Chapter 26: Human Hearts – Do You Understand Your Place?

Shen Xingwan wore a plain white silk gauze gown, its front delicately embroidered with silvery patterns, like frost congealed into flowers. Her black hair was tied high with only a single white jade hairpin securing it in place. A few stray locks framed her fair cheeks, adding a touch of ethereal cold beauty.

Her lips pressed into a firm line as she resolutely walked out of the Prime Minister’s estate and boarded a carriage bound to visit her father’s old subordinates.

Hidden in the shadows around her carriage were covert guards personally dispatched by Yan Jinghuan. Like silent shadows, they followed closely, guarding her safety.

She checked the prepared list and went first to the residence of Lord Zhao, Vice Minister of Rites.

Lord Zhao had once been highly favored and promoted by Prime Minister Shen. His career had since been smooth and meteoric. Shen Xingwan hoped he would remember the past kindness and offer assistance.

However, after she explained her intentions with sincere words, Lord Zhao’s face immediately fell, looking as if he had been hit by frost.

His brows were furrowed into a deep “川” character. He avoided her gaze, looking extremely troubled.

“Miss Shen, this matter is extremely thorny. The forces behind those who submitted the impeachment memorial are deeply entangled and far beyond imagination. I… I really am powerless. Please, Miss Shen, don’t make things difficult for me.”

Shen Xingwan felt as if her heart had been pounded by a heavy hammer, deeply disappointed. Still, she pressed her lips together and pleaded once more, “Lord Zhao, my brother has always been loyal to the country. Now he is wrongfully accused and imprisoned. I beg you, for the sake of old ties, please lend us a helping hand.”

But Lord Zhao merely sighed deeply and turned away, eyes full of helplessness. Without another word, he hurried off, avoiding her entirely.

Shen Xingwan stood there alone, head bowed in sorrow, all her hopes crumbling into nothing.

Still, she refused to give up. Without rest, she hurried to the residence of Lord Sun, a director at the Ministry of War.

Upon seeing her, Lord Sun immediately put on a polite smile, but it was thin and insincere, like a slick of oil on water, never reaching his eyes.

After listening to her plea, his brow furrowed slightly, his tone helpless.

“It’s not that I, Sun, am unwilling to help, but the current political situation is as volatile as stormy clouds—twisted and complex as a tangled mess. One misstep could bring disaster. Miss, you’d best seek someone more capable.”

Shen Xingwan’s face flushed red with frustration and resentment. These same people used to fight for a chance to visit the Prime Minister’s estate, fawning and flattering. Now, they acted haughty and indifferent.

Yet the situation left her with no choice. She calmed herself, trying to reason and appeal to Lord Sun’s emotions.

But after exhausting her words, it was all in vain. She left in disappointment once more.

The day passed quickly as she visited several of her father’s former colleagues, only to be met with rejection at every door—as if hitting cold stone walls over and over again.

As night fell and the setting sun bled across the sky, she dragged her leaden feet, heavy with frustration and defeat.

Just as she was nearing despair, Feiyun, who supported her, suddenly said, “There’s still one more of Old Master’s former colleagues—Lord Zhou, the former assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Though born of humble origins, he is upright in character. Perhaps he would be willing to help.”

In just one day, Shen Xingwan had tasted the fickleness of human nature and no longer held much hope. But she was unwilling to let go of even the slightest chance to save her brother.

She ordered the driver to change direction and headed for Lord Zhou’s residence.

Lord Zhou, upon receiving word, personally came out to greet her. His eyes filled with emotion when he saw Shen Xingwan, his voice trembling slightly: “Miss Shen, it’s been so many years. Is your esteemed father still well?”

Shen Xingwan respectfully bowed, eyes reddening, her voice catching: “Lord Zhou, my brother is now imprisoned and suffering greatly. I beg you, for the sake of past friendship, please help us.”

Lord Zhou’s expression grew serious. He nodded slightly. “Rest assured, Miss Shen. Prime Minister Shen gave me the opportunity to rise—I have never forgotten his kindness.”

He sighed, “Though I’ve kept myself away from political struggles over the years, I’ve still built some connections—people of loyalty and righteousness. I will do my utmost to help General Shen gather evidence to prove his innocence.”

Shen Xingwan’s eyes burned with tears. Unable to hold back, she bowed deeply.

“Your righteous help, Lord Zhou—I shall never forget.”

Lord Zhou quickly helped her up. “Miss Shen, please rise. What matters now is discussing how to proceed.”

So, the two sat in the main hall, carefully deliberating every detail. Only when the moon was high did Shen Xingwan finally return home.

Upon returning to the Prime Minister’s estate, she found a palace maid sent by Princess Guang’an already waiting.

She quickly brought the maid into her courtyard and questioned her in detail.

It turned out that while Shen Xingwan was running around trying to save her brother, Princess Guang’an had also been racking her brains in the palace.

Using the privileges of her royal status, she freely moved through the palace, and through a planted informant in the Imperial Household Department, began secretly investigating the officials who had impeached Shen Yunchao and their financial dealings with the palace.

The archives of the Imperial Household Department were a chaotic mess of records and dust—like an invisible net.

Princess Guang’an, heedless of her appearance, personally plunged into the towering piles of account books with her trusted maid, digging through them as though seeking buried treasure.

