The noisy front hall fell silent in an instant as all eyes landed on the purple figure behind Luo Xueyan.
The girl's cloak had been removed, revealing a Purple Silk Emerald Pattern Skirt with intricate, flowing designs that accentuated her slender figure. She held her chin slightly raised, her gaze level as if none of the noble ladies present were worthy of her attention. Her skin was so fair it seemed almost translucent, making her delicate features stand out even more. Yet it was her bright, dark eyes that were most captivating—round and clear, at first glance as pure as a newborn creature's, yet so serene they seemed to have witnessed decades of life. This blend of world-weariness and youthful innocence gave her a contradictory kind of beauty.
She followed Luo Xueyan step by step into the hall. Unlike Luo Xueyan's brisk movements, the girl held her hands properly folded in front of her chest, yet it didn’t seem stiff—as if she had performed the gesture a thousand times, so ingrained that even a casual execution was flawlessly precise. The long hem of her skirt swayed gently with each step, like a blooming flower, yet one that blossomed with restraint rather than ostentation, much like the girl herself. Her movements were effortless, each step graceful and pleasing to the eye, carrying an understated dignity. The ladies present, all from high-ranking aristocratic families, had undergone strict training in etiquette and palace decorum under the watchful eyes of their governesses. They prided themselves on their poise, yet they couldn’t help but marvel at this girl—for even they couldn’t match such elegance in their steps.
Sometimes, form can be imitated, but not spirit. The girl in purple remained expressionless, her demeanor composed, as if she were strolling through her own backyard—no trace of nervousness, caution, impulsiveness, or timidity. Her unhurried gait gave the impression she was looking down upon the world.
As if she were the true mistress of this palace.
The thought flashed through the ladies' minds, and they paled in shock—because this girl was none other than the so-called "incompetent" Shen Miao!
At the Verification ground, Shen Miao’s transformation had been undeniable, but since then, she and Shen Qing had both claimed illness and remained in their residence, not even attending the Hall of Extensive Learning. Though she had defeated Cai Lin during the Verification, all she had displayed then was ferocity and audacity. Etiquette and bearing, however, couldn’t be cultivated overnight. Shen Miao had suffered humiliation at court banquets for years—reversing that impression wouldn’t be easy. Yet now, seeing her today, it was as if she were a completely different person. Not only were her attire and manners impeccable, but there was also an unspoken sense that she outshone every other noble daughter in the hall.
Shen Miao walked behind Luo Xueyan, meeting the varied gazes of the crowd. No one noticed the stiffness at the corners of her lips.
After over a decade, she had finally returned here—the cage where she had once fought tooth and nail against fate in her past life. This time, she would see if this place could still trap her.Every brick and tile here was deeply etched in her heart, so much so that she could find her way even with her eyes closed. As for those tedious palace rules and rituals, performing them day after day had almost engraved them into her bones. In this hall, closing her eyes seemed to bring back the sight of Wan Yu smiling as she begged for pastries, and Fu Ming reciting state policies with a shake of his head. Love and hatred intertwined, bitterness and sweetness mingled—stepping back into this place filled her with a whirlwind of emotions, yet the fire burning fiercely in her heart was none other than the flame of vengeance!
Xiao Li Zi stared dumbfounded at the purple-robed girl walking behind the spirited woman, his heart filled with shock. He had just heard from the palace maids in the garden that Shen Xin’s legitimate daughter was a crude and incompetent fool. Yet now, seeing her in person, he found that to be entirely untrue. The girl exuded an aura of nobility that seemed almost overwhelming, as if a mere glance would make one feel unworthy. How could she possibly be an incompetent fool?
As he pondered this, he noticed the girl’s gaze sweep over him, pausing slightly. Xiao Li Zi immediately grew nervous. He had never met the Shen family’s young miss before—could this be what the palace elders called fate? Was the Shen family’s young miss about to favor him? Just as he was torn between fear and excitement, Shen Miao’s gaze shifted away again, as if the moment had been nothing more than a coincidence. Xiao Li Zi suddenly felt a pang of disappointment. For some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that if he could somehow win this Shen family’s young miss’s favor, great fortune awaited him. And now, it seemed as though he had missed his chance.
