“Indeed, there is one troubling matter,” Shen Wan answered with a bitter smile.

Chang Zai Qing patted Shen Wan’s hand and smiled, “If the Master has something troubling him, why not tell me? Perhaps I can be of some help.”

Shen Wan glanced at Chang Zai Qing’s belly. Though nothing could be seen yet, he still said, “Never mind. Your priority is to take good care of yourself in the mansion. Why bother with these complicated matters, especially since they concern court affairs?”

Chang Zai Qing wasn’t discouraged. She smiled and said, “Before I entered the household, the Master considered me a confidant and would always share his troubles with me. Whether household matters or court affairs, you were never so distant. Why is it that now that I’ve entered the household, things are not as they were before?” She shook her head, “I’m not just a maiden who only knows how to sew clothes and pick flowers in the inner chambers. Though I’m not exceptionally clever, two people thinking together is always easier than one person thinking alone. Why not share with me, Master?”

Her gentle words touched Shen Wan’s heart. Chang Zai Qing was different from Chen Ruoqiu. Chen Ruoqiu was truly a “pampered wife” who, though gentle and graceful in the past, would never interfere with Shen Wan’s career. When Shen Wan’s career was flourishing, having such a wife who knew her place was good. But once problems arose in his official career, Chen Ruoqiu couldn’t help at all.

Chang Zai Qing was different. Before Shen Wan had revealed his feelings to her, they had called each other friends. They would talk about everything under the sun. Chang Zai Qing was knowledgeable and occasionally had insightful comments on court affairs, which Shen Wan greatly appreciated.

Now, hearing Chang Zai Qing speak this way, Shen Wan suddenly felt moved.

Chang Zai Qing not only had her insights into court affairs, but more importantly, she was a woman. Making Shen Miao marry Prince Zhou involved many complexities. If this had been two years ago, when Shen Miao’s temperament hadn’t changed dramatically, it would have been much easier. A few words to Shen Miao would have excited her, but now that wouldn’t work. And with the tense relationship with the First Branch, approaching through Shen Xin wasn’t feasible. For such a marriage, perhaps asking a woman like Chang Zai Qing would yield results.

Thinking of this, Shen Wan looked at Chang Zai Qing and tentatively asked, “If I wanted the Fifth Miss to marry Prince Zhou, how do you think I should proceed?”

“Prince Zhou?” Chang Zai Qing was surprised and asked curiously, “Why make the Fifth Miss marry Prince Zhou?”

Shen Wan chuckled, “Just thinking aloud.” Although he now considered Chang Zai Qing his woman, he was working for Prince Ding and had to keep his mouth shut about confidential matters. He dared not speak freely about them.

Though he didn’t elaborate, Chang Zai Qing was clever and quickly understood. She didn’t dwell on this point and said, “The Fifth Miss Shen is General Shen’s beloved daughter, cherished in his palm. Now Prince Zhou already has a Princess Consort. If the Fifth Miss married him, she would at most be a secondary consort. General Shen and Madam Shen would certainly not agree.”

Shen Wan frowned deeply and nodded, his expression showing considerable difficulty.

Chang Zai Qing observed this and felt a slight movement in her heart.

Shen Miao marrying Prince Zhou as a secondary consort would certainly not be good for her. Although Chang Zai Qing didn’t understand Shen Wan’s intentions, she was certain that if this marriage succeeded, Shen Miao would suffer. Thinking of that elegant young girl with clear eyes that seemed to see through one’s heart, Chang Zai Qing felt somewhat uneasy. For some reason, Chang Zai Qing had an instinctive apprehension and discomfort about Shen Miao, as if her existence might cause some unpredictable consequences. Chang Zai Qing was also someone who sought stability, so if she could resolve the issue of Shen Miao, it might not be a bad thing for her.

Especially… she looked at her belly. Now that she was carrying a child, she had secured her position as the mistress of the Third Branch of the Shen family. Not only secure it, but excel in it. Therefore, any potential threats, people, or matters should be eliminated.

