After giving her contraceptives, she went mad, criticizing the prince for turning white-haired overn

Shen Wan failed to grasp the deeper meaning behind Shen Ning's words for a moment.

But after returning from Putuo Temple, this second sister did treat her much more gently.

Not only did they teach the doctor a lesson, but they also punished him for trying to ruin her reputation.

Even her unruly maid, Baoqin, was dealt with along with her.

Now, most of Shen Wan's resentment towards her second sister has dissipated.

She gently gripped the cloak and whispered, "Wan'er, listen to your elder sister."

"Um."

"The Prince of Huainan will be attending the spring hunt today. Would you like to see him?"

Shen Wan blushed whenever the name of the Prince of Huainan was mentioned.

"Why did Second Sister suddenly bring this up?"

"Although I was engaged to him, we didn't have much contact."

Shen Ning sighed softly, picked up a wooden comb, and gently combed Shen Wan's long hair.

Shen Wan's chilblains have improved a lot in the past few days, and she seems more energetic.

With Ziyu serving in the courtyard, things weren't too badly off.

But human nature is unpredictable; the Shen family is full of wolves, tigers, leopards, demons, and snakes.

No one knows when the second wife will have another bad idea.

Now, Yu's adulterer and illegitimate daughter have come knocking on her door.

The Yu family and Shen Rou will definitely try their best to find a good marriage for Yu Jingshu in Yanjing City.

They will also scheme to seize the best resources of the Shen family and give them to Yu Jingshu.

"In Yanjing, countless eyes are fixed on the heir of the Prince of Huainan."

Shen Ning's tone turned serious, "I'm just afraid that something might happen during today's spring hunt."

"Wan'er, if you encounter any trouble at the hunting grounds, be sure to tell your elder sister immediately."

"Especially the verification process."

Shen Wan nodded obediently: "Second sister, I know."

"Wan'er is only proficient in playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting; she is really unfamiliar with riding and archery."

Every spring, His Majesty would select one lady from among the young ladies to compete in archery and horsemanship with three other men, with the winner being the grand prize.

"I've heard that His Majesty is very likely to bestow additional rewards this year."

"I'm afraid that I'll be the one they pick and make me look bad."

Shen Ning looked calmly at the little girl with an oval face in the mirror.

I thought of the spring hunt in my past life.

In her previous life, she did not go on the spring hunt.

However, news of Shen Wan's embarrassment at the spring hunt spread throughout the entire capital of Yanjing.

Behind this, there must have been scheming by the second wife and those in the palace with ulterior motives.

"Wan'er, don't be afraid, your older sister is here."

"But doesn't my elder sister also lack riding and archery skills?" Shen Wan asked.

Shen Ning smiled faintly and inserted a hairpin into her hair.

"Who says I can't?"

"Maybe my older sister really will."

Shen Wan was skeptical: "Sister is lying."

"You and I both grew up secluded in our chambers, and you've never even ridden a horse, let alone ridden one or two."

"Among all the people in our Marquis's mansion, only my eldest sister is skilled in riding and archery."

"Her horse is also the best in the manor."

"Look at the horses we were given; they're all listless, as if they've been drugged."

Indeed, the Yu family has put in a lot of effort for Shen Rou over the years.

In the entire Shen family, only Shen Rou is skilled in riding and archery.

She was hailed as the most talented woman in Yanjing (Beijing) not only because she won first place in the annual poetry competition.

Furthermore, unlike other pampered young ladies, she was skilled in riding and archery.

For this reason, over the years, when outsiders mention the eldest branch of the Shen family, they often only remember Shen Rou.

Although she and her third sister were also beautiful, their reputations outside were quite bad.

They said she and Shen Wan were two beautiful but incompetent fools, and couldn't be compared to Shen Rou at all.

Over the years, the two sisters have always been overshadowed by Shen Rou.

Shen Rou now holds the identity of the eldest daughter of the main branch of the family.

The eyes of the powerful and influential in Yanjing were naturally focused on her.

But this status as the eldest legitimate daughter was something she and Madam Yu had stolen.

Shen Ning sighed.

Where are the children my mother gave birth to now?

and……

She remembered the dream she had the day before.

In my dream, was the woman whose limbs were bound by iron chains and imprisoned in the dungeon really my mother?

Is my mother still alive?

If he were alive, where would he be now?

She must find a way to win first place in the spring hunt.

This year's spring hunt will likely reward the winner with rare treasures, and His Majesty will also bestow upon him many gold and silver ornaments.

With that money, she could get someone to find out the cause of her mother's death.

Also, find the true eldest daughter of the Shen family's main branch.

"Second sister, what are you thinking about?"

Shen Wan's voice pulled Shen Ning back to reality.

