"There is indeed a troubling matter," Shen Wan replied with a bitter smile.
Chang Zaiqing patted Shen Wan's hand and said with a smile, "If my lord has any worries, why not share them with me? Perhaps I might even be of some help."
Shen Wan glanced at Chang Zaiqing's belly—though nothing was visible yet—and replied, "Never mind. You should focus on resting and taking care of yourself in the manor. There’s no need to trouble yourself with these trivial matters, especially those related to court affairs."
But Chang Zaiqing was not discouraged. She smiled and said, "Before I entered the household, my lord treated me as a confidant and would always share his troubles with me, whether they were household matters or court affairs. Never was there such distance between us. Why is it that now, after I’ve entered the household, things are not as they once were?" She shook her head. "I am not just a sheltered daughter who only knows sewing and picking flowers in the inner courtyard. Though I may not be exceptionally clever, two heads are better than one when solving problems. My lord, why not share your thoughts with me?"
Her gentle words struck a chord in Shen Wan’s heart. Chang Zaiqing was different from Chen Ruoqiu. Chen Ruoqiu was a true "delicate wife"—gentle and refined, but she would never interfere in Shen Wan’s official career. When Shen Wan’s career was flourishing, having such a dutiful and delicate wife was ideal. But once problems arose, Chen Ruoqiu could offer no help whatsoever in official matters.
Chang Zaiqing, however, was different. Before Shen Wan had confessed his feelings to her, they had addressed each other as friends, discussing everything under the sun. Chang Zaiqing was well-informed and occasionally offered insightful opinions on court affairs, earning Shen Wan’s admiration.
Hearing her words now, Shen Wan felt a slight stir in his heart.
Not only did Chang Zaiqing have her own perspectives on court matters, but she was also a woman. Arranging Shen Miao’s marriage to Prince Zhou was a convoluted affair. If it had been two years ago, when Shen Miao’s temperament had not yet drastically changed, it would have been easy—just a few persuasive words would have sufficed. But now, that was no longer possible. Moreover, with tensions running high between the main and branch households, approaching Shen Xin was out of the question. For such a marriage arrangement, perhaps consulting a woman like Chang Zaiqing would yield better results.
With this in mind, Shen Wan looked at Chang Zaiqing and tentatively asked, "If I wanted Fifth Miss Shen to marry Prince Zhou, how do you think I should go about it?"
"Prince Zhou?" Chang Zaiqing was taken aback. "Why would you want Fifth Miss Shen to marry Prince Zhou?"
Shen Wan chuckled. "Just a passing thought." Though he now regarded Chang Zaiqing as his woman, he was still acting on Prince Ding’s behalf and had to keep his lips sealed. He dared not reveal such confidential matters carelessly.
Even without him explaining, Chang Zaiqing, being sharp-witted, quickly understood. She did not press further and simply said, "Fifth Miss Shen is General Shen’s beloved daughter, cherished like a treasure in his palm. Prince Zhou already has a Royal Consort. If Fifth Miss Shen were to marry him, at best she would only be a concubine. General Shen and his wife would never agree to that."
Shen Wan frowned deeply and nodded, his expression troubled.
Chang Zaiqing observed this, and a thought flickered in her mind.Shen Miao marrying Prince Zhou—no matter what—would be anything but a good thing for her, even as a concubine. Although Chang Zaiqing couldn’t fathom Shen Wan’s true intentions, she was certain that if this matter succeeded, Shen Miao would suffer the consequences. The thought of that delicate young girl’s clear, penetrating eyes, as if they could see through people’s hearts, unsettled Chang Zaiqing. For some reason, she harbored an instinctive wariness and unease toward Shen Miao, as though Shen Miao’s very existence might bring unpredictable consequences. Chang Zaiqing was someone who sought stability above all else, so if she could eliminate Shen Miao, it might not be a bad thing for her.
Especially now… She glanced at her belly. She was already carrying a child, and the position of the Shen family’s Third Branch’s matriarch was hers for the taking. Not only would she secure it, but she would also excel in it. Therefore, any potential threats—whether people or situations—had to be removed.
