The noble girl is beautiful.

The room was brightly lit, with the old lady sitting on the couch, watching a few maids playing leaf cards below.

When Shen Yourong entered, the maids stopped and resumed their tasks of dressing and serving tea.
The old lady waved her hand, and Shen Yourong sat beside her.
A steward gestured for the maids to leave, and the room fell silent.

“What have you been doing at the Empress Dowager’s place? Whom have you met?” the old lady asked in detail, wanting to know every little thing.

Shen Yourong answered each question, and the old lady nodded along, saying, “Your manners have always been good, and even in the palace, you haven’t made any mistakes. You truly resemble a noble young lady.”

But when she heard about her meeting the Fourth Prince, she frowned slightly, adjusting the soft pillow behind her before shaking her head. “The Empress Dowager is too eager.”
Shen Yourong remained silent.
The old lady patted her hand, saying, “Although she’s a bit impatient, it’s not a big deal.

After all, you’re still young, and being cousins with the Fourth Prince, there’s nothing wrong with it logically.”
Shen Yourong agreed, “Yes.”
The old lady looked at her and asked, “Do you understand what the Empress Dowager means?”
After pondering for a moment, Shen Yourong replied, “Is she trying to match me with the Fourth Prince?”
The old lady nodded approvingly. “Exactly.”
“Firstly, the Empress Dowager is the Fourth Prince’s foster mother, so marrying into his family would strengthen our relationship.
Secondly, as the Emperor is aging and the
Fourth Prince is highly esteemed by him, it’s not impossible for him to ascend the throne in the future. By then, you would be the Empress!”
Shen Yourong remained calm, showing no ripples in her eyes.
The old lady continued, “If you become the Empress and bear a crown prince in the future, you’ll not only have a lifetime of glory but also ensure the prosperity of our family for generations to come.”
Shen Yourong pursed her lips. “Even so, things don’t always go smoothly as you say.”

The old lady touched her mouth with a handkerchief, saying, “I understand this principle. But sometimes, we have to take matters into our own hands.”
Unable to argue, Shen Yourong reluctantly said, “I can see that the Fourth Prince might not be willing.”
The old lady paused, “Why do you say that? The Fourth Prince personally escorted you back, and he showed respect when he met your father. I didn’t see any reluctance… Could it be that you offended him in the palace?”
“I haven’t even exchanged a few words with him, how could I offend him?” Shen Yourong said.

“But if the Fourth Prince is willing, why would the Empress Dowager be so eager to matchmake and stage such a scene in the imperial garden, which only lacks gracefulness?”
The old lady was stunned, as if she had suddenly realized something. Lost in thought, she fell silent. Seeing this, Shen Yourong bowed and left the room.

As the slightly cool spring night breeze swept through, her cloak fluttered as she returned to her courtyard, feeling chilled to the bone.
Hua Mei brought hot tea, with two pickled green plums floating in the tea.
Du Juan instructed the maids in the courtyard to close the gate, then returned to see Shen Yourong holding the tea under the window, lost in thought. She couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, what do you really think about today’s events?”

Shen Yourong looked at the tea and replied, “Do you think all the benefits of the world are meant for our family? The old lady’s thoughts are too idealistic.”
While boiling water, Hua Mei commented, “That’s what she thinks, and it seems the Empress Dowager thinks the same way. But we don’t know what the Duke thinks.”

Approaching her to help her change clothes, Du Juan whispered, “This matter concerns the Miss’s lifelong happiness, yet no one bothers to ask if the Miss is willing.”
Shen Yourong smiled, “Who wouldn’t want such a good thing?”
Hua Mei, straightforward as ever, said, “I don’t think the Miss is very willing. From the old lady to the Empress Dowager, they’re all looking at glory and wealth. Who truly cares for the Miss and considers her feelings?”
Du Juan patted Hua Mei, who pouted unhappily.

