As time flew, the month of July arrived. Madam Yu, known for her strictness and seriousness, frankly declared that there was nothing more she could teach Shen Layue, and insisted on resigning. Layue was reluctant to let her go, but eventually had to give in to Madam Yu’s persistence.
The Matriarch, seeing Madam Yu’s determination, agreed to her resignation.
If someone as rigid and meticulous as Madam Yu said there was nothing left to teach Layue, then indeed, there probably was nothing more to learn.
Before departing, Madam Yu looked at Shen Layue and finally could not resist giving her a parting piece of advice: “These days I’ve spent with you, my dear, have been more meaningful than years with others. You are a good girl, but there is something I must remind you of.”
“Please speak, Madam,” Shen Layue replied, holding Madam Yu’s hand, her eyes reddening, clearly reluctant to part.
This was only natural. During the past few months, Layue had come to understand exactly what kind of person Madam Yu was. People inevitably form emotional attachments.
“You are clever, but the palace, I’m afraid, does not require too much intelligence.”
This was a rather bold statement, and surely Madam Yu must have genuinely liked Layue to speak so frankly.
Nodding earnestly, Layue said, “I will remember your words, Madam.”
It was precisely because of Madam Yu’s guidance that Layue had changed enough to fool everyone. Whether in etiquette or in speech and conduct, she could now attribute her improvements to having studied the rules. Madam Yu, however, believed it was due to Layue’s natural talent.
With no more etiquette lessons during the day, Layue rearranged all her other studies to daytime. Though it was said to be all her studies, it mainly included playing the zither, learning dances, embroidery, and identifying herbs.
In fact, many families would invite the top entertainers from courtesan houses to teach their daughters the art of pleasing the emperor before they entered the palace for selection. However, due to the Shen family’s simple structure and lack of strong ambitions, this idea simply never crossed their minds.
Layue herself had thought of this, but she believed she absolutely did not need to learn such things. After all, in her previous life, she had lived in the palace for ten years and had seen everything there was to see.
“Miss,” Jin Xin now displayed much better manners than before, though she had always been well-behaved. The training had simply made a difference.
“Something the matter?” Layue, wearing a pale white gown, was quietly leaning by the pond admiring the flowers, the serene beauty of the scene making Jin Xin reluctant to disturb it.
After a slight curtsy, Jin Xin spoke, “Miss Chen has sent someone with an invitation for you to visit her house to enjoy the flowers.”
Miss Chen was the daughter of Shen Layue’s third aunt, Chen Yulan.
The two had always been quite close, though Layue smirked inwardly at the word “close.”
Currently, the Chen household was slightly more influential than the Shen household, and when they had first entered the palace, Yulan had held a higher rank than Layue.
Yulan often organized such gatherings, inviting young ladies from families of similar or slightly higher status to socialize. These gatherings served both to strengthen relationships and to discreetly observe others. Layue had not known this before.
In the past, she and Yulan had appeared to be close sisters, but once in the palace, that was no longer the case. The first person Layue had schemed against was Yulan herself.
Layue smiled and shook her handkerchief: “Send word to Yulan that I have a heavy workload and too much to study, so my family won’t allow me to go out.”
Though Jin Xin was somewhat puzzled, she obeyed without question.
Although Layue declined Yulan’s invitation, the next day Yulan herself came with an invitation to visit.
This was exactly as Layue had anticipated. Yulan had always been friendly on the surface but intensely competitive. She could tolerate others being better than her, but she considered it a disgrace for her own cousin to surpass her. This had always puzzled Layue.
Given her nature, upon hearing that Layue was staying home to study, Yulan naturally wanted to come and check things out.
Meeting the younger Yulan again after her rebirth, Layue thought that even with the best care in her previous life, time had still left its mark on them.
In the distance, Chen Yulan approached gracefully with her maid Lan’er in tow.
Layue observed Yulan closely. Her hair was half-pulled up into a bun with the rest cascading down, adorned with delicate pearl flowers on either side, radiating an air of refined elegance. Her face, though still bearing traces of youthful innocence, revealed a gentle charm. Indeed, she always carried herself with a soft and graceful demeanor, though her appearance often went unnoticed.
Compared to Layue’s vibrant crimson gown, Yulan wore a simple pale pink dress. Though of the same color family, the two gave off entirely different impressions. Layue exuded allure, while Yulan appeared gentle and serene.
“Yulan greets my elder cousin,” she said with a graceful curtsy, her manners impeccable.
That was only natural. With hopes for their daughter to rise above the clouds like a dragon, how could families not prepare her well in advance?
“Dear cousin, please rise quickly,” Layue hurried to help Yulan up.