“But it’s not entirely without a solution,” Chang Zaiqing said with a charming smile.
Shen Wan’s eyes lit up. “What do you suggest?”
“That depends on what kind of attitude you want Prince Zhou to have,” Chang Zaiqing replied. “Does Prince Zhou wish to form this marriage alliance or not?”
Shen Wan’s mind stirred. Prince Zhou would certainly be unwilling—the princes of Ming Qi were no fools. Marrying Shen Miao now would only make him a target. Prince Zhou wouldn’t want to be associated with Shen Miao, but Fu Xiuyi’s goal was to make it seem as though Prince Zhou was eager for this marriage.
He said, “Prince Zhou is definitely unwilling, but… we need people to believe he is willing.”
Chang Zaiqing pondered for a moment before replying, “That’s rather difficult. However, women have always valued their reputations. Once their reputation is ruined, they lose all security for the rest of their lives. If you wish to act as the matchmaker, I suggest starting with Fifth Miss Shen.”
Seeing Chang Zaiqing’s confident demeanor, Shen Wan urged, “Speak freely.”
“Madam Shen and General Shen don’t want Fifth Miss Shen to become a concubine. But in this world, there’s always something worse than the worst. If there’s a fate even more dreadful than being a concubine, General Shen and Madam Shen will inevitably compromise and choose to marry Fifth Miss Shen to Prince Zhou.”
Shen Wan’s heart stirred.
Chang Zaiqing continued, “As for things worse than being a concubine—there are plenty. For instance, being abducted by bandits, defiled by ruffians, or worse, not even knowing who the culprit is. Under such pressure, if a rumor suddenly surfaces suggesting that the man might be Prince Zhou… whether it’s true or not, General Shen and Madam Shen will choose Prince Zhou, because he’s the best option—the one that can still preserve Fifth Miss Shen’s dignity.”
Chang Zaiqing didn’t spell everything out, but clever people only needed to hear seven or eight parts to understand the whole. In an instant, Shen Wan grasped her meaning, feeling as though a path had suddenly opened before him. Chang Zaiqing smiled again, gently stroking her belly. “But these are rather underhanded methods. If not for seeing you so troubled, I wouldn’t have spoken of them.”Shen Wan obtained the ingenious stratagem and naturally wouldn’t find Chang Zaiqing’s method sinister. At the moment, he only felt as if he had stumbled upon a treasure—Chang Zaiqing had not only borne him a son but was also clever and understanding, effortlessly solving his current dilemma. He immediately kissed Chang Zaiqing on the cheek and laughed, “With such a beauty by my side, how could I dare to remain gloomy?” After speaking, he stood up as if eager to attend to some urgent matter and said, “I have some important matters to attend to. I’ll come see you later.”
Chang Zaiqing naturally responded with gentle compliance. After Shen Wan left, Zhao Momo, who served by her side, approached with some concern and asked, “Is the Third Master planning to deal with Fifth Miss Shen?”
“Perhaps,” Chang Zaiqing smiled. “It’s not the first time we’ve heard of discord between the first and third branches of the Shen family.”
“Is the young mistress planning to help the Third Master against Fifth Miss?” Zhao Momo asked. “Fifth Miss has General Shen above her. Could this lead to trouble for the young mistress?”
“This matter isn’t something I’ll be doing personally, so how could it be traced back to me?” Chang Zaiqing’s smile remained unchanged. “As long as Shen Wan isn’t a fool, he won’t easily leave any evidence. Moreover, if something really happens, the Shen family will be too busy dealing with the rumors about Shen Miao to spare any attention for other matters.”
Zhao Momo was still uneasy. “Why is the young mistress helping the Third Master against Fifth Miss?”
“Offering strategies for one’s husband is the proper duty of a legitimate wife. I must make him see the difference between me and Chen Ruoqiu. Only when he realizes that I can do what Chen Ruoqiu can, and even what she cannot, will he become inseparable from me.” Chang Zaiqing stroked her belly and narrowed her eyes. “Besides, I have a premonition about Shen Miao—if she isn’t removed, she might bring about great calamity.”
