Shen Wan did not know that Hebai had actually been sent by the Empress, nor that she would loyally pass along the words she had overheard—after a bit of rough processing—to Lu Zhan. Accompanied by the sound of rain outside the window, Shen Wan slept peacefully through the night. By the time she woke the next morning, Shen Chuan had already left the Shen residence.
"…The people in the young master's courtyard said he left before dawn," Zhichu said softly as she set down plain porridge and pastries on the table. "The steward also came by early this morning. He said the medical maid the young master sent people to select has already been brought back, and she'll be sent over after you finish breakfast."
Shen Wan nodded at this. About half an hour later, the Shen family's steward arrived with someone in tow.
"Miss, this is the senior maid the young master has added for you. Her name is Musu." The old steward wore a simple, honest smile, though his eyes were sharp and alert. After introducing her to Shen Wan, he turned to Musu. "Musu, come greet the young miss."
Shen Wan felt that the name Musu sounded oddly familiar, and she couldn't help but take a closer look.
Musu wore a skirt that was somewhat oversized and worn. She was already thin to begin with, and the sight made her seem even more pitiful. Shen Wan observed her for a moment, then restrained herself and told Zhichu to take her to change clothes first.
Once they had gone some distance away, the old steward took a thin sheet of paper from his sleeve. "Miss, this is Musu's indenture contract. Please keep it safe. She doesn't know much yet—you can have her learn more by following Zhichu."
Shen Wan glanced at the contract out of curiosity. Seeing that there was nothing written on it, she casually placed it on the table. "Where did you find Musu?"
She had only asked out of momentary sympathy after seeing how frail Musu was, but the steward didn't think in that direction. He replied, "She was bought from a slave broker. Her background is fairly clean. I heard her father used to be a physician, but he fell to his death while gathering herbs in the mountains two years ago. Her mother passed away early, and her stepmother was a hard-hearted one who sold her off."
The old steward sighed and added a few more comments. Shen Wan pressed her lips together slightly as she listened. For the first time, she gained a clearer understanding of the world she now lived in—and the already firm resolve in her heart to protect Lu Zhan grew even stronger.
Fortunately, Shen Chuan had successfully persuaded Lu Zhan. This time, when they left the capital, they did not run head-on into the ambush as in the original plot. After encountering the first ambush, Lu Zhan stayed for a time at the local government office and memorialized the matter to Emperor Zhaowen. The emperor was furious, ordered another strict investigation, and dispatched imperial shadow guards to protect Lu Zhan.
Prince Cheng, Prince Ping, and Prince Shun ultimately did not dare act under Emperor Zhaowen's watchful eye, and the assassination attempts against Lu Zhan eased considerably. Two days after Shen Chuan left, Madam Shen received a carrier pigeon letter from him reporting his safety. Knowing Shen Wan had been worried, she even showed her the letter during morning greetings.
Only then did the weight on Shen Wan's heart finally lift. Once she relaxed, she realized that today was the day of the banquet hosted by the Qin family's second miss.
"You've only just recovered from your illness, and there are many things you should avoid eating. Zhichu doesn't understand these matters—when you go out later, bring Hebai with you," Madam Shen reminded her with concern as the greetings concluded.
Shen Wan nodded in agreement. After changing into clothes suitable for a gathering, she left the residence with Zhichu and Hebai.
Though it was called an outing, the destination was not far. It took less than half an hour by carriage from the Shen residence to Qingfeng Manor. Shen Wan and the others arrived about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense before the banquet began. When the gatekeeper saw someone arrive, he immediately stepped forward to collect the invitation. Shen Wan wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt that he seemed slightly afraid to meet her eyes.
Fortunately, the manor's steward soon hurried over, his smile extremely ingratiating. "Miss Shen, please come inside. If you need anything, feel free to say so—so long as it can be done, we'll see to it."
This was Shen Wan's first time attending such a banquet, and she was inevitably a bit nervous. She merely nodded lightly in response.
After following the steward through a short corridor, a delicately arranged courtyard came into view. The steward bowed and politely stopped there. "Miss Shen, I'll see you this far. Once you go inside, you'll find the other young ladies."
"Thank you," Shen Wan said instinctively, only to meet the steward's slightly incredulous gaze.
A flicker of unease rose in her heart, but she maintained her composure and stepped into the courtyard.
The weather was fine that day, and it was the height of the spring bloom. The flowers in the courtyard were in full splendor, and the banquet seating had been set up outdoors. When Shen Wan arrived, about half the seats were already occupied, with groups chatting among themselves. When they saw her enter, many paused their conversations and nodded politely. Those of lower status even stood to offer a formal greeting.
Shen Wan dearly missed the simplicity of modern social etiquette, but she still returned each greeting in turn. Zhichu stood behind her the whole time, and only after she had finished greeting everyone did she quietly remind her, "Miss, Miss Wu saved a seat for you."
Shen Wan followed her gaze and saw a round-faced, soft-looking young girl waving at her in small motions. When their eyes met, the girl immediately smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.