Yulan playfully clasped Layue’s hand, and the two sat arm-in-arm, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
Both Jin Xin and Lan’er were capable senior maids to their respective mistresses, so there was no need for them to avoid each other.
“Dear cousin, surely you must be upset with me,” Yulan said with a little girl’s manner, “Yesterday I hosted a gathering for my lady friends, but you didn’t come. I was truly heartbroken.”
Layue feigned a worried expression: “If I could learn things as quickly as you, cousin, I wouldn’t be so pressed for time.”
“You always like to tease me, dear cousin,” Yulan replied with a smile. “Since you couldn’t go out, I came to see you right away!”
Layue reached out and pinched Yulan’s cheek playfully: “I know my dear cousin always treats me so well.”
“Oh, cousin,” Yulan hesitated, carefully watching Shen Layue’s expression, “Have you heard about Lin Shi?”
Lin Shi was both Shen Layue’s and Chen Yulan’s cousin by marriage, but Yulan always referred to her as Lin Shi.
“Yes, she is with child,” Layue replied. “Mother is expecting, something Father has long hoped for. We should thank our ancestors for their blessings.” These were not the words Shen Layue would normally say. In the past, when speaking of Lin Shi, she would rarely say much. Her good upbringing and kindness prevented her from openly criticizing anyone she disliked, at most simply ignoring them.
But now, she genuinely appeared happy for the family, which puzzled Yulan somewhat.
“Cousin, you…” Yulan looked concerned.
Layue held Yulan’s hand and gazed at her tenderly: “Dear cousin, whether I succeed in the palace selection or not, given my age, I should soon be married. Mother has treated me fairly well. I’m leaving, and you’re still young…”
She hesitated cleverly, stopping herself just in time, but it was enough for Yulan to think that Layue’s improved attitude toward Lin Shi was entirely because of Shen Yiyi. Layue was worried about Yiyi.
This puzzled Yulan. Wasn’t Yiyi under the Matriarch’s protection? But she was a thoughtful girl and immediately connected this to the Matriarch’s age, sighing inwardly.
Patted Layue’s hand gently: “Dear cousin, don’t worry too much. There’s always your elder brother. If he can’t help, there’s my mother, who will certainly not allow anyone to bully Yiyi.”
“Thank you, cousin. Hearing your words makes me feel much better.”
“Dear cousin, you can always talk to me. We sisters should always be able to speak freely. Who knows, perhaps after you enter the palace and I fail the selection, we might not have the chance to meet again.” As she spoke, Yulan displayed a look of sadness.
“Nonsense, dear cousin,” Layue replied. “You’re the talented lady who excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If you can’t make it, then I’ll surely be in tears.”
Yulan playfully stamped her foot, calling out, “Dear cousin…”
The two cousins held hands, exchanging insincere words with expressions of utmost sincerity.
Later, Shen Layue played the zither and danced for Yulan’s amusement.
They continued playing until evening, when Yulan left, visibly satisfied.
Jin Xin had always sensed that Miss Yulan was not as innocent as she appeared, subtly competing with her mistress at every turn. But seeing that her mistress got along well with Yulan, Jin Xin said nothing.
After all, what young girl doesn’t have her little temper tantrums? Even she occasionally quarreled with Jin Ling.
But when her mistress declined Miss Yulan’s invitation, she felt something was off.
Today, seeing Miss Yulan coaxing her mistress to display her talents, she felt even more uneasy. For some reason, she couldn’t shake a sense of discomfort.
“Miss, today Miss Yulan came especially to see how your studies are going,” Jin Xin warned her mistress.
Layue smiled. She knew this all too well. Upon receiving her response, Yulan naturally wanted to come and check for herself.
Although her zither playing and dancing were not particularly impressive—this was her true level—Yulan was suspicious by nature and might not believe it. That was exactly what Layue wanted. If Yulan thought she was hiding her abilities, she would surely practice harder. Then, she probably wouldn’t hold any more gatherings for a while.
This was a double precaution. Although Layue planned to send her brother away first, she couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t meet this so-called “future sister-in-law” on his return.
With Yulan having no time to organize gatherings, her brother would naturally have fewer chances to meet her.
Actually, preventing her brother from sowing the seeds of future disaster wasn’t difficult. However, having changed her fate, would other events also change? She couldn’t be sure, so she had to use her own strength to protect the Shen family.
In her previous life, her brother had been killed precisely because he had executed the man who had committed adultery with this “future sister-in-law.”
Thinking of that shameless woman who had committed infidelity yet acted as if she were in the right, Shen Layue’s hatred deepened.
In the palace, women schemed and competed for their husband’s favor and family honor. Even if they were wicked, she could understand their motives.
But for her to commit such a despicable act and bring calamity upon the Shen family—this was something Layue would never forgive.
Shen Layue clenched her fists tightly.
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