The scandal from the Shen family banquet did not spread beyond the family. By “spread,” that meant among common people. As for the noble families, they had always been interconnected through countless threads of relationships. One lady would share the gossip with another, and privately, the news had already circulated. The Shen Matriarch’s self-righteous words had backed her into a corner. If she didn’t follow through with what she said, it would be a blatant loss of face. But if she did as she had promised, sacrificing her most outstanding grandson, how could she willingly accept it?
Because of this incident, the First Branch and the Shen Matriarch were now completely at odds. Previously, there had only been distance between the Second and Third Branches, but the Matriarch’s subtle attitude during the family banquet had left Luo Xuyan and Shen Xin with a bone stuck in their throats. They were not people who tolerated being slighted, so they simply folded their arms and watched the drama unfold.
After Shen Yuan and Jing Chuchu awakened, Jing Chuchu naturally cried again, claiming she had been dragged into the room by Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan was furious, saying he had no idea what had happened before he fainted, and when he woke up, he was already lying with Jing Chuchu. He couldn’t remember any of it and suggested that Jing Chuchu might still be intact.
However, whether Jing Chuchu was still a virgin mattered little. With so many noble ladies witnessing the compromising scene, Jing Chuchu’s future was ruined.
Perhaps due to the shock of this incident or for other reasons, the Jing siblings abandoned their previous gentleness and docility, becoming aggressive and demanding that Shen Yuan take responsibility. The Shen Matriarch had previously stated that if it were Shen Qiu, Jing Chuchu would become the wife of the Shen family’s eldest son. Now that it was Shen Yuan, naturally, Jing Chuchu should become the second young madam of the Shen family.
The Shen Matriarch’s calculations had been precise—how could she let this happen? Shen Yuan was her most outstanding grandson, yet he would have to marry a girl from a humble background. She immediately began looking for excuses to postpone. Jing Guansheng, despite his scholarly appearance, was extremely shrewd. Without further discussion, he threatened to take Jing Chuchu to the authorities and sent a family letter back to Suzhou. When the people in Suzhou heard about it, they were enraged by the Shen Matriarch’s duplicity. They brought their supporters to the capital to demand justice, apparently prepared to battle with the Shen family.
The former alliance shattered in an instant. The Shen Matriarch spent her days in the mansion cursing the Jing siblings as ungrateful wolves, while the Jing siblings openly and implicitly mocked the Shen Matriarch for being disrespectful despite her age. The Shen mansion was in chaos. Shen Yuan was also furious, but the situation had escalated too far to simply kill Jing Chuchu. With so many ladies watching, if anything happened to Jing Chuchu, suspicion would fall on him. Besides, the Jing family was not to be trifled with.
No matter how tumultuous it was outside, the Western Courtyard remained peaceful behind closed doors. Shen Qiu had never been drunk that day; Shen Miao had instructed him to pretend. As for why Shen Yuan ended up with Jing Chuchu later, Shen Qiu didn’t know the reason. Although Shen Miao refused to tell him and threatened him not to inform Shen Xin and his wife, Shen Qiu could vaguely guess something. When he returned to the mansion, he refused to set foot in Rongjing Hall.
In her room, Shen Miao sat at the table writing recipes for the kitchen. Jing Chuchu now had no possibility of currying favor with the First Branch. Therefore, Shen Miao no longer needed to monitor her at the practice field daily. However, Shen Xin and the soldiers eagerly anticipated Shen Miao’s pastries and soups. Shen Miao was too lazy to make them herself, so she wrote down recipes for the kitchen. The results earned daily praise, and the soldiers respected her even more than they did Shen Qiu.
Luo Xuyan asked, “When did Jiaojiao learn so many recipes? Are you interested in cooking?”
