The days grew colder as late autumn passed, and winter arrived in the blink of an eye. This year, the General's Mansion was unusually desolate. Shen Miao was confined to the Shen Mansion, Shen Qing was bedridden, and only Shen Yue attended the Hall of Extensive Learning daily. Even during the Mid-Autumn Banquet later on, only Chen Ruoqiu took Shen Yue, allowing her to shine once again. However, these matters had little to do with Shen Miao now.
Yet as time dragged on, Shen Qing’s situation could no longer be delayed. Ren Wanyun had Doctor Chen prescribe some pills to alleviate her morning sickness, making it unnoticeable to outsiders. But if this continued, the truth would inevitably come to light.
“This can’t go on,” Ren Wanyun frowned, pressing her temples. “We must find a way for Qing’er to leave and stay hidden for a while.” She could take Shen Qing away to give birth, then return later. To avoid suspicion, they could claim Shen Qing had contracted a severe illness. Once the storm passed, things might settle down.
“But the young lady’s current condition would make it difficult for her to endure hardships if sent away,” Xiang Lan voiced her concern. “Moreover, the journey would take time, and her youth would be wasted…”
Ren Wanyun’s frown deepened. Indeed, Shen Qing was already sixteen in nominal age. Another year, and she’d be seventeen. While girls in the Fixed Capital typically married at sixteen or seventeen, Shen Qing was the daughter of an official family, destined for a prestigious match. Waiting another year might mean all the best noble suitors would already be taken.
“Yuan’er won’t return until the year’s end, but Qing’er’s condition can’t wait.” A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Ren Wanyun’s eyes.
“Madam,” Cai Ju, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “This servant has heard that the wife of the Vice Minister of the Central Secretariat’s Wei family recently communicated with Third Madam. It seems they intend to propose a marriage alliance with our mansion, seeking the Fifth Young Lady’s hand for their eldest son.”
“Shen Miao!” Ren Wanyun gritted her teeth. “What luck she has!” The Vice Minister of the Central Secretariat held a fourth-rank position—hardly a match for a first-rank military official like Shen Xin. Yet Wei Qian, the Wei family’s eldest son, was a young man of exceptional talent and appearance. For him to marry an Incompetent girl from the Fixed Capital was, at least in terms of personal merit, more than Shen Miao deserved. Moreover, Wei Qian had already entered officialdom at a young age, destined for great achievements. Such a proposal was nothing short of a stroke of fortune for Shen Miao.
“I heard the Wei family wishes to curry favor with our mansion,” Cai Ju added, “hence their willingness to sacrifice their son for an alliance with the Shen family.” Her tone implied that Shen Miao was utterly unworthy of the young master.
“She truly stumbled upon good fortune.” Ren Wanyun’s expression twisted with resentment. Over the years, despite Shen Xin’s high status, almost no one had come to propose marriage to Shen Miao. The reason was simple—Shen Miao herself was too weak and foolish. Given Shen Xin’s achievements, her future husband had to be from an equally prestigious family. Yet no noble household would accept a bride who was practically a laughingstock of Ming Qi.
Thus, even with Shen Xin’s illustrious reputation, Shen Miao remained unwanted.Now that the Wei family had suddenly come to propose marriage, although Cai Ju claimed it was an attempt to climb the social ladder, upon closer consideration, it was likely because Shen Miao's performance at the verification ground had impressed everyone, shedding her previous foolish image. This change must have prompted the Wei family to make their move.
Even in the past, Ren Wanyun would never have tolerated such a good match falling into Shen Miao's lap. Now that Shen Qing was in such a state, she couldn’t bear to see Shen Miao, the instigator, thrive.
"Madam need not worry," Xiang Lan said. "Old Madam Shen will certainly not approve of this marriage."
In the General's household, Old Madam Shen was the foremost in her hatred for the eldest branch. Though she couldn’t do anything to Shen Xin, she could secretly manipulate Shen Miao's marriage prospects. Previously, with Ren Wanyun's arrangements, Shen Miao's reputation as an incompetent had spread throughout Ming Qi. Now that Shen Miao had somewhat shaken off that foolish label and suitors were coming, Old Madam Shen, with her cunning, would surely find a way to dissuade them.
