Hearing that her elder brother and sister were going to visit Qingquan Temple to worship the Buddha, Shen Yiyue was extremely anxious and wanted to tag along. He reported the request to the old matriarch and was delighted when she surprisingly agreed. The three happily made their preparations and set off.
Shen Layue and Shen Yiyue rode in the carriage, while Shen Shuping rode a horse, accompanied by guards.
This time, they had taken many guards with them, especially since Layue would soon attend the palace selection. If they didn’t exercise caution, any mishap would be difficult to handle.
In the Nanshun Kingdom, there was a strict system: daughters of officials ranked seventh grade or higher must go through the palace selection and could not marry privately.
The siblings chatted and laughed along the way, enjoying themselves greatly. Layue rarely had such opportunities to spend time with her brother and sister. With the palace selection approaching, she might have fewer chances to meet them in the future, so she cherished this time dearly.
Midway, the group stopped at an inn to rest and eat.
Not far outside this very inn, a woman dressed in white was selling herself to bury her father, while a rich young man was harassing her. Yiyue asked innocently, “Sister, what is she doing?”
“She comes from a poor family. Her father passed away, but she cannot afford the funeral expenses, so she is selling herself to raise the money needed to bury her father.”
Shen Shuping could never tolerate bullying and was about to intervene when Layue stopped him.
This older brother, although already grown, had been relatively sheltered from scheming because of the Shen family’s straightforwardness. Being a military officer, he had encountered far fewer political intrigues in the barracks compared to those in the court.
This upbringing had shaped his character—just and passionate.
Seeing Layue holding him back, Shen Shuping was puzzled.
“Sister, do you know how much money is needed to bury someone?” she asked calmly.
Shen Shuping hesitated, “It probably varies. But I guess it would take several hundred taels?”
“That’s why I don’t think the woman’s asking for 100 taels is unreasonable.”
Layue smiled and called the waiter over.
She asked the waiter the same question.
“For a family like hers, ten taels should be enough,” the waiter naturally understood the guests were asking because of the woman outside selling herself to bury her father.
“Ten taels?” Shen Shuping was astonished.
The waiter nodded, “Of course. Two years ago, my grandmother passed away. We spent five taels on a coffin and some other expenses. Ten taels is more than enough. We aren’t from a wealthy family, so there’s no need to show off.”
Layue smiled and handed some silver to the waiter, who accepted it gratefully, eyes smiling as he added, “That girl has been kneeling there for three days already. In this hot weather, who wouldn’t be afraid of the stench? She’s definitely not genuine about selling herself to bury her father. I think she just wants to latch onto a wealthy family as a concubine. Ten taels would suffice, yet she insists on a hundred—that’s clearly unreasonable. She’s definitely not up to any good. That girl isn’t from a decent family either; she used to sing at the teahouse ahead.”
“Alright, you may go now.”
Shen Layue looked at Shen Shuping and then at Shen Yiyue.
After hearing the waiter’s explanation, Shen Shuping was surprised that things had turned out this way.
“Then why didn’t she go with that man?”
Layue smiled gently, though her words were harsher, “She didn’t go because she hasn’t met her minimum requirement yet.”
This time, Shen Shuping said nothing and fell into thought.
Layue looked at Yiyue, “Yiyue, do you understand? Not everyone is worth helping. You must learn to observe, listen, and analyze.”
Shen Yiyue nodded firmly; she had never seen such a situation before.
As they were talking, the dispute outside had taken a new turn. A young lady came to the aid of the woman selling herself to bury her father. However, the woman then thanked the man accompanying that lady and insisted on following them.
Layue followed Shen Shuping’s gaze and froze instantly.
She couldn’t suppress her trembling. The person she hated most in her life stood before her.
Her sister-in-law, the concubine daughter of the Bai family from the capital—Bai Xiaodie.
“This young lady seems kind-hearted.”
Layue composed herself and said to Shen Shuping, “I know her.”
Was this fate? An unavoidable connection. Even though they had left the capital, they still encountered Bai Xiaodie.
“You know her?” Shen Shuping sounded pleased.
Seeing her brother’s expression, Layue knew he had taken a liking to this woman. A hint of disdain appeared on her face—something she hadn’t shown openly for a long time. Shen Shuping had just returned, but Shen Yiyue was perceptive enough to notice.
“I know of her, not that I’m close to her. We’ve met once. I don’t really want to know someone like her. She was originally a friend of Yulan.”
Seeing Layue’s obvious rejection, Shen Shuping was puzzled and pressed for more.
Layue looked conflicted, wanting to speak but hesitating.
