Yuehua Residence, Elder Princess's Residency
"This princess sure wants to see, exactly who is it who has such a capability to stir up trouble in the Elder Princess's Manor again and again," hearing the servant's report, Princess Yuehua stated furiously. The Elder Princess was now 40, but she was well maintained, and looked no different if not better than a young lady in her 20s. The Young Master Duanyu's kidnap still hadn't been settled yet, but they were already causing trouble in her manor! If she doesn't respond in kind, then they'll start thinking she was someone easy to bully!
"Mother, please ease your fury. I already had people look into the matter. For now, it seems like the Liu Wenjin sibling pair is indeed the most suspicious. Unfortunately, we lack evidence," sitting right below the Elder Princess's seat was the Duke Duanjun. The man was only in his 20s and had a handsome and exquisite appearance. But his brows were furrowed together. Duanyu was his eldest and only son. Because of the incident, the five-year-old child, who was originally a lively and lovely boy, didn't even dare to meet strangers. As his father, Duanjun felt distressed and felt as though shards were force into his heart.
"How ridiculous. How much evidence do you need for such an insignificant figure?" The slender but domineering willow brows arched up. The Elder Princess had always had a domineering and arrogant personality.
Her husband, Duan Qing, shook his head helplessly as he said, "Ah you. You're already at this age and still don't know how to restrain your temper. What Ying'er says has a point, but we still can't guarantee that the matter was instigated by the Liu Wenjin sibling pair. Later, we'll find a reason to call Shen Liang over and speak in private. It won't be too late then to decide after hearing what he has to say."
"That's easy for you to say, but that Shen Liang has suddenly become a fragrant bun. How could the opportunity to speak to him in private just present itself? Husband, why don't you think about it. News about Yu'er was revealed to us in private by Yuanxian through confidential means. Afterwards, Shen Liang personally admitted that he was rescued by Yuanxian. In addition, their relationship doesn't seem like the two of them had only just gotten to know each other. This Princess thinks that there's a nine out of ten chance Liu Wenjin had a role in that incident," the more the Elder Princess thought about it, the more she felt ascertained that it was Liu Wenjin.
"En. I share the Princess's thoughts. But..."
"We still need to hear what Shen Liang has to say, right?" her husband hadn't been able to finish his words when the Elder Princess already finished for him angrily. Seeing his wife's disapproving expression, Duan Qing smiled helplessly. The couple had been married for two decades now. Although the two of them couldn't be described as a harmonious and affectionate couple, the two of them had always held each other in mutual respect and abided and viewed their marriage vows seriously.
"It's not early anymore. We should also head out," no good result would derive from continuing the conversation. The Elder Princess, who donned the attire befitting of royalty, stood up. Her husband extended an arm and the couple headed out together.
Elder Princess Manor, Main Hall.
What happened at the pleasure boat had already been reported and spread amongst the banquet participants. The madames who had gathered and socialized with Liu Shuhan originally out of courtesy tacitly began to disperse and didn't even bother sitting at the same table with her. Zhao Lan and Lu Yang, who had also came from the Marquis Donglin Manor faced the same silent treatment. Especially Zhao Lan. Everyone had already silently come to an agreement that Shen Qiao had attempted to push her cousin into the river and afterwards, even frame him. With a daughter like that, the mother couldn't be much better off.
In contrast, Shen Ruiting, the group of three brothers weren't ostracized the least but. However, their colleagues looked at them like they were staring at a big joke. Perhaps it would have been better to be ostracized as the three brothers found themselves unable to face the scrutinizing and callous stares.
"The Duke of Qingping has arrived!" accompanied by the shrill announcement from an eunuch, everyone in the hall looked up. Pei Yuanxian took a grown white tiger and strolled into the hall with a domineering and arrogant swagger. Jing Xiran, the Xiang Zhuo brother pair, and Shen Liang followed behind him.
Wait. White tiger?
The crowd in the hall were immediately in uproar, especially most of the younger generation, while members of the elder generations blew their beard in anger and aggravation. What outrage! He actually took a giant beast that could threaten to devour the guests themselves to such an occasion. Many officials were already drafting Pei Yuanxian's impeachment in their head to send to the emperor tomorrow.
"Will Little One sit with this lord?" Such a banquet was particularly strict with hierarchy. Pei Yuanxian's status was extremely high but halfway there, he suddenly turned around, and amidst the gazes of the hundreds of guests present, extended the inappropriate invitation to Shen Liang generously. It was evident that he was announcing to the public that Shen Liang was his person. Anyone who dared to touch or provoke Shen Liang best weigh their gains and losses carefully before proceeding.
What a beautiful man!
Because of the preferential treatment, Shen Liang, who was able to originally escape being the focus of attention suddenly garnered the scrutinizing gazes of the guests present. Shen Liang had discarded his dark red attire for a white gown, but rather than losing half his beauty, he instead gained an ethereal charm. Shen Liang resembled a banished goddess, descended down from the Heavens, holy and noble, and not one mundanes should even think about tarnishing.