"A wretched fate like hers doesn’t deserve such fortune. She’d probably die in her room before even getting married," Ren Wanyun spat venomously. She glanced at the tightly shut door of the inner chamber, where Shen Qing stayed day after day, unwilling to see anyone, and a trace of resentment flashed through her heart. "Yet Master actually wants to marry Qing'er to such a man!"
Shen Gui still didn’t know about Shen Qing's pregnancy, and Ren Wanyun had no intention of telling him. A cold-hearted man like Shen Gui might tolerate Shen Qing’s loss of chastity, but if he learned she was carrying a child, he would surely force her to abort it, regardless of her health.
Even so, fearing the scandal, Shen Gui had urged Ren Wanyun to find a match for Shen Qing—anyone from a noble family would do, as long as she was married off quickly. After much deliberation, they settled on Huang Dexing, the youngest son of the Junior Treasury Supervisor.
The Huang family’s status was actually higher than the Wei family’s, naturally offering boundless wealth and luxury. But compared to the Weis, the Huangs were far from easy to deal with—and Huang Dexing was a cut sleeve who preferred men.
Because of this, the Huangs weren’t particular about their daughter-in-law. As long as she was gentle and turned a blind eye to Huang Dexing’s debauchery, nothing else mattered.
Shen Gui reasoned that since Shen Qing was already defiled, marrying into the Huang family would be ideal. Huang Dexing’s disinterest in women meant he wouldn’t touch Shen Qing, keeping her secret safe. She could enjoy a life of luxury as the nominal wife of a Huang, while he could leverage the marital alliance to advance his career.
Shen Gui’s plan was sound, but Ren Wanyun refused. Even if Shen Qing was no longer pure, in her heart, she was determined to find her a good match. Marrying Huang Dexing would be a lifetime of living widowhood—she would never trade her daughter for such a marriage. Over this matter, Shen Gui and Ren Wanyun had argued endlessly, further straining their already icy relationship. Shen Gui hardly ever visited Colorful Cloud Courtyard anymore, spending his days in his concubine’s quarters instead.
"If only Fifth Miss and Eldest Miss could swap their matches," Cai Ju grumbled.
The words were spoken carelessly, but they struck a chord in Ren Wanyun. Her brow twitched, and she suddenly turned to Cai Ju. "What did you say?"Cai Ju was startled and stammered, "This servant said it would be better if the Fifth Young Lady and the Second Young Lady swapped their marriages."
"You're right!" Ren Wanyun suddenly stood up, her face alight with wild excitement. "Yes, as long as Qing'er and that little wretch exchange their engagements..." She murmured, "It was always meant to be Qing'er's. This time, let that little wretch reap what she sows!" As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something. "Fetch my cloak. We're going to the Hall of Glory and Scenery."
"Why is Madam going to the Hall of Glory and Scenery?" Both Cai Ju and Xiang Lan were puzzled by Ren Wanyun's abrupt actions. But Ren Wanyun only sneered, "Naturally, to ask the Old Madam to keep that excellent marriage with the Wei family for us."
...
In winter, the sunlight cast upon the potted plants on the windowsill seemed tinged with a pale bluish hue. Yet the light was thin, as if it might shatter at any moment. Shen Miao wore an embroidered double-butterfly standing-water skirt with a narrow-shouldered lotus-green and purple embroidered top. The deep purple made her already fair skin appear almost translucent, while her features, clean as if painted with ink, exuded an air of quiet nobility even as she stood motionless by the window.
Bailu and Shuangjiang were momentarily stunned. Even though they had served Shen Miao since childhood and had seen her face countless times, they now felt an inexplicable sense of unfamiliarity whenever they looked at her. That subtle elegance, emerging from a girl who had once been so youthful, transformed her obedient demeanor into authority and her childishness into solemnity.
