The noble girl is beautiful.

The autumn rain brought a chill, and news came from the palace that the Emperor had fallen ill. All banquets and gatherings in the residences of officials outside the palace were halted. The old lady, along with Lady Yang and Lady Li, went to the palace to keep the Noble Consort company. Upon their return, they decided to open a Buddhist hall, observe a vegetarian diet, and copy scriptures.

The wet stone slabs under the corridor were covered with fallen leaves, making it difficult for the servants to sweep. Shen Shuo walked along the covered walkway and entered Shen Ying’s study, reporting, “The doctor we were looking for has been found. He will be sent to the palace shortly.”

Shen Ying asked, “How skilled is this doctor?”

Shen Shuo replied, “The Imperial Medical Academy already has the best physicians in the country. Even if this doctor is more skilled, it might not make much of a difference. It’s just for appearances, really.”

Stroking his beard, Shen Ying said, “You’re not wrong.”

Having reported the matter, Shen Shuo was about to leave when Shen Ying stopped him, signaling for everyone to leave and close the door. It seemed he wanted to have a private conversation with Shen Shuo.

Following Shen Ying into the inner room, Shen Shuo asked, “What else is on your mind, Father?”

Shen Ying said, “I just received news that the Duke Anguo has submitted a memorial requesting that the Fourth Prince be made the Crown Prince.”

Shen Shuo’s eyes narrowed, and his expression became serious. Shen Ying asked, “What do you think? Should I also submit a memorial alongside him?”

After a moment of thought, Shen Shuo asked, “What is the Emperor’s stance?”

“The Emperor rewarded the Fourth Prince with a dragon-shaped jade pendant. It was the same one the Emperor wore when he got married.”

“At the time of his marriage, the Emperor was already the Crown Prince,” Shen Shuo noted. “It seems the Emperor’s attitude has softened.”

Shen Ying said, “In that case, I should also submit a memorial.”

Shen Shuo held his teacup and shook his head. “Even if you support him now, the credit for this won’t go to you.”

“But Qingyan is still set to marry him,” Shen Ying said. “If I don’t do my part, what if the Fourth Prince neglects her?”

After pondering for a moment, Shen Shuo said, “In that case, submit the memorial. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Shen Ying nodded but then sighed after a while, saying, “Your words really make me feel disheartened.”

The Shen family was once so influential that even the Fourth Prince was eager to marry into it. Yet, in the blink of an eye, the spotlight had been stolen by Duke Anguo.

Shen Shuo lowered his gaze, staring at the clear tea in his cup, and said, “Who knows? A loss may turn out to be a blessing.”

The autumn rain continued relentlessly, making everything indoors and outdoors damp. A maid added more charcoal to the brazier and sprinkled some incense. Hua Mei hurried in and exclaimed, “You’re using too much incense! It’s overwhelming!”

Du Juan approached and said, “I told them to do it. The room is damp, and the incense will help get rid of the mustiness.”

Hua Mei gave in, lighting a crystal lamp and placing it on the bed in the inner room. She said to Shen Yourong, “Miss, it’s getting dark. You should stop doing needlework.”

The small table was covered with scraps of fur. Shen Yourong, with her long, silky hair draped behind her, replied, “It’s raining outside, so I can’t go for a walk. Besides, this lamp is bright enough, so it’s fine.”

Unable to convince her, Hua Mei sat down on a small stool nearby and helped sort the threads.

Du Juan had just poured some hot tea when the door curtain rustled. Shen Shuo, wearing a dark cloak and stepping through the autumn rain, entered the room.

“The court is discussing the matter of establishing a Crown Prince,” he said as soon as he walked in.

Shen Yourong was taken aback and quickly had the maid take his cloak, inviting him to sit down.

“Does that mean the Emperor’s health is truly failing?” she asked.

The young maids in the room were dismissed by Du Juan. Shen Shuo took a sip of hot tea and said, “Judging by the current rumors, it seems likely.”

Shen Yourong fell into deep thought and absentmindedly remarked, “The Emperor’s illness could be an opportunity for you all.”

“For us? What opportunity?” Shen Shuo countered. “When did you start taking an interest in such matters, Rong’er?”

Realizing she had misspoken, she replied, “This is a significant event. Why shouldn’t I be interested?”

Shen Shuo chuckled and said, “Are you hoping he succeeds soon so that there might still be a chance between you two?”

Shen Yourong lowered her gaze, focusing on the needlework in her hands. “That’s not something I dare to think about.”

Seeing her subdued expression, he decided to drop the topic and instead said, “Third Sister’s wedding will also be moved up.”

Shen Yourong looked at him as he continued, “The current plan is to first establish the Crown Prince and then hold the wedding, combining both happy events to counter the ill fortune.”

