Three days later, the royal court held a banquet to celebrate the return of the army, with civil and military officials attending along with their families. Though it was meant as a joyous gathering between the ruler and his subjects, everyone knew in their hearts that this banquet was merely the emperor’s way of honoring Shen Xin’s achievements.
The Shen family held significant power, with fierce generals like Shen Xin and Shen Qiu under their command. Used wisely, they were a sharp blade protecting Ming Qi. Used poorly, they could easily threaten the one sitting on the throne. The Ming Qi royal family both relied on and guarded against the Shen family. However, with unrest still lingering in the outer regions, the Shen family was at least safe for now.
As long as the Shen family didn’t recklessly wade into the murky waters of the succession struggle, the royal family wouldn’t move against them for the next decade. This was something anyone with half a brain in court could see. Previously, Shen Miao’s infatuation with Prince Ding had led people to believe that if Shen Xin married his daughter to Fu Xiuyi, the Shen family’s position in court would become precarious. But later, it seemed Shen Miao’s interest in Fu Xiuyi gradually faded. Without being dragged into the storm of succession, the Shen family would naturally remain safe. For the next ten years, the title of Grand General of Might would still intimidate many in Fixed Capital.
Early in the morning, Luo Xueyan came to see Shen Miao. Over the past few days, Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin had been investigating the events that had transpired in Shen Mansion over the past year. However, those matters had been well concealed, and upon closer inspection, they were all trivial matters of little consequence. Thus, nothing substantial was uncovered. Nevertheless, the couple sensed something amiss and had grown noticeably distant from Old Madam Shen and the other two branches of the family.
Shen Miao hadn’t told Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan about Shen Qing’s loss of chastity, and Ren Wanyun and Chen Ruoqiu certainly wouldn’t bring it up themselves. As for Granny Gui’s death, they simply fabricated an excuse, claiming she had been expelled from Shen Mansion for dishonesty. Ren Wanyun had expected Shen Miao to reveal the truth, but to her surprise, Shen Miao went along with the lie. Ren Wanyun concluded that Shen Miao must have some reservations preventing her from reporting the matter to Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan, and thus grew even more brazen in her actions.
“Miss, there are too few hairpins in your jewelry box,” Bailu remarked as she styled Shen Miao’s hair into an Everlasting Joy Hairstyle. Now that Shen Miao had grown slimmer and gradually developed the grace of a young lady, dressing in the childish manner of the past seemed out of place. Moreover, since they were entering the palace today, it was only fitting to dress with dignity and elegance. However, in the past, Ren Wanyun had been in charge of Shen Miao’s accessories, most of which were gold and silver ornaments. Those pieces had long been spent like banknotes—whether it was purchasing Gorgeous Plum Aqua from Sanfu Class or supporting Mo Qing in arranging matters with Doctor Chen. Now, the jewelry box was practically empty.
“Didn’t the master bring back rewards from His Majesty yesterday?” Shuangjiang had a sudden idea. “Why not let Miss pick something from those? The palace’s gifts must include many fine items.”
“No need,” Shen Miao refused outright. Every item from the palace was tainted with blood, and she had no desire to wear any of them now. It felt as though donning them would bring back memories of those brutal years. After a moment’s thought, she opened a hidden compartment in the jewelry box and selected a hairpin.
“Oh, this hairpin is so beautiful!” Bailu exclaimed in delight. “When did Miss acquire such a piece? Was it a gift from Madam?”Shen Miao picked up the hairpin and brought it close for a careful look. This was the very jade crabapple blossom that Xie Jingxing had exchanged for the real crabapple flower she wore in her hair during the Verification in the plum grove. Had Bailu not mentioned the lack of jewelry today, she might have completely forgotten about it.
The hairpin was entirely made of jade, with hues gradually deepening from base to tip. The blossom portion was carved from a single piece of translucent purplish-red jade, the craftsmanship so exquisite that the crabapple petals appeared to unfurl in full bloom, creating an impression of lush, sprawling beauty. Cool and smooth to the touch, it was clearly made from superior jade material. Such a crabapple hairpin was undoubtedly worth a fortune. In her previous life, Shen Miao had seen many fine things in the palace and could easily recognize the exceptional quality of this piece. This made Xie Jingxing's generosity all the more surprising—even with the wealth of Marquis Lin'an Manor, such extravagance seemed excessive.
