Since Shen Xin’s family had returned to the capital and moved into their newly purchased residence, this was the first time they had received a visitor. Luo Xueyan sat in the main hall, speaking with a young woman.

When Shen Miao arrived, Luo Xueyan was drinking tea with the young woman. They must have been discussing something pleasant, as Luo Xueyan appeared quite happy. The two were chatting so merrily that they didn’t even notice Shen Miao’s arrival.

It was Luo Tan, sitting at the side enjoying pastries, who spotted Shen Miao and enthusiastically called out to her: “Little cousin, today’s pastries are freshly made with cow’s milk. Would you like to try some?”

Shen Miao smiled and shook her head, walking to Luo Xueyan’s side. Her gaze fell on the young woman as she asked, “Mother, who is this?”

The young woman quickly stood up. She wore pea-green clothing without any excessive ornaments. Her hair was loosely pinned up with a simple wooden hairpin, and she wore only a plain silver bracelet on her wrist. This could be considered somewhat modest attire, but the young woman had a subtle scholarly air about her. Though her appearance could only be described as elegant rather than beautiful, she had a certain refinement that commanded respect and was pleasing to the eye.

“This is the daughter of your grandfather’s benefactor, named Chang Zaiqing. Jiaojiao probably hasn’t met her before,” Luo Xueyan said with a smile. “Sister Qing, this is our family’s daughter, Jiaojiao.”

Shen Miao smiled slightly and nodded to her: “Aunt Qing.”

Luo Xueyan pulled Chang Zaiqing back down to sit, then had Shen Miao sit close beside her, saying with a laugh: “What’s this ‘Aunt Qing’? Sister Qing looks so young that calling her ‘aunt’ makes her sound old. If Sister Qing doesn’t reveal her age, I’d think she’s not much older than Jiaojiao. If you went out together, no one would question if Jiaojiao called you ‘sister’ instead.”

“Madam, please don’t tease me,” Chang Zaiqing said with a smile.

Luo Tan looked at Shen Miao with a grin: “Little cousin, Aunt Qing has come to the capital. She can visit our residence often in the future. I heard she also enjoys chess and reading. I don’t understand those things, but you’ll have a companion now.”

Shen Miao smiled faintly. Luo Tan had always been straightforward; perhaps all the Luo family members were this sincere and warm-hearted, like Luo Xueyan and Luo Tan, who were both friendly to others. Shen Miao raised her eyes to look at Chang Zaiqing across from her. Despite this, winning over Luo Xueyan was no easy task. Especially since the Luo family was all military officials, who traditionally didn’t see eye to eye with civil officials. The more straightforward Luo Xueyan and Luo Tan were, the less patience they instinctively had for those who spent their time crafting words and phrases. Yet in just half a day, Luo Xueyan was already addressing Chang Zaiqing as a sister, seemingly quite fond of her. Shen Miao’s gaze grew cold.

Seeing that Shen Miao didn’t speak, Luo Xueyan took her hand and said, “Why are Jiaojiao’s hands so cold? The weather outside is chilly these days. You mustn’t catch a cold.”

Jingzhe and Guyu stood behind her, lowering their heads uncomfortably. Shen Miao had returned home to change clothes and had just finished drinking ginger tea when she heard about the visitor and hurried over without properly resting. Luo Xueyan didn’t know what had happened with Princess Mingan today, making both maids feel somewhat guilty.

“It’s getting cold now that winter is approaching. In my hometown, we have a kind of medicinal sachet filled with warming spices. If you hang it by your bed at night, you’ll wake up feeling warm and cozy. If the Fifth Miss doesn’t mind, I could make a few and send them over,” Chang Zaiqing offered with a smile.

“Sister Qing, you can even make those?” Luo Xueyan smiled. “They say the women of Liuzhou are clever and skillful. I hadn’t seen it before, but now I understand after meeting Sister Qing. Unlike the young ladies in our household…” She glanced at Luo Tan and Shen Miao, sighing with mock resignation: “They can’t even sew a handkerchief, let alone make a medicinal sachet.”

