“This girl, she said that she saw the joy in the first madam’s eyes and guessed that our family must have some happy news. It turned out that she actually guessed right.”
Shen Layue still had the same expression, revealing no true feelings. She merely smiled faintly.
Seeing her like this, several people were somewhat surprised. They didn’t expect that in less than half a month since their departure, this girl had changed so much.
Looking closer, her appearance was somewhat different from before.
Previously, she preferred quietness, but now she looked dazzling yet still retained a touch of childishness.
“This girl has always been clever since childhood,” remarked the third madam with a smile.
“Layue thanks Madam Third for the compliment,” Layue did not decline but instead expressed her gratitude.
This caused some laughter and teasing from others.
“I think this girl’s skin has become even thicker,” the old madam couldn’t help smiling but teased Layue with words.
As everyone was laughing and joking, Shen’s second miss, Shen Wanru, arrived late, which no one blamed her for. Wanru was very different from her mother, Lady Wang. Lady Wang was sharp and straightforward, but Wanru was timid and indecisive.
Everyone had become accustomed to her slow pace.
Upon hearing the news of her aunt’s pregnancy, she was indeed surprised. Although they had gone out together before, no one had told her, a younger generation member, such news.
Compared to Wanru’s surprise, Layue’s calmness was even more evident.
The person who should be most surprised appeared as if nothing had happened, even engaging in banter with others. The old madam secretly nodded in approval in her heart. Only someone with such a temperament was suitable for entering the palace.
The Southern Qin Kingdom held its imperial selection every three years, with eligible candidates aged between thirteen and eighteen.
The current emperor had reigned for four years. Due to the heavy workload at the beginning of his reign, the selection was postponed by a year. Moreover, the empress was unfortunate and passed away within a year, which caused further delays. According to Southern Qin’s tradition, all eligible girls from various families must enter the palace for selection. They are not allowed to marry privately unless they are rejected.
This regulation caused some girls of average background and appearance to be delayed in marriage, as it became harder to find a match as they aged.
Therefore, participating in the selection early was considered beneficial.
“Oh, by the way, have you told the eldest son yet?” the old madam suddenly thought.
Madam Lin smiled and shook her head: “I came directly to Mother’s place after returning. My husband doesn’t know yet.”
By saying this, she showed respect to the old madam, naturally making the old madam even happier: “Go and inform him quickly. Such big news, and he, as the father, is the last to know.”
Indeed, shortly after, they saw Shen’s eldest son rushing back home. At that moment, Dr. Fang was also there. Seeing his joyful face and his concern for Madam Lin, Shen Layue maintained her smile throughout.
Upon seeing her father’s appearance, Shen Yi bit her lip. When she noticed her sister looking at her, she quickly resumed her normal demeanor and imitated her sister, forming a faint smile while observing everyone.
At this moment, naturally, no one noticed the Shen sisters, as everyone’s attention was focused on Madam Lin.
This excitement continued until dinner time.
After dinner, Shen Layue took her sister for a walk. Their elder brother, Shen Shuping, had not yet returned from an official mission elsewhere.
“Yi, from now on, don’t target Mother anymore,” Layue reminded.
Shen Yi didn’t expect Layue to say this. She pouted slightly, looking unhappy, lowered her head, and murmured, “I didn’t.”
Shen Layue lowered her gaze. After a while, she spoke softly: “I am your elder sister and would never harm you. Mother, although she hasn’t been particularly warm towards us, generally speaking, she hasn’t been bad either. Grandmother may be good, but she can’t protect you for a lifetime. If I enter the palace, it will be even harder for me to see you. As for Brother, he is busier every day. In this family, you must learn to greet people with a smile. Only you yourself can protect yourself.”
Shen Yi was stunned, feeling wronged and lonely: “Why must Mother be gone? She isn’t our real mother.”
At that moment, Shen Layue felt a pang in her heart: “Life and death are predestined, and fortune is determined by heaven. One day, your elder sister will also be gone. You must be careful about everything and greet people with a smile. Not everyone will like you, so you must use the strongest protective color to protect yourself. Although you are still young, I know you are clever. You understand what your sister means, right?”
Shen Layue was right. Shen Yi was a clever child who understood her sister’s meaning. Biting her lip, large tears slid down her cheeks.
“I understand. Just like my sister.”
Layue felt a mix of emotions: “Yes, just like your sister.”
In her previous life, even before Yi could marry, she had passed away. Shen Layue vowed that in this life, she would protect the Shen family and watch her sister marry off in a grand and happy manner.
She would become her sister’s greatest support.
“No matter whether Mother gives birth to a son or daughter, you must behave well. Currently, the only one who can protect you and care for you in this family is Grandmother. Don’t let Grandmother dislike you. Do you understand?”
