The screen fell down, leaving nothing to block the view, so the girls and Shen Liu’s group almost found themselves face-to-face, and not far apart. In such a moment, the girls instinctively stepped back and lowered their heads to avoid attention, waiting for someone to quickly come and lift the screen back up.

Amidst them, a girl ended up standing at the forefront. It seemed like she was a bit slower in stepping back compared to others, hence standing out. But due to earlier experiences, Lian Manman had become vigilant and noticed that the girl did it intentionally.

Instead of retreating, she took a step forward.

Lian Manman found her heart stirred and slightly raised her face to look over at the girl.

Since they all came out together, everyone naturally knew each other. That girl was none other than the second daughter of Lord Qian from the Liaodong Prefecture Peace Commissioner’s Office, named Qian Yuchan, who was sixteen years old this year.

Qian Yuchan was a beautiful girl, with an oval face, big eyes, a small mouth, and a rather tall and voluptuous figure.

All the girls had lowered their heads, somewhat alarmed to varying degrees. Only Qian Yuchan showed no intention of avoiding anyone; she stood sprucely, with her hands gracefully holding a scented silk handkerchief in front of her, her eyes sparkling as they looked across.

The madams, ladies, and maidens who came to the banquet today had all dressed themselves up diligently. Qian Yuchan was naturally outstanding, further adorned like a blooming flower. Her delicately drawn brows arched gracefully, her lips were painted a vibrant red, and in all her gestures, and the way her eyes swept over people, there was a charm rarely found in other girls, a kind of allure.

Qian Yuchan was undoubtedly a highly attractive girl, especially to men. Her slightly slanted eyes were always gleaming with rippling light, and her slightly aquiline nose, though perhaps unappealing to her gender, possessed a unique allure for some men.

Now, Qian Yuchan displayed her most subtly seductive posture.

Seeing Qian Yuchan like this, Lian Manman began to understand, and quickly scanned the other side, thinking to herself, who could be the target of Miss Qian? Was the falling of the screen an accident, or was it intentional? If it was intentional, was it done by Qian Yuchan? And who was the one that bumped into her earlier? Was that deliberate too? Why?

"What’s going on?" As Lian Manman pondered, she heard Shen Liu from across the way speaking, "Go and see if Miss Lian is injured."

"Find out where Imperial Doctor Sun is." Shen Liu instructed a servant beside him.

Hearing Shen Liu mention her, Lian Manman instinctively raised her head and found Shen Liu’s eyes looking at her. His gaze was very focused, with pleasure, but more so with concern.

Although they exchanged news often, it had been almost since the beginning of the year that Lian Manman hadn’t seen Shen Liu. Now seeing him, Lian Manman couldn’t help but take a few more looks at him.

Shen Liu was dressed very simply today, in a long robe with a treasure blue swirling pattern, with a gold crown and jade belt. The people around him were all outstanding, whether refined, handsome, or full of vigor... however, Shen Liu stood there, attracting the most attention even without speaking or moving, his presence was the most dazzling.

Lian Manman withdrew her gaze, and through the corner of her eye saw several girls next to her sneaking glances over to the other side, while Qian Yuchan’s eyes remained fixed on a single spot. Qian Yuchan’s gaze was now somewhat heated, following her eyes to see...

Qian Yuchan had been looking at none other than Shen Liu.

However, that was nothing surprising, Lian Manman thought.

By now, Shen Liu had sent a little maid over, who came to greet Lian Manman, asking if she was injured and whether she needed the imperial doctor to come and see her immediately.

The eyes of several girls shifted to Lian Manman, and Qian Yuchan also turned her face slightly to look at Lian Manman.

"I’m fine, just got startled, it’s nothing serious." Lian Manman quickly said with a smile. She merely stumbled slightly; there was no need for an imperial doctor.

"Oh dear..." Lian Manman had barely finished speaking when she heard Qian Yuchan whining softly, then bending slightly with a frown, "My foot, my foot was hit, it hurts so much!"

Qian Yuchan’s maid and two girls who were close to her immediately came forward to support her.

Being supported, Qian Yuchan immediately showed a delicate and fragile look, yet her eyes glanced over to Shen Liu, her gaze deep and lingering.

"As long as you’re fine." Shen Liu, however, turned a deaf ear to Qian Yuchan’s whimpering and ignored her charm, turning to the side instead, "Shishi, Yi’er, make sure to take good care of the guests."

Having said that, Shen Liu took the lead, quickly leaving with Wu Lang and a few others.

Qian Yuchan’s face instantly flushed red, watching Shen Liu’s departing figure with reluctance until he disappeared entirely from view, her gaze still unwilling to withdraw.

Shen Shi and Shen Yi had already reacted by now, asking people to move the screen away while coming forward to check on Qian Yuchan. Surrounded and questioned by several people, Qian Yuchan suddenly burst into tears.

"It must hurt a lot, what should we do?" a girl said.

"... Come rest in my room for a while, call the doctor to check it, and prescribe something." Shen Yi said, holding Qian Yuchan’s arm.

"I’m fine, it’ll be better in a while." Qian Yuchan dabbed her tears with a handkerchief and said, "Besides, we girls, raised in noble families, how can we let those dirty doctors and imperial doctors see our bodies?"

As she said this, Qian Yuchan slightly raised her eyebrows and glanced towards Lian Manman. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Lian Manman’s face showed nothing as if she didn’t understand the barbs in Qian Yuchan’s words, though she inwardly shook her head. Such needless provocation, Qian Yuchan’s eyes and words were clearly targeted at her, with obvious provocation and disdain. Was it just because Shen Liu had shown concern for her while ignoring Qian Yuchan?

This was truly an undeserved calamity. It seemed she hadn’t checked the almanac before going out today, encountering this little Love Calamity. The root of all this, of course, was Shen Liu.

Shen Liu should have worn a robe adorned with peach blossoms and a peach blossom crown today. Thinking of this, Lian Manman couldn’t help but almost laugh out loud as she pictured Shen Liu in a suit covered with peach blossoms in her mind.

Lian Manman held back her laughter and glanced over to the screen area, contemplating whether to directly expose Qian Yuchan.

"We, girls, naturally follow etiquette and the law, but there’s no truth in being ill or injured and not seeking treatment." Shen Yi was saying earnestly over there, "What would that become, no such reasoning exists throughout history. Miss Qian must be somewhat confused by the pain to say such things."

"Sister Qian, don’t worry, we don’t need a doctor either. Our house has an experienced woman who excels at treating bruises and injuries; we’ll have her take a look at you, and it will surely be cured." Shen Shi said.

With Shen Yi and Shen Shi insisting on having someone to check Qian Yuchan’s injury, Qian Yuchan’s expression changed.

...

It’s the last day for double pink, asking for pink. (Continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)