Hearing this, Zhao Momo was startled and said no more. Chang Zaiqing changed the subject. “Speaking of which, has there been any news from Liuzhou?”
Zhao Momo replied, “The people sent there are still on the road. Even at the fastest pace, it will take a few more days. They should return in a few days.”
“Tell them to handle things thoroughly.” A cold glint flashed in Chang Zaiqing’s eyes. “Not a single person must learn of my past.”
...
That night, Shen Miao received a letter from Pei Lang.
The letter stated that Fu Xiuyi had actually instructed Shen Wan to devise a plan to marry her off to Prince Zhou. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu noticed Shen Miao’s troubled expression and asked, “Has something unpleasant happened, miss?”
Shen Miao shook her head, though inwardly she grew wary. In both her past and present lives, Fu Xiuyi’s schemes remained the same. Whether or not she married Prince Zhou, as long as she became entangled with him, both the Shen family and Prince Zhou would suffer. For the Shen family, it would provoke Emperor Wenhui’s wrath, making him believe they supported Prince Zhou and were secretly taking sides in the succession struggle. As for Prince Zhou, he would become an even greater target. Without expending a single soldier, Fu Xiuyi would eliminate two potential threats—truly a masterful scheme.As for her "pragmatic" third uncle, who wanted to tie her to Prince Zhou, it went without saying that he would resort to underhanded methods. The more Shen Miao thought about it, the colder her heart grew. No matter how much time passed, the third branch of the Shen family never hesitated to exploit and harm the first branch. If possible, they would even use the entire first branch as stepping stones for their own wealth and glory—such ruthlessness was truly unforgivable!
She said, "Summon Mo Qing."
Jing Zhe went outside to call for Mo Qing.
Shen Miao asked Mo Qing, "Have you found the people I sent you to investigate in Liuzhou?"
Mo Qing cupped his hands and replied, "Reporting to the young lady, we’ve received word from Liuzhou. It seems they’ve located the father and son. However, another group is also searching for them, and rumors say they’ve issued a bounty—dead or alive."
Shen Miao suddenly laughed, though the smile carried a chilling edge.
"Chang Zaiqing truly has no mercy."
Dead or alive—the people Shen Miao had Mo Qing track down were Chang Zaiqing’s husband and son. Who else but Chang Zaiqing would be hunting them down so relentlessly? Now that she had latched onto Shen Gui, she was even willing to eliminate her own family to secure her position. No wonder she had climbed so high in Shen Miao’s past life—such ruthlessness was beyond what most could stomach.
"Send word to our people in Liuzhou to protect the father and son and bring them to the Fixed Capital as soon as possible," Shen Miao ordered.
Mo Qing nodded in acknowledgment. Suddenly, Shen Miao thought of something else and said, "Wait." She continued, "Take a letter for me to Shopkeeper Ji of Fengxian Pawnshop."
...
The legal battle between the Shen and Chen families dragged on endlessly. Many assumed the case had long been settled, only to find out later that it was still ongoing. It took nearly two full months before the matter was finally resolved. Chen Ruoqiu was indeed found guilty of jealousy and failing to bear a son, compounded by Old Madam Shen’s repeated claims that Chen Ruoqiu had shown her no respect. In the end, Shen Wan gave Chen Ruoqiu a letter of divorce.
What had once been praised as a match made in heaven, envied by all for its harmony and beauty, ended in such a farce. And Shen Wan’s final act was to swiftly elevate Chang Zaiqing to the status of a noble concubine after divorcing Chen Ruoqiu.
Still, the legal battle left both sides wounded. Shen Wan faced increasing obstacles in his official career, and the family’s finances were severely depleted. But compared to the Chen family, his losses were minor.
The Chen family had prestige, but as a scholarly aristocratic family, they were never wealthy. Chen Ruoqiu’s father had pursued the lawsuit to uphold the family’s dignity, never expecting it to drag on for two whole months—long enough to nearly bankrupt them.
