Yao Ruoqin had always been well aware of Yao Yuanshan's feelings for Shen Qianxin. In the past, she and Shen Qianxin were friends, so she naturally did not object. She even tried her best to encourage her brother to pursue Shen Qianxin, so that she could have one less powerful rival. However, now that she had broken ties with Shen Qianxin and saw that she had successfully attracted the attention of the Eighth Prince, she couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"Little sister, what's wrong? Aren't you and Qianxin good friends?" Yao Yuanshan frowned, a hint of hurt flashing in his eyes. He had liked Shen Qianxin for a long time.
In his mind, Shen Qianxin was so kind, so gentle and generous, and so beautiful and charming.
"Good friend?! Pshaw! I don't want to be friends with a hypocritical and pretentious woman like her!" Yao Ruoqin glared fiercely in Shen Qianxin's direction and said.
"Ruoqin! I won't allow you to talk about Qianxin like that!" Yao Yuanshan frowned unhappily, and his words became even more stern.
"Alright! Shut up, both of you! Yuanshan, from now on, don't have any dealings with the Prime Minister's Mansion! Ruoqin, your most important thing right now is to marry your brother Che! Not to get into this kind of pointless fuss!" Yao Shan looked at his arguing children, frowned, and said sternly.
"Yes," the two replied.
A hint of confusion flashed in Yao Yuanshan's eyes. His father used to like Shen Qianxin very much and even said that he would marry Shen Qianxin in the future. Why was he saying this now? But he knew that he shouldn't ask these questions in this situation, so he held back.
Yao Ruoqin's gaze, however, had already drifted towards Shangguan Che. That was the man she had loved since childhood; she wanted to marry him! She would marry him no matter what!
In the distance, Shangguan Pian's gaze was fixed on Yao Yuanshan.
Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow, observing the scene. This banquet was truly interesting. The emotional entanglements among these people would likely be even more intriguing in the future.
Shangguan Pian likes Yao Yuanshan. Yao Yuanshan, however, likes Shen Qianxin. And Shen Qianxin is going to marry Shangguan Jin. How interesting!
"Both of the Prime Minister's daughters are exceptionally talented. I wonder what talents the Prime Minister's eldest daughter possesses? Ling Ya was once the most beautiful woman in the capital, so her daughter must be equally remarkable, right?" The Emperor's gentle gaze swept over the curtains of the Prime Minister's residence.
Shen Qianmo frowned lazily. Shen Qianyu and Shen Qianxin hadn't bothered her, but the Emperor had come looking for her. Perform a talent? She was now the good-for-nothing Shen Qianmo, what was there to perform! Besides, did she, Shen Qianmo, simply perform because they asked her to?
“Qianmo grew up in the mountains and doesn’t have any special talents!” Shen Qianmo said helplessly as she stepped out of the tent, her voice lazy and clear.
Shangguan Che and Shangguan Jin's gazes were immediately drawn to Shen Qianmo. Her appearance was ordinary and unremarkable, and her attire was extremely gaudy, yet she exuded a kind of purity and nobility that made it impossible to look away.
"Qianmo is ignorant and I hope Your Majesty will forgive her." Shen Lingyun quickly explained when he saw Shen Qianmo answer the Emperor's question so calmly.
"Since that's the case, I won't force you," Shangguan Hao said gently, his expression unchanged.
Shangguan Hao was a benevolent ruler, but not a capable one, which led to the decline of Qiyue Kingdom's national strength. This presented a golden opportunity for Tianmo and Linwei to change the balance of power among the three kingdoms.
---Aside---
I recommend my friend's novel, *The Overbearing and Vicious Consort*.
Chapter Twenty-One: Feigning Illness to Test the Waters
A few days after the banquet, Shangguan Che came to the mansion and said he wanted to see Shen Qianyu.
"What? Shangguan Che is here? He wants to see me?!" Shen Qianyu was filled with excitement and happiness, her eyes shining with joy as she held Yin Youlan's hand and said.
"Yes, yes!" Yin Youlan was also excited, as if she could already see Shen Qianyu becoming Shangguan Che's concubine.
