Shen Qing looked at her mother somewhat confused. Though unwilling, she obediently kept her mouth shut.
Shen Yue didn’t understand what was wrong with Shen Miao’s words either, but seeing Chen Ruoqiu’s nervous expression, she also sensed something was amiss. She stood properly in place and didn’t speak again.
Old Madam Shen frowned. Though she had been with Old General Shen for many years, she didn’t understand the intricacies of officialdom. Her vision was confined to the four corners of the inner household—how could she grasp the implications of Shen Miao’s words? She only felt that Shen Miao had taken the wrong medicine today, repeatedly defying her and offending her dignity as the head of the household. She was about to lose her temper.
"Xiao Wu’s words are quite reasonable," Ren Wanyun interrupted Old Madam Shen’s impending scolding with a smile. "It was all just a misunderstanding. How could matters from the front hall spread to the rear courtyard? It was merely an unfortunate coincidence. Prince Ding is broad-minded and wouldn’t take a child’s playfulness to heart. It was all a misunderstanding. Poor Xiao Wu, falling into the water and suffering such a fright—she must have been truly wronged."
Old Madam Shen opened her mouth, displeased that her second daughter-in-law had cut her off. But Ren Wanyun’s maiden family was a prominent merchant household in Ming Qi, and many of their daily expenses were subsidized by this second daughter-in-law. Though dissatisfied, she didn’t want to offend her. She snorted coldly but didn’t continue.
Chen Ruoqiu also realized something and quickly followed Ren Wanyun’s lead. "Exactly. Yue-jie, Qing-jie, don’t ever mention what was said earlier again. It was just Xiao Wu accidentally falling into the water, and Prince Ding happened to see it. What coincidence doesn’t exist in this world?" She smiled at Shen Miao. "Xiao Wu, Old Madam only cares for you. She isn’t truly angry with you."
Shen Miao looked at the woman before her. Shen Yue took after Chen Ruoqiu in both looks and temperament. Chen Ruoqiu, born into an aristocratic family of scholars, had delicate and graceful features. Her every movement and word exuded gentleness—beautiful yet not frivolous. Such a scholarly woman seemed easy to get along with, but who could have predicted what would happen later…?
Later, when the Xiongnu envoys requested a marriage alliance, the only princess of suitable age in the palace was Wan Yu. Chen Ruoqiu said that since Shen Yue was older, the marriage alliance would be her destiny, and she volunteered to marry the Xiongnu. But Shen Yue wasn’t a princess, so Fu Xiuyi conferred upon her the title of Princess Yueru, making the marriage alliance legitimate.
Yet in the end, it was her Wan Yu who was sent away.
Wan Yu died on the way to the marriage alliance, and Princess Yueru took over Wan Yu’s Princess Hall. Princess Yueru smoothly inherited everything that belonged to Wan Yu.
Her Wan Yu… hadn’t even turned sixteen yet.
Shen Miao closed her eyes. If Chen Ruoqiu had no hand in this, even Chen Ruoqiu herself probably wouldn’t believe it. It was likely that Chen Ruoqiu and Mei Furen had long since reached an agreement, wanting her to think there was hope, only to have that hope brutally shattered.
Chen Ruoqiu’s smile stiffened.
The young girl opposite her had a round face, round eyes, and a round nose—such features paired with a timid expression easily gave the impression of dull-witted simplicity.But now, that was no longer the case. The timid expression had vanished without notice, replaced by a solemn demeanor. It wasn’t a sudden tension but an innate dignity that carried a faint sense of detachment. For a moment, Chen Ruoqiu suddenly felt that the girl before her was no longer the foolish and timid daughter of the eldest branch but someone of high status. The restrained sharpness around her sent an involuntary shiver down one’s spine.
The next second, the girl curved her eyes at her and said, “I understand. Third Aunt must also think now that Little Fifth was not at fault, right?”
Chen Ruoqiu was taken aback. Glancing at Old Madam Shen, who was visibly displeased on the high seat, she forced a reply, “Though that may be so, Little Fifth’s fall into the pond was still terribly careless. How did the maids by her side take care of her? Just because Eldest Brother and his wife aren’t around, have the servants grown so bold as to bully their master? In this aunt’s opinion, it would be best to replace these maids.”