Shen Miao had never enjoyed needlework, considering it a waste of time, and Luo Tan was even more boyish in her ways. Luo Tan pouted: “Little Aunt, don’t talk about me and little cousin. Aren’t you the same?”

Luo Xueyan was speechless and gave Luo Tan a reproachful glare.

“Is Aunt Qing from Liuzhou?” Shen Miao turned to look at her with a smile and asked, “Liuzhou is quite far from the capital. What brings you here this time?”

An awkward expression immediately appeared on Chang Zaiqing’s face. Luo Xueyan quickly changed the subject: “Nothing special, just visiting the capital for a few days.”

Shen Miao smiled: “Where is Aunt Qing staying now?”

Chang Zaiqing replied with a smile: “I’m staying at the Shen residence.”

Shen Miao said indifferently: “Oh, so you’re staying at Grandmother’s place.” She continued: “Since Aunt Qing’s father was Grandfather’s benefactor, I imagine Grandmother will take very good care of you. That’s reassuring.”

Although Luo Xueyan felt that, given Old Madam Shen’s temperament, she might not necessarily be particularly attentive to Chang Zaiqing, Shen Miao’s words still made her feel somewhat comforted. She said, “That’s true.”

Chang Zaiqing’s smile froze slightly. Then Shen Miao continued: “Aunt Qing originally lived in Liuzhou. I’ve heard Liuzhou is a wonderful place, though I’ve never been there. However, when I was at the Guangwen Hall, I had a classmate from Liuzhou. Perhaps you know each other.”

“The Chang family is a small household,” Chang Zaiqing lowered her head and said, “I’m afraid that a classmate of the Fifth Miss wouldn’t know the Chang family.”

“No matter how small the Chang family may be, with someone as outstanding as you, Aunt Qing, they couldn’t remain obscure,” Shen Miao replied casually. “But since you’ve come to the capital like this, didn’t your husband accompany you?”

Chang Zaiqing’s face grew even more awkward. Luo Xueyan laughed: “Jiaojiao, don’t speak nonsense. Sister Qing is still unmarried.”

Shen Miao was startled and looked at Chang Zaiqing, asking: “May I ask how old Aunt Qing is this year?”

Asking an unmarried woman’s age, especially since Chang Zaiqing was not young, was somewhat abrupt. Even Luo Tan, with her simple mind, stopped eating her pastry and looked at Shen Miao strangely. Shen Miao was usually the most proper and courteous person; how could she ask such an impolite question today?

Chang Zaiqing, however, answered with perfect composure, without any awkwardness, in a straightforward manner: “I am twenty-six this year.”

Shen Miao widened her eyes at the right moment, as if to mask her reaction, then quickly smiled again: “If Aunt Qing hadn’t said so, I would have thought you were only twenty. Truly enviable.” Though she said this, her scrutinizing gaze at Chang Zaiqing was somewhat meaningful, seemingly without malice yet not entirely pleasant.

Chang Zaiqing smiled but said nothing more. Luo Xueyan laughed: “With Sister Qing’s qualities, how could she worry about not finding a good husband? I may not know about the men of Liuzhou, but the capital has countless excellent men. If Sister Qing stays here long enough, she might meet someone sincere.”

Chang Zaiqing quickly waved her hands with a smile, asking Luo Xueyan not to tease her. After chatting for a while longer, as the sky began to darken and Shen Xin, Shen Qiu, and Luo Ling were due to return from the Ministry of War, Chang Zaiqing rose to take her leave. Luo Xueyan tried to keep her: “My husband and Qiu and Ling will be back soon. Why not stay for dinner? My husband would certainly be delighted to see you.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Chang Zaiqing smiled. “It will be dark soon, and it will be difficult to walk back. I appreciate your kindness, but I will visit another day. It’s getting quite late now.”

Luo Xueyan looked outside and indeed saw that night was falling. She took Chang Zaiqing’s hand and said: “In that case, I won’t keep you, lest you slip on the dark roads. But I’ve found our meeting today so delightful, as if we were old friends. I’m particularly happy, as it’s been a long time since I’ve met someone I connect with so well. You must come another day.”