Shen Miao responded vaguely. She was not the kind of docile woman who enjoyed cooking. In her previous life, to please certain people, she had humbled herself and learned cooking techniques from imperial chefs. But no matter how well she cooked, those she aimed to please were never moved. Now, Shen Miao shook her head—this illustrated the difference between pleasing people and pleasing beasts. Some people know gratitude, while others only repay kindness with enmity.
Bailu took Shen Miao’s finished papers, let them dry, and then carried them to the small kitchen. The Western Courtyard now ate separately from the Eastern Courtyard, having opened their small kitchen—a clear indication of their distrust.
“I heard that Cousin Young Master argued with the Matriarch again today,” Jingzhe said while cleaning up Shen Miao’s writing materials. “It seems the Jing family people are already on their way. The Matriarch can’t delay anymore and is getting anxious.”
“Everything that needed to be said has been said,” Shen Miao sipped her tea. “Cousin is smart; he won’t let himself be taken advantage of for nothing.”
“The Cousin Young Master is quite ruthless,” Guyu added. “He’s constantly threatening to report to the authorities, knowing the Second Young Master has just returned to the capital to assume office. If reported, the Second Young Master’s official career would be ruined. I think this time the Second Young Master will have to marry the Cousin Young Lady. This is all thanks to the Matriarch’s strict adherence to the old Master’s family precepts.” By the end, her voice rose with barely suppressed joy.
The Matriarch’s behavior was nauseating. Now that the stone she had lifted had fallen on her foot, how could one not feel vindicated?
“But…” Jingzhe asked, “What good does it do for Cousin Young Lady to go to such lengths to marry the Second Young Master? The Matriarch has fallen out with her, and the Second Young Master doesn’t like her. Even if she marries into the family, they won’t be loving. Isn’t Cousin Young Lady just bringing suffering upon herself?”
Shen Miao smiled slightly. “Jing Chuchu isn’t marrying a person; she’s marrying money. Since that’s the case, whether they like each other or whether they’re loving makes no difference.” In her previous life, Jing Chuchu had married Shen Qiu, and Shen Qiu had treated her well. Yet she had still harmed Shen Qiu terribly in the end. For Jing Chuchu, as long as she could climb higher, it didn’t matter who her husband was.
“Speaking of which,” Guyu pouted, “Cousin Young Lady tried to harm the Eldest Young Master, and now she gets to marry into the family without consequences. It’s frustrating. After all, this whole affair started because of her. Why hasn’t evil been repaid with evil?”
Shen Miao opened the window and gazed outside. “Do you think this is the end?”
Guyu’s eyes brightened. “Does Miss have another plan?” The longer she stayed with Shen Miao, the more she witnessed her methods, and Guyu was no longer surprised. In the past, she might have been shocked by Shen Miao’s coldness and ruthlessness, but after experiencing one incident after another, she had no good feelings left for the other two branches of the Shen family. Any sympathy or pity had long since vanished.
“Making them suffer silently is just the beginning,” Shen Miao said. “Jing Chuchu schemed against my elder brother first. Does she think she can escape?”
Jingzhe and Guyu looked at Shen Miao with gleaming eyes. Shen Miao waved her hand. “First, settle the payment for Fuer.”
The Shen Matriarch was currently busy dealing with Jing Chuchu and Jing Guansheng and had no time to investigate why the person was switched on the day of the family banquet. Fuer would eventually be married to the one-eyed son of the household manager. Giving her more silver would help her escape from the Shen manor.
Guyu took the silver and smiled. “I understand. Should I also give some silver to the Cousin Young Lady’s maid?”
Shen Miao nodded with satisfaction. “Correct.”
The dog that bites most painfully is the one raised by your side, just like Xiao Li Zi in her previous life.
It didn’t matter that she had suffered from this before; the lessons learned could also be applied to others.
……
Five days later, news of Shen Yuan and Jing Chuchu’s engagement spread throughout the capital.
Shen Yuan, the most outstanding young master of the Shen family apart from Shen Qiu, had just returned to the capital after years of experience abroad to take up his post. A bright future should have awaited him. The capital was not lacking in ladies of good family and appearance. If he seriously looked, finding a wife who could support him would not be difficult.