Not to mention the unwed men and women, even some of the older generation who were already bound by their marriage vows couldn't help but voice their appreciation for his outstanding appearance and bearing. Of course, jealousy and envy was also indispensable among many as well.
Shen Liang didn't give an immediate response. Instead, he raised his eyes to peer around. When his gaze stopped on Liu Shuhan and the others, as expected, he was greeted by gazes filled with intense hatred. However, when his gaze met with Shen Ruiting's he instead saw the other party's eyes flicker with confusion and lose. It was as though the man was searching for another figure in him. Shen Liang's eyes hid the sarcasm and mockery that emerged in the depths of his eyes. Even while hating him, Shen Ruiting didn't forget and couldn't help but search for his Dad's image in him. What a great irony.
"Liangliang, Xie Yan and them are there. Let's head over," Seeing that Shen Liang didn't give a response even after some time passed, Xiang Zhuo gave Pei Yuanxian a meaningful expression and stepped forward to provide Shen Liang some other options. The seats were assigned strictly by hierarchy. But the members of the younger generation all like to gather together to chat. Hence, it wouldn't have been strange nor as stringent with hierarchy amongst the younger generation if they wanted to gather together.
"En," Shen Liang's gaze followed where Xiang Zhuo pointed and spotted Xie Yan and the rest immediately. Shen Liang nodded and smiled. Soon, he turned his attention back on Pei Yuanxian and bowed slightly as he said, "Many thanks, my lord, but it stands against reason and tradition to sit beside your Highness. I will sit with Young Master Xie and the others."
He knew Pei Yuanxian was only concerned he'd be embarrassed with nowhere to sit. But Shen Liang was a Ger and Pei Yuanxian had already rescued him twice in a row now. Just that was sufficient to make the public deliberate over their relationship. If he were to sit beside Pei Yuanxian under the scrutinizing gazes of everyone now, it would be tantamount to subjecting himself to be the subject of discussion as Pei Yuanxian's marriage candidate.
"Not big, but sure concerns yourself with quite a bit," after throwing him the statement of slight disdain, Pei Yuanxian no longer insisted and turned around to head off.
"Ge, I'll take Liangliang over now," Xiang Zhuo gave Xiang Qing a notice before guiding Shen Liang away towards where Xie Yan and the others have gathered. From beginning to end, they were the focus of attention. But with their status and identity, who hadn't been once in in their life before? They had already grown accustomed to it and wasn't the least bit embarrassed.
"Marquis, your child is indeed a splendid one. May I inquire if the child already has pre-existing marriage plans?"
Those who sat with Shen Ruiting were all civil servants and officials with titles. Although Shen Liang was a Ger, whether it was in terms of appearance, demeanor, or temperament, everything was impressive. Families who still had unwed children couldn't help but find themselves tempted.
"Not yet, but this Marquis still doesn't have any intents on making any plans for him yet. Liangliang and Da'er have always had a close relationship and I plan on proceeding with the child's marriage plans after Da'er returns and discussing with him," before his colleagues, Shen Ruiting was forced to keep a pretense of a loving father. However, strictly speaking, Shen Ruiting couldn't be said to dislike Shen Liang at this moment. Rather, more accurately, Shen Ruiting was more stunned. The last two times Shen Ruiting had saw this son of his, Shen Liang had been dressed in very ordinary, even plain, attires. But today was different. When dressed up, his image resembled Wei Zetian's immensely, and instantly evoking Shen Ruiting's heart-wrenching distress and love for his deceased wife.
"With good reason. The two brothers haven't seen each other for many years now. It's only natural to leave them to discuss this amongst themselves first before settling on anything. But it would still be a year or so before General Shen would return. Marriage matters aren't matters that would be decided and settled within that amount of time. Marquis Shen can look around first. Perhaps you'd find a suitable son-in-law to your liking before you know it."
High-quality Gers like Shen Liang were highly sought after. If he didn't make plans early, Shen Liang would already be taken. The old man was unwilling to let that be.
"Elder Princess, Prince Consort, Duke Duanjun, and Princess Consort Duanjun have arrived!"
Just as Shen Ruiting found himself put in a difficult decision and unsure on how to refuse, the eunuch's shrill announcement echoed in the hall again. Besides the Duke of Jian and the Imperial Princes, the guests all stood up: "Greetings and blessings to the Elder Princess!"
"Cease your courtesies, everyone. Just take it as your own home," the Elder Princess who walked alongside her prince consort hand in hand smiled and gestured at the guests to rise.
The guests called out in unison: "Many thanks, Elder Princess."
It was only when the Elder Princess and the Prince consort sat down that the guests seated themselves again. However, the entire hall had fell into a deafening silence.
