Chapter 3, Provocation

"Where would I ever wrong myself?" Shen Miao interrupted her with a smile, "It's just a small matter. I still feel a bit dizzy and would like to rest a little longer. If there is anything, let's discuss it tomorrow at grandmother's place."

"Fifth sister..." Shen Yue did not expect Shen Miao to say this. She was taken aback for a moment before she realized, shaking her head and saying: "Fifth sister, do not put yourself in a difficult position."

She was stunned for a moment, until the girl in front of her rubbed her forehead and softly said: "Second sister, you are being too harsh. This matter has nothing to do with elder sister; it was I who fell down by myself."

Why does Shen Yue want to sow discord between her and Shen Qing

She will surely make their wishes come true. The second and third branches owe the Shen family a blood debt from their past lives, and it is time to start repaying it from now on

The complexion of Jingzhe showed some concern: "It is rather unfortunate to come at this time, the young lady has not yet recovered, and one should not fear the chill of the wind."

In her previous life, before Shen Miao got married, her relationship with Shen Yue was the best. Shen Yue was gentle and considerate, often able to offer ideas to Shen Miao. However, at that time, Shen Miao could not discern whether these ideas were good or bad, and instead, she was simply grateful for the diligent assistance of her cousin.

It refers to the Empress He and Empress Shen of the Ming Dynasty, who once held supreme power over the harem and governed the six palaces

Shen Miao's eyes are the most beautiful, large almond-shaped eyes, innocent and bewildered, resembling a timid puppy just born. However, on ordinary days, her expression is dull, which unfortunately undermines the spirit of her eyes.

Shen Miao looked at the young girl in front of her; this was Shen Yue, the legitimate daughter of the third branch of the Shen family

The results of this deliberate teaching led to her initially chaotic impression. Although she later successfully married Fu Xiuyi, she was still regarded as someone unworthy of the spotlight, and even when compared to Madam Mei, people would only say that she was foolish and ignorant

This time, Shen Yue came, probably to plead for Shen Qing

Shen Miao observed it and felt a sense of relief in her heart

Gu Yu nudged Jing Zhe's arm, yet her expression was filled with great concern

She spoke naively, feeling that they were family, and thus had no reservations. Shen Xin is a high-ranking general in the court, and it is not impossible for him to wish to marry off his daughter.

Later, this matter was reported to the Imperial Academy, and Shen Miao became the laughingstock of her classmates. In her shame and anger, she stopped attending the Academy. ... Subsequently ... . ... In the circle of noble ladies in the capital, she gradually faded away.

She knew that with Shen Miao's temperament, mentioning Fu Xiu Yi would surely provoke her anger. However, after waiting for a long time without any reaction, Shen Yue looked over suspiciously and saw the girl in front of her smiling at her.

The four maids by her side were all personally selected and trained by Shen Xin and Madam Shen, each loyal and clever. The true state of the Shen family, as well as the hidden intentions of the second and third branches, were beyond her young understanding, yet the maids were able to discern the clues.

How could one have such a feeling

What a foolish past!

It would have been better not to mention it, yet one insists on bringing up the name of the Duke Ding in front of Shen Miao. Everyone knows that the Duke Ding is the apple of Shen Miao's eye. Shen Miao is the type who can endure grievances, but when it comes to the Duke Ding, she will not yield an inch. If the Duke Ding had not been mentioned, perhaps Shen Miao would have let it go. This time, Shen Yue deliberately brought up the Duke Ding, isn't it to provoke a conflict between her and Shen Qing?

Before I had the chance to speak, a young girl walked in from outside. She appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in a light pink top adorned with chrysanthemum patterns and a moon-white pleated skirt, her hair styled in a tassel bun. Her complexion was fair, her features elegant and beautiful, exuding a strong scholarly aura, which made her seem both appropriate and dignified. Upon seeing her, I quickly walked to the bedside and, with concern, said: "Fifth sister, do you feel any better? I have been anxious ever since I learned you fell into the water. The people at Yujiao Garden said you needed to rest, so I did not dare to disturb you. Today, hearing that you have awakened, I finally dared to come over."

