The Hall of Extensive Learning was the academy of Fixed Capital.
The nobles and officials of Ming Qi often sent their sons and daughters to study at the Hall of Extensive Learning, where the instructors were renowned scholars or talents celebrated far and wide. For the young scions of distinguished families, being admitted to the Hall was a mark of honor.
Shen Miao also studied there.
Unfortunately, both Shen Xin and his wife came from military aristocratic families, and Shen Qiu, the eldest brother, would get a headache at the mere thought of studying. Shen Miao had been raised by Old Madam Shen since childhood, but Old Madam Shen was a songstress who couldn’t even recognize a single character. Shen Miao’s early education was taught by Chen Ruoqiu, the third wife of the Shen family. Though Chen Ruoqiu hailed from a scholarly aristocratic family, the textbooks she used to teach Shen Miao were obscure and difficult. Children naturally prefer play over study, and after repeated lessons, Shen Miao developed a complete aversion to reading and writing.
Seeing that Shen Miao disliked studying, Chen Ruoqiu never forced her. Instead, she taught her to focus on fine clothing, food, and luxuries, living the life of a pampered young lady. Later, when she came of age and entered the Hall of Extensive Learning, Shen Miao couldn’t keep up with the lessons at all, performing worse than even the first-year students, and eventually became the bottom of the class. Over time, Shen Miao grew to dislike studying even more and became notorious in Fixed Capital for her ignorance and foolishness.
Among the three legitimate daughters of the Shen family, Shen Yue was the most renowned for her talents, excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Though not as outstanding as Shen Yue, Shen Qing was also quite accomplished, particularly in embroidery and bookkeeping. For a future bride destined to become the mistress of a household, better bookkeeping skills meant greater favor from the in-laws, so Shen Qing also earned a reputation for competence.
The more outstanding Shen Yue and Shen Qing were, the more Shen Miao appeared utterly talentless—even inferior to Shen Dongling, the illegitimate daughter of the eldest branch.
In the carriage, Jing Zhe asked, “Miss, why aren’t you riding with Eldest Miss and Second Miss anymore?”
Usually, Shen Miao would always share a carriage with Shen Qing and Shen Yue. Shen Miao felt braver with her sisters by her side, while Shen Yue and Shen Qing likely enjoyed having a foolish younger sister to make themselves look even better by comparison.
But now, Shen Miao didn’t even want to pretend anymore.
“We were never under the same roof to begin with, and our paths diverge completely. How can there be any talk of traveling together?”
Jing Zhe stuck out her tongue, not understanding why. Her mistress’s words were becoming harder and harder to comprehend, but she thought it was a good thing. Shen Miao’s temperament had always been too timid, with every matter dictated by the second and third branches. But after falling into the water once, she seemed to have gained her own will—this was how it should be. As the legitimate daughter of the eldest branch, her status was no lower than anyone else’s. Why should she act like a servant?
In another carriage, Shen Yue lifted the curtain slightly and glanced behind them, whispering, “Eldest Sister, Fifth Sister is following behind.”
“She’s deliberately throwing a tantrum at me,” Shen Qing sneered. In front of Shen Yue, she never hid her disdain for Shen Miao. “Let her be. It’s not me who’ll end up embarrassed anyway.”
Shen Yue said worriedly, “But she’s already caught a chill, and with the matter of Prince Ding…”
“Shen Yue,” Shen Qing interrupted, “Do you think I don’t know what’s on your mind? Stop pretending to be the good one here. If you truly cared about her, why don’t you go ride in her carriage instead of talking to me about it?”
Shen Yue bit her lip and lowered her head, saying nothing more.The carriage traveled for nearly half an hour before finally arriving at the Hall of Extensive Learning.
It was still early, and the teacher had not yet begun the lesson. Most of the second-year students had already arrived and were chatting in the classroom. As soon as Shen Yue and Shen Qing entered, they were warmly greeted by the other girls.
In the Hall of Extensive Learning, Shen Yue was renowned as the most talented among the young ladies—beautiful, modest, and gentle—naturally earning her widespread admiration. Though Shen Qing was not as academically outstanding as Shen Yue, she was capable and tactful, making her equally well-liked in noble circles.
A girl in a pink dress asked, "Yue Niang, why isn’t Shen Miao here today?" Normally, Shen Miao followed Shen Yue and Shen Qing around like a maid, so her absence today was rather odd.
"Probably too ashamed to show her face," another girl chimed in. Though her features were delicate, her voice was loud, and her expression was mocking. "I heard she fell into the water while peeping at Prince Ding. Has she not recovered from the chill, or is she just too embarrassed to come?"
"Peilan, it wasn’t like that..." Shen Yue shook her head.
"You’re always too protective of your sister," Yi Peilan retorted. "Someone as foolish as her doesn’t seem like she was raised in the Shen family at all, yet you still shield her at every turn. But she really opened our eyes—usually so timid and meek, yet bold enough when it comes to Prince Ding. Anyone would think she was raised in some humble family with no manners."
Her words were harsh, and Shen Qing smiled in response. "Our fifth sister was just being mischievous for a moment."
"I think it’s because General Shen and his wife weren’t around to raise her properly," a girl with a fallen horse bun interjected. "Without discipline, she naturally lacks the sense of propriety a young lady should have."
"Cai Xuan, that’s not fair," Shen Yue said softly. "Though my uncle and aunt are not in the Fixed Capital, Fifth Sister was raised under Grandmother’s care. My mother and Second Aunt have also taught her constantly—she was never neglected."
The implication was clear: Shen Miao’s shamelessness was simply innate.
As expected, Yi Peilan seized on Shen Yue’s words. "How strange. Raised in the same family, yet you and Qing Niang are worlds apart from Shen Miao. Truly, as the saying goes, you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear." She giggled, and the circle of noble girls around her joined in the laughter. Even some of the young men couldn’t help but glance over.
The next moment, someone called out, "Look, Shen Miao is here!"
Everyone turned toward the entrance, eager for the spectacle.
A young girl walked in slowly, dressed in a deep red silk gown embroidered with twin cloud and wild goose patterns, draped with a dark blue satin cloak. The colors were far too mature for a girl her age, especially since Shen Miao’s round, soft features made her look like a child who had stolen her elder’s clothes.
Her steps were unhurried, the hem of her skirt barely swaying. Each footfall was light yet carried an inexplicable weight, exuding an air of dignified grace. Her chin was slightly raised, her expression unreadable, and her once-puppy-like eyes now seemed like unfathomable pools, concealing a quiet, restrained power—like a beast that had sheathed its claws.Her features remained pleasing, their soft roundness lending a certain charm, yet not a trace of foolishness could be found now. Though her face had yet to fully mature, it paired unexpectedly well with her dignified bearing.
She didn't resemble a young maiden, but rather... those noble ladies holding high positions, or perhaps the decisive manner of a household's authoritative patriarch.
The classroom gradually quieted down.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
I've revised the synopsis to give the male lead more presence. Dear readers can check the updated synopsis to see what kind of person the male lead is~
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