Sure enough, after some small talk, Shen Miao showed a hesitant look.
Seeing this, Shen Li immediately stepped forward "considerately" and asked, "Sister, why do you look so worried? Have you encountered any difficulties? Or... was it really my little joke just now that scared you?"
Seeing Shen Li take the bait on her own initiative, the corners of Shen Miao's lips curled up in a faint smile.
Then she turned her head and said hesitantly, "To be honest, the matter of you being infatuated with the Fourth Prince and voluntarily going to the middle of the lake to dance with a sword for him and then falling into the water the other day seems to have reached the Fourth Prince's ears. The Fourth Prince seems to be quite bothered by this and also has some opinions about our family..."
Shen Miao stopped as if reluctant to go on, but Shen Li just didn't pick up the thread. So she had no choice but to brace herself and continue, "Actually, I understand your feelings of admiration for the Fourth Prince, but you really made a fool of yourself that day... You not only disgraced the Shen Mansion, but also..."
"Sister, you don't need to say any more. I understand," Shen Li interrupted her. After all, she didn't need to hear the same lines again, "I will go and apologize to Uncle personally in the next two days."
At first, hearing about the apology, Shen Miao was overjoyed, thinking that this fool had really fallen into the trap!
However, when she heard who Shen Li was going to apologize to, Shen Miao immediately got anxious. "What are you saying, sister? Since you made a fool of yourself, shouldn't you apologize to the Fourth Prince?"
Seeing Shen Miao in such a flustered state, Shen Li still looked at her calmly and shook her head, saying, "Sister, what are you talking about? I was being playful and fell into the lake in our own mansion, which worried Uncle and Aunt. And I was seen by an outside man. Naturally, I should apologize to them. What does it have to do with the Fourth Prince?"
When Shen Li said this, her face was as calm as water, showing no trace of lying.
Shen Miao immediately felt a sense of unease in her heart.
"Sister! I've always known that you're infatuated with the Fourth Prince. It was also you who told me that day that you were going to the middle of the lake to dance with a sword for the Fourth Prince. You made a fool of yourself in front of the Fourth Prince because of your obsession. Shouldn't you apologize to him?"
As soon as these words were out, even Shen Miao realized that she had been too impatient and her intention was too obvious. She was also secretly glad that it was Shen Li, this fool. If it were someone else, they might have become suspicious.
It's a pity...
Shen Li withdrew her hand from Shen Miao's palm. Her pair of watery eyes were as cold as ice, but the smile on her face made it impossible to guess her thoughts.
With just one look, Shen Miao couldn't help shivering.
"Sister, it's true that I'm temporarily staying in your house now, but I'm still an unmarried girl. Words like infatuation and obsession can't be casually spoken."
Shen Li no longer looked at her. Instead, she lowered her head and looked at her wrist. Casually, she reached out to touch her neck. Almost, this head would no longer be on her neck.
"Moreover..." She looked up, her eyes flickering, and the corners of her lips curled slightly, "The Fourth Prince is a paragon among men. How dare I try to marry above my station?"
While saying these words, Shen Li kept staring fixedly at Shen Miao, wanting to see what kind of expression she would have.
In her previous life, she didn't know that Shen Miao also had feelings for Xiao Hanzhi.
So whenever Shen Miao offered advice on matters between her and Xiao Hanzhi, Shen Li thought her cousin was really kind.
But now, she knew that Shen Miao had secretly fallen in love with Xiao Hanzhi long ago. So she was even more eager to see what Shen Miao looked like when she had instigated her to pursue Xiao Hanzhi.
"It's only natural for people to fall in love with someone. No one can control their feelings. You don't need to be shy, sister! Besides, if you're honest about your feelings for the Fourth Prince, maybe the Fourth Prince will be touched by your sincerity!"
Seemingly realizing that she had been a bit too impatient just now, Shen Miao composed herself and moved closer to Shen Li again.
However, this time, Shen Li naturally wouldn't give Shen Miao any more ammunition.
She gave a faint smile and politely yet distantly avoided the hand that Shen Miao reached out, so as not to feel disgusted, "I think you may have misunderstood, Second Miss. I've already said that I have no feelings for the Fourth Prince and dare not try to marry above my station. If I'm to apologize, it should be to Uncle and Aunt."
Although Shen Li's tone was polite, she was also very firm.
No matter how many doubts and urgencies Shen Miao had in her heart, it wasn't appropriate for her to continue persuading.
If she did, she would really reveal her true intentions.
"Hehe, since you've said that you have no feelings for the Fourth Prince, then you don't need to take what I said to heart." At this point, Shen Miao rolled her eyes and then said again, "Oh, right, sister. Since you're thinking of apologizing to Father and Mother, why not just go this afternoon? Look, you've just woken up from a coma and you're already thinking of apologizing to them. Your sincerity is evident, and they're bound to be happy."
After this verbal battle with Shen Miao, Shen Li felt exhausted.
It was obvious that the other party was determined to set up a stage for her. If she refused again, it would really be impolite.
She remembered that in her previous life, the guests who came in the afternoon weren't just the Fourth Prince.
It was Uncle who had obtained a pair of rare flying birds and had invited many guests to the mansion to appreciate them.
Among them was Princess Heyuan, who was also infatuated with Xiao Hanzhi.
Actually, on the day she fell into the water, Xiao Hanzhi didn't really care why she had fallen. It was only when she stupidly ran out in front of everyone to apologize to Xiao Hanzhi that she "became famous in the capital".
In the end, she was even humiliated by Princess Heyuan.
It was a great humiliation, but at that time, she didn't even think there was anything wrong with it.
"Come to think of it, since I have to apologize to Uncle and Aunt sooner or later, why not do it today! You're absolutely right, sister. I will definitely go and apologize to Uncle in person this afternoon!"
Originally, Shen Miao thought that Shen Li had gone crazy after hitting her head and was deliberately going against her today. She had almost ruined a good thing.
But now that she heard Shen Li agree, Shen Miao immediately showed a big smile.
"Sister is still reasonable and well - mannered. I really feel ashamed in comparison. Well then, I'll wait for you this afternoon and we can go together."
Shen Miao had a gentle appearance, and her smile was also gentle, which made people feel comfortable.
However, Shen Li couldn't help turning her head away and simply lying down to rest.
"Then it's settled. I just woke up and still feel a bit dizzy, so I won't see you off, sister."
Just as Shen Miao and her entourage were about to step out of the threshold, Shen Li's voice suddenly came out from under the covers as if she had just remembered something, "By the way, Chunju, Linghua, and Chunya, I hope you'll clean the West Courtyard thoroughly before I wake up. Otherwise, the three of you can go with me to apologize this afternoon. It's just right that I can return Chunju and Linghua to Aunt so that they won't be in a state of unease under my care."