Chapter 8: A Mere Distance Away

Is there any daughter of a noble house in the capital she hasn't met? Even Shen Yuan, in her childhood, had once crossed her path. How had that chubby little girl, once mockingly called "the little lucky charm," grown into such a refined and elegant young woman? Her slender frame, standing in the autumn breeze, carried a unique allure all its own.

Shen Wanning also noticed that while Shen Yuan’s attire today was understated, it suited her perfectly. Looking around, she realized that among all the noble ladies present, it was Shen Yuan who shone the brightest.

"Shen Yuan pays her respects to the eldest Miss Gu."

With a calm and detached expression, Shen Yuan bowed slightly. The woman she addressed was Gu Furong, the eldest daughter of the Minister’s residence, whom she had known since childhood. Gu Furong gave a slight nod, acknowledging the gesture.

Shen Wanning tugged gently on Shen Yuan’s sleeve and whispered, "Sister, this is Miss Zhang and Miss Liu."

The official ranks of the Zhang and Liu families were both below that of Shen Yong. Since Shen Yuan was still nominally a daughter of the Shen family, they should have been the ones to pay their respects to her first. By having Shen Yuan greet them instead, Shen Wanning was signaling from the bottom of her heart that she did not consider Shen Yuan a member of the Shen family.

Shen Yuan smiled faintly, nodded, and took a seat to the side.

Seeing this, Zhang Yanran and Liu Jiaojiao felt as if they had been slapped across the face. Humiliated, they lashed out with mockery: "A girl raised outside is truly different. She has no grasp of conduct, manners, or propriety; she doesn't take them seriously at all!"

"Isn't that the truth? She’s not even the biological daughter of the Chief Secretary—does she really expect us to bow to her?"

Gu Furong, assuming Shen Yuan held a lowly status, remained silent rather than intervening. Shen Wanning, meanwhile, secretly hoped for a conflict between Shen Yuan and the Zhang and Liu sisters. As long as Shen Yuan was unpopular and trampled upon, she would be content.

"Do young ladies of such prominent houses as the Zhangs and Lius truly enjoy gossiping like market women?" Shen Yuan’s expression remained indifferent, masking the chill in her eyes.

Zhang Yanran scoffed, "What status do you think you have to sit at the same table as us? Wanning, this sister of yours is terribly lacking in manners. I suppose she wasn't taught any better while living away. As her good sister, you really must remind her. It’s one thing to lose face in front of us, but if she acts so inappropriately before other noble figures, won't she just make a laughingstock of the Shen residence?"

Shen Wanning looked flustered, momentarily forgetting to answer. Her eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Shen Yuan, as if pleading with her not to disgrace the Shen family.

Shen Yuan curled her lips in a detached smile. "Since Miss Zhang is able to attend this banquet at the Shen residence, I assume your father has successfully navigated his recent troubles? Otherwise, how could you be in such high spirits?"

It was well-known that the elder Zhang had recently made a blunder at court, infuriating the Emperor and even spending time in prison as a result. At the mention of her father, Zhang Yanran’s face flushed a deep red, her temper flaring instantly.

"Shen Yuan! If you say another word, I’ll tear your mouth apart!"

Shen Yuan propped her chin on her hands, resting them on the table. Tilting her head, she goaded, "Come and try, then."

"You—don't think I wouldn't dare!" Zhang Yanran, agitated, rolled up her sleeves, making as if to lunge at her.

"Before the day is out, word will surely spread through the capital that the Zhang family's troubles have settled, only for rumors of the Zhang daughter’s bullying and arrogance to take their place. If I recall correctly, Miss Zhang is currently in talks for a marriage, is she not?" Shen Yuan met her gaze without a hint of fear.

Zhang Yanran was notoriously arrogant and difficult in the capital. Many young men already kept their distance; if word spread that she was cruel and bullied the weak, who would dare marry her?

"Whoever dares to spread such rumors, I will kill them!" Zhang Yanran, blinded by rage, began to spout wild threats.

The matter of her marriage was a thorn in her side. Her father had arranged several prospects, but no matter how silver-tongued the matchmakers were, the families of the young men refused! She was nearly desperate.

"To my mind, a young lady should be gentle and graceful, like Sister Wanning. Miss Zhang, perhaps you don't know? The suitors seeking to propose to Sister Wanning have nearly trampled the threshold of the Shen residence! I hear she is already betrothed to Commissioner Pei, and all the others have left in sorrow! You, however, are fortunate, Miss Zhang—quiet, undisturbed, and free to enjoy your leisure, are you not?"

Shen Yuan smilingly drew Shen Wanning into the fray. Upon hearing this, Zhang Yanran’s anger flickered in her eyes, but since Shen Wanning was the apple of the Shen family's eye, she dared not offend her. Yet, upon hearing that Commissioner Pei was betrothed to her, jealousy burned so fiercely that her eyes nearly popped out. Whether it was Shen Wanning or Shen Yuan, they were both girls raised outside the house—how could they be worthy of Commissioner Pei?

"Alright, alright! We are all sisters here; is it not better to be harmonious than to cause such a scene?"

With the situation on the verge of spiraling, Gu Furong finally stepped in to smooth things over. Shen Yuan’s words had used Shen Wanning as a shield; if she remained silent, Wanning would surely draw Zhang Yanran’s ire. Gu Furong glanced sideways and saw Shen Yuan sitting calmly with a faint smile, realizing that the girl had done this quite deliberately.

"Ladies, please move to the main banquet hall; the feast has been prepared," a servant announced from outside the drapes.

"Sisters, let us head over," Shen Wanning said, standing up first to display her grace as the hostess. She walked alongside Gu Furong, leading the way.

Zhang Yanran, having lost the war of words, held a grudge against Shen Yuan. As they descended the steps, she intentionally shoved Shen Yuan aside to pass in front.

Through a gap in the carved wooden window of the corridor, Shen Yuan nearly fell to the ground, though her maid caught her just in time. Unruffled, she smoothed her dress and appearance, then continued to follow behind Gu Furong and the others.

Pei Ji had paused intentionally before the carved window. His gaze fell upon that slender, petite figure, and his eyes surged with hidden emotions. As he noticed the jade bead she wore in her hair, his fingers curled within his sleeves. He pretended to be indifferent, yet his heart tightened.

Pei Ji had never imagined that after searching high and low across the vast lands for her, he would find her here, right before his very eyes.

"Commissioner, why have you stopped?"

Shen Yi noticed Pei Ji looking toward the opposite side. Following his gaze, he smiled softly and said, "Is the Commissioner admiring Wanning?"

Pei Ji withdrew his gaze, a shallow smile on his lips. "The flowers in the Shen residence are quite beautiful."

Flowers? Shen Yi was puzzled, but seeing that Pei Ji had already moved on, he did not dwell on it and hurried to catch up.

Inside the hall, the seating was separated by gender. Shen Yuan intentionally chose a corner seat near the drapes, away from Shen Wanning and her circle. Madam Chen was busy exchanging pleasantries with the ladies, and Shen Wanning was whispering to Gu Furong. Seeing that no one was bothering her, Shen Yuan quietly enjoyed the food. Having spent so many years away, she still longed for the flavors of the Shen house; she could never tire of them.

"It is hardly appropriate for Commissioner Pei to sit there. Shall I invite you to a seat of honor?"

Shen Yong’s voice rang out from behind Shen Yuan. She froze, not daring to turn around and look.