Shen Zhiyi came with his father, brother and mother. As soon as he entered the house, he saw that everyone in the Shen family had arrived. She calmed down slightly and saw everyone one by one before taking her seat.
Today's birthday banquet was held at the old residence of the Shen family. Dozens of large round tables were placed in the courtyard, which was full of guests and bustling with people.
There was an opera going on on the stage, and the gongs and drums were noisy. It was very lively.
Shen Zhiyi sat on the main seat with her grandmother, with the elders of the Shen family on the left and the female family members on the right.
Today is a happy day for the Shen Mansion, and Shen Qinghe was allowed to go down the mountain to attend the banquet.
As soon as Shen Qinghe sat down, he attracted everyone's concerned eyes. Her originally thin figure became even more delicate due to her recovery from the illness, which made people feel sad to see her. She seemed very uncomfortable, crying and coughing from time to time.
Those tearful eyes revealed her fatigue and discomfort.
There were many guests coming and going today, and Shen Zhiyi watched it all from a distance with mixed feelings in his heart. She knew that these people came here for Shen An's reputation rather than sincerely congratulating the Shen family.
She couldn't help but think of the previous generation where her entire family had been slaughtered, and how her mother had been unjustly accused of poisoning Mrs. Shen's family. She felt heartbroken but didn't know how to vent it.
At this moment, a figure appeared in front of her. It was Xie Shaoheng. He was wearing luxurious clothes, with a delicate face and a unique majesty in his eyes. He walked up to Shen Zhiyi, smiled slightly, and said, "Long time no see, Miss Shen, do you still remember me?"
Remember, of course she remembers, how could she not remember the people she killed in her dreams.
"I mean, I am so busy with official duties these days that I have neglected you. When I was in the small village in the center of the lake and there was a teahouse, people in the capital almost drowned me with their spit. You know that I am never who they say I am. 'A ruthless person'."
Shen Zhiyi looked at his hypocritical face and couldn't help but sneer.
He had the nerve to say it, but she was embarrassed to hear it.
"As long as you can calm down, you can do anything. You and I have been childhood sweethearts since you lived in the palace since you were young. I will naturally take more care of you."
Shen Zhiyi was not in the mood to listen to his nonsense. These words could deceive her in the previous life, but they could not deceive her in this life.
Seeing Shen Zhiyi being so ungrateful, Xie Shaoheng became a little angry and looked around at the guests, and finally chose to endure it.
Xie Shaoheng had already planned everything in his mind, and he was not in a hurry.
Anyway, this stupid woman will be his own sooner or later.
Including her family background and the military power of her father and brother.
Marrying a Shen Zhiyi in exchange for the support of the entire Shen family would not disadvantage him.
Xie Shaoheng raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a confident smile.
The servant reported: "King Hengyuan, I give you a pair of jadeite and colored glaze, two handles of Ruyi, a hundred taels of gold, and a thousand taels of silver."
When Grandma Shen's family heard these gifts, she was so shocked that her eyes popped out and she wished she could read the gift list.
Shen Zhiyi was stunned. At this moment, all the sounds disappeared, and only Xie Shaoheng's clear voice echoed in her ears.
"King Hengyuan is trying to... please Shen Zhiyi?"
"How is it possible? The prince is annoying the little lady who is pestering her the most."
There were whispers at the banquet for a while, and Mrs. Xiang even frowned, with anxious eyes. Mr. Luo could only stare at him with jealousy. If it weren't for this bitch, they should have been the ones to moisten the snow with all the glory and wealth they have now.
Many people secretly coveted the money, and even more envied the Shen family for joining King Hengyuan. With the help of the Shen family, Xie Shaoheng would be the crown prince in the future.
And Shen Zhiyi is the well-deserved Queen of Dongling.
The girls in the capital were all envious that Shen Zhiyi had found a good marriage and enjoyed endless glory and wealth.
"The King of Hengyuan is here, and he seems to be quite impressive."
"What do you know? King Hengyuan is here to celebrate his birthday. He is clearly here for the legitimate daughter of the Shen family. We have long heard that the two were childhood sweethearts, and Miss Shen is infatuated with King Hengyuan."
Those who couldn't figure out the situation were a little surprised, "Didn't the teahouse incident cause a big fuss? This King Hengyuan can ignore the past grievances and is really a good man."
King Hengyuan was well-known, and he was a capable prince in both literature and martial arts. His mother's family, the Pei family, was an aristocratic family. Such a good thing happened to the shameless Shen family girl.
I don’t know where she got her luck.
"Tch, don't you just understand that such a good thing is being forced by others?" The speaker was Jiang Yunshu, the second daughter of the Minister of Rites, looking up and down with disdain, "How can Shen Zhiyi be the legitimate daughter of our country's national protector general? Not worthy of a prince? Could it be that the daughter of a petty official like you, a pheasant flying on a branch, can turn into a phoenix?"
Although Jiang Yunshu didn't have a good impression of Shen Zhiyi, she even despised these idiots.
In her eyes, Shen Zhiyi was a legitimate child, an outsider adopted by her family climbed into her biological father's bed, and she protected the daughter she gave birth to as a treasure.
How stupid.
"Yunshu, please don't be rude." The speaker was Jiang Yunrou, the eldest lady of the Ministry of Etiquette. "My sister has always spoken without restraint. Please forgive me."
"Sister, what I said is all the truth."
