CFSSIR

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Shen Qingyao lifted the curtain of the carriage completely and frowned as she looked out.

The princess of Nanzhao named An'ya was wearing a red dress. It was quite different from the heavy and intricate attire of the Great Liang. Her outfit was light and flowing, with golden accessories at her waist and wrists that jingled and sparkled in the sunlight. Unlike the gentle and graceful girls of the Great Liang, An'ya exuded a carefree and unrestrained charm. Her features were striking and bold, with deep-set eyes and a high nose bridge, giving her an exotic allure that made it hard to look away.

Shen Qingyao thought she might like the stunning beauty more if her captivating eyes weren't fixed on her husband. Her cheeks puffed up slightly with this realization.

She had just discovered that Lu Zhao knew this Nanzhao princess, but he had never mentioned it to her before. This made her a bit upset-just a little, well... maybe a lot!

The beauty outside continued to speak with a clear, melodious voice that was both bright and gentle. Even as a woman, Shen Qingyao found this voice particularly pleasant. An'ya casually held the reins and turned her head, saying, "Young Master Lu, it's been three years since we last met in the capital. You are as distinguished as ever."

"Not as much as you, Princess," Lu Zhao replied with a faint smile. Shen Qingyao, puffing her cheeks, noted that his smile was perfectly measured-not distant but not too familiar either. It was a courteous and perfunctory expression, which made her feel slightly better.

Princess An'ya's beautiful eyes turned, openly scanning the Great Liang's bridal entourage, then precisely bypassed Princess Yonghe's carriage and landed on Shen Qingyao's wide-open window.

The two women suddenly locked eyes. Shen Qingyao was startled and was about to react when An'ya's gaze shifted away, as if their brief eye contact had been accidental. At that moment, another person rode out from the city on horseback-a younger girl, dressed in a pale yellow gauze dress similar to Princess An'ya's. Her face was still childish but more adorable and bold.

The girl raised her whip high, causing her horse to neigh loudly, which unsettled the other horses that had just calmed down, creating some minor chaos in both groups. The young girl, instead of panicking, laughed cheerfully. After her horse steadied, An'ya lightly tapped her leg with a whip.

Princess An'ya's beautiful eyes widened, and the young girl didn't dare to cause more trouble, sticking out her tongue and staying quietly by Princess An'ya's side, though her eyes still roved curiously over the crowd. When she spotted Lu Zhao, her eyes lit up, and she pointed her whip at him, exclaiming, "It's you?! The man from Great Liang who visited three years ago? Ah..."

Her sister's whip hit her hand again, and she cried out in pain, realizing that pointing with a whip was extremely rude. She quickly smiled apologetically at Lu Zhao.

Who is this princess? Shen Qingyao frowned and couldn't help but mutter to herself. Why do so many Nanzhao princesses refuse to marry out, yet insist on choosing spouses from the Great Liang's royal family? Especially since these princesses seem very interested in her Lu Xiaozhao!

"I heard that Young Master Lu is married? I wonder if his wife has accompanied him this time?" As they chatted, Princess An'ya somehow brought the conversation back to Lu Zhao. Though it sounded like a question, her tone was certain, and her eyes looked directly at Shen Qingyao. This time, Shen Qingyao was sure Princess An'ya knew who she was; that brief eye contact was no accident!

"What? You're married?! How is that possible!" the young princess exclaimed. Following An'ya's gaze, she quickly found Shen Qingyao and looked utterly incredulous.