The ordeal left Chen Ruoqiu’s father weakened and resentful, and he blamed everything on his daughter. Even Chen Ruoqiu’s mother harbored grievances. Already heartbroken by Shen Wan’s callousness and furious at Chang Zaiqing’s two-faced behavior, Chen Ruoqiu was devastated that Shen Yue remained missing. Now, with even her own parents turning against her, she felt utterly hopeless, teetering on the edge of despair.
What she didn’t know was that the daughter she had been desperately searching for was currently in Prince Qin’s residence in Yanqing Lane.
Inside Prince Qin’s mansion, Shen Yue sat before a mirror, carefully applying her makeup.The fabrics she wore were of the finest quality. Although the Shen family was wealthy and held official status, their materials could not compare to those from the Qin State palace. The jewelry she adorned herself with was also exceptionally luxurious. Dressed in lavish silks, she looked entirely different from her former self. In the past, Shen Yue had followed Chen Ruoqiu's instructions, dressing elegantly and avoiding the vulgarity of gold and silver. But now, her appearance exuded much more nobility.
Naturally, this was because Shen Yue had become Huangfu Hao's concubine.
The maid beside her carefully handed Shen Yue a cup of hot tea, but Shen Yue's expression was one of impatience.
She had a face that could be described as fair and lovely. Under Chen Ruoqiu's daily influence, she had also cultivated a gentle and understanding demeanor. Moreover, sensing Huangfu Hao's interest in Shen Miao, she deliberately steered conversations toward topics related to Shen Miao. One day, Huangfu Hao casually asked if she would be willing to become his concubine. After a night of deliberation, Shen Yue agreed the next day.
She truly had no other way out.
Outside, rumors were swirling, and the legal disputes between the Shen and Chen families had become something of a joke. Chang Zaiqing was pregnant, and if she bore a son, Shen Yue, as a daughter, would likely be cast aside by the Shen family. Even if it wasn't a son, because Chen Ruoqiu had caused Shen Wan to become the subject of gossip, both Shen Wan and Old Madam Shen would resent her. Her name had already been taken over by Shen Dongling, and recently, there were even rumors that Wang Bi, the Assistant Minister, doted on his beloved wife, "Shen Yue." The more such talk spread, the more regret and resentment Shen Yue felt.
Whether she truly liked Wang Bi or not, the thought that the comfortable life Shen Dongling now enjoyed should have been hers filled Shen Yue with unbearable bitterness.
She hated Shen Wan for his heartlessness and Chen Ruoqiu for her weakness. Now, she also understood that, given her current circumstances, getting close to Fu Xiuyi was even more impossible. If she returned to the Shen family, Shen Wan might arrange a miserable marriage for her out of anger toward Chen Ruoqiu.
Deep down, Shen Yue shared the Shen family's characteristic coldness. Though she and Shen Wan had been father and daughter for so many years, once full of warmth and affection, now Shen Yue regarded Shen Wan with more wariness and detachment than she would a stranger.
Shen Yue thought that rather than being married off to some unknown family, it was better to become Huangfu Hao's concubine. Huangfu Hao was handsome, young, and the crown prince of Qin State. If she could win his favor in the future, she might even rise in rank. Most importantly, if she could leverage Huangfu Hao's influence now, she might still be able to protect herself and Chen Ruoqiu.
And so, Shen Yue became Huangfu Hao's concubine.
To be fair, Huangfu Hao treated Shen Yue quite well, partly due to her deliberate efforts to please him. Currently, among the concubines Huangfu Hao had brought to Ming Qi, Shen Yue was the most favored. Perhaps Huangfu Hao also enjoyed the novelty of having an official's legitimate daughter as his concubine, and for now, he was still quite taken with her.
Shen Yue asked the maid beside her, "Has the letter to the Chen family been delivered yet?"
The maid replied, "It's already on the way and should arrive soon."
Shen Yue took a sip of tea, her mood sour.
...
Chen Ruoqiu received a letter.No one knew who had delivered this letter to her room. The Chen family's master and mistress no longer wished to see Chen Ruoqiu, as she had dealt a heavy blow to the family's finances, causing significant reductions in their shared funds. Her brothers and sisters-in-law regarded her as nothing more than a troublemaker who disrupted the household. Chen Ruoqiu's days had become unbearable, so she simply stayed in her room all day without stepping out.