"Okay! Shut up."
Jiang Yunshu curled her lips, not daring to make a mistake.
Jiang Yunrou walked up to Shen Zhiyi and smiled, "Miss Shen, I am Jiang Yunrou, the daughter of the Minister of Rites. This is my sister-in-law Jiang Yunshu. I am here to wish you a birthday on my father's orders."
Shen Zhiyi nodded, "Thank you, Miss Jiang."
"You're welcome, Miss Shen." Jiang Yunrou looked at Shen Zhiyi with admiration in her eyes, "I have long heard that Miss Shen is both talented and beautiful. When I saw her today, she is indeed well-deserved."
"What the hell." Shen Zhiyi smiled shyly, "Miss Jiang is so complimentary."
"I am telling the truth."
"Sister." Jiang Yunshu interrupted again and turned her face away. She really couldn't bear to hear her sister praise an outsider like this, so who was she?
Jiang Yunshu came close to her sister, lowering her head and almost leaning against her body. The two of them had such a big commotion before, but now they are reconciled again? Shen Zhiyi changed too quickly, but after all, Xie Shaoheng was from the royal family.
"Amei, Miss Shen's marriage should be her own decision. We are just outsiders, so don't say anything."
Xie Shaoheng looked at Shen Zhiyi, smiled slightly, and walked to her.
"I specially prepared this pair of jadeite glasses for Miss Shen. I wish Miss Shen peace and happiness."
"Today is my grandmother's birthday party. It's not reasonable for the prince to give me a gift."
Shen Zhiyi looked at him coldly, her words were polite but distant. "Today is my grandmother's birthday party. It's not reasonable for the prince to give me a gift."
"I also want to marry Miss Shen."
What! ?
As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar. Shen Zhiyi was shocked. She was holding the wine glass in her hand, but she accidentally lost her grip and broke it on the table with a splat.
"What do you mean?" She looked up at Xie Shaoheng, her eyes cold.
Xie Shaoheng raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a confident smile: "Since I am here today, there is no way out. Miss Shen is very smart, she should be able to understand my intentions."
His words revealed an unquestionable domineering attitude, as if he had everything under control.
Shen Zhiyi felt extremely angry. She originally thought that Xie Shaoheng was just using her, but she never thought that he would dare to do this. She smiled coldly: "What do you want?"
"Of course I want to marry a girl."
"No!" Mrs. Shen came down from the banquet.
Mrs. Shen walked quickly to the two of them, her face full of anxiety and helplessness. She glared at Xie Shaoheng, then turned to Shen Zhiyi to persuade her gently: "Zhiyi, you and Xie Shaoheng are not in good terms. You are the daughter of the Shen family, and you have a noble status. How can you marry someone so easily?"
"Don't worry, mother, I will never marry him."
But Xie Shaoheng just smiled faintly, took out a marriage certificate from his arms, and handed it to Mrs. Shen. His tone was calm, but he revealed firmness: "Mrs. Shen, this is the marriage certificate decreed by the Holy Father himself. Zhiyi and I have long been tied by fate."
"What?" Mrs. Shen was shocked and seemed unable to believe it.
Grandma said, "Since it is the Holy One's decree, it is the blessing of our Shen family. Although you are a knowing biological mother, you cannot shirk this matter."
This marriage letter is the glory of the Shen family and the wealth of the Shen family. With the help of King Hengyuan, the Shen family will surely rise to great heights.
Besides, Shen Zhiyi didn't suffer any loss in this matter.
Mrs. Shen's face was pale and she had mixed feelings in her heart. How could she betroth her daughter to this prince who had harmed him?
My daughter fell into his hands in her last life. Wasn’t that bad enough? ?
Mrs. Shen gritted her teeth and decided: "Since this is the will of the Holy Emperor, our Shen family naturally dare not disobey it. However, Zhiyi is the daughter of my Shen family, and I must make the decision on her marriage."
"Bold! Luo Shi! You are getting more and more arrogant. How dare you disobey me? How dare you disobey the Holy One!" Grandma was furious, and the wrinkles on her face were trembling. She stood up suddenly, pointed at Mrs. Shen's nose and scolded loudly.
Mrs. Shen's face was pale and her body was trembling slightly. She knew her grandmother was right.
Disobeying your mother-in-law is unfilial, and disobeying the imperial edict is a capital offense!
However, she did not dare to let her daughter fall into Xie Shaoheng's hands again.
"If I say no, I can't. Who dares to take my daughter away?"
"What are you!?" Grandma slapped the table, "This matter is settled! Xie Shaoheng is the benefactor of my Shen family and the son-in-law of my Shen family! Anyone of you who dares to oppose is an enemy of our Shen family!"
Shen An didn't dare to disobey his grandmother's orders and came over to try to persuade his wife
"Madam, this is the will of the Holy One and we cannot disobey it."
Mrs. Shen looked at Shen An, feeling sad in her heart.
Mrs. Shen turned to look at Shen An. She knew that this man who had always been by her side could not resist the temptation of power and interests. he
The hesitation at this moment was the deepest pain in her heart.
General Shen was caught in a dilemma at the moment.
His face was pale, and his eyes showed helplessness and confusion. He looked at Mrs. Shen and then at his grandmother, feeling as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer.
He never thought that the Holy Father would suddenly issue an order, and this sudden change caught him off guard.
The Shen family must not fall into danger.