Chang Zaiqing smiled: “I cannot refuse Madam’s gracious invitation. I will certainly obey your wishes.”

Luo Xueyan ordered someone to prepare a carriage for Chang Zaiqing, with Shen Miao and Luo Tan following behind. Luo Tan remarked: “Though Aunt Qing comes from a small household in Liuzhou, her manners are more refined than those in the palace. She’s gentle and kind. It’s hard to believe someone her age is still unmarried. Whoever marries her will be fortunate indeed.”

Shen Miao remained silent as she watched Chang Zaiqing’s retreating figure. Seeing this, Luo Tan suddenly leaned close to Shen Miao’s ear and whispered: “Little cousin, do you dislike this Aunt Qing?”

Shen Miao was surprised, not expecting someone as simple-minded as Luo Tan to discern her feelings. She raised an eyebrow: “She and I have no grudge. Why would I dislike her?”

“Heh, others might not see it, but I can tell clearly,” Luo Tan said proudly. “You’re the type who appears cordial to everyone, but in a distant way. Yet today you questioned Aunt Qing a lot, and even said some impolite things. You never make such mistakes—it was deliberate. And the way you look at her is strange, different from how you look at others.”

Shen Miao laughed: “You’re overthinking.”

“I’m not imagining things. That’s exactly how you are,” Luo Tan continued. “Though this Aunt Qing seems nice and immediately won Little Aunt’s favor, being straightforward and sincere, something still feels off.”

“What feels off?” Shen Miao asked.

“Think about it. Aunt Qing’s father was both a subordinate and benefactor to Old General Shen, so he must have been a fierce warrior. Like father, like daughter—even though you appear gentle every day, you have the same bravery as Uncle Deep inside, fearless even against the Tujue. But Aunt Qing’s temperament is too gentle. Though she’s straightforward and not bashful, why doesn’t she have any of that military family spirit?”

Shen Miao’s lips curled into a cold smile. No military family spirit? Wrong. Chang Zaiqing resembled a military family’s daughter more than anyone, having mastered military strategy to perfection, and positioning herself strategically without a trace. That Chang Zaiqing’s ruthlessness wasn’t apparent was only because she played her role flawlessly.

Shen Miao looked at Luo Tan without correcting her assessment of her “bravery,” saying only: “Who says people from military families must be fierce? Aunt Qing grew up in Liuzhou. Perhaps Madam Chang came from a scholarly family, and Aunt Qing simply takes after her mother’s temperament.”

Luo Tan pouted: “Maybe so. I quite like her. But if you don’t like her, then I won’t like her either. I’m on your side.”

Shen Miao said: “Then I thank you for that.”

“But why don’t you like her?” Luo Tan asked curiously. “Are you jealous that she knows more than you?”

Shen Miao glanced at Chang Zaiqing, who was being helped into a carriage by Luo Xueyan, a cold light flashing in her eyes: “Not at all. Such an intelligent person—I couldn’t be happier.”

Shortly after Chang Zaiqing left, Shen Xin and the others returned. Luo Xueyan told him about Chang Zaiqing, which first surprised Shen Xin, then made him somewhat pensive. During Old General Shen’s lifetime, he had often mentioned Chang Hu to Shen Xin as a loyal and brave warrior. The Shen family had always valued gratitude and repayment of kindness. But after the old general died, the Chang family moved to Liuzhou and remained out of contact for many years, only to suddenly reappear now. Shen Xin had met Chang Zaiqing before when she was a little girl, and he said that if Chang Zaiqing had any difficulties, he would certainly help.

Chang Zaiqing naturally had difficulties, but these matters couldn’t be discussed in front of the younger generation. After dinner, Luo Xueyan eagerly pulled Shen Xin back to their room, presumably to discuss Chang Zaiqing’s situation.

Shen Qiu had been busy these days adapting to affairs in the capital, and Luo Ling, who had just joined the Ministry of War, was equally busy. The two would get together to discuss matters whenever they had time. As for Luo Tan, having played outside all day, she was exhausted and retired early. By late night, only the lamp in Shen Miao’s room remained lit throughout the Shen residence.

