Chapter 105 of Volume 1: Unraveling

  The book was snatched away, and Zhen Shining only then realized that Shen Zhongjie had entered, hastily getting up to pay respects. "General, you're well!" She stretched out her hand to grab the book back. "It's Taiping Yulan; I'll finish reading it in a moment, General, please wait."

  He lowered his head and hastily went to look up the book.

  Taiping Yulan is a miscellaneous book, divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower. It is a book that mainly narrates the strange stories of past dynasties with biographies as its main thread. It can be said to encompass all things. Shen Zhongjie occasionally flips through it, and some chapters are indeed very attractive. "Which chapter are you looking at again?" he asks, so absorbed in it?

  “Fu Kang advocated filial piety...” Zhen Shi Niang didn't even lift her head, “Former Prime Minister Fu Kang was extremely filial to his parents. Although he had already become the prime minister, he still served his parents with trepidation and fear of not being respectful enough. Once, due to a dispute in court, his political enemies reported him to his father, who became enraged and chased him out into the streets with a stick, making a laughingstock of him among the neighbors...” She lightly flipped through a page of the book, “When this reached the emperor's ears, he immediately sighed and said, ‘Fu Ai is truly a great filial son.’ He also said, ‘To serve one's parents with filial piety is to be loyal, to treat one's elders with respect is to be obedient.’ The emperor immediately issued an edict praising Fu Kang for his humble service to his parents despite being a high-ranking official, and advocated for the use of filial piety to govern the world...”

  He has also read this story!

  Shen Zhong's face turned slightly red, and he couldn't help but gaze deeply at Zhen Shining.

  She was intently gazing at the book in her hand, her calm and serene face exuding a sense of peace that soothed the heart. A faint scent of lavender wafted around her, and in an instant, the anxiety he had been suppressing for the entire morning vanished.

  She looked at her for a while, then Shen Zhong'e reached out and gently brushed the loose hair that had fallen on her forehead behind her ear. "The emperor's edict just arrived, the time to enter the palace has been brought forward, we have to leave at noon, you'd better finish reading this and get ready, I've already asked Rong Sheng to prepare your clothes and headwear." His eyes were warm and his voice was softer than ever.

  He stood up and walked out with big strides after finishing speaking.

  Hearing the door behind her being closed with a bang, Zhen Shiniang finally let out a long sigh. Feeling that her clothes were all stuck to her back, she couldn't help but exclaim, "If he stares for another moment, I'll probably be exposed!"

  His straight gaze was fixed on her face, making her feel as if she had been branded on the back.

  It's okay, looking at his expression. He should have let go of it by now.

  Otherwise, she would have let him suffer such a great humiliation in front of everyone as soon as he entered the house. He will probably regard her as a disaster star and abhor her like a snake's scabies in the future!

  Zhen Shi Niang sat quietly for a moment before putting down her book and standing up. She called out to Qiu Ju to come in and attend to her.

  Zun Shen Zhong Jiao instructed, Hong Tong had already brought two hairdressers and a string of little maids holding clothes and headdresses waiting outside the door. Hearing the call, she pushed open the door and walked in.

  Seeing the maid bring in a bunch of new clothes, Zhen Shiniang suddenly understood, no wonder Rong Sheng had taken everyone's measurements before, but hadn't seen him send the custom-made clothes to the ancestral mansion. She thought she was being secretly deducted by Chu Xinyi again, but it turned out that they were for making palace clothes...

  Wait, wait...... Zhen Shining suddenly had a movement in her heart.

  Years ago, she had prepared clothes for her to enter the palace, which means that the sacred decree was issued years ago?

  But such a big thing, Shen Zhongke didn't mention it when he went back to his ancestral home for the third time!

  What does Shen Zhong think of her?

  Although her face was still calm, Zhen Shining's small hand hidden under her sleeve was tightly clenched into a fist.