Shen Yourong wiped her hands and said, “Bring me pen and paper.”
Du Juan quickly fetched ink, paper, and inkstone, and Shen Yourong wrote for a while, filling about two pages. After the ink dried, she carefully folded the letter, sealed it in an envelope, and asked Du Juan to deliver it to her brother, Shen Shuo, who was currently studying abroad in the ancestral home in Jin Ling.
Shen Shuo, her elder brother, was a remarkably talented individual. He was currently staying with their maternal relatives in Jin Ling.

Hua Mei helped her prepare for bed, feeling a pang of sadness, thinking if her late mother were still alive, she would have someone to discuss such important matters with.
Since her return from the palace, she had been spending her days at home, either taking care of household chores or enjoying leisure time with her sisters. On this particular day, with the weather pleasant, she and her sisters were playing under the flower arbor.

Shen Qinghan was leaning against the arbor, reading a book, while Shen Qingyan stood nearby, clumsily sketching something with charcoal. Shen Qinghan initially disliked the messiness of charcoal but found the resulting drawings intriguing, so she reluctantly asked Shen Qingyan to draw something for her.

Meanwhile, Shen Yourong was teaching Shen Sihui how to embroider a fan. On a nearby table were several plates of fresh cherries, slightly chilled and deliciously sweet.
Just then, they noticed an old nanny approaching from a distance. She greeted the girls and said, “A royal eunuch has come with a decree from the Emperor, saying that our Duke should teach the Fourth Prince archery, while the Duke of Duan should teach him literature.
As the Fourth Prince is still young and has not yet established his own residence, the Empress Dowager suggested that he temporarily reside in our mansion until the Duke’s residence is completed.

The Emperor also mentioned that the young masters and misses of our mansion should accompany the Fourth Prince in his studies.
“The girls all looked at Shen Yourong, and Shen Qinghan asked, “What does this mean? Is the Fourth Prince going to live in our house?”
The nanny smiled and said, “That’s not quite it. I heard they’re planning to build a new garden specifically to receive dignitaries, starting from our East Garden and even buying the neighboring abandoned house.”
“That’s quite extravagant,” Shen Qinghan remarked.
“Second Miss, you’re mistaken,” the nanny chuckled. “Having a prince reside in our home is a tremendous honor.”
Shen Qinghan remained silent, and Shen Yourong spoke up, “It would just require some renovation. We already have pavilions and towers ready, so it shouldn’t cost much.”

Shen Qingyan, holding her paintbrush, looked at Shen Yourong and said, “I think this might be the Emperor’s way of wanting our family to get closer to the Fourth Prince, perhaps for the sake of the eldest sister.”

“What nonsense,” Shen Yourong frowned. Shen Qingyan smiled mischievously and winked at Shen Sihui, making her giggle.
Shen Qinghan asked the nanny, “Is it all the girls who are going, or just the eldest sister?”
The nanny replied, “The Duke’s intention is for all the girls to go.”

Shen Qinghan nodded and said, “I’ve heard that the Duke of Duan’s literary skills are exceptional, praised by many contemporary scholars. Getting a few pointers from him would be better than pondering on our own.”

Among the girls at home, only Shen Qinghan had an interest in literature. Shen Qingyan found it boring and thought it more interesting to watch the affair between the eldest sister and the Fourth Prince.
Shen Yourong remembered the figure in the pavilion on the mountain that day in the palace, thinking there was indeed a quiet and profound demeanor.

Shen Yourong sat for a while longer until a maid came over to inform her that there was something to attend to in the courtyard. She then got up and returned. Shen Qingyan’s painting was not yet finished, so Shen Qinghan decided to wait a while longer.
Shen Qinghan, holding a handkerchief, seemed lost in thought. Shen Qingyan raised her head to look at her and asked, “What are you thinking about?”
Shen Qinghan said, “The Emperor’s decree seems to imply that he tacitly approves of the affair between our eldest sister and the Fourth Prince, doesn’t it?”
Shen Qingyan replied, “Perhaps, but our eldest sister hasn’t reached marriageable age yet. Even if she’s engaged, we still have to wait two more years.”
Shen Qinghan remained silent for a moment longer, and Shen Qingyan looked at her and asked, “What are you thinking about?”
Shen Qinghan said, “Our eldest sister is the legitimate daughter of our family. If she marries the Fourth Prince, her status will be even more prestigious.”
Shen Qingyan understood, “You’re feeling envious, aren’t you?”
Shen Qinghan glared at her.