After a sleepless night of meticulous searching, her bloodshot eyes finally caught a crucial clue.

She discovered anomalies in several account books—records clearly showing enormous sums of silver exchanged between the officials who accused Shen Yunchao and trusted aides of the Imperial Noble Consort. The timing coincided precisely with the days leading up to the impeachment.

It was a priceless discovery. Princess Guang’an, understanding its importance, did not dare delay. She immediately sent her maid with the message to the Prime Minister’s estate.

The maid respectfully handed over a sealed letter. Shen Xingwan opened it and read: it briefly described the clues and noted that the official ledgers were now locked in the Imperial Noble Consort’s private storeroom. That place was heavily guarded, and the princess could not get close.

But each night, at the third quarter of the Hai hour (around 11:45 p.m.), there would be a shift change among the eunuchs, creating a brief gap in security—a perfect opportunity to steal the ledgers.

It was like a crack torn through the darkness, letting in a sliver of light.

After reading the letter, Shen Xingwan felt a rush of both shock and joy.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance—but to steal from the Imperial Noble Consort’s personal storehouse was like plucking a tiger’s whiskers: unimaginably dangerous.

Yet her brother was still trapped in the dungeons, suffering every day. After deep thought, she decided to take the risk.

She burned the letter. After weighing her options, she knew she couldn’t simply barge into the consort’s palace—no matter how many lives she had, they wouldn’t be enough to survive that.

Feiyun, seeing her troubled expression, couldn’t help suggesting, “Miss, why don’t you ask the Young Master-in-law? He’s so capable—he’ll surely think of a way.”

Shen Xingwan shook her head.

He had already done too much for her. Besides, in the inner palace, his movements were limited. She would first go assess the situation herself, then plan further.

With her decision made, she told Feiyun to help her wash and rest. She planned to enter the palace at first light to greet the Imperial Noble Consort.

Lying on her couch, she pulled the brocade quilt over herself. Feiyun snuffed the candles and gently shut the doors.

Shen Xingwan buried her face in the quilt, catching a faint scent of pine and coolness. She took a deep breath, and a quiet warmth began to grow in her heart.

—

The next morning, just after dawn, Feiyun pushed open the carved window lattices, letting in soft morning light that spilled across the dressing table made of huanghuali wood.

Shen Xingwan sat calmly before the bronze mirror, letting Feiyun comb her hair.

She wore a lotus-colored Sichuan brocade gown, the fine silk gleaming gently. Silver-threaded auspicious cloud patterns adorned the hem and sleeves.

Feiyun took a phoenix hairpin of pure gold with enamel inlays and carefully fixed it into her coiffure, then added several pearl hair ornaments. The pearls swayed with her movements, making soft tinkling sounds.

A pair of ruby earrings dangled at her ears, highlighting her fair, delicate skin and radiant beauty.

Shen Xingwan looked into the mirror, gently pressed her lips together, then picked up a white jade bracelet and slowly slipped it on. The jade was warm and smooth, accentuating her slender fingers.

Everything ready, Shen Xingwan stood and headed straight for the palace.

After being announced, the carved vermillion doors slowly opened. Shen Xingwan stepped into the Imperial Noble Consort’s hall.

The consort sat in the main seat, her eyes cold and full of disdain as she scrutinized Shen Xingwan.

Lu Yuzhi and Tang Lin’er were also present, likely here for their daily greetings.

Lu Yuzhi sat to the consort’s right, clad in a red palace robe embroidered with golden peonies. Her phoenix crown gleamed, and her makeup was vibrant. She looked arrogant, clearly dismissing Shen Xingwan.

Tang Lin’er sat on the other side in a pale pink gauze dress with embroidered peach blossoms. She seemed gentle and sweet, but a sharp glint hid in her eyes behind long lashes.

Shen Xingwan stepped forward gracefully, bowed, and said respectfully, “Princess Regent Consort Shen Xingwan greets Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort. Thank you for summoning me—I have come to receive your teachings.”

She bowed her head, her voice soft and courteous.

Lu Yuzhi crossed her arms, sneering.

“Well now, so obedient today. Who was it last time that was so arrogant, acting like Her Highness didn’t even exist?”

Her voice was sharp and unpleasant, echoing in the hall.

Before Shen Xingwan could respond, Tang Lin’er covered her mouth with a light laugh. “Sister, that’s unfair. Princess Shen is clearly here to sincerely learn the rules. But you jumping out so anxiously—are you afraid she’ll outshine you?”

Her smile was subtle, her words laced with barbs, seemingly defending Shen Xingwan while turning the knife on Lu Yuzhi.

Lu Yuzhi’s face flushed with anger. She pointed at Tang Lin’er and snapped, “Do you even understand your place? You dare side with an outsider to criticize me?”

“Enough!”

The Imperial Noble Consort slammed the table—smack!—causing the teacups to tremble.

She glared at Tang Lin’er and scolded, “How dare you spout nonsense in my presence!”

Then her icy gaze turned slowly to Shen Xingwan. Coldly, she said:

“Shen, though you said little, everything today began because of you. I sentence you to copy Lessons for Women and Domestic Instructions one hundred times each. If your writing is sloppy or incomplete—don’t blame me for using palace punishment!”