Pin Shanhe

Jun Anning quickly understood the implication in her words.

"Don't you want to be with your fourth brother?"

"It's not that I don't want to, it's that I can't! He's a prince, he can't marry a woman who has lost her chastity."

"If even my fourth brother doesn't mind, why are you so stubborn? In my opinion, nothing is more important than two people deeply loving each other."

Previously, she was not close to this fourth prince. She always felt that although he seemed humble and refined, he had an inexplicable gloomy aura.

It wasn't until she heard that he knelt down and begged Shen Fu in the Imperial Study, kowtowing until his head bled, that she changed her opinion of him.

How bad could someone so devoted be?

"That's because you haven't fallen in love with anyone yet. If one day you find a man you like, you'll understand what I'm saying."

Jun Anning blushed slightly. "Sister Shen, what are you saying? Although I'm of marriageable age, Father Emperor is reluctant to let me get married so early and says he wants me to stay for another two years."

A hint of coldness flashed in Shen Fu's eyes.

Was it to keep her so she could be married off to a distant land for political reasons, thus maximizing her value?

According to the course of events in the previous life, in two months the Northern Dynasty will make peace with the Great Yong Dynasty and send its eldest prince, Murong Xiao, to propose marriage.

For the sake of peaceful development between the two countries and to prevent further wars on the border, she was thus pushed forward.

Less than six months later, news came that she had died suddenly from illness.

Later, her personal maid returned by the skin of her teeth and said that the princess did not die of illness at all, but was tortured to death.

"Sister Shen, what are you thinking about?"

Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, looking lost in thought, Jun Anning waved her hand in front of her eyes.

Shen Fu suddenly came to her senses and looked at the innocent and carefree girl in front of her, a sense of sorrow welled up in her heart.

She gave a forced, light laugh, her tone slightly teasing, "I was wondering if someone's getting a little too eager to get married? When you see the Imperial Concubine again, you should remind her to find you a suitable husband as soon as possible."

Jun Anning blushed immediately. "Sister Shen, don't talk nonsense! I don't want to get married!"

"Women will get married when they reach a certain age; it's only a matter of time."

Only by marrying can she escape the covetousness of the Northern Dynasty and rewrite her fate of being forced into a marriage alliance.

However, this is, after all, a major life event for her, and she can't just randomly choose someone to marry.

This person must be someone she truly likes, someone who can love her and protect her for life.

Shen Fu decided to secretly keep an eye out for her and create opportunities.

At this moment, a servant came in to announce the news.

Meng Wan has arrived.

Shen Fu immediately became more vigilant.

The Seventh Princess had just arrived at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion when she arrived shortly after.

Is this really a coincidence?

……

Upon learning that the Seventh Princess had gone to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Jun Qiyuan immediately sent someone to deliver a message to Meng Wan, asking her to come and find out more.

When Meng Wan arrived, she saw the two chatting happily and couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

One of them was a princess of great wealth and honor, and the other was the daughter of a high-ranking official.

But I myself come from a declining noble family.

He had a title but no real power, and even struggled to make ends meet at home.

He seemed so out of place in front of the two exceptionally beautiful women.

Jun Anning knew that she was the woman who got married on the same day as Shen Fu but got into the wrong bridal sedan chair.

I heard that Sister Shen and she became sworn sisters in front of the Bodhisattva. After the incident, Sister Shen even disregarded her own happiness and wanted to give her the Fourth Prince.

However, this woman was not as righteous as Sister Shen, and she clung to the Fourth Prince relentlessly.

The reason why Sister Shen refuses to accept the Fourth Prince is probably because of her.

Therefore, Jun Anning did not have a good impression of her.

"Greetings, Seventh Princess."

Meng Wan stepped forward and bowed, but received no response for a long time.

Jun Anning didn't even glance at her, continuing to discuss the topic with Shen Fu.

"My mother said that you should come to the palace often when you have time, and she also wants to ask Emperor Ming to recognize you as his goddaughter. Then we will be real sisters."

Shen Fu was somewhat flattered: "What is my status? How can I possibly deserve such favor from the Imperial Concubine?"

"You can handle it!"

Meng Wan originally felt extremely humiliated by being left out.

Hearing these words, my heart sank.

What? Consort Ning wants to adopt Shen Fu as her goddaughter?

Having a family background like that of the Duke of Zhenguo is already an unparalleled honor.

Wouldn't this give her the status of a member of the royal family again?

Good heavens, why does she always seem to have all the good things happen to her?

The fire of jealousy burning within her made her unable to hold back any longer and interrupt.

"No!"

Her excited tone immediately turned Jun Anning's face cold.

"What did you say?"

The lady-in-waiting beside him immediately rebuked, "How dare you be so disrespectful to the princess!"

Meng Wan's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly knelt on the ground.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness, I would never have dared to mean such a thing."

"Oh? Then tell me, why won't this work?"

Jun Anning completely changed her gentle and soft demeanor in front of Shen Fu, instantly exuding a powerful aura and revealing her noble and aristocratic temperament.

Meng Wan broke out in a cold sweat.

Offending the imperial concubine and the princess would likely lead to dire consequences, and even the marquis's mansion would not escape punishment.

Even the Fourth Prince couldn't protect her!

Her mind worked quickly, and she actually came up with a plausible reason.

"What I mean is, if Sister Shen recognizes the Imperial Concubine as her godmother, she will have to address all the princes as her brother and sister. Wouldn't that mess up the generational hierarchy? How will she and the Fourth Prince get along in the future?"

Jun Anning's expression softened somewhat.

At least she still has some conscience and knows to think about Sister Shen.

"She's just an adopted daughter, not a biological one. What impact could she possibly have?"

"But……"

Meng Wan wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by the other party.

"What do you mean? You're not jealous of Consort Shen's favor with the Imperial Concubine, so you're deliberately trying to stop her, are you?"

Jun Anning's words saw right through her thoughts, leaving her breathless and only managing a forced smile after a long while.

"How could that be? Sister Shen is my sworn sister, of course I'm happy for her."

"Good to know! She always puts you first, even willing to give up her own beloved. If you don't treat her well, even Heaven will be angry and you might be punished!"

Meng Wan's face almost fell.

After staying there for a short while, I made an excuse to say goodbye and leave.

She always walked in a hurry, as if something was chasing her from behind.

Shen Fu asked with some curiosity, "You don't seem to like Miss Meng?"

Jun Anning snorted coldly: "I just can't stand her eagerness to climb the social ladder. She's so hypocritical and pretentious. People like her shouldn't be given a kind look."

She spent her days in the palace, where all she saw were people vying for favor, flattering the emperor, and engaging in hypocritical maneuvering.

Meng Wan's thoughts naturally did not escape her notice.

Shen Fu couldn't help but find it amusing.

They had only met for the first time, yet they had described each other's personalities so clearly.

This princess is truly remarkable!