The pregnant woman pressed down on the wife, and the cousin collapsed into the prince's arms.

After discussing for a long time, the master and servant secretly sent a message to Su Yi'an. Upon hearing the news, Su Yi'an was overjoyed and couldn't wait to take Shen Yunshuang for herself. However, remembering her sister's instructions not to make a fuss, she could only suppress her surging excitement and hold back for the time being.

Time flew by, and on October 26th, it was the birthday of Lady Wang, the wife of the Marquis. Although it was not her birthday, the Marquis's family was of noble birth, and Pei Jingnian was deeply favored by the emperor. So, guests came in an endless stream to offer their birthday wishes, and the scene was very lively.

The mansion's vermilion gates gleamed, and the gilded plaques shone brightly in the sunlight. Outside the gates, one magnificent carriage after another arrived, representing almost every prominent family in the capital.

The maids and servants respectfully stepped forward and welcomed the guests into the Marquis's mansion. After passing through the carved beams and painted rafters of the corridor, they arrived at Fuxi Hall, where Madam Wang lived.

Lady Wang was dressed in a magenta jacket with peony branch patterns, and wore a red gold hairpin inlaid with rubies. Her makeup was dignified and elegant, yet her eyes and brows exuded a friendly and gentle charm. She was talking with some familiar ladies.

The hall had been completely renovated, and several pots of 'Yaohuang Weizi' flowers were arranged in a pleasing manner. The large flowers were layered on top of each other, with glistening dewdrops on them, filling the room with fragrance.

However, all the spring colors in the room couldn't compare to Shen Yunshuang's stunning beauty. Today, Shen Yunshuang wore a light green silk dress embroidered with magnolia flowers. The bright color was like a lake rippling with spring water. Her slender figure and exquisite beauty made her even more beautiful and flawless. The ladies who had never seen her before couldn't help but show their amazement.

Madam Wang pulled Shen Yunshuang to her side, her posture affectionate and doting, praising her endlessly: "My niece is the most filial of all. To celebrate my birthday, she personally embroidered a hundred longevity patterns. Even a daughter couldn't match her thoughtfulness."

Shen Yunshuang listened with a smile, her chin slightly lowered, exuding gentleness and elegance.

Seeing how affectionately Wang Shi treated her niece and always protected her, everyone had their own thoughts. Although her family background was not high, she was still Wang Shi's own niece. Marrying her would mean having an inseparable relationship with the Marquis's family.

For a time, he became much more affectionate towards Shen Yunshuang.

Pei Jingnian entered amidst laughter and chatter, and was involuntarily drawn to the beautiful figure beside his mother. Because of his recent estrangement, he hadn't seen her for a long time, and seeing her again felt like a lifetime had passed.

A faint smile played on her lips, like a secluded orchid, quietly nestled beside her mother, pure and elegant.

He lowered his eyes, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, and stepped forward to greet her: "Please, Mother and all the aunts and sisters-in-law, take your seats."

According to etiquette, men and women do not sit at the same table. The female guests are seated in the flower hall, while the male guests are seated in the outer courtyard.

This birthday banquet was actually organized entirely by Su Wanrou. She was always good at such things, and the banquet was beautifully arranged. In order to please her mother-in-law, she even specially built a stage and invited the most famous opera troupe in the capital, planning to watch the opera after the meal.

She had put so much effort into preparing this birthday banquet for her mother-in-law! Yet, in front of outsiders, her mother-in-law didn't say a single good word about her. Instead, she praised Shen Yunshuang to the skies, asking whether Shen Yunshuang could tell whether she had embroidered the "Hundred Longevity Painting" herself or a maid.

Su Wanrou was already seething with anger, but she managed to suppress it because of what she had to do today.

She turned her head and looked at Zhou's mother with a questioning look. When she saw Zhou's mother nod, she felt a little relieved.

Shen Yunshuang, today, I'll make sure you can never escape my grasp again!

The guests took their seats, and maids carried exquisite soups and snacks among them, filling the air with their fragrance.

Shen Yunshuang looked at the table. The crystal shrimp jelly was crystal clear, the honey-glazed yam and the sweet and glutinous lotus root were soft and sweet. In addition, there were braised duck tongue, pickled plums, clear pigeon soup, egg custard, and white fungus and lily bulbs. All of them were exquisite and light dishes.

She asked Green Bud to serve her a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup, which she drank slowly. At first, the first two sips seemed fine, but from the third sip onwards…

A strange light flashed in Shen Yunshuang's eyes. This smell... it was actually a muscle relaxant...

Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately broke out in a cold sweat. Was there something wrong with the soup? No... impossible. There were other people at the table drinking it besides her. She put down her porcelain bowl and observed the expressions of the others without making a sound, but she couldn't detect anything unusual.

Her gaze fell on the small chip on the rim of the bowl. Could it be the bowl itself? A sense of fear welled up in Shen Yunshuang's heart. It was such a vicious scheme. The medicine was smeared in the bowl, dissolved in the soup, and she could drink it without leaving any evidence.

It goes without saying who has the ability to deliver this "special" bowl to her with such precision.

Shen Yunshuang's face turned cold. Since that was the case, she had no choice but to "play along".