Before Xiao Li Zi could figure out where this inexplicable thought had come from, a tall lady seated at the front of the hall laughed and said, “Madam Shen, you’ve kept us waiting!”
Luo Xueyan frowned slightly but then flashed a bright smile. “We were delayed on the way.”
“Fifth Miss Shen grows more lovely by the day,” the tall lady remarked, her gaze lingering on Shen Miao with a mix of sincerity and mockery. “Truly, one who is about to be betrothed. Why, it feels like just yesterday she was a tiny little thing.”
At these words, Luo Xueyan’s smile instantly faded. The matter of Shen Miao’s betrothal was utterly baffling to Luo Xueyan—it had been arranged by the Shen Mansion behind her and Shen Xin’s backs. She refused to acknowledge it and wasn’t afraid of offending the Wei family. In terms of family status, the Wei family wasn’t lacking, but they couldn’t compare to Shen Xin. At worst, offending the Wei family would be a small price to pay—nothing was more important than Shen Miao’s happiness. Besides, Madam Wei wasn’t even present now. Determined to clarify the matter for Shen Miao, Luo Xueyan spoke up, “What kind of talk is this? Our Jiaojiao has only just come of age—there’s no need for her to marry so soon. I’d like to keep her by my side a little longer.”
Her words left the gathered ladies and young misses stunned. After all, the news of Shen Miao’s betrothal had been widely circulated in recent days. Later, during Old Madam Shen’s birthday banquet, the rest of the Shen family had all but tacitly agreed. So why did it now seem, from Luo Xueyan’s words, that the engagement might fall through?
The tall lady narrowed her eyes, as if sensing something amiss, and her smile grew even more enigmatic. “Oh? So Madam Shen wishes to keep Fifth Miss Shen a little longer? But wasn’t it said just days ago that Fifth Miss Shen was to be betrothed?”"You must be joking, madam," Luo Xueyan was not one to fear losing face, nor did she care if the Shen family's internal conflicts were exposed to the public. With relatives like those in the Shen family, what was the point of maintaining appearances? She raised her eyebrows and declared loudly, "How could a daughter be engaged without her parents knowing even the slightest bit? My husband and I are completely unaware of what you're talking about. How could there be any engagement?"
As soon as Luo Xueyan finished speaking, murmurs erupted among the crowd. The tall noblewoman hadn't expected Luo Xueyan to respond this way and was momentarily stunned.
Indeed, there was no such thing as a daughter being engaged without her parents' knowledge. If Shen Miao's engagement was unknown to Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin, there was only one explanation: the Shen family had kept it from them. As for why the Shen family would do such a thing, the implications were numerous.
Just as everyone was lost in thought, Ren Wanyun, Chen Ruoqiu, and the others arrived.
Shen Gui and Shen Wan had naturally gone to the main hall for the men first. Ren Wanyun came with Shen Qing, while Chen Ruoqiu and Shen Yue followed at a leisurely pace.
This was Shen Qing's first outing since she had taken to her sickbed. Over these days, she had grown noticeably haggard and thin. At what should have been the prime of her youth, she already bore faint traces of weariness and aging. To mask her exhaustion, she had applied thick layers of rouge and powder and wore a bright red dress. The bold color had never suited Shen Qing, and at first glance, the mismatch was jarring, giving her an oddly incongruous appearance. Moreover, though she tried hard to conceal it, her steps were unavoidably unsteady due to the child in her womb.
As for Shen Yue, she was dressed as usual in a delicate, flesh-pink gossamer gown, her makeup light and her demeanor soft and scholarly, the picture of a fragile, bookish beauty. In the past, she would have drawn many admiring glances, but today was different. With Shen Miao's brilliance shining before them, Shen Yue's movements seemed awkward, her posture stiff, her expression tense, and even her clasped hands overly rigid. In short, she couldn't compare to Shen Miao in the slightest. At this realization, the crowd's expressions grew peculiar. When had the once-dazzling Shen Yue fallen so far behind Shen Miao?