"Young Lady seems to favor lotus-green garments," Bailu remarked. "Though they suit you well, girls of your age usually prefer bright colors like pink or blue, don't they?"
Lotus-green was prized for its dignity, but young ladies of the inner chambers—save for princesses and noblewomen in the palace—rarely wore such colors. For one, it could easily make them appear older, and for another, it was difficult to carry off without looking like a child playing dress-up in adult clothes.
Yet Shen Miao, with her delicate, youthful face, somehow wore the outfit with the grace of a palace consort, leaving her maids bewildered.
Though Bailu and Shuangjiang had lowered their voices, Shen Miao still heard them. She smiled faintly. Why did she favor lotus-green? Perhaps because such a color served as a constant reminder—to remain calm, profound, and never show mercy.
In her past life, she had worn the Empress's court robes every day in the palace. The golden hues intimidated the scheming concubines, and maintaining the Empress's dignity kept others at bay. But those colors had never truly suited her.
She had married Fu Xiuyi at a young age and experienced things most girls her age never would. As a result, her once-naive, almost foolish nature had been ground into a stagnant pool of indifference. Later, when she vied with Mei Furen for favor in the harem, she fought to protect Fu Sheng and Wan Yu, clinging to those bright yellow robes of the Empress. Yet in the end, she had lost everything.
"Purple usurping red" symbolized rebellion and usurpation. In this life, she would often wear purple, a sign that one day, she would seize the power the Ming Qi royal family so coveted and trample those bandits and thieves beneath her feet.However... Shen Miao suddenly recalled another handsome young man who always wore purple robes.
Purple usurping red, the inferior overthrowing the superior—she wondered if that mysterious legitimate eldest son of the Xie family also harbored ambitions of seizing power and usurping the throne?
"Young Lady, something terrible has happened!" Just as she was deep in thought, Jing Zhe rushed in frantically from outside. She said, "Young Lady, Mo Qing got news from Chun Tao that the Wei family, the Vice Minister of the Central Secretariat, has come to propose marriage. Old Madam Shen has already accepted their marriage certificate!"
Shuangjiang frowned and asked, "Why the rush? Who is the Wei family proposing to?"
"It's... it's our Young Lady!" Jing Zhe stomped her foot anxiously. "We don't even know what the Wei family is really like. How could the Old Madam accept the marriage certificate without even consulting Young Lady? Neither the Master nor the Mistress knows about this. This is clearly a forced arrangement!"
Jing Zhe had never held Old Madam Shen in high regard and knew full well that anything the old woman did would surely bring Shen Miao misfortune. If the Wei family were truly a good match, Old Madam Shen would never have let Shen Miao off so easily.
"Young Lady, what should we do now? We must write to the Master immediately!" Bailu also looked anxious.
All the maids in the room were in a flurry of panic, yet Shen Miao remained silent. After a moment, she chuckled softly under their astonished gazes and said, "How strange. Although the Vice Minister of the Central Secretariat is only a fourth-rank official, the Wei family is wealthy, and their legitimate son, Wei Qian, is a man of outstanding appearance and talent. For such a good match to fall into my lap—Grandmother must truly favor me."
"Young Lady?" Bailu was stunned. "Are you saying the Wei family is a good match?"
"Not just good," Shen Miao said calmly. "Even if Father returns and learns of this marriage proposal, he would have no reason to refuse. For an official's daughter, Wei Qian is indeed a worthy man to entrust one's life to."
"How does Young Lady know this?" Jing Zhe asked in confusion. Shen Miao spent all her time in the residence, and even when she went out, it was only to the Hall of Extensive Learning. There was no way she could know about the circumstances of an official's family or the temperament of their legitimate son. Yet she spoke as if she were intimately familiar with them, leaving Jing Zhe baffled.
As a young lady confined to the inner chambers, Shen Miao naturally wouldn't know which young men were good matches. But as Empress Shen, she was well aware of which sons of official families were talented and virtuous. Wei Qian was indeed a promising young man with an upright character. That was why, when the Wei family came to propose and Old Madam Shen agreed, Shen Miao found it utterly unbelievable.
