The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

Chapter 348 A Stunning Debut, Slapping the Empress in the Face

Know- Know- Know----

Zhili, Zhili, Zhili.

The midday air was rather hot, and the cicadas in the trees of the Imperial Garden were chirping incessantly.

Ice blocks were placed around the pavilion, and palace maids were fanning the cold air from the ice blocks into the pavilion.

Completely different from the sweltering heat outside, the pavilion was incredibly cool and refreshing.

Hearing the sound, everyone looked outside.

Shen Shuhua was dressed in a pink palace dress. The fabric was light and smooth, and the skirt was layered, like peach blossoms in spring.

The collar and cuffs were embroidered with delicate gold thread patterns, subtly exuding an air of luxury. A matching ribbon was tied around her waist, outlining her slender figure and making her appear even more graceful.

Her hair was styled into a high bun, adorned with pearls and gold hairpins, shimmering brilliantly.

A few wispy strands of hair fell across her forehead, adding a touch of softness and charm.

Even in a harem teeming with beauties, Shen Shuhua's appearance would be exceptionally outstanding.

With skin as white as snow, eyebrows like distant mountains, and eyes like autumn water, she exuded nobility and elegance in her every glance, no wonder the emperor fell in love with her at first sight.

When the Empress saw her, a pang of jealousy rose in her heart.

She was chosen as empress because she had a face that could bring ruin to the country.

Every time she thinks about this, she gets so angry she grits her teeth.

This is also the main reason for her discord with Shen Shuhua.

Shen Shuhua walked slowly into the pavilion and greeted them with a smile.

"I am late, please apologize to my elder sister and all my younger sisters."

The moment she turned around, the people in the pavilion, especially the Empress, noticed the delicate pink peony flower pinned to the back of her hair.

The pink peonies complemented her clothes, making her face look as youthful as a girl in her late teens.

Her noble bearing was tinged with a touch of coquettishness, which captivated them all.

The Empress's face darkened the moment she saw the peony in her hair.

She glared at the old woman beside her, seeing disbelief in her eyes.

What happened? Her peony was destroyed, so what is the peony in Shen Shuhua's hair?

To prevent any accidents, the nanny even sent someone to secretly investigate Yuehua Palace yesterday afternoon.

The peony flowers of the Imperial Concubine were indeed showing signs of decay and could not possibly be blooming so brightly and beautifully.

Du Yuqing carefully confirmed that the hairpin Shen Shuhua wore was indeed a peony, not a peony.

She put aside her thoughts and forced a smile as she looked at Shen Shuhua, "Your palace is full of talented people, Consort Gui. The peonies in your hair look much more vibrant than ours."

Everyone else looked at the peony in Shen Shuhua's hair after hearing the Empress's words.

Indeed, they were more vibrant than theirs, even more lively than the peonies in the flowerpot.

Shen Shuhua gently touched the peony and said with a smile, "Your Majesty the Empress forgot that I arrived later than you. To ensure the peony was fresh, I had Granny Cao pick it for me and put it in my hair when I left the palace."

“My peonies have lived longer than yours, so they are naturally more vibrant.”

"But the flower on your head looks more vibrant than the peony in the flowerpot; it's like a fake flower!" the Queen said with a half-joking laugh.

Shen Shuhua sneered inwardly, "Your Majesty, it has always been forbidden to wear artificial flowers at the Peony Banquet. Have you forgotten? Besides, these peonies were personally bestowed upon me by you."

"How could I possibly disappoint your kindness by choosing to wear a fake flower instead of a real one?"

"Oh?"

"Then why don't you take it down and let us see it?" the queen pressed aggressively.

She kept staring at Shen Shuhua, trying to see a hint of panic on her face.

To her disappointment, Shen Shuhua's expression remained unchanged.

Upon hearing her words, the other party sneered, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that the peony flowers worn at the Peony Banquet can only be removed after the banquet ends, otherwise you will have bad luck for the whole year!"

"Look, I had completely forgotten about this."

"The flower on your head, Consort Gui, is truly too vibrant. I would like to ask you for your advice so that I may also amaze you at the Peony Banquet next year."

Shen Shuhua smiled and said, "Your Majesty, now that you mention it, I have just remembered something. Lvwu did tell me a method to keep the peony flowers fresh for a little longer after they have been picked."

"Oh?" Everyone perked up their ears, extremely curious about the method Shen Shuhua had mentioned.

Shen Shuhua looked at the Empress, her gaze lingering on the nanny beside her.

The old woman stiffened, feeling flustered by her gaze, but she pretended to remain calm.

But the fine beads of sweat on her forehead betrayed her.

"I heard from Green Grass that if you pour boiling water over the peonies an hour before picking them, they will stay fresh for a longer time."

When the crowd heard her method, they seemed thoughtful. Although they had some doubts, they still felt that it seemed like a feasible method.

Only the Empress and her personal maidservant turned pale upon hearing this method.

The old woman, in particular, staggered, her body stiffening.

Shen Shuhua suddenly covered her face with her handkerchief, "Hahaha, I was just talking nonsense, and you all took it seriously."

"If you pour boiling water on the flowers, they'll die."

Her tone turned serious as she spoke calmly, "Is that so, Granny?"

The old woman didn't say anything, she just kept wiping the sweat off her face.

"Your Majesty, I think you should ask the Imperial Household Department for some more ice. Look, the nanny's clothes are soaked with sweat."

The Empress glared at the old nanny. "Since you're getting on in years, you should go back to the palace and rest. I have maids to serve me."

"I just sweat a lot, I'm not hot."

The Empress was somewhat impatient, or rather, disliked her. She waved her hand and said, "Alright, Granny, you can go back to your palace and rest. I don't need you to serve me here."

Upon hearing the Empress's words, the nanny had no choice but to leave.

Shen Shuhua coldly watched the departing nanny, then smiled and plucked a petal from the peony flower on her head, gently tearing it to shreds in front of everyone.

"Your Majesty, look, can artificial flowers be torn so easily?"

Seeing that Shen Shuhua was embarrassed, Du Yuqing lost the will to continue attending the banquet and made an excuse to end the Peony Banquet.

Shen Shuhua, in a good mood, led the palace servants back to Yuehua Palace.

In the Moonflower Palace, Shen Cao and Wan Yue were waiting for her in the main hall.

As soon as Shen Shuhua returned, Wanyue rushed to her side and asked anxiously.

"Well, Mother, has anyone noticed?"

Shen Shuhua smiled and said, "Cao'er's method produces peonies that I couldn't tell were fake even when I held them right in front of my eyes."

"Besides, they haven't even been given a proper look yet!"