Shen Miao Qi's name as a maidservant
Yu Pin Yan first entered the Imperial Palace to inform the Emperor about Shen Miao Qi being a maidservant in the Zhao family for four years and also to express his need to take care of the matter with the Zhao family to cover up his family's scandalous secret.
The Emperor was not interested in his family affairs but he was very appreciative of his frankness. After a moment of sigh, he waved his hand and transferred Zhao An Shun to the prosperous city, Yangzhou. A lot of people would soon die in Yangzhou thus more than half officialdom in Yangzhou would be vacant. As this Zhao An Shun was a selfless, upright and impartial government official, he was someone the Emperor could use.
After receiving the Emperor's confidence, Yu Pin Yan left for the Zhao family.
In Yunzhou, Zhao An Shun was famously known as Zhao Qingtian[1]. After hearing Yu Pin Yan's explanation, he took the initiative offering to keep mum of the Marquis manor's secret as he absolutely wouldn't ruin a child's future rashly. He however immediately rejected the transfer to Yangzhou and was even vexed about this matter as he felt his moral character had been insulted.
As such, Yu Pin Yan had a favorable impression of Zhao An Shun and his entire family. He had also known earlier that Shen Miao Qi had never received any grievances in his home. It could be said although Shen Miao Qi's fate was quite bad, the people she met had all treated her sincerely well. First was the Shen family's total submission, then the Zhao family's life-saving grace. That Miss Zhao had also never taken her as a slave instead had addressed her as a sister. Her food, clothing, housing as well as transportation were equal to her own that she was treated and provided just like a sub-young miss.
Knowing she had an extraordinary identity, Shen Miao Qi refused to sign an irrevocable contract with the Zhao family instead an annual revocable one. Normally, such a servant would rarely be trusted and valued by the master. As Father Shen had truly indulged her that he would bring her along willingly whenever he conducted business, this resulted in her ability to gauge the mind and mood of others which easily enabled her to win favors from a young age.
The Zhao family's young miss was coaxed by her within several days and treated her like an intimate friend. After hearing about her identity, Miss Zhao personally came to the front hall and promised never to reveal the secret of Caiqi (Shen Miao Qi) in this lifetime, otherwise she would be struck by divine punishment and die a violent death.
Yu Pin Yan was truly gratified with the discretions of the Zhao family. As Shen Miao Qi didn't sign an irrevocable contract, she was not registered in the bondservant registry, hence Yu Pin Yan didn't need to clear things up with the household registration office, so he took his leave and returned home. He didn't mention again about the promotion of Zhao An Shun since once the imperial edict arrived, Zhao An Shun couldn't refuse even if he wanted to. He only wished Zhao An Shun wouldn't be blinded by the ostentatious glitter of Liang Huai but kept the tranquility as well as the heyday for the Emperor and the Crown Prince.
After learning from her grandson that the Zhao family had been properly taken care of and when the marks on Lin Shi's neck faded away, Old Madam thought it would be good to first let Lin Shi meet her daughter as she had been clamoring about wanting to see her these past few days and also to prevent them from stirring up anymore troubles.
Lin Shi changed the plain white clothes she had worn for 14 years into a golden butterfly floral silk dress and made herself up to meet her daughter in high spirits.
The moment they stepped out the manor door, someone had reported to Yu Xiang.
"Oh, the face is beaming, are you sure you have seen clearly?" Yu Xiang was trimming a pot of fiery red roses.
"Yes, she has even changed out of the plain white clothes and dressed in a red gilded floral dress. She keeps mumbling the words 'truly miss, daughter' and so on." An absolutely plain little maidservant solemnly reported.
When she accidentally cut the stem of the blossoming rose, Yu Xiang held the stalk up and waved her hand, "It's alright, you can leave." She already knew what she should and shouldn't know. She didn't plant anyone around Lin Shi but merely bribed several maidservants in-charge of menial tasks to guard against Lin Shi from stirring trouble. After today, perhaps she should increase more spies as there would probably be huge changes in Yu manor.
