Chapter 3: Reflect Carefully, the Brocade Heart and Brocade Bell

When returning home in the evening, Shen Layue signaled to Jinling, who promptly went over to massage her shoulders.

After a whole day of studying, her body, which had just recovered, naturally felt somewhat exhausted.

“Jinling, I didn’t see Mother, Second Aunt, or Third Aunt today. Haven’t they returned to the mansion yet?” The way Shen Layue asked this question was very skillful. Within the mansion, naturally, everyone would pay their respects to the dowager lady. Whether they went today or had gone out previously, and what for, Jinling’s character ensured she would explain everything clearly.

“That’s right. But I heard that they should be returning within one or two days. They say Qingyin Temple is extremely efficacious. Before the Lady’s selection, perhaps you could persuade the dowager lady to go there for blessings,” Jinling was much more simple-minded than Jinxin.

Shen Layue was somewhat surprised. She knew about Qingyin Temple, but when she was thirteen, they had definitely not gone there! She concealed her shock. Could it be that not everything was the same as in her previous life? Had some things changed? Even a small event startled her so much that she involuntarily clenched her fists.

“After falling into the water, my mind seems a bit foggy. Jinling, why did they all go to Qingyin Temple together?”

“Is there anything wrong, My Lady? Shall I fetch a doctor?” Jinling was somewhat anxious. Had the young mistress, who had just recovered, fallen ill again?

“No, nothing serious. I just have a bit of a poor memory; otherwise, I’m fine.”

Jinling carefully examined her mistress and, seeing that she indeed seemed fine, finally calmed down.

“My Lady forgot? Isn’t it because the dowager lady heard that Qingyin Temple’s incense offerings are very prosperous, so she decided to go there to pray for blessings for the Shen family? How could the other ladies not follow? But who could have thought that the dowager lady caught a chill the day before departure, so she entrusted everything to the three ladies instead.

But I reckon they should be back soon; I heard they’ve already reached Tong County.”

“Oh. Then they indeed should be arriving soon,” Shen Layue nodded.

A rumbling sound came from outside.

“Judging by the weather, it’s likely to rain tonight,” Jinxin entered from the outer room, bringing some washed fruits and placing them on the table.

Spring in the Nanqin Kingdom was always like this—often raining at night, though not heavily, with a continuous drizzle. The rain fell in fine, slanting threads, almost like mist.

The people of Nanqin were long accustomed to such weather.

“It seems that after the rain at night, the air during the day becomes especially fresh,” Layue leaned on her chin, gazing outside through the window. Although lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, the rain was still light, continuing its drizzle.

“That’s right, My Lady. If it doesn’t stop raining tomorrow, would you like to cancel tomorrow’s lessons?” Jinxin considerately asked.

Previously, Shen Layue often used such small excuses to skip lessons.

Jinxin was used to asking like this.

“No need. I’m not a little girl anymore, and I naturally know what’s best for myself.”

“As you wish.” Jinxin wasn’t particularly surprised by this answer, as the lady had gotten along quite well with Nurse Yu today.

“Tell the kitchen to prepare some hot water earlier for me. I’m feeling a bit tired.”

Jinxin left to carry out the order. As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Jinsu, the maid from the dowager lady’s quarters, approaching with an oil-paper umbrella.

They exchanged greetings.

“Sister Jinsu, are you here for something important?” Jinxin, who was on good terms with Jinsu, having both served in the Chunhui Garden and thus being closer than maids from other courtyards, warmly pulled her inside.

“Has the young mistress gone to rest? The dowager lady has something to tell her.”

After reporting to the mistress, Jinxin led Jinsu into the room.

“Has Grandmother given any instructions?”

Jinsu slightly bowed and then spoke, “The dowager lady instructed that the ladies are returning tomorrow. If the young mistress has nothing else to do, she should go to the gate to welcome them.”

Layue nodded in agreement but did not entertain Jinsu further, waving her off. Jinsu could see that the young mistress was quite tired, having just recovered from a serious illness and having spent the entire day learning etiquette, naturally feeling fatigued.

Among the dowager lady’s maids, they generally favored the eldest and the fourth young mistresses. Having lived together, their relationship was naturally closer. Moreover, the characters of the eldest and the fourth young mistresses were more agreeable, naturally making the maids more fond of them.

Jinsu, who was three years older than Jinxin, instructed her, “Take good care of the young mistress. After all, she is still young.”

“Dear elder sister, I understand.”

After a few more words to Jinxin, Jinsu raised her oil-paper umbrella. Jinxin also needed to go inform the kitchen about preparing the hot water, so the two walked off together.

That night,

After washing up, Shen Layue leaned against the headboard flipping through a leisure book. Although so, her thoughts had already wandered far away.

Events that had not happened in her previous life were now occurring. She was somewhat puzzled, but soon she calmed down. How could everything go exactly as it had before? If everything were the same, how could she be sitting here now?

