"Come on, I'll introduce you to some people. As the heir, you'll be attending many events like this in the future. You need to get used to it gradually."
"I got it, sister," Shen Yan nodded firmly. "I'll learn seriously."
Just then, a hearty laugh rang out. "My dear disciple, am I late?"
Looking back, they saw Old Chen being escorted in by his five disciples. Shen Qing and Shen Yan quickly went to greet them.
"Master and senior brothers are here."
Seeing Ning Yang, Shen Qing couldn't help but think of the memorial. Ning Yang had just calculated her phoenix destiny when the Imperial Astronomical Bureau submitted a memorial to Emperor Ji Junye. She couldn't believe there was no connection.
Shen Qing squinted her eyes. Since Ning Yang didn't know her relationship with Ji Junye, it was probably not intentional.
Old Chen stroked his beard. "Of course I have to come. If I don't, what if someone bullies my little disciple again?"
Shen Qing was deeply touched. Old Chen was really like an elder to her. She said half - jokingly, "Master is joking. Who would bully me?"
Old Chen snorted, his eyes sweeping over the crowd casually. "I bet they don't dare."
Some of those who had witnessed Old Chen's fierce debate with others were really glad that they hadn't joined in the impeachment of the Marchioness of Guangping that day. Otherwise, they might have been scolded by Old Chen here!
This old man didn't care if it was a private family banquet. He even dared to scold in the court.
Madam Jiang invited Old Chen to sit in the honored seat, looking extremely flattered.
Seeing Shen Qing really call Old Chen master and Old Chen respond so naturally, everyone was in an uproar. The rumors outside were actually true!
Old Chen brought a book for Shen Yan, with his annotations made while reading. Old Chen snorted. "Although you're not my formal disciple, you were still taught by me. You mustn't disgrace me."
Shen Yan quickly took the book with both hands. "Thank you, Old Chen."
Others were even more envious. They also wanted their children to attend Old Chen's lectures. Why didn't their children have such good luck?
But despite their envy, they were more shocked by Old Chen's fighting spirit.
Shen Mian was standing with Xu Yanchi, holding their child. Watching Shen Qing being surrounded by people, she felt extremely jealous. Although she knew that Jiang Chan had used her in the matter of Steward Wu, it didn't stop her from hating Shen Qing.
If Shen Qing hadn't taken her place, all this glory would have been hers!
It should have been her who became Old Chen's disciple!
And Shen Yan. She was the legitimate daughter of the Duke Protector's Mansion, yet in the end, all the limelight was stolen by Shen Qing and Shen Yan!
She had originally planned to cause some trouble for that kid and make him lose face in front of the noble families in the capital. But Shen Qing seemed to have anticipated her actions and surrounded the Duke Protector's Mansion tightly like an iron barrel!
Even Madam Jiang, who had been chatting with her and other ladies and young ladies, left her behind when Old Chen came.
Xu Yanchi stood there, looking at Shen Qing surrounded by her senior brothers. She was as beautiful as a painting and radiant. She had never smiled at him like that.
Looking at her senior brothers, all of them were from official families and outstanding talents. A special desire called possessiveness germinated in Xu Yanchi's heart. He really wanted to go over and stand beside Shen Qing, telling others that he was Shen Qing's husband.
Once this desire took root in Xu Yanchi's heart, it spread and grew wildly. Xu Yanchi couldn't hold back any longer and walked towards Shen Qing.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
A shrill announcement made everyone's hearts skip a beat. Xu Yanchi's steps suddenly stopped.
The Emperor himself had come!
When the black hem of the imperial robe stepped into the courtyard, everyone in the yard immediately knelt down.
"Long live our Emperor, long live, long live!"
Ji Junye's eyes scanned the crowd and landed on Shen Qing for a moment before quickly looking away. "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Now everyone's perception of the Duke Protector's Mansion was quietly changing. It was just a family - reunion banquet, yet the Emperor had come in person. It seemed that the Duke Protector's Mansion was really going to rise.
