Chapter 106: Cao Xiang (Volume 1)

  PS: More updates, seeking pink tickets

  "Not just that, only officials of the third rank and above are allowed to participate." Shen Zhongjie's voice paused for a moment, "Generally, only first-rank officials are allowed to bring their families." His words carried a hint of pride, not boastfulness, as he had never been concerned with these empty titles. Yet, for some reason, Shen Zhongjie wanted Zhen Shiniang to know this and be proud of him.

  Will officials of third rank and above attend?

  That means Xiao Yu will definitely participate!

  She had heard Hong'er say before that Xiao Yu was probably a first-class Minister of War and the Young Master's Junior Tutor.

  I don't know if the imperial banquet was separated by gender or held in a large hall with each family having their own table. I remember watching on TV that many banquets were attended by the emperor and his consorts, officials and their families, all seated at small tables. It seemed like that in the drama "Zhen Huan Zhuan". There was a scene where Emperor Yongzheng dined with Zhen Huan and the wives of the princes, and the concubine of the 17th prince died from poisoning during the banquet.

  If Da Zhou were also like this, would she have met Xiao Yu?

  If she were to meet Xiao Yu, would he recognize her?

  Her hands unconsciously went up to her cheeks, and Zhen Shiniang regretted not letting Du Niang apply a thick layer of powder and rouge on her face earlier. If she had put on a thick layer of makeup, it would be like wearing a mask, and Xiao Ye's chances of recognizing her would be lower, wouldn't they?

  Zhen Shining thought without excessive expectation, and immediately realized that Xiao Yu was not an ordinary person after all. He had the ability to remember everything he saw, and even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, she didn't dare underestimate him.

  But if Xiao Ye recognized her as the famous Jiang Dafu in the folk, what would Shen Zhongge do, would he...

  Zhen Shining didn't dare think further.

  What an immense honor, she must be thrilled, right?

  She recalled Chu Xinyi's efforts to attend the palace banquet, and Shen Zhongge quietly whispered to Zhen Shimiang, who was startled. "What's wrong with her?" Seeing Zhen Shimiang's pale face and trembling body, Shen Zhongge instinctively held her hand, "...Don't be afraid, I'm here, nothing will happen."

  In an instant, he thought of Zhen Shiniang's identity as the daughter of a guilty minister.

  To attend a banquet in the palace, one would naturally see Wan Si. The whole family was beheaded by Wan Si; whoever it was would also be frightened!

  The five fingers in his palm felt icy cold, and Shen Zhongge couldn't help but pull Zhen Shiniang into his arms. "Don't be afraid. The Emperor won't pursue the past matters anymore." His voice was low and husky, with a hint of concern that even he himself hadn't noticed.

  She felt her body being held down, Zhen Shi Niang struggled with all her might. But was held even tighter, she couldn't help but bitterly smile in her heart.

  What she's afraid of isn't this, what she's afraid of is him!

  She's not stupid, after all these years, if Wan Si wanted to investigate, she would have done so long ago. Now that she has been rewarded with a large red silver fox fur coat and specially ordered to enter the palace for a banquet, it is natural that she will no longer be held accountable for past events.

  But what if she were exposed in public for her private medical practice?

  Let him lose face in front of all the courtiers, and he still tells her gently not to be afraid, with him by her side?

  I feel very helpless. Zhen Shining especially feels the warmth of the hug behind her, knowing that it's just a lifeless vine, but still can't help wanting to lean on it.

  It's too hard for one person to struggle. Every time she feels helpless, she secretly hopes that there is a pair of arms behind her back to shelter her from the wind and rain.

  She heard the soft, comforting voice by her ear and for a moment, Zhen Shiniang felt that this concern was so real, as if she were the person he had been searching for with all his heart for several lifetimes. "If..." she couldn't help but fantasize, "now if I honestly tell him about my private medical practice, will he forgive me out of sympathy and not pursue it anymore?" This low, melancholic voice carried a hint of worry, as if it could contain everything. As this thought flashed by, Zhen Shiniang softly called out, "General..."

  "Xīng náng." The woman in his arms felt as gentle as water, and Shen Zhongge responded warmly, subconsciously tightening his arms around her.

  The horse carriage ran over a stone on the snowy ground, and the carriage shook violently. The coachman was startled and pulled hard on the reins, "Whoa..." He turned his head back nervously, "Is the general all right?"

  Zhen Shining and Shen Zhongqiu were both shocked, Zhen Shining suddenly woke up, unaware that she had broken out in a cold sweat. She was just his plaything, after all, and it was only natural that he would show some concern for her, but what did that really mean?

  In any case, she absolutely cannot put her fate in anyone's hands!

  Forget it, her outfit today was worlds apart from the time she entered Zhongting Manor. If she really ran into Xiao Ye, she would pretend not to recognize him until death, drag things out for today, and think of a solution when she got back.

  Having made up her mind, Zhen Shining took advantage of the carriage's brief stop to quietly slip out of Shen Zhongjie's embrace and straighten her back. "Thank you for your concern, General," she said in a soft, gentle voice with a hint of detachment.

  Shen Zhong's head hung low, staring blankly at the empty space in front of him, and involuntarily clenched his fists, the icy cold temperature still lingering in his palms.

  He suddenly sat up straight and shouted out of the carriage, "Rong Sheng, bring over a hand warmer." His tone carried a hint of inexplicable annoyance.

  "Thank you, General." Oblivious to Shen Zhong's suddenly darkened face, Zhen Shi Niang gave him a faint smile.

  Also don't mention it, although he is a big male chauvinist, sometimes his heart is quite delicate, worthy of praise, and will continue to work hard in the future.