Yi nodded again.
“Okay. Yi is such a good girl.”
As for her father, Layue never had high expectations. Since she nearly drowned, her father had only visited her once on the first day when she was unconscious, and never came again. But when he learned of Madam Lin’s pregnancy, his excitement surprised Layue.
Why, after being reborn, could she still not see through this clearly?
Her father was a good person, but as a father, he was not qualified. Before, things were somewhat better, but after her mother passed away, her father took in Madam Lin, and since then had been indifferent towards them. Yi rarely saw her father.
In this family, they could not rely on him. Layue wiped away her tears. From now on, she would protect her loved ones.
In the following days, Madam Lin was diagnosed with pregnancy at the Qingquan Temple, which always led to many associations. The old madam found the temple particularly effective.
Thinking about the upcoming selection, the old madam hoped Shen Layue could go there to pray.
Layue readily agreed.
Madam Wang, the second madam, noticed that Layue had changed significantly after learning the etiquette, and even Jin Xin and Jin Ling had changed a lot. She became restless and thought that Wanru should also learn.
Although previously she had said not to learn, claiming that Madam Yu was too strict and Wanru was still young, so there was no need to start so early. However, seeing Layue’s significant improvement, she became serious again.
The old madam’s opinion was that if learning was good, then it was acceptable. Thus, she assigned Madam Yu to teach them.
As a result, Wanru couldn’t persist after learning for just a few days.
Madam Wang was someone who spoiled her child. Seeing Wanru’s tearful and pitiful face, she had no choice but to plead with the old madam again.
Seeing the two repeatedly causing trouble, the old madam became furious.
At that time, Layue was in the old madam’s room, witnessing her scolding Madam Wang. She stayed quietly on the side, saying nothing.
However, no matter how angry the old madam was, she eventually agreed to the second madam’s request.
Madam Yu was the most rigorous person, and she disliked the second house for their indecisiveness.
She secretly decided that even if the Shen family asked her to teach the second miss again in the future, she would definitely refuse. If someone couldn’t endure such a little hardship, how could they talk about entering the palace?
Looking at the diligent eldest miss, she shook her head even more. These girls in the Shen family were indeed very different!
“I have taught etiquette to others for so many years. Before, I even served as a governess for the selected ladies entering the palace. But the eldest miss is the most talented one I have ever seen,” Madam Yu sighed. Actually, she rarely spoke like this. It was because they got along well that she wasn’t too reserved.
Shen Layue herself knew whether she had talent or not. In fact, her so-called talent was nothing more than memories from her past life.
“Madam Yu is joking. There are so many talented people in this world. Layue is merely diligent.”
Madam Yu smiled without saying anything else.
***
Shen Layue finished washing up, and Jin Ling set up the embroidery frame and came to ask: “Miss, everything is ready.”
Nowadays, Shen Layue learned everything, and she wasn’t even seeking to excel in any particular area, which even puzzled the old madam a bit. Everyone knew that being outstanding in one area was better than being proficient in hundreds. However, Layue had her own considerations.
Although not excelling in anything was a major issue, this kind of her would likely be more favored by the empress dowager and would be less likely to be envied by Concubine Xian and Concubine De.
As for the emperor, what did he care about the skills of a woman who was just for his entertainment?
Thinking back to her past life, the famous beauty in the capital, Lian Xiuyun, entered the palace with exceptional musical talent, but the emperor eventually sent her to the cold palace. This showed that, in men’s hearts, these things were always unimportant. What they cared about was whether this woman could entertain him.
As for the deep affection for the deceased empress, Shen Layue couldn’t help but sneer.
In the past, she would have loved this man even more because of that, but not anymore.
After so many years, she finally realized that in his heart, he loved himself the most, and the country even more.
Women were always just objects for his amusement.
All that talk of deep affection for the deceased empress was merely for show to the world.
How cold-hearted and indifferent Emperor Jing Di was, probably something Shen Layue would never forget.
Shaking her head, she pushed that face out of her mind.
Why was she thinking about that person? It was really off-putting.
“Jin Ling, is Brother coming back soon?”
“From what my father said, it seems he is almost here.” Jin Ling’s father was the second steward of the mansion, and her cousin was the personal attendant to Shen Shuping, the eldest son of the Shen family. Because of this connection, her father knew more clearly.
Shen Layue nodded. It would be good if he came back soon. A few days ago, she had heard the old madam mentioning that her brother was coming back, but he hadn’t appeared yet. It must have been a delay on the road. Actually, during this trip to Qingquan Temple, she had hoped her brother would accompany her.
As for the reason, she sneered. If her brother left the capital, would he still meet that person?
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