During the half-month of her return visit, Shen Nanqiao kept her face veiled, which was how she avoided being discovered by the Shen and preserved her last bit of dignity.
In this life, all those humiliating things will fall upon Shen Zhinian!
Shen Nanqiao was already prepared to watch her become a laughingstock!
However, the matter of rebirth was too shocking, and even when facing her own mother, Shen Nanqiao did not reveal it.
“Mother, your daughter just feels that with so many Imperial Concubines in the Imperial Harem, Shen Zhinian, a concubine-born illegitimate daughter, is still ill-mannered even if she is now registered under your name.”
“I guarantee that with her petty demeanor, some Guiren will definitely find her displeasing and slap that foxy face of hers!”
As she was speaking, a maid ran in to report, “Madam, Eldest Miss. Second… Xiao Zhu’s carriage is almost here, and Shen Father has ordered the entire Shen Residence to go out and welcome her!”
Shen Nanqiao jumped off the soft chair and pulled Shen Shi, striding out.
“Mother, it’s time for the show!”
Ever since Shen Nanqiao woke up after falling into the water, Shen Shi had been a bit confused by her daughter, not knowing why she was so certain at this moment.
But to be fair, she also had a small expectation in her heart.
Shen Zhinian, a concubine-born illegitimate daughter, had always been obedient in front of her and Nan Qiao, never daring to cause trouble. If she became the Emperor’s woman, she would climb above them, especially since this opportunity was given to her by Nan Qiao. Shen Shi was so vexed she could die!
If Shen Zhinian truly suffered in the Imperial Harem, Shen Shi’s mind would be more at ease!
Thinking of this, Shen Shi’s eyes couldn’t help but show a hint of schadenfreude, and she quickened her steps.
…
When she returned, the sun had already set.
Before the carriage even approached the Shen Residence, Shen Zhinian, sitting inside, heard the sound of firecrackers and gongs and drums.
“Xiao Zhu returns home—”
Handan and Fuqu lifted the carriage curtains. Shen Zhinian saw Shen Father leading Shen Shi and Shen Nanqiao, along with a group of concubines, illegitimate sons, and Shen clan members waiting at the entrance. The scene was lively.
She got out of the carriage with the help of two maids, and everyone immediately knelt on the ground, respectfully bowing!
“Your subject Shen Maoxue, with his entire family, greets Xiao Zhu. May Xiao Zhu be auspicious!”
Shen Zhinian’s steps paused slightly, and endless emotions rose in her heart!
Before, Shen Father was high above, her legitimate elder sister was aloof and hypocritical, and her legitimate mother controlled her life.
None of the Shen clan members ever paid attention to her, a mere illegitimate daughter.
But now, they all knelt respectfully at her feet, performing a kneeling bow to the person they once looked down upon the most!
Simply because she had become the Emperor’s woman.
This was the benefit brought by power and status!
And it was what Shen Zhinian sought her entire life!
Her lips curved slightly, and she said indifferently, “We are all family, there’s no need for excessive courtesy. Rise.”
“Thank you, Xiao Zhu!”
Shen Nanqiao stared blankly at Shen Zhinian’s charming face, her eyes filled with disbelief!
“How is this possible?!”
The Imperial Concubine was arrogant and not easy to get along with. Why wasn’t Shen Zhinian ordered to be slapped by her?!
A strange look also flashed across Shen Shi’s face, but it quickly returned to a warm expression.
“Xiao Zhu must be tired after traveling all day, right? Please go in and rest. Dinner is already prepared.”
In the past, at family banquets, Shen Zhinian, an illegitimate daughter, could only sit at the very end, watching Shen Nanqiao being showered with attention.
But now, the main seat was hers, and even Shen Father, the head of the Shen, dared not sit without her permission.
“Everyone, there’s no need for excessive courtesy, please sit.”
Under the bright candlelight, Shen Nanqiao finally saw Shen Zhinian’s attire and asked in surprise, “Sister, when you left this morning, weren’t you wearing a light green dress? Why did you change?!”
Shen Father frowned and reprimanded, “Your sister has married into the Imperial Family. You should address her as ‘Xiao Zhu’ according to the rules!”
Shen Nanqiao ignored him, biting her lip and stubbornly looking at Shen Zhinian.
She smiled slightly and said, “Oh, it accidentally got wet with tea in the carriage, so I changed into another one. Is there a problem?”
Shen Nanqiao felt a little guilty under her gaze, but more than that, she was unwilling, still maintaining that haughty demeanor.
“I told you yesterday that was the Emperor’s favorite color. If you had worn a light green dress to meet the Emperor, you might have been immediately conferred as a Guiren, unlike now, where you still have to wait for the Imperial edict for your enfeoffment.”
“It seems that some people can’t even accept blessings that are delivered to their doorstep!”
Shen Father’s face darkened, but he couldn’t lash out.
Shen Zhinian smiled faintly.
“Such blessings, Eldest Sister should keep them for herself.”
Daughters of officials of the third rank and above might be conferred the rank of Guiren upon entering the Imperial Harem. The Shen was only of the sixth rank. If she were conferred as a Guiren, wouldn’t she become a living target?
It was imaginable how difficult and dangerous life in the Imperial Harem would be.
She wasn't foolish, why would she rush to stand out like that?
Evidently, Shen Nanqiao remembered how, in her previous life, after entering the Imperial Harem, she was first punished by the Imperial Concubine, then reprimanded by the Empress Dowager, and subsequently targeted by all the Imperial Concubines in the Imperial Harem.
Despite being a Guiren, she lived in a leaky palace and ate spoiled food, almost unable to survive…
Why was Shen Zhinian so lucky in this life, avoiding this big pit right from the start?!
However, Shen Nanqiao had always been arrogant, and even if she was indignant, she still maintained an aloof demeanor.
“Hmph! How can a daughter of the Shen covet wealth and glory? If I marry, I will only marry into a scholarly family! When Lu Lang achieves success in the future, he will surely become a renowned upright official!”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at Shen Nanqiao with admiration. As expected of the legitimate eldest daughter!
Shen Zhinian asked in surprise, “Does Eldest Sister mean that serving the Emperor is not as good as marrying Young Master Lu?”
“Or rather, does Eldest Sister think that the venerable Emperor, the Imperial Concubines in his Imperial Harem, are all merely coveting royal wealth and glory, with no one truly devoted to him?”
Everyone was so scared that their chopsticks dropped, and their faces turned pale!
If these words got out, how could the Shen have a good outcome? The Eldest Miss was courting death herself, don’t drag them down too!
Shen Nanqiao could no longer maintain her image of being as indifferent as a chrysanthemum and frantically defended herself, “I didn’t mean that! It’s you…”
“Slap!”
Before she could finish her sentence, Shen Father slapped her hard across the face!
“Words bring disaster. Control your mouth!”
Shen Nanqiao had been pampered by Shen Father since childhood, but today he actually slapped her in front of so many people for Shen Zhinian’s sake?!
Shen Nanqiao completely couldn’t accept this disparity and ran away crying, covering her face.
Why?!
Her character was as noble as a chrysanthemum, while Shen Zhinian was merely a concubine-born illegitimate daughter who coveted vanity. She should be the one showered with attention!
Why did things turn out this way?!
Where did it go wrong?!
Shen Shi was surprised, wondering why Shen Zhinian was no longer as obedient as before. Had she finally revealed her true colors after being chosen for the Imperial Harem?
But then she saw Shen Zhinian’s eyes shifting, looking in the direction Shen Nanqiao had run off to, with a hint of worry on her charming face.
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