Noticing Shen Miao's distraction, Bailu gently reminded her, "Miss, this hairpin is beautiful. Let me help you put it on."
Shen Miao snapped out of her reverie and complied with Bailu's suggestion.
Finally, Shuangjiang dabbed a touch of rouge on her cheeks, completing the look. Gu Yu approached with a lotus-blue cloak trimmed with rabbit fur and draped it over her shoulders, smiling. "Miss looks truly lovely. Madam will surely be delighted."
Outside, Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin were waiting. Shen Qiu plucked a leaf and asked, "Mother, why didn't you let Sister pick clothes and jewelry from the reward chests? Wouldn't that have been easier?"
"What do you know?" Luo Xueyan huffed. "Rewards usually come as fabric, not ready-made garments. Even if there were clothes, who knows if they were worn by palace concubines? I wouldn't dare let Jiaojiao wear them. As for jewelry, it's better to let her wear what she likes. Best not to interfere."
Shen Miao had always favored gaudy outfits, a preference that even Luo Xueyan found exasperating. No matter how Luo Xueyan tried to persuade her, Shen Miao clung to her love for gold and silver ornaments. Over time, Luo Xueyan grew accustomed to it. Beauty, after all, was merely superficial. Coming from a military aristocratic family herself, Luo Xueyan, though striking and beautiful, preferred bold, heroic attire that matched her spirited nature.
Shen Qiu stuck out his tongue and muttered, "If Sister shows up all glittering again..." Before he could finish, the door creaked open.
"Si-sis-sister..." Shen Qiu gaped, staring dumbfounded at Shen Miao.
The young maiden wore a Purple Silk Emerald Pattern Skirt, draped with the rabbit-fur-trimmed lotus-blue cloak. The soft fur framed her slender neck, making her delicate face appear even smaller. Her fair complexion shone against the dark hue of the cloak, exuding an air of quiet nobility. Her bright eyes and pearly teeth carried an effortless grace, her youthful charm accentuated by a poised and dignified bearing. Every movement seemed to radiate a subtle, regal authority.
Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin stared in stunned silence. For a moment, they saw beyond the girl before them—glimpsing instead the noble golden phoenix behind the Golden Luan Hall, beyond layers of palace walls. And even that phoenix paled in comparison.It was precisely because Shen Miao used to always be adorned in gold and silver that her current simplicity made her appear even more noble. And that composed demeanor was something they had never seen before. Luo Xueyan unconsciously touched her chest. Coming from the deserts of the northwest, after marrying Shen Xin and moving to Fixed Capital, she had been mocked by the noble ladies here for being coarse and lacking manners. Luo Xueyan had even secretly hired a governess to learn, but even if she could mimic the appearance, she could never truly embody the refined elegance of an aristocratic family, so she eventually gave up.
Now, her daughter looked more dignified and majestic than any noble lady in Fixed Capital—how could she not be overjoyed!
"Hahahaha!" Shen Xin was the first to break the silence. He threw his head back and laughed heartily before looking at Shen Miao with pride and warmth in his eyes. "The Shen family has a daughter who has blossomed—my Jiaojiao is now a great beauty!" His words were rather crude, earning him a fierce glare from Luo Xueyan. But when she turned, she noticed the guards Shen Qiu had brought back from the military staring dumbfounded at Shen Miao, and she couldn’t help but feel a hint of smugness. She then said, "Enough, let’s get on the carriage. It wouldn’t do to be late." With that, she took Shen Miao’s hand and began chatting with her affectionately.
Shen Miao wasn’t quite used to being treated like a child, but when she saw the doting gazes of Shen Xin and Shen Qiu, she paused. In the eyes of her parents and brother, she was still that Shen Jiaojiao.
