Only when Shen Zhinian remained as docile as usual did Lady Zhou feel somewhat satisfied.
Although Shen Father had always been indifferent to this concubine daughter, he would not push his own flesh and blood into a fiery pit. Therefore, the husband he chose for Shen Zhinian was also excellent.
Lu Jianglin was a talented man; marrying into the Lu family, as long as one endured the first few years of poverty, life would surely be incredibly comfortable once he passed the imperial examinations.
But no matter what, it couldn't compare to becoming the Emperor's woman!
Shen Father also didn't know what stubbornness had afflicted his most beloved legitimate daughter, making her reject immense wealth and insist on marrying Lu Jianglin!
He was annoyed by Shen Nanqiao's pleas and waved his hand impatiently, telling them to leave.
Seeing the certainty in Shen Nanqiao's eyes, Shen Zhinian lightly curved her lips, obediently returned to her courtyard, and waited quietly.
As expected.
The date for the imperial selection was approaching, and Shen Nanqiao actually used a high-sounding pretense to persuade her parents. Her marriage with Lu Jianglin was officially settled.
Shen Zhinian didn't know what methods Shen Father had used, but he actually allowed her, a concubine daughter, to replace the legitimate daughter in entering the palace for the selection.
This was exactly what she wanted.
"Nian Nian, although you are a concubine, your mother and legitimate elder sister have never looked down on you because of it. Becoming the Emperor's consort in the palace is something countless women yearn for, yet your legitimate elder sister has given this excellent opportunity to you."
"You must remember the kindness of your mother and legitimate elder sister, and after gaining the Emperor's favor in the future, you must not forget the Shen family, understand?"
Shen Father had never spoken to her with such a gentle expression.
Lady Zhou also looked at Shen Zhinian with a loving gaze.
"Although Nian Nian did not come from my womb, in my heart, she is no different from Nan Qiao."
"If you can catch the Emperor's eye during the selection and secure a good future, then my heart will truly be at ease!"
Watching their amiable expressions, Shen Zhinian sneered inwardly.
Shen Father was indifferent.
Her legitimate mother was a person with a Buddha's mouth and a snake's heart; for the sake of her reputation, she never outwardly mistreated her as a concubine daughter. But there were many ways to wear down people in the inner chambers, and Shen Zhinian had suffered countless 'soft knives' since childhood.
If she hadn't known how to hide her talents and endure, her legitimate mother probably wouldn't have tolerated her growing up safely.
Now that things were a foregone conclusion, there was no need to lose a good chess piece for nothing, which was why they were being so amiable to her.
It's just an act, who can't do it?
"Daughter will remember Father and Mother's teachings! It's just..."
Shen Zhinian bit her lip, her charming eyes showing a hint of confusion about the road ahead and unknown apprehension.
"Those who enter the palace for the selection are all legitimate daughters; for me, a concubine, being blamed is a small matter. But if the Emperor looks down on a concubine daughter and wastes the opportunity Shen Father painstakingly secured for the Shen family, then that would be my sin..."
She didn't care about the distinction between legitimate and concubine, believing that fate was in her hands, not heaven's, but the world's perception had always been thus.
With a legitimate identity, her path ahead would be smoother.
Anyway, since she was going to enter the palace for the selection, her legitimate mother would not harm her further, and the Shen family would treat her better than before.
She wasn't foolish, so why would she give up the chance to fight for her own rights?
"Nian Nian makes sense; it was my oversight as a father. From today onwards, you shall be registered under your mother's name, counted as legitimate."
Shen Nanqiao frowned in protest.
"A Shen family woman should be as noble and pure as a chrysanthemum; how can younger sister scheme and calculate for the status of a legitimate daughter?"
Shen Father said in a deep voice, "Enough! Nothing is more important than the future of the Shen family. Nian Nian's words make sense; this matter is settled as such!"
Lady Zhou was already displeased about the exchange of marriages, and at this moment, she was even more unwilling, but she could not defy Shen Father's wishes. Not only did she have to swallow her anger, but she also had to force a smile and amiably agree.
Shen Nanqiao's eyes showed disdain, maintaining a lofty demeanor, but she didn't continue to object, considering it her compensation to Shen Zhinian, though she still couldn't get over it in her heart.
It was the first time Shen Zhinian had seen their mother and daughter look so deflated, and she felt pleased inside, but her expression remained submissive.
"Yes."
In terms of looks, Shen Nanqiao was actually prettier, but Shen Zhinian resembled her birth mother, possessing an inherently alluring temperament, a naturally seductive charm. Whenever they appeared together, everyone's attention would undoubtedly be drawn to Shen Zhinian.
Shen Father was also a man and understood that no man could refuse a woman with innate seductive charm; she would surely be chosen and win the Emperor's favor!
To Shen Father, since they were both his daughters, there was essentially no significant difference in who went for the selection. He didn't mind showing more goodwill at this time to make Shen Zhinian remember his kindness.
"Nian Nian, you don't need to be nervous. Whether you are chosen or not, you are still my beloved daughter. Your identity as the legitimate young lady of the Shen family will not change!"
Shen Zhinian rolled her eyes inwardly.
Shen Father spoke eloquently, but gave no actual benefits. It was like how he coaxed her Aunt into becoming a concubine back then, drawing grand pictures, none of which came true.
However, she agreed very well verbally, appearing obedient and compliant, her charming face full of filial affection, and then "inadvertently" revealed her frayed sleeves.
Shen Father was pleased with her obedience, and Lady Zhou also felt that she had Shen Zhinian under her control, thinking that if she could successfully enter the palace, she could also help the family in the future. The two immediately waved their hands generously, bestowing many good things upon Shen Zhinian.
Among them were several valuable pieces of jewelry that had been Shen Nanqiao's dowry in her previous life, which Shen Zhinian could never have touched.
Thinking of the abundant private treasury, the smile on Shen Zhinian's face finally became more genuine.
She didn't fall for empty promises; she only wanted tangible benefits!
What's not to like about exchanging a few pleasant words for real gold and silver?
Shen Nanqiao's expression, however, was not good. As soon as she exited, surrounded by maids and nannies, she blocked Shen Zhinian's path.
"Does Younger Sister think that just because she can enter the palace for the selection and Father and Mother have rewarded her with so many good things, she can fly up the branches and become a phoenix?"
At this point, Shen Nanqiao's gaze towards her became meaningful.
"Even if you are chosen, what does temporary glory amount to? Who knows what the future holds..."
Shen Zhinian feigned confusion and asked, "What does Legitimate Elder Sister mean by that?"
Seeing her perplexed expression, Shen Nanqiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief; indeed, she was the only one who had been reborn.
In this life, it was finally her turn to be a First-Rank Imperial Matron. As for a woman like Shen Zhinian, full of schemes, she could just wait to die tragically in the deep palace!
"It means nothing, just that I, your elder sister, have given you this great opportunity, so you must seize it well!"
Shen Nanqiao smiled as elegantly as a chrysanthemum and left cheerfully with her servants.
Shen Zhinian watched her retreating figure, a playful smile flashing in her eyes, with no trace of her earlier submissiveness.
Hehe... then let's see in this life, with their destinies reversed, whether legitimate elder sister can thrive in the Lu family!
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