Yi Peilan's mother, Madam Yi, was usually on good terms with Ren Wanyun, while Master Yi and Shen Gui supported each other in official circles. Occasionally, Ren Wanyun would bring Shen Qing to visit the Yi residence, so Yi Peilan was closest to Shen Qing and also got along well with Shen Yue.
The ladies present, as well as the men on the other side of the banquet, all turned their gazes in that direction.
Shen Gui and Shen Wan had been busy with political affairs lately and couldn't attend. However, the reason everyone was looking toward the entrance had nothing to do with those two.
No matter what, Grand General of Might Shen Xin held considerable prestige in the imperial court. During the late emperor's reign, the Shen family had enjoyed many privileges, truly living up to the title of "the emperor's close confidants." Whoever held military power had the right to speak. Thus, even though Shen Xin was rarely in the capital, the mention of the Shen family still commanded respect. Shen Gui and Shen Wan's smooth sailing in court was also largely due to their elder brother's influence.
The men looked at the Shen family as a powerful household, admiring the might of military generals, while the women saw them as a source of amusement.
The older ladies, being more mature, would at least offer a few polite words even if they felt disdain inwardly. The young ladies, however, were different. Perhaps it was human nature to envy—Shen Xin had only one legitimate daughter, Shen Miao, whose status was naturally exceptional. One could even say she was comparable to a princess. Yet this genuine high-born daughter was an utter fool—ignorant, timid, and cowardly. Her infatuation with Prince Ding, Fu Xiuyi, had spawned many jokes, though sadly, it was a case of unrequited love, known throughout the court.
Not to mention how she paled in comparison to her two outstanding cousins, looking more like a country bumpkin beside them.
"I wonder what kind of spectacle we'll see today. With Prince Ding present, Shen Miao is bound to 'dress up meticulously,' isn't she?" Yi Peilan covered her mouth as she laughed.
"Don't you think the verification will be even funnier? With Shen Miao's brainless nature, she'll probably arrogantly take the stage herself. Now that will be a sight!" Jiang Xiaoxuan joined in the laughter.
Bai Wei sighed and shook her head pretentiously. "Who knows what sins General Shen committed in his past life to end up with such a daughter."
Just as they were speaking, the maids of Yanbei Hall led a group of people inside.
At the forefront were none other than Ren Wanyun and Chen Ruoqiu. Ren Wanyun wore an Embroidered Gold-Threaded Thin Silk Robe. Plump by nature and with her hair styled in an Original Luo Hairbun, she looked even more dignified and wealthy, exuding the air of a matriarch. Chen Ruoqiu, on the other hand, though her daughter Shen Yue was already sixteen, still appeared youthful. Dressed in a Light Green Smoke Gauze Dress with a Pipa Collar, she clearly resembled a gentlewoman from a scholarly family.
Behind them were Shen Yue and Shen Qing.
Shen Yue wore a pale pink Long Feather Gauze Dress with a Front Opening, her long hair arranged in a Flying Immortal Hairbun adorned with pink pearls of exceptional quality, their faint luster drawing everyone's gaze. Beside her, Shen Qing stood out in a peach-colored Scattered Flower Auspicious Cloud Gauze Dress, her hair styled in a Hundred Flower Hairbun, looking spirited and bright. The translucent jade bracelet on her wrist was clearly no ordinary piece.
Both were in the bloom of youth—one delicate and graceful, the other poised and elegant. Their attire and accessories spoke of extravagance, and their natural beauty, enhanced by their finery, drew the attention of many young men. Among the male guests, one official couldn't help but praise, "The Shen family's daughters are truly a sight to behold.""There's one more." Cai Lin, having just seen his beloved Shen Yue, was in high spirits and couldn't resist sneering, "The Shen family has another daughter of General Shen, who is truly beautiful."
The official seemed unaware of the rumors about Shen Miao and took Cai Lin's words at face value. "General Shen's daughter must indeed be exceptional," he remarked.
"Heh," Cai Lin chuckled dismissively, gesturing toward Shen Yue's group. "That's not—"
His words trailed off as he swallowed the rest of his sentence.
Behind Shen Qing and Shen Yue walked another girl. She wasn't with them but lagged alone at the back. One might have expected her to appear dejected or timid, yet there was no trace of meekness about her.
She wore a Dark Gold Cloud Embroidered Shirt and a Crescent Phoenix Tail Silk Skirt, its hem adorned with large, intricate peony blossoms that seemed to bloom beneath her feet with every step. As she moved, flowers seemed to flourish in her wake, swaying gracefully.
Perhaps feeling cold, she had draped a lotus-blue Cloud Silk Shawl over her shoulders, instantly subduing the vibrant floral patterns and lending an air of solemn dignity.
As she drew nearer, the crowd could finally see her face clearly. She was a girl of about fourteen or fifteen, her hair styled in a simple Hanging Cloud Hairbun, adorned only with a plain silver hairpin. At its tip bloomed a delicate begonia, a splash of brightness against the muted tones, striking a charming contrast.
Her fair complexion was accentuated by the lotus-blue gown, her skin like polished jade. Her eyes were clear and bright, sparkling like those of a young animal, and her lips curved in a faint smile that didn’t quite reach her gaze. Her nose was small with a rounded tip, and her lips were rosy. Though her features were sweet and endearing, no one who saw her would mistake her for an ordinary girl.
Some are born beautiful but lack presence; others may not be striking yet possess an arresting aura. This girl’s looks were pleasant and delicate—hardly breathtaking—but her bearing was mesmerizing. An innate dignity and grace radiated from her, an unshakable nobility that discouraged any thought of impropriety.
Her posture was impeccable: chin slightly raised, skirts undisturbed, hands folded with practiced ease—neither stiff nor careless, as though she had perfected the motion through countless repetitions.
This regal poise and natural authority made her seem not like a girl of fourteen, but a woman tempered by experience and high station. Shen Yue, Shen Qing, Ren Wanyun, and Chen Ruoqiu ahead of her unwittingly became mere attendants in her wake, while she, walking last, appeared unmistakably as their mistress.
"Who is that?" Yi Peilan murmured, spellbound despite herself. How could someone so young carry such presence?
"Is she... a guest of the Shen family?" Bai Wei wondered. "I don’t recall ever seeing her before."The men's seating area was equally silent. Men observe people differently from women. All those present were officials, naturally able to discern at a glance this young lady's uniqueness—not in appearance, but in demeanor. It was the serenity that comes after weathering great storms, a noble attitude toward everything before her that radiated an innate sense of disdain.
Like a leopard among sheep, the incongruity was palpable.
"Is this General Shen's daughter?" The official who had been speaking with Cai Lin earlier looked excited. "Truly remarkable beauty! Extraordinary bearing! The pupil surpasses the master!"
"Shen Miao?" Cai Lin froze, then stared intently before exclaiming in shock, "That's Shen Miao?"
Like a stone cast into still water, the entire gathering fell silent for a moment before erupting into instant uproar.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
The story has quietly made its debut ranking ┭┮﹏┭┮ Dear angels, please consider bookmarking and supporting. Even just keeping it in your reading list helps with data. If you find it decent, please give it a click (tot)~
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[Note: The author's personal note at the end has been preserved in tone while adapting cultural references ("angels" rather than literal "little angels" for natural English flow). The exclamatory punctuation and emoticons are retained to maintain the original's informal, engaging style.]
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