  She was afraid of the cold, and her winter clothes were twice as thick as others. However, today she was entering the palace and couldn't wear too much, besides, the clothes were custom-made by Shen Zhongjie, they were all popular at the moment, thin and elegant, she wanted to tie her waist tightly. She didn't have any thicker ones, originally she had brought a hand warmer, but that was something Rong Sheng had casually bought in Liulin Town back then, it was too low-quality, not suitable for bringing into the palace. Before, Shen Zhongjie hadn't specifically instructed, Hong Lian naturally wouldn't prepare these things for her. Now sitting in the cold carriage, she really felt a bit chilly.

  In response to her smile, Shen Zhongge awkwardly turned his face to one side.

  Zhen Shiniang straightened her body and stopped speaking.

  The two of them didn't speak again all along the way, and the horse carriage slowly arrived at the palace gate.

  "General Shen!" Just as Shen Zhongjie got off his horse carriage, he heard a loud voice coming from behind him.

  Shen Zhong's head lifted, and Prime Minister Cao Jingxuan walked over with a spring breeze on his face. He quickly stepped forward to greet him, "Prime Minister Cao." He also took a glance at the horse carriage behind him, "...but where is your wife?"

  "Madam is paying respects to the noble consort, she entered the palace early this morning." Cao Jingxuan said with a bright smile, his eyes fell on the horse carriage not far behind Shen Zhongge's back, his body shook and his voice stopped abruptly.

  Shen Zhongge followed his gaze and turned back to look at Zhen Shiniang.

  Zhen Shining helped Autumn Chrysanthemum down from the carriage, glanced around and saw Shen Zhongge chatting with someone not far away. Not recognizing him, she hesitated whether to go over or not. Seeing Shen Zhongge looking over, she slowly walked over.

  "This is Madame." Shen Zhongjie pointed to Zhen Shining and introduced her to Cao Jingxuan, then ordered Zhen Shining, "Hurry up and pay your respects to Lord Cao."

  Cao Jingxuan stood there, staring blankly at himself. Zhen Shiniang slightly lowered her head and bowed to greet him, saying "Greetings, Lord Cao, I hope you are well."

  "Ah, just like... really just like..." Cao Jingxuan muttered to himself, taking a long time to come back to his senses. He turned to Shen Zhongge and said, "If it weren't for General Shen's introduction, I would have thought that Lady Zhen had been reborn." Then he turned to Zhen Shiniang and said, "No need to be polite, Lady Shen." Seeing the unfamiliar wariness in Zhen Shiniang's eyes, he laughed loudly and said, "In just a few years, Lady Shen has forgotten about old me! I recall when I went to the Prime Minister's residence, you were still pulling on my beard and throwing a tantrum because you wanted sweets!" His voice was hearty, with a warm and benevolent gaze.

  Zhen Shining's guard instantly dropped.

  Is the Mrs. Zhen in his mouth her mother who has never met in this life? Listening to this tone, the two families should have been frequent visitors before, but it is unknown whether his political stance and Shen Zhongjie are enemies or friends, can she get close to him?

  Her eyes stole a glance at Shen Zhongge, seeing him looking at her with a spring breeze on his face, his eyes subtly showing a hint of approval. She slightly bowed to Cao Jingxuan, "Uncle has spoken, how could I not recognize you? It's just that we haven't seen each other for many years, and I didn't dare to rashly acknowledge you." As she spoke, the master became an uncle, with a faint smile carrying a hint of intimacy.

  "It's fine as long as you're willing to call me Uncle... just fine..." Suddenly hearing Zhen Shiniang change her address to "Uncle", Cao Xiangye's voice suddenly became soft and gentle, like an old man who had seen his long-separated daughter, without any of the dignity befitting a Minister.

  But just called out "Uncle", need to be so excited?

  Cao Jingxuan's face suddenly flushed with excitement, Zhen Shiniang suspected that she was too beautiful, and that she could charm both old and young?

  Just looking at his bright eyes, honest words, and refreshing smile, he's definitely not a lecher. So, there must be some connection between their two families in the past?

  Unfortunately, the magpie is not here, she knows nothing about these things.

  That Shen Zhongge had already supported Cao Jingxuan, "It's cold outside, Lord Cao, let's go inside the temple to talk."

  "Mr. Lu has arrived, I'll go and greet him, you and your niece can go in first." Seeing Shen Zhongge carelessly throwing Zhen Shimai aside, Cao Jingxuan pushed him away, "Being able to marry a virtuous niece is the blessing of your past life, you must treat her well." He then turned to Zhen Shimai, "If he dares to bully you, come find Uncle, I'll definitely support you!" His tone was sincere and straightforward, as he spoke, he punched Shen Zhongge's chest.

  Shen Zhong's face turned purple with rage.

  His father was guilty of treason, Lord Cao must have known that, and he must also be a seasoned politician to have climbed to his current position. Yet, despite knowing his own identity is awkward, he still dares to act as if he's from her maternal family to lecture Shen Zhongshu.

  And right at the entrance of the imperial palace!

  He was truly afraid that his lonely daughter would be bullied by Shen Zhongjie, and under the benevolent gaze of Cao Xiangye, Zhen Shimai felt a warm current in her heart. "If there's anything, my niece will definitely come to find you." She intimately bowed to Cao Jingxuan and followed Shen Zhongjie into the palace gate.

  The banquet was held in Linhua Hall, and many officials had already arrived, chatting in huddles of three or four, while the imperial consorts gathered on the other side of the hall.

  "General Shen and Madam Shen have arrived!"

  As soon as the eunuch's loud voice sounded, the noise in the hall suddenly disappeared, and with a rustling sound, eyes of all colors fell on Zhen Shiniang...