The delicate little cabbage was pushed by the old emperor

Shen Mansion, Chunyang Courtyard

Looking at her absent-minded brother, Shen Leyan felt very uncomfortable.

"Brother, why don't you just express your feelings to Miss Shangguan?"

"So what if I express my feelings? It's just my wishful thinking."

"Perhaps she has already forgotten me."

"Even if...even if she is willing, her father will definitely not agree."

"I don't want to embarrass her."

Shen Lebai was very clear about the relationship between the two families. As the emperor's uncle, Shangguan Rui also had a certain say in the court and often disagreed with Shen's father.

The two had been arguing in the court for most of their lives and disliked each other.

Therefore, even if Shen's father agreed, the possibility of Shen Lebai getting Shangguan Rui to agree to marry his daughter to him was very slim.

Shen Leyan was also very curious about the story between her brother and Miss Shangguan. She had only guessed it when she happened to see Miss Shangguan's portrait in her brother's study.

Seeing his sister staring at him with curious eyes, Shen Lebai had no choice but to compromise:

"Actually, I've only met her a few times, so I thought she might have forgotten me."

"She was kind and gentle... In short, she was very good, so good that I haven't forgotten her after all these years..."

"She helped me once when we first met as children. At that time, my father was still a nobody, and I didn't have many playmates when I attended the banquet. I wasn't very popular."

Shen Leyan knew that aristocratic families always paid attention to family background, and that was also the way children from prominent families made friends.

"When I was isolated by a group of people, she was the only one who would reach out to protect me, call me brother, and take me to have fun."

"Unlike the arrogant and domineering behavior of other noble ladies I've met, she is actually very innocent and lovely."

Shen Leyan said with a gossipy look on her face: "It turns out that brother and sister Shangguan are childhood sweethearts."

Shen Lebai adjusted his sleeves a little embarrassedly:

"We weren't childhood sweethearts, we were just friends when we were little."

"Later, Daddy's career got promoted, and as he got older, we met less and less."

"As the Empress Dowager's niece, she often entered the palace to accompany her. I remember one time the Emperor summoned Daddy to a meeting, and I was left alone in the palace to wait."

"Father has been gone for a long time and hasn't come back yet. I didn't expect that he forgot me in the palace."

Shen Leyan held her forehead, she didn't expect that her wise and brave father could be so unreliable at times.

"I wasn't very familiar with the palace, so I got lost while looking for my father and happened to meet her in a garden."

"Fortunately, she had the Queen Mother's pass. Not only did she take me out of the palace, she also sent me back to the mansion in a carriage."

After hearing her brother's description, Shen Leyan said happily, "Sister Shangguan is indeed a kind and innocent person who treats me very well."

"This isn't the end. She's not only kind to me, but also to other strangers."

Shen Lebai sighed slightly and continued:

"Perhaps influenced by the Empress Dowager, she would go to the temple every month to burn incense and pray for blessings. After returning from the temple, she would often help the poor families and beggars in the city."

Shen Lebai pretended to pass by several times, but later he heard about her family's plans. After stopping for her, he just watched from afar and did not disturb her.

Shen Leyan was a little shocked. She never deliberately inquired about these irrelevant things, and her personality was not very concerned about outsiders. She was a typical person who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside and socially anxious.

Suddenly I understood Miss Shangguan's character, and seeing the worthless expression on my brother's face when he talked about her, I just felt that it would be great if such a good person could be with my brother.

Shen Leyan thought about the information she had about the Shangguan family. Although there were indeed many obstacles, the most important thing should be the feelings of the two people. If Miss Shangguan was also interested in her brother, it would be much easier.

She came back to her senses and coughed lightly:

"Brother, do you know when Sister Shangguan went to the temple to pray?"

Shen Lebai stared at his sister with a puzzled look, as if asking her why she asked this?

Seeing that she didn't explain the reason for a long time, he finally answered, "The eighth day of every month."

Shen Leyan smiled immediately: "Isn't it the day after tomorrow that Sister Shangguan will go to Lingquan Temple?"

After all, Lingquan Temple is the temple closest to the capital, located on Lingquan Mountain not far outside the city.

Shen Lebai nodded, staring at the smile on her face in confusion and said, "Why are you asking this? You don't want to..."

Shen Leyan smiled and narrowed her eyes: "Brother, you haven't guessed it yet."

Is there any need to guess when the intention is so obvious?

He felt helpless and nervous: "Forget it, even if I go it will be futile. It won't change anything, and it will only embarrass her."

"How do you know it's all in vain if you haven't even tried it, brother?"

"Brother, are you still not sure about your sister's sense of propriety? There are some things that you as a man may not be able to ask, but I can ask for you."

"Besides, I just want to find out what Sister Shangguan is thinking and see if she is also willing to marry the Crown Prince. Even if she can't become my sister-in-law, I can treat her as a beautiful and caring sister."

Shen Lebai seemed to be persuaded, but still a little hesitant.

The maidservant beside Shen Leyan couldn't help but chime in: "Sir, what the young lady said is very reasonable. I also think that you can let the young lady have a try."

"If you succeed, you'll have a kind sister-in-law. Even if you don't succeed, you'll have a sister to talk to. You don't have many friends anyway."

"Young Master is so handsome and gentle and polite. Which lady can refuse him? Maybe Miss Shangguan is also interested in him."

Shen Lebai waved his hand, picked up the teacup on the table and pretended to drink tea.

Seeing his red ears, several people smiled at each other. Shen Leyan continued to strike while the iron was hot: "Some people will become someone else's if you miss them. At least you won't have any regrets after trying hard."

Yes, if you don’t try it, you may regret it for the rest of your life.

It's not yet at the point where it cannot be salvaged. At least they haven't gotten married yet, and even if they are engaged, they can still cancel the engagement.

Originally, he had planned to wait until he had established a firm foothold in the court before negotiating terms with Lord Shangguan. Given the irreconcilable relationship between their fathers, it would be more reliable for him to rely on himself.

"But will there be something wrong with the three of us by then?"

Shen Leyan was also stunned. She had thought that when she got familiar with the place, she would invite Miss Shangguan to visit Lingquan Mountain.

It’s just that it’s a bit strange that Shen Lebai follows them both, but how can they develop feelings if he’s not around?

Just as she was lost in thought, Shen Lebai suddenly had an idea. He thought of someone who could travel with him.

It was just right for him to find out about Shen Leyan's lifelong affairs, killing two birds with one stone. He couldn't just let his sister worry about his marriage.