“But it’s not entirely without solutions,” Chang Zai Qing said with a charming smile.

Shen Wan’s eyes brightened, and he asked, “What solution do you have?”

“That depends on what attitude the Master wants Prince Zhou to have,” Chang Zai Qing asked. “Does Prince Zhou want this marriage or not?”

Shen Wan thought for a moment. Prince Zhou definitely wouldn’t want this marriage. The princes of Ming Qi weren’t fools. Marrying Shen Miao now would be like making oneself a target. Prince Zhou wouldn’t want to be associated with Shen Miao, but Fu Xiuyi’s goal was to make it appear as if Prince Zhou desperately wanted to form this marriage alliance with Shen Miao.

He said, “Prince Zhou certainly wouldn’t want it, but… it needs to appear as if he does.”

Chang Zai Qing pondered for a while and then said, “That is difficult. But women traditionally value their reputation. If their reputation is ruined, they have no support for the rest of their lives. I think, if the Master wants to arrange this match, he might start with the Fifth Miss.”

Seeing Chang Zai Qing’s confident demeanor, Shen Wan asked, “Please elaborate.”

“Madam Shen and General Shen don’t want the Fifth Miss to be someone’s secondary consort. In this world, things can always get worse. If there were an outcome worse than the Fifth Miss becoming a secondary consort, General Shen and Madam Shen would eventually accept the lesser evil and choose to let the Fifth Miss marry Prince Zhou.”

Shen Wan’s heart stirred.

Chang Zai Qing continued, “As for things worse than being a secondary consort, there are many: being kidnapped by mountain bandits, having one’s virtue violated by hooligans, or not knowing who the adulterer is. Under such pressure, if news suddenly emerges that the man might be Prince Zhou, regardless of whether it’s true, General Shen and Madam Shen would choose Prince Zhou because it’s the best option and would preserve the Fifth Miss Shen’s dignity.”

Chang Zai Qing didn’t speak very explicitly, but clever people never need to say everything. In an instant, Shen Wan understood most of it and felt enlightened. Chang Zai Qing smiled again, touching her belly gently, “But these are all devious methods. If the Master weren’t so worried, I wouldn’t have suggested them.”

Having received this ingenious plan, how could Shen Wan think Chang Zai Qing’s method was vicious? He felt as if he had found a treasure. Chang Zai Qing was bearing his child and was also wise and articulate, instantly solving his current predicament. He immediately kissed Chang Zai Qing’s cheek and said, “With such a beautiful woman, how could I remain worried?” Then he stood up, as if eager to do something, and said, “I have some urgent matters to attend to. I’ll come see you later.”

Chang Zai Qing naturally responded with gentle agreement. After Shen Wan left, Nurse Zhao, who was by Chang Zai Qing’s side, approached her with concern, “Is the Third Master planning to target the Fifth Miss?”

“Perhaps,” Chang Zai Qing smiled. “It’s not the first time we’ve heard that the First and Third Branches of the Shen family don’t get along.”

“Does Miss intend to help the Third Master target the Fifth Miss?” Nurse Zhao asked. “The Fifth Miss has General Shen behind her. Won’t Miss’s actions cause trouble?”

“I’m not the one doing it, so how could it be traced back to me?” Chang Zai Qing’s smile remained unchanged. “As long as Shen Wan isn’t a fool, he won’t easily leave evidence. Moreover, if something happens, the Shen family will be too busy dealing with the rumors about Shen Miao to care about other matters.”

Nurse Zhao was still worried: “Why does Miss want to help the Third Master target the Fifth Miss?”

“Advising one’s husband is what a proper mistress should do. I need to show him the difference between me and Chen Ruoqiu. Let him see that I can do what Chen Ruoqiu could, and I can also do what Chen Ruoqiu couldn’t. Only then will he not be able to leave me.” Chang Zai Qing stroked her belly and narrowed her eyes. “Besides, regarding Shen Miao, I have a premonition that if not eliminated, she might bring great calamity.”