She glanced around but saw no one nearby. Curiosity getting the better of her, she opened the letter, and as soon as she unfolded it, she was stunned at first glance.
The handwriting on the letter was unmistakable to Chen Ruoqiu—it was Shen Yue's. Shen Yue's first calligraphy practice sheets had been rare books from the renowned calligrapher Lady Wang, specially sought out by Chen Ruoqiu for her. Shen Yue's strokes were naturally delicate, and she had mastered about seventy to eighty percent of Lady Wang's style, though her brushwork lacked strength. Chen Ruoqiu could tell at once that this was Shen Yue's handwriting.
She quickly scanned the room to ensure no one else was present before daring to read it thoroughly. The letter simply instructed her to meet at a somewhat secluded inn in the eastern part of the city. There was no signature, but Chen Ruoqiu understood—this was undoubtedly Shen Yue secretly arranging to see her.
A weight lifted from Chen Ruoqiu's heart. If Shen Yue could still write to her, and the handwriting appeared calm and unhurried, it meant she was safe. The earlier worries vanished, and Chen Ruoqiu gradually settled into a sense of calm.
The relentless blows of recent days had left her disoriented and unable to cope, even feeling that life was hopeless. But this letter from Shen Yue seemed to reignite her hope. With her daughter in mind, Chen Ruoqiu suddenly felt a renewed fighting spirit. At least she wasn't alone—how could someone like Chang Zaiqing waltz in and steal what was rightfully hers? Chang Zaiqing even dared to dream of bearing Shen Wan a son? Chen Ruoqiu would see if she had what it took!
With newfound determination, Chen Ruoqiu gradually composed herself. Over the next day, the servants noticed that the once haggard and irritable woman seemed much more at ease, almost reverting to the gentle and graceful Third Madam Shen of the past. Even when a servant accidentally offended her, Chen Ruoqiu merely smiled it off.
A keen observer might have noticed that a fierce, unquenchable fire of resolve had been rekindled in Chen Ruoqiu's eyes.
Early the next morning, Chen Ruoqiu left the house.
No one in the Chen family stopped her. Madam Chen looked uneasy, but after a stern glance from the master, she said nothing more. Chen Ruoqiu's brothers and sisters-in-law couldn't have cared less. In the past, Chen Ruoqiu would have argued with her sisters-in-law over the slightest provocation, but today, she had no patience for it. She wore an inconspicuous brown short jacket and skirt, an outdated style from years ago—one of Madam Chen's old outfits from her youth. When she left Shen Mansion, she hadn't received a single coin and, in a fit of pride, had only taken her jewelry, barely any clothes. Later, embroiled in lawsuits, she hadn't had time to replenish her wardrobe. Now, the Chen family couldn't even afford to buy her new clothes.
Dressed in ill-fitting, outdated garments, Chen Ruoqiu had no choice but to suppress her humiliation. She wore a bamboo hat, shielding her face from view—though even if someone had seen her, they likely wouldn't have connected this shabbily dressed, weary woman to the once-celebrated talented lady of Fixed Capital.To save money, Chen Ruoqiu had no choice but to hire a shabby carriage. When the carriage arrived in the eastern part of the city, she paid the fare and hurried toward the inn mentioned in the letter.
As soon as she entered the inn, Chen Ruoqiu glanced around but didn’t see Shen Yue anywhere. Just as she was beginning to feel suspicious, a waiter approached her, gave her a once-over, and asked, “Madam, are you looking for a young lady?”
Chen Ruoqiu froze for a moment before nodding. The lawsuit between her and Shen Wan had become the talk of the entire Fixed Capital, and she couldn’t help but feel uneasy, afraid of being recognized and pointed at. She was even more afraid that Shen Yue might be discovered. The waiter then said, “Please follow me, Madam.”
He led Chen Ruoqiu to a room upstairs and stopped at the door, smiling. “The person you’re waiting for is inside.” With that, he left on his own.
