The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go
Chapter 101 - 100: Uncle’s Grand Birthday, I’m Late!

Chapter 101: Chapter 100: Uncle’s Grand Birthday, I’m Late!

Old Madam Chen clutched her chest in fury, almost seething to death!

What kind of words were these?!

In all her years, she had never heard anything so outrageous and unrestrained!

She trembled as she pointed at Yin Shanshan: "You... you..."

Shen Yunxi covered her mouth, laughing quietly by the side.

She remembered vividly how Old Madam Chen had targeted her at the Cherry Blossom Banquet, even forcing her to painstakingly copy Buddhist Scriptures at Shengguo Temple for half a month.

She felt that Yin Shanshan had finally done something worthwhile—those few caustic retorts were intensely satisfying!

Moreover, she also believed there was no need to make birthday banquets so overly formal, separating men and women to sit in different areas. Wouldn’t it be more pleasant to have everyone together in one lively hall, chatting and laughing?

These old-fashioned types were simply too rigid.

Thinking this, she gave a humorous reply, saying, "Old Madam Chen, this Yin Concubine has just arrived in the Capital and isn’t very familiar with the customs. It’s only natural for her to say the wrong thing occasionally. As the elder, you shouldn’t take her words to heart."

Upon hearing that Yin Shanshan’s status was merely that of a concubine, Old Madam Chen’s face immediately flushed deep red.

She turned toward Mrs. Qin, her voice trembling as she said, "Your Shen Family hosts banquets and actually lets a concubine take charge?! I am a dignified Imperial Decree Madam of the highest rank, and yet you let me be slighted by a mere concubine?!"

What is a concubine?

A secondary wife—a lower station!

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, concubines were considered unpresentable, and in even slightly formal occasions, no one would bring a concubine to attend a banquet!

But at the Shen Guogong Mansion, they actually allowed a concubine to oversee banquet arrangements!

Wasn’t this utterly preposterous?

Mrs. Qin looked embarrassed, feeling the scorching heat of judgmental glances from the surrounding noblewomen.

She hadn’t expected that Shen Yunxi would let a concubine handle the birthday banquet preparations.

She pulled Shen Yunxi’s sleeve anxiously: "Xi’er, just what is all this about?"

Before Shen Yunxi could explain, Yin Shanshan loudly interjected, "What’s wrong with being a concubine?! Aren’t concubines people too?! Who do you think you’re looking down upon?! Do you even understand the concept of equality, fairness, and liberty?! Let me tell you, the problem lies entirely in your backward thinking!"

The commotion drew everyone’s attention.

Shen Xinghan frowned deeply, his voice cold as he chided, "It’s Father’s birthday celebration—what kind of behavior is this uproar? Since the banquet has already reached this stage, let’s continue as planned. As juniors, we should first present our birthday gifts!"

Shen Yan and Mrs. Qin were seated at the head table.

The rest of the guests stood in the hall.

The elderly General from the Weiyuan General Mansion clasped his hands behind his back in displeasure: "The Shen Guogong Mansion really knows how to throw their weight around. The couple sits comfortably up there, while all of us guests stand below!"

He was already seventy years old.

Today was a rare occasion for him to attend a celebratory banquet, yet he ended up standing!

Old Madam Chen’s face looked even grimmer: "Across the Capital, it’s only you and me with the highest seniority. Even in the presence of the Emperor, we would be granted seats. Yet the Shen Guogong Mansion calls for us to stand? Even if Shen Yan is the birthday celebrant, there’s no justification for this!"

Other guests murmured in agreement, bewildered by the Shen Guogong Mansion’s arrangements.

Amid all the eyes on them, Shen Yan and Mrs. Qin both began to feel awkward.

Standing amongst the crowd were the Crown Prince and several Dukes and Commandery Princes—how could anyone accept that these dignitaries were standing while the couple sat above them?

No matter how scheming or composed Shen Yan could be, his heart felt clawed at, his seat blazing hot beneath him. He desperately wished to rise from his chair immediately and invite the Crown Prince to sit instead!

Mrs. Qin whispered softly, "This was all Xi’er’s arrangement. Her intentions were entirely filial, and we mustn’t embarrass her! She already struggles to win favor with the Crown Prince, and as her parents, we must protect her dignity."

