Chapter 13: A Generous Dowry to Avoid Being Looked Down Upon by the Husband’s Family

After resting quietly in Qiushui Garden for half a month, Shen Yuan’s wounds had mostly healed.

By a stroke of coincidence, an imperial edict arrived from Shoukang Palace, summoning the two young ladies of the Shen household to the palace, stating that the Empress Dowager wished to see them.

“Sister, are you awake? The palace maidservant sent here is waiting outside the mansion to escort us to the palace together. If you need more time to prepare, I can ask her to wait a little longer,” came Shen Wannian’s concerned voice from outside the door, though her intentions were far from sincere.

The maidservant Zhao, who delivered the edict, was a trusted confidante of the Empress Dowager. Asking her to wait would be seen as disrespectful to Her Majesty.

Shen Wannian was always scheming against her.

“There’s no need to trouble you, little sister. Running around like this must be exhausting,” Shen Yuan said as she appeared.

Her makeup today was simple and understated, her complexion porcelain-white, and her lips naturally flushed without a trace of color added.

Shen Wannian’s gaze grew sharp and spiteful for a moment before she quickly masked it with a smile and stepped forward to link arms with Shen Yuan. “Sister, you look truly beautiful!”

Shen Yuan withdrew her arm without a trace, shaking off her sleeve, speaking coolly, “You’re not unattractive either.”

Then she stepped outside, with Liu Yan following behind, covering her mouth to stifle a smile.

Shen Wannian despised Shen Yuan’s aloof demeanor and stomped her foot in frustration.

She had adorned herself with all the precious treasures she owned; if they met any princes or princesses at the palace, she couldn’t afford to lose face!

The carriage stopped before the palace gates. Along the palace path, Maidservant Zhao carefully instructed them on the taboos and protocols within the palace.

Both Shen Yuan and Shen Wannian were entering the palace for the first time, listening attentively without daring to be negligent.

Shoukang Palace was located in the northwest corner of the imperial compound. Though somewhat remote, it was quiet and serene, fitting the Empress Dowager’s tastes perfectly.

“Please enter the hall, young ladies,” the maidservant directed, leading them inside.

The hall’s furnishings were solemn and dignified, with a faint scent of sandalwood incense lingering in the air.

The Empress Dowager sat upon a soft pinewood chair. Upon seeing the frail Shen Yuan, her kindly brows furrowed noticeably.

“Your servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy longevity and good health!” Shen Wannian greeted, dressed in luxurious soft smoky gauze, her jade earrings and pendants worth a fortune.

In contrast, nothing of value could be found adorning Shen Yuan.

The Empress Dowager knew well that Wannian was the Shen family’s biological daughter who had been lost and then found, and from that day forth, all the family’s treasures had been lavished on her.

But Shen Yuan had been raised in the Shen household for seven or eight years—was that not too cold-hearted?

“I recall when I first saw you as a child, you were a plump little blessing. How much time has passed? How have you become so thin, like a slender bamboo stalk? If your grandmother were still alive, she would be heartbroken,” the Empress Dowager said.

Mention of her grandmother made Shen Yuan’s eyelashes tremble.

She had thought she could come back to fulfill her filial duties, only to find herself a living monument.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. Your servant eats and sleeps well, but simply cannot gain weight,” Shen Yuan replied.

“You don’t know, Empress Dowager. When sister first returned to the mansion, she was even thinner than she is now!” Shen Wannian wanted to show off before the Empress Dowager.

Maidservant Zhao cast a subtle glance at her.

The Empress Dowager looked at her meaningfully, implying, “This young lady here is quite well nourished and plump.”

Shen Wannian was taken aback, glancing down at her waist.

Plump? She was clearly not!

The Empress Dowager had attendants bring seats, and Shen Yuan and Shen Wannian sat down in turn.

Recalling the recent palace rumors, the Empress Dowager could not help but ask, “Are you betrothed?”

Shen Wannian’s face flushed with shame. Biting her lip, she shyly replied, “Father has arranged for me to marry Commander Pei…”

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, casting a discreet glance her way.

