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

The Empress acted swiftly, and within a few days, a flower-viewing banquet, ostensibly for appreciating spring but actually a scheme set up by Shen Qingruo, was held as scheduled in the Imperial Garden.

The flowers were in full bloom, a riot of colors, and the noble ladies and young gentlemen from various mansions chatted and laughed, creating a peaceful and lively atmosphere.

The Emperor and Empress did not attend in person; instead, the most favored eldest princess, Shen Jingyan, presided over the ceremony, further highlighting her noble status.

Shen Qingruo still chose to sit in an inconspicuous corner, wearing a light lotus-colored belted long dress, with her head down and eyes demure.

This time, however, there were two unusual gazes directed at her.

One was from Shen Jingyan, and the other from Shen Yinian; both were scrutinizing her.

Shen Jingyan chatted and laughed with several noble ladies she was on good terms with for a few minutes, her gaze wandering around before finally settling on that corner.

She smiled, picked up a glass of wine, and walked over.

"Why are you sitting here all alone, little sister? It's so boring." Shen Jingyan's voice was clear and crisp as she sat down affectionately next to Shen Qingruo.

Despite her disgust, Shen Qingruo raised her watery eyes and timidly called out, "Sister."

Shen Jingyan leaned closer to her, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear, a smile on her face, but the words she uttered were malicious: "Good sister, I've always had a question I wanted to ask you."

Her gaze swept lewdly over Shen Qingruo's full breasts and buttocks, accentuated by her sitting posture, and she continued, "When you went to marry someone in my place, were you satisfied with how you served that old Emperor Liang on your wedding night?"

Shen Qingruo clasped her hands tightly together, her expression awkward.

Shen Jingyan seemed oblivious to her unpleasant expression, continuing to giggle sweetly, her voice even lower:

"Or is it that the old emperor is simply unable to satisfy a body as inherently base as yours?"

Her words became increasingly offensive: "You shamelessly slept with the old emperor of Liang for a year, and now that he's dead, why are you feeling empty and lonely? You actually dared to set your sights on my father..."

Shen Qingruo raised her head, her eyes reddened, her lips trembling. She seemed to want to refute, but due to the occasion and her status, she could only hold back.

Her tearful appearance further agitated Shen Jingyan.

Shen Jingyan's smile grew even brighter, her eyes practically overflowing with malice:

"Shen Qingruo, tell me, how can a withered flower like you be worthy of my father, the Emperor?"

"How dare you use your filthy body to seduce him?"

Shen Qingruo felt extremely nauseous looking at Shen Jingyan, but she had no choice but to play along with her act.

Just then, a palace attendant hurried over and respectfully reported, "Your Highness, the young master of the Sun family, Sun Hongwen, has arrived and is waiting outside the garden."

Shen Jingyan's eyes lit up, and her smile deepened. She patted Shen Qingruo's hand, her tone affectionate, but her eyes were icy.

"Look, little sister, another talented young man has arrived. Let me go and greet him first."

After speaking, she stood up, straightened her gorgeous skirt, and like a proud peacock, turned and walked towards the center of the crowd.

Shen Qingruo was left sitting alone in the corner, her head bowed, but her eyes, hidden behind her long eyelashes, were calm.

The stage has been set up, and the actors have taken the stage.

She wanted to see how this play would be performed.

-

Upon arriving, Sun Hongwen immediately knelt down with a thud, crying out, "Your Highness! I beg you to do me justice!"

His kneeling and shouting instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Shen Jingyan was secretly pleased, but feigned surprise and frowned slightly: "Young Master Sun, what do you mean by this? Stand up and speak."

Sun Hongwen refused to get up, instead pointing at Shen Qingruo in the corner, his voice louder and accusing:

"It is Princess Qingruo. She and I have been secretly having an affair for a long time and have made love many times."

"Now they've turned their backs on me and want to sever all ties. I beg Your Highness, the Princess, to uphold justice for me!"