Duke Jing's younger sister

Fortunately, the space in the pavilion was spacious enough, so even with so many people coming, it didn't seem crowded at all.

When he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure leaning against the railing, Shen Beiqi's steady steps paused.

She didn't look very well, but since I hadn't seen her for a few days, her chin seemed to be thinner.

She didn't even look up at him. She just bowed to everyone from a distance, then sat back down and turned her face towards the lake.

Accompanying her was still the second son of the Luo family, Luo Yan.

An imperceptible complex emotion flashed across Shen Beiqi's gorgeous peach blossom eyes, and then returned to normal in an instant.

Everyone sat down at the stone table, and Xiao Wenyuan ordered his servants to bring some tea and snacks.

"This is Sister Zhiyan, right?"

The woman standing beside Shen Beiqi spoke up. She walked forward with a smile and gently held Shen Zhiyan's hand. "Come to think of it, we have met before. Do you remember?"

Han Yunning, the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Han, is a typical lady from a noble family. Whether in her manners, conversation, or interpersonal relationships, she is always graceful and knows when to act.

Actually, she is only two years older than Shen Zhiyan, but she looks very calm, talented and beautiful, and is quite famous in Jiangdu City.

At the palace banquet, Shen Zhiyan had seen Han Yunning from a distance twice, but they had never had any interaction.

Things are different now. Han Yunning has become her future sister-in-law, so Shen Zhiyan naturally has to be more warm.

"Sister Yun Ning is very beautiful. I will never forget her after seeing her. Of course I will remember her."

"Sister, you are too kind. When it comes to appearance, Sister Zhiyan is still better."

Han Yunning turned her gaze towards Xiao Wenyuan and jokingly asked, "Prince Xiao, am I right?"

Although Xiao Wenyuan did not say anything, the smile on his face already showed his response.

"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Wenyuan's cousin Zhiyan is naturally the better one, but in Shaoheng's eyes, my cousin is probably second!"

Shaoheng is the pen name of Shen Beiqi.

Shen Beiqi holds a high position, and not many people can call him by his nickname.

The young man who was speaking had thick eyebrows, big eyes, a straight nose with a slight hump, and a slightly wide jaw, which added a sense of firmness and awe to him.

He was wearing gorgeous clothes and sitting diagonally opposite Shen Beiqi. Although he had an approachable smile on his face, his every move revealed his royal demeanor.

This person was the second prince Xiao Wenche, born to Yang’s second sister, Concubine Zhao, who was three years older than Shen Beiqi.

Next to him sat a young, slightly childish girl, wearing a wide-sleeved robe and a smoky red dress with intricate embroidery.

Because she had not yet performed the coming-of-age ceremony, her hair was only half tied up, and a round oriental pearl as big as a pigeon egg was inlaid on her golden hairpin.

This person is the fourth princess, Xiao Wushuang, who is held in the palm of the hand of Emperor Hongyang.

Hearing the ambiguous teasing in Xiao Wenche's words, Han Yunning smiled and lowered his head.

Luo Jue had a smile on his lips, seemingly noncommittal, but his eyes intentionally fell on Shen Li who was leaning against the railing.

Father, like son.

In Shen Beiqi's opinion, even if Shen Zhiyan ranked second, Han Yunning would not be able to be the first.

Xiao Wushuang glared at Han Yunning with disdain, not hiding the anger and jealousy in his eyes at all.

Shen Zhiyan has met her future sister-in-law, so naturally Shen Li should meet her as well.

She took a deep breath and just as she was preparing herself mentally, Luo Cheng beside her burst out laughing.

"Why are you so nervous? Have you never seen so many people before?"

Shen Li gave him a look, her eyes falling on the tip of his black boots. Luo Cheng quickly clasped his hands together, begging Master Shen Li to be magnanimous.

Ren Jiaorui took a step ahead of Shen Li and stepped forward to bow to Han Yunning, "Hello, Sister Yunning."