Just then, Gu Yu hurried in from outside, her expression uneasy. "Young Lady, Xi'er from the Hall of Glory and Scenery has come with a message from the Old Madam. She wants you to go to the Hall of Glory and Scenery at once."
"How swift," Shen Miao murmured, her eyes narrowing as she smiled. "Then let's go and see."
In the Hall of Glory and Scenery...
Shen Yuanbai nestled close to Old Madam Shen. These days, Ren Wanyun had been busy taking care of Shen Qing and had left Shen Yuanbai in the Hall of Glory and Scenery. Old Madam Shen doted on this grandson and naturally treasured him dearly. As a result, she had even softened her attitude toward Ren Wanyun.Chen Ruoqiu and Shen Yue were not present. Since Ren Wanyun had been tending to Shen Qing within the mansion, Chen Ruoqiu had temporarily taken over the household management duties. Naturally, the responsibility of representing the Shen family in social engagements with various noble ladies also fell upon her. Such a good opportunity was not something Chen Ruoqiu would let slip by. Every day, she took Shen Yue out to socialize, hoping to give Shen Yue more exposure in front of the noblewomen, which would greatly benefit Shen Yue's future marriage prospects.
Ren Wanyun stood at the lower side of the hall, her gaze deep and unreadable, lost in thought.
Shen Miao was led by Old Madam Shen's maid, Xi'er, to the Hall of Glory and Scenery, where she greeted Old Madam Shen with a respectful bow.
During these days of confinement, she had been required to copy Buddhist scriptures and kneel before the ancestral tablets in the Shen family ancestral hall every day. Old Madam Shen likely did not favor her either, as she had not been allowed to come and pay her respects until now. The last time Shen Miao had seen Old Madam Shen was before her confinement.
"Fifth child, have you found peace of mind while copying scriptures in the ancestral hall these past days?" Old Madam Shen asked.
Hearing the old woman's overly refined speech, Shen Miao nearly laughed inwardly. If there was anyone in the Shen Mansion who failed to act their age, Old Madam Shen was the prime example. Yet here she was, speaking of peace and tranquility. Shen Miao smiled faintly. "As Grandmother wishes."
"That is good," Old Madam Shen feigned a light cough, and Fu'er quickly handed her a cup of hot tea. She lifted the lid and took a sip before looking at Shen Miao again. "The incident from before was not your fault, but it did start because of you. Moreover, your temperament is too stubborn, which is why I punished you with confinement and scripture copying. Do you resent me for it?"
"Shen Miao would not dare."
"I know you are a sensible child." Old Madam Shen gave her a satisfied glance. "Since you are so sensible and a daughter of our Shen family, I naturally care for you. You are now of marriageable age. Today, the Wei family, the Zhongshu Shilang's household, came to propose marriage for their eldest son, Wei Qian, and they specifically asked for you. What do you think of this match?"
If it weren't for the current situation, Shen Miao might have burst out laughing. Someone like Old Madam Shen, whose life experience was likely limited to the entertainment quarters, had the audacity to ask her granddaughter so bluntly, "What do you think of this match?" She wondered what Old Madam Shen was thinking.
"Marriages are decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers," Shen Miao replied with a smile. "My marriage is naturally for my parents to worry about."
"You foolish girl!" Old Madam Shen, having been gently rebuffed, nearly lost her temper. Hearing Ren Wanyun's soft cough from the side as a reminder, she calmed herself and adopted a more composed expression. "You are far too willful. Before, you were infatuated with... well, never mind. But these days, you seem to have come to your senses and learned some discretion. The Zhongshu Shilang's family is a good match for us. Their young master, Wei Qian, is a handsome and talented man, excelling in both literary and martial arts. Even your father wouldn't find fault with this match. You've grown up to this age, and this is the first time such a family has come to propose. If you don't seize this opportunity, Young Master Wei will soon become someone else's husband."