Yet in the end, he chose a girl from a commoner’s family in Suzhou. Even though she was related to the Shen Matriarch’s natal family, any other family head would never allow such a penniless person to become the young madam of a noble house.
Abnormal events always have unusual causes, and who wouldn’t know about the affairs of the capital? Privately, rumors circulated widely that Shen Yuan married the Jing family’s daughter because he had slept with her while drunk. The Jing family was no pushover and had repeatedly threatened to report to the authorities. Marrying a penniless girl was better than being denounced by a censor and losing his official position. Shen Yuan had been forced into this desperate measure.
This incident was passed around as a joke in noble circles. For several consecutive days, Shen Gui faced the mocking gazes of his colleagues when he went to court, not to mention Shen Yuan.
Their reputations suffered greatly because of this, but for Jing Chuchu, it made no difference. She sat in her room, tasting snacks out of boredom.
After falling out with the Shen Matriarch, Jing Chuchu abandoned her previously docile and gentle demeanor, revealing her true nature. She exploited Shen Yuan’s weakness to enjoy the Shen family’s luxuries, living a life of ease.
By her side, arranging the room was her personal maid, Taoyuan. Jing Chuchu didn’t trust the Shen family’s people and now entrusted everything to Taoyuan alone. Taoyuan said, “The master and madam should arrive soon. Then, the Young Lady’s wedding will be grand and lively. When word returns to Suzhou, it will be quite an honor.”
Jing Chuchu smiled. “It was worth all my efforts.”
“But…” Taoyuan expressed some concern. “With the Second Young Master and the Matriarch treating you so poorly now, what if they bully you after you’re married?”
“What is there to fear?” Jing Chuchu opened a box of rouge and examined it. “I’ve already inquired. The Second Cousin Sister is dead, and the Second Aunt is insane, unable to manage affairs. The Second Branch only has one concubine. A concubine can’t interfere in the legitimate son’s household matters. As for Cousin Brother, he doesn’t stay in the mansion every day. When the time comes, I’ll be alone in the Second Branch’s courtyard, free to do whatever I want. If you think about it, it’s much more comfortable than marrying into the First Branch.”
“That may be so,” Taoyuan shook her head, “but what if the Second Young Master brings in more concubines to trouble you in the future…”
“That’s where you come in,” Jing Chuchu looked at Taoyuan, speaking as if bestowing a favor. “You’ve been by my side these past years, and I see you’re loyal and pretty. If that day comes, I’ll let Second Cousin Brother take you in. You can help me win him over, which would be my reward for your loyalty.” She smiled with satisfaction. “Not everyone has the good fortune to go from being a maid to a concubine in a noble household.”
Taoyuan lowered her head and quickly said, “This servant… this servant will obey Young Lady’s words.”
Jing Chuchu closed the robe, and her gaze fell on a bracelet on the dressing table. She picked it up and stared at it absentmindedly. Taoyuan noticed and asked in surprise, “Isn’t this the bracelet that the Sun Young Master gave to Young Lady?”
“Sun Young Master…” Jing Chuchu murmured, her expression somewhat distant.
“Speaking of which, Sun Young Master was good to Young Lady,” Taoyuan smiled. “I wonder how heartbroken he’ll be when he hears of Young Lady’s engagement.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Jing Chuchu’s eyebrows shot up as she cut off Taoyuan’s words. Taoyuan replied defiantly, “This servant hasn’t said anything wrong. Although Sun Young Master hasn’t met Young Lady many times, they hit it off immediately. He puts thought into giving Young Lady gifts, showing he truly holds Young Lady dear in his heart. If not for this incident with the Second Young Master, Sun Young Master would surely have found a way to marry Young Lady!”
