Chapter 110 - Help Them Move the Carriage Away!

Shen Ninghua looked at Chu Junyi seriously. Her gaze was very extremely careful, as if she wanted to figure out the real character of the person in front of her.

Chu Junyi’s heart throbbed, and he could hear a clear thumping sound of his heart. Sweat unconsciously oozed from his palms, creating a wave of ice-cold and sticky feel.

The two of them remained silent for a moment, but Shen Ninghua was the first to move her gaze away and said calmly. “Since that’s the case, I will take more care with this banquet. You should also take care.”

Chu Junyi’s heart suddenly relaxed. But he did not feel as relaxed as he had imagined. Instead, he felt as if his heart was completely empty and boundless.

To be honest, if Shen Ninghua had pursued the question regarding his identity, he didn’t know how to answer. He didn’t want to deceive her, but it wasn’t the time to confess yet. However, now that she didn’t ask anything, he felt even more lost in his heart. She didn’t want to be involved with him…

“Ninghua, aren’t you curious?”

Shen Ninghua paused for a moment and then smiled. “Curiosity killed the cat. Rather than thinking about your identity, I might as well think about what I would encounter at the banquet.”

Chu Junyi smiled faintly and said with an undetectable sense of disappointment. “You’re right.”

On Old General Xiao’s birthday, Shen Ninghua didn’t wait for Xia Jingqiu to ask her; she directly instructed Bai Ruo to invite them over.

Hearing that Shen Ninghua was going to bring Yang Yingxue with her to the banquet, Xia Jingqiu’s face was full of joy. She held Shen Ninghua’s hand and kept thanking her.

“Ninghua, I don’t know how to thank you. Yingxue hasn’t been in the capital for long. Except you, she doesn’t know anyone else. Fortunately, you are willing to bring her along.”

Shen Ninghua was checking the list of gifts. Hearing this, she handed the gift list to Bi Zhu to put away. She smiled and said, “Well, you are being too polite, aunt. After all, she is my cousin.”

“Yes, yes, speaking of which, when in need, you can rely on sisters, right?”

Shen Ninghua smiled and said, “You should know about the Xiao Mansion where we are going to this time. The higher the status, the stricter the rules. I can help prepare the gifts, but in terms of etiquette…”

Xia Jingqiu hurriedly promised, “Don’t worry, Ninghua. I’ve had people teach Yingxue etiquette during this period of time. She won’t make any mistakes.”

Shen Ninghua nodded. “I said this for the good of cousin. Aunt, don’t blame me.”

“How would I? I’m only happy if you can say it out loud.” Xia Jingqiu smiled and she was exceptionally delighted. If Shen Ninghua didn’t say anything like before and only smiled, then she should be anxious. Her willingness to offer advice and guidance meant that she now trusted and relied on Yang Yingxue to some extent. This was indeed a chance for Yang Yingxue.

The two of them got on the carriage and headed for the Xiao family. Then Shen Ninghua carefully sized up Yang Yingxue.

Today, Yang Yingxue wore a light pink gown and had a simple double moon bun with delicate flower hairpins on her head. She looked fresh and dignified. Her beauty matched the bright spring outside, and whoever looked at her would feel their eyes lightened up.

After living these days silently, Yang Yingxue had gotten rid of the showy and impulsive air. She had indeed transformed into an amazing beauty.

“Cousin, is there anything wrong with my appearance?”

Shen Ninghua withdrew her gaze and said, “No, cousin. You are dressed so beautifully that I was stunned for a moment.”

Yang Yingxue chuckled. “Speaking of beauty, cousin, how can I compare to you!” What she said was indeed from the bottom of her heart. Today, Shen Ninghua wore a lake-green dress. She had the most popular flowing cloud bun on her hair, a five-tailed golden phoenix Prefectural-Princess-Standard hairpin inlaid with jade, and the same-color belt on her waist. Her dress was decorated with peonies of the same color. She looked enchanting but not showy, seductive but not vulgar. Her beauty overshined the combined glamour of three thousand beautiful young ladies.

Seeing her reaction, Shen Ninghua secretly nodded in her heart. Speaking of which, her appearance was somewhat similar to Yang Yingxue’s, but her complexion was rather flamboyant and domineering. Yang Yingxue’s beauty, on the other hand, was elegant and graceful. If she wanted to compete with Shen Ninghua in terms of flamboyance, she could only humiliate herself. Fortunately, her dress and makeup today amplified the unique elegant aura on her body, which made people admire her but not dare to profane her.

The Xiao Mansion was already bustling with people. There were carriages parked everywhere. Some low-ranking officials even got off their carriages when there was still some distance from the mansion and walked there.

Their carriage was moving slower and slower. Hearing the bustling noise outside, Yang Yingxue was a little nervous. “Ninghua, should we stop the carriage? It seemed that there were a lot of carriages in front of us and the road was congested.”

Shen Ninghua smiled. “No need.”

Yang Yingxue nodded and listened carefully to the sound outside.

At this time, a carriage crashed into another one and the noise became even louder. After a while, a servant ran straight to Shen Ninghua’s carriage and kept apologizing. “Greetings, Your Highness. I’m really sorry to block your path, but our carriage collided with the State Councilor’s carriage, and we can’t move the carriage for a while. Please forgive us, and think of another way.”

Yang Yingxue hesitated and whispered to Shen Ninghua, “Cousin, this place is not far from the Xiao Mansion. How about walking there?”

