Duke Jing's younger sister

Although the flowers were given out, Xiao Wushuang's face became even uglier. What does it mean to be the most respected brother?

The Queen Mother clearly knew that she liked Shen Beiqi, and she liked him very much!

And that Imperial Concubine Zhao, who said something like 'her nephew is very picky', implying that she was not worthy of Shen Beiqi?

What a joke, she is the legitimate princess of Southern Wu, if she is not worthy of Shen Beiqi, who else can be more worthy than her?

Is that Han Yunning, daughter of Prime Minister Han?

She turned around, glanced at Han Yunning, and snorted in her heart, just wait and see, I'll show you what's in store for you!

Xiao Wushuang left angrily. The queen secretly glanced at Emperor Hongyang beside her, and saw that he looked normal, so she felt relieved.

She searched among the crowd for a moment, and finally her eyes fell on Shen Li, and she asked,

"Madam Shen, the person sitting behind you is Duke Jingguo's adopted sister, the Third Miss Shen, Shen Li?"

Shen Li stood up with Yang, who smiled and said, "Your Majesty, that's right."

"Come forward and let me have a look."

Yang nodded slightly and turned sideways to give Shen Li an approving look.

Shen Li faced the gazes of the crowd and slowly walked to a position a few steps away from the Emperor and Empress. She bowed and saluted, "My daughter Shen Li greets Your Majesty, the Empress, and Concubine Zhao!"

"Stand up," Emperor Hongyang gestured with his hand.

Shen Li stood up to express her gratitude, her body straight, her hands folded on her abdomen, her brows lowered, looking very well-behaved.

Emperor Hongyang knew that Shen Beiqi had a sister, but this was the first time he saw her, so he couldn't help but look at her a few more times with a little curiosity.

The woman in front of him was petite and a little thin. Her facial features were not stunningly beautiful, but they were clean and gentle.

It is like a clear stream in a quiet valley. After seeing so many colorful flowers in the palace, this simple and undecorated pure white makes people feel close to it.

"He is quite good-looking," the Queen praised with a smile, turning to look at Emperor Hongyang, the tassels of his phoenix crown fluttering, sparkling under the light.

The latter nodded slightly, "Shen Qing's two sisters are both beautiful, and Shen Qing is even more heroic. She can be regarded as the leader among our Nanwu youth. It can be seen that the Shen family's feng shui is good for people."

Shen Beiqi stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. There are so many talented men in Southern Wu, and I don't think I can be called the best."

"Qi'er, there's no need to be so modest," Concubine Zhao said at the right time, "Those who are better than you in literature are not as good as you in martial arts, and those who are better than you in both literature and martial arts are not as good-looking as you. You naturally deserve this title."

When the second prince Xiao Wenche heard his mother speak, he immediately responded, "That's true, cousin. Being too modest is actually arrogance."

Crown Prince Xiao Wenhao raised his eyes and glanced at Xiao Wenche, curling the corners of his lips imperceptibly with obvious sarcasm. Was he so impatient to play tricks on others in front of his father?

Although Shen Beiqi and Xiao Wenche are cousins, and Concubine Zhao is his aunt, in the final analysis, Concubine Zhao and Shen's mother, Yang, are not from the same mother. Shen's mother is the daughter of Taifu Yang's deceased first wife.

Therefore, the mother and son were not sure about Shen Beiqi. They could only play the emotional card first and wait for the right time to bring him under their command.

As long as you hold the sharp sword of Shen Beiqi in your hand, why worry about not achieving great things?

"The Emperor is really partial. We were talking about Third Miss Shen, but why did he turn all his compliments to Duke Shen?"

The queen glanced at Concubine Zhao meaningfully, raised the corners of her lips slightly, and looked at Shen Li in front of her.

"I heard that you play the zither very well. Even Old Lady Luo praised you highly. She even gave you the Jinghong Zither that the late emperor bestowed upon her?"

Shen Li said respectfully, "My daughter's piano skills are poor. It is only because I met Jinghong, such an excellent piano, that I can play the piano beautifully. That is why Old Lady Luo looks at me with a higher regard. It is really because of my luck that is greater than my strength, not because of my superb skills."