Jing Chuchu was startled, and a blush rose to her face. She shook her head. “The Minister’s mansion is a grand household. How would they marry someone of a common background like me?”
“But Sun Young Master truly loves Young Lady.” Taoyuan’s words were becoming unrestrained, but rather than angering Jing Chuchu, they seemed to please her. Taoyuan continued, “It would be better if Sun Young Master became the Jing family’s son-in-law. Compared to the Second Young Master, Sun Young Master loves Young Lady like a precious jewel. If you married him, Sun Young Master would hold Young Lady in the palm of his hand.”
“Enough,” Jing Chuchu suddenly interrupted her. “Since I’ve already chosen the Shen family, there’s no point in discussing Sun Young Master anymore.” As she spoke, there was a hint of sadness in her voice.
Shen Yuan and Jing Chuchu were not particularly close, and because of the recent events, they were actually at odds. At such times, comparisons inevitably arose, and she found herself remembering Sun Cainan’s kindness. Sun Cainan was handsome, generous, and treated her with tenderness and care. It would be false to say she wasn’t moved. Moreover, people always yearn for what they cannot have. Taoyuan’s words were like ants crawling over Jing Chuchu’s heart, creating a ticklish, sweet sensation.
“Young Lady…” Taoyuan hesitated. “Young Lady might consider meeting Sun Young Master. He knows about this matter but doesn’t understand the inside story. If he misunderstands you, that wouldn’t be good. If you explain everything, he’ll only sympathize with your plight. It’s rare to meet someone as good as Sun Young Master in a lifetime. If Young Lady does this, Sun Young Master will surely be heartbroken.” Taoyuan added, “The last time you met, Sun Young Master mentioned he would send Young Lady that dragonfly jewel hairpin.”
Hearing this, Jing Chuchu’s eyes shifted. What impressed her most about Sun Cainan was the continuous stream of gifts he sent. For Jing Chuchu, this was enough. If she married Shen Yuan while keeping Sun Cainan pining for her, her vanity would be greatly satisfied.
After seemingly pondering for a while, Jing Chuchu resolutely said, “You have a point. I should explain to him.”
“But now that Young Lady has an engagement with the Second Young Master, this matter cannot be seen by outsiders,” Taoyuan said. “Let this servant handle it. I’ll find a secluded place where Young Lady and Sun Young Master can speak clearly. At least then you won’t have betrayed him.”
Jing Chuchu nodded.
……
Shen Yuan strode into the courtyard, veins throbbing on his forehead.
These days, he faces strange looks from everyone daily. People could see that Shen Yuan had been set up—getting drunk and sleeping with someone’s daughter wasn’t unprecedented in the capital, whether intentional or not. What people cared about was how a talented young man like Shen Yuan could fall victim to such a crude and direct tactic from the women’s quarters.
Especially since this time, it seemed connected to the Shen family’s foolish legitimate daughter.
Although Fu Xiuyi had not reproached him, his attitude toward Shen Yuan had cooled considerably these days. It was simple: Shen Yuan was Fu Xiuyi’s secretly nurtured confidant, but eventually, Shen Yuan would have to stand in the open. With such a stain, Fu Xiuyi also lost face. For someone as perfectionist as Fu Xiuyi, Shen Yuan’s failure was truly irritating.
Shen Yuan himself felt extremely frustrated. After being laughed at, he still had to marry Jing Chuchu, a woman who was all appearance and no substance. Everyone knew Jing Chuchu was a crude commoner who only cared about money, not people, and he had to marry such a woman. Even if an official’s daughter became interested in him in the future, she wouldn’t marry into a situation where she would be ridiculed.
He took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the person walking toward him.
Shen Miao and her two maids came from the garden. These days, she stayed in the Western Courtyard without going out, appearing refreshed and cheerful despite the chaos in the Second Branch.
Seeing Shen Yuan, she stopped and said, “Second Brother.”