She could not entirely rely on the memories from her previous life. Although those experiences might be helpful, she could not simply follow the same path as before. Those who had been kind to her in the past might not necessarily remain loyal without going through the same experiences in this life. As for those who had been at odds with her, she needed to be even more cautious in this life.

Since she had been given a second chance at life, her greatest responsibility now was to protect the Shen family.

And only by attaining a high position could she truly protect the Shen family.

It was now April, and there were still six months until October. Shen Layue put down her book, counting on her fingers. There was so much to do and learn. No matter how she calculated, time seemed insufficient.

Layue then thought about the issue of her maids. In her previous life, she had entered the palace and was granted the rank of a concubine of the eighth degree. According to the palace rules of the Nanqin Kingdom, those below the eighth degree had no right to bring anyone into the palace. Those from the seventh to the fourth degree were allowed to bring one maid, while those of the fourth degree or above were permitted to bring two maids.

In her previous life, she had entered the palace alone, while Jinxin and Jinling remained in the dowager lady’s quarters.

In this life, if she could change her fate and perform well, gaining just one higher rank would allow her to bring a maid into the palace.

Jinling’s character was too simple for palace life, but Jinxin, being thoughtful and considerate, was a suitable choice.

Moreover, having spent time in the palace, she naturally knew how precious it was to have a loyal and understanding companion.

Jinxin had not married even after the fall of the Shen family in her previous life. If she could bring her into the palace, it would be most appropriate.

Gaining just one higher rank, although seemingly minor, made a significant difference. There was an essential distinction between the seventh and the eighth degree; that was precisely the threshold. Layue bit her lip, pondering.

The empress dowager disliked overly seductive women, but her own eyes and eyebrows were naturally expressive, fitting precisely into that category. As for the emperor, she would merely be an “ornament,” a tool for his amusement. If the empress dowager disapproved, her rank would inevitably be very low. In her previous life, she had not understood this, but now she did.

Moreover, during the palace selection, one had to perform a talent. In her previous life, she had played a piece of music.

It had been neither particularly good nor bad.

Under these circumstances, she naturally received only the rank of an eighth-degree concubine.

Looking back now, during the palace selection, currying favor with the empress dowager was the correct approach.

Everything depends on one’s efforts. Even if she didn’t succeed, she would have no regrets.

“Jinxin, Jinling…” Layue called out.

Jinxin and Jinling lived in the outer room.

Hearing their mistress’s call, they quickly lifted the curtain and entered.

“What is it, My Lady?” The two maids entered.

“You two, sit down. I have something to tell you,” said Layue, looking at the two.

Jinxin and Jinling exchanged glances, obediently sat down, and wondered what their mistress was about to say. But judging from her expression, it must be something important.

Looking at the two, Layue got straight to the point: “You should know that this autumn I will be entering the palace for the selection.”

The two nodded.

“You have both grown up with me since childhood. Let me be honest, you are like my elder sisters.” Layue saw that the two seemed about to say something, so she stopped them and continued, “The result of the selection is beyond our control. However, we should prepare for everything. If I am chosen, reaching the fourth rank is something I can’t even dream of. Even the noble ladies in the capital might not attain such a high rank. I can only study hard and strive to achieve at least the seventh rank when I enter the palace. You both know the palace rules of our Nanqin Kingdom. Only those of the seventh rank or higher can bring a maid into the palace.”

Jinxin and Jinling stared at Shen Layue, stunned.

“If I fail the selection or am assigned a rank below the eighth, then everything we’re discussing today is meaningless. But if I do manage to attain the seventh rank or higher, then one of you will have to accompany me into the palace.”

“My Lady…” the two murmured, not knowing what to say.

“I’ve thought it through. I want that person to be Jinxin.”

Both Jinxin and Jinling’s eyes widened.

“You are both my closest family. However, things don’t always go as we wish. Between the two of you, Jinxin, you have been with our family since your parents passed away when you were young. You are steady and resourceful. Jinling, on the other hand, your parents are both long-time servants of the Shen family, and you are simple and clever. If I were to take you into the palace, your future would be uncertain. You were born through a difficult labor, and you are your family’s only child. You absolutely cannot come with me.”

“My Lady, My Lady…” Jinling began to cry.

“My plan is this: if possible, Jinxin will accompany me into the palace, while Jinling, you will stay behind and help take care of the fourth young mistress. Yiyi is very innocent, and the dowager lady is getting old and cannot protect her forever. Although the maids around her treat her well, they lack wisdom. You are older and more experienced than them. If I enter the palace, will you help me take care of Yiyi? As for you, Jinxin, if in the end neither of you can enter the palace, I will ask the dowager lady to arrange for both of you to take care of Yiyi. Please take good care of her.” Shen Layue’s voice was somewhat choked.