Ren Wanyun let out a soft laugh. Chen Ruoqiu shot her an annoyed look, to which Ren Wanyun responded with a knowing smirk.
This sister-in-law of hers appeared refined and reasonable, but her heart was shrewd. Such words could only fool a simpleton like Shen Miao. She likely wanted to replace the people around Shen Miao. Now that Shen Yue was of marriageable age, no matter how far Shen Miao’s reputation for foolishness and timidity spread in the capital, in terms of status, Shen Yue still fell short of Shen Miao. After all, Shen Xin still held military power.
The third branch was clearly getting restless.
Shen Miao lowered her head. “Why does Third Aunt want to replace Gu Yu and the others? They were all left to Fifth Lady by Father and Mother. Many people in the West Courtyard have already been replaced these days. Fifth Lady doesn’t recognize any of the newly assigned second-rank maids from the other day. If Gu Yu and the others are also replaced, Fifth Lady won’t even know who to talk to in the West Courtyard.”
Ren Wanyun’s smile froze.
In the West Courtyard, with Shen Xin and his wife absent from the capital for long periods, nearly all the maids and servants had been replaced—some by Old Madam Shen’s people, some by the second branch, and some by the third branch. However, since the second branch managed the household, naturally, most were from the second branch. Such words, left unspoken, would have been fine. But if they reached outsiders’ ears, how would it reflect on the second and third branches if the eldest branch’s daughter didn’t recognize a single servant in her own courtyard? There was no justification for sisters-in-law meddling in the eldest brother’s household affairs.
Her mind raced as she shot Chen Ruoqiu a pointed look and said to Shen Miao with a smile, “Your Third Aunt was only teasing you. Gu Yu and the others were merely a bit careless. Our Shen family is kind-hearted and would never do something so unfeeling. Don’t fret, Little Fifth.”
Her words still carried a subtle jab at Chen Ruoqiu by the end.
Shen Yuanbai glanced at his mother, then at Chen Ruoqiu, and yawned. Old Madam Shen, already weary of the verbal sparring between her second and third daughters-in-law, waved a hand dismissively. “Enough. These are trivial matters. Second Daughter-in-law, bring Seventh Young Master here. Everyone may leave now. So many people—it’s giving me a headache.”
Ren Wanyun hurriedly carried Shen Yuanbai to Old Madam Shen’s couch and said, “Mother, then we’ll take our leave now. Seventh Young Master, be good and play with Old Madam.”Chen Ruoqiu glanced at Shen Yuanbai, placed her hands on her abdomen, and slowly walked out of the Hall of Glory and Scenery. The second branch had a son, earning Old Madam Shen's favor—what did her own capabilities matter? Shen Yue was, after all, just a daughter. If only she had a son... In the Shen Mansion, the first branch's assets would eventually be contested. With a son, she could at least stand on equal footing, unlike now, where the second branch reaped the benefits for nothing. And... the first branch still had a legitimate son. Though he was with Shen Xin at the border, who knew if he might return to claim a share?
Lost in thought, Chen Ruoqiu raised her head, her gaze settling on a group heading toward the West Courtyard.
The young girl wore a deep crimson brocade gown. She had always favored bright, youthful colors, and without parents by her side to guide her attire, she often appeared somewhat rustic.
Yet now, the deep red accentuated her fair complexion. Though her features remained the same, there was an air of solemnity about her—even a hint of... authority?
Gu Yu whispered, "Miss, you haven't fully recovered yet. Why rush to the Hall of Extensive Learning? We've already explained your condition—your studies can wait. Perhaps..."
"No." Shen Miao cut her off. "Prepare the carriage at once."
Though her words weren't harsh, Gu Yu shivered inexplicably and didn't dare ask further.
–––––– Author's Note ––––––
Thanks to Xiliang, Su Qiqi, yunanronj, chlchxq for the flowers, diamonds, and votes~
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