Hearing this, Nurse Zhao was startled and said no more. Chang Zai Qing changed the subject, “Speaking of which, is there any news from Liuzhou?”

Nurse Zhao said, “The people we sent are on the way. Even with the fastest pace, it will still take some days. They should return in a few days.”

“Tell them to handle the matter well,” Chang Zai Qing’s eyes flashed with coldness. “My past cannot be known by anyone.”

…

Shen Miao received a letter from Pei Lang at night.

The letter stated that Fu Xiuyi had asked Shen Wan to find a way to make her marry Prince Zhou. Jingzhe and Guyu, seeing Shen Miao’s unhappy expression, thought something bad had happened and asked, “Has Miss encountered something unpleasant?”

Shen Miao shook her head, but internally she was on high alert. In both her previous life and the current one, Fu Xiuyi was equally calculating. Whether she could marry Prince Zhou or not, as long as she was associated with him, neither the Shen family nor Prince Zhou would fare well. For the Shen family, it would anger Emperor Wen Hui, making him think the Shen family supported Prince Zhou and secretly took sides in the succession struggle. As for Prince Zhou, he would become a target of all. Without spending a single soldier, Fu Xiuyi would eliminate two potential dangers. Fu Xiuyi truly had a good plan.

As for her “pragmatic” Third Uncle, who wanted to bind her and Prince Zhou together, it was needless to say that he would use some underhanded methods. As Shen Miao thought about it, she couldn’t help but laugh coldly in her heart. No matter how much time passed, the people of the Third Branch of the Shen family could shamelessly use and harm the people of the First Branch. If possible, they would even use the entire First Branch as a stepping stone to glory and wealth. Their intentions were truly condemnable!

She said, “Ask Mo Qing to come in.”

Jingzhe went outside to summon Mo Qing.

Shen Miao asked Mo Qing, “Have you found the people in Liuzhou I asked you to investigate?”

Mo Qing bowed and said, “In response to Miss, those in Liuzhou have sent back a message. It seems they have found the people. However, another group is also inquiring about the whereabouts of the father and son, and they’ve even issued a jianghu order with a bounty, dead or alive.”

Shen Miao suddenly laughed, though her smile was tinged with coldness.

“Chang Zai Qing is truly ruthless.”

Dead or alive—Shen Miao had asked Mo Qing to find Chang Zai Qing’s husband and son. Now, who else but Chang Zai Qing would be hunting down that father and son pair to eliminate potential troubles? Having climbed up to attach herself to Shen Gui, she was now determined to eliminate her husband and son to prevent future complications. No wonder she had gone so far in her previous life. This ruthlessness was beyond what many could match.

“Send people to tell those in Liuzhou to protect the father and son well and bring them back to Jingdu as soon as possible,” Shen Miao said.

Mo Qing nodded in agreement. Shen Miao suddenly thought of something else and said, “Wait.” She continued, “Deliver a letter to Manager Ji at Fengxian Pawnshop for me.”

…

The lawsuit between the Shen and Chen families was drawn out and entangled. Many thought the case had long been settled, but when asked, it turned out it hadn’t concluded. After almost two full months, the case was finally resolved. Chen Ruoqiu was indeed childless and jealous, and with the Old Madam repeatedly claiming that Chen Ruoqiu didn’t respect her, Shen Wan ultimately gave Chen Ruoqiu a divorce letter.

This marriage, once praised by all as a perfect match of a talented man and a beautiful woman, a divine couple envied by others, ended with such a farce. The most ruthless part was that after divorcing Chen Ruoqiu, Shen Wan quickly elevated Chang Zai Qing to the position of noble concubine.

However, despite this outcome, the lawsuit left both sides wounded. Shen Wan’s career was obstructed, and the household consumed a large amount of silver. But comparatively, the Chen family suffered more.

The Chen family had some reputation but, being a scholarly family, was not wealthy. Chen’s father initially filed the lawsuit to prevent others from looking down on the Chen family, but he hadn’t expected it to drag on for so long—a full two months—practically bankrupting the Chen family.