  She had just gone to great lengths to comfort him, but this numbskull deserved to be scolded by the old lady. If she were present in the morning, she would have definitely urged the old lady to give him a good thrashing with a big stick!

  "Madam, allow me to comb your hair for you." Seeing Zhen Shiniang standing quietly by herself, Du Yutai, the maid who specialized in combing hair, stepped forward and said.

  She came back to her senses, and Xian Shiniang let out a faint sigh. With such a superior who disregarded women's rights, she feared that equality and respect would have to wait until the next life. Her heart skipped a beat, "It seems it will indeed have to wait until the next life!"

  She won't live long enough to reform this scumbag, let alone get a gentle and considerate superior.

  For some reason, her heart suddenly turned gray, and a faint sorrow flowed through.

  Jian Xiu Niang calmly sat down in front of the dressing table, and Du YaYa came forward to remove her silver hairpin, and a head of black hair cascaded down.

  A golden pin holds a hundred butterflies dancing on a red silk jacket with floral patterns, a five-colored embroidered silver mouse brooch adorns the shoulder. A Yang Fei-colored embroidered eight-pleated skirt is worn. Black cloud-like hair is styled into a high bun adorned with a crimson gold inlaid blue gemstone peacock spreading its tail and sprinkling emeralds, above which snow-green feathers are like the gentle ripples on a serene lake, shimmering with an otherworldly beauty...

  Gazing into the copper mirror, the beauty of China dazzled her eyes. It was as if she had transformed into a different person. Zhen Shiniang suddenly realized that she was just a plaything for Shen Zhongjie, like all children treat their toys. When he was in a good mood, he could dress her up in any style he pleased - tie a red ribbon around her head or put her in a velvet cloak. And when he wasn't, he could toss her into the water or mud, only to pick her up again whenever he felt like it, wash her clean, and continue dressing her in flowery dresses.

  In short, this plaything is lifeless, he can do anything to her without asking for her opinion, let alone ask if she likes it or hurts.

  "Miss, look! Am I pretty?" Qiuju also dressed up and came in with excitement.

  The green jade-like brocade cheongsam, adorned with silver filigree peony flowers and a pair of crimson agate pendants with pearl earrings, accentuated her round face's loveliness. For the first time, she wore such luxurious accessories. Autumn Chrysanthemum's eyes sparkled as she gazed at Zhen Shiniang, who was dressed in an opulent outfit that dazzled the eyes. Suddenly, her eyes widened, "Miss... so... beautiful..." The miss before her was indeed beautiful, yet it gave her a strange feeling, and for a moment, she almost failed to recognize her, her mouth agape, forgetting to breathe.

  After all, kids are happy as long as they have beautiful clothes to wear.

  Looking at Qiu Ju's excited face in the copper mirror, Zhen Shi Niang sighed and her depressed mood was swept away. She stood up with the support of the dressing table and just as she was about to speak, Hong Lian burst in through the door and shouted loudly:

  "Didn't Madam Zhao teach you any manners? You should be dignified and composed in your movements, and courteous in your comings and goings. If you enter the palace like this, you'll lose face for General Zhen's household..." Before she could finish speaking, she saw Zhen Shiniang's stern gaze turned on her, and Hong Lian's voice trailed off abruptly.

  Her chin was still raised, and she hummed a sound as she turned her face away.

  Qiu Ju's lips were pursed tightly as she looked at Zhen Shi Niang with a hint of unease, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

  She has brought shame to her family!

  She raised her eyes, and Xian Shi came slowly to Qiu Ju's side, revealing a gentle smile, patting her little face, "...... Our Qiu Ju is really beautiful today."

  Chrysanthemum forced back her tears, "Rong Sheng said the general is waiting in the hall, miss, let's go quickly." She had already lost face, no matter what, she absolutely couldn't cry again and make a fool of herself and her mistress in front of these people.

  Zhen Shining nodded and held Autumn Chrysanthemum's hand. Suddenly remembering something, she whispered, "You can also call me 'Madam' like them."