Though Old Madam Shen was lacking as an elder, her matchmaking skills were commendable. Perhaps due to her background as a songstress, she knew young girls generally favored good looks, so she painted Wei Qian as the ideal husband in everyone's eyes. Shen Miao knew Old Madam Shen wasn't lying—Wei Qian truly was a good match.Despite this, Shen Miao remained unmoved and said indifferently, "Young Master Wei is indeed good, but he is not what I desire. Let’s forget it, Grandmother. My marriage will naturally be decided by my father and mother."
"You!" Having been repeatedly defied, Old Madam Shen, who was never a patient person, finally erupted in anger, "Are you implying that I, your grandmother, am overstepping by interfering in your marriage?"
"I never said that." The implication was clear—those were your own words.
Old Madam Shen was nearly driven mad with rage. The once docile Shen Miao had now grown thorns all over, untouchable and infuriating. Though she resented the eldest branch of the family, she also feared Shen Xin. For years, she had suppressed her anger, maintaining a facade of a stern yet fair grandmother, never getting close to Shen Miao. She couldn’t strike Shen Miao, for fear of Shen Xin finding out, so she limited herself to scolding. Instead, she had watched coldly as Ren Wanyun and Chen Ruoqiu spoiled and ruined Shen Miao. The tactic of "killing with praise" was often talked about but rarely exposed.
Yet somehow, one day, the ruined Shen Miao suddenly became sharp-witted—not just sharp, but utterly impervious to persuasion. "Do you have no respect for hierarchy and propriety?" Old Madam Shen fumed.
Shen Miao found it tedious. If Old Madam Shen’s patience and composure were tested in the imperial harem, she wouldn’t last two days. Having encountered far more formidable women in her past life, Shen Miao couldn’t be bothered with someone as shallow and ignorant as Old Madam Shen.
"I ask you again," Old Madam Shen, remembering her purpose today, glared at Shen Miao and demanded, "What is your stance on this marriage?"
"I refuse," Shen Miao replied.
"Fine, fine, fine." After spitting out three "fines" in succession, Fu'er and Xi'er hurried forward to soothe Old Madam Shen’s chest, fearing she might faint from rage. Old Madam Shen laughed bitterly in her fury, "Since that’s the case, it seems you have no intention of repenting. From today onward, you will move out of your courtyard and live in the Shen family ancestral hall, reciting scriptures daily to see if it can temper your rebellious nature!"
Living in the ancestral hall meant facing the tablets of ancestors every day—a terrifying prospect for a delicate young girl, likely to scare her witless. Moreover, the hall was damp and cold; prolonged exposure could lead to illness. Old Madam Shen had spoken in the heat of anger, but a glint of triumph flashed in her eyes as she watched Shen Miao, expecting her to beg for mercy.
Yet Shen Miao didn’t even furrow her brow. "Understood. I will return to pack my belongings and move there immediately."
Her light, dismissive words nearly choked Old Madam Shen with rage.
After speaking, Shen Miao indeed bid Old Madam Shen a perfunctory farewell and left without hesitation.
"That wretched girl! She has no respect for authority!" Old Madam Shen, her anger boiling over and lacking refined vocabulary due to her lowly origins, could only curse, "Little wretch! No wonder she carries the blood of that old wench!"
The "old wench" she referred to was none other than Shen Xin’s birth mother—Shen Miao’s paternal grandmother.
Ren Wanyun lifted her head, her gaze dark and venomous as she looked toward the door, where Shen Miao’s figure had long disappeared.
"Didn’t you say she would surely agree to this?" Old Madam Shen turned her fury on Ren Wanyun. "Does she look like she agreed? What do we do now?"Not only was Old Madam Shen puzzled, but Ren Wanyun also found it very strange. With Wei Qian's qualifications, even Shen Qing might have wavered, yet Shen Miao had outright refused without a second thought. She mused, "She must still have feelings for Prince Ding, pretending not to care on the surface but not truly letting go. Otherwise, she wouldn't have rejected such a family outright." She didn't even show the bashfulness a young girl should have when hearing about her own marriage prospects.
"What should we do now?" Old Madam Shen said irritably. "If she won't budge, how can we write to Shen Xin?"
