kvmb Chapter 521 Secret Message
Chapter 521 Secret Message
Shen Qingtan looked down at the ring in her palm, feeling a bittersweet feeling in her heart. Her third brother seemed careless and simple-minded, but every gift he gave her was the result of great thought and effort.
As her first gift, the third brother gave her his most cherished Ah Chou, signifying that she was the most precious sister in his heart.
The second gift was a small turtle, which the third brother specially gave Zhao Yi when he learned that Zhao Yi was in poor health, hoping that Zhao Yi would have good health and live a long life.
The third gift, a self-defense ring given to her by her third brother, was a plum blossom design. He probably thought it was because she used a plum blossom scented pill to scent her clothes, and he smelled the plum blossom fragrance on her, concluding that she liked plum blossoms.
Shen Qingtan put the ring on her finger, held it up to the sunlight for a moment, and looked up at the proud and smug young man standing beside her.
“Third Brother, the design of this ring is so exquisite, especially the glass stone inlaid in the flower stamen. No matter what light shines on it, it will emit a dazzling brilliance. I can’t take my eyes off it.” Shen Qingtan held up her left hand with the ring in front of Shen Lue and said with a smile, “When I go to a banquet in the future, those noble ladies and young ladies will definitely ask me where I got it.”
These words didn't explicitly praise Shen Lue, but to Shen Lue, every word sounded like praise.
Shen Lue could sense that his sister genuinely loved the ring.
He became increasingly smug: "It's no use asking you; there's only one like it in the world."
These words amused the Princess of Zhenbei: "A brother's feelings for his sister are unique, and the ring you personally supervised the craftsmen to make is naturally one of a kind." She looked at her third son, who appeared carefree but was actually quite meticulous, and praised him: "Your judgment this time is truly exceptional."
It had to be a daughter; it actually made the third son, who had such peculiar tastes, suddenly have normal aesthetic judgment.
Following his wife's words, the Prince of Zhenbei said, "That's right, it's practical."
Shen Lue was overjoyed to have gained the approval of his parents and younger sister, and couldn't help but turn his gaze to his eldest and second eldest brothers.
On second thought, my eldest brother is a man of few words, and my second brother is a man of few words; moreover, he is extremely jealous and competitive, so he certainly doesn't have any nice things to say either.
Shen Lue didn't have high expectations of them. Anyway, his brother-in-law was well-read, so he would let his knowledgeable brother-in-law praise him more.
When he turned his gaze to Zhao Yi, he heard his elder brother say, "Your gift is unique and perfectly timed."
Shen Lue was stunned.
Shen Zhuo said lazily, "Under my influence, your taste has improved."
Shen Lue was stunned. His second brother could actually speak human language?
Although it wasn't exactly pleasant to hear, he was quite satisfied.
After all, the things he had chosen before had never been approved.
Now, I can finally hold my head high.
Shen Lue patted Zhao Yi on the shoulder: "Brother-in-law, Third Brother's taste is obvious to all, so you don't need to praise me anymore."
After saying that, he returned to his seat with a satisfied smile.
Zhao Yi: "..."
Because Shen Lue disrupted the rhythm, while waiting for the meal to be served, everyone gave out the gifts they had prepared.
Shen Qingtan looked at the remaining gift, her smile fading slightly. She asked the Princess of Zhenbei, who was standing beside her, "Mother, do you know anything about Brother Changsheng's recent situation?"
“Besides seeing patients every day, he takes care of the children. I think he seems more vibrant than before.” Princess Zhenbei felt a little relieved when she mentioned Gu Changsheng. “I thought you siblings had a good relationship, so I planned to invite him to have a reunion dinner. But when we went to his clinic, the young apprentice said he had gone to the mountains to collect herbs and wouldn’t be back for a while.”
Shen Qingtan was relieved to learn that Gu Changsheng was safe and sound.
She handed the gift in her hand to the Princess Consort of Zhenbei: "Mother, this is a gift I prepared for Brother Changsheng. When you return to the capital, please give it to him on your way."
Princess Zhenbei suggested, "You must have something to say to Changsheng. Why don't you write him a letter after you get back and send this gift to him along with it?"
Shen Qingtan did have something to say to Gu Changsheng, so she took the advice of the Princess of Zhenbei and put the gifts back in the trunk.
At this point, the food was set on the table, along with mooncakes and fruits.
The watermelon is cut in an alternating pattern, and each slice is carved into the shape of a lotus flower.
“This year, our family will not be celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at home, thus saving us the ritual of moon worship.” Princess Zhenbei instructed her maid to give each person a slice of watermelon and a mooncake: “Eating these two together symbolizes welcoming the cold and worshipping the moon; consider it our way of worshipping the moon.”
Shen Qingtan lowered her eyes and stared at the fruits and mooncakes in front of her.
Because today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunion, according to custom, fruits and cakes must be round.
She heard the Prince of Zhenbei say "Dinner is served," and then she began to eat.
The family finished their meal in silence and then ordered the food to be taken away.
They don't have much time left to get together.
Shen Du, Shen Zhuo, and Shen Lue consciously left the tent and each led their men to guard the camp so that Zhao Yi could have a secret talk with the Prince of Zhenbei.
Emperor Jing'an did not trust the character of the Northern Qi Emperor, whom he considered a treacherous and untrustworthy man. To ensure the safety of the Prince of Zhenbei, Emperor Jing'an specifically ordered the Prince of Zhenbei to bring five thousand elite troops to the appointment.
The two officials who came with Zhao Yi were the same officials appointed by the Northern Qi emperor to take over as provincial governor and military commander in Yuncheng.
When Provincial Governor Lin Youwei saw that the three sons of the Prince of Zhenbei were guarding the camp with elite troops, he dared not approach the camp.
Commander Wang Qiaoxin stared at the tent for a while, then turned around and moved away from the tent, choosing an open space to sit down and taking out some dry rations from his pocket to eat.
Seeing that all the soldiers accompanying the Northern Qi were sitting with Wang Qiaoxin eating flatbread, Shen Du gave a secret signal.
Upon hearing the coded message, the Prince of Zhenbei, inside the tent, solemnly addressed Zhao Yi: "Last night I received a secret letter from my spies. The Northern Qi has increased taxes on the people, and some have gathered to protest. The soldiers sent by the Northern Qi court have killed all the protesters. This shows the Northern Qi emperor's determination to send troops against the Great Zhou."
"The Emperor and I received your letter and know the choice you made. You are a good child, and you have not been blinded by power, nor have you forgotten the land that raised you and your dearest relatives who truly cared for you."
"However, you will not obey the Northern Qi Emperor's order to send troops to the Great Zhou, thus thwarting the Northern Qi Emperor's plans. He will then target you and Manman."
At this point, the Prince of Zhenbei took out a secret letter from Emperor Jing'an from his bosom and handed it to Zhao Yi: "When I came to Yingcheng, His Majesty gave me this letter in advance and instructed me to give it to you when the time was right."
Now, shouldn't the time be right?