Shen Yuan clenched his fists, barely controlling himself. Since the Jing Chuchu incident, Shen Miao and he hadn’t met. Shen Yuan naturally knew that only Shen Miao could have orchestrated such a thing in the Shen mansion, but originally the matter was handled by people instructed by the Matriarch, and he couldn’t intervene. Now, more important than assigning blame was appeasing the difficult Jing family.
But thinking about his current predicament, all thanks to the young woman before him, Shen Yuan wanted nothing more than to strangle Shen Miao on the spot.
Seeing Shen Yuan silent, Shen Miao smiled, “By the way, Second Brother and Cousin Sister are engaged. I haven’t yet offered my congratulations. Congratulations, Second Brother, on winning your beautiful bride.”
Everyone could hear the mockery in her words.
Shen Yuan said coldly, “Thank you, Fifth Sister.” After a pause, he looked at Shen Miao. “Fifth Sister has great skill.”
Shen Miao graciously accepted the comment. Her pleased expression infuriated him the most. Shen Yuan laughed coldly, “Fifth Sister, outstanding wood invites the wind’s destruction. It’s better to understand this principle early.”
“I’ve never considered myself outstanding. Everyone knows I’m a fool,” Shen Miao pondered. “Second Brother, however, has always been excellent. The wind would destroy anyone but me.”
“Is that so?” Shen Yuan slowly asked. “Does Fifth Sister now think she has won? Do you believe that because I’m marrying Jing Chuchu, I’ve lost this round?”
“How could that be?” Shen Miao was very humble. “I know Second Brother has always been strong and resilient, and never gives up. These small matters certainly won’t bother Second Brother. The game is far from over.”
“Perhaps not as far as you think,” Shen Yuan suddenly smiled strangely. “It might end soon.” This strange smile on his face made him look particularly sinister. Jingzhe and Guyu frowned, but Shen Miao raised an eyebrow and asked, “Is Second Brother plotting against me again?”
“Are you afraid?”
Shen Miao nodded. “I’m not afraid of being schemed against; I’m afraid people won’t scheme against me.” Her eyes were clear, as innocent as a child’s. She smiled, “If others don’t scheme against me, how will I have opportunities?”
“Then you’d better look out for yourself,” Shen Yuan smirked. “I’m afraid when that day comes, you won’t be able to smile so happily.” With that, he strode away.
After he left, the smile disappeared from Shen Miao’s face. Jingzhe and Guyu saw this and were alarmed. Guyu asked, “Miss, is there something wrong with the Second Young Master?”
Shen Miao shook her head. Shen Yuan was not the type to speak such words without confidence. But what could make him think Shen Miao had no chance of recovery? A vague unease arose in her heart, which she quickly suppressed. Shen Miao watched Shen Yuan’s retreating figure and said softly, “The game is still far from over, but the game is also ending soon.”
……
In the Baoxiang Pavilion in the capital, there was music and dance, with the fragrance of women mixing with laughter like the best aphrodisiac, attracting frequent glances from passersby. Their gazes were filled with longing and envy, but their pockets were empty, unable to play the role of spending thousands in gold for a beauty.
In a small building, in the tea room, the tea on the table had been sitting all night and was cold. The guard in front nodded off, almost knocking over the teapot. Startled, his drowsiness instantly vanished. With a flick of his foot, he caught the falling teapot on his boot, then placed it back on the table.
Mo Qing secretly sighed in relief. Even the most inconspicuous cup in the Baoxiang Pavilion was made by skilled craftsmen and would cost silver to replace if broken. Although Shen Miao had given him plenty of silver notes, those were for finding girls, not for paying for damages.
Applause sounded, and the beauty on the bed looked coldly at this scene, offering a tepid compliment, “Good skill, good martial arts, truly eye-opening.”
Mo Qing looked away, avoiding the woman’s exposed shoulders, glancing out at the sun with joy. The sun was out, the night was over, and he could relax for three days. As he thought about this, a look of relief and happiness appeared on his face, and he was about to stand up to leave.
