HBWMA -Chapter 155 Shen Jiao’s Protection

Listening to everyone talking over one another, Fang Mei’s face turned pale with anger.

The Shen family members were supposed to appear in the main garden, yet she had ended up here in the side courtyard. Wasn’t this basically telling everyone that the Shen family didn’t take her seriously at all?

After all her careful planning, she had ended up with this result—it would have been better not to come at all.

After thinking for a moment, Fang Mei turned and hurried after the steward in charge of the banquet.

“Steward Wang.”

Steward Wang had already noticed Fang Mei and originally intended to avoid her, but since she called out, he had no choice but to respond stiffly.

“Mrs. Jiang.”

Good—at least he knew her. That made things easier.

Fang Mei smiled. “Steward Wang, I’m not sure who delivered my invitation to the wrong place. Could you trouble yourself to take me to the main garden?”

Steward Wang looked troubled. “Mrs. Jiang, there’s a wall separating the side courtyard and the main garden. Only when the banquet officially begins will a bridge be opened between them. Since you’re already inside, you might as well wait a bit. There’s nothing I can do.”

With that, he turned and left in a hurry.

“Wai—” Fang Mei was rejected and her expression darkened completely.

Jiang Wanyi looked at her, confused. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

Fang Mei closed her eyes, fists clenched tightly. “I refuse to believe this. I don’t believe they can really keep me out of the Shen residence forever.”

As the golden crow sank westward, the sky burned with crimson clouds, and the main garden was lively and bustling.

Yu Siwen had chatted with Shen Zhuang in the flower hall for two hours. Then, using official business as an excuse, he took his leave, specifically entrusting his daughter to Shen Zhuang’s care before departing.

Fu Sui’er had spent the entire afternoon clinging to Yu Sheng, their conversation mostly revolving around how presidential work should be carried out. If Shen Jiao hadn’t personally come to the chrysanthemum courtyard to fetch her, Fu Sui’er likely wouldn’t have let her go.

Yu Sheng had arrived with her father at midday and hadn’t prepared a formal gown, but that wasn’t a problem for Shen Jiao.

When she was young, Shen Jiao loved buying clothes, and her collection of gowns was vast—some still even had their tags attached.

Shen Jiao let Yu Sheng choose freely, and in the end she picked a silver gradient mermaid gown.

The silver gradient scale pattern on the dress was the same material as the one Jiang Huashan wore. At first, Shen Jiao hadn’t been willing to give it away—after all, even the president’s daughter couldn’t match outfits with her own daughter.

But the moment Yu Sheng changed into it, Shen Jiao changed her mind.

At sixteen, Yu Sheng already had soft, graceful curves. She knew exactly how to present herself, and the dress hugged her waist perfectly—youthful innocence mixed with a hint of mature allure, neither fully pure nor fully provocative.

Compared to her, Jiang Huashan looked like a tender sprout just breaking through the soil. With such a blooming flower in front of them, who would still pay attention to a young bud?

Yu Sheng stood before the mirror, satisfied with herself, but still mindful of etiquette. She asked expectantly, “Madam, this dress must be very expensive, right?”

Shen Jiao smiled as she fastened the “Tear of the Siren” necklace around her neck. “Not expensive. Consider it a welcome gift. My two daughters are still young anyway—they can’t wear it yet.”

Earlier in the main hall, she had already heard that Xiao Lanan was planning some “princess game.” Girls at this age loved beauty and competition, and Yu Sheng’s little thoughts were obvious to her. Since the girl wanted to compete, Shen Jiao didn’t mind giving her a push.

Yu Sheng felt slightly flattered. “No, Madam, this is too precious. I’ll wash it carefully and return it to you later.”

Shen Jiao shook her head. “A formal gown only ever has one owner. Besides, it’s a style for young girls—I can’t wear it anymore.”

In truth, for the Shen family’s youngest lady, no matter how beautiful a dress was, she would only wear it once. Anything worn by others would never be accepted again.

Yu Sheng immediately understood the aura of authority coming from the Shen family’s matriarch and quickly complied. “Thank you, Madam.”

Shen Jiao studied her face. “Clear as morning dew—naturally beautiful, but you should still wear a bit of makeup with a gown. It would look better.”

With that, she tapped the table.

Soon, two makeup artists walked in carrying their kits.

With just a glance from Shen Jiao, they understood immediately and began working.

Yu Sheng, one of the female leads, naturally had a face that could carry a story. After a slight touch-up, her beauty became almost unreal—like a masterpiece sculpted by the gods.

When Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er came to the winter courtyard to look for Shen Jiao, they were both stunned the moment they saw her.

Fu Sui’er circled Yu Sheng excitedly. “Wow, Sister Yu, you look so beautiful like this!”

Fu Sui’er wore a lavender pleated chiffon dress. Her hair was too short, so she had extensions styled into a princess updo. The most eye-catching thing on her was the 30-carat pink diamond crown on her head—and coincidentally, there was another identical one.

Yu Sheng’s gaze quietly fell on Jiang Huashan. At first glance, she looked too refined—almost delicate, like an unripe flower that hadn’t fully grown yet.

Confirmed: not a threat.

She relaxed, stood up shyly, and said, “Thank you, you two are beautiful too.”

Shen Jiao paid no attention to the children’s exchanges. She gently patted Jiang Huashan’s face. “Have you thought about the event plan? The banquet is about to start.”

Jiang Huashan smiled awkwardly. “I’ve roughly thought of something… If I mess it up, Godmother, you’ll have to speak up for me.”

Shen Jiao chuckled. “Got it. Let’s go—head to the main hall.”

Yu Sheng glanced at Jiang Huashan quietly.

The three followed Shen Jiao toward the main courtyard. At that moment, the garden was brightly lit, as if a river of stars had fallen from the sky.

The guests in the main hall had all arrived, and laughter could be heard from inside.

“Follow me,” Shen Jiao said softly.

She lifted her head, put on a confident smile, and stepped into the hall.

A sharp-eyed madam immediately noticed her.

“A-Jiao.”

Shen Jiao looked over—it was Madam Guan and Madam Gu. She smiled and walked over. “I was just looking for you two.”

Madam Guan’s gaze casually swept past the three people behind her, finally landing on the most striking one—Yu Sheng.

“Oh my, where did you go and pick up three fairies?” she joked.

Shen Jiao turned slightly. “This one in black you already know, so I won’t introduce her. This one…” she gestured to Jiang Huashan, pulling her forward, “let me formally introduce—my daughter, Jiang Huashan. If she causes trouble outside in the future, please keep an eye on her for me.”

The ladies present were all seasoned veterans. With just a glance, they understood Shen Jiao’s intention. Their gazes toward Jiang Huashan turned noticeably more serious.