A cool wind arose at night. As late autumn approached, the weather grew colder with each passing day. In the northern capital city of Dingjing, the chill cut deep.
Lamplight flickered across the room where a young lady reclined against her couch, absorbed in the pages before her. The tea at her side had long since cooled, forgotten in her concentration.
Bailu stared at her mistress, bewildered. Overnight, it seemed, this young lady had become someone else entirely. Even now, quietly reading—something the former Shen Miao had despised—she carried herself with such poise that Bailu might have mistaken her for nobility had she not known better.
How could a young girl possess such an aura? Bailu couldn't fathom it and stood rooted in place until Shuangjiang nudged her, whispering sharply, "Why are you standing there like a fool?"
Shuangjiang approached and draped a cloak around Shen Miao's shoulders, her voice gentle. "Miss, it's growing late. You must attend Guangwen Hall tomorrow. Perhaps you should rest early."
Shen Miao shook her head. "You all retire first. I'll read a bit longer."
It was unthinkable for servants to rest while their mistress remained awake. Shuangjiang sighed, prepared to press further, when Guyu—who had been replacing Shen Miao's tea—pulled her back. After refreshing the tea, she guided both Shuangjiang and Bailu to the outer room.
"What's wrong, Guyu?" Bailu asked, confused. "Miss has just recovered. Why aren't you helping us persuade her?"
"Don't you think I've tried?" Guyu rubbed her temples. "But will our Miss listen to me now? She's been reading all day. These must be assignments from her teacher. Once Miss sets her mind to something, what can any of us do?" She glanced worriedly toward the inner room.
Before, when their mistress had been timid, she'd constantly needed others to decide for her. Now that her timidity had vanished, her own decisions became commands no one dared question. Serving closely at her side, Guyu increasingly felt that when Shen Miao gave an order, refusal was impossible.
Even speaking softly, she radiated authority—more intimidating than the master's anger, Guyu thought with a quiet sigh.
Inside, Shen Miao continued reading.
She studied intently, missing no detail. A closer look would reveal the tome in her hands: Ming Qi Official History. She knew well the major events that had shaped Ming Qi since its founding, and what would unfold in the decades to come. Now she sought ways to prevent the coming tragedies. But first, she needed to understand the roots of the current predicament facing these prestigious families.
The Emperor's order to eradicate the great families was approaching rapidly. Shen Miao remembered clearly—barring any surprises, catastrophe would strike next month. The enemy of an enemy is a friend. If these aristocratic families fell, the Shen family would soon follow.
Until Shen Xin returned, she alone could support the Shen residence while guarding against the wolves lurking in the Eastern Courtyard.
Shen Miao's instincts proved correct. That very evening, Nanny Gui entered Rongjing Hall, ostensibly to deliver specialties from the estate. Yet she seized the opportunity to chat with Zhang Mama, who served Old Madam Shen, repeatedly mentioning how Shen Miao had grown increasingly defiant and quick to punish her servants.
Zhang Mama understood her intentions perfectly. After offering noncommittal responses, Nanny Gui asked Zhang Mama to speak favorably of her to Old Madam Shen before taking her leave.
As she exited the Rongjing Hall courtyard, Xianglan—maid to Ren Wanyun—appeared before her. Seeing Nanny Gui, Xianglan smiled brightly. "Nanny Gui, I was just looking for you."
"Oh?" Nanny Gui's eyes narrowed, though she returned the smile. "What business does Miss Xianglan have with me?"
"Nothing serious." Xianglan linked arms with her. "Our Madam heard you know of a shop that sells exceptionally beautiful rouge. She wanted to ask where it's located."
A transparent excuse—Ren Wanyun wished to summon Nanny Gui for private discussion. Understanding perfectly, Nanny Gui allowed herself to be led. "No trouble at all. If Madam wishes to know, I'll gladly tell her. That rouge is beloved by ladies from many official families…"
When they arrived at Caiyun Garden with Xianglan, all maids and servants had been dismissed from outside.
Ren Wanyun sat on the couch. The Second Master remained out entertaining guests. She worked casually at some needlework—embroidering a pouch, it seemed—while eating grapes from a plate beside her.
Rare delicacies, those. At this time of year, grapes couldn't be found in Dingjing. Only because the Second Master had the means to procure a basket, distributed among the women in his courtyard.
Nanny Gui inwardly spat in disgust. Though the Second Master's household appeared not to mistreat the First Master's household, the items Shen Miao used and ate—while seeming fine outwardly—resembled a merchant family's gaudy possessions, unsuitable for refined company. Take this food, for instance. Shen Miao certainly didn't enjoy such privileges as grapes.
Lost in thought, she startled when Ren Wanyun finally set down her needlework and spoke. "Nanny Gui."
Nanny Gui snapped to attention. "Madam, this old servant is here."
Ren Wanyun was forty years old. Though she maintained herself well, fine lines creased the corners of her eyes. Yet sitting there in expertly tailored garments of the finest materials, her every gesture embodied the authority of a household mistress. Even her smiles carried weight.
"I heard you've returned," she said. "Now that Fifth Miss has just recovered, you must take excellent care of her."
Inwardly, Nanny Gui scoffed. Who didn't know the Eastern Courtyard would celebrate any misfortune befalling the Western Courtyard? How could Ren Wanyun be so kind-hearted? It was merely pretense.
Sure enough, Ren Wanyun continued, "These days, Fifth Miss is likely dispirited after her fall into the water. With her elder brother and sister-in-law absent, whatever I do as her aunt seems wrong. If I wish to hear any news, I must hear it from you."
She wanted Nanny Gui to report all of Shen Miao's actions and words.
Nanny Gui responded quickly. "Madam's concern for Fifth Miss is her good fortune. However, in this old servant's view, Fifth Miss has indeed been troubled since falling into the water. Her temperament has changed considerably these past days—she's even grown distant from this old servant. Just today, for no apparent reason, she fined me three months' wages." She adopted a wounded expression. "This old servant heard Fifth Miss had fallen into the water and was so anxious she neglected her grandson, who remains ill. Who would have thought Fifth Miss would rebuke this old servant? It wounds my heart."
Impatient with the old woman's implications, Ren Wanyun asked directly, "Fifth Miss suffers from a heart ailment. Nanny Gui, in your view, has Fifth Miss's attitude toward Prince Ding changed at all?"
This was what she truly wanted to know.
Nanny Gui's eyes rolled thoughtfully before answering. "Fifth Miss seems to want distance from Prince Ding—she wouldn't even let this old servant mention him today. However, having raised Fifth Miss for so many years, this old servant knows her character. Fifth Miss has been exceptionally persistent regarding Prince Ding and is unlikely to surrender so easily. Those words were probably spoken in anger and shouldn't be taken seriously."
As she finished, viciousness flashed across Ren Wanyun's face.
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