Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

There is no doubt that for Dugu Jingyao, in addition to the existence of those two annoying guys, there is also a person who makes Dugu Jingyao feel as if she is in her previous life, and this person is none other than Shen Zhenzhu.

Dugu Jingyao clearly remembered that in this life she had only had the honor of seeing Shen Zhenzhu once during the emperor's birthday celebration, and that meeting was a long time ago.

However, the situation this time was different. After all, he was in the backyard of his own home, so he naturally had the opportunity to have a few words with Shen Zhenzhu. This could be regarded as a reunion with an "old friend".

Dugu Jingyao seized the opportunity perfectly, feigning ignorance of Shen Zhenzhu, who sat at the back of the table, and Murong Linzhi, who stood beside her. Pointing her finger at them, she asked Li Ruo, "Ruo'er, do you recognize those two women?"

Li Ruo looked in the direction indicated by Dugu Jingyao, nodded slightly and replied, "I have indeed heard some things about them, but I am not familiar with them."

Then, Dugu Jingyao asked again, "What are the names of these two girls? I don't see them gathering with the other daughters of officials and wealthy families."

Li Ruo pondered for a moment, then spoke, "The woman in yellow is the legitimate daughter of Dali Zheng Shen Yizhi, and her name is Shen Zhenzhu. The person standing next to her in purple is Murong Linzhi. She's truly extraordinary! She's a renowned female physician and a favorite student of the legendary doctor Gongsun E!"

Dugu Jingyao also fell into deep thought. After a moment, she asked, "How did you get to know the beloved daughter of the Dali Zheng? From what I know, the Dali Zheng is just a sixth-rank official. How could she catch your eye, Ruo'er?"

Li Ruo replied with a matter-of-fact expression, "Sister Jingyao, I'm afraid you don't know the reason behind this. You know, in this vast city of Chang'an, when it comes to zither playing, besides Cui Caiping, who is truly exceptional, Shen Zhenzhu is the most outstanding. It can be said that she is truly the most talented woman in Chang'an."

Dugu Jingyao was lost in thought, thinking: No wonder Shen Zhenzhu was chosen as the wife of Prince Guangping in her previous life. Perhaps Li Chu was attracted by Shen Zhenzhu's talent...

Then, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, revealing a delicate smile. She looked at Li Ruo gently and said softly, "I see. Then I must go and meet this talented woman. I didn't even see her brilliance at the Emperor's birthday banquet. Ruo'er, I'll have to trouble you to take care of the guests here. I'm afraid Yue'er...she can't handle it on her own."

Upon hearing this, Li Ruo's face was filled with confidence, and she responded firmly, "Sister Jingyao, don't worry. I will do my best to take good care of Sister Jingyue. You can go and get busy!"

After receiving Li Ruo's firm promise, Dugu Jingyao nodded slightly to express her satisfaction and trust, then turned and walked towards the direction where Shen Zhenzhu and Murong Linzhi were.

At this time, Shen Zhenzhu and Murong Linzhi were talking enthusiastically. I don't know what they were talking about. From time to time, they laughed pleasantly and occasionally whispered in each other's ears.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, Dugu Jingyao had quietly walked to their side, but the two beauties were unaware of someone approaching and were still immersed in the pleasant chat atmosphere.

It wasn't until a certain young lady from an official family sitting opposite them cast a suggestive look at them that the two of them realized something was wrong, as if suddenly awakened from their dream. They turned around at the same time... and saw Dugu Jingyao standing quietly behind them.

A hint of panic appeared on the two men's faces, but they quickly regained their composure. They quickly stood up and respectfully bowed to Dugu Jingyao, saying, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you. May you live a long and healthy life!"

Dugu Jingyao smiled faintly and waved her hand gently, signaling Shi Jian and Si Jian beside her to help the two women to their feet. After they had steadied themselves, Dugu Jingyao said softly, "There's no need to be so polite, young ladies. This princess has long heard that in Chang'an City there is a remarkable woman of both talent and beauty, arguably the most talented, and a doctor of superb medical skills, highly admired. I've come here today, admiring their reputation, hoping to forge a deep friendship with both of you."

How could Shen Zhenzhu and Murong Linzhi not understand the deeper meaning behind Dugu Jingyao's words? It was just an excuse. However, they didn't show any dissatisfaction or embarrassment, but instead acted very calm and composed.

Shen Zhenzhu bowed gracefully in return, and replied modestly, "Your Excellency is too kind. Those so-called reputations are nothing but empty names. I really don't deserve such praise from you."

Seeing this, Dugu Jingyao stopped being polite and walked straight to the empty seat next to them and sat down. Then she said kindly, "If you consider me a friend, there is no need to be so reserved. Please take a seat!"

Shen Zhenzhu and Murong Linzhi responded in unison: "Thank you, Princess." Then, they took their seats one by one according to the order, and the whole scene seemed harmonious and cordial.

Because Dugu Jingyao came and only talked to Shen Zhenzhu and Murong Linzhi, some of the ladies next to them also went to other places to find people to chat with.

The few of them were chatting happily, and some of them looked over, expressing their immense envy for Shen Zhenzhu and Murong Linzhi, but they didn't care much about other people's gazes.

Dugu Jingyao seized the opportunity, looked at the two of them, and asked, "By the way, can I call you Zhenzhu and Lin Zhi?"

Although the two had no intention of currying favor with the rich and powerful, they did get along well. They also had great respect for Dugu Jingyao, so naturally they were willing to respond.

Shen Zhenzhu was a cheerful person, so she spoke first: "Of course it's possible. It's a blessing for Lin Zhi and me to be able to call ourselves sisters with a heroine like the princess."

Dugu Jingyao said with a sweet smile, "That's fine. From now on, I'll call you Zhenzhu and her Linzhi. Counting by birthday, I'm older than both of you. You can call me sister, or Jingyao. That way it's more intimate. You don't have to call me Princess anymore!"

Shen Zhenzhu and Murong Linzhi looked at each other and said in unison, "Yes, Sister Jingyao!" Then they all laughed together.

Dugu Jingyao seemed to have thought of something and asked, "Pearl, excuse me, who is my father?"

They were almost getting along well, so Shen Zhenzhu naturally had no defenses: "My father is Shen Yizhi, the Dali official."

Dugu Jingyao murmured the name, her eyes slightly red, and suddenly grabbed Shen Zhenzhu's hand, which made Shen Zhenzhu stunned. Shen Zhenzhu hurriedly asked: "Sister Jingyao, is there anything wrong?"

Dugu Jingyao wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "It's okay." Although there were no one around, Dugu Jingyao was afraid that the same thing as in her previous life, when the Shen family was massacred, would happen again, so she lowered her voice and asked, "Does your family have a Qilin-shaped jade pendant?"

Shen Zhenzhu thought carefully and thought, "There seems to be a jade pendant, but it's not meant to be worn as an ornament. My father has always kept it." So she said, "It seems there is, but I've only seen it twice. But what's the problem with this jade pendant?"

Dugu Jingyao shook her head and said, "No problem, just keep the jade pendant safe and don't show it to anyone unless necessary."

Shen Zhenzhu didn't understand why, but she still thought, since Sister Jingyao said so, then she would go back and remind her father. So Shen Zhenzhu nodded and said, "I understand, Sister Jingyao."

After that, they stopped discussing this topic and turned to other topics.