Recalling the original plot, Shen Wan remembered that this Miss Wu was the second legitimate daughter of Minister Wu, named Wu Jiao, and also Shen Wan's good friend. Feeling reassured, Shen Wan walked over and had just taken her seat when a soft little hand reached out and stuffed a small handful of candied melon seeds into her palm.
"Wanwan, candied melon seeds. I saved them just for you." Just like her appearance, Wu Jiao's voice was soft and sweet, as though warm spring water would bubble out if you squeezed it.
Shen Wan thanked her, then glanced toward the host's seat. "Miss Qin hasn't arrived yet?"
Wu Jiao curled her lips and lowered her voice. "She came by once and then left again, saying she was going to pick up someone important. Wanwan, you should've seen how smug Qin Ning looked just now—as if she were really about to marry into Prince Yong's residence."
Shen Wan choked in surprise, her throat instantly itching. A cup of warm tea was handed to her at just the right moment. In her fluster, Shen Wan glanced over and met Hebai's calm gaze.
They only exchanged a look for an instant, yet the itch in Shen Wan's throat inexplicably disappeared. She set the teacup back down and lowered her voice as well. "Jiaojiao, don't say things like that."
Wu Jiao didn't understand why, but after looking around and seeing that no one was paying attention, she relaxed. "You worry too much—that's why your health is so weak. Don't worry, no one heard. Anyway, Qin Ning's father is clearly supporting Prince Shun, yet she insists on wanting to marry Prince Yong. I really don't understand what she's thinking."
Hebai remained silent, but Shen Wan couldn't ignore her presence. She regretted bringing Hebai along, yet Wu Jiao continued talking unabated.
"I heard Prince Yong stayed at your residence for lunch a few days ago. Is Prince Yong really as good-looking as the rumors say?"
The question made Shen Wan feel as though she were sitting on pins and needles. But she remembered what Zhichu had said a couple of days ago, steeled her heart, and answered decisively, "He really is good-looking."
Hebai's gaze shifted away without a sound, and Shen Wan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Wu Jiao's eyes widened in curiosity. "More handsome than your brother?"
Shen Wan was momentarily stunned. After a beat, she remembered that in the original novel, Wu Jiao seemed to have feelings for Shen Chuan, though the author never fulfilled that thread and simply married her off far away. When Shen Wan had read the book, she hadn't felt much about it, but now, with Wu Jiao sitting in front of her, she couldn't help feeling a twinge of sympathy.
That emotion overrode the discomfort of being overheard. Shen Wan answered more objectively, "They're hard to compare. Everyone has different tastes. If it were up to me, I'd say Prince Yong is a bit better-looking."
After all, Lu Zhan was the very reason she'd read the entire book—a true white moonlight in her heart.
Wu Jiao didn't argue, merely smiled softly, as though about to say something else, when a deliberately raised voice interrupted her.
"Ladies, take a look—see who I've brought?"
Holding a loquat, Wu Jiao rolled her eyes slightly and muttered to Shen Wan, "Only Qin Ning herself has come of age, yet she calls everyone 'elder sister.' Doesn't she find that embarrassing?"
Shen Wan lifted her teacup to hide the smile at her lips and turned her head toward the host's seat.
Compared to the others present, Qin Ning was indeed a bit older. Her figure had filled out, and dressed in bright red, she stood beneath the dappled tree shade, striking and eye-catching.
Shen Wan glanced at her in mild admiration before shifting her gaze to the person beside her. That admiration instantly turned into surprise. Shen Wan unconsciously murmured, "Liu Mu?"
Behind her, Hebai blinked.
Qin Ning's smiling introduction continued, "This is Miss Liu Mu. A few days ago, when Prince Yong encountered danger, it was Miss Liu who saved him."
Wu Jiao coughed pointedly.
Qin Ning's smile faded slightly as she looked over, shot Wu Jiao a mild glare, and then ignored the provocation. Instead, she turned her smiling attention toward Shen Wan. "So Miss Shen is here as well. I heard Prince Yong stayed at the Shen residence for lunch a few days ago—did he happen to mention Miss Liu to you?"
Shen Wan hadn't expected that an ordinary meal would spark such inexplicable jealousy. But with Hebai standing behind her, she remained calm. Tugging at the corner of her lips, Shen Wan returned a smile and was about to speak when another, slightly unfamiliar voice of pleasant surprise rang out.
"Miss Shen, so you're here as well? That day at Huguo Temple, you and Madam Shen saved my elder brother. Liu Mu has not yet had the chance to come and thank you properly—please forgive me."
Shen Wan looked at Liu Mu's delighted smile, then at Qin Ning, whose own smile had completely vanished. She quietly leaned back a little, while the curve of her lips lifted even higher.
Author's Note:
Wanwan: No wonder so many people like reading feel-good novels—this really does feel great!
Ahhh, I'm a bit late, sorry sorry~ Good night, little fairies, sweet dreams~