Shen Yue, still young, didn't notice, but Chen Ruoqiu was acutely aware of the change in the noblewomen's gazes. In the past, the looks directed at her and her daughter had been filled with envy, admiration, or praise. But today, they seemed more critical? Chen Ruoqiu's brow twitched. Etiquette and poise had always been her proudest achievements, and she had drilled Shen Yue relentlessly in them. She was confident no noble daughter in Fixed Capital could surpass her own. Yet, judging by these expressions, who could have performed better just now?
Naturally, she didn't realize that the one who had outshone Shen Yue was right before her eyes.
Shen Miao sat beside Luo Xueyan. Though Luo Xueyan was technically one of the main figures of today's court banquet, she too seemed to have been isolated.Indeed, the noble families of the capital had always formed their own exclusive circles. For men, it was somewhat easier—merit and official rank spoke for themselves, and even if they disliked each other inwardly, they maintained surface civility in their political dealings. Women, however, were different. Most noble ladies of the capital were proud and haughty. Legitimate daughters refused to mingle with those born of concubines, and those native to Fixed Capital looked down upon outsiders.
Luo Xueyan was one such outsider.
Had she come from the prosperous regions of Jiangnan, it might have been different. But Luo Xueyan hailed from the harsh, barren northwest. When she first married into Fixed Capital, she couldn’t even speak the official dialect, and her rustic accent became the subject of hushed ridicule among the noblewomen. They mocked the howling desert winds of the northwest, claiming the harsh climate left women’s skin rough and weathered. They gossiped about rampant banditry, suggesting one couldn’t even walk the roads without fear of robbery, and lamented the scarcity of fine silks and luxuries. While much of this was exaggerated, their disdain for Luo Xueyan was very real.
Moreover, Luo Xueyan was the first woman in Fixed Capital to personally take up arms and go to battle.
People often resent what they cannot achieve, especially when it is rare—this holds true for both men and women. Thus, Luo Xueyan found herself ostracized by the noblewomen of Fixed Capital. Compounding matters, Shen Miao had once been the epitome of an Incompetent, making the mother-daughter pair frequent targets of veiled mockery among these ladies.
Madam Bai, Bai Wei’s mother, gestured for Chen Ruoqiu to sit beside her. The two were close friends since childhood, so it was only natural they would sit together. Bai Wei, in turn, pulled Shen Yue to her side. Meanwhile, Ren Wanyun took a seat beside Madam Yi. Yi Peilan glanced at Shen Qing and remarked with concern, "You’ve been absent for so long—I heard you were ill. Hmm, you do look thinner, but your face seems a bit swollen?"
Shen Qing lowered her head in flustered evasion, mumbling, "Perhaps from lying in bed too long." Ren Wanyun had been brewing her numerous tonics to stabilize the pregnancy. Though Shen Qing loathed the child growing inside her, she feared that losing it might render her infertile forever, so she forced herself to drink the bitter concoctions. The regimen of nourishing foods inevitably led to some weight gain. Though her figure didn’t yet betray her condition, her face had begun to puff slightly.
Yi Peilan, suspecting nothing, patted Shen Qing’s hand reassuringly. "You must take care of your health. You’re about to be betrothed—don’t let your body weaken."
Shen Qing shuddered but remained silent. She knew Ren Wanyun had arranged a match with the Huang family, and while Huang Dexing was reputedly a talented young man, she felt an inexplicable resistance to the engagement. An instinctive dread whispered that beneath its glittering surface, this marriage hid unseen dangers.
Yi Peilan’s voice carried just enough for Madam Huang, seated nearby, to overhear. The Huang matriarch cast a critical glance at Shen Qing. To her, this match was merely about securing a nominal wife for her son. Shen Qing was passable in status, but today’s sickly appearance gave her pause—she couldn’t possibly be a chronic invalid, could she? After all, she needed to bear a son for the Huang lineage. Beyond that, she could do as she pleased.
Meanwhile, Madam Bai leaned in to whisper to Chen Ruoqiu, "Ruoqiu, that fifth young miss of yours—she doesn’t seem simple at all.""Oh?" Chen Ruoqiu asked curiously, "Why do you say that?"