Since both of these sisters are deeply infatuated with Fu Xiuyi, would it not be a pity if they are unable to fulfill their wishes in this lifetime

It is naturally because Shen Yue also admires Prince Ding

The surprise of the Grain Rain festival allowed Shen Miao to finally see Shen Yue's true colors, yet she was somewhat puzzled by the meaning behind Shen Miao's words. Raising her head, she saw her own daughter's charming face, which was now icy cold, evoking an inexplicable sense of solemnity that compelled one to look up in admiration.

After Shen Yue left, Gu Yu said: "Our young lady was pushed into the water, nearly losing her life, yet she comes to plead for the eldest young lady. If you are going to plead, then plead, but why does it sound like something else entirely?" Gu Yu was subtly reminding Shen Miao that Shen Yue had ulterior motives.

She naturally did not know that the Shen Miao before her was no longer the same Shen Miao. The Shen Miao before her had experienced the struggles for succession, wars, competition for favor, the loss of a child, and the destruction of her clan

The three legitimate daughters of the Shen family are Shen Qing, who is bright and generous, and Shen Yue, whose talents are widely recognized. However, there is only Shen Miao, whose personality is dull, timid, and lacking in talent. While outsiders praise her as "chaste and virtuous," they all know that she has no notable strengths and is the least presentable daughter of the Shen family

The girl's complexion was still very pale, her lips dry and chapped, but her pair of pitch-black eyes were as glistening as grapes.

Now those almond-shaped eyes remain round, yet the expression is entirely different... They exude a hint of coldness, devoid of emotion, not resembling dullness, but rather... It seems more like a condescending gaze from a position of superiority

Why did Shen Qing push her into the water? It was because at that moment she said: "When the year-end comes and my father returns victorious, I will let my father decide and ask him to marry me to His Highness the Crown Prince."

In her previous life, when death was imminent, Shen Yue and Shen Qing finally revealed to her that they had long harbored feelings for Fu Xiuyi. Looking back now, it seems that the signs had already begun to emerge at that time

The clam and the snipe contend, and the fisherman benefits; she probably wants to be that 'fisherman'.

Having reached this point in the conversation, Shen Yue found it inappropriate to say anything further. Although she was puzzled by Shen Miao's lack of warmth towards her today, she attributed it to Shen Miao's embarrassment in front of Fu Xiuyi, which had put her in a bad mood. After exchanging a few more words, Shen Yue finally took her leave

Shen Yue gently caressed Shen Miao's shoulder, a subtle smile appearing at the corner of her lips without making a sound.

The young lady, the second young lady has come to see you

Shen Yue felt a shiver run through her, inexplicably giving rise to an indescribable sense of trepidation in her heart. It was as if she were not facing a foolish and clumsy goose, but rather someone of high status.

Indeed, Shen Yue began by saying: "Fifth sister, the eldest sister also made a mistake that day. Now that things have come to this point, I hope Fifth sister can forgive her this once. Hearing that Fifth sister has been unwell, the eldest sister feels extremely guilty. Once Fifth sister has recovered, could you possibly spare the eldest sister this time? She did not intend for you to be embarrassed in front of the Ding Wang Hall."

Looking back now, her gaze had always been confined to the world created for her by the people of the General's residence. She believed herself to be virtuous and gentle, unaware that to outsiders, she appeared weak and ignorant. She thought that admiring Prince Ding was a sign of bravery and straightforwardness, yet little did she know that others regarded her as shameless.

Shen Miao looked at her fingertips

In her previous life, it was the same; as soon as she woke up, Shen Yue rushed to plead for Shen Qing. This plea infuriated Shen Miao. Usually timid in character, she accused Shen Qing of pushing her into the water in front of the old lady for the sake of her beloved. However, Shen Qing denied it, and those around them claimed not to have seen Shen Qing push Shen Yue. The old lady, who already favored the second and third branches, naturally took the opportunity to reprimand her for being "so young and yet not knowing how to cherish herself, while attempting to slander her legitimate sister," and punished her with house arrest.