RWNEFE -Chapter 368 The Eldest Princess and Chen Suizhu in Perfect Harmony!

A single pink pearl!

The round pearl stirred her memories—she had indeed once given Zhou Yunxue a handkerchief decorated with a pink pearl.

That handkerchief had been obtained as tribute and then sent to the Empress Dowager. When the princesses came to pay their respects, they all wanted it. Since there was only one, the Empress Dowager gave it to her.

Back then, Zhou Yunxue often stayed close to her, so the other princesses didn’t dare to openly bully her.

It was likely that this handkerchief ended up in Zhou Yunshang’s hands during the Shen family’s exile.

“Prepare men’s clothing; we’ll attend the flower-viewing banquet tomorrow.”

The accounting for the fifty previous charges hadn’t been settled yet either.

All the invited guests were female. Zhou Yunshang had specifically informed the Shen family that the Tenth Princess would be attending. Originally, the Shen household wanted to keep a low profile and only let Madam Liu take Hu Jinyu to mingle, but now they had no choice but to bring all the household’s female members.

Given Shen family’s repeated incidents, the elders repeatedly warned the women before leaving.

“Do not separate. No matter who calls, do not go!”

“If there’s truly no way to avoid it, always inform the elders.”

“Always remember at every moment—do not make mistakes!”

…

Shen Lanxi went with the household women, of course having reported to Emperor Renxiao the day before.

Emperor Renxiao strictly forbade the harem from interfering in politics—no empresses or concubines, let alone princesses.

Zhou Yunshang had already filed her notice with the emperor.

After disembarking from the carriage and looking around, Crown Princess had also arrived.

Today was bound to be lively.

“Lanxi, why are you dressed in men’s clothing? From afar, I thought some handsome young man had arrived,” Zhou Yunshang called, drawing everyone’s attention.

Shen Lanxi smiled lightly: “I’m used to it; men’s clothing is convenient.”

“So, Miss Shen dislikes the service of women?” asked a woman beside Zhou Yunshang, her hair in an elegant coil.

Shen Lanxi’s eyes darkened; she casually replied: “Even the Empress Dowager hasn’t said anything to me. You, however, are quick to pick faults.”

The woman stiffened, forcing a smile: “I didn’t mean it that way.”

Shen Lanxi: “I’m not used to being called Miss Shen. Call me Juding Gong, or Lord Shen.”

The woman stiffened again; her smile began to falter.

“Lanxi, Suizhu can’t speak well. She used to play with us, she’s awkward. You forgot?”

Shen Lanxi had no memory of it and didn’t bother thinking about it.

“I never care about inconsequential people!”

Chen Suizhu’s smile twisted grotesquely.

“Shen Lanxi, I am the rightful wife of the Marquis of Yong’an, from a family honored by His Majesty.”

Shen Lanxi arched an eyebrow, then seemed to recall something: “Could it be that you were the former hanger-on behind the Eldest Princess?”

Chen Suizhu was furious, practically radiating flames.

She was not a hanger-on—the real problem was that Shen Lanxi was this androgynous troublemaker.

Zhou Yunshang’s smile also faltered.

Shen Lanxi’s mockery of her guest immediately upon entering was a slap in her face.

“Lanxi, just remember, she’s now the Marquis of Yong’an’s wife. The Yong’an Marquis household is honored by the emperor; choose your words carefully.”

Shen Lanxi ignored her, shifting topics: “I remember the highest position in the Chen household was only in the Ministry of Rites, as a compiler—was it sixth or fifth rank?”

“With that background, how did she marry into an honored family? And as a concubine, not the main wife?”

Many covered their mouths to stifle laughter.

The Eldest Princess’s cousin serving as a concubine—what an insult to the Eldest Princess!

Shen Lanxi’s words offended three parties at once: the Chen family, the Yong’an Marquis household, and the Eldest Princess.

Chen Suizhu was no longer a minor role fetching and fawning behind the princess. Praised for years as the Marquis’s wife, she couldn’t withstand Shen Lanxi’s ridicule.

“I am the rightful wife of the Marquis of Yong’an, Shen Lanxi! By insulting me, you insult our household. Are you declaring enmity with the Yong’an Marquis household?”

Shen Lanxi put on an innocent expression: “What did I say? Did I insult you? Did I insult the Marquis of Yong’an household?”

Hu Jinyu: “Of course not.”

Shen Lanxi smiled faintly: “If you speak for the Yong’an household against my Juding Gong Mansion, then I, Shen Lanxi, will accept. Tomorrow, I will truthfully report today’s amusing incident to His Majesty.”

Chen Suizhu’s expression immediately changed—what did she mean by speaking for the Yong’an household? That had nothing to do with the household! She had only spoken casually; at most, it was a small quarrel. How did it become a clash between two families, dragging the emperor into it?

“Princess, I didn’t mean that. Shen Lanxi, how can you overreact and falsely accuse me?”

Zhou Yunshang realized Shen Lanxi was difficult to deal with.

She hadn’t expected this—without the Empress Dowager, Shen Lanxi dared to be so arrogant? In front of so many people, she didn’t even acknowledge the Eldest Princess.

“Lanxi, for my sake, forgive Suizhu. She speaks without thinking.”

Shen Lanxi: “Since the princess says so, let it be.”

“If she dares to provoke me again, I’ll bring it up with the Yong’an household, ask how the Marquis teaches his wife, and then the Chen household, ask how they raise their daughters. At such an important occasion, just eat quietly; if you can’t speak properly, you’ll offend people while thinking you’ve won some advantage!”

Chen Suizhu was nearly driven mad.

Shen Lanxi—how dare she? Her father was no longer a minor compiler.

Her father was now a fourth-rank official, a proper fourth-rank!

Zhou Yunshang could no longer even force a smile. The Chen family was her maternal family; Shen Lanxi insulting them was an insult to her.

How dare she?

“The Eldest Princess seems displeased? I only recently heard you were confined. If I’d known earlier, I would have petitioned His Majesty for you.”

Zhou Yunshang’s face darkened as she struggled to suppress the urge to throw Shen Lanxi out.

“All because some court officials previously filed fifty charges against me. I’ve been busy digging into those behind them, dizzy and exhausted, almost unable to report to His Majesty!”

Zhou Yunshang stiffened and shot Shen Lanxi a cold glance.

She knew?

She must know.

Used to fighting from behind the scenes, never in the open, Zhou Yunshang clenched her hands, worried Shen Lanxi would break conventions and expose her publicly.

“Lanxi, go inside and sit. The sun is strong; don’t get your face tanned!”

“You two, go fan Lord Shen quickly.”

The sudden warmth from Zhou Yunshang left her attendants somewhat confused, especially Chen Suizhu.

This isn’t what they said before!

What’s happening with the Eldest Princess? Could she be intimidated by Shen Lanxi?

“The Eldest Princess is right. I am a martial artist, so I’m not afraid of the sun, but today’s female guests are not like me, a rough woman. Better to go inside quickly!”