In the front hall, Shen Junming sat in the main seat with his wife, Mrs. Shen.
In the Liyang Dynasty, the left side was considered more honorable. So, sitting on the left from top to bottom were Prince Xiao Hanzhi of the Fourth Rank, Prince Xiao Jinnan of the Seventh Rank, and Prince Xiao Luochi of the Tenth Rank.
And Princess Heyuan was seated on the right.
It was obvious that Shen Junming intended to win over the princes and the princess through this bird - watching event, with Prince Xiao Hanzhi being the main target.
His own daughter had long been infatuated with Prince Xiao Hanzhi. Moreover, considering the current situation, Prince Xiao Hanzhi was the best prospective husband in the entire capital.
It was not only for Shen Miao's happiness but also for his own future. Among these people, if he could please just one of them today, it would be beneficial for his official career.
Hearing her father's words, Shen Miao immediately curtsied. Her delicate lips parted slightly as she said, "I've kept the princes and the princess waiting. I was so focused on waiting for my elder sister that I broke the rules. Please punish me, Your Highnesses."
Her brows were tightly furrowed, looking just like a young girl who had accidentally made a mistake and was worried about being punished.
Shen Miao wasn't worried about actually being punished.
After all, she and Princess Heyuan were considered good friends. She had won the princess's favor by passing on the news that Shen Li was pursuing Prince Xiao Hanzhi and offering her advice.
Privately, they addressed each other as elder and younger sisters. To outsiders, they seemed like inseparable sisters.
Sure enough, seeing Shen Miao's curtsy, Heyuan felt pity for her.
"Dear younger sister, get up quickly. We all know you were waiting for your sister. It's not your fault. Why do you have to apologize so self - deprecatingly?"
After saying that, she glanced at Shen Li, who was standing upright, and then her tone changed, carrying a bit of coldness. "The one who really made a mistake hasn't apologized yet. Don't be in such a hurry. Chunya—"
As she spoke, she gave a signal to Chunya, the maid beside Shen Miao.
Chunya, who had been kneeling on the ground, quickly stood up after receiving Heyuan's signal. She helped Shen Miao up and led her to sit beside Heyuan.
The princes didn't say anything. They thought it was natural for a young girl to take her time to get ready. As men, they should be magnanimous enough to wait a while.
Shen Li watched all this silently, and a sneer welled up in her heart. So you've all been waiting to set me up. How could I let you have your way?
With a thud, Shen Li knelt down resolutely and bowed deeply in the direction of her uncle and aunt.
"Niece is unfilial. I was just being playful and fell into the lake, which made my uncle and aunt worry about me. And because I couldn't get up and walk for a long time, I've kept the princes and the princess waiting. I'm really being impolite."
After a brief pause, she continued, "Niece came here today just to apologize to my uncle and aunt. My younger sister told me that my uncle and aunt would be in the front hall today, but I was so ignorant that I didn't know there were honored guests in the mansion. I broke the rules. Please punish me severely, Uncle and Aunt!"
With just a few words, Shen Li had cleared herself completely. Her quick - witted tongue and impeccable reasons, along with this deep bow, left everyone present speechless.
After hearing this, Shen Miao was secretly filled with hatred and almost gritted her silver teeth.
Shen Li, what on earth are you up to!
Mrs. Shen squinted her eyes. This niece seemed to have changed today. She was so sharp - tongued that one couldn't find any fault with her.
Princess Heyuan asked indifferently, "Oh? I heard that you had other motives when you went to the lake to play."
Kneeling on the ground, Shen Li almost couldn't hold back her laughter. She was just worrying about not having a chance to get out of this situation, and here Heyuan came to give her one.
"I don't know what the princess means. I'm just a girl who knows how to wield swords and is naturally active. I've been feeling bored at home recently, so I went for a walk by the lake. Who would have thought that I accidentally fell into it... I'm really stupid. Please don't laugh at me, Your Highness."
"Hahaha..."
At this moment, Prince Xiao Jinnan of the Seventh Rank suddenly burst into laughter, which seemed quite out of place in the quiet atmosphere. It was the first time he had seen someone out - talk Princess Heyuan, so he couldn't help himself.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Xiao Jinnan had to pretend to cough a few times. "Lord Shen, I think you should let your niece get up. Do you want her to kneel there forever?"
He just thought Shen Li was extremely interesting. She seemed extremely reckless, but in fact, she could quickly clarify the matter and silence Heyuan. This was not something an ordinary person could do.
Hearing this, Shen Junming felt a bit embarrassed. He quickly put on a kind smile and said to Shen Li, "Good niece, get up quickly. It's no trouble for your uncle to take care of you. It's just my duty."
"Get up quickly and take your seat." Mrs. Shen felt extremely uncomfortable but could only say the same.
Mrs. Shen and Shen Miao were truly mother and daughter. They were both the same kind of people, known for being well - educated, gentle, and generous. She naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity to build a good reputation for herself.
Kneeling on the ground, Shen Li said gratefully and loudly, "Thank you, Prince of the Seventh Rank. Thank you, Uncle and Aunt."
Then she stood up and took her seat beside Shen Miao.
After this small commotion, the bird - watching event began.
Shen Li was sitting far away. Looking in the direction of Shen Junming, she naturally saw Xiao Hanzhi—the man she had been infatuated with and ruined in her previous life!
Seeing Xiao Hanzhi made her angrier than seeing Shen Miao. But she had to endure. If she had a showdown with them now, it would be too easy on this despicable couple.
Xiao Hanzhi, Shen Miao, we're all here today. Let's settle our scores from now on!
On the other hand, Shen Miao was extremely unwilling to see Shen Li easily resolve the awkward situation. She gave a signal to Chunya.
Chunya then retreated and walked away in a hurry. No one knew where she was going.
The others just assumed that Chunya was going to prepare something for the second young lady and didn't pay much attention.
While lowering her head to drink tea, Shen Li pursed her lips and smiled slightly. Shen Miao was still as impatient as in her previous life. But this time, she wouldn't let her succeed.
Just before the birds were brought in, Shen Miao suddenly pretended to be very flustered. She quickly stood up, curtsied to Shen Junming, and said, "Father, I'm afraid I can't accompany everyone to watch the birds anymore."
Shen Junming's face changed. He was slightly angry but still asked patiently, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Why was this daughter so ignorant? What could be more important than making a good impression in front of Prince Xiao Hanzhi?
Wasn't a girl's marriage the most important thing?
"Father, the jade pendant you gave me is lost. I think someone must have taken it. It was a reward from the emperor. I must find it no matter what!"