Han Yunning knew the situation of the Shen family, but she had only seen Shen Zhiyan. She did not recognize her other sisters and cousins.

In order to prevent herself from calling the wrong person, she turned her gaze towards Shen Zhiyan, "Who is this?"

Without waiting for Shen Zhiyan to answer, Ren Jiaorui hurriedly replied, "Sister Yun Ning, my younger sister is Ren Jiaorui, and that one is my third sister."

Shen Li just approached, and since Ren Jiaorui had introduced her, she said no more and bowed politely.

Han Yunning had heard that Shen Beiqi loved this adopted sister extremely much, even more than his biological sister Shen Zhiyan.

Now that the person was standing in front of him, Han Yunning couldn't help but look at Shen Li carefully.

She may not be stunningly beautiful, but she is a gentle and elegant beauty with a pair of clear eyes, like a stream flowing through a deep valley.

I just don’t know if it is possible for a person to have no distracting thoughts and not covet other people’s things.

Han Yunning concealed the inquiry in his eyes and smiled sweetly.

"It was a coincidence that we met today. I didn't prepare any gifts in advance. Please don't blame me, sisters. I will visit you another day and deliver the gifts to you personally."

"Thank you, Sister Yunning."

The three of them thanked him in unison. Shen Li smiled and quietly looked at Han Yunning in front of her.

Her eyes are very similar to Shen Beiqi's, both are bright and sparkling peach blossom eyes.

It’s just that Shen Beiqi’s eyes are deeper, with the ends slightly upturned, adding a bit of charm to his bright eyes.

Han Yunning has slightly narrow double eyelids, and her eyebrows and eyes are curved when she smiles, which makes her look more feminine, gentle, beautiful and charming.

In terms of charm and grace, she is not as bright and enchanting as Linlangmei, which is unforgettable.

In terms of elegance and refinement, she is not as good as Shen Li, who is as flawless as white jade, gentle and clear.

But Han Yunning's noble, confident, calm and generous demeanor is something that Shen Li and Linlang will never have in their lifetime.

Family background, status and favor are all indispensable to success.

Shen Li silently lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the corner of a dark blue robe under the stone table.

All the men sitting in the pavilion at this moment were born into wealthy families and have distinguished backgrounds.

The fate of all the women present, including Shen Li, is not controlled by Yue Lao, and their future is not in the hands of Emperor Hongyang, but in the hands of power and status.

When men in Jiangdu city choose wives, appearance is never the primary criterion. They choose someone who can help them and provide them with support.

Han Yunning's father, Prime Minister Han Dingbang, was a veteran of the Southern Wu Dynasty. He held the Nine Dragon Regent's Staff and could defeat tyrants and execute corrupt officials.

Only she could be worthy of the most handsome man in this water pavilion.

Several maids in green came in with trays in their hands, served tea and snacks, and then left in an orderly manner.

"Hmm, it's actually the Pinxiangzhai White Jade Cake." The third prince Xiao Wencong took a bite of the cake in his hand and said incoherently.

Xiao Wenche glanced at him with a half-smile, "Third brother is indeed the best in eating, drinking and having fun. You can taste that this is the white jade cake from Pinxiangzhai with just one bite?"

"Second brother, please stop teasing me in a roundabout way. You and your elder brother are allowed to love ancient calligraphy and paintings, but I am not allowed to love fine wine and delicious food?"

Xiao Wushuang reached out and pulled the porcelain plate containing the white jade cake closer, then pushed it in front of Shen Beiqi.

"Brother Beiqi, you love white jade cake the most, I'll give it all to you!"

Shen Beiqi's dark pupils turned slightly, and he glanced sideways at the innocent-looking Xiao Wushuang. There was no warmth in his beautiful peach blossom eyes.

"I'm afraid the fourth princess has misunderstood," Ren Jiaorui said with a smile, "cousin never likes sweet food."