"Fifth Miss Shen must have someone guiding her from behind. When she entered earlier, all the ladies noticed her posture and etiquette—more refined than even the palace standards. I’ll say something unpleasant—I’m afraid even Yue'er would pale in comparison."
Chen Ruoqiu froze. "What are you talking about? Everyone knows Fifth Miss has the least sense of propriety."
Bai Wei was Chen Ruoqiu’s close friend and came from a scholarly family, so her standards for etiquette were naturally high. For her to speak so highly of Shen Miao today left Chen Ruoqiu utterly bewildered. While she found it absurd, she couldn’t help glancing toward where Luo Xueyan was seated.
Luo Xueyan had been isolated, sitting alone with Shen Miao beside her. Luo Xueyan, being older and more experienced, remained unruffled even without company, maintaining the composure of a battlefield commander who wouldn’t flinch if Mount Tai collapsed before her. But Shen Miao, a young girl, also sat upright with her back straight. The way others avoided speaking to her didn’t seem like deliberate snubbing—it was as if they didn’t dare to address her.
Chen Ruoqiu’s fingertips trembled slightly.
While the women harbored their own thoughts, in the main hall, Shen Xin’s words had also stirred a storm.
"Minister Shen, are you serious about this?" Emperor Wenhui asked.
Though nearing sixty, Emperor Wenhui showed no signs of aging. His face bore a smile, but his sharp, shrewd eyes still carried the fierce edge of his youth. Now, he gazed down at Shen Xin and asked in a deep voice.
Earlier, in front of all the ministers, Emperor Wenhui had praised Shen Xin, only for Shen Xin to request an imperial favor—permission to remain in Fixed Capital for an additional six months to spend time with his wife and daughter.
For years, Grand General of Might Shen Xin had fought valiantly on the battlefield, never making such a request. This sudden plea gave everyone pause, and the ministers exchanged uneasy glances. At this critical juncture, was Shen Xin’s request truly just about family?
Emperor Wenhui studied Shen Xin. The struggle for succession among his sons had already begun, and the political landscape was shifting unpredictably. Any faction’s involvement could alter the entire balance. Not long ago, rumors had spread wildly about Shen Xin’s daughter, Shen Miao, being infatuated with Prince Ding. Emperor Wenhui had even wondered what would happen if the Shen family’s influence fell into Fu Xiuyi’s hands—only for the matter to suddenly fade away. Now, with Shen Xin making this request, was there another plan at play?
The emperor scrutinized the man below. Shen Xin’s skin was darkened by the sun, his gaze resolute, his posture as unyielding as a mountain. His demeanor toward the emperor was respectful—a loyal and courageous man. But an emperor ruled his subjects not by appearances but by value. To Emperor Wenhui, anything that threatened his throne, no matter how great the merit, had to be eliminated swiftly.
After a moment, Emperor Wenhui laughed heartily. "For so many years, Minister Shen has guarded the northwest. Now that the enemy is defeated, We are deeply gratified. To have such a general is Ming Qi’s fortune. Minister Shen’s request is granted!"
Shen Xin immediately bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"This sudden move made everyone in the hall turn their heads in surprise. After Emperor Wenhui granted permission and left the main hall, the crowd was left in stunned silence. Shen Xin's unexpected action had taken them all aback. The first to speak was Lin'an Hou Xie Ding, who had dealt with the Shen family for decades yet still couldn't comprehend Shen Xin's decision. He mocked, "Has General Shen grown fearful of battle after all these years? Staying in Fixed Capital for half a year—could it be you're seeking some leisure time?"
Instead of taking offense, Shen Xin flashed a bright smile and replied, "Is Marquis Xie perhaps envious? Ah, no wonder—after all, the Marquis has neither wife nor daughter..."
"You—!" Xie Ding's face darkened with rage. Though Shen Xin appeared rough and straightforward, his words cut deep. The deaths of Princess Yuqing and Xie Jingxing's cold indifference were Xie Ding's sorest spots, and Shen Xin had just twisted the knife mercilessly. Xie Ding nearly wished he could run Shen Xin through with his horse spear on the spot.