Jingzhe and Guyu had already been sent by Shen Miao to sleep. The two maids, seeing that Shen Miao showed no intention of retiring, thought she might be worried about the day’s incident with Princess Mingan. After everyone had left, Shen Miao rubbed her forehead; the book pages spread before her remained untouched for a long time.

She wasn’t at all concerned about Princess Mingan’s matter. Having lost face in front of Xie Jingxing, Huangfu Hao would warn Princess Mingan, and she would behave herself for some time. What troubled Shen Miao was Chang Zaiqing’s visit to the Shen residence today.

That day when she went to the Fengxian Pawnshop to test Ji Yushu, she had glimpsed a figure on her way back that had startled her. Later, when she looked again, the figure had disappeared into the crowd. Originally, Shen Miao thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, but now she realized it had been real—she had seen Chang Zaiqing.

Some things had changed, but some people, whether by fate or not, still appeared at the same time.

For Shen Xin’s branch of the family, from the beginning of their downfall, apart from losing military power, the most crucial factor was the desertion of people within the household. Shen Xin was a person who never admitted defeat; his battlefield prowess made him fearless of any potential challenges. But in the end, when he was cornered by Fu Xiuyi, a significant part of it wasn’t simply due to Fu Xiuyi’s suppression.

Shen Qiu had lost Jing Chuchu, and Chang Zaiqing’s appearance had cost Luo Xueyan her life.

It was true that Luo Xueyan was from Liuzhou. In her previous life, not long after this time, Luo Xueyan had also appeared before the Shen family. Back then, the Shen family hadn’t yet split, and Chang Zaiqing, gentle and gracious with excellent conversation skills, was liked by everyone in the Shen residence, including Luo Xueyan.

Luo Xueyan was a military woman. Within the entire Shen household, Ren Wanyun was too diplomatic, Chen Ruoqiu was too aloof—though they maintained a cordial facade, Luo Xueyan’s personality made it impossible for her to be close with them. But shortly after Chang Zaiqing’s appearance, Luo Xueyan became very intimate with her.

Shen Miao had previously believed that Chang Zaiqing must be a good person. By then, she had married Fu Xiuyi, and on her few visits back, she had found her conversations with Chang Zaiqing quite enjoyable. Chang Zaiqing was very skilled at saying the right things—discussing poetry with people like Chen Ruoqiu, military strategy with Luo Xueyan, and with Shen Miao, she would talk about how to please one’s husband. She was attentive and always ready with advice, which made Shen Miao quite fond of her.

Later, Shen Miao learned that Chang Zaiqing had remained unmarried until twenty-six because a young master from a powerful Liuzhou family had declared he wanted her as a concubine. That family was so influential that no one in Liuzhou dared offend them, and no matter how exceptional Chang Zaiqing was, no one dared risk enmity with that family by proposing to the Chang family. This situation had persisted for years, and as that family became increasingly overbearing, Chang Zaiqing had no choice but to flee to the capital seeking protection from her father’s old friend.

Shen Miao had felt very sympathetic toward Chang Zaiqing’s plight—such a refined and virtuous person unable to find a good match. She had expected Chang Zaiqing to continue living at the Shen residence as a guest until Chen Ruoqiu produced a marriage contract between Shen Xin and Chang Zaiqing, apparently written by Old General Shen and Chang Hu. Too much time had passed, and with no one clear about the circumstances, it could have been dismissed as a joke.

But this marriage contract changed things.

Someone—who knows who—suggested that Chang Zaiqing had remained unmarried all these years not just because of the young master’s coercion, but also because she had been waiting for Shen Xin.

But Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan had a deep affection for each other, making the marriage contract rather awkward.

At that time, Chang Zaiqing had knelt before Luo Xueyan, swearing she had no ulterior motives regarding Shen Xin, that the marriage contract was merely a jest between their elders, which she had never taken seriously. She said she only wished to live the rest of her life quietly, without ambition, and had already given up any thoughts of marriage. If the Shen family found her presence inconvenient, she could seek out a temple, cut her hair, and become a nun, promising never to trouble the Shen family.

