Seeing Shen Miao, Chuntao quickly approached the carriage and said something to the people inside. Immediately afterward, the carriage curtain was lifted.

Inside were Shen Yue, Shen Qing, Ren Wanyun, and Chen Ruoqiu. All four were momentarily stunned upon seeing Shen Miao’s appearance. Chen Ruoqiu’s eyes flickered, while Ren Wanyun frowned and said, “Little Fifth, why are you dressed so plainly?”

“Indeed,” Shen Qing eagerly chimed in, “you look truly unattractive. It would be better to wear something more vibrant. I have a new bright yellow outfit in my room. Chuntao, take Fifth Sister to change her clothes. And jewelry—why aren’t you wearing any? People who don’t know better might think the General’s household is mistreating you.”

She secretly suppressed the jealousy in her heart.

In truth, Shen Qing was quite a lovely beauty, and with her typically cheerful and gracious demeanor in public, she appeared to be a well-mannered young lady from a noble family. However, there was one thing that bothered her most—her skin wasn’t particularly fair, leaning more toward a wheat color. What young lady doesn’t hope for skin as white as snow? She couldn’t say anything about Shen Yue’s fair complexion, but Shen Miao’s fair skin, now enhanced by the lotus-green outfit, made her complexion appear snow-white. As a result, among the three Shen daughters, she had the darkest complexion, which naturally displeased her.

Shen Yue carefully examined Shen Miao, noticing that her hanging cloud bun was exquisitely delicate, and paired with the lotus-green outfit, she appeared remarkably dignified. Without those gold and silver ornaments today, she had a naturally noble air despite her simplicity. She smiled and said, “Fifth Sister, setting aside the clothes for now, you must wear jewelry. After all, it concerns the face of our household, and Grandmother will be displeased seeing you dressed like this. Moreover, why have you styled your hair this way? You’re still quite young—your previous double loop buns suited you well.”

Guyu’s face turned pale with anger, but as a servant, she couldn’t contradict her masters. She could only gnash her teeth in hatred, knowing that the second and third branches of the Shen family harbored sinister intentions, unhesitatingly sabotaging their niece. They would prefer Shen Miao to look as rustic as possible.

Shen Miao inwardly sneered. Shen Yue had even invoked Old Madam Shen, knowing that in the past, Shen Miao had feared the old lady’s authority most. As for the hairstyle, Shen Yue was only a year older than her, so what claim did she have about youth? She wore an immortal fairy bun with a pink gauze outfit as thin as mist, aiming to appear as a peerless talented beauty—why should Shen Miao serve as her foil?

After they finished speaking, they saw that Shen Miao remained silent, only smiling as she looked at them, her thoughts unknown. Finally, Shen Qing became uncomfortable under that gaze and scolded the maid standing by the carriage, “Chuntao, why are you just standing there? Hurry and take Fifth Sister to change her clothes!”

“That won’t be necessary,” Shen Miao interrupted, timely displaying a sorrowful expression on her face. “There’s a reason for my appearance today. I truly love the jewelry bestowed by Second Aunt and am not deliberately avoiding wearing it.”

The group exchanged confused glances, not understanding Shen Miao’s meaning. Guyu and Jingzhe also looked at each other in puzzlement, bewildered as they gazed at Shen Miao.

“Father is now far away in the northwest, leading our soldiers in bloody battles. With the Xiongnu not yet retreated, our soldiers wear cold iron armor. Here I am in the capital, enjoying fine clothing and food, leisurely appreciating flowers and composing poetry—I’m truly ashamed.” Shen Miao lowered her head slightly, softening her voice, “Last night, a Bodhisattva appeared in my dream, asking me to pray devoutly. So I resolved to wear plain clothes and subtle colors, and not to wear bright clothes or jewelry until my father returns victorious.”

No one had expected Shen Miao to suddenly say such things. Usually too timid to speak clearly, she was now carefully choosing her words. Shen Yue and Shen Qing were too shocked to speak, while Chen Ruoqiu touched her temple thoughtfully. Ren Wanyun’s face showed embarrassment—with Shen Miao’s words, she alone was praying devoutly for her father, so what did that make the rest of the Shen family? Yet she refused to let her Qing’er wear such plain attire to the Chrysanthemum Banquet. Ren Wanyun bit her lip and advised affectionately, “Even so, you’re a young lady. There’s no need to be so serious. Just relax and enjoy the Chrysanthemum Banquet…”

Suddenly, Shen Miao gave Ren Wanyun a deep bow, “I beg Second Aunt to grant Shen Miao this filial wish.”

Standing at the Shen household’s entrance, with many passersby, Shen Miao’s bow attracted curious glances from pedestrians.

Ren Wanyun could force Shen Miao to wear bright clothes to maintain the Shen family’s appearance, but would she dare deny Shen Miao’s filial piety?

Her eldest brother was fighting in the northwest. Not only was she not praying for him, but she would also deny his daughter’s filial wish? What kind of heart would that show?

Ren Wanyun’s face immediately turned ashen. She hadn’t expected Shen Miao to respond this way, and more frustratingly, she couldn’t refuse. Ren Wanyun quickly had Chuntao help Shen Miao up, saying, “Child, how could Second Aunt not grant your filial wish? It’s admirable that you have such thoughts at your young age. Very well, plain it is then.”

Shen Qing was still somewhat dissatisfied but couldn’t contradict her mother’s decision. Shen Yue and her mother, however, seemed to have realized something, and their gazes changed when they looked at Shen Miao again.

“However,” Ren Wanyun smiled, “our carriage is already full. The steward has prepared another one specifically for Little Fifth. It will be more spacious. Little Fifth can follow behind us in the second carriage, and we’ll enter together.”

Every year at the Chrysanthemum Banquet, Shen Miao had shared a carriage with these two mothers and daughters. Adding just one more person couldn’t possibly make it crowded. Today’s arrangement was deliberate.

Ren Wanyun had her considerations. Shen Qing was also of marriageable age, but Shen Xin’s official rank was higher than Shen Gui’s. Therefore, if there were young men from prestigious families, they might consider Shen Miao first. Shen Miao was foolish by nature; without guidance, she would likely make many blunders, which would highlight Shen Qing’s grace and propriety.

For this reason, she had deliberately prepared two carriages. Chen Ruoqiu and her daughter shared the same intentions, so naturally, they wouldn’t object.

“Very well, I’ll follow Second Aunt’s instructions,” Shen Miao smiled slightly.

Ren Wanyun was somewhat surprised; she hadn’t expected Shen Miao to agree so easily. Shen Miao had always been timid, always clinging to Shen Yue and Shen Qing. She had thought Shen Miao would resist traveling alone in a separate carriage, but Shen Miao hadn’t raised any objection.

This made her prepared excuses seem redundant.

“If there’s nothing else, Shen Miao will go to the carriage now.” She bowed to the four of them and proceeded directly to her carriage.

The carriage was reasonably spacious, though not as exquisite as Ren Wanyun’s.

Guyu said angrily, “It’s one thing to make Miss ride alone, but to have her carriage follow behind—what are they thinking?”

Jingzhe glanced worriedly at Shen Miao, sighing inwardly.

Shen Miao stared heavily at the preserved fruits on the small table, her hand gradually tightening.

Did they want to tarnish the first branch’s face, deliberately distance themselves from the first branch, make her a laughingstock, and bring shame to Shen Xin?

She would see who would cause trouble for whom in the end.