"Rise." Shen Xihe's gaze swept indifferently before she lifted her skirts and ascended the steps.
Since peaceful coexistence was never possible, why pretend to be affectionate sisters?
"Your Highness, the Tile-Courtyard was thoroughly cleaned and prepared days ago under my orders. Should anything fail to meet your satisfaction, please inform this humble servant..." Shen Qing explained while guiding Shen Xihe toward her chambers, briefly outlining the layout of the princely estate along the way.
The estate contained designated courtyards for Shen Xihe and Shen Yungan, personally named by Shen Yueshan as Tile-Courtyard and Jade-Courtyard respectively.
"Jade" signified the birth of a son, while "Tile" represented the arrival of a daughter.
Shen Yueshan had these courtyard plaques installed after Shen Yingluo's birth, making clear to all that he recognized only one son and one daughter. Throughout the years, he never once mentioned Shen Yingluo or Xiao Shi, acting as though they didn't exist.
As Shen Xihe approached Tile-Courtyard, two maidservants came toward her, bowed, then continued eastward.
"Halt!" Biyu snapped at the maidservants the moment Shen Xihe stopped walking.
The two maidservants froze and lowered their heads. Shen Xihe's eyes trailed over them before she turned toward the eastern direction.
The due east position represented the primary residence, reserved exclusively for the legitimate mistress of the household.
Standing before the courtyard gate, Shen Xihe observed servants moving about inside.
Passing through the long corridor, she saw Xiao Shi in the Waterside Pavilion—her hair piled high in a golden-pinned chignon, clad in heavy brocade—leisurely scattering fish food.
"Your humble servants kowtow to the Commandery Princess."
Only when Shen Yingluo following behind Shen Xihe coughed lightly did Xiao Shi and her attendants notice Shen Xihe's presence. Xiao Shi's maidservants performed an unhurried curtsy to Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe paced slowly toward Xiao Shi, her expression frosty.
Xiao Shi remained unperturbed, utterly disregarding Shen Xihe's presence.
"Who granted you permission to reside in the main courtyard?" Shen Xihe inquired.
Though just over thirty with striking features, Xiao Shi didn't even glance at Shen Xihe. "What could you possibly do even if I have taken residence here?"
"Moyu, throw her out of the courtyard," Shen Xihe commanded mildly.
"How dare you!" Xiao Shi never imagined Shen Xihe would confront her so boldly.
Completely ignoring her, Moyu flashed forward and restrained Xiao Shi. When Xiao Shi's and Shen Yingluo's maids attempted to intervene, they stood no chance against Biyu and the other martial-trained attendants.
But just as Moyu dragged the protesting Xiao Shi out of the Waterside Pavilion, a figure shot from the shadows brandishing a sword aimed at Moyu.
Without even glancing sideways, Moyu continued pulling Xiao Shi along. The assailant's blade sliced across the pond but was intercepted by another longsword before reaching Moyu.
Mo Yuan's expression darkened as he engaged the guard in combat, their duel carrying from the corridor to the rockery, then from the rockery to the rooftops.
"Elder Sister, please calm your anger! I beg you to show Mother..." Shen Yingluo frantically pleaded with Shen Xihe, but catching Shen Xihe's sweeping gaze, she realized her slip of tongue. Biting her lip, she corrected, "I beg you to spare Concubine some dignity. This younger sister will surely persuade her to move out today."
"Fourteen years. Even accounting for ten years of childish ignorance of propriety, you've had four years since." Shen Xihe shook off her sleeve. "Throw these maidservants out as well."
Biyu, Hongyu and Ziyu showed no mercy, following Moyu's lead as they twisted the personal maids' arms behind their backs and shoved them out.
Moyu flung Xiao Shi outside the main courtyard gates, several maidservants tumbling to the ground after her.
The estate servants—particularly those serving Xiao Shi—turtled their necks like quails.
