Chapter 39 - Peerless Young Master Shen Xuanye!

On Old Lady Xiao’s birthday banquet, Shen Ninghua dressed up early in the morning and arrived at Songtao Courtyard. Old Lady Xiao wore a golden silk pullover with Eight Treasures Diagram, a dress embroidered with twelve golden patterns, and a headcloth decorated with an emerald gem. Her face was full of smiles, and she brimmed with amity.

“Grandmother, you look especially jubilant in your attire today. I wish you a happy, healthy, and long life.”

Old Lady Xiao smiled brightly and exempted Shen Ninghua from courtesying her, “My good granddaughter, you are always so well-mannered. I am your grandmother, so you don’t have to salute me like this every day in the future. Your second aunt has been talking about you for a while. Come over and sit down.”

Shen Ninghua naturally wouldn’t take Old Lady Xiao’s words seriously. If she really didn’t salute the old lady for one time, the next day gossips would be distributed in the whole Shen family that she didn’t have etiquette. “Greetings, Aunt. I thought I was here early, but you came here even earlier than me.”

Madam Su pulled her over to be seated and said, “Early in the morning, Xuanhua woke me up. Only his grandpa could stop him from being naughty. Although I’m his mother, he doesn’t listen to me.”

Looking at Madam Su’s helpless but loving eyes, Shen Ninghua’s heart trembled slightly. If her mother were still alive, she would definitely look at her like this. She couldn’t help but say, “Brother Xuanhua is the most sensible. You don’t need to worry about him. You just need to wait and enjoy his filial piety.”

Madam Su lightly nodded her head. “You mischievous girl. You are so good at sweet talk. However, I don’t have any gifts for you. If you have any sweet words, say them to your grandmother. She is the longevity star today. She may give you a longevity peach.”

Old Lady Xiao looked at them with smiles all over her face. Madam Su’s words flattered her perfectly. How could she be unhappy? “You two, don’t worry. You both will have a longevity peach.”

Shen Ninghua curled her eyes and exchanged glances with Madam Su. They stood up and saluted Old Lady Xiao together, “Thank you, grandmother (mother).”

Xue Zhu brought tea over, and the three of them drank tea while talking and laughing. After a while, Madam Zhao quickly walked in with Shen Linghan.

A trace of displeasure flashed in Old Lady Xiao’s eyes. They clearly knew that today was her birthday, yet the two of them came so late, which was obviously a sign of disrespecting her.

The two saluted, and Old Lady Xiao took two sips of tea before asking them to get up. She raised her eyes and said to Madam Zhao, “Looks like there are a lot of people in the front yard so that you were kept busy and came here so late.”

Madam Zhao’s face stiffened. “I was a little worried about the arrangement of the front hall before I came here, so I checked it carefully bit by bit. Mother, I was a little late. Please forgive me.”

Old Lady Xiao sneered in her heart. Madam Zhao liked to show off in front of others the most. How could she miss such a good opportunity today? However, she didn’t want to pursue the matter anymore and delay the birthday banquet. “You’ve put in a lot of effort. When Xia was still alive, she also organized my birthday banquet so meticulously. Well, those were things that occurred more than a dozen years ago. By the way, after the birthday banquet, you should sort out Xia’s dowry and hand it over to Ninghua. This girl is filial and thinks about her birth mother all day long. As a grandmother, I can’t disappoint her.”

“You are right.” Madam Zhao lowered her head and replied. Her eyes were filled with gloom, but her face did not show the slightest bit. “Ninghua, after the birthday banquet, you can go to your birth mother’s courtyard and take a look. The things inside are well preserved and the courtyard is almost cleaned up.”

“Yes, thank you, mother.” Shen Ninghua lowered her eyes and quickly thought in her mind. Madam Zhao had sent away so many of her birth mother’s things that it was impossible to take them all back. Although Madam Zhao’s tone was hateful, it didn’t sound reluctant, as if Madam Zhao was certain that she would not notice that the dowry had been used. Why was Madam Zhao so sure that she couldn’t find the problem?

Old Lady Xiao nodded and walked out. Shen Linghan wanted to follow her, but was stopped by Old Lady Xiao. “Linghan, you’ve just returned. You must be tired. Let your elder sister help me.”

Shen Linghan suddenly stopped. Was Grandmother trying to exalt Shen Ninghua?

Because Old Lady Xiao had the First Grade Imperial Mandate, those who came to celebrate her birthday this time were naturally very important people. Shen Linghan’s previous gathering was completely incomparable to this banquet. In a sense, this birthday banquet was the official debut of Shen Ninghua. By letting Shen Ninghua accompany and help her, Old Lady Xiao was sending out a clear indication that the First Young Lady of the Shen family was back.

After figuring out the meaning, Shen Linghan’s face turned pale with anger.

Shen Ninghua ignored Shen Linghan’s emotions. She stepped forward to support Old Lady Xiao by the arm, and smilingly accompanied her to the front yard.

There was pleasant music in the front yard, and ladies from various clans were chatting together in a lively atmosphere. As soon as Old Lady Xiao arrived, they began congratulating her.

Shen Ninghua took two steps back at the right time to play her role of a foil.

However, the ladies had already noticed her. After all, her beauty was so outstanding that it was difficult for people to ignore her. She slightly lowered her head and stood gracefully and calmly in front of so many people without the slightest bit of uneasiness and trance. She looked like a young lady from an aristocratic family, and everyone was impressed and grew fond of her.