As she spoke, Shen Xinghan took the lead in presenting his birthday gift.

It was a screen painting of the Eight Immortals celebrating a birthday, hand-illustrated by him and embroidered by his wife, the Commandery Princess of Qinghe County.

Its design balanced elegance and luxurious craftsmanship, leaving Shen Yan very satisfied. He offered a few words of praise for Shen Xinghan and the Commandery Princess of Qinghe County.

Shen Yunxi rolled her eyes disdainfully: "Such a tacky item, and yet you still dare to present it as a gift, elder brother and sister-in-law?"

The Commandery Princess of Qinghe County had always been at odds with her younger sister-in-law.

Upon hearing this, she suppressed her anger and asked, "May I ask what birthday gift the Crown Princess Consort has prepared? Why not present it and let us broaden our horizons?"

"My gifts, naturally, are not the same as yours," Shen Yunxi declared smugly. "I have prepared two gifts for my father. The first is a congratulatory poem personally inscribed by Lady Shen, the famed calligrapher. Yes, that’s right—Lady Shen, whom even the Empress Dowager herself praised. She will be attending today at my invitation to personally celebrate my father’s birthday!"

Lady Shen?

The hall of guests collectively gasped, astonished and began whispering among themselves.

Old Madam Chen exclaimed excitedly, "Could it be the Lady Shen whose calligraphy was praised by the Empress Dowager?! Her works are priceless treasures! I myself was fortunate enough to receive a Buddhist Sutra scroll bestowed by the Empress Dowager, allowing me to admire her true masterpiece! It truly is a marvel worthy of passing down through the ages!"

Many of the noble and official families in attendance had seen Shen Yinning’s handwritten Buddhist Sutra and revered her as a legendary figure. Upon hearing that Shen Yunxi had invited this elusive calligrapher, they couldn’t help but reveal expressions of envy.

The elderly General of the Weiyuan General Mansion asked excitedly, "Is the distinguished Lady Shen already here?"

Shen Yunxi hesitated awkwardly.

In truth, she wasn’t even certain Lady Shen had arrived.

She snapped at Yin Shanshan: "What kind of hostess are you? How could you neglect such an important guest like Lady Shen?! Look what’s happened now—we don’t even know if she’s here or not!"

Yin Shanshan felt terribly aggrieved.

She was a restaurant owner, not Shen Yunxi’s palace maid! Her sole responsibility was to arrange the feast—why should she also attend to guests?

Shen Yunxi was left no choice but to raise her voice, addressing the crowd: "Lady Shen! Lady Shen, have you arrived?!"

The room fell into a profound silence.

Old Madam Chen heaved a heavy sigh.

In all the Capital’s households, where had anyone seen such negligence in hospitality? To shout indiscriminately in search of a guest—how was this behavior any different from a marketplace shrew?

Shen Yunxi, the Crown Princess Consort, was utterly ridiculous!

After yelling for some time, without hearing anyone respond, Shen Yunxi’s cheeks flamed red as she stood at a loss.

Suddenly, outside came a series of melodious, tinkling laughs:

"Uncle’s grand birthday celebration—I’m running late!"

The voice was unmistakable...

Shen Yunxi’s eyes widened abruptly.

The others also recognized the unusual elegance of the voice, turning in disbelief to look its way. There, walking ahead to clear the path, was the Princely Heir of Suwang Mansion, followed closely by an extraordinarily captivating beauty.

The beauty’s tall and graceful figure was adorned in a lotus-purple top paired with a pomegranate-red embroidered skirt. Her waist was cinched with an intricate yellow sash festooned with exquisite jade ornaments and pendants. Around her neckline rested a luxurious collar of midnight-purple fox fur, making her creamy white skin appear even more flawless and tender, like the freshly peeled flesh of a lychee.

Her voluminous and elegantly styled raven-black hair resembled lofty clouds, crowned with two intricately crafted golden hairpins featuring jade leaf and pomegranate flowers. Her delicate oval face, nestled within the fox fur, radiated bold charm and grandeur, capturing the hearts of all. But most striking were her almond-shaped Dan Feng eyes, naturally imbued with infinite allure and affectionate warmth.

With every glance and smile, she ensnared souls.

Shen Yinning...

It was Shen Yinning!

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