If I were born again, I would marry a strong but short-lived husband.

Old Madam Shen is old and doesn't like to go out much, so she didn't follow Shen Sui'an to Prince Kang's Mansion.

Shen Sui'an only went to the banquet at Prince Kang's mansion with Jiang.

Prince Kang is a cousin of the Emperor. He does not hold any official position. He was a playboy when he was young. Now that he is middle-aged, he is an old playboy raising a young playboy son.

It would not arouse any suspicion in the palace, and he would be a rich and noble prince, happy and free.

Today's banquet is the Snow Joy Banquet hosted by Prince Kang.

Men and women sat at the same table, eating and drinking together, occasionally appreciating the snow and writing poems. It was a popular outdoor gathering in the royal capital.

Although Princess Kang had invited the ladies from noble families today, everyone's attention was on Shen Sui'an.

When the maid at the door reported that Princess Chen had arrived.

The originally bustling garden fell silent the moment the report was heard, and everyone's eyes turned towards the hanging flower gate.

"Princess Jinyun, I heard that the Princess of Chen is jealous and vying for favor, and is harsh to concubines. I don't know what the Prince of Chen sees in her that he refused the Emperor's marriage to him for you." A pretty woman in yellow clothes whispered while covering her mouth at the table.

Next to her was a pretty girl wearing a bright red long skirt embroidered with a pattern of green clouds, passionflowers, and peacocks. She was none other than the famous Princess Jinyun of the royal capital, and the eldest princess's legitimate daughter, deeply loved by the emperor.

Hearing Huang Bizhu's words, Princess Jinyun's beautiful eyes slightly raised, "How do you know that I will definitely agree?"

The Prince of Chen only has the identity of a prince, but he grew up like a beggar. He must be very vulgar and different from the children brought up by a real aristocratic family.

Why would she compete with other women for such a man?

A young woman appeared in the Chuihua Gate. Princess Jinyun glanced at her and a sneer flashed in her eyes. She was nothing more than that.

I am of average appearance and not worthy of being compared with her.

Just as she was thinking about it, the woman moved aside and politely saluted the person behind her.

The woman was wearing a willow-yellow skirt embroidered with an oil-green twined-branch pattern. She had a slim figure, except for a slightly bulging belly. She had a delicate face and beautiful eyebrows, and her demeanor was like the beauty of the clouds and the moon.

Huang Bizhu exclaimed softly, "As expected of the Shen family's eldest daughter, she is indeed a model of a noble lady."

Princess Jinyun's face darkened.

"Meet Princess Chen."

The people around her knew her identity and bowed to her.

Princess Kang took the initiative to step forward and said, "I've heard that Princess Chen is a rare beauty. I thought that I've lived for so many years and I've seen all kinds of beauties. But after seeing you today, I realize that I was really ignorant before."

Shen Sui'an felt a little embarrassed by the flattery, "Aunt Princess, you are too kind to me. I am just a weakling, how can I be worthy of your praise?"

"I'm not the only one who thinks so." Princess Kang was plump and round-faced, and her smile was even more amiable and approachable.

She greeted Jiang again.

Jiang bowed and said, "Princess Kang."

"Mrs. Shen, Princess Chen, come, please take a seat."

"Today we are sitting around the fire enjoying the snow. To add to the fun, we have people make ice sculptures in all kinds of shapes." Princess Kang said with a smile.

When Shen Sui'an saw the ice sculptures in the garden, he sighed that Prince Kang and his wife really understood how to live.

Everyone's eyes followed Shen Sui'an, and they secretly sighed at Prince Chen's luck.

You have to know that when the eldest daughter of the Shen family married Prince Chen, he was still a bastard whose biological mother was unknown. At that time, Shen Sui'an had no idea that she would marry a prince.

It seems that Prince Chen is unwilling to marry another woman as a way of repaying Shen Sui'an for marrying him and staying with him forever.

"Aunt, I'm new to the royal capital. If there's anything I don't understand, I hope you'll have pity on me and give me more advice." Shen Sui'an said softly.

Princess Kang patted the back of her hand and said, "If there is anything you don't understand, I will tell you everything I know."

Shen Sui'an showed a look of gratitude.

When Princess Jinyun heard this, a faint smile of contempt appeared on her lips.

Princess Kang was a very versatile person. She didn't want to offend either the Queen or Concubine Liu, and wanted to maintain the same relationship with both sides.

After inviting Shen Sui'an and Jiang to sit down, she started talking to the people around her.

"Princess Chen, this is our favorite Bo Xia Gong at the Xixue Banquet. I wonder if this way of eating it can be found in the capital?" Huang Bizhu asked with a smile.

Shen Suian lowered his eyes and glanced at the furnace on the table.

Half of the pot of water has been boiled, with delicate slices of meat placed around it. This should be thinly sliced ​​rabbit meat, marinated with wine, sauce and pepper. After the water boils, the rabbit meat is placed in the pot and "cooked".

Shen Sui'an picked up a piece and ate it. "This rabbit meat is tender and delicious. It makes people want more."

Isn't this just hot pot? But everyone has their own way of eating it.

The so-called "Boxia Gong" in the royal capital is just a nicer name.

Huang Biju smiled bitterly.

"I feel a little bored, let's go out for a walk." Jinyun whispered to Huang Biju.

"Okay." Huang Bizhu stood up immediately.

Shen Sui'an glanced at Jinyun. Was it an illusion? Why did she feel that this girl had an inexplicable hostility towards her?

Qing Su introduced in Shen Sui'an's ear, "Princess, this is Princess Jinyun, the daughter of the eldest princess."

"Oh." Shen Suian memorized the family tree of the Southern Dynasty.

The eldest princess's husband is from the royal family, and the combination of the royal family and the aristocratic family has always been a means of consolidating power.

This Princess Jinyun grew up in a wealthy family.

But didn’t Qingsu say that the eldest princess and the queen have a good relationship? Then Princess Jinyun shouldn’t be hostile to her just because of the second prince.

Let’s ask Qingsu after the banquet is over.

In order to help her adapt to interacting with various families as quickly as possible, the Queen Mother asked Qing Su to continue to stay by Shen Sui'an's side and serve him, which really helped Shen Sui'an a lot.

Jiang had originally just planned to go through the motions today and accompany her daughter to deal with everyone.

Not long after she sat down, quite a few people came to interact with her.

However, his words were meant to inquire about Shen Sui'an's preferences, and he was also trying to find out whether Shen Sui'an was willing to take a concubine for Prince Chen.

It is obvious that he wants to send his daughter to be a concubine.

It was an eye-opener.

Those who can attend the banquet must be from aristocratic families, and some of them are even eager to send their daughters to be concubines.

"Sui Sui, I have never seen ice sculptures before. Do you want to go and see them?" Jiang asked Shen Sui'an in a low voice.

After eating the "Boxia Gong", everyone started playing games in groups of two or three.

"Princess, do you want to go to the garden to play pot-tossing?" Princess Kang asked with a smile.

Shen Sui'an smiled and said, "I'm not feeling well right now, so I'll just go for a walk."

Princess Kang stood up and said, "I will accompany you, Princess."

It is hard to refuse the host's hospitality.

Although the garden of Prince Kang's Palace is not as good as that of Prince Chen's Palace, it is also elegant everywhere. It is covered with winter snow, plum branches stand proudly, and the fragrance floats in the cold wind.

Not to mention the various ice sculptures in the park. At night, lighting candles in the ice sculptures creates an even more beautiful sight.

When Shen Sui'an stood up, he bumped into the hand of the maid next to him, and the tea spilled on her skirt.

The maid turned pale with fear, "Princess, spare me."