Liu Lu secretly handed two silver liang to the little maidservant and ordered her to leave quietly through the side door. When she turned back, she curiously asked, "Young Miss, Madam has never smiled or gone out in the past 14 years. What actually is going on with her today? Could her mind possibly have been enlightened after she hanged herself?"
"Her mind didn't get enlightened, but due to an emotional anchor. Once a person has the emotional anchor, her mental outlook will naturally become different." Yu Xiang plucked the rose petals into an earthen bowl. Though she was smiling, her eyes were utterly gloomy.
Looking quietly at her expression, Liu Lu didn't dare ask anymore questions.
In a blink of an eye, four years had passed. Yu Xiang had long forebode the return of the rightful owner. The indifference mentality she had in the beginning was now replaced with apprehension. She didn't covet anything that belonged to the Yu family, she merely wanted to stay by Yu Pin Yan's side. Originally, she was just a roaming soul. If it wasn't for Yu Pin Yan, she wouldn't have taken root in another world with ease. If the rightful owner's return meant her departure, it would mean digging and nipping her roots off that sooner or later, she would wither then die.
She was not weak. She just liked attaching herself and lived with Yu Pin Yan where she could feel at ease and happy. In the beginning she was magnanimous when she said all would return to their own place, but once this happened, she realized she would fight her utmost against whoever dared to snatch her elder brother.
Although the Shen family was her blood related kin, they had never raised her. Why should she willingly leave with them when they come? Did she have any affection for them?
Mashing the rose petals with a small hammer, she poured the bright red flower nectar into the mixture of beeswax, lard and spices then stirred carefully. Sticking a finger into the paste, she smeared it evenly on her lips against the bronze mirror. The intense red lips gently burst into a sweet yet dismal smile:
She could give whatever the rightful owner wanted except her elder brother. In this lifetime, elder brother could only be hers. As for the people of the Shen family, they could just go back to where they came from. She didn't care about the formidable power nor the unrivalled wealth of Yu family, she only cherished her elder brother. As long as she could be with him, she would be content even if the future was perilous and unpredictable, whether they would end up badly with the confiscation of the family's assets or his peerage stripped and thrown aside once his purposes were served.
Hearing that Shen Miao Qi was temporarily residing in Shui Yue Nunnery, Old Madam sent over a confidant Momo to teach her various etiquettes.
At this moment, it was drizzling and humid which brought a sense of clammy stuffiness in the air. Shen Miao Qi had knelt for 47 times but her posture was not up to standard yet, thus she had to repeat for the 48th time. Her knees, thighs and calf bones were in intense pain. She just wanted to find a soft couch to lie down immediately. However, Shen Miao Qi didn't complain, merely apologized obediently to the momo and started over again.
The momo was very satisfied with her that there were traces of contentment on her stern face. She was indeed the Marquis manor's Di daughter that air of arrogance and elegance had long ingrained in her blood which was not inferior to Miss Xiang'er except a little short in the formidability aura. But why would an unmarried daughter of a noble house need this aura? It was already sufficient as such.
Shen Miao Qi slowly knelt down in accordance with the rules. Her posture was flawless this time. When she heard the momo's praise, her tensed face relaxed somewhat and took a break on the chair.
She was not afraid of hardship nor weariness and could even endured the sufferings of ten or hundred folds. What she was afraid of was the indifference of the Yu family and leaving her in this nunnery. Seeing that the Yu family had sent a momo over to teach her etiquettes, she felt relieved as this meant Yu family did not have the intention of abandoning her.
She had heard Father Shen and Mother Shen constantly mentioning she was a person of eminence since she was a child. She thought they were talking about her future destiny hence this had yielded her distinct yearning for high position and great wealth at an early age. However, it was not until that day when she knew she was originally a nobility! It was the Shen family who stole her noble identity and sent their daughter to live a life of comfort. As all of her discontentment turned into hatred, she left that home for the Capital without the slightest hesitation.
It would be better not to mention her livelihood of the past fourteen years. If it was possible, she would use any means to wipe out each and every single stain. Fortunately, Father Shen had passed away and Mother Shen wouldn't survive for several days while Shen Yuan Qi would stay a slave in Lingnan. Most of her burdens had instantly dispelled except for Zhao family and that bastard in the Marquis manor.