Fu Xiuyi watched Shen Xin with a complicated expression. The Shen family kept defying his expectations. Shen Miao had once adored him, and though he found it tiresome, he had planned to use the Shen family to his advantage. Yet later, she publicly declared she had no such feelings, leaving Fu Xiuyi to endure ridicule from Prince Zhou and Jing Wang. Now, Shen Xin's request to remain in the capital for half a year only deepened the mystery. An uneasy feeling crept over Fu Xiuyi—this seemingly predictable Shen family had suddenly become an unstable variable, one that might bring unforeseen changes to the grand scheme of things...
Shen Xin's unconventional move left the courtiers bewildered, but the rewards he had received today were undeniably enviable. The others crowded around him, offering congratulations—some sincere, others feigned—while Shen Xin regaled them with tales of the northwest. Unnoticed behind him, however, was a pair of venomous eyes.
Those eyes bore into Shen Xin like a serpent coiled in the grass, waiting for the moment to strike and sink its fangs into its prey. The man watching him toyed with a thumb ring, the empty sleeve of his robe swaying slightly—none other than Prince Yu.
While the atmosphere inside remained lively, outside, Shen Qiu had cornered Wei Qian in the corridor.
Wei Qian was a decent-looking man with a modest demeanor, but compared to the robust and spirited Shen Qiu, he appeared far too frail. Frowning, he asked, "Young Deputy General Shen, what business do you have with me?"
Shen Qiu scrutinized Wei Qian from head to toe. Normally, his cheerful and friendly nature might have led him to befriend someone like Wei Qian. But ever since hearing Shen Miao mention that Wei Qian already had someone in his heart, he couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation. To Shen Qiu, his younger sister was flawless—she was the one who could reject others, not the other way around.
"So you're Wei Qian?" Shen Qiu's tone was far from pleasant.
Wei Qian stiffened, sensing hostility. "That's right."
"I don't have much to say," Shen Qiu clapped Wei Qian on the shoulder. "Just wanted to make it clear—there were rumors about an engagement between my sister and your Wei family. Since they're just rumors, my Shen family never took them seriously, and your Wei family shouldn't either." He took a step back, his tone deceptively casual yet laced with menace. "Whoever my sister chooses as her husband will have to pass my inspection first!" Without waiting for Wei Qian's reaction, he turned on his heel and strode away.Wei Qian stood alone in a daze. Shen Qiu's words clearly intended to sever ties with his Wei family. However... it was true that he had someone he loved, but even if Shen Qiu was standing up for his sister, there was no need to make him sound like a complete fool. The Shen family's favoritism was just too extreme. Besides, he hadn't even had a chance to voice his opinion about this marriage!
Outside the corridor, Gao Yang watched Wei Qian standing there in a stupor with great amusement and shook his head, saying, "The Shen family is truly too domineering. To be so arrogant as to disregard the Wei family entirely."
"Had enough?" The purple-robed youth beside him showed faint impatience in his expression, his tone not particularly pleasant. "Are you done yet?"
"Wei Qian is your man," Gao Yang said. "Aren't you going to stand up for him when he's being bullied like this?"
"If you like, you go." Xie Jingxing shot him a glance.
"I wouldn't dare." Gao Yang grinned as if enjoying a show. "That Shen girl has so many people protecting her. One misstep, and trouble comes knocking. But," he continued with a gentle smile, though his tone carried a hint of schadenfreude, "with Prince Yu present today, I doubt things will end peacefully. I’ve heard Prince Yu intends to take a Royal Consort. Care to guess which young lady of the Shen family he plans to marry?"
"I bet he won't be able to marry her." Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed ahead.
In the garden, a familiar figure hurried forward and spoke a few words to a young eunuch on the other side, slipping a sachet into the eunuch's hand.
That figure was none other than Shen Miao's personal maid, Jing Zhe.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Woke up with an allergic reaction overnight—face covered in rashes... My beauty is ruined＿（：3ゝ∠）＿
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