Chen Ruoqiu pushed the door open and saw a young woman sitting at the table inside. Even from the back, Chen Ruoqiu would recognize that figure anywhere—who else could it be but Shen Yue?
Closing the door behind her, Chen Ruoqiu cried out, “Yue’er!”
Shen Yue turned her head and was momentarily stunned upon seeing Chen Ruoqiu's appearance. It wasn't until Chen Ruoqiu stepped forward to grasp her hands that Shen Yue could clearly see her mother's face and finally cried out, "Mother!" But then she immediately frowned and asked, "How did you become like this?"
Had she not seen it with her own eyes, Shen Yue would never have believed that this shabbily dressed woman before her could be her once elegant, gentle, and dignified mother.
At these words, a flash of resentment crossed Chen Ruoqiu's face. She gritted her teeth and said, "If it weren't for that bitch Chang Zaiqing and your heartless father, how could I have ended up like this?" Then she anxiously looked at Shen Yue. "Yue'er, where have you been all this time? Do you know how worried I've been? Are you alright? Did something happen?"
Chen Ruoqiu had only Shen Yue as her daughter and had always doted on her, so her current concern was genuine. Hearing this, Shen Yue felt a pang of sorrow, though she still managed to smile and say, "Mother, don't worry. I'm doing very well now. I've found a powerful backer, even more prestigious than the Wang family. With this support, the Shen family won't dare to bully us anymore."
Chen Ruoqiu asked suspiciously, "Who are you talking about?"
Shen Yue hesitated before answering, "The Crown Prince of Qin State."
Chen Ruoqiu gasped in shock, but Shen Yue quickly continued to explain, "His Highness has been extremely kind to me. When I left the Shen family and encountered ruffians outside, it was the Crown Prince who saved me. He originally intended to send me back, but with the Shen family in turmoil, I ended up staying at his residence. The Crown Prince is a good man, Mother. Please don't think poorly of this. Being with him is far better than being with those hypocrites from the Wang family. How could I ever be on equal footing with Shen Dongling? If I returned to the Shen family, given how Grandmother and Father already dislike me, who knows what kind of marriage they'd arrange for me? Mother, just trust me this once, alright?"
Chen Ruoqiu instinctively felt uneasy, but her expression softened slightly upon hearing that Huangfu Hao had saved Shen Yue. Still, the fact that he wasn't from Ming Qi gave her pause. Though she didn't understand court affairs, years of being married to Shen Wan had instilled in her a basic sense of caution.
"But he's from Qin State, and not just anyone—the Crown Prince..."
Seeing her mother's continued reluctance, Shen Yue steeled herself and outright lied, "The Crown Prince has promised that once we return to Qin State, he'll bestow upon me a new identity and make me his concubine."
"Is this true?" Chen Ruoqiu was taken aback. If Shen Yue were to leave Ming Qi and become the Crown Prince's concubine in Qin State, she would enjoy endless wealth and status in the future. After what had happened with Shen Wan, Chen Ruoqiu's perspective had shifted drastically. Love was too fleeting—what use was it? When times were good, couples could be intimate, but in the blink of an eye, they could turn cold. The wealth and glory she had once dismissed in books were the only things one could truly rely on. Without money, even her own Chen family had mocked her. But if their family produced a Crown Prince's concubine... Chen Ruoqiu's heart began to warm with excitement.
"Absolutely true," Shen Yue affirmed.
After a brief hesitation, Chen Ruoqiu said, "We'll discuss this later. Right now, there's another matter at hand."
Shen Yue asked, "What is it?"
"That bitch Chang Zaiqing schemed against me, acting one way in front of me and another behind my back. I fell into her trap. Now I'm like a rat scurrying in the streets, but what I hate most isn't Chang Zaiqing—it's your father! If not for his protection of her, how could I have ended up like this? Decades of marital affection meant nothing to him. To let them live comfortably while I suffer—I can't accept it! I hate them!"－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Being a bridesmaid is so exhausting, so exhausting, so exhausting＿（：3ゝ∠）＿ ."..
OpenNovel