Ren Wanyun noticed the crabapple hairpin on Shen Miao’s head and remarked with a smile, "Jiaojiao, that hairpin is so pretty. Did you pick it out yourself?"
Shen Miao gave a vague response. When they reached the entrance, they saw two carriages already waiting.
Shen Gui and Shen Wan stood outside, their expressions stiffening slightly when they saw Shen Miao and her family approach. These days, Shen Xin had shown them no kindness, refusing to listen no matter how they tried to explain. Even Luo Xueyan’s daily greetings to Old Madam Shen had become perfunctory, almost making the old lady faint from anger.
"Eldest Brother," Shen Wan, ever the smoother talker, greeted Shen Xin with a smile.
Shen Xin gave a noncommittal "Hmm" before walking to his carriage and saying to Shen Miao, "Madam, Jiaojiao, you two go in first." Shen Xin and Shen Qiu weren’t accustomed to riding in carriages, so they would follow on horseback outside.
Being so blatantly ignored, Shen Gui and Shen Wan felt their pride wounded. A flicker of anger flashed in Shen Gui’s eyes. Just then, the curtain of one of the other carriages lifted, revealing the faces of Shen Yue and Chen Ruoqiu. Shen Yue said softly, "Would Fifth Sister like to ride with us? The carriage is spacious enough for Auntie as well."
"No need," Luo Xueyan replied coldly. "We’d rather ride in our own carriage—it’s more comfortable."
Shen Miao almost wanted to applaud Luo Xueyan in her heart. In the past, Luo Xueyan had never had conflicts with the other two branches of the family. She was straightforward and warm-hearted, so no one had ever seen this sharp-tongued side of her. But on the battlefield, Luo Xueyan was even more ruthless with enemies—Chen Ruoqiu and Shen Yue’s overtures meant nothing to her.In another carriage, Shen Qing and Ren Wanyun were also listening to the commotion outside. Shen Qing's face was still pale, but she tightly gripped Ren Wanyun's hand, unconsciously using so much force that Ren Wanyun let out a soft cry. When Shen Qing released her grip, fingernail marks were left on Ren Wanyun's wrist.
Yet Ren Wanyun paid no mind to her own hand. She pulled Shen Qing into her arms, feeling the slight tremors in her daughter's body.
"Qing'er..." Ren Wanyun murmured soothingly.
"I must kill her..." Shen Qing gritted her teeth in her mother's embrace. She had gradually regained her senses and recalled the terrifying events of that night at Crouching Dragon Temple. All of it was thanks to Shen Miao. What was even more horrifying was that she was now pregnant, and this child in her belly couldn't be aborted—otherwise, she might never be able to become a mother. Thinking of all the suffering she had endured, Shen Qing wished Shen Miao could experience the same pain—no, she should suffer ten times worse!
"Mother will avenge you..." Ren Wanyun's heart felt as if it were being sliced by knives, wishing she could transform into a wolf and tear out Shen Miao's throat. Shen Qing's sobs were like daggers stabbing into her heart, and facing her daughter, she couldn't help but think of that night—she had been right next door, yet she had chosen to stand by and do nothing.
"I will avenge Qing'er..." Ren Wanyun muttered to herself.
In yet another carriage, Shen Yue and Chen Ruoqiu sat facing each other. Still displeased from Luo Xueyan's earlier sharp remarks, Shen Yue had always looked down on such vulgar martial women in her heart. Now that she had been mocked by someone she considered beneath her, she was seething with anger.
"Yue'er," Chen Ruoqiu frowned slightly, "how many times have I told you? You needn't pay attention to such people. Why lose your composure over her?"
"Mother, I just can't stand it," Shen Yue said, staring at her palm. "Shen Miao used to be so deferential to us. Now that Uncle's family has returned, she's putting on this haughty act, relying on their influence to bully us. Isn't she deliberately flaunting it in our faces?" Her words carried a hint of jealousy she wasn't even aware of.