Shen Ninghua shook her head calmly. “Cousin, if you want to live a comfortable life in the capital, the most important thing is to make good use of your power. Without power and status, you can barely make a living and will always be afraid that calamity will descend from the sky tomorrow. If I walk to the Xiao Mansion today, anyone else will dare to stop my carriage tomorrow and let me make way for them. ”

Yang Yingxue’s heart trembled. “Can it be so serious?”

Looking at her frightened appearance, Shen Ninghua smiled. “Cousin, you will know it after obtaining a bit more experience. Just watch. The carriage will be moved away soon.”

Yang Yingxue nodded in agreement, but when she looked through the gap between the curtains, she had a strong doubt in her heart. The shaft of the carriage was broken and it couldn’t move at least for a moment. If their carriage had to wait until the damaged carriage was moved away, they would probably be late. Wouldn’t it be an even more embarrassing situation for them?

Shen Ninghua calmly leaned on the pillow and waited.

Bi Zhu jumped out of the carriage and looked solemnly at the coachman who had come to apologize. “You must be the servant of the Sub-prefect, Lord Zhou, who has just been transferred to the capital, and hasn’t taught his servants well yet. Do you have any idea who the person sitting in the carriage behind you is? How dare you let Her Highness think of another way? What? Do you want Her Highness to get out of the carriage and help you move the carriage? ”

The coachman was shocked. He didn’t expect a maid to have an astonishing aura. “I don’t dare. It’s just that our carriage’s shaft was damaged. Even if we want to, we couldn’t move it.”

Bi Zhu snorted coldly. “If it can’t move, then find someone to carry it. In fifteen minutes at most, Her Highness must be present at the banquet in Xiao Mansion. If we get there a second late, we will ask Lord Zhou for an explanation.”

The coachman’s expression became more and more awkward. “Miss Bi Zhu, there’s really nothing I can do. Please give me more time. I will move the carriage away as soon as possible.” As he spoke, he even knelt down and kowtowed to Bi Zhu.

Quite a few carriages had approached from behind, and they all stopped to see what was happening in front of them. Discussions slowly began.

Yang Yingxue clenched her hands tightly, and her eyes were filled with increasing anxiety. “Cousin, what should we do now…”

Listening to the commotion outside, Shen Ninghua’s expression turned cold. She had thought it was a coincidence, but now, it seemed that someone was deliberately trying to humiliate her. Now that the entire road was blocked, if she got off the carriage and walked over, she would definitely look extremely embarrassed. If she continued to entangle with them, it would delay everyone’s time, which would make her the target of people’s resentment for her lack of etiquette.

This method was simple but practical.

“Cousin, you can rest assured. Qing Que, get down and help them move the carriage.”

“Yes, Miss.” Qing Que, who had been silent all this while, jumped out of the carriage and went to the front of the carriage.

The carriage was deflected to the side because of the broken shaft, but the horse pulling the carriage was still tied in front of the carriage. Qing Que stepped forward and kicked on the carriage with one foot to borrow some strength, kicking the horse fiercely with the other foot.

“Hiss!” The horse staggered and immediately hissed in shock. But Qing Que’s movements did not stop. Before the horse calmed down, she lifted her foot and kicked the horse again. The horse was completely shocked and charged forward with all its might. The tilted carriage was also dragged forward.

The coachman was stunned. Seeing the Fifth Prince, Third Prince, and the others riding horses not far from him, he was so shocked that his soul seemed to have parted with his body. If the carriage hit the princes, even his master would be beheaded!

Qing Que coldly glanced at him, then she turned around and returned to the carriage. “Miss, it’s settled. We can move on now.”

“Alright.”

The carriage quickly moved forward. A moment later, they heard the coachman begging for mercy in panic and the Fifth Prince scolding him angrily. The coachman did not get to pull the frightened horse back. Fortunately, the carriage only scared the Fifth Prince’s horse and did not hit him. Otherwise, he would have been dragged down and tortured.

Yang Yingxue turned around and listened to the noise outside worriedly. “Cousin, it seemed that the horse hit into the Fifth Prince. Shouldn’t we go down and take a look?”

“It’s not us who hit into him. It’s better not to have too many questions. Let’s go.” Shen Ninghua said straightforwardly without even lifting her face. Yang Yingxue thought for a moment before finally shutting her mouth.

Xiao Huanxi was helping her mother welcome the female guests who came to pay their birthday respects. Occasionally, she seemed distracted and thought about something else.

Her mother, Madam Song, said worriedly, “Huanxi, are you tired? Why are you so spiritless?”

“No, I’m just thinking about what kind of gift I’m going to give my father later. Mother, don’t worry.”

“That’s good. Don’t worry, you are a pearl in the palm for the Xiao family today. You will definitely attract the gazes of everyone.” Madam Song said with a proud expression.

Xiao Huanxi smiled, but her smile was not natural at all. The one she wanted to attract the most was Brother Junyi. Unfortunately, with Shen Ninghua around, no matter how beautifully she was dressed, she would not be able to compare to her.

Suddenly, the surroundings became quiet. Xiao Huanxi restored her senses and looked around. Only then did she realize that everyone’s gaze was focused on the entrance. Her sight followed everyone’s gaze and she immediately felt bursts of stinging pain in her pupils.

Shen Ninghua and Yang Yingxue were slowly walking over. One of them was dazzling, bright and noble, and the other was fresh and elegant, with an otherworldly temperament. Their slightly similar faces attracted everyone’s attention. People secretly sighed in their hearts.

“What a pair of extraordinary sisters!”