"Shen Xihe, you show no respect for your elders!" Xiao Shi shrieked, her hairdo in disarray."Elder?" Shen Xihe stepped over the threshold, her skirt fluttering slightly as she looked down at the woman from her elevated position. "I am His Majesty's personally enfeoffed Zhaoning County Princess, holding a rank equivalent to a Duke. You are merely my father's concubine. I did not hold it against you when you failed to pay me proper respects, yet you dare speak to me of elders?"
"You're a County Princess? I too am a County Princess personally enfeoffed by His Majesty—the Emperor's own cousin!" Xiao Shi rose with her maid's support, her gaze toward Shen Xihe venomous.
"Oh? So that's how it is." Shen Xihe nodded in sudden understanding.
"Moyu, throw her out of the manor." "Elder Sister!" Shen Yingluo rushed out, calling loudly before kneeling with a thud before Shen Xihe. "I beg you to calm your anger, Elder Sister."
"Don't beg me. Beg your mother." Shen Xihe glanced at her before turning to Xiao Shi, who was staring at her in disbelief. "She herself declared she is the Emperor's cousin, meaning she is not of the Shen family.
Since she is not of the Shen family yet occupies the main courtyard reserved for the legitimate wife of the Shen household—such a shameless guest who knows neither propriety nor etiquette—even if I throw her out, His Majesty in his wisdom would not fault me."
"Shen Xihe—"
Before Shen Xihe finished speaking, Moyu had already restrained Xiao Shi's hands and carried her swiftly toward the main gate.
"Elder Sister, Elder Sister, I beg you to show mercy to my mother just this once." Shen Yingluo knelt, clutching Shen Xihe's sleeve, her tear-filled eyes full of entreaty.
Shen Yingluo was a rare good shoot from bad bamboo—Shen Xihe had a favorable impression of her and saw no reason to make things difficult. "Think carefully: do you bear the surname Shen or Xiao?"
Pulling her flowing sleeve free, Shen Xihe walked toward the main gate, where Xiao Shi and her maid had already been thrown out.
The Shen residence faced the Vermilion Bird Gate directly, and the guards had witnessed everything clearly.
Coupled with Shen Xihe's grand arrival earlier, countless commoners and servants from nearby official residences had gathered to watch.
They all saw Xiao Shi being thrown out by Shen Xihe, leaving them stunned and speechless for a long while.
"This is my Shen family's concubine. For years, she has occupied the main courtyard. Only today, upon my mistress's return, was this discovered. When asked to vacate the main courtyard, she not only showed no remorse but even claimed that our legitimate-born mistress was inferior to her in status." Ziyu, never one to suffer losses, stood with hands on her hips and spoke righteously to the pointing onlookers.
At these words, those unaware of Xiao Shi's identity erupted in uproar.
What is a concubine?
A plaything.
It was common for nobles and officials to gift concubines to one another—concubines were mere commodities to be given away at will.
And she dared to shout at legitimate-born children?
Suddenly, no one thought throwing her out was excessive.
"Yo-Your Highness... The County Princess... she..." In a distant corner, Tianyuan stammered inside the carriage before finally managing, "The County Princess is truly formidable."
He truly had no words to describe the County Princess's forceful and fierce methods.
Although Xiao Shi was a concubine, she was still the Emperor's cousin—yet she had been thrown out just like that.
He suddenly felt afraid. If this Zhaoning County Princess were to marry into the Eastern Palace, would his Highness dare take any beauties in the future?
Xiao Huayong remained unaware of his subordinate's concerns for his future. His profound eyes shone with waves of admiration and tenderness: "This is only the beginning."
Considering how Xiao Shi had first used a spy to push her off a boat, then attempted to harm Shen Xihe at the city gates using her maternal clan connections—not to mention Xiao Shi's enmity with Shen Xihe's mother—these two assassination attempts alone meant Shen Xihe would never tolerate her."Let's go, back to the palace." A faint smile touched Xiao Huayong's lips as he lowered the carriage curtain. "Send someone to fetch spring water from Mount Zhongnan. Tomorrow, I shall brew a fine pot of tea to properly receive her."
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