Duke Jing's younger sister

In the fragrant month of April, the sky is clear and the golden sunlight shines softly on the city of Jiangdu.

In Qinghui Courtyard, the branches are full of white magnolias, the snow-white petals sway in the breeze, and bursts of rich floral fragrance drift into the house.

People are happy when they are happy.

Shen Li had been in a very good mood in the past two days. She even embroidered the picture of a hundred years of longevity with ease. Within three days, she had finished the birthday gift to Old Lady Luo.

She handed the remaining finishing work to Ziyuan and was just about to take a break when Shen Zhiyan's personal maid Baozhu hurried into the room.

After bowing, Baozhu said, "Third Miss, my daughter asked you to change your clothes and go boating with her."

"Lake tour?"

"Yes!" Baozhu nodded repeatedly, "The girl said she will be out in a cup of tea, so you should hurry up."

Baozhu came in a hurry and left in a hurry.

On the shore of Jiangyang Lake is a dense magnolia forest. Every year when the magnolias are in full bloom, she and Shen Zhiyan would go boating on the lake to relax.

But why are we in such a hurry today?

Although Shen Li had some doubts in her heart, she still took the time to change into a light green top with the help of Zi Yuan, and matched it with a white pleated skirt. The simple color and flowing skirt were very suitable for going out for an outing.

Before leaving, Zi Yuan said with an embarrassed look, "Miss, something happened at home..."

Shen Li understood, and called Xingping to accompany her out, then took out a silver ingot from the box and handed it to Ziyuan.

"No problem, Xingping, just go with me. Take this money and use it. If there is any problem that you can't solve, you can tell me and I will help you find a solution."

Zi Yuan hesitated for a moment and then lowered her head.

Shen Li didn't force her.

I am also a human being and I also have difficulties that I don’t want to express.

When Shen Li walked out of the gate of Shen Mansion and saw two carriages parked outside the gate, he was stunned for a moment.

One of the carriages was a brown one, which Shen Li was very familiar with. She and Shen Zhiyan were inseparable, and they usually rode in this carriage when they went out.

As for the black carriage with gold edges behind the Shen family's carriage, it looked very unfamiliar.

At the same time, she noticed that there were two young men with extraordinary temperament standing in front of the carriage.

One of them was wearing a gorgeous moon-white robe. The smooth fabric was embroidered with auspicious patterns that sparkled in the sun.

The other was wearing a red silk robe with delicate gold thread patterns embroidered on the cuffs, which looked very gorgeous.

Both of them were not wearing crowns, and their black hair was tied up high with headbands. The young man in white was well-behaved, and his headband was also an inconspicuous light gray color.

The young man in red not only had brightly coloured clothes, but his headband was also a striking bright red.

The sun is shining and the breeze is blowing.

The red headband danced in the wind, as light as a butterfly and like a burning flame.

When Shen Li was wondering whether to go back first, Shen Zhiyan came out, wearing gorgeous clothes and with pearls and jade all over her head. It was obvious that she had put a lot of thought into her dressing.

Because she walked so fast, the chain of jade pendants hanging around her waist jingled.

When she saw someone standing outside the door waiting, Shen Zhiyan hurriedly held down the jade pendant, straightened her posture, and winked at Shen Li.

Shen Li understood and followed her down the stairs slowly.

"Prince Xiao, sorry for the long wait."

Shen Li remained silent, and followed Shen Zhiyan in bowing to the young man in white robe.

"Sister Zhiyan, there's no need to be so polite," Xiao Wenyuan said with a smile, "We didn't have to wait long. Brother Luo and I just arrived."

Prince Xiao, Xiao Wenyuan, son of Prince Rui?

Shen Li lowered his head and quickly glanced at the young man in front of him from the corner of his eye.

Prince Rui Xiao Yu is the younger brother of Emperor Hongyang and is deeply trusted by His Majesty. He is also the only prince who survived after Emperor Hongyang ascended the throne.

Xiao Wenyuan and Shen Zhiyan have already exchanged engagement letters, and the marriage will be made public after the betrothal ceremony, so there is nothing wrong with going boating on the lake together at this time.

No wonder he was in such a hurry to ask her to accompany him. Even though they were already talking about marriage, it was always inappropriate for them to be alone in a room.

Fortunately, this Prince Xiao is not a person who does not know etiquette, and he brought this... Brother Luo?

Could it be that he was the son of the Wenchang Marquis Luo family? Why had she never seen him before?

Just as she was thinking, Shen Zhiyan started to introduce, "This is my third sister, her maiden name is Shen Li."

"Third sister Shen is fine." Xiao Wenyuan smiled softly.

Shen Li bowed again, "I wish you the best, Master Xiao."

"This is Luo Cheng, Sister Zhiyan should still remember him?"

A trace of surprise appeared on Shen Zhiyan's face, "Second cousin of the Luo family?"

Luo Cheng had a smile on his face, and he folded his arms lazily, "Cousin Zhiyan, I haven't seen you for ten years. I thought you had forgotten me!"

Luo Cheng glanced at Shen Li casually and felt that the woman in front of him was fair and clean, but she was dressed like a cabbage.

He had been away from Jiangdu City for ten years, studying martial arts everywhere, and had never met Shen Li, but he also knew that Shen Beiqi had adopted a sister.

This year is my grandmother's 70th birthday. Brother Luo Cheng sent him a letter, asking him to return to Jiangdu City, otherwise he would be removed from the family tree.

Luo Cheng was not afraid of this naked threat, but he should come back for his grandmother's 70th birthday!

"How could I forget my second cousin!"

Shen Zhiyan smiled and said, "Back then you almost burned down my aunt's Muyunzhai. I still remember it vividly."

"Ahem..." Luo Cheng put his fist to his lips to hide his embarrassment, and leaned close to Shen Zhiyan and said in a low voice, "Cousin, it's better to forget about this embarrassing thing!"

Shen Li reacted immediately. She had indeed heard that the second son of the Luo family was uninhibited and free-spirited. He did not like the court, but instead liked to wander the world.

When the second young master was eight years old, he went north to Qingcheng Mountain to learn martial arts, and he was gone for ten years.

Therefore, although Shen Li had been to the Luo family many times, she had never seen the Second Young Master Luo.

Do all the people in the martial arts world dress as fancy as him? Shen Li thought secretly that this Second Young Master Luo did not look like he was going on a boat trip, but rather like he was going to a wedding.

"Shall we set off now?" Xiao Wenyuan looked at Shen Zhiyan and asked, "It will take another half an hour for the Shen Mansion to reach Jiangyang Lake. Let's set off early to avoid missing the time when we return to the city."

"Okay." Shen Zhiyan smiled and nodded in response.

……

Although the Shen family is powerful, they are not as powerful as the royal family.

Although the pleasure boat they were riding on was only single-decker, it was meticulously carved throughout, with the exquisitely designed four-cornered roof and the relief carvings of coiled dragons and auspicious clouds on the dragon pillars, all of which were interlocked and arranged in an orderly manner.

The sun was shining brightly today, and the lake was sparkling. Shen Li lay on the railing, and the gentle breeze blew against her face. In such an open environment, she felt a sense of joy and happiness.

There was a square pear wood table in the ship's hall, with all kinds of fruits and snacks on it, which was enough to show how much Xiao Wenyuan cared about this cruise.

Luo Cheng picked up a plate of snacks, walked out of the cabin and sat next to Shen Li, placing the snacks between the two of them.

"Would you like some snacks?"

Shen Li shook her head. "No, thank you, Mr. Luo."

"Second Young Master Luo?" Luo Cheng repeated, trying to correct her address, "You should call me second cousin like Sister Zhiyan does."