Chen Ruoqiu caught this trace of envy. Looking at her graceful daughter, she sighed. "I've taught you before—no matter what, you must remain composed. It seems you're still too young and impatient, too reckless." She paused before continuing, "You don't need to take Shen Miao too seriously. The first and second branches are already at a complete impasse. Shen Miao has offended your second aunt, and your second aunt will surely seek retribution."
Hearing this, Shen Yue looked at Chen Ruoqiu. "But all this time, Second Aunt hasn't managed to do anything to Shen Miao."
Chen Ruoqiu was momentarily taken aback. Indeed, Ren Wanyun had been scheming against Shen Miao for a long time, yet not only had she gained no advantage, she had suffered losses instead. Now, Shen Miao had even managed to bring Shen Xin back. If it were anyone else, it might be understandable, but for someone as shrewd and experienced as Ren Wanyun—who had always kept the concubines in the household firmly under control—to be outmaneuvered by a mere girl was truly baffling.After a moment, Chen Ruoqiu suppressed her surprise and said, "It's precisely because your second aunt has never succeeded that her temper is now close to fury. So when she deals with Shen Miao next, she will take desperate risks and exert all her strength. At that time, even with your uncle's protection, Shen Miao won't be able to escape even if she had wings."
Shen Yue listened in a daze but seemed to understand something. She said, "In that case, we just need to sit back and watch the show."
"Exactly," Chen Ruoqiu said. "This is what I want to teach you. In the inner household, avoid taking action whenever possible. If you can use others to achieve your goals, never step forward yourself. If used well, you can benefit effortlessly without lifting a finger."
"Thank you for your guidance, Mother," Shen Yue straightened up. "I understand."
They were chatting happily, unaware that Luo Xueyan's carriage had already left them far behind. Shen Qiu and Shen Xin rode tall horses, and as they passed, the commoners who recognized them couldn't help but cast admiring glances. The fearsome reputation of the Grand General of Might had long been widely spread among the people.
Inside the carriage, Luo Xueyan kept smiling brightly at Shen Miao. Even though Shen Miao was calm and composed, she was somewhat puzzled by Luo Xueyan's laughter.
"Jiaojiao is truly beautiful now," Luo Xueyan sighed. "After just a year apart, you've grown into a young lady. In this Fixed Capital, no one could be as lovely as you."
Luo Xueyan had always been somewhat domineering in her speech. If others heard such words, they might laugh at her presumption. But parents always see their children in the best light. Moreover, Luo Xueyan's temperament was quite fiery, while Shen Miao now appeared serene and noble. People always cherish what they lack, so naturally, Luo Xueyan treasured this daughter who had suddenly become willing to be close to them even more.
Shen Miao smiled faintly. Probably only her family could take pride in someone like her, the so-called Incompetent.
"Last night, your father and I discussed it," Luo Xueyan changed the subject. "Your suggestion for your father to stay in Fixed Capital for another six months is a good one. Your father and I are rarely at home, so we should spend more time with you. When His Majesty asks today, your father will make the request."
Hearing this, Shen Miao couldn't help but freeze. She had expected Shen Xin to eventually listen to her, but not so quickly. Before she could react, Luo Xueyan hugged her and said with a smile, "Just in time for these six months, I can watch my Jiaojiao grow."
Luo Xueyan was fearsome in the eyes of her enemies but exceedingly affectionate toward Shen Miao. If her former adversaries saw this, they would be utterly shocked.
"Thank you, Mother," Shen Miao nestled against Luo Xueyan and whispered softly.
Tonight's banquet at the palace gate was no mere celebration. It was fraught with danger, a battlefield for the capable, where everyone sought to outmaneuver the other. The trap was set, the pieces laid—all that remained was for the opponent to fall into the snare.
But for her, what mattered more was... the place that had imprisoned her in her past life, buried her children and loved ones, filled with enemies and slaughter—the nine-layered palace. She was finally about to return.
Emperor Wenhui, the Fu Family, and those old "friends" in the depths of the palace—when they met again, who would emerge victorious remained to be seen. The corners of her lips curled slightly, and deep within her clear eyes, a dark glint swirled like a vortex, gradually stirring a black storm.