She looked at the girl in the mirror and spoke softly.

"It's nothing, I just suddenly thought of my mother."

"Wan'er, if you are scared today, let your elder sister draw first during the card-drawing ceremony."

Shen Wan nodded in agreement: "Mm."

After finishing Shen Wan's makeup, Shen Ning took the cloak and returned to her Zhaohua Courtyard.

The bronze mirror reflected the girl's wet eyes.

Shen Ning thought of Jing'er from her past life, those dark, grape-like eyes, and her heart felt like it was being pricked by needles.

If Shen Rou hadn't planted poison in her body in her past life, Jing'er wouldn't have gotten sick or died.

Having been reborn for so long, she still hasn't found a doctor to cure her poisoning.

I'm afraid we'll have to wait until after the spring hunt.

A short while later, Bai Zhi pushed open the door and entered.

"Miss, the eldest young master is back."

Upon hearing that her elder brother Shen Yan had returned to the manor, Shen Ning was overjoyed.

My elder brother must have rushed back to Yanjing to participate in the annual spring hunt.

"I'm going to see my older brother."

Her elder brother would face a calamity during the spring hunt, and she had to remind him one last time.

Shen Ning put on the red fox fur cloak, the snow-white fur making her small face look like jade.

Her skin appeared snow-white even in dim light.

She quickly tidied her hair and makeup, then headed straight for Moxiang Residence, where Shen Yan was.

Upon entering Moxianju, a chill immediately hits you.

Several maids and servants were sweeping and cleaning outside.

As soon as Shen Ning stepped into the courtyard, she saw that they were all meek and submissive, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Shen Ning was somewhat puzzled.

Shen Yan has always been gentle and kind to others.

Why do these maids and servants look somewhat afraid?

Without thinking much of it, she assumed Shen Yan had gotten up when she saw the door to the side room was open.

"Big brother?"

"Brother, Ning'er has something to tell you."

Shen Ning went into the house but didn't see Shen Yan, and she became a little anxious.

"Brother, where did he go?"

Just as she was about to leave the room, she sensed that something was wrong inside.

A familiar yet dangerous aura swept over me.

She quickly turned her head and looked to her right.

In the dimly lit corner, you could see...

A tall, slender figure leaned back in a chair.

The man wore a dark cloak with flowing patterns on his clothes, and the four-clawed dragon pattern was faintly visible in the dim light.

A pair of dark, cold eyes stared intently at him.

A sliver of light streamed in through the window, falling on his sharply defined profile, adding a touch of mystery.

Shen Ning's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively tried to back away.

But then the person in the chair spoke casually.

"Long time no see, Miss Shen."

"Xie Linyuan, how...how could you..."

"Ning'er, how dare you address His Highness by his given name! You deserve a beating!"

Just then, Shen Yan entered from outside the door, holding a scroll in his hand.

He reached out and gently tapped Shen Ning's head.

Seeing Shen Ning's pale face, looking as if she had been frightened by Xie Linyuan, Shen Yan couldn't help but chuckle.

He turned to look at Xie Linyuan.

"Look at you, you living devil! You've scared my sister half to death!"

"but……"

He raised an eyebrow and sized up Shen Ning and Xie Linyuan, his gaze shifting between the two.

"Ning'er and His Highness seem to have known each other for a long time? I don't think so..."

Xie Linyuan smiled calmly.

"I have only met Miss Shen a few times at the Shen family home, and we are not acquainted."

Not familiar with each other?

Shen Ning sneered inwardly.

Who was it that bothered her for two whole hours at Putuo Temple that day?

She remained calm and said indifferently, "Your Highness is right."

"Your Highness the Regent holds a high position and wields great power; I, your humble daughter, dare not presume to be worthy of such a position."

"Your Highness is an exceptional person, with extraordinary talent and great fortune."

"You will surely find a good match in the future and have a happy and fulfilling life."

The more Shen Yan listened, the stranger Shen Ning's words seemed.

Xie Linyuan, sitting in the chair, had an increasingly deep gaze.

Shen Yan smiled and said, "That's true."

"My sister has been staying at home all year round, and His Highness rarely visits the Shen family. I was just overthinking it."

He turned to Shen Ning.

"Ning'er, what brings you to see your brother today?"

"I...I..." Shen Ning gently bit her thin lips, glancing at the tall, slender figure on the chair out of the corner of her eye.

He swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

She had intended to remind Shen Yan today that he must be careful during the spring hunt.

But Xie Linyuan is here.

If she were to say it, it would surely arouse his suspicion.

Let him realize that she has also been reborn.

"I……"

"What's wrong?" Shen Yan raised an eyebrow.

"Is it because His Highness is here that you are hesitant to speak?"