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When Shen Juan stepped out of the carriage, Shen Tang had already hurriedly entered the Shouwang’s Manor. Seeing Prince Jingyang’s son, Shen Juan was momentarily taken aback, and then her eyes uncontrollably filled with tears.
As she got down from the carriage, she wanted to greet Prince Jingyang’s son and say a few words, but he seemed to completely ignore her, stepping up the stairs and entering the manor.
Shen Tang felt a fire burning in her cheeks, regretting that she had glared at Xie Guimo. Really, she hadn’t meant to do it.
In her previous life, the two of them had always been at odds, never having a proper conversation. Whenever Xie Guimo wore that sour expression, it infuriated her, making her feel like a combative rooster.
But that was in her past life, ah!
In this life, he hadn’t provoked her at all. From Xie Guimo’s perspective, he had gone hunting to save the second prince from poisoning and nearly lost his life. He was forced to reject a marriage proposal, and now he was being compelled to attend the Spring Banquet feast at the Shouwang’s Manor. It was no wonder he was in a bad mood, and his dark expression wasn’t aimed at her. Yet, she had reacted impulsively.
Once inside the Shouwang’s Manor, Shen Tang paused. As sisters from the same household, she couldn’t just leave Shen Juan and the others behind. However, when she turned to look back, she didn’t see Shen Juan or Shen Ran; instead, she spotted Xie Guimo entering.
Their gazes unexpectedly collided once again—
Shen Tang hurriedly stepped aside, wishing she could become invisible. It was only after Xie Guimo passed by that her racing heart gradually calmed down.
Shen Juan, feeling ignored and in a bad mood, spotted Shen Tang and snapped, “Why are you walking so fast?”
As if she enjoyed walking this quickly! Shen Tang replied expressionlessly, “Eldest Sister running into Prince Jingyang’s son and doesn’t feel embarrassed? I can’t do that, so I had to avoid it.”
Shen Juan gritted her teeth in anger. She suspected that Shen Tang was mocking her for her lack of shame. Wanting to lash out, she held back due to the presence of others.
A maid from the Shouwang’s Manor approached, greeting them before leading the way.
Following the maid into the inner courtyard, they headed toward the garden. Just as they were about to enter, they noticed two kites soaring in the sky above the garden, accompanied by peals of laughter that sounded clear and pleasant.
Although it was early spring and the leaves were still a faint yellow, many extraordinary flowers were blooming in the garden. However, the most eye-catching sights were the young ladies chasing and playing, each one more charming than the last.
Yet, as they entered, the lively garden instantly quieted down. The gazes of those young ladies fell upon them, whispering among themselves.
Seeing this scene, Shen Tang wished she could slip away and hide.
For the past six months, Shen Juan had flaunted her status as the future daughter-in-law of Prince Jingyang’s’s Manor, drawing countless envious looks. Now that she had been jilted, who knew how many would take the opportunity to kick her while she was down?
As long as they targeted Shen Juan, Shen Tang would be pleased. She only feared being implicated as the innocent party.
Sure enough, her fears came true, as the Princess of Zhao’s Manor, Chun’an, blocked their path.
Chun’an looked at Shen Juan and exclaimed, “What happened to Miss Shen? You look so thin after just half a month without seeing you!”
That question was truly heart-wrenching.
Did Chun’an not know why Shen Juan had lost weight?
Chun’an had a crush on Xie Guimo. Ever since Shen Juan got engaged to him, Chun’an had made it her mission to trouble Shen Juan whenever they crossed paths.
In her previous life, after Shen Tang was forced to marry Xie Guimo, Chun’an turned her ire toward Shen Tang, deliberately pushing her into a lotus pond, nearly drowning her.
However, after Shen Tang fell into the water, it was less than a month before the Zhao family fell from grace, and the Zhao prince was demoted to a county prince for embezzling tribute. Chun’an left the capital and never returned.
Shen Tang held no goodwill toward Chun’an either. She replied coldly, “Why bother pretending to care, Princess Chun’an?”
Chun’an smiled, “Second Miss Shen, it seems you are quite remorseless about drugging your elder sister to prevent her from getting into the carriage of Prince Jingyang’s, resulting in her being jilted.”
Why should she feel remorse for something she hadn’t done?
Shen Tang ignored her, intending to walk away, but Shen Juan bluntly said, “Second Sister drugged me because she was afraid I would marry and become a widow, not to steal my betrothal. I certainly won’t hold it against her.”
Listen, what a good elder sister! Even after ruining her engagement, she wouldn’t blame her.
What kind of shameless person could there be in this world?
It was a good thing Shen Tang remembered Grandmother’s teachings and spoke up to defend Shen Juan. But Shen Juan, on the other hand, was making her feel nauseated.
Worried that her breakfast might come back up, Shen Tang said nothing and turned to leave.
Aside from Yin Xing, no one followed her, which she preferred.
Shen Tang avoided the crowded areas. She had come to the Shouwang’s Manor for the Spring Banquet feast solely to find her Big Brother, nothing else. Since it was still early and many young masters were outside, she took Yin Xing for a stroll around.
However, as they walked, the noise faded further away. Shen Tang stood by the lake, letting the wind blow through her hair, lost in thought.
Time passed, and she didn’t even realize how long she had been standing there until footsteps approached. Yin Xing turned her head and said, “Miss, it’s Eldest Miss…”
Shen Tang glanced and saw Shen Juan walking toward her.
Shen Juan approached and said, “You ran so far, I had a hard time finding you.”
Shen Tang’s face was indifferent. “No one called you to look for me.”
Shen Juan continued, “I’m here to apologize. I know you don’t want to hear me say that.”
How rare! The person who could argue so stubbornly in front of Grandmother was actually apologizing to her outside the manor.
Shen Tang looked up. “Did the sun rise from the west today?”
Shen Juan’s expression stiffened. “I know you’re still angry with me, but I hope you can prioritize the interests of the Pingyuan Marquis Manor. My jilted engagement with Prince Jingyang’s affects not just me but also you, Third Sister, Fourth Sister, and even Father.”
Her words were sincere, but Shen Tang didn’t believe a single word.
Shen Juan was not the type to back down.
Unless she was forced to do so.
Impatient, Shen Tang said, “Just get to the point. What do you want from me?”
Shen Juan’s face was rigid as she said, “Prince Jingyang’s son is also at the Shouwang’s Manor. You should go apologize to him and say that it was you who drugged me, which is why I couldn’t fulfill the marriage. My engagement with him cannot just end like this.”
Shen Tang laughed. “You think it’s not enough to frame me for drugging you? Now you want me to apologize to Prince Jingyang’s son?”
Shen Juan insisted, “This is also Grandmother’s wish!”
Shen Tang sneered, “Grandmother wouldn’t do something so shameless, and I’m not that easy to fool.”
“If you say another word, I’ll tell Father.”
Shen Tang’s attitude was resolute.
Seeing that she couldn’t persuade Shen Tang, Shen Juan stomped her foot and left.
Just as Shen Juan walked away, a branch snapped behind her. Shen Tang turned toward the sound. “Who’s there?!”
The heir of Xuanyi Marquis, Chu Yi, emerged sheepishly from behind a rockery, scratching his nose. “I swear I wasn’t eavesdropping on purpose; would you believe me?”