Don't be tempted, sir

Within a few days, visiting cards and invitations came in one after another from various mansions. It was difficult to accept one from each, so I ended up accepting none of them.

Old Madam Shen couldn't stop smiling, "This girl Yining has received so many visiting invitations just after she came of age. Her reputation for beauty has spread...hahahaha".

Mrs. Shen continued, "At the banquet that day, I politely declined many requests for my fortune."

Madam Shen smiled and said, "Changqing is lucky now! He got there first. When my son was on his way back to Beijing from the battle, he met Changqing. He felt sorry for the lonely little kid, so he took him home and raised him as his own son and included him in the family tree. As a result, when Yi Ning was born, he smiled at Changqing, and when he grew up, he was like a little tail to him. It was fate."

"Yes! Although Changqing is not my biological child, I have brought him with me since he came home and watched him grow up. When Yining was born, Yongzhou was still fighting fiercely. My husband and Changjun were fighting hard on the battlefield, and I was caught off guard. At that time, Changqing ran out to find a doctor regardless of the war. He was such a small baby! I burst into tears when he brought the doctor and the midwife... I still remember that he grabbed my hand and said: Mother, don't be afraid! With me here, you and the baby in your belly will be safe. Without Changqing at that time, there would be no Yining and me." Mrs. Shen covered her face with a handkerchief as she recalled, feeling sad but fortunate.

"Yes! The children I have watched grow up are all good kids. If Yi Ning married someone else, I would be worried. Now it's great that we are related! By the way, have you received any letters? When will you be back?"

"Not yet. I estimate that there will be a letter in the next few days. I, the daughter-in-law, will read it to my mother as soon as I get it. But there is one more thing. Although I have declined all the invitations from other families, it is difficult to refuse the invitation from the eldest princess to appreciate the flowers, so I have to accept it."

"Then let's take on a few more! Take on a few of both medium, high and low quality. Don't let others say we are being picky. Go ahead and get busy! You don't have to come and pay your respects every day. Rushan is not at home, and it's hard work for you to run things. I'll send someone to call you if I have anything to do."

"Okay, then the daughter-in-law will get busy." Mrs. Shen stood up and bowed.

In the following days, Shen Yining began to attend banquets from one family to another.

------

"Princess, the Shen family has accepted the invitation sent by the eldest princess," said Princess Rong'an's personal maid.

Rong An looked at himself in the mirror and raised the hairpin on top of his head. "Hmph, I don't think the Shen family would dare to refuse to accept it."

The maidservant at the side took advantage of her power and replied, "Yes! Other families refused to accept him when we invited him, but the princess's mansion accepted him immediately. I'm afraid he is someone who wants to curry favor with the princess and the county lady."

Rong An was a little envious and said, "I heard that everyone who went there that day said that she was as beautiful as a fairy. I want to see how she looked like a fairy and how she dared to let Lord Song comb her hair. Go and get the light pink silk skirt that I just made a few days ago."

A maidservant went to get it, and the personal maid praised her, "It doesn't matter if you look like a fairy. You still have to nod and bow in front of the princess. Princess, don't worry! I will comb your hair into a more elegant and lively bun."

Qizhu said in the carriage, "Yining, you really are going to be married. You always look so casual every time you go out."

Shen Yining looked at Qizhu who was dressed elegantly and delicately. "Oh, sister, this bun is too heavy. I can't stand it if you have to hold it all the time. I like to be casual and relaxed like this. Besides, we are going to the princess' banquet now, so I'd better keep a low profile. It's troublesome to be too prominent."

Qizhu affirmed, "That's right. The princess has liked Lord Song for a long time! She even went to the palace earlier to ask His Majesty to marry her to Lord Song. It's a pity that she was in a hurry to get married, but Lord Song didn't want her. You must follow me closely today! I will take care of you if anything happens."

Shen Yining agreed obediently.

"We have arrived at the mansion, ladies, please get out of the car."

The two sisters got off the carriage with the help of a maid, who handed the invitation to the servant at the door and let them in.

Led by the servant, the two sisters came to a pavilion in the garden called Wangshu. "The pavilion for the two young ladies is here. Please wait for some tea and snacks. The banquet will start soon."

Qizhu explained, "This suburban mansion was awarded to the princess by His Majesty. It is named 'Hua Xi Garden'. As the name suggests, there are many flowers and plants. There are pavilions standing among the mountains. Each pavilion is not far from the others, but they are relatively independent among the flowers and plants, each with its own scenery, such as 'Wang Shu', 'Fu Guang', 'Shu Ying', 'Yao Fang', 'Luo Su', 'Han Shang' and many more."

"Princess, we have arrived and arranged to stay at Wangshu Pavilion," the servant reported.

Rong An said calmly, "Let's go and take a look."

Princess Rong'an walked slowly to Wangshu Pavilion. People from other pavilions nearby came out to greet her. Qizhu and Shen Yining were no exception and came out to greet her.

Princess Rong'an returned the gift, and some young sisters came forward to praise Rong'an's hairstyle and dress today.

"The princess is as pretty as a peach in spring and as pure as a chrysanthemum in autumn. She looks really beautiful with the flowers in the garden."

"Yes, yes, the princess's waist is as willow-like as a spring breeze, and all the birds follow the fragrance."

"The princess just walked over with such graceful and delicate steps, so graceful and exquisite that they are unparalleled in the world."

Rong An was in a good mood at the moment. "Okay, okay, all the sisters are beautiful." He seemed to be looking for something in the crowd and asked, "I heard that the younger sister of the Shen family just came of age recently and is attending this kind of banquet for the first time. Where is she now? Why is there no one here?"

Shen Yining had been hiding behind the crowd, and was a little surprised when her name was called. She stepped forward steadily and whispered softly, "Shen Yining, the daughter of the Shen family, greets the princess. Long live the princess!"

The people in front of him made way for her one after another. Rong An followed the crowd and took a look. She really was like a fairy. Damn it! How could she be so beautiful even without any makeup?

"You just attended your first banquet after coming of age. Get to know the other sisters better so that you won't feel awkward when you meet them in the future."

"Yes, thank you for hosting the banquet, Princess."

Some of them were like nectar collecting from flowers, greeting Shen Yining warmly, while some were too disdainful to do anything and just admired the flowers on their own.

Everyone was talking at once, “I am…”

Shen Yining was a little dazed and quickly replied: "Hello, sisters. I hope all the sisters are well."