Originally, the plan between the two was simple: coax Shen Miao into revealing in a letter to Shen Xin that she had a sweetheart. Then, before Shen Xin returned to the capital, they would arrange the marriage, swapping the brides between the two families like a "cat for a prince." Afterward, all the blame would be pinned on Shen Miao alone. Once a woman was married, her temper would vanish, and Shen Miao, too afraid, wouldn’t dare make a fuss. Shen Xin would never know that Shen Miao and Shen Qing had switched marriages, believing instead that Shen Miao had fallen for the Huang family’s young master. Huang Dexing’s preference for men was a secret known only to those close to the Huang family—to outsiders, he still appeared a decent match.
But now, Shen Miao herself had openly expressed dissatisfaction with the Wei family’s marriage proposal, let alone writing to Shen Xin. If Shen Miao refused to cooperate, many of their subsequent plans would fall apart, creating unnecessary complications.
"If she won’t yield to soft tactics, then we’ll force her," Ren Wanyun said viciously. "Mother has already locked her in the ancestral hall, so we can say whatever we want about what happens outside. The important thing is to finalize this marriage quickly, get her wedded, and swap Qing’er in." Otherwise, even if they could deceive everyone on the wedding night, Shen Qing’s pregnancy would eventually give them away. They had to act fast while Shen Qing’s condition was still unnoticeable.
Old Madam Shen glanced at Ren Wanyun but said nothing. Though she also wished for the eldest branch’s downfall, if they resorted to force and Shen Xin found out, she too would face dire consequences.
Ren Wanyun immediately understood Old Madam Shen’s hesitation. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll handle everything afterward. No blame will fall on you."
With matters laid out so plainly, Old Madam Shen no longer held back. "Then do as you say."
...
In the Hundred Flowers Building, the air was filled with the melodies of silk and bamboo. On the high pavilion, a handsome young man draped in a purple robe lounged carelessly, his presence as ethereal as celestial silk. His lashes were long, and his peach-blossom eyes were strikingly beautiful, yet when they settled on someone, they carried an undercurrent of indifference and cruelty.
A light cough broke the silence in the pavilion. A richly dressed young man placed a folding fan across his chest in a gesture of apology. "My apologies for being late."
"You? Late? How novel," the purple-robed youth remarked with a sidelong glance.
Su Mingfeng rubbed his nose. This friend of his despised tardiness above all else. It was only because of their deep friendship that Xie Jingxing had waited for him—anyone else would have been left behind long ago.
"Today, Wei Qian was acting unusually," Su Mingfeng explained with a wry smile. "You know him—the son of the Vice Minister of the Central Secretariat. Poor fellow, he already had a girl he fancied, but his family arranged a marriage with another young lady. The other side has even accepted his marriage certificate, so the matter is practically settled. Wei Qian was in a foul mood and dragged me out for drinks. But," he pointed at himself, "given my 'grave illness,' I couldn’t drink, so I spent half an hour trying to console him instead."
"How tedious," Xie Jingxing said coldly. Clearly, Su Mingfeng’s delay over such a trivial matter had greatly displeased him.Su Mingfeng felt helpless inside. Xie Jingxing appeared to be a carefree person, always wearing a faint smile, but in reality, he held grudges deeply and was extremely picky. These past few days, for some unknown reason, his expression had been particularly indifferent. Whenever Xie Jingxing looked at someone with such calmness, Su Mingfeng couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.
"Actually, Wei Qian is quite unlucky. Out of all the possible candidates his family could have chosen for his wife, they had to pick an Incompetent one. Everyone in Ming Qi knows she was chasing after Prince Ding before. Wei Qian marrying her must be out of sheer helplessness," he quickly found a topic, hoping to pique Xie Jingxing's interest. "You must know who she is by now, right? Shen Xin's legitimate daughter, Shen Miao. Marrying Wei Qian should be considered a stroke of great luck for her."
"You're saying," Xie Jingxing suddenly spoke up, slowly countering, "Shen Miao?"
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Young Marquis: How dare they try to take my woman (╰_╯)
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