After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

Shen Lingyi won the top prize at the banquet.

This time, no one dared to question her anymore, and she took the phoenix hairpin in her hand.

As she was admiring the hairpin, a maidservant came over and bowed to her, "Miss Shen, the master requests your presence."

"I?"

Although she was surprised, she was also quite eager to meet the renowned Mr. Tingzhu. According to Xie Chichun, it was her aunt who wanted Xie Chichun to help Shen Lingyi.

Shen Lingyi was very curious about this unprovoked kindness, so she followed the maid to the pavilion.

Red plum blossoms bloom on the branches, their vibrant colors adding a touch of brightness to this cold winter. Windproof screens are hung around the pavilion.

The atmosphere was quiet, with only the crackling of the charcoal fire being heard.

"Sir, Miss Er has arrived."

Looking inside, Xie Guan wasn't sitting alone, listening to the wind and drinking tea; there was another person directly opposite him.

The man looked sickly and would occasionally turn his head to cough, but even so, he couldn't hide his elegant demeanor. Upon closer inspection, his eyebrows and eyes even bore a resemblance to Xu Yanqing.

Shen Lingyi immediately guessed what was going on and stepped forward, saying, "Mr. Tingzhu, Princess Su, you two are hiding here and taking a break. You seem to have quite the leisurely mood."

"See? I told you she wouldn't feel uncomfortable." Xie Guan chuckled and pointed at Princess Su, his familiar tone instantly easing the tension.

"I've long heard of Miss Shen's reputation," said Princess Su, holding her handkerchief. "Indeed, seeing is believing, and rumors shouldn't be taken at face value."

As she said this, she was also sizing up Shen Lingyi. The doubts in her heart dissipated a lot after seeing the person.

She and Xie Guan were close friends.

After returning from the last palace banquet, Xie Guan praised Shen Lingyi highly, which naturally aroused the interest of Princess Su.

Shen Lingyi sat down naturally, in an intimate manner, "Your Highness is meeting me for the first time, but this is not my first time meeting you."

"Oh? Where else have we met?" This question piqued Princess Su's curiosity.

"It was a long time ago. The princess went to Xiangguo Temple to fulfill a vow. His Highness the Crown Prince was also there at the time, but I could only stand on the outside and catch a glimpse of him from afar."

Princess Su's expression immediately turned calm, not because of what Shen Lingyi said, but because she remembered what had happened that time.

She scrutinized Shen Lingyi, a half-smile playing on her lips, and said, "I remember your older sister was there that time too."

Who is Shen Lingyi? She had long noticed that the Princess Consort's attitude towards Shen Tingjiao was not right, so why would she go and invite trouble?

"Yes, she is always inseparable from His Highness."

Princess Su quieted down, then suddenly noticed the phoenix hairpin in Shaoyao's hand. "Did you take the prize just now?"

This time, Xie Guan answered for her: "The Second Miss is exceptionally talented, on par with most women in the capital. I've heard that His Majesty has the idea of ​​establishing a girls' school, so I imagine she will try her luck there."

After saying this, he still felt a little regretful that he hadn't caught up with a good time.

Princess Su was startled and re-examined Shen Lingyi, realizing that she had underestimated her.

It seems that Shen Lingyi is in no way inferior to Shen Tingjiao, which makes the rumors in the capital quite intriguing.

Xie Guan glanced at the Princess Consort of Su, who was deep in thought, and skillfully changed the subject: "I saw you write about spring's depths leading to a place of no return... How did you come up with that line?"

Shen Lingyi chatted with her for a few minutes. Xie Guan had only asked casually, but the conversation became more and more engaging, and they even felt like they had known each other for a long time.

The two were having a lively conversation, but Princess Su was not in a good mood.

Her face had turned pale just now, and even after sitting in this pavilion with its burning charcoal brazier and sheltered tea brewing for so long, her palms hadn't warmed up at all.

Xie Guan squeezed Princess Su's icy wrist, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Why is it so cold? Quickly, have someone bring some more charcoal."

"No need," Princess Su shook her head and handed the slightly cold hot water bottle to the maid beside her. "I've had this problem of being sensitive to cold for several months now. It's not a matter of how much charcoal is used. The imperial physician said that even in the warm spring of March, I'll still feel the same way."

"Isn't there any way?" Xie Guan asked with a very serious expression.

Princess Su shook her head; if she had known a solution earlier, she wouldn't be so worried.

"Actually, I have a divine physician in my household. He was the one who solved the plague in Liangzhou before. I have already recommended him to His Majesty to enter the Imperial Hospital." Shen Lingyi suddenly spoke up, attracting the attention of both of them.

Upon hearing this, Xie Guan seemed to see a glimmer of hope. "Then, Miss Shen, could you perhaps allow him to see Princess Su?"

"never mind……"

Princess Su frowned, worried that the matter would become public knowledge.

The previous dynasty had experienced a witchcraft scandal, which led to the downfall of the powerful Wan clan. Now, Pei Heng has come to power, but many hidden dangers remain in the court. He deeply hates witchcraft.

The princess didn't want to go and pull the tiger's whiskers either.

Shen Lingyi looked over and smiled at her, "Speaking of which, His Highness asked me for help last time. If I had known that the Princess Consort had such troubles, I would have sent the divine physician to the palace to treat you long ago. Why would I have waited until now?"

Princess Su was stunned for a moment, recalling the last time she woke up and asked Xu Yanqing, who was vague and did not tell her who had helped her.

She looked at Shen Lingyi with barely concealed excitement: "Could it be that the person Yan'er mentioned last time, the one who helped me, is actually you, Miss Shen?"

Shen Lingyi admitted it very readily.

Doing good deeds anonymously is not in her nature; she wants everyone to know when she does something good.

Xie Guan laughed when he heard about this, never expecting that there was such a connection between them.

Upon learning that Shen Lingyi was her savior, Princess Su's previous coldness vanished, and she became warm and friendly, immediately ordering someone to go to the palace to select her own treasures for her to take back to the palace.

Before leaving the Xie residence, Xie Guan also said to Shen Lingyi, "Chi Chun is a simpleton, and her father is not careful. As her aunt, I am always afraid that she will be deceived by others without her knowing. Since the second young lady is close to Chi Chun, please take good care of her for me. Consider it a small request on my part."

The woman in green reached out to the maid beside her and suddenly unfurled a scroll.

The scroll depicts beautiful mountains and rivers, as well as a bustling capital city, with delicate and lifelike brushstrokes.

At first glance, it appears to be just a painting, but it clearly shows how many mountains and rivers are outside the city, as well as the villages scattered around them.

Seeing Shen Lingyi staring at the painting, Xie Guan smiled faintly and explained, "My husband loved to travel and collected landscape records from many places, but unfortunately, he couldn't use them in the end because he was trapped in the capital for his entire life."

"This painting is nothing special; I just painted it in mind my late husband's last wishes, and it's meant to be a pastime for the Second Miss in her spare time."

The wheels began to turn, and the carriage swayed and rocked its way toward the General's Mansion.

Inside the carriage, Shen Lingyi stroked the painting, the delicate touch making her even more careful.

No one knows how emotionally charged she was when Xie Guan gave her the painting.

She couldn't see anything special about the peony; to her, it was just a painting. Even Xie Guan himself said it was only good for passing the time.

However, Shen Lingyi valued it highly and specifically instructed: "Hide it after you take it back, and don't show it to anyone."