"Servants! Start the banquet!" The Prince Consort immediately called out the order, and the maids and servants who had been awaiting the order immediately headed out in beautiful synchrony to deliver the delicacies and feast.
The elder princess then called out magnanimously, "This Princess is delighted that everyone has found the time to join and visit the Manor today. As we are all aware, the empire faces a continuous disaster. I await the emperor's solution but cannot shoulder the emperor's burden. I watch as our civilians suffer from hunger and nature, ripped from their loved ones, and this Princess is in distress. After discussion with the Prince Consort, this Princess has hosted this banquet with the hopes that we can shoulder and alleviate the civilian's pain together!"
"The Elder Princess is magnanimous!" the guests called out in unison.
The Elder Princess waved her arm in modesty and only continued after the hall fell into silence once again, "This Princess is a female and can only do so much. But this Princess also can't force my guests to donate with my status. Hence, this Princess has a suggestion. I've heard of the promising younger generation we have here today. Why don't we have them step up today to display their talents, whether in literature or martial foundation, in the forms of competitions and challenges. Those who are challenged may not refuse but may concede defeat. However, those who concede must contribute to the nation, whether it be donations of monetary goods, or materials. On one hand, it would provide this banquet much entertainment while testing the younger generation. On the other hand, we can do something for the common people. What does everyone think?"
"It's a good plan. Aunt has been considerate and thought well," the eldest prince Qin Yunmang voiced his agreement first.
The second prince, "Qin Yunlan also echoed his agreement, "The Elder Princess speaks with reason."
The Imperial Princes all expressed their aligning opinions one after another and the guests naturally had to agree as well. Moreover, the Elder Princess's suggestion and proposal was indeed good. One, it would allow the affluent families to display their children's talents and two, it responded to the theme of the banquet well. It was just that if they lost, it would be a little embarrassing.
Some members of the younger generation, who had been put on the spotlight, were anxious, while others were eager. The only one amongst them who was indifferent at most was Shen Liang. It wasn't that he wanted to be unique, but rather, the ways of displaying talents would inevitably amount to common and traditional skills such as qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting or martial arts, horseback riding, and archery. But in his previous life, he never had the opportunity to learn these skillsets. Every time when he was humiliated and expressed his desire to learn, Liu Shuhan would tell him it was alright, that he was the heir of the Marquis Donglin Manor and even if he didn't know any of those, it was still alright. She appeared amicable and gentle on the surface, no different from a mother comforting her own son, but in actuality, she raised him to be a waste. Afterwards, when he married over to the second prince's manor, he learned calligraphy and was talented in it even. As for the rest of martial arts and qin, chess, and painting... it was only so-so.
As for this life, he had even less time and opportunity to learn those skills. Even if he had the opportunity, Shen Liang wouldn't have wasted his time on them. Those dandy and useless skills couldn't save anyone. If he had the time or energy, he'd be better off reading a few more medical books and scriptures of poison.
"Liangliang, are you alright?" Those who sat with him had all had the opportunity to interact with Shen Liang at the gazebo before. They had a favorable impression of Shen Liang and were more or less aware of his history. Such traditional skill set of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, it was be astonishing if he really knew any of them. As for martial arts, such as horseback riding and archery... they looked at Shen Liang's slender body and attempted to imagine him drawing a bow. With that, they had no confidence. If someone were to challenge Shen Liang... then the good reputation he had accumulated up to now would all be in vain.
Regardless of how extraordinary his appearance and temperament was, he still wouldn't be accepted by the public if he couldn't even read.
"Do I look so?" Sensing the concerned gazes of others, Shen Liang didn't slap his own face to pretend to be more than what he could offer. He gave them a smile, a helpless one. Now, he only hopes no one would challenge him. But... that would prove to be difficult! There were too many people present who wanted to see him make a fool of himself in front of the public. Shen Liang didn't have to consider far. There were many just amongst his so-called family. Although they probably wouldn't have to resort to acting themselves, they had lived in the Imperial city for years and had their own network of friends to work with, much less even more admirers. It wouldn't be hard for them to root out a few fools a impulsive idiots to act on their behalf.
"I want to challenge Shen Liang of the Marquis Donglin Manor."
Well, take a look at that. As the youths were still worrying amongst themselves, Shen Liang had already been named. The table of people peered over at the specifically vacated performance venue. In the middle, a young girl, the daughter of the Jaing Manor, was standing there in her yellow brocade gown.
"Why is it her again? Can't she be over with already?" Xiang Zhuo wrinkled his nose in disdain as he expressed his dissatisfaction. The Jiang Manor's daughter was indeed going too overboard. Shen Liang had yet to do anything to her, but she was relentless in her targeted attacks toward Shen Liang. It was simply inappropriate and unsuitable for a daughter who was supposedly raised in an affluent family.