Mistakenly recognized as a cousin, thousands of pampered

Tao Qingwan uttered these words slowly. Although her voice was soft and not loud, it was like a thunderclap that suddenly exploded in Tao Jiuxi's ears.

Tao Jiuxi's originally lazy and comfortable expression disappeared completely in an instant.

She suddenly opened her eyes and sat up from the couch, staring straight at Tao Qingwan and asking in a trembling voice, "Sister, why are you suddenly going to the palace?"

Tao Qingwan lowered her head slightly and said, "The Princess intends to recommend me to the palace, but she also made it clear that everything will be based on my wishes. However, I have thought about it over and over again and feel that this may be a rare opportunity for our Tao family."

Tao Qingwan looked at the panic in Tao Jiuxi's eyes, and her own eyes gradually turned red, with mist slowly rising in them.

"No, I don't want you to enter the palace."

"Sister, even if you don't enter the palace, father can still be an official with his own talents. Moreover, it was clearly because of Shen Zhiyi's obstruction that father was dismissed from office this time. Shen Zhiyi also said that when father comes back, he will go to the emperor in person to ask for help." Tao Jiuxi said anxiously, just wanting his sister to give up this idea.

"Even if Father is reinstated, he'll only be a fourth-rank official. There are countless officials and generals in the capital. It will be difficult for Father to gain a firm foothold in this treacherous court. If I could enter the palace, perhaps I could find some support for Father and bring honor to our family. I know you're worried about me, but I really want to do my part."

Tao Qingwan gently held Tao Jiuxi's hands, exerting a little force, trying to convey her determination to Tao Jiuxi and trying to make her understand her decision.

"But father will not sacrifice your future for his own future. Sister, you don't need to sacrifice like this." Tears welled up in Tao Jiuxi's eyes, her voice had a hint of crying, and her eyes were full of heartache.

"Jiuxi, this is not a sacrifice for me. Even if I don't enter the palace, I will get married in the future, right? I don't have anyone I love. What's the difference between marrying into the palace and marrying someone else?" Tao Qingwan tried to persuade Tao Jiuxi.

"Sister, I understand your feelings, but life in the palace is bound to be full of hardships and dangers. I'm afraid you will be hurt. You don't know that the palace can be very cruel."

As Tao Jiuxi spoke, tears slid down her cheeks and dripped onto the back of her hand.

Tao Qingwan turned her head away, no longer looking at Tao Jiuxi, and then said something.

"Sister also wants to work hard for her future."

Tao Jiuxi, however, would not believe a word of it. After being together for such a long time, she knew Tao Qingwan too well. She knew that Tao Qingwan was definitely not that kind of person and she must have her own difficulties.

"Sister, are you afraid that I will cause trouble, so you want to fight for a position in the palace? To protect me?" Tao Jiuxi grabbed Tao Qingwan's arm tightly, his eyes full of anxiety and confusion.

"Silly girl, I'm really doing this for myself. I know this is sudden for you, but I've thought it through. I'll be careful and protect myself."

Tao Qingwan let out a breath softly, then turned around and looked at Tao Jiuxi gently, her eyes full of comfort.

"But I don't want to be separated from you." Tao Jiuxi cried even louder and hugged Tao Qingwan tightly.

"Then do you think that after you marry Duke Shen in the future, you will keep me by your side? If your sister doesn't enter the palace, will you follow her when she gets married in the future? Silly girl." Tao Qingwan gently stroked Tao Jiuxi's hair with a smile on her lips, but there was a hint of bitterness in that smile.

Tao Jiuxi didn't expect to have to consider these things so soon. She frowned and thought seriously about how to keep the two of them together.

Suddenly, Mu'er's voice came from outside: "Miss, Miss, Master Shen has returned home. Please come over, ladies."

Tao Jiuxi's mind was completely occupied with his sister's entry into the palace. How could he be in the mood to see Shen Zhiyi at this moment? He immediately replied, "No, I'm not in the mood to go."

After hearing this, Mu'er didn't dare to say anything more and could only respond and retreat.

"Sister, can you please not enter the palace?" Tao Jiuxi tightly grabbed Tao Qingwan's sleeve, his eyes full of pleading.

"Jiuxi, I know you don't want to be separated from me, but this is the only way for now."

After hearing what her sister said, Tao Jiuxi felt depressed, as if a huge stone was pressing on her heart, making it hard for her to breathe.

But after a while, Mu'er came over again to report: "Master Shen is waiting for the two girls in the courtyard."

Tao Qingwan frowned slightly, and after thinking for a moment, she suggested, "I think Lord Shen has something to do, so why not go and see him first."

Tao Jiuxi then wiped away her tears and slowly walked out the door.

When he saw Tao Jiuxi crying like this, Shen Zhiyi immediately took a few steps forward. However, he never stepped onto the stairs under Tao Qingwan's eaves. He just waited anxiously below.

"Why are you crying again?" Shen Zhiyi's face was full of heartache and he was very anxious.

"It's all your fault."

Tao Jiuxi looked at Shen Zhiyi angrily, her eyes full of anger. She thought that it was because of the polo match he had asked the eldest princess to host that the eldest princess saw her eldest sister.