The two were completely immersed in joy, as if they could see boundless power and wealth.
"Yu'er, I will send someone to reply to him. You are not well yet." Shen Lingyun looked at Shen Qianyu and said with a frown.
"Why?! My hand is almost healed!" Shen Qianyu immediately objected. Ever since she saw Shangguan Che at the Hundred Families Banquet, she had missed him every day and wished she could rush into his arms immediately. But now Shen Lingyun wouldn't let her see him.
"Can you move around and play the piano now?" Shen Lingyun asked.
“You can move around, but it will take some time before you can play the piano.” Shen Qianyu immediately understood her father’s meaning, and her face fell.
"Alright, Yu'er, he will definitely come again in the future. You just need to take good care of your injuries." Shen Lingyun's attitude towards Shen Qianyu has also improved a lot. After all, she is now a bargaining chip to win over Shangguan Che.
Shen Qianmo watched the family's harmonious scene, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips. "Enjoy yourselves while you can; your retribution will come soon."
Half a month later, Shangguan Che arrived at the Prime Minister's residence again. This time, Shen Qianyu's hand injury had almost healed. She dressed up in her finest clothes, like a bride-to-be, and excitedly went out to see Shangguan Che.
"Third Prince!" Shen Qianyu said, her voice filled with shyness and excitement.
"Miss Qianyu," Shangguan Che said politely, but a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. Was this woman really the one who could play such heavenly music?
"I heard your song last time, Miss, and it has stayed with me ever since. I wonder if I would have the honor of hearing it again today?" Shangguan Che asked gently, a tender smile in his eyes.
"It is my honor." Shen Qianyu immediately smiled. Playing the zither was Shen Qianyu's forte. Although she could not play a piece as majestic as Shen Qianmo's, she could still play other pieces. She believed that she would not disappoint Shangguan Che.
Phoenix Cry was quickly brought over. Shen Qianmo watched indifferently as Shen Lingyun took Phoenix Cry from her hands, and then watched Shen Qianyu sit down at the zither.
"Who is this?" Shangguan Che asked, his gaze falling on Shen Qianmo.
The woman before me had very ordinary features, almost forgettable at first glance. Her loose white dress concealed her body, making it impossible to discern her figure. Yet, despite this, she possessed a mysterious charm that drew people's attention.
"This is my younger sister, Qianmo," Shen Qianyu said gently, but her gaze towards Shen Qianmo held a hint of resentment.
Shen Qianmo paid no attention to the resentment in Shen Qianyu's eyes, nor to Shangguan Che's scrutiny. He simply left calmly. Shen Qianyu's music would never please Shangguan Che. It would be up to Shen Qianyu to decide how to handle the situation.
Shangguan Che's eyes followed the direction Shen Qianmo had left. Was she the woman who had dressed so gaudyly at the Hundred Families Banquet last time? Today, she seemed quite ethereal. Although she wasn't particularly beautiful, she possessed a strange charm that attracted him.
Suddenly recalling the fleeting glimpse he had seen at the banquet, Shangguan Che found himself surprisingly interested in this plain-looking eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family.
As the music began, Shangguan Che's attention returned to the woman in front of him.
Shen Qianyu played a gentle Jiangnan folk song. Her musical skills were quite good, and the Jiangnan folk song was played very beautifully. However, Shangguan Che's brows were deeply furrowed.
No! Absolutely not! That opera performance by the woman in front of him that day was definitely not played! No wonder he felt she lacked a certain charisma! No wonder he didn't feel that awe when he looked at her!
"I wonder if the Third Prince is satisfied?" Shen Qianyu looked at Shangguan Che with infinite shyness, her eyes filled with deep affection.
"Would you mind playing the Jiangshan Opera again, Miss?" Shangguan Che's smile remained gentle as he wanted to confirm once more whether the woman before him was indeed the one who had played the zither that day.
"Okay." A hint of hatred and panic flashed in Shen Qianyu's eyes! Shangguan Che had always been obsessed with that Jiangshan Opera! How could she not hate him? And that Jiangshan Opera wasn't even played by her; how could she not panic!