“What’s there that you can’t say to your own brother?”
As Shen Shuping grew more curious, she finally relented, “Come here, brother.” She whispered something in his ear.
Shen Shuping froze.
Stammering, he said, “Wh-what! She’s actually like that?”
“Yes. Although Yulan’s words can’t be fully trusted, she wouldn’t lie to me about such things. Besides, we don’t have any particular connection with this Bai Miss. Why would she go out of her way to slander her?”
Shen Layue attributed everything to Chen Yulan. Just now, she had told her brother that Yulan once said that Bai Xiaodie had once gotten drunk at Chen’s house, mistaking Yulan for her “uncle,” and had thrown herself into Yulan’s arms, undressing and pouring out her heart. Although she had forgotten the incident after sobering up, it had scared Yulan so much that she no longer dared to invite Bai Xiaodie and had distanced herself.
Of course, all of this was fabricated by Shen Layue. Even if such an event had occurred, someone as scheming as Yulan would never have told her. However, she knew that saying this to her brother would be effective. Surely he would no longer have any affection for this Bai Miss.
That was fine. Her brother wasn’t someone who gossiped and wouldn’t share this with outsiders.
She still wore a smile, but her eyes held no trace of warmth.
Although Bai Xiaodie had not actually done those things at Chen’s house, she indeed had feelings for her uncle and had been close to him for a long time.
“How could she dare?” Shen Shuping looked completely incredulous but didn’t doubt his sister’s words.
Layue was right—no one would spread such rumors without reason.
“What’s there not to dare? The Bai family isn’t like ours. Who knows how they raise their daughters?”
Shen Shuping glanced at the woman again and shook his head.
Seeing the aversion in her brother’s eyes, Layue felt genuinely pleased this time.
It had worked.
“Big sister, I’m done eating.” Yiyue put down her chopsticks and looked obediently at her older siblings.
She was curious about what her sister had said but didn’t ask. She had a feeling this wasn’t something she should inquire about.
This small incident on the journey didn’t spoil their moods—or rather, it did affect them, at least for Layue, who felt even better.
Her brother’s attitude toward Bai Xiaodie had changed from what it once was. That was good enough.
A different beginning.
In her previous life, Yulan had spoken highly of Bai Xiaodie, and Layue had believed her to be virtuous. But in the matter concerning her brother, it had led to a tragic outcome.
In this life, even if they still met, the beginning was different, so how could the path ahead be the same?
Sensing Layue’s good mood, Shen Shuping assumed it was due to the outing.
After a few days, the three arrived at Qingquan Temple, located at the mountain’s summit. Despite its remote location, the temple was bustling with worshippers. This time, Layue had no intention of staying overnight—she would worship and then leave.
She disliked staying outdoors.
Surrounded by mountains, Qingquan Temple was lush with greenery and blooming flowers due to the summer season.
Birdsong echoed all around, making it seem like a paradise on earth.
In the main hall, incense curled into the air, and worshippers lined up in an orderly fashion.
Although Layue was also beautiful, most people’s attention was drawn to a couple standing a little ahead of her.
They were the son and daughter of Chancellor Fu, the most respected official in the court.
The young man was clad in a pale green robe, with slender, elongated eyes, thin lips, and a face as fair as jade. If there was ever a man in this world who could be called a beauty, it would undoubtedly be this Fu Gongzi.
Layue had once thought that even Zhu Xueling, the most celebrated beauty of the empire, could not rival this young master Fu.
Beside him, Miss Fu was also a beauty, leaning more toward Yulan’s type—gentle and graceful. Her eyebrows were naturally dark, and her lips were naturally red. Compared to Yulan, she was even more exquisite.
This Miss Fu was also participating in this year’s imperial selection.
Shen Layue knew that among this group of candidates, Miss Fu was the most favored one. Naturally, she was highly valued—not only due to her father’s position as chancellor but also because of her extraordinary beauty and talent. Miss Fu possessed yet another formidable advantage.
Layue smiled.
Everyone in the country knew that she bore an uncanny resemblance to her late elder sister—the deceased Empress, the eldest daughter of the Fu family.
Chancellor Fu was not only the prime minister but also the Emperor’s father-in-law.
Layue had once cynically wondered whether the Emperor truly loved his late wife or whether his affection was merely due to her father’s position as chancellor.
Bringing her thoughts back, she smiled and withdrew her gaze.
This outing was truly rewarding—I had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people: Bai Xiaodie, Young Master Fu Jinyu, and Miss Fu Jinyao.
Things were truly different this time!
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