Report to the Empress and the Eldest Princess: They're using the system to poach your men.

Today's morning court session can be considered a formal confrontation between the emperor and the two prime ministers, and the emperor emerged victorious.

Shen Sangwan felt no joy, but rather a great deal of worry, with a persistent feeling that the two sides were fighting and the third party was profiting.

After dealing with the unpleasant matter, Shen Yuchen began to reward the soldiers who had gone to Wuzhou for disaster relief.

The original plan was to reward Shen Sangwan handsomely, but she declined, and the reward was instead added to the allowance for the soldiers.

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet, a sense of desolation seemed to permeate the world.

Shen Sangwan sighed repeatedly, wondering how the leaves could have turned so yellow and withered so badly in just August.

Only the osmanthus trees planted in the mansion are in full bloom, their fragrance filling the garden under the gentle sunlight and the slightly chilly autumn breeze.

I chatted with Shuyan for a long time in the East Garden, from the political situation at court to the wealthy households in Zhongdu, and even some everyday family matters.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves outside the window, and the pale sunlight slowly turned golden, then gradually tinged with red.

Seeing that it was almost time, Shuyan, considering the recent weather changes and fearing the night would be chilly, specifically asked Shuyi to bring a light cloak before they left.

Entering the palace at this time means you won't be able to leave until at least 7 PM, or you might stay in the palace directly, but it will be late at night and the dew will be heavy.

Still feeling uneasy, he pulled Shen Sangwan back after they reached the second gate, forcing her to change into a purple autumn outfit before he would stop.

It has to be said that Shen Sangwan's body is quite beautiful even when covered by a burlap sack.

She was slender but not thin, with thick black hair tied up high with a purple scarf. If it weren't for Shen Sangwan's dislike of dressing up, Shu Yan would have carefully drawn her eyebrows and applied her lips to give her a proper make-up.

Actually, she sometimes really wanted to see Shen Sangwan take off her tough outfit, change into a girl's everyday clothes, comb her hair into a bun, draw her eyebrows and eyes, and put on rouge lips; it would definitely be a different kind of charm.

After lingering with Shuyan for a long time, Shen Sangwan repeatedly asked her if she wanted to go to the palace together, but she shook her head each time, so she had no choice but to give up.

"Your household has hired an opera troupe. If you don't like their plays, you can write your own story and have them perform it for you."

Shuyan smiled and thanked her for her kindness.

Upon exiting the Princess's residence, a carriage was already waiting at the gate. Shuyi lifted the curtain for them, and they entered one after the other.

The way Shuyi seemed to want to say something but hesitated during the journey aroused Shen Sangwan's curiosity.

"Speak your mind."

"Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness, but since you are so devoted to Miss Shuyan, why did you also take in those beauties from the West Garden?"

Whenever she saw her prince going to great lengths to amuse and coax Miss Shuyan, yet leaving those troublemakers in the manor untouched, she always felt something was amiss.

The carriage slowly made its way towards the palace, with the cheerful laughter of children echoing outside. Inside the carriage, however, there was an eerie silence.

“This servant has overstepped her bounds.”

"Shuyi, you've been by my side for quite a while now, including all the time before. Don't you know what kind of person your prince is?"

"Sometimes, there are too many things beyond our control, and what you see and hear may not be the truth."

Shuyi seemed to understand Shen Sangwan's words, but not quite.

“Miss Shuyan has always been deeply in love with His Highness. Since I started taking care of His Highness, I have never seen His Highness care for anyone like this. Even Miss Cen was never treated this way. I'm just afraid that one day Miss Shuyan will…”

"The meaning of the book".

Shen Sangwan's voice became more forceful, "I know you are thinking of me wholeheartedly, but sometimes, I hope you will stay true to your place."

Shuyi rose and knelt on the velvet carpet, saying, "This servant knows her crime."

Silence fell once again inside the carriage. After an unknown amount of time, the carriage came to a stop, and the tense atmosphere was relieved.

Shen Sangwan lifted the carriage curtain and realized they had only just reached the palace gate. "What's going on?"

"Your Highness, it seems there's been some trouble ahead, blocking the way."

Several carriages were parked at the palace gate, which Shen Sangwan guessed were royal relatives attending the banquet.

"Go and see what the reason is."

"Subordinate, go right away."

The guard who was driving the horse jumped down and hurried forward, then trotted back a short while later.

"Your Highness, there's a conflict between Prince Qi and Prince Ming ahead. I heard from the side that Princess Ming accidentally injured Prince Qi's concubine, and Prince Qi refuses to let it go and keeps making a scene."

It seems that Shen Sangwan has not yet formally paid a visit to her sixth brother.

Shuyi helped her down from the carriage.

After people noticed Shen Sangwan's car, they quickly made way for her.

“Your Highness, your queen is truly ignorant of etiquette. Not only did she injure my Rou’er, but she also frightened her to tears. If you do not apologize today, do not even think about entering the palace.”

Shen Yujing wasn't in a hurry and just went along with Shen Yuwei's antics.

"Ahem, ahem, it is my fault for not disciplining my sixth brother properly. I will visit him another day to apologize. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, so please do not let such trivial matters delay the time."

If someone else had said this, they would have hesitated, but for Shen Yuwei, he was used to being arrogant and domineering, and he was used to living a carefree and unrestrained life.

Whether it was the day Shen Yuchen ascended the throne or the emperor and empress's wedding, he did not attend either event, but instead made excuses and hid in his residence to seek pleasure.

If someone hadn't repeatedly urged him to attend the banquet at the palace, he probably would have continued to find excuses not to go and instead sought pleasure at brothels.

"So what if we're a little late? It's just a family banquet. We're all family, and I'm sure His Majesty won't blame us."

"Isn't my timing perfect? ​​What are you two up to, Fourth Brother and Sixth Brother? The banquet hasn't even started yet, and you're already putting on a show for me?"

Shen Sangwan gave the four people a forced smile and then glanced at them.

"Greetings, Your Highness (Imperial Sister)."

Everyone bowed respectfully.

Although Shen Yuwei was usually arrogant, he still had to behave himself in front of Shen Sangwan.

"Your Majesty is joking. I was just joking with Sixth Brother. I didn't mean to stop Your Majesty's carriage."

"Fourth Brother is right. When my carriage arrived at the palace gate, I happened to meet Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law, so I dismounted and said a few more words. Please don't overthink it, Your Majesty."

Shen Sangwan scrutinized the legendary ruthless and cruel Prince Qi, but he didn't seem like it at all.

Are they all skilled actors who are good at disguising themselves?

【My lord, you have no doubt. The Prince of Qi is a ruthless and extravagant tyrant. Don't you think about it? Who brings a concubine to a banquet?】

If no one in Zhongdu dared to marry their daughter to him as his princess, how could a concubine be expected to appear in public like this?

Shen Sangwan was startled by Xiaotong's sudden voice, who hadn't spoken for a long time. To appear calm and composed, she frowned and controlled her facial expression.

However, this action was interpreted differently by Shen Yuwei.

"Elder sister, it's getting late, why don't you go ahead?"

"Xiaotong, I think if they went to act, they wouldn't even need to rehearse, and they could all win an Oscar."

Seeing that Shen Sangwan still didn't speak, he waved to the servants to quickly move the carriage to the side of the road and pull it away.