Seeing this, Shen Zhiyi immediately reached out to hold Tao Jiuxi's hand, trying to calm her down.

But Tao Jiuxi refused to let him touch it out of spite and threw his hand aside.

At this time, Tao Qingwan also calmed down and walked out of the house slowly. Her face was dignified and she bowed to Shen Zhiyi: "Greetings to Duke Shen."

"No need to be so polite, elder sister." Shen Zhiyi said hurriedly.

Eldest sister? Tao Qingwan's eyes flashed with surprise. She didn't expect Shen Zhiyi to have changed so much that he actually followed Tao Jiuxi and called her eldest sister.

Tao Jiuxi was even more angry at this time. She raised her foot and stepped on Shen Zhiyi's foot.

Shen Zhiyi felt pain from the sudden kick, but he just frowned slightly, then reached out and pulled Tao Jiuxi to his side.

"Do you want to listen to what I have to say first, and then decide whether to continue crying?" Shen Zhiyi looked at Tao Jiuxi helplessly, but there was still doting in his eyes.

Shen Zhiyi invited Tao Jiuxi and Tao Qingwan to the study.

"After the court session today, the eldest princess sent me a message. She told me about this matter and said that she would seek the opinion of my eldest sister." Shen Zhiyi said slowly, his eyes looking at Tao Qingwan.

Tao Qingwan nodded slightly and said softly: "The Princess did not force me, she let me choose for myself."

Tao Jiuxi said anxiously: "If that's the case, why don't you just choose not to go?"

Her eyes were red, tears were still welling up in her eyes, and there was a hint of crying in her voice.

"Jiuxi, things are not that simple. Since the eldest princess has already spoken, how can I refuse?" Tao Qingwan sighed softly. She knew that her sister was doing it for her own good, but she also had her own difficulties.

Shen Zhiyi looked at the anxious Tao Jiuxi and said slowly, "Although the eldest princess and the current emperor are not born of the same mother, the eldest princess has been deeply loved by the emperor since she was a child. Back then, when the emperor was still an unfavored prince, the eldest princess took great care of him. Without the eldest princess's help, the emperor's path to the throne would have been filled with more obstacles. Because of this, the emperor has always respected the eldest princess."

"The eldest princess has no children, and has never adopted any other children from her husband's clan. Therefore, the eldest princess sent you to the emperor to make some plans for her own future. You will not be the first person sent by the eldest princess, and naturally you will not be the last one." Shen Zhiyi's eyes were deep, and his voice was steady and low, echoing clearly in this quiet study.

"But now, Your Majesty is no longer the prince who could be manipulated at will before he ascended the throne. Although Your Majesty will not ignore the people sent by the eldest princess, he will definitely not over-favor them."

Shen Zhiyi analyzed the pros and cons.

However, he only said this much because he wanted to hear Tao Qingwan's true thoughts.

"But if I don't go, the princess won't force me, but... life in this capital will probably be even more difficult." Tao Qingwan slowly spoke her true feelings at this time.

She was not a vain person, but she knew very well that she had no choice in the face of such power.

There was a hint of helplessness and resignation in her eyes, a deep sense of powerlessness.

"Don't worry, elder sister. Before I came back today, I had already declined the eldest princess's invitation. The eldest princess will not blame you for this." Shen Zhiyi said softly with a firm tone.

When he went to the Princess's Mansion today and heard about this, he only asked the Princess whether she wanted him as her adopted son or whether Tao Qingwan must enter the palace.

At first, the eldest princess only wanted to find some security for herself in the future. However, Shen Zhiyi, who had always been cold and lonely, told her sincerely today that he had regarded her as his mother and would definitely be filial to her and let her enjoy her old age.

Shen Zhiyi also told the eldest princess that she didn't need to do those things. The emperor had never doubted her and always regarded her as his own sister.

As for the eldest princess, although she admired Tao Qingwan's talent, her talent was far inferior to that of Shen Zhiyi, whom she had known since childhood. Naturally, she would not have any unpleasantness with Shen Zhiyi for Tao Qingwan.

"Really?" Tao Jiuxi's eyes lit up with hope as she heard this. She quickly walked past Tao Qingwan and over to Shen Zhiyi. Her face was still stained with tears, but she felt a bit more alive because of this glimmer of hope.

"Stay away from me. I see your feet hurt right now." Shen Zhiyi looked at Tao Jiuxi's anxious look and couldn't help but joke with her.

When Tao Jiuxi heard this, he was shocked. His face fell and he retreated directly.

There was a hint of grievance in her eyes, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Shen Zhiyi quickly pulled her aside and admitted his mistake: "I was just joking with you, don't be angry, I'll let you step on me a few times later to vent your anger."

"As long as you can solve this problem, I won't bother with you." Tao Jiuxi raised his chin and said angrily.

Shen Zhiyi smiled and nodded.

Then, he turned his head and said to Tao Qingwan, "Eldest sister, a letter came from the post station today, saying that Lord Tao will be able to enter the capital in half a month. After arriving in the capital, the emperor will find an opportunity to reinstate Lord Tao. You and Jiuxi don't need to worry about these things in the future."

After hearing this, Tao Qingwan felt relieved. She looked at Shen Zhiyi gratefully, bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Duke Shen."