She would deal with that bastard herself but it would be somewhat difficult to handle the Zhao family as an arm couldn't wrung a thigh. Based on the power of the Yu family, it shouldn't be a big deal to handle the Zhao family that didn't have any foundation?
Thinking about this, she looked at the old momo and asked, "Qin Momo, what does my Elder Brother do?"
Qin Momo was taking out several plasters to apply on her legs before replying in a low voice, "Your Elder Brother is the All Commander and only listened to the Emperor's orders in the entire Han Dynasty. Not only the first and second-ranked officials, even the highest-ranked princes have to lower their heads when they see him. He is this....." Speaking of it, she gave a thumbs-up.
Feeling her heart beating wildly, Shen Miao Qi totally had no idea Yu Pin Yan was so powerful. Although the Shen family was wealthy but it was still too inferior in their heritage compared to a large aristocratic family which resulted in Shen Miao Qi's narrow vision and lack of knowledge. She couldn't figure out what an All Commander does, but she did grasp the most important piece of information - she was now one of the high-ranked ladies in the Han Dynasty and finally obtained the high life she had been yearning for!
Although there were still a great deal of uncertainties and flaws in this life, it didn't matter as she believed she could eventually remove all by her own means.
Taking a handkerchief out of her lapel, she gracefully covered the smirk at the corners of her lips.
At this moment, a nun spoke outside the door, "Benefactor Shen, someone's here to see you. Please go to the main hall."
Hearing that, Qin Momo was in delight and laughed, "Hurry and change your clothes, Young Miss. It must be Old Madam and Madam here to see you."
Momentarily, Shen Miao Qi felt a little bewildered before she hastily smoothen the hair on her forehead then took out the most appropriate ruqun[1] from the baggage and hurriedly changed into it.
"Miao Qi pays respect to Grandmother and Mother." As soon as she entered the hall, she paid her courtesy gracefully, bringing out the perfect deportment that Qin Momo had taught her.
Fourteen was precisely the most fresh and tender age, moreover she resembled Lin Shi. Even though she was not peerless in looks, she was gentle as the water with faint eyebrows and appeared unblemished.
Eyes lit up, Lin Shi hurriedly rushed over and pulled her into her arms. Weeping in sorrow, "My poor daughter. Mother has finally found you! It's been fourteen years since you left. Mother is grief-stricken whenever thinking about you and almost unable to live on ..."
"Mother, daughter misses you too!" Shen Miao Qi dashed into the arms of the luxuriously dressed woman without a trace of reservation or awkwardness, as if the separation of those past fourteen years was just an illusion.
Old Madam thanked the old nun who led the way before she went to take the seat of honor. She then sized up both weeping mother and daughter with dark and unfathomable eyes.
Regardless of appearance and demeanor, these mother and daughter did have eight to nine points of similarities. From an outsider's point of view, they would definitely be complimented as willow branches trembling in the wind[2], charming and moving. However, in Old Madam's eyes, they had become 'annoying people'. It was enough to have one crying face at home and now there was another.
Perhaps she used to value such women when she was young, finding them gentle, graceful and even moving, otherwise she would not have matched Lin Shi to her son. However, as she got older and her view of the world changed, she gradually felt that women like Xiang'er who was ardently fiery and enchantedly flamboyant were more likeable. Being with her, she would never feel weary regardless of whatever difficulties or hardships.
Unlike these two, this was obviously a joyous occasion yet why did it feel like the death of the parents? Thinking of this, Old Madam promptly spat and inwardly confessed to the Buddha for her bad thought.
In fact, Old Madam should not be blamed for her partiality. After suffering the torment of a crying face for fourteen years, who wouldn't become nerve-wrecked.
[1]襦裙(rú qún)- Ruqun is an item of traditional Chinese attire primarily for women but also for men. It consists of a blouse (襦 rú ) and a wrap-around skirt (裙 qún).
[2] 弱柳扶风 (Ruò liǔ fúfēng) - Describes a woman with a fragile body and gentle movements.