The Chrysanthemum Banquet of the sixty-eighth year of Mingqi finally arrived.

Guangwen Hall was also different from previous years; the validation had transformed into a talent competition. Any scholar with talent could freely take the stage to showcase their abilities and challenge their peers. This not only displayed the vibrant energy of youth but also showcased the diverse talents of Guangwen Hall’s students.

As a result, male and female students would share the same stage, unlike the previous separation into men’s and women’s groups. If they wished, women could challenge men in policy debates and horseback archery, while men could challenge women in the arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—though such scenarios would likely be rare.

Early in the morning, the Shen household was bustling with activity. In the west courtyard, Shuangjiang carefully inserted a silver hairpin into Shen Miao’s hair and smiled, “Miss, it’s done.”

Shuangjiang was the most skilled at hair styling. Previously, Shen Yue had wanted to take her to do her hair, but since Shuangjiang was personally assigned by Lady Shen to serve Shen Miao, she had refused, leaving Shen Yue with no choice but to accept.

“Miss looks beautiful in this outfit,” Bailu said with a smile, then hesitated. “It’s just that the hairstyle looks a bit too plain.”

Shen Miao’s hair was thick and black. Shuangjiang had styled it into an elegant hanging cloud bun that looked both classic and distinctive. Even after her coming-of-age ceremony, Shen Miao had always worn double-loop buns like a maid. With this change in style, she seemed to have matured considerably. Her round, adorable face now appeared refined and graceful, finally showing some qualities of a young lady.

However, with only a solitary silver hairpin inserted in her hair, she looked rather pitiful.

Guyu couldn’t help but show anger on her face. The Shen family was wealthy and prosperous, yet Shen Miao didn’t have a single piece of presentable jewelry today. The entire Shen household depended on Shen Xin for their livelihood, yet they treated his daughter so heartlessly. Shen Miao couldn’t say anything about it, and why? Because they had indeed given her jewelry—gaudy gold ornaments that would certainly invite ridicule if worn in public.

Shen Miao glanced at Guyu and guessed what she was thinking, shaking her head with a smile. In fact, since childhood, the second and third branches of the Shen family had gone to great lengths to cultivate her awkward tastes, convincing her by every possible means that those dazzling gold pieces were the best. This way, they could tell others that they weren’t deliberately embarrassing the daughter of the first branch—she genuinely loved those flashy gold ornaments!

Seeing Shen Miao enthusiastically wearing those exaggerated ornaments, people formed the impression that the legitimate daughter of the Shen family’s first branch was greedy, money-loving, and unbearably vulgar.

Gold might be valuable, but it wasn’t meant to be worn as gaudy adornments.

Fearing that Shen Miao might feel sad, Guyu quickly changed the subject, saying, “But Limniang truly has excellent craftsmanship. Miss, this outfit is really beautiful.”

Perhaps out of sympathy for Shen Miao, the clothes Limniang had delivered were exceptionally exquisite in their embroidery. Seemingly aware that Shen Miao’s features were somewhat delicate and lotus-green might appear too mature, she had embroidered large, lifelike begonia flowers on the hem of the skirt. They bloomed vividly, creating a truly beautiful effect.

And Shen Miao wore it perfectly, without any hint of discomfort.

Shuangjiang and Bailu exchanged glances, both noticing the surprise in each other’s eyes. Somehow, Shen Miao could now carry even such a deep color well—they wondered what had changed.

“Let’s go,” Shen Miao stood up. “We shouldn’t wait too long.”

Just as they left the courtyard, they noticed that the begonias in the garden had grown abundantly. She paused, plucked a small bloom, and tucked it into her jet-black hair bun, instantly adding a touch of elegance.

“Miss looks truly beautiful,” Guyu exclaimed admiringly.

Nanny Gui had just come from the small kitchen, having prepared some snacks for Shen Miao to eat in the carriage. As she emerged with her basket and saw Shen Miao, she couldn’t help but be startled.

She had served Shen Miao for many years, had nursed her as an infant, and had watched her grow up. Yet today, Shen Miao seemed like a stranger to her. Her demeanor was calm and steady, and paired with that noble lotus-green, she could easily be mistaken for a princess. Nanny Gui nearly dropped the basket she was holding, standing foolishly in place.

It wasn’t until Bailu spoke with a smile, “What is Nanny Gui looking at?” that she snapped out of it.

Nanny Gui hesitated, habitually about to offer some flattering words. Suddenly remembering that today was the Chrysanthemum Banquet and that Shen Miao’s outstanding appearance might overshadow Shen Yue and Shen Qing, she swallowed the compliments that had been on the tip of her tongue. Instead, she adopted a worried expression, “Miss, the color of this outfit is too dark. You’re so young—why wear such a color that only dulls your complexion? Why not go back and get that peach-colored padded jacket with the embroidered magpies? It would make you look fresh and rosy. And this hairpin—old servant remembers that the Second Madam bestowed quite a few ornaments. Going out like this, people will say that the daughter of the General’s household is too plain.”

Guyu pursed her lips in disapproval. That peach-colored padded jacket with embroidered magpies was a gift from Ren Wanyun. The color was vulgar, and when paired with a head full of gold and silver ornaments, she would look like a country rich man’s daughter. If Shen Miao went to the Chrysanthemum Banquet like that, she would certainly be ridiculed. Nanny Gui had ill intentions. Just as Guyu was about to scold her on Shen Miao’s behalf, she heard Shen Miao speak softly:

“Mingqi is currently peaceful and prosperous, with citizens living in harmony, yet His Majesty advocates for frugality. In the way of the world, extravagance is inferior; what’s wrong with being simple? If people see me like this, they will only say that the General’s household is honest and upright, with proper family values—that’s a good thing. As for the clothes,” Shen Miao lifted the corners of her mouth, “today is about appreciating flowers and showcasing talents, which has nothing whatsoever to do with clothing.”

Her words were gentle and warm, kind and intimate, yet carried an undeniable authority. Nanny Gui’s mind was in a fog. She wasn’t afraid of Shen Miao getting angry, but when had Shen Miao ever been able to lecture her with such reasoning? Shen Miao had never been fond of her studies and was considered dim-witted. Now these lengthy, scholarly arguments left Nanny Gui, an uneducated person, at a loss for a rebuttal.

Bailu couldn’t help but burst into laughter with a “puff,” quickly stifling it and composing her face, though the delight in her eyes remained undisguised.

Nanny Gui couldn’t counter her arguments and had become the laughingstock of the maids. Frustrated, she couldn’t understand why, since her return home, every conversation with Shen Miao left her at a disadvantage. If one called Shen Miao sharp-tongued, her tone was always gentle; if one called her gentle, her words always left others speechless.

Somewhat flustered, Nanny Gui handed the basket to Guyu: “These are snacks for Miss during the journey. The Chrysanthemum Banquet is some distance away—don’t let Miss go hungry.” To Shen Miao, she said, “This old servant will return to the courtyard to attend to her duties.”

“Go ahead,” Shen Miao replied lightly.

After Nanny Gui left, Guyu and Bailu were both delighted. The more assertive Shen Miao became, the more she resembled a true mistress, and thus those in the Shen household who lacked respect would not dare to bully her.

As they approached the entrance, they saw two carriages waiting. The first was already prepared to depart, while the second stood empty.

Shen Qing’s maid Chuntao was standing in front of the first carriage.