Chapter 22: This Is How Reputations Are Ruined

(Page 1 of 3)

“But didn’t you tell me not to say whatever I wanted in front of a crowd? Last time I said one thing too many, and you ignored me for three whole days. I was afraid to speak again.”

Shen Xianyue tugged timidly at Qu Shiying’s sleeve, looking utterly pitiful.

“From now on, I’ll only say what you want me to say, all right? Please don’t be angry with me.”

Qu Shiying was completely stunned. “Xianyue, you... What’s wrong with you today? Why are you saying such nonsense?”

“I’m not. I’m only doing as you told me. Are you dissatisfied with me again? Then I’ll change, all right?”

The sudden performance left everyone staring.

“Stop acting. Who doesn’t know how overbearing you usually are? And now you’re putting on this innocent act.”

“Don’t think that just because Shiying is kind-hearted, you can bully her like this.”

In truth, Shen Xianyue had never bullied her. She had always let down her guard around Qu Shiying, believing everything she said. In Qu Shiying’s eyes, she was probably just this foolish.

Shen Xianyue said nothing. She merely cast a timid glance at Qu Shiying before quickly lowering her head.

Qu Shiying looked at her with some surprise. Shen Xianyue did seem a little different today. But with the birthday banquet about to begin, allowing the stalemate to continue was hardly appropriate. She had no choice but to step forward and smooth things over.

“All right, you are all my friends, and all of you were invited guests. Let’s take our seats first.”

Today, Qu Shiying was the hostess, so naturally, she had the final say. Everyone readily gave her face and let the matter drop.

Only Princess Changning walked up to Shen Xianyue with her lips pursed.

“Don’t bully Shiying again, do you hear me?”

When she saw the people around them gradually disperse, Shen Xianyue raised her head and looked with some amusement at the guileless princess before her.

“May I ask, Your Highness, are you very close to Qu Shiying?”

“What does it matter to you who I am close to? I simply cannot stand watching you bully others. I intend to protect the weak.”

Shen Xianyue had reached her conclusion: this was an innocent princess who spent her days cherishing lofty ideals, dreaming of restoring justice throughout the realm, yet did not even understand the darker side of human nature.

She did not dislike people like that.

(Page 2 of 3)

“Then Your Highness should keep your eyes open and carefully determine who is truly the weaker party—and who is merely a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

With that, Shen Xianyue gave a half-curtsy and took Yingxia to find a quiet place to sit.

The rest of the proceedings were long and tedious, consisting of little more than words of blessing. In her former life, Shen Xianyue might have been moved by them, or allowed herself to dream of the life ahead. But now, her heart was a stagnant pool.

Once the formalities were over, the banquet was served in a continuous procession of dishes. With the elders no longer present, everyone relaxed considerably. They gathered in small groups to chat or admired the beautiful scenery in the garden.

Before long, people began presenting their birthday gifts. Qu Shiying had most of them sent to the storeroom by her maidservants. Only Shen Xianyue’s gift did she cradle in her hands as though it were a precious treasure.

“I promised Xianyue that hers would be the only gift I opened here, so I won’t look at the others now. Thank you all for your kindness.”

At once, everyone’s attention returned to Shen Xianyue—some envious, others jealous.

“You won’t look at my gift either?” Princess Changning’s beautiful eyes widened. “Does that mean I am worth even less to you than Shen Xianyue?”

Shen Xianyue felt a headache coming on. Qu Shiying truly could not bear to see her enjoy a moment of peace. She had actually placed such a loaded accusation upon her.

“Of course not. Your Highness is beyond precious. It’s only that I promised Xianyue. Otherwise, I would be breaking my word.”

A troubled expression appeared on Qu Shiying’s face as she glanced hesitantly at Shen Xianyue.

“I don’t remember ever making such a promise, Shiying. Are you sure you haven’t mistaken me for someone else? I remember that when I gave you a gift last time, you said you didn’t like it and threw it straight into the storeroom.”

If Qu Shiying could pretend, so could she.

“I don’t care,” Princess Changning declared as usual, imperious as ever. “Since you looked at hers, you must look at mine too. Otherwise, you’re looking down on me.”

Yet this time, Shen Xianyue found the princess’s domineering attitude strangely comforting.

So she did not look down on me. She looks down on everyone equally.

Just as Qu Shiying was struggling to respond, a group of people suddenly entered from outside. The moment she saw the man at their head, a radiant smile spread across her face.

“Brother Xiao, what brings you here?”

Shen Xianyue’s back stiffened at the sound of it. The Grand Madam had not even allowed Xiao Liyang to leave his courtyard these past few days, yet today she had permitted him to attend Qu Shiying’s birthday banquet. What that implied was self-evident.

Perhaps the match between Xiao Liyang and Qu Shiying in her previous life had been brought about by many different forces.

(Page 3 of 3)

And perhaps she had merely served as the sacrificial pawn in it all. Or could it be that Xiao Liyang and the Grand Madam had known about all the suffering she endured?

Did this mean that even if Qu Shiying had never acted against her, she would still have died in the Marquis of Zhenbei’s residence? After all, the Grand Madam would never permit a powerless woman to occupy the position of heir’s wife.

The more Shen Xianyue thought about it, the colder her back grew. It was as though some enormous conspiracy were slowly rising to the surface.

Everyone’s attention was drawn by Qu Shiying’s cry. Holding up her skirts, she hurried to Xiao Liyang with a smile as radiant as a blooming flower.

“I knew Brother Xiao would come today. Is it because you brought me a birthday gift?”

Since he was a man, Qu Jingxuan had accompanied him. Seeing his younger sister behave this way, he could not help feeling somewhat displeased.

“Shiying, no matter how happy you are, you should show a little restraint.”

Qu Jingxuan knew something of his sister’s feelings, as well as the intentions of the adults in both households, so he had tacitly accepted Qu Shiying’s behavior. In his eyes, the Marquis of Zhenbei’s household was not a bad place for her to marry into.

Although he did not often associate with Xiao Liyang, the young heir had no struggle for power or status within his family. He was also an upright man, and surely would not mistreat his sister.

Xiao Liyang looked around absentmindedly. When he failed to find the person he was looking for, a trace of disappointment crossed his face.

“Brother Xiao, what’s wrong? You look so distracted.”

As though realizing something, Qu Shiying hurriedly turned to the others.

“You may go on and enjoy yourselves. There’s no need to wait here for me.”

There were so many people present. If any of them took a liking to Brother Xiao, would that not mean she had gained a whole host of unnecessary rivals?

Only after most of the people around them had dispersed did Xiao Liyang hand Qu Shiying the wooden box he carried. Then, pretending to ask casually, he said, “Why haven’t I seen Xianyue?”

Qu Shiying’s attention was fixed on the gift. She pointed carelessly in one direction.

“She’s sitting over there.”

Xiao Liyang looked over. In the pavilion, several young ladies from prominent families were gathered around, examining the embroidery patterns on a handkerchief. There was no sign of Shen Xianyue at all.

Seeing his anxious expression, Qu Shiying felt a little displeased, but she still helped search from side to side, murmuring,

“That’s strange. She was clearly here just now. Where could she have gone?”