"Having said that, I have studied the art of playing the zither for many years, but I have never played the zither, nor have I ever seen one. I wonder if Miss Shen San is willing to play a piece again today?"

What’s wrong with this mother and son? They both like to ask people to play the piano for them?

Last time in Luo Mansion, the prince ordered her to play a song, and she deliberately burned her hands before avoiding it.

It's a night banquet in the palace now, and hundreds of eyes are staring at her. What else can she do?

It’s not that she plays badly, she just doesn’t dare to play too well!

Even if you want to show off, you have to choose the right place. The imperial palace with its high walls and deep seclusion is definitely the most unsuitable place to show off.

Shen Beiqi's pupils turned slightly, and he glanced sideways at Shen Li who was a little hesitant not far away, and bowed and said,

"Since the Queen is so interested, my sister will serve you. However, she accidentally burned her hand at the birthday banquet at the Luo Mansion some time ago. I am afraid that she will not perform well and may disappoint the Queen."

That's a good remark! Shen Li couldn't help but cast his eyes towards the handsome young man in the crimson official robe.

Under the soft moonlight, his bright face became even more charming and beautiful, breathtakingly beautiful.

Their eyes met unexpectedly in the air, and his eyes were as gentle as water, also staring at her.

Han Yunning watched everything, closed her eyes silently, clasped her hands hanging on her legs, and tightly grasped the hem of her skirt.

Shen Beiqi made it clear that Shen Li's hand injury had just healed and was not suitable for playing. This would not offend the Queen and would also pave the way for her.

It would be better if the Queen Mother gave up at this point. If she insisted on asking her to play, she could just give it a try and play it roughly right, so as not to embarrass herself and bring shame to the Shen family.

"It's alright," the Queen said, "It's just an ordinary banquet, not a competition for fame. Miss Shen San doesn't need to worry about it. Just play a song casually."

Shen Li felt at ease, bowed and said, "Yes, I am sorry to show you my ugliness."

Several eunuchs quickly set up the piano table and hurriedly retreated. Shen Li sat down behind the piano.

The zithers in the palace are naturally not ordinary items.

The zither in front of her was ink-black all over, with silver strings shining sharply in the moonlight. The head of the zither was carved with delicate red plum blossoms, which matched her clothes today.

"I wonder if the Queen would like to listen to any song?" Shen Li asked.

The queen thought for a moment and looked at Emperor Hongyang beside her, "How about singing a song of Drunken Fisherman Singing at Dusk? Today happens to be a banquet, and it will also help to liven up the atmosphere for everyone."

Emperor Hongyang nodded and was about to respond when Concubine Zhao gently stroked her swollen belly and said softly,

"Your Majesty, I want to listen to a song called 'The Phoenix Seeks the Phoenix'. What's so good about the tune like 'The Drunken Fisherman Sings at Dusk'?"

Emperor Hongyang immediately smiled and said, "Okay, I'll do as my beloved concubine says. Then please ask Miss Shen San to play a song of Phoenix Seeking Phoenix."

Concubine Zhao looked at the Queen provocatively, with a smug arc on the corner of her mouth. The Queen continued to smile as usual. She sneered in her heart, thinking that a song was worth arguing about. She was really short-sighted.

Shen Li nodded in response, and her slender fingers stroked the strings of the piano. The melodious sound of the piano, like flowing water, sounded like the sound of nature, telling a tortuous love story.

Shen Beiqi sat behind the dining table, his eyes fixed on her for a long time.

Phoenix seeks phoenix, Phoenix seeks phoenix...

There is a beauty, I will never forget her...

One day without seeing you, I miss you like crazy...

If, like Luo Cheng, he could meet Shen Li, who is of the same age as him, in his most beautiful years, would she also be likely to fall in love with him?

He turned his gaze to Luo Cheng, who was more than a dozen tables away from him. The young man's eyes were like stars, staring intently at the girl who was playing the piano.

With a dull pain in his chest, Shen Beiqi withdrew his gaze and drank the wine in the glass with a slightly lonely look. If Luo Cheng was what she wanted, he would help her and fulfill her wish!

Shen Beiqi didn't know that his loneliness was completely seen by a pair of peach blossom eyes that looked very similar to his.