The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

The second spring banquet was held at the most spacious Linhua Terrace in the Imperial Garden. Its scale was far greater than the first one. The guests were all direct descendants of high-ranking officials of the first and second ranks in the capital, each dressed in fine clothes and exuding extraordinary demeanor.

The lowest threshold was being born into a family of a fourth-rank official, while someone like Sun Hongwen didn't even have the qualifications to step through the palace gates.

At the head of the Linhua Terrace, Shen Wangxi and Wulan Yun sat side by side.

Shen Wangxi had a cool and aloof demeanor, exuding natural authority, while Wu Lanyun was radiant and beautiful; the two were like a perfect couple.

Below them, Shen Jingyan was having a pleasant conversation with Xiao Yu, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo.

Shen Yinian also sat to the side. Today he was wearing a moon-white long robe and occasionally whispered a few words to a young man who looked like a scholar next to him.

This family of four, of exceptional status, was the center of attention.

The young men and women of noble families below the stage chatted and laughed, but no matter how generous they appeared, their eyes held a careful, obsequious flattery of those in power.

Shen Qingruo was also summoned.

She was wearing a light blue belted long dress and sat quietly near the edge, her head bowed and eyes downcast, as if she were just an outsider who had to go through the motions.

Shen Qingruo thought she was an invisible person who went unnoticed.

However, while Shen Wangxi was whispering to Wulan Yun from his seat, his eyes would occasionally sweep over that quiet figure. Seeing her sitting alone in the corner, her loneliness out of place with the lively surroundings, filled him with worry.

During a break in his conversation with Shen Jingyan, Xiao Yu couldn't help but glance over there out of the corner of his eye.

That day, I caught a glimpse of the girl in the Taiji Hall, and her elegant and unparalleled figure was imprinted in my mind. Now, seeing her all alone, I felt a pang of pity.

Even some scions of prominent families who were seeing her for the first time couldn't help but secretly cast their gazes at her.

The banquet was halfway through.

The marriage between Shen Jingyan and Xiao Yu was tentatively settled amidst the tacit understanding between the Emperor and Empress.

Wu Lanyun's smile deepened, while Shen Jingyan was radiant with pride, her eyes and brows beaming with joy.

Just then, Wulan Yun turned her gaze to the corner and said with concern, "Speaking of which, Qingruo is not young anymore. Now that Ayan's marriage is settled, I think it would be better to have a double celebration."

She smiled at Shen Wangxi, her voice gentle and considerate: "Your Majesty, although Qingruo is not our biological daughter, she has called you Father Emperor for so many years. I thought, since all the talented men in the capital are here today, why not choose a good match for her and bestow a marriage upon her?" "Then the two princesses' residences can be built side by side, so the sisters can look after each other. Wouldn't that be a beautiful story?"

She paused, and before Shen Wangxi could react, she looked at the crowd below the stage, her voice gentle: "I wonder if any young gentlemen present today are willing to marry our Princess Qingruo?"

There was a moment of silence after he finished speaking.

All eyes, whether open or hidden, were focused on that emerald-green figure.

Shen Qingruo lowered her long eyelashes, concealing the coldness in her eyes.

Ulan Yun was so intolerant of her that she didn't even inform her beforehand.

Shen Jingyan couldn't help but smile.

Shen Wangxi was taken aback by his wife's sudden act of kindness and remained in a daze for a long time.

If it weren't for that night at Taiji Hall, he might have thought Wulan Yun's suggestion was reasonable, and might even have nodded without hesitation.

But now, the thought of her whimpering beneath him that night as he violated her, and the thought of another man taking her place just like him, fills her with an overwhelming sense of unease.

Shen Wangxi wanted to tear that man to pieces almost instantly, and not allow him to lay a finger on his woman.

But what gives him the right to do this?

He couldn't give her a proper status, nor could he give her a bright future. He could only try to cover up the absurdity of that night.

What right does he have to stop her from getting married and keep her trapped in this deep palace for the rest of her life, in a state of confusion and uncertainty?

Reason and desire clashed fiercely in my mind.

Shen Wangxi subconsciously glanced towards that corner.

Just then, as if sensing his presence, Shen Qingruo raised her eyes and looked at him.

Eyes facing each other.

Shen Wangxi saw the sadness in her eyes.

Why is she sad? Is it because she doesn't want to get married?

Or do you think he tacitly approved of this, or even instructed him to do so?

Shen Wangxi felt a stab in his heart.

He couldn't wait to take her to Qingyi Palace right now and tell her that he had never intended to marry her off.

But Shen Wangxi glanced at his wife beside him, who had already spoken first, and decided that he did not want to refute Ayun in public, so he could only sit on the high platform and remain silent.