Chen’s father was severely weakened by this and blamed everything on Chen Ruoqiu. Chen Ruoqiu’s mother also had some complaints. Chen Ruoqiu was already heartbroken by Shen Wan, resentful of his disregard for their past feelings, and angry at Chang Zai Qing’s two-faced behavior. What was most distressing was that there was still no news of Shen Yue. Now, being blamed by her parents, she felt utterly despondent, almost at the brink of despair.

What she didn’t know was that the daughter she had been searching for was now in Prince Qin’s mansion on Yanqing Lane.

In Prince Qin’s mansion, Shen Yue was grooming herself before a mirror.

The fabric of her clothes was of the highest quality. Though the Shen family was wealthy, they couldn’t compare to the fabrics from the Qin imperial palace. The jewelry she wore was also extremely luxurious. Adorned in finest silks, she looked completely different from her former self. If in the past, Shen Yue had followed Chen Ruoqiu’s instructions to dress elegantly without being burdened by vulgar gold and silver, now her appearance seemed much more noble.

Naturally so, because Shen Yue had become Huangfu Hao’s concubine.

The maid beside her carefully brought her hot tea, but Shen Yue’s expression was somewhat impatient.

She had a fairly beautiful face and, under Chen Ruoqiu’s daily influence, could be described as gentle and articulate. Moreover, seeing that Huangfu Hao had some interest in Shen Miao, she would selectively bring up topics about Shen Miao. One day, Huangfu Hao frivolously asked if she would like to be his concubine. After thinking for a night, Shen Yue agreed the next day.

She had no other way out.

Outside, rumors were spreading wildly about the lawsuit between the Shen and Chen families, which had almost become a joke. Chang Zai Qing was pregnant, and if she gave birth to a son, Shen Yue, as a daughter, would likely be forgotten by the Shen family. Even if it wasn’t a son, because Chen Ruoqiu had caused Shen Wan to be criticized, both Shen Wan and the Old Madam would detest her. Her name had already been taken by Shen Dongling, and in recent days, rumors were saying that the Minister Clerk Wang Bi greatly cherished his wife “Shen Yue.” The more such things were said, the more Shen Yue regretted and resented.

Regardless of whether she truly liked Wang Bi or not, just thinking that the comfortable life Shen Dongling was living should have been hers, Shen Yue felt extremely dissatisfied.

She hated Shen Wan for being heartless and Chen Ruoqiu for being incompetent. Now she also understood that with her current status, it would be even more impossible to approach Fu Xiuyi. If she returned to the Shen family, Shen Wan might arrange a mediocre marriage for her out of anger towards Chen Ruoqiu.

Shen Yue had the characteristic coldness of the Shen family in her bones. Though Shen Wan had been her father for many years, and they had once been a harmonious, loving father and daughter, now Shen Yue looked at Shen Wan more warily than an outsider would.

Shen Yue thought, rather than being married off to an unknown family, it was better to be a concubine to Huangfu Hao. Huangfu Hao was handsome and young, and more importantly, he was the Crown Prince of Qin. If she gained his favor in the future, she might be elevated in rank. Most crucially, if she could leverage Huangfu Hao’s power now, perhaps she could still protect herself and Chen Ruoqiu.

So Shen Yue became Huangfu Hao’s concubine.

To be fair, Huangfu Hao treated Shen Yue quite well, which was also due to Shen Yue’s deliberate efforts to please him. However, currently in Ming Qi, among the concubines Huangfu Hao had brought, Shen Yue was the most favored. Perhaps Huangfu Hao also enjoyed the feeling of having an official’s legitimate daughter as his concubine, and was still quite enamored with the novelty.

Shen Yue asked the maid beside her, “Has the letter to the Chen family been delivered yet?”

The maid replied, “It’s already on its way. It should arrive soon.”

Shen Yue took a sip of tea with irritation.

…

Chen Ruoqiu received a letter.