He was happy, but his joyful expression angered someone. Before he could stand, Liuying sat across from him and said, “Master Mo.”
Mo Qing looked at her expressionlessly.
Liuying examined him up and down. Mo Qing had been coming to the Baoxiang Pavilion to request Liuying for over a month, once every three days. He paid generously but did nothing with Liuying, just sitting by the window all night. At first, Liuying thought it was some game Mo Qing was playing. Having fallen into the brothel many years ago and trained by the madam since childhood, she knew some clients had their peculiarities. Mo Qing was probably one of those clients with strange habits. But as the visits increased, Liuying found it strange.
She had tried to seduce Mo Qing. If he were truly unable to perform and only wanted to feast his eyes, he would have remained unmoved. But Mo Qing always blushed at her seduction, pretending to be calm and serious, clearly still a virgin. However, Mo Qing’s martial arts were superior, and Liuying couldn’t get close to him. She had always been adored by men, and this was the first time she had to pursue someone, which she found demeaning. Later, she stopped making these futile attempts.
But every time she saw Mo Qing’s relief the next morning, she felt annoyed. She wasn’t a flood or a beast—why did Mo Qing avoid her so much?
“If Master Mo disdains Liuying’s body as unclean, he can find other girls at the Baoxiang Pavilion,” Liuying said coldly, a hint of petulance in her voice. “There are new girls every day, very clean. There are many virgins too. Master Mo doesn’t need to waste silver on me and cause misunderstandings.”
Mo Qing felt embarrassed and didn’t look at Liuying. The task Shen Miao had given him made him extremely uncomfortable. He would rather stand guard outside the Shen mansion than linger in this place of pleasure.
Seeing Mo Qing silent, Liuying became even angrier and said, “Master Mo shouldn’t come again next time. Liuying doesn’t deserve Master Mo’s silver. Taking money without working would ruin the reputation I’ve worked so hard to build!” With that, she turned away, no longer looking at Mo Qing.
Mo Qing rubbed his nose, feeling that saying anything would be futile. After all, he came here to do this sort of thing every few days, and it was strange not only to Liuying but even to himself. The Baoxiang Pavilion wasn’t a place for drinking tea, and Liuying probably couldn’t understand his behavior. Without saying anything, Mo Qing left a silver ingot and walked out.
After Mo Qing left, Liuying’s maid came in to clean. Seeing Liuying’s displeased gaze, she consoled her, “Don’t be angry, Miss. After all, Master Mo always pays with silver.” Looking at the silver ingot on the table, Liuying became even more furious. This silver was specifically for Liuying and didn’t need to be shared with the madam. She turned to look out the window and said angrily, “Who cares!” But her gaze followed the figure outside. Mo Qing uncomfortably pushed away the girls trying to pounce on him at the door and walked toward the distant street.
“Master Mo is a good person, isn’t he?” the little maid murmured.
“Who knows?” Liuying was about to look away when she inadvertently spotted someone in the corner of the street. A person stood in the shadows, looking up, and from his gaze, he seemed to be looking at her.
She paused slightly. It was too far to see his features clearly, just a figure in blue robes. Even as just a silhouette, he appeared to have an air of distinction.
“Well,” Liuying gently waved her fan. “Have I become more beautiful lately? One after another, they’re satisfied just looking at me?”
“Miss is beautiful, and many want to see you,” the little maid said sweetly.
Liuying pouted. “Just strange people.” She closed the window with one hand.
At the other end of the street, Mo Qing stopped, frowning as he stared at the blue-robed figure in the corner.
The man was looking at Liuying’s building, but… Mo Qing’s gaze shifted. The blue-robed man looked very familiar. He remembered seeing him once when escorting Shen Miao back to the mansion by carriage. According to Jingzhe, he was Shen Miao’s tutor from Guangwen Hall.
His name seemed to be Pei Lang.