“My old lady, you can refuse anyone else’s gift today. But you must take mine.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Shen Ninghua raised her head and saw Madam Shao.

Old Lady Xiao smiled and said, “Oh? Why is this?”

Madam Shao smiled and nodded to Shen Ninghua, “Old Lady, my baby’s safety is all thanks to Ninghua. Such a beautiful and sensible girl must have been cultivated by you. So I should definitely thank you.”

Old Lady Xiao smiled happily, “Alright, alright, today I benefit from Ninghua.”

The expressions of several ladies changed. They all knew that Madam Shao had been unable to conceive for many years. This time, when they heard that she was pregnant, they had also secretly inquired about her recipe. They never thought that it was because of Shen Ninghua. Maybe they needed to find an opportunity and be acquainted with Shen Ninghua. If she could help them become pregnant, they would also like to offer her lavish rewards.

Madam Shao secretly blinked at Shen Ninghua with a smile. Shen Ninghua felt helpless in her heart. She understood Madam Shao’s kindness of helping her merge into the circle of noble people in the capital. After all, the ladies who were present today would want more children, whether they had offspring or not. Although she didn’t need to resort to this method at all, she still felt grateful for Madam Shao’s kindness.

Just as they were talking jubilantly, they suddenly heard a loud noise from the male guests. Madam Zhao was delighted and couldn’t help but look at the door.

Shen Ninghua knew that Shen Xuanye was coming.

The crystal curtain at the door was lifted by a white jade-like hand, and a young man dressed in a moonlight white robe stepped in. His skin was as white as jade, and his face was as cool as frozen frost. Every single one of his movements carried a unique chilly charm. He looked like an immortal who had fallen into the mortal world, and people couldn’t help but sigh in their hearts when seeing him.

“Greetings, grandmother. I wish you both longevity and good health.”

Old Lady Xiao was stunned for a moment. She suddenly reacted and asked excitedly, “You are… Xuanye?”

Shen Xuanye raised his head and revealed a warm smile that seemed like the melting of ice, “It’s me, your grandson. I’m too unfilial. I have been out for a long time and finally came back to pay my respects to you.”

Old Lady Xiao stood up and bent down to help him up, “My grandson, come and let me have a look. How can I blame you? It’s good that you’re back.”

A trace of filial admiration appeared in Shen Xuanye’s eyes as he intimately held Old Lady Xiao’s arm, allowing her to size him up.

Shen Ninghua smiled and watched from the side, but her heart was full of mockery. Shen Xuanye looked like a relegated immortal on the surface, but his heart was exceptionally cruel and cold. In his eyes, there were only two types of people. One was useful, and the other was damned.

Those that were useful had to be used by him, and those that could not be used by him shouldn’t be allowed to live.

Back then, when she first saw this younger brother, she was also shocked like meeting an immortal. However, later on, he became Baili Jinze’s counselor, and he made use of her thoroughly. If it wasn’t for his advice, Baili Jinze wouldn’t have taken away the power from her hands so quickly, leaving her totally helpless in the end.

Moreover, before she died, the corpse-melting water she saw in the eunuch’s hand…Shen Linghan would never be able to obtain that kind of poisonous medicine in the Palace. The only source was him…Shen Xuanye!

Shen Xuanye finished talking with Old Lady Xiao and turned to look at Shen Ninghua. “This is my eldest sister, right? I heard that your illness was cured. It’s really great. If the old doctor who cured you is still alive, I will definitely pay respect to him.” From the moment he entered the door, he noticed Shen Ninghua and secretly observed her for a long time. However, he was unable to see anything from her face. Her calmness was extraordinary. No wonder she could get the upper hand of Linghan.

“Thank you. It’s very kind of you.” Shen Ninghua replied with a smile.

“You are welcome. This is what I should do as your younger brother. Besides, sister must have suffered a lot living outside in the past year. I followed my Master and studied away from home. Naturally, I know the difficulties. This is the pill that I begged my Master to make before I left. It is the most effective for recuperating body. Sister, take it.”

If Shen Xuanye directly hinted that she might lose her virginity during her stay outside, she could still find a reason to refute it. However, he immediately sent a gift over. If she explained now, it would only make her look unreasonable and desperate to cover up.

Shen Xuanye was truly extraordinary. He was much smarter than Shen Linghan.

Shen Ninghua said with a deep implication, “Thank you, brother Xuanye.”

Shen Xuanye didn’t seem to understand at all, “Eldest sister, you are welcome.”

“The Second Prince has arrived! The Fifth Prince has arrived!”

A loud announcement was heard from the front yard. Old Lady Xiao’s face brimmed with delight. The two princes actually came over! No matter why they came, their appearance was a great honor to her.

Baili Jinchuan and Baili Jinze entered the hall, followed by Chu Junyi, who was holding a folding fan in his hand and had a leisurely expression. Old Lady Xiao led everyone to salute the two princes.

Chu Junyi curled his lips at Shen Ninghua and opened the folding fan. On the fan was a picture of a rising sun over rivers and mountains.

Shen Dong entered the hall with the male guests from the front yard, and everyone was seated after exchanging conventional greetings.

Chu Junyi somehow came near Shen Ninghua and whispered, “This time, you caught three big fish with one bait. Prepare a net pocket and don’t let any of them escape.”

Shen Ninghua smiled coldly, “Thank you for your reminding, Master Chu.”