Shen Qing looked at her mother in confusion. Though reluctant, she obediently held her tongue.

While Shen Yue didn’t understand what was wrong with Shen Miao’s words, seeing Chen Ruoqiu’s nervous expression made her realize something. She stood properly in place and didn’t speak again.

Old Madam Shen frowned. Despite having been with Old General Shen for so many years, she didn’t understand the complexities of official circles. Her vision was limited to the small sky within the inner courtyard, and she couldn’t grasp the implications of Shen Miao’s words. She only felt that Shen Miao must have eaten something wrong today, repeatedly defying her and challenging her authority as the family matriarch. She was about to erupt in anger.

“Little Fifth has a point,” Ren Wanyun interrupted the Old Madam’s impending rebuke with a smile. “It was merely a misunderstanding. How could matters from the front hall be transmitted to the inner courtyard? It was simply an unfortunate coincidence. Prince Jin is broad-minded and wouldn’t take children’s play seriously. Everything was a misunderstanding. Poor Little Fifth, falling into the water and getting frightened—she has truly suffered.”

Old Madam Shen opened her mouth, displeased that her second daughter-in-law had suddenly interrupted her. However, Ren Wanyun’s family was the renowned Ming Qi merchant clan, and many household expenses were supplemented by this second daughter-in-law. Although displeased, she didn’t want to offend her. She gave a cold snort but didn’t continue.

Chen Ruoqiu also realized something and hurriedly followed Ren Wanyun’s lead: “Indeed, Yue, Qing, never mention what we just talked about again. It was merely Little Fifth accidentally falling into the water and coincidentally being seen by Prince Jin. What’s so strange about coincidences in this world?” She smiled at Shen Miao. “Little Fifth, the Old Madam was just concerned about you, not truly angry.”

Shen Miao looked at the woman before her. Shen Yue resembled Chen Ruoqiu not only in appearance but also in temperament. Chen Ruoqiu came from a scholarly family; her features were delicate and beautiful. She carried herself with gentle grace in everything she did, elegant without being frivolous. She appeared easy to get along with, but who could have predicted what would happen later…

Later, when the Xiongnu envoys requested a marriage alliance, there was only one princess of suitable age in the palace—Wanyu. Chen Ruoqiu had said that Shen Yue was old enough, and marriage was her destiny anyway, so she volunteered to marry into the Xiongnu. But Shen Yue wasn’t a princess, so Fu Xiuyi bestowed upon her the title of Princess Yueru, making the marriage alliance legitimate.

But in the end, it was her Wanyu who got married.

Wanyu died on the journey to the marriage alliance, and Wanyu’s princess palace was given to Princess Yueru. Princess Yueru naturally inherited everything that had belonged to Wanyu.

Her Wanyu had not even turned sixteen.

Shen Miao closed her eyes briefly. If one were to say that Chen Ruoqiu had nothing to do with this, even Chen Ruoqiu herself wouldn’t believe it. Perhaps Chen Ruoqiu and Madam Mei had already reached an agreement, intending to let her believe she had hope, only to have that hope crushed before her very eyes.

Chen Ruoqiu’s smile froze.

The young lady across from her had a round face, round eyes, and a round nose tip. Such features, coupled with a timid demeanor, easily created an impression of dullness and naivety.

But now, that was no longer the case. The timid demeanor had disappeared, replaced by a solemn countenance. It wasn’t a sudden tenseness, but an innate dignity with a subtle sense of distance. For a moment, Chen Ruoqiu suddenly felt that the person before her wasn’t the First House’s dim-witted daughter, but someone of high status. That restrained sharpness made her tremble.

The next moment, the young lady smiled at her with curved eyes: “I understand. Now Third Aunt also believes that Little Fifth has done nothing wrong, right?”

Chen Ruoqiu was taken aback. Glancing at the displeased Old Madam on the high seat, she reluctantly said: “While that may be true, Little Fifth falling into the pond was truly careless. How are those maids beside her taking care of their mistress? With your eldest brother and sister-in-law absent, have the servants become so presumptuous? In my opinion, it would be better to replace these maids.”

Ren Wanyun let out a snicker. Chen Ruoqiu shot her an annoyed glance, and Ren Wanyun’s lips curled into a knowing smile.

Her sister-in-law appeared cultured and reasonable, but her heart was shrewd. Such words might fool a fool like Shen Miao, but she probably wanted to replace the people around Shen Miao. Now that Shen Yue had reached the age to consider marriage prospects, regardless of how far Shen Miao’s reputation for stupidity and timidity had spread in the capital, in terms of status, Shen Yue was still below Shen Miao. After all, Shen Xin still held military power.

The Third House was indeed starting to make moves.

Shen Miao lowered her head: “Why does Third Aunt want to replace Guyu and the others? They are the people Father and Mother left for Fifth Miss. The West Courtyard has already changed many servants. I don’t recognize any of the second-tier maids from a few days ago. If Guyu and the others are replaced too, Fifth Miss won’t know who to talk to in the West Courtyard.”

Ren Wanyun’s smile abruptly ceased.

In the West Courtyard, with Shen Xin and his wife rarely in the capital, almost all the maids and servants had been replaced. There were people from the Old Madam, from the Second House, and the Third House. But since the Second House managed the household, naturally, there were more people from the Second House. If these words were to reach outsiders’ ears—that the First House’s daughter didn’t recognize a single servant in her courtyard—what good intentions could the Second and Third Houses have? There was no reason for sisters-in-law to interfere in the eldest brother’s courtyard.

Her mind worked quickly. She smiled and gave Chen Ruoqiu a stern look before saying to Shen Miao: “Your Third Aunt was just joking with you. Guyu and the other maids were merely careless. Our Shen family is kind-hearted and wouldn’t do such inconsiderate things. Little Fifth, don’t worry.”

Her final words contained a rebuke to Chen Ruoqiu.

Shen Yuanbai looked at his mother, then at Chen Ruoqiu, and yawned. Old Madam Shen was growing impatient with the verbal sparring between her second and third daughters-in-law. Seeing this, she said: “Enough, these are trivial matters. Second daughter-in-law, bring Seventh Brother over. Everyone can disperse now. So many people are giving me a headache.”

Ren Wanyun hurriedly carried Shen Yuanbai to Old Madam Shen’s couch and said: “Mother, then we daughters-in-law will take our leave. Seventh Brother, be good while playing with the Old Madam.”

Chen Ruoqiu glanced at Shen Yuanbai, placed both hands on her abdomen, and slowly walked out of Rongjing Hall. The Second House had a son, earning the Old Madam’s favor. No matter how capable she was… Shen Yue was still just a daughter. If only she had a son, then within the Shen residence, the First House’s possessions would eventually be contested. With a son, at least they could be equals, not like now, where the Second House gained all the advantages. Besides… the First House still had a legitimate son. Although he was at the border with Shen Xin, he did not know if he would return to claim a share.

Lost in thought, Chen Ruoqiu raised her head, her gaze falling on the few people heading toward the West Courtyard.

The young lady wore a deep red embroidered robe. She had always loved bright colors, and without parents by her side to guide her dressing, she often appeared rustic.

Yet now, the deep red made her skin appear even fairer. Though her appearance remained the same, she seemed more solemn. Perhaps even… imposing?

Guyu whispered, “Miss, you haven’t fully recovered yet. Why rush to the Guangwen Hall? We’ve already explained your illness; the lessons can wait. Perhaps…”

“No,” Shen Miao interrupted her. “Prepare the carriage immediately.”

Though she hadn’t used harsh words, for some reason, Guyu shuddered and dared not ask anything more.