...The nine-layered palace stood majestic and resplendent, with glazed tiles, carved vermilion lacquer, golden dragons coiling, and colorful phoenixes dancing in the air. Glittering gold, dazzling brightness—yet also cold and desolate, filled with sorrow.
Splendor is always superficial. Like the fertile soil beneath a bed of blooming flowers, deep within these palace walls lay countless bleached bones and beauties, all reduced to withered remains in the end. The more beautiful the palace appears, the more treacherous its depths.
In the garden, a palace maid and a eunuch were watering flowers—these tedious and monotonous tasks were always assigned to the newest arrivals. Both looked no older than sixteen or seventeen, still very young.
The young maid said, "Many people came to the front hall today. If I hadn’t made a mistake and been demoted, I could have served the nobles there. You know, during the annual Return Banquet, just the tips alone could last a whole year."
"The Return Banquet..." The young eunuch’s eyes sparkled with longing. "So many rewards? That’s amazing!"
"You’re so ignorant," the maid scoffed, curling her lips. "The Return Banquet is a grand feast His Majesty hosts specifically to honor the achievements of the Grand General of Might. All the high-ranking officials and their ladies attend, and they’re naturally generous with their rewards. If you wait a few more years and are lucky, you might get to see it once. Then you’ll know—those nobles hand out silver ingots one after another."
"Silver ingots?" The eunuch gasped in astonishment, then sighed enviously. "The Grand General of Must have such prestige, for His Majesty to hold a banquet just for him. He must be the center of attention."
"What’s the use of prestige?" The maid’s tone was disdainful. "With such an incompetent daughter, he’s lucky he hasn’t lost all face. What attention is there to seek?"
"Incompetent daughter?" the eunuch asked. "The Grand General’s daughter?"
"You wouldn’t know this," the maid said mysteriously. "General Shen is wise and mighty, his wife a heroine in her own right, and his young deputy is brave and skilled in battle. But the Grand General’s daughter is utterly incompetent. Not only does she know nothing of music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, but she also loves gaudy jewelry—so vulgar. Every time General Shen brings her to the Return Banquet, she embarrasses herself. Last year, when I was serving, she didn’t even know basic etiquette and tripped over her own skirt, tumbling down the steps. The noble ladies love mocking her the most. Even with the Shen family’s protection, everyone looks down on that young miss."
"To think it’s like that..." The eunuch sighed in pity. "What a waste of the Shen family’s reputation."
"Exactly," the maid continued. "She’s the family’s greatest flaw. Her two cousins are both far more outstanding than her, and General Shen’s face has been thoroughly shamed by her. And before this, that Shen family daughter was infatuated with Prince Ding, making such a scene that the entire court knew about it."
"What a crude woman," the eunuch said, his expression turning to disgust.
The maid spent her days confined to the palace, unlike the noble ladies who could come and go, so all she knew were the happenings within the palace walls. Thus, she was completely unaware of how Shen Miao had shed her reputation for vulgarity at the Verification ground.
As they spoke, they noticed someone approaching from the opposite side. The two immediately lowered their heads and busied themselves with their work, not daring to speak. But then they heard the person stop before them and ask in a shrill voice, "New here?"
"Reporting to Gao Gonggong, yes," someone nearby answered.The young eunuch mustered his courage and glanced up, seeing three people standing before him. One was dressed as the chief eunuch, while the other two wore the attire of second-rank eunuchs. The one called Gao Gonggong was indeed dressed as the chief eunuch.
Gao Gonggong swept his gaze over the two, then fixed his eyes on the young eunuch and asked, "What's your name?"
"Your humble servant is Xiao Li Zi," the young eunuch replied promptly and respectfully, showing quick wit.
"Take him," Gao Gonggong said to the person beside him. "The banquet is short one wine-pourer. He looks clever enough—might please the noble guests. Have him fill in."
"Yes."