Shen Yourong nodded and asked, “When is it scheduled?”

“It’s set for a month from now,” Shen Shuo replied. “The Ministry of Rites has already started the formalities.”

“Given the timing, won’t the Crown Prince’s enthronement ceremony be rushed?”

Shen Shuo laughed. “He’s probably eager for it to happen sooner rather than later.”

Shen Yourong agreed and added, “Third Sister hasn’t been well these past few days. She’s grown thin and weak.”

She then recalled something and said, “I heard you’ve been looking for a famous doctor for the palace. Have you found one? Perhaps he could first take a look at Third Sister.”

“The doctor specializes in pediatrics, so it wouldn’t be much help for Qingyan’s condition,” he explained. “Besides, her ailment is more emotional than physical. Unless she finds peace within, there’s little others can do to help.”

Shen Yourong furrowed her brows. “A pediatric specialist? But wasn’t it said…”

He gave her a look, and she stopped talking.

Shen Shuo said, “For now, we’re focused on Third Sister’s wedding. Your and Second Sister’s marriages will likely be delayed.”

“That’s fine,” Shen Yourong replied as she tugged at the thread in her hand. “After watching what Third Sister is going through, I realize that marriage is not something to be rushed. It’s a lifelong matter for a woman, and if it’s handled carelessly, there will be regrets.”

She then looked at him and said, “Big Brother, if the Emperor doesn’t insist on keeping me, let’s take our time with this marriage decision.”

He nodded in agreement. It aligned with his own thoughts.

However, he didn’t share his deeper concerns with her. Men and women often think differently. To Shen Yourong, it seemed unlikely that Ji Zhuo would resort to force. But to him, men’s darker tendencies, especially those in power, were unpredictable. Given his position, Ji Zhuo could do anything.

Shen Yourong cut the thread and said, “I’ve just finished making a hand warmer for you. It’s lined with sable fur and covered with brocade. Do you like it?”

He took it and said, “I just dug out the ones you made last year, and now you’ve already made a new one.”

“Last year’s is worn out. The lining and outer fabric are both frayed, so it needed replacing.” She began tidying up the scraps of fur on the small table.

As he stroked the hand warmer, he looked at her and said, “You replace mine when it’s old, but what about others’?”
Don’t think he didn’t know—last winter, Shen Yourong had made a hand warmer decorated with snow-laden bamboo for Ji Zhuo, which took a lot of effort.

She glanced at him and said, “If I had known that making one would mean having to make one every year, I would never have done it.”

He laughed and said, “I suggest you make another one; otherwise, the one in my hand might get taken away by someone tomorrow.”

She pretended not to hear him. He his head and got up to leave.

Not long after, the betrothal gifts from the palace arrived. Dozens of red lacquered sandalwood boxes, tied with red silk, were carried in, filling the entire courtyard. There was hardly any space left to stand.

Shen Ying was at the front, entertaining the officials from the Ministry of Rites, while Lady Yang was in the back, hosting the eunuchs from the palace. First, Lady Shu sent additional gifts, and then friends and relatives came to add more dowry items. The bustle lasted until the evening.

Shen Yourong and Shen Qinghan went together to find Shen Qingyan. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard sounds coming from inside the room.

“I suggest you save your breath, Auntie,” Shen Qingyan said calmly. “The betrothal gifts from the palace must be allocated by Father. Even if a single copper coin is missing, it would be unacceptable. Besides, though I’m marrying into royalty in name, I’m really just becoming a concubine. What kind of authority would I have to lend you?”

Lady Wu replied, “What are you saying, Miss? Once the prince ascends the throne, you’ll be even more prestigious than our lady back home.”

With a loud crash, a teacup shattered. Shen Qingyan sneered, “What prince? His legitimate in-laws are the Anguo family, and his proper mother-in-law is the Anguo lady. How dare you try to take advantage of this? Where’s your shame?”

Shen Yourong and Shen Qinghan stopped in their tracks and exchanged glances. More noises came from the room. Before long, Lady Wu walked out, greeted them briefly, and hurried away.

Only then did Shen Yourong and Shen Qinghan enter the room. The maids quickly cleaned up the broken teacup and served fresh tea, inviting the two girls to sit.

“What happened?” Shen Yourong asked. “On such a joyful day, why did you argue with Auntie?”

Shen Qingyan still looked angry. “She asked me for money. She said she raised me, and now that I’m getting married, she’ll have no one to rely on. She wants me to give her five thousand taels of silver for her retirement.”

Shen Qinghab frowned. “What kind of nonsense is that? Five thousand taels, as if she’s selling you!”

Shen Yourong said, “I heard Father say that the palace betrothal gifts won’t stay in the household but will be taken entirely as your dowry. Auntie asking for money—well, you could’ve given her something, but I didn’t expect her to have such outrageous intentions.”