How could they let a perfectly good young woman who had come seeking protection, the daughter of a benefactor no less, end up as a nun? The Shen family members all tried to dissuade her, especially Chen Ruoqiu and Ren Wanyun. Eventually, somehow, Old Madam Shen proposed that Shen Xin take Chang Zaiqing as a concubine.

Shen Xin naturally refused; his household was clean and proper—what need was there for another woman? Chang Zaiqing also refused, but surprisingly, the one who agreed was Luo Xueyan.

Luo Xueyan, a person who couldn’t tolerate even a speck of sand in her eye and had the fiercest temperament, had initially made it a condition of her marriage to Shen Xin that she would be the only woman in his household. Shen Xin had indeed kept his word, yet Luo Xueyan had actively requested her husband to take Chang Zaiqing.

And Chang Zaiqing, with great reluctance, had eventually agreed, though stating that while she would hold the title of concubine, she would not fulfill a concubine’s duties. She had agreed only to resolve some worries and would otherwise do nothing.

At the time, Shen Miao had thought Chang Zaiqing was truly reasonable—how could there be such a good person in the world? A concubine who wouldn’t compete for favor, just quietly occupying a nominal position. As someone who had been troubled by the concubines sent to Prince Ding’s residence by officials, Shen Miao had found Chang Zaiqing’s approach extremely sensible.

So Chang Zaiqing had become Shen Xin’s concubine in name only, indeed having no intimate relationship with him, appearing more like siblings. Her relationship with Luo Xueyan was especially good. Initially concerned, Shen Miao had later felt this arrangement was fine.

Not long after, Luo Xueyan became pregnant. Chang Zaiqing took care of her every day, but for some unknown reason, Luo Xueyan had miscarried in her courtyard. After the miscarriage, she became deeply melancholic and soon died of illness.

Shen Xin was devastated, his hair turning almost completely white overnight. With Luo Xueyan’s death, Shen Xin seemed to lose his spirit, aging rapidly. Subsequently, he lost interest in military affairs, lacking the strength to fight back when schemed against by Fu Xiuyi, and even allowed the second and third branches to take advantage.

What Shen Miao hated most was Chang Zaiqing’s methods. Setting aside how Luo Xueyan had mysteriously miscarried, Shen Miao knew that Luo Xueyan was a female warrior—how could she have weakened and died so rapidly? The only person who had spent time with Luo Xueyan, who could speak with her, was Chang Zaiqing. This matter couldn’t be separated from her.

Shen Xin had investigated at the time but couldn’t find any clues; Chang Zaiqing appeared innocent. After Luo Xueyan’s death, Shen Xin didn’t remarry, and Chang Zaiqing continued to hold the title of concubine. But since the main branch of the Shen family needed a woman to manage affairs, Chang Zaiqing naturally took on this role, becoming the de facto mistress in the servants’ eyes. Her unobtrusive gentleness quickly won over the servants’ hearts, giving her a certain dignity as the lady of the house.

This was what Shen Miao found most frightening.

Chang Zaiqing was very clever. She knew Shen Xin’s heart couldn’t accommodate another woman, and she had no desire to capture his heart. So she targeted Luo Xueyan instead, gaining her trust, making Luo Xueyan view her as family, then stabbing her in the back. Words can wound, and someone like Chang Zaiqing needed only to “accidentally” say a few phrases to cause Luo Xueyan pain. During Luo Xueyan’s illness, who knows how many “comforting words” Chang Zaiqing had spoken that could drive someone to death.

It didn’t matter if Shen Xin acknowledged Chang Zaiqing because, from the beginning, what she wanted was the recognition of others. With Luo Xueyan dead, she became Shen Xin’s only woman, the Madam Shen, ensuring she would never want for food or clothing. Chang Zaiqing was the most pragmatic person; she never pursued intangible sentiments.

She was a clear-headed, intelligent woman who inspired anger.

