Shen Xihe’s coming-of-age ceremony concluded smoothly. The palace hosted a banquet for all guests, and by the time it was nearly over, night had fallen.

Shen Yueshan had been plied with much wine today, accepting every drink offered. Among the ladies, Shen Xihe was the center of attention, though because of the style name Emperor Youning had bestowed upon her, many gazes carried a hint of pity.

Shen Xihe understood their thoughts clearly—they were convinced she would become a widow at such a young age. Even when Hu Yingrao offered her a toast, she couldn’t help but mock her: “Congratulations on coming of age, Your Grace. It seems good fortune approaches. I look forward to witnessing Your Grace’s phoenix-like bearing, if that day comes…”

Her final words were deeply meaningful, deliberately drawn out, with a hint of challenge in her eyes.

Before Shen Xihe could speak, Xue Jinqiao, who was with her, took the wine cup from Hu Yingrao’s hand with a smile: “Third Lady Hu, your health is poor, you shouldn’t drink. Treating yourself with such little care—could it be you’ve forgotten… the taste of falling into water?”

Hu Yingrao’s smile froze, her whole body trembling—it was fear of falling into the water. After calming down, she glared fiercely at Xue Jinqiao: “It was you!”

She had deliberately come to provoke Shen Xihe today, wanting to know if it was Shen Xihe who had been secretly attacking her. In her view, only Shen Xihe, with her hundreds of private guards, had such capability—making her fall into water time after time, leaving no trace.

However, her parents forbade her from opposing Shen Xihe, even saying that if it truly was Shen Xihe’s doing, she could only endure it until Shen Xihe tired of it and stopped bothering her. When she sought her aunt’s help, her aunt also advised the patient.

Why? Why should she endure, constantly being toyed with like a cat by Shen Xihe?

Yet unexpectedly, it wasn’t Shen Xihe whom she had suspected, but the unexpected Xue Jinqiao!

“Yes, it was me. So what?” Xue Jinqiao looked her up and down contemptuously. “If you want revenge, I welcome the challenge. But… be prepared for my retaliation. I can be quite cruel when dealing with people.”

Xue Jinqiao’s “illness” had been suppressed by the Xue family, fearing it would affect the marriage prospects of other Xue family ladies. Only the Xue family knew of her crazy actions. Hu Yingrao hadn’t taken Xue Jinqiao seriously: “Do you think I’m Second Lady Yuan?”

“It doesn’t matter who you are. As long as you’re willing to take the risk, I’ll play along to the end.” Xue Jinqiao smiled, her almond eyes bright, but in the candlelight filtering through the crystal cups, they gleamed with an eerie light.

Hu Yingrao stepped back in fear, but when she looked again, Xue Jinqiao’s smile was pure and harmless. She convinced herself she had imagined it.

“Today is Her Grace’s special day. Since Yingrao can’t drink, let’s not stop us from congratulating Her Grace.” Wang Yuhui stepped forward to steady Hu Yingrao, smoothing over the situation.

Shen Xihe slightly raised her eyebrows as she looked at Wang Yuhui. Last time when Chen Jiaxue had confronted her unpleasantly, Wang Yuhui had taken Chen Jiaxue’s side, and now she was doing the same for Hu Yingrao. Last time she had thought it a coincidence, but now she suspected Wang Yuhui harbored hostility toward her.

However, last time she had concealed it well, not revealing it through her eyes. She and Wang Yuhui had no previous interaction—where did this hostility come from?

With a guess in mind, Shen Xihe smiled faintly: “Does Lady Wang wish to offer me a toast?”

“Of course. Your Grace’s coming of age is a grand ceremony in this prosperous age. It’s my honor to witness it. I would regret not offering a toast.” Wang Yuhui lifted her wine cup with both hands, offering it to Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe glanced down slightly, her smile distant. After returning the toast and taking a small sip, she leaned in slightly: “Lady Wang, if kneeling in the ancestral hall didn’t serve as a warning, perhaps consider Lord Wang’s suspension from office.”

In the misty moonlight, her gentle tone and ethereal voice brushed past Wang Yuhui’s ears, dissolving into the sound of strings and bamboo instruments.

Wang Yuhui’s expression changed slightly. Why had Wang Zheng been suspended for a time? All because of the Crown Prince. If before they weren’t certain whether the Crown Prince had acted deliberately, today His Majesty’s hint at betrothing Shen Xihe to the Crown Prince convinced them that past events were no coincidence.

Shen Xihe lightly touched her red lips, maintaining a smile as she turned to exchange courtesies with other ladies who came to congratulate her.

As Wang Yuhui and Hu Yingrao sat down with poor expressions, Shen Xihe, who had also attended Shen Xihe’s ceremony, watched from afar as everyone eagerly sought Shen Xihe’s favor. She was like the high moon, surrounded by stars, cold and aloof.

When pleased, she would respond with a smile; when displeased, her face would immediately darken. Yet no one would consider her impolite—instead, they would carefully examine themselves, anxious about whether their words had somehow displeased the Marchioness.

To say she wasn’t envious at all—even she wouldn’t believe it. Taking a deep breath, Shen Xihe seized a moment when no one was looking at her to leave with her maid. After visiting the lavatory, she didn’t return.

She hadn’t missed those gazes that swept back and forth between her and Shen Xihe, comparing them.

“Young Miss, people are born different, some blessings cannot be envied into being,” Wet Nurse Tan softly consoled Shen Xihe, who stood by the lake, preferring to brave the cold wind rather than return.

Shen Xihe turned her head with a forced smile at Tan: “Wet Nurse, I understand, I just don’t want to go back and be pitied.”

What right did those people have to pity her? Even as a child of a concubine, she carried the blood of both the supreme Xiao imperial clan and the illustrious Shen family. She might bear the title of a concubine’s daughter, but her glory and wealth were beyond their reach.

“It’s good that Young Miss understands.” Tan sighed in relief, smiling contentedly. “Young Miss knows they’re jealous of you but dare not speak much, so they can only elevate themselves through your misfortunes.”

Hearing this, Shen Xihe slowly leaned on Tan’s shoulder: “Wet Nurse, I’m so fortunate to have met you.”

Without Tan’s guidance, with parents like hers, what kind of person would she have become? Crude? Bitter? Overbearing? Or perhaps mad like her mother?

Tan showed a kind smile, stroking Shen Xihe’s hair. She too treated this child as her own, despite the vast difference in their status.

The deep winter was cold, with knife-like winds cutting to the bone. Yet between the two leaning together floated a gentle warmth.

Just then, a cat suddenly darted out, pouncing toward them. The all-black cat with eerily green eyes startled Shen Xihe pale. She stumbled backward abruptly, forgetting the icy lake behind her.

“Young Miss—” Tan, who had reached out to block the cat, turned to grab Shen Xihe but missed. She watched helplessly as Shen Xihe fell into the lake with a splash, and immediately jumped in after her.

Someone else jumped in with her.