“Do not speak without the Empress Dowager’s permission!” Maidservant Zhao’s eyes were sharp, her tone stern.

Only then did Shen Wannian realize the Empress Dowager’s question was directed at Shen Yuan.

She instantly felt mortified and could only apologize softly, “Your servant spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!”

“I have heard that you once had a past with Lord Lu of the Craftsmen’s Department. Is that true?” The Empress Dowager ignored Shen Wannian and continued questioning Shen Yuan.

Lu Chengyuan, ethereal and refined, a delicate scholar, was an indispensable talent in the palace.

Unfortunately, an accident years ago had robbed him of the ability to live a normal life.

If Shen Yuan were to marry him, it would be a great hardship.

The Empress Dowager had no intention of meddling in the Shen household affairs but could not help feeling uneasy when recalling the old sister’s dying wish to enter the palace.

“I studied in the Lu family’s private academy with Lord Lu when I was young. We are old acquaintances,” Shen Yuan replied.

She never expected that the short, thin Lu Chengyuan, whom she often bullied, would become one of the palace’s rare craftsmen.

“And what is your intention?” the Empress Dowager asked without elaboration. Shen Yuan understood.

Lowering her eyes, she said, “As for marriage, I obey my father and mother.”

That was that—no objections.

Seeing Shen Yuan’s humble and meek demeanor, the Empress Dowager felt as though she were looking at a tamed sparrow.

She understood the Shen household’s situation and their predicament thoroughly.

After all, Shen Yuan was not the Shen family’s biological child. Allowing her to remain in the household was already a great kindness.

With that thought, the Empress Dowager’s eyes flickered. Finding a casual excuse, she sent Shen Wannian out and had Maidservant Zhao present a stack of documents before Shen Yuan.

She opened them and found they were records of her grandmother’s private estate—mountains of wealth piled high.

Tears glistened in Shen Yuan’s eyes.

She had heard from the maids that when a girl grew up and was to be married, her dowry had to be ample so the husband’s family would not scorn her.

Little Shen Yuan understood nothing then, only begging her grandmother to prepare more so she would not be bullied after marriage.

Unexpectedly, just a childish joke had led her grandmother to leave all her private estate to her.

Her father, brother, and Wannian received not a single penny.

“Grandmother knew I was not truly from the Shen family, yet still…” Shen Yuan’s nose tingled with bitterness, her eyes reddening as tears fell like pearls.

The Empress Dowager sighed, recalling the old sister’s image with sorrow. “Your grandmother was injured in her youth and bore no children. Even your father was adopted into the family from a branch clan. Over the years, she used her connections and wealth to elevate your father to a high position, watched him marry and have children, and live a happy family life. When she took her last breath, the one thing she could not let go of was you.”

“The day your grandmother came to the palace to see me, she was still radiant. Returning to the mansion, she died suddenly within two days. Though I have many questions, due to my position, I cannot investigate fully.”

The Empress Dowager’s words hung in the air, her eyes shining with a hint of hope.

Hearing this, Shen Yuan’s heart ached so deeply it felt as if it were being twisted. She seemed to understand something.

Outside the hall, the late autumn wind bit sharply.

Shen Wannian had been led by palace maids to admire the scenery for more than half an hour before finally seeing Shen Yuan step out with reddened eyes.

Walking along the path out of Shoukang Palace, Shen Wannian hesitated, then could not help but ask, “What did the Empress Dowager say to you? Why did she send me away?”

When we entered the palace, Mother told Shen Yuan to look after me, yet she and the Empress Dowager both ignored me?

Shen Yuan smiled faintly. “The Empress Dowager asked how I was doing in the household. She said that if anyone caused trouble for me, she would intervene on my behalf.”

“She has no relation to you at all. How could she be your backer?” Shen Wannian could not understand why Shen Yuan was so favored by the Empress Dowager.

Was it merely because of grandmother?

She had been gone for so long—why was she still not at peace?