Shen Qingyan laughed coldly. “Having such a mother is worse than having none at all.”

Just then, a stewardess entered with a thick list of gifts. “Miss, this is today’s betrothal gift list. The Duke asked me to bring it to you.”

Shen Qingyan took it, opened it, and saw that it listed a thousand taels of gold, ten thousand taels of silver, two hundred bolts each of various silks, one hundred pieces of jade, and a hundred measures of pearls. These were the major items, with additional gold vases, gold cups, jade ruyi scepters, sewing boxes, mandarin duck pillows, wedding quilts, and various types of tea, sugar, wine, sacrificial meats, and dried fruits.

Shen Yourong looked over and said, “All together, it’s about thirty thousand taels of silver.”

Shen Qingyan looked at her. Shen Yourong said, “Father said that each of our family’s daughters has a dowry of ten thousand taels. Adding your thirty thousand taels, you’ll have a total of forty thousand taels of dowry—besides the Anguo family, yours is the most generous by far.”

Shen Qingyan replied, “It’s just a pity there aren’t any estates or shops. Even with all that silver, if there’s no way to generate income, it’s not enough.”

Shen Qinghan sighed. “All that silver still isn’t enough for you? How much would be?”

Shen Qingyan closed the gift list and said, “Who ever thinks they have too much money?”

Shen Yourong observed her closely. Ever since her recovery from illness, she hadn’t been as lively as before, and her manner had become noticeably colder.

“Nothing else can be relied on—only silver is solid and dependable,” Shen Qingyan said as she set down the list. “I’ve finally come to understand that.”

Shen Yourong quickly changed the subject. “I was just about to tell you—do you remember that glass shop? It’s doing very well. The method for making glass was your idea, so I thought I’d give you the shop as part of your dowry. At the end of the year, you can expect several thousand taels of profit.”

Shen Qingyan’s eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful!” She then asked a maid to bring over a box from her dressing table. “I also have something to share with you.”

Shen Qingyan opened the box, revealing three neatly arranged bars of soap that gave off a faint fragrance.

“This is a new type of soap I developed. It’s similar to regular soap but cleans more effectively and looks nicer.”

“It really does,” Shen Qinghan said. “It looks like a piece of delicate cake—so pretty.”

Shen Qingyan immediately called for hot water and asked Shen Qinghan to try washing her hands with it.

Shen Yourong watched and smiled. “This is a great product. You could sell it for one tael of silver per bar, and people would buy it.”

Shen Qingyan laughed. “That’s exactly what I plan to do. But I don’t have a shop, so like before, I’ll have you sell it for me. We’ll split the earnings fifty-fifty.”

Shen Yourong glanced at Shen Qinghan, and Shen Qingyan understood, asking, “Second Sister, why don’t you join us? Invest some silver in our shop, and we’ll give you a share of the profits.”

Shen Qinghan said, “Will you really make money? You’re not just tricking me, are you?” After thinking for a moment, she added, “Even if you are, I don’t mind. I just want to join you. Don’t leave me out.”

So she immediately had someone bring over two hundred taels of silver and handed it to Shen Qingyan, saying, “Do whatever you want with it.”

Shen Yourong and Shen Qingyan both smiled and said, “We won’t let you lose out, don’t worry.”

The three of them chatted late into the night. After returning, Du Juan helped Shen Yourong prepare for bed and remarked, “I think Third Miss has become a bit obsessed, like she’s lost in thoughts of money.”

Shen Yourong removed her earrings and said, “There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s good for her to focus on something else and not get stuck dwelling on one matter.”

In early September, the emperor’s health improved, though the illness had frightened him. No longer hesitant, he finally decided to issue an edict naming the fourth prince as the crown prince. At the end of September, Shen Qingyan was married off on the same day as Lu Yanzhi from the Anguo family. Both brides had the ceremonial processions of crown prince consorts, with long lines of red dowry chests stretching for ten miles, scattering copper coins along the way. The noble families of the capital bustled back and forth between the Duke Qi’s and Anguo’s residences for several days, making it impossible for anyone to have peace.

After sending Shen Qingyan off, Shen Yourong felt a sense of emptiness in her heart. Shen Qinghan also sighed frequently, feeling as if the house was missing someone, leaving it unsettlingly quiet.

One afternoon, Shen Yourong received a note: “The autumn wind is bleak and the weather is chilly; the plants are withering, and frost covers the ground.”

She put the note away and told Du Juan to inform the old lady that she would be staying at the family estate for a couple of days.

That very afternoon, she arrived at the estate. However, the courtyard was filled with yellowing plants, giving off an air of decay, with no sign of frost. The steward said it would only be visible the next morning.

Shen Yourong sighed softly. “Must I wait again?”