Shen Qingyan said, “You’re just too petty. Our eldest sister is the legitimate eldest daughter, but how much does that make you inferior?”
“Just saying,” Shen Qinghan thought to herself: She’s the legitimate daughter of the main wife, while I am the legitimate daughter of the concubine. Her mother was shorter than mine, but she’s still taller than me.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Shen Qingyan said. “Although our eldest sister is the legitimate eldest, I don’t respect her because of that. I respect her because she behaves properly, is kind and tolerant, has a clear mind, and handles everything properly. Not to mention, compared to the girls who come and go in our family, she’s unmatched.”

Shen Qinghan felt even more uncomfortable. “She’s not even here. She can’t hear all these flattering words.”
“I’m just trying to advise you, and you’re turning it against me,” Shen Qingyan shook her head. “Forget it, I’m wasting my breath.”

In the evening, after finishing her meal, Shen Yourong dressed in casual clothes and sat on the bed, going through account books. Although the household affairs were managed by Lady Yang, the Duke of Qi entrusted Shen Yourong with the management of her birth mother’s dowry.

While she was reviewing the accounts, she heard a maid calling out, “The Duke of Qi is here.”
She set aside the account book and rose to greet him. She saw Shen Ying stride into the room, beckoning her to rise.

Shen Ying sat at the head of the table, and Shen Yourong sat down below on an embroidered stool while the maidservant brought tea. After a glance at Shen Yourong, Shen Ying gestured for the maids to leave.

“Father came to see me at night. Is there something urgent?” Shen Yourong asked.
Shen Ying picked up his teacup and took a sip before saying, “I heard about your encounter with the Fourth Prince in the palace. Your mother’s handling of the matter was not good; it seemed rushed.”

She Yourong remained silent, listening as he continued, “Have you heard about today’s decree from the Emperor?”
She nodded. “It orders the Fourth Prince to temporarily reside in our mansion to learn archery and literature.”

Shen Ying said, “The decree is from the Emperor. Perhaps he wants our family to be closer to the Fourth Prince, to increase his importance.”
“It’s also possible it’s a show of favor,” She calmly said, “to observe whether we act arrogantly and… whether the Fourth Prince acts arrogantly.”

He looked pleased with her. “You’re able to consider this aspect, which is commendable.”
Shen Yourong smiled, and he continued, “Today, I discussed this with your uncle. We’ll purchase the neighboring courtyard and rebuild it starting from the East Garden. The Fourth Prince will reside in the East Garden, and we’ll assign servants to attend to him.”

She pondered for a moment and said, “In that case, we need to tidy up our servants before the Fourth Prince arrives, to avoid any improper words or actions that might offend him and implicate the master.”

He nodded. “This matter may seem trivial, but it’s crucial. I’ll personally give the orders.”
“There’s one more thing,” She said.

“Learning archery with Father is one thing, but are we really going to learn literature with the Duke of Duan? He’s a legitimate noble, teaching his nephew is ordinary. But for us, as servants of the court, do we have the face to call him ‘teacher’? Is this about giving face to our Duke’s mansion, or humiliating the Duke of Duan on behalf of the Emperor?”
Shen Ying fell into thought. Duke of Duan’s status in court was precarious; he was the legitimate son of the late emperor, but he was still young when the late emperor passed away, so the throne went to the elder prince.

The current Emperor was not a tolerant person, which made his situation even worse. He usually kept a low profile and never interfered in state affairs.
After some contemplation, Shen Ying had a plan in mind. He looked at his daughter, who remained composed and calm, and praised, “Your mind is sharp, far superior to your other siblings. When your brother returns, I’ll make sure to commend you.”
——————————
https://ko-fi.com/quarinnah