Chapter 4: The Most Favored Child
Han Shi trembled and knelt. "Mother’s lecture is correct. This daughter-in-law will certainly keep it in mind."
"It is best to leave a way out for others. Since Li Shi is dead, let it be. If you also drive the Fourth Young Lady to her death, the Second Son will become completely estranged from you. She is but a mere slip of a girl, if she marries well, her life is good, and if she marries poorly, she won’t be able to struggle free for a lifetime. There is truly no need to let your hands be stained with trouble," the Old Madam said.
Han Shi looked up at the Old Madam with gratitude. "Thank you for your guidance, Mother. This daughter-in-law understands."
"It is good that you understand. Go back now."
The Old Madam waved her hand.
Han Shi rose, thanked her, performed her salutations, and withdrew.
Naturally, the Old Madam did not care about a Shen Yi.
She simply didn't want any stain on the State Duke’s Manor's reputation, especially at this critical juncture, nothing was more important than the Fifth Girl’s future.
There were many prominent families in the capital of Ningjing, their family was wealthy and noble, but they were not the only ones. If the Shen family stirred up trouble now and allowed someone to seize a weakness, it would likely be disastrous.
If Li Shi and her two children all died, what would people call that?
A short while after Han Shi left, the Fifth Young Lady, Shen Xichang, came over.
"Grandmother." Shen Xichang’s posture during her salutation was disciplined and beautiful, it was evident she had been trained by a specialized governess.
"Mhm, your mother just left," the Old Madam said to her with a smile.
"Yes. Mother acts impulsively sometimes, but she listens to you most of all. If there is anywhere she has done poorly, please do not be angry with her," Shen Xichang said.
"Good child, your grandmother has lived with your mother for many years; I naturally know her character. For your sake, I will also advise your mother. Are you leaving the manor today?" the Old Madam asked.
"Yes. The daughter of Assistant Minister Zhou sent an invitation a few days ago asking me to admire the flowers. I came specifically to ask for Grandmother’s permission. Since the start of summer, I have gone out several times to enjoy the flowers, should I perhaps host a return invitation?" Shen Xichang asked.
"Go ahead for the flower viewing, but there is no rush for hosting a party. Have you forgotten? Your grandfather’s birthday is approaching. It is a milestone birthday this year, and our family will hold a grand celebration," the Old Madam laughed.
"Grandmother! You say that as if I wouldn't dare stand, how could I forget Grandfather’s birthday? But isn't that still a month away?" Shen Xichang stomped her foot and acted spoiled.
"That is true. Then invite whoever you wish. Though our family garden is not large, it does have some scenery." The Old Madam patted her hand.
Shen Xichang hugged the Old Madam’s arm. "Grandmother truly dotes on me the most. I also love you the most, and I will always love you the most."
"You, just pay close attention to your etiquette. Our family is counting on you." The Old Madam patted her cheek.
Shen Xichang’s face turned red, she naturally understood the meaning.
She had been noble since childhood, a daughter of the State Duke’s Manor, legitimate and raised at her grandmother's side. In this generation of the manor, only she and the Eldest Sister were of the highest status.
But back then, the Eldest Sister had only married the eldest legitimate son of an Earl’s family, which was ultimately unremarkable.
She certainly wouldn't be like that.
After Shen Yi returned, she went to the garden, she had nothing to do. When you aren't valued, it’s like this, you can just find a place to linger when there's no business to attend to.
Her mind had been a mess lately, so she really wanted some peace and quiet.
However, not long after she sat down, the Third Young Lady, Shen Xiyan, also arrived.
Shen Yi rose. "Third Sister."
"Sit, Fourth Sister. Have you also come to enjoy the cool air?" The Third Young Lady smiled.
"Yes, my room is quite hot, so I came here to sit for a while," Shen Yi said.
"Sigh..." Shen Xiyan sighed. "I am just like you, Sister."
These were polite and well-spoken words. While it was true the Third Young Lady was concubine-born, her mother, Concubine Zhou, had also given birth to a son. Their lives were much easier than Shen Yi’s.
"We don't have the fortune to live in the main courtyard. I hear that over at Fifth Sister’s place, the supply of ice is never-ending," the Third Young Lady said.
"If Third Sister says she is inferior, I will only be more so. In this manor, there is no one more out of favor than I," Shen Yi sighed.
A flicker of mockery flashed through the Third Young Lady’s eyes, yet she spoke, "Sister, you truly have suffered grievances. You are powerless in these matters. It is hateful how biased Mother is. Sigh... sometimes I truly worry. You and I are both fourteen this year; what is to be done?"
The Third Young Lady was the same age as Shen Yi, though her birthday was earlier.
"Is Third Sister worried about marriage? You are overthinking it. I heard the Madam mention before that the palace draft will take place within the next year or two. Does Third Sister still worry about not having a good marriage? Even if one cannot become the Crown Prince's woman, one could still belong to a Prince," Shen Yi said.
"Sister, there are things you do not know. How can two girls from the same family both enter the Imperial House?" The Third Young Lady shook her head with a smile.
"It’s fine that you don’t understand, having grown up outside the manor. But do not speak of this again."
The sense of superiority in her tone was truly unpleasant. The Shen family placed extreme importance on the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born status.
However, with Shen Yi present—whose status was even lower than that of a concubine-born daughter, the Third Young Lady found a sense of superiority. It had always been this way.
Shen Yi, however, had always been one to keep her composure and simply acted as if she hadn't noticed. Fanxing was also composed, keeping her head down and pretending not to hear.
"Sigh, in the end, we simply cannot compare to Fifth Sister," Shen Yi sighed.
"Grandfather’s birthday is next month, and there will be a grand celebration. At that time, many young noblemen from Ningjing will arrive. If Third Sister has someone she favors, why not go and entreat Father? If we do not aim for the Imperial House, girls from families like ours wouldn't necessarily have to go through the selection."
"Sister should do the same and keep a sharp eye out; after all, it is for a lifetime," the Third Young Lady said with a smile.
Inwardly, she was dismissive.
Being born into such a prestigious house and having the chance to enter the palace, why wouldn't one fight for it?
It was only this daughter of an outsider mistress who probably had no chance even if she wanted to fight, right?
Shen Yi smiled and agreed, thinking to herself that the Third Young Lady’s skills were still lacking, she was still young after all.
The two made small talk for a while longer while admiring the lotuses. After maintaining the facade of affection for a bit, they went their separate ways.
Back at their residence, Fanxing said as she helped Shen Yi change: "What was the Third Young Lady talking about? It was all so disjointed and didn't sound like anything good. She was so eccentric and sarcastic, you shouldn't pay her any mind."
"Hasn't she always been like that? She can't stand the legitimate daughters. Wouldn't it be great if I, the daughter of an outsider mistress, could do something to help her? She brought up the future again to bait me into talking about marriage. Hehe, her own intentions are quite obvious, if she could become a concubine to the Crown Prince or a Prince, she would consider herself to have finally made it," Shen Yi said.
"It’s no use regardless of what she thinks. The Madam is so formidable, would she not be on guard? But Young Lady, I fear that when the time comes... it will also be... very difficult for you to participate," Fanxing sighed.
Generally speaking, when girls had a difficult life in the boudoir, they would hope for a good husband's family as a chance for a new life. But in the Young Lady’s case, her marriage was entirely controlled by others, leaving her truly without recourse.
Firstly, her status was difficult to explain, and secondly, since the Young Lady was so exceptionally beautiful, the Madam likely wouldn't dare let her go.
Once she caught the eye of the nobles in the palace, she could never be controlled again.
Translated by Jade on From Han To Heart ~
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