Her gaze fell on Lu Ying’s arm.

Underneath his sleeve were the words she had written during their private moment last night.

Just as Shen Yinning was about to drink, a hint of mischief flashed in her phoenix eyes, and she seemed to lose her balance, leaning forward!

She barely managed to grab the table, but the wine in her hand was spilled all over Lu Ying’s sleeve.

"Ah!" Shen Yinning exclaimed and quickly rolled up Lu Ying’s sleeve, "I shall wipe the wine stains off for Your Highness!"