This letter was delivered to her room by an unknown person. Chen’s father and mother didn’t want to see Chen Ruoqiu now, as she had severely weakened the Chen family, reducing the family’s silver significantly. Her brothers and sisters-in-law looked at her as if she were a troublemaker. Chen Ruoqiu’s days were very difficult, so she simply stayed in her room all day without going out.

She looked around and didn’t see anyone. Curious, she opened it, and a letter fell out. As soon as she opened the letter paper, she was astonished at the first glance.

The handwriting on the letter was unmistakably Shen Yue’s. The calligraphy copybook Shen Yue had used for her early learning was a rare edition by the great calligrapher Lady Wang, specially sought out by Chen Ruoqiu. Shen Yue naturally had a gentle touch and had learned Lady Wang’s style quite well, though lacking in strength. Chen Ruoqiu could recognize Shen Yue’s handwriting at a glance.

She quickly surveyed her surroundings; there was no one else in the room. Reassured, she boldly unfolded the letter to read. It only said to meet at a somewhat secluded inn in the east of the city. There was no signature, but Chen Ruoqiu knew in her heart that this must be Shen Yue secretly arranging to meet her.

A weight lifted from Chen Ruoqiu’s heart. Shen Yue could still write to her, and judging by the calm handwriting, she was safe and sound. Her previous worries vanished, and Chen Ruoqiu gradually calmed down.

These days, one blow after another had left her somewhat confused and unable to cope, feeling life was hopeless. But Shen Yue’s letter seemed to reignite her hope. With her daughter, Chen Ruoqiu suddenly felt full of fighting spirit again. She was not alone. Why should someone like Chang Zai Qing be able to enter the household and take what was hers? Chang Zai Qing wanted to bear a son for Shen Wan? She would see if Chang Zai Qing had the ability!

With renewed purpose, Chen Ruoqiu gradually calmed down. Over the next day, the servants noticed that the haggard and irritable Chen Ruoqiu seemed to be in a much better mood, as if she had returned to the gentle and graceful Third Madam Shen of the past. Even when servants accidentally offended her, Chen Ruoqiu just smiled it away.

If a perceptive person had looked, they would have noticed that in Chen Ruoqiu’s eyes, there seemed to be a rekindled fighting spirit, burning intensely and unquenchably.

Early the next morning, Chen Ruoqiu left the house.

No one in the Chen family stopped her. Chen’s mother was somewhat worried, but after being glared at by Chen’s father, she said nothing more. Chen Ruoqiu’s brothers and sisters-in-law were even more dismissive. In the past, Chen Ruoqiu would have quarreled with her sisters-in-law, but today she had no mood for it. She wore an inconspicuous brown short jacket and skirt, in an old style from several years ago, which Chen’s mother had worn in her youth. When she left the Shen mansion, she hadn’t received a penny, and in her anger, she had only taken her jewelry, not bringing many clothes. Later, busy with the lawsuit, she hadn’t had time to purchase new clothes, and now the Chen family couldn’t even afford to buy them.

Wearing ill-fitting and outdated clothes, Chen Ruoqiu could only suppress her humiliation. She wore a bamboo hat, preventing others from seeing her face. Even if they did, they probably wouldn’t connect this poorly dressed and haggard woman with the once-celebrated talented lady of Jingdu.

To save money, Chen Ruoqiu had to hire a dilapidated carriage. When the carriage reached the east of the city, Chen Ruoqiu paid the fare and quickly walked to the inn mentioned in the letter.

Upon entering the inn, Chen Ruoqiu looked around but didn’t see Shen Yue. Just as she was wondering, an attendant approached her, looked at her, and asked, “Is the Madam looking for a young lady?”

Chen Ruoqiu was startled, then nodded. Having had her lawsuit with Shen Wan publicized throughout Jingdu, she was somewhat apprehensive, fearing being recognized and criticized. She was even more afraid of Shen Yue being discovered. The attendant said, “Please follow me, Madam.”

The attendant led Chen Ruoqiu to a room upstairs in the inn, stopping at the door and smiling, “The person the Madam is waiting for is inside.” Then he left.

