The night brought a cool breeze, and as deep autumn approached, the weather grew colder day by day. Fixed Capital, located in the northern region, was especially frigid.
Under the lamplight, a young girl reclined on the couch, engrossed in a book she held in her hands. The tea beside her had gone cold without her notice, so absorbed was she in her reading.
Bailu stared blankly at her mistress, feeling as though this girl had changed overnight, no longer resembling her former self. Even now, as she quietly read—something the old Shen Miao would have detested—Bailu might have mistaken her for a noblewoman if she didn’t know better.
How could a young girl exude such an aura? Bailu couldn’t understand and stood there lost in thought until Shuangjiang nudged her and scolded in a hushed tone, "Why are you just standing there?" She then draped a cloak over Shen Miao and gently advised, "Miss, it’s getting late. You have to go to the Hall of Extensive Learning tomorrow. You should rest early."
Shen Miao shook her head. "You go ahead and rest. I’ll read a little longer."
It was unheard of for servants to retire before their mistress. Shuangjiang sighed, about to persuade her further, but Gu Yu, who had come to replace the tea, pulled her and Bailu into the outer room.
"What’s the matter, Gu Yu?" Bailu asked, puzzled. "Miss has only just recovered. Why didn’t you try to convince her?"
"Haven’t I tried?" Gu Yu rubbed her temples. "But she won’t listen to me now. She’s been reading all day—probably some assignment from the tutor. Once she’s made up her mind, what can I do?" She glanced worriedly toward the inner room. Before, when Shen Miao was timid, she relied on others for decisions. Now that she was no longer timid, her own decisions carried such authority that no one dared oppose her. The more Gu Yu served her closely, the more she felt that Shen Miao’s commands left no room for refusal.
Even her calmest words carried an air of dignity. It was as if even Master Shen’s anger wasn’t as intimidating. Gu Yu sighed.
Inside the room, Shen Miao continued reading.
She pored over every detail with utmost focus. A closer look would reveal that she was holding the "Official History of Ming Qi," chronicling major events from the dynasty’s founding to the present. Knowing what would unfold in the coming decades, she sought ways to avert impending tragedies. But first, she needed to trace the origins of the current state of these aristocratic families.
The emperor’s decree to purge these powerful clans was imminent. Shen Miao remembered clearly—if nothing changed, disaster would strike next month. The enemy of her enemy was her ally. Once these high-ranking families fell, the Shen family would soon follow.
Before Shen Xin returned, Shen Mansion rested on her shoulders alone, all while guarding against the wolves in the eastern courtyard.
Shen Miao’s instincts were correct. That night, Granny Gui entered the Hall of Glory and Scenery, ostensibly to deliver local specialties from her recent trip to the manor. But she lingered, chatting with Zhang Mama, Old Madam Shen’s attendant, subtly hinting at Shen Miao’s increasingly rebellious behavior and her tendency to lash out.
Zhang Mama saw through her intentions but played along with vague responses. Before leaving, Granny Gui urged Zhang Mama to put in a good word for her with Old Madam Shen.She had just stepped out of the Hall of Glory and Scenery's courtyard when she spotted Xiang Lan, Ren Wanyun's maid, approaching. Seeing her, Xiang Lan smiled: "Granny Gui, I was just looking for you."
"Well now," Granny Gui squinted and recognized Xiang Lan, smiling in return: "What brings you to me, Miss Xiang Lan?"
"It's nothing major," Xiang Lan came over and took Granny Gui's arm: "Our mistress heard you know of a place that sells particularly beautiful lip rouge and wanted to ask you where it is."
This was clearly an excuse—Ren Wanyun wanted to summon Granny Gui for some private talk. Granny Gui understood perfectly but played along: "Oh, is that all? If the mistress wishes to know, I'll gladly tell her. Speaking of that lip rouge, many noble ladies and madams adore it..."
When they arrived at the Colorful Cloud Courtyard, the maids and servants outside had already been dismissed.
Ren Wanyun sat on the daybed. Since Second Master Shen was still out socializing, she idly worked on some embroidery—likely a pouch—while nibbling on a plate of grapes beside her.
This was a rare treat. At this time of year, grapes were impossible to find in Fixed Capital. Only Second Master Shen had the means to procure a basket and share them with the women of his household.
Granny Gui inwardly scoffed. Though the Shen family's second branch appeared to treat the main branch fairly, Shen Miao's food and clothing, while superficially splendid, were actually vulgar nouveau riche items unfit for proper society. Take this food, for instance—Shen Miao certainly didn't get to enjoy any grapes.
As she was lost in thought, Ren Wanyun finally set down her needlework and spoke: "Granny Gui."
Granny Gui quickly snapped back to attention: "Yes, madam, this old servant is here."
Ren Wanyun was already forty. Though well-maintained, fine wrinkles still showed at the corners of her eyes. Sitting there in her finely tailored, high-quality clothes, every gesture carried the bearing of the household's matriarch. Even when smiling, she exuded authority.
She said: "I heard you've returned. Now that Little Fifth has just recovered, you must take good care of her."
Granny Gui sneered inwardly—who didn't know the East Courtyard wished misfortune upon the West Courtyard? Ren Wanyun couldn't possibly be this kind-hearted; this was just for show. Sure enough, Ren Wanyun continued: "These days, Little Fifth has been in poor spirits since her fall into the water. With her parents absent, whatever I do as her aunt seems wrong. If I want to hear any news, I must rely on you."
This was a clear instruction for Granny Gui to report Shen Miao's every move to Ren Wanyun.
Granny Gui hurriedly replied: "Madam's concern for Fifth Young Lady is her good fortune. But in this old servant's view, Fifth Young Lady was truly angered by this incident. Her temperament has changed noticeably these past few days—she's even grown distant with me. Just today, for no apparent reason, I was docked three months' wages." She put on a woeful expression: "When I heard of Fifth Young Lady's accident, I rushed over in such worry that I neglected my own ailing grandson. Yet Fifth Young Lady scolded me harshly—this old servant's heart aches terribly."Ren Wanyun grew impatient with the old woman's insinuations and said, "Xiao Wu's condition is ultimately due to matters of the heart. Granny Gui, tell me, has Xiao Wu's attitude toward Prince Ding changed at all?"
This was what she most wanted to ask.
Granny Gui rolled her eyes slightly and replied, "The Fifth Young Miss seems intent on drawing a line with Prince Ding. Today, she wouldn't even let this old servant mention him. But having raised the Fifth Young Miss for so many years, I know her temperament well. When it comes to Prince Ding, she's unusually persistent—I doubt she'd give up so easily. These words are likely just the rash talk of a young lady in distress and shouldn't be taken seriously."
As soon as the words fell, a trace of ruthlessness surfaced on Ren Wanyun's face.
...
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