"I'm here incognito to attend the family - reunion banquet of the Duke Protector's Mansion. Don't be so formal."
"Yes."
But in fact, who could really be relaxed?
Ji Junye had seen Xu Yanchi's actions when he entered the door, but he didn't even give him a look. Instead, he walked straight up to Shen Qing. "This is my first time visiting the Duke Protector's Mansion. How about you, Madam Shen, show me around?"
F - i - r - s - t - t - i - m - e!
Shen Qing rolled her eyes mentally but put on a proper smile on her face. "It's my honor, Your Majesty. This way, please."
Ji Junye followed Shen Qing away.
Although he was ignored, Xu Yanchi still felt greatly humiliated. It was even more embarrassing than being directly insulted by Ji Junye.
Shen Qing was wearing an autumn - scented outer robe today, and her skirt was of the same color scheme. There were osmanthus flowers embroidered on the collar and cuffs, making her look like the most dazzling warm sun in autumn, hard to take one's eyes off.
And Ji Junye, in a black robe, looked like a handsome god.
The two figures, one cold and one warm, looked so well - matched that it stabbed Xu Yanchi's eyes painfully.
"Brother Yanchi, what's wrong with you?"
Since the Emperor came, he had seemed a bit strange. Now that the Emperor and Shen Qing had walked far away, he was still staring.
Xu Yanchi came back to his senses absent - mindedly. "It's okay."
Ning Yang was also looking at the two figures, one cold and one warm, and he clicked his tongue softly.
The Emperor's feelings for Little Junior Sister were as obvious as day. He didn't even bother to hide them.
Thinking that only a few people present knew about it, and he was one of them, Ning Yang felt a secret pleasure welling up in his heart.
Nie Lingxian, who was standing closest to him, couldn't help but nudge him with his elbow. "What are you thinking about? You're smiling so wickedly."
Ning Yang's smile disappeared in an instant. "It's nothing."
Nie Lingxian didn't believe it. There must be something going on!
"Second Brother, do you have a crush on someone behind our backs? Come on, tell us who it is."
As Nie Lingxian spoke, he searched in the direction Ning Yang had been looking, trying to see which young lady was standing there.
Nie Lingxian's words immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Tan Tai Geng and Pei Xun both looked at him curiously. "Does Second Senior Brother have a crush on someone?"
They had thought that Second Senior Brother only cared about divination!
Ning Yang looked horrified. "No. Don't listen to Third Brother's nonsense. I don't have a crush on anyone!"
But the others obviously didn't believe him because Ning Yang's expression just now was really thought - provoking. They had all seen it.
"Senior Brother..."
Ning Yang looked at Han Yuanjing for help.
Han Yuanjing patted Ning Yang on the shoulder and said in a tone of an experienced person, "Having a crush is a good thing. You're not young anymore. It's time to get married."
Ning Yang, on the verge of crying: "..."
No, he really doesn't have a crush!
...
"Why did Your Majesty come?"
Shen Qing was speechless. She had just told Shen Yan that no royal family members would come today, but unexpectedly, the most important one showed up.
Ji Junye raised his sword - shaped eyebrows slightly. "What, aren't you welcome?"
Even if you're not welcome, you've come here more than once.
Shen Qing couldn't help but complain in her heart.
Fortunately, Ji Junye was acting normal today. "Has Jingyang written to you recently? Do you know where she is now?"
Princess Jingyang, Ji Qingshu?
"No." Shen Qing shook her head.
Ji Qingshu had said she would write to her when she left, but so far, Shen Qing had only received one letter, saying that she was afraid of being caught by her elder brother if they corresponded too frequently, so she would stop writing for the time being.
"Is something wrong with the princess?"
Ji Junye frowned slightly. "I secretly sent a team of Golden Guards to follow her, but the men sent back a message last night saying that they lost track of her in Qingzhou."