Chen Ruoqiu pushed open the door and saw a young woman sitting at the table, her back turned. That silhouette was unmistakably Shen Yue’s.

Chen Ruoqiu closed the door and exclaimed, “Yue’er!”

Shen Yue turned around, and seeing Chen Ruoqiu’s appearance, she couldn’t help but be startled. It wasn’t until Chen Ruoqiu came forward and held her hands, and Shen Yue saw her face, that she called out, “Mother!” But immediately frowned and asked, “How did you become like this?”

If not for seeing it with her own eyes, Shen Yue could not have believed that this shabbily dressed woman was her elegant, gentle, and refined mother.

Hearing this, a flash of resentment crossed Chen Ruoqiu’s face as she gritted her teeth and said, “If not for that cheap woman Chang Zai Qing and your heartless father, how would I have ended up like this!” Then she looked anxiously at Shen Yue, “Yue’er, where have you been these days? Don’t you know how worried I’ve been? Are you alright? Has anything happened?”

Chen Ruoqiu had only Shen Yue as her daughter and had always doted on and loved her. Her current concern was genuine. Hearing this, Shen Yue felt somewhat sad, but still smiled and said, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m doing very well now. I’ve found a powerful backer, more noble than Wang family. With this backer, the Shen family won’t dare bully us in the future.”

Chen Ruoqiu asked suspiciously, “Who are you talking about?”

Shen Yue hesitated for a moment and said, “The Crown Prince of Qin.”

Chen Ruoqiu exclaimed in shock, then Shen Yue quickly continued to explain, “His Highness the Crown Prince treats me very well. When I left the Shen family, I encountered villains outside, and it was the Crown Prince who saved me. Afterwards, he wanted to send me back, but the Shen family was in trouble, so I stayed at the Crown Prince’s mansion. The Crown Prince is a good person. Mother, don’t feel bad about it. I’ve followed the Crown Prince, which is much better than following those hypocritical people in the Wang family. I certainly couldn’t be on equal footing with Shen Dongling, right? If I returned to the Shen family, Grandmother and Father would already be displeased with me. Who knows how they would arrange my marriage? Mother, please support me this once, alright?”

Chen Ruoqiu instinctively felt uneasy at first, but hearing that Huangfu Hao had saved Shen Yue, her expression softened somewhat. However, he was still not from Ming Qi. Though Chen Ruoqiu didn’t understand court affairs, she had been influenced by Shen Wan for many years and had basic vigilance.

“But he is from Qin, and he’s the Crown Prince…”

Seeing Chen Ruoqiu still disapproving, Shen Yue steeled herself and told a lie, “The Crown Prince said that when he returns to Qin, he will grant me a new identity and make me his secondary consort.”

“Is this true?” Chen Ruoqiu was surprised. If Shen Yue were to leave Ming Qi for Qin and become a secondary consort in the Crown Prince’s mansion, her future would be filled with endless glory and wealth. After experiencing the situation with Shen Wan, Chen Ruoqiu’s current thoughts were different from before. What use was love? It was too illusory. In times of happiness, there might be intimacy, but in an instant, it could turn to cold indifference. The tainted copper and white silver, the glory and wealth that the books spoke of, were the things one could truly rely on. Without money, even the Chen family could sneer at their daughter. If their family produced a Crown Prince’s secondary consort… Chen Ruoqiu’s heart gradually warmed.

“True,” Shen Yue said.

Chen Ruoqiu hesitated for a moment and then said, “We’ll discuss this matter later. But there’s another matter now.”

Shen Yue asked, “What matter?”

“That cheap woman Chang Zai Qing schemed against me behind my back, acting one way to my face and another behind it. I fell into her trap. Now I’ve become a public disgrace, but what I hate most isn’t Chang Zai Qing, but your father. If he hadn’t protected her, how would I have ended up like this? He doesn’t care at all about our decades of marriage. I can’t bear to let them live comfortably and contentedly. I won’t accept it! I hate them!”