Without unexpected events, perhaps Chang Zaiqing would have continued living as a wronged victim, and Shen Miao might have still considered her a pitiful woman. But paper cannot contain fire—two years after Luo Xueyan’s death, Chang Zaiqing’s husband and son from Liuzhou had shown up at the door.

Yes, Chang Zaiqing’s husband and son: a gambling addict husband and a sick child. Chang Zaiqing had been married long ago, perhaps initially out of mutual affection, but poverty makes marriage difficult. How could someone as proud as Chang Zaiqing tolerate a lifetime in mud raising peonies? With money in hand, she had abandoned her husband and child, finding an excuse to flee to the capital.

Her husband had inquired extensively before discovering that Chang Zaiqing was now in the capital as Shen Xin’s concubine. He brought their son to find her. The scandal shocked everyone. Despite how gently and elegantly Chang Zaiqing had behaved, she had abandoned even her sick child, revealing that she was not as kind as she appeared, and had been telling lies, earning everyone’s disgust.

Chang Zaiqing had been taken away, but Shen Xin had become the laughingstock of the capital. Had he been raising someone else’s wife all these years? Could it be considered wearing a green hat?

Shen Miao closed her eyes.

Past events were like fleeting clouds. She had always been on guard against history repeating itself, but she hadn’t expected to be too late. Chang Zaiqing had appeared, exactly as in her previous life, and had quickly won Luo Xueyan’s affection.

In terms of acting, Shen Miao had encountered two formidable women: Chang Zaiqing and Madam Mei. But while Madam Mei occasionally revealed glimpses of her unrestrained and arrogant true nature, Chang Zaiqing was so cautious that she left no weaknesses to exploit.

But this life was not her previous one. Shen Miao would never let Chang Zaiqing have her way. How to best use this chess piece would require careful planning.

Just as she was thinking, the room’s light flickered, and suddenly someone beside her ear said: “What are you thinking about?”

Shen Miao started, instinctively leaning backward and nearly falling. The person quickly grabbed her arm, one hand supporting her back, steadying her before releasing her and standing upright.

In the lamplight, his face was incredibly handsome, wearing a familiar mischievous smile. He looked down at her and said: “So lost in thought—are you thinking about how to repay me?”

“What are you doing here?” Shen Miao, upon seeing Xie Jingxing, couldn’t even be bothered to feel angry. But she felt a trace of alarm—she had instructed Mo Qing to increase guards outside the courtyard, yet Xie Jingxing had entered as if there were no one around. His subordinates were formidable, indicating Da Liang’s overbearing methods.

Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow with a smile: “I’ve come to retrieve my cloak.”

This afternoon at Princess Mingan’s, Xie Jingxing had removed his black cloak and given it to Shen Miao to shield her. Shen Miao suddenly remembered and saw Xie Jingxing looking at the ground with a meaningful gaze.

Shen Miao had returned home in a hurry that afternoon, and then rushed to meet Chang Zaiqing, changing clothes and leaving with Jingzhe and Guyu. The black cloak had been casually tossed on a chair, but somehow it had slipped off and now lay crumpled on the floor in a pitiful state.

Xie Jingxing folded his arms and spoke coldly: “You’re not polite.”

The Da Liang Prince Rui’s clothing was certainly valuable, yet she had tossed it aside so carelessly, treating it worse than a table-wiping cloth. Throughout the realm, only Shen Miao would dare to do so. She truly didn’t stand on ceremony with him: “Your Highness’s cloak is on the floor. Thank you.” She couldn’t even be bothered to offer polite words. After all, the Da Liang royal family had money and wouldn’t miss one or two cloaks. As she thought about it, Shen Miao glanced at Xie Jingxing again. With such good looks, he probably changed into new clothes every day. She wondered how Da Liang could afford to raise such a wastrel. Were the national treasury’s funds all spent on clothing? Perhaps that’s why they didn’t go to war—because there was no money for military pay?

Xie Jingxing watched Shen Miao for a moment, then remarked with interest: “You’re strange today, getting angry for no reason. Such a temper.” He raised an eyebrow and asked: “Is it because of that woman called Chang Zaiqing in your residence?”