  "I remember!" Qiu Ju nodded vigorously and straightened her back, supporting Zhen Shi Niang as they walked out.

  Jian Zhen and the maid were chatting and laughing, completely ignoring these people. Hong Lian gritted her teeth, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes:

  Don't be smug, General has just been reprimanded and won't be able to protect her anymore. The old lady had already made arrangements, and tonight after leaving the palace, they will have a good show!

  Passing through the corridor, Shen Zhongge had changed into a brand new stone-green Shu brocade long shirt, and was sitting in the main hall drinking tea with Shen Zhongxin. Seeing her come out, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he wanted to stand up immediately, but thinking of Shen Zhongxin still being there, he restrained himself.

  "General, at ease..." Zhen Shi Niang stepped forward and gave Shen Zhongge a bow, her eyes fell on Shen Zhongxin's body, she hesitated for a moment, "Who is this person?" Not knowing how to address him, she hesitated whether to give a bow.

  "He's the second brother..." Seeing her embarrassment, Shen Zhongjie spoke up to help, and smiled at Shen Zhongxin, "The second brother has changed too much in these few years, even your sister-in-law can't recognize him."

  Five years ago, when he drove Zhen Shining into the ancestral mansion, Shen Zhongxin was still a thin and small awkward young man. It's normal that Zhen didn't recognize him either. As for Zhen's unusual behavior, Shen Zhongxin didn't do what he thought, but only used his eyes to hint at her to pay respects to his younger brother.

  Zhen Shining let out a sigh of relief, "Second brother is safe." She bowed to Shen Zhong in greeting, her expression calm and serene, her voice as melodious as an oriole.

  Suddenly, Shen Zhongxin was startled by Zhen Shining, who was like a fairy from the ninth heaven. He was sitting there in a daze, and when he saw Zhen Shining bowing to him, he hastily stood up to return the courtesy. "Elder sister is well." In his hurried tone, there was a hint of urgency, and his usual calm demeanor had vanished.

  Shen Zhongge stood up with the trend, "The car is ready, let's go." He also instructed Shen Zhongxin, "Second brother has been tired all the way, and it's early to return and rest too." He took a big step towards the outside first.

  Zhen Shiniang turned around and followed him.

  Hong Lian presented a large red feathered silver fox fur coat with a crane-shaped clasp, which was bestowed as a reward for her longevity. It was placed on the back of Zhen Shiyin's shoulder, and Qiu Ju helped to fasten the collar.

  Looking straight at the crowd disappearing at the door, Shen Zhongxin finally came back to his senses. He quickly chased to the door and stared blankly at Zhen Shi Niang's back, secretly thinking, "Brother didn't agree to divorce, was it really just because of the emperor's decree?" And this woman who took one's breath away with a single glance, had a gentle demeanor, elegant and refined yet warm and polite, was she really his former overbearing sister-in-law?

  As soon as they got on the horse carriage, Zhen Shiniang saw Shen Zhongjie's calm and composed expression, seemingly in a good mood. She took the opportunity to ask, "Why did His Majesty suddenly issue an edict to advance into the palace?"

  Hong Lian said that the fireworks in the palace wouldn't start until 11 am, but they were set off two hours ahead of schedule. In the previous life, it was more than four hours earlier. With so much time, what did Wan Shi want to do?

  This was what she had been worried about ever since she got the news.

  "...following the annual custom, there was a palace feast before the fireworks display. Wan Shi specially invited us to attend the palace feast and then accompany Niang Niang to watch the fireworks." Thinking that he could appear with Zhen Shiniang in front of all officials, Shen Zhongjie's mood was exceptionally good, and his words were more than usual.

  Attend the royal banquet!

  Zhen Shining's heart skipped a beat and she blurted out, "......Are all officials attending?"

  Will Xiao Yu attend?

  PS: What's up? PS seeking pink tickets