Volume One, Chapter 13: The Meng Family Pays a Visit

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Step by step, she walked toward the house at the corner of the stable. Shen Rong was unaware of the anxious feelings of those following behind her; she simply moved slowly in the direction she had come that night.

Turning the corridor, she waited until those people disappeared from sight before glancing back at the nervous young man.

“Your name is Han Shu?”

The sudden voice startled him so much that he nearly dropped Ajiu, who was on his back. As a stable servant, he rarely came this close to the aloof eldest lady of the house. He had only heard that this young lady was proud and hot-tempered and that anyone offending her would meet a grim fate.

“Ah… Ajiu is just impulsive by nature, not deliberately offending Third Miss. I also… absolutely did not speak ill of you!” The boy broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead.

Shen Rong: “…”

Apparently, she hadn’t realized how terrifying her “reputation” was in her previous life—the credit certainly belonged to the eldest household.

However, in her previous life, she had focused all her energy on Xie Xun and never gave much thought to the rumors others spread about her. Even if she knew what they said, she simply didn’t care.

Suddenly, Shen Rong stopped in her tracks. Han Shu trembled again, looking at her cautiously and bewildered.

Seeing Ajiu unconscious with eyes closed, Shen Rong, ever the strategist, rummaged through her sleeve and pulled out many pre-prepared bottles and jars, then stuffed them all into Han Shu’s hands.

“Give these to that someone,” Shen Rong murmured softly, “so he won’t have to drink another pot of my medicinal wine tonight…” She smirked arrogantly. “Indeed, a good-for-nothing is just a good-for-nothing; a few lashes and he’s done for.”

Han Shu stared dumbfounded at the items in his arms, wondering if his eyes were deceiving him.

This Third Miss was unlike the rumors. Though her expression seemed harsh, her actions were full of kindness.

She had punished those servants who spoke ill of her by making them clean the stables. Whether intentional or not, this meant Ajiu could rest and recover without working. Now she was handing over these evidently expensive medicines.

Raising an eyebrow, Shen Rong looked at him with some displeasure. “What are you standing there dumbfounded for? I have plenty of money. These cheap medicines aren’t worthy of me! Hurry back and apply the ointment to this good-for-nothing!”

Coming to his senses, Han Shu grinned excitedly at the unfamiliar, high-quality ointments in his arms.

“I knew Third Miss was beautiful and kind-hearted. Those rumors are completely untrustworthy. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to tell Ajiu.”

“Wait!”

She suddenly called out to the departing boy, her face serious. “You are not to tell anyone about this, or I’ll kick you out of the Shen family!”

Han Shu shuddered with fear. “W-Why?”

“If you tell that good-for-nothing, won’t I lose face? Just say… it was given by Shen Yu, and that’s it!”

After hesitating for a moment, swallowing hard, he obediently nodded.

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“Swear it!”

Startled, Han Shu raised three fingers and solemnly declared, “I… swear that if I reveal even a fraction of Third Miss’s gift of medicine, may I… be enslaved for eternity.”

Enslaved for eternity…

Shen Rong twitched the corner of her mouth.

There was no need for such a harsh oath. She intended to have him reveal it eventually; she never did anything without expecting a return.

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Shen Rong. She seemed to recall who Han Shu was.

In her previous life, the vanguard leading the siege of Huaiyang City by the Huai’an Prince was named Han Shu!

This underscored the importance of choosing one’s alliances…

Han Shu was no ordinary bystander; he was the Huai’an Prince’s closest brother-in-arms. Though his talents were average, his gift for military strategy was exceptional, often catching enemies off guard.

Shen Rong’s eyes held a complex gleam as she waved Han Shu away.

She had just subtly shown goodwill. With Han Shu present, she had planted a line of communication near the Huai’an Prince. If she ever needed help, Han Shu could speak a word or two in her favor, couldn’t he?

Still, in her previous life, this man had hidden within the Shen family, deceiving her and conspiring with Shen Yu to besiege her. She intended to settle that score…

Shen Rong’s smile was mysterious. There would be time enough for that.

———

Shen Rong staggered back toward her courtyard, planning to later visit the Ju Xiang Pavilion for some lotus leaf chicken.

In her previous life, she had suffered from anorexia and longed only for the Ju Xiang Pavilion’s signature chicken. Now, with her health restored, merely thinking of it made her mouth water.

From afar, she saw Man He and Lian Xiang whispering at the courtyard gate. Lian Xiang lowered her head, her expression hidden, one hand pressed against the side of her face. As Shen Rong approached, the sound of her suppressed sobbing became clearer.

“What’s going on?”

Lian Xiang timidly looked up and called to her. Man He patted Lian Xiang’s shoulder, tone heavy. “The madam has arrived…”

Shen Rong understood the unspoken meaning behind Man He’s words; a cold flash passed through her eyes.

As the saying goes, even when beating a dog, one must consider its master. Moreover, Lian Xiang was the head maid of her courtyard!

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“Finally she’s here…” Shen Rong thought the arrival had come early. She had expected Madam Meng to make a bigger fuss.

“Miss, what should we do?” Lian Xiang fretted anxiously. “Judging by her attitude, Madam Meng won’t spare you. The master is away. Why don’t you slip out the back gate and hide in the estate for a few days? I’ll cover for you here.”

“Cover for what? Let her slap you a few more times?” Shen Rong’s voice held a twinge of sadness. In her previous life, she had always endured quietly, uninterested in the petty affairs of the inner court, blindly chasing after one man, which made others see her as weak and spineless.

Cai Lian’s face changed, her voice trembling. “Miss…”

“It’s fine! Don’t be afraid! Come, let’s go meet this Madam Meng.” Shen Rong felt that if trouble came, it would be for someone else, not her.

Shen Rong’s calmness unexpectedly steadied Lian Xiang’s anxious heart. Without further hesitation, she followed her inside. If Madam Meng truly intended to punish Miss, the commotion would inevitably reach the master’s ears.

Entering the flower hall, they saw at the upper end a woman dressed in the finery of a noble madam, about forty years old. Her features were beautiful, adorned in jewels and gold. Her hair was styled high, golden hairpins swayed lightly as she lifted her teacup, her long gown trailing majestically on the floor. She exuded undeniable aristocratic aura. Behind her stood several maids and elder women, with Nurse Sun and Nurse Gui flanking Madam Meng’s sides.

Shen Rong couldn’t help but admire that this madam was indeed crafted from vast amounts of gold and silver—the grandeur was unmistakable.

“Aunt Madam certainly has a powerful presence; she slapped my head maid the moment she arrived.”

Shen Rong stood quietly in the center of the flower hall, with Man He and Lian Xiang behind her bowing respectfully. Since the seat of honor was taken, she did not sit at the lower end.

Madam Meng said nothing. Nurse Gui spoke gravely, “Third Miss may not be aware, but when madam arrived at Rongyin Pavilion, that ill-mannered wretch dared to obstruct her. Out of kindness, madam let this old woman administer a small punishment to teach a lesson. Third Miss should discipline the servants in the courtyard more strictly so they learn proper manners.”

“When I’m speaking to Aunt Madam, when did a servant like you get to interrupt! It seems Aunt Madam needs to be taught some manners herself!” Shen Rong’s imposing aura silenced Nurse Gui, who trembled and dared not reply under Shen Rong’s icy gaze.

Madam Meng set down her teacup, as if the earlier incident had never happened, smiling and asking, “I heard from Yao Niang that Arong had fallen into the Ice Lake at Jing’an Temple. The physician said it injured her body, making it difficult for her to conceive in the future.” Her tone stiffened. “Does Arong know this?”

“Who is Yao Niang?”