Xiao Li Zi’s heart swelled with excitement. If things went well, wouldn’t he receive piles of silver rewards, just as the palace maid had said earlier? And if he caught the eye of some high-ranking master, who knew what fortune might await him in the future?
Within these nine-layered palace walls, everyone schemed tirelessly to climb higher. Even the lowliest servant dreamed of soaring to the top in a single night.
...
In the front hall, many ladies and young misses had already arrived. Except for those with connections to the palace concubines, who were invited to the inner quarters to converse with the imperial consorts, most of the womenfolk remained seated outside, engaging in idle chatter.
"Where are Lady Shen and General Shen? Why haven't they arrived yet?" A lady with high cheekbones laughed. "Aren't they the main guests of honor today? Could they be deliberately fashionably late?"
"Lady Shen probably wants to keep her daughter hidden from view, deliberately keeping her under wraps," another round-faced lady chimed in with a chuckle, though her tone was laced with mockery.
Shen Xin, the illustrious Grand General of Might, was a man of exceptional merit who refused to take concubines and remained utterly devoted to Luo Xueyan. Among the noble ladies present, whose households were filled with numerous concubines and endless messy affairs, Luo Xueyan's good fortune—her loving husband and outstanding son—naturally filled them with envy.
Women loved nothing more than to compare themselves to others. The happier Luo Xueyan appeared, the more it stoked the jealousy of the other ladies, who secretly wished for some misfortune to befall her. Thus, Shen Miao became the only means to undermine Luo Xueyan. Shen Miao's foolishness, lack of talent, and unimpressive appearance, coupled with her tendency to embarrass herself in the palace, made this time of year the happiest for these ladies. Watching Shen Xin and his wife humiliated by their daughter seemed to bring them some twisted satisfaction.
"I wonder what Fifth Miss Shen will wear this year," Yi Peilan remarked with a sneer. "Last year, that dress covered in gold leaves was quite the sight, paired with her gold accessories—so 'luxurious.' Will it be silver leaves this time?"
Her words immediately drew laughter and agreement from the surrounding young misses, with sarcastic remarks flying thick and fast.
Just then, a clear, crisp voice cut through the air: "Everyone, let's not speak like this. After all, Fifth Miss Shen has inherited General Shen's skills. Remember how she dominated the mounted archery at the Verification ground, leaving even Young Master Cai helpless? What if she takes offense and challenges you to an archery match someday?"
The crowd fell silent at once. Many of the ladies and young misses present had witnessed Shen Miao's ferocity during the Verification. The thought sent an involuntary shiver down their spines—if even Cai Lin meant nothing to her, what if she grew angry and shot an arrow their way?
The speaker was none other than Feng Anning. No sooner had she spoken than Lady Feng shot her a disapproving glare. Offending so many ladies was no trivial matter. Feng Anning wrinkled her nose in displeasure—she simply couldn't stand these people gossiping behind others' backs. In front of Shen Xin, they wouldn't dare utter a word, yet they fawned over him while disparaging his daughter in private. How shameless.
Before the awkward atmosphere could dissipate, a eunuch's voice rang out from outside: "The Grand General of Might has arrived—!"
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
At the forefront were Shen Xin and Shen Qiu. Shen Xin strode forward with the imposing aura of a seasoned military man, his mere presence commanding respect and sending a ripple of unease through the hall. Shen Qiu stood tall and straight, his warm smile and faint dimples making him appear approachable, causing more than a few young ladies to blush.
The two men did not linger in the front hall but turned toward the main hall where the male guests were gathered. Naturally, everyone's gaze followed them, settling on the figures behind them.Luo Xueyan wore a sky-blue, waist-cinching soft armor robe, her hair tied up in a sleek saber-like bun. Unlike those ladies with elaborate makeup, her attire was refreshingly simple, yet the high-quality fabric and craftsmanship prevented it from looking crude. Her bright, lively eyes carried a bold and spirited charm, a beauty strikingly different from ordinary noblewomen.
Following closely behind, a slender figure in purple approached gracefully.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Can you guess who the young eunuch is? It's the one who fed the imperial consort medicine in the first chapter...
...
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