Chapter 16

Shen Mingzhu kept telling herself that Shen Qingtan’s happy life was only temporary.
But she just couldn’t stand seeing Shen Qingtan living so well—especially since her own life in the Second Branch of the family wasn’t going as smoothly as she had imagined.

“Tan’er and Zhu’er have brought their husbands back,” Madam Shen greeted warmly. “Come inside quickly.”

Shen Qingtan and Shen Mingzhu followed Madam Shen to the inner courtyard.
Zhao Yi and Zhao Jue went with Marquis Cheng’en to the outer courtyard.

In the Furong Courtyard, Madam Shen sat in the main seat.
Shen Qingtan and Shen Mingzhu bowed. “Greetings, Mother.”

“Come here so I can look at you properly,” Madam Shen said lovingly to Shen Qingtan. “Tan’er, you’ve been by my side for over ten years and have never been away from me for this long. Now that you’ve married into the Zhao family, I won’t see you often anymore. My heart aches so much I haven’t slept well for days—especially thinking about the man you married…”

Her eyes reddened, and she choked up. “Mother’s heart aches for you. I’m so worried about you.”

Shen Qingtan looked at her with calm, clear eyes. She wore her hair in a bun with elegant hairpins, her gentle and beautiful face framed by a dark-red jacket with peony embroidery and a green skirt woven with gold thread. She looked every bit the noble lady.

If she hadn’t already lived through one lifetime, she would have been fooled again by this “loving mother” act.

“Mother…” Shen Qingtan’s eyes reddened, and she spoke with forced grievance. “Who would have thought something as absurd as switching bridal sedans could happen to me and my second sister? I’m afraid I can’t fulfill your hopes of being the Zhao family’s main wife.”

“Life plays cruel tricks,” Madam Shen said, pulling her into an embrace. “My child, you’ve suffered.”

“I’m not suffering,” Shen Qingtan shook her head. “In fact, I’m relieved. Second Sister has suffered in the countryside for over ten years. If she had married Second Master, she wouldn’t have had many good years before ending up alone again. As her elder sister, I felt for her deeply. Every time I thought about her hardships, I wished I could take her place.

Now, in a way, my wish came true—Second Sister has married a man she can rely on for life.

I grew up with Third Master and know him well. He is gentle and considerate; he will treat her well.

Second Master’s health is poor, and the imperial doctor says he will have no children. In the future, I will treat Second Sister’s children as my own, and all my dowry will go to them.”

Madam Shen’s smile froze. After a pause, she let go of Shen Qingtan. “You’ve always been kind and considerate since you were young. You care for Zhu’er, but she feels guilty for taking a good husband that should have been yours. Why should you work hard and be her servant while she enjoys an easy life?

I think you should stay by your husband’s side and take care of him. When the time comes, he will make arrangements for your future. As for your dowry—it was originally for both of you—let Zhu’er take care of things for you.”

She glanced at Shen Mingzhu and patted Shen Qingtan’s cheek. “Don’t spoil her too much. If she doesn’t know how to do something, teach her. She should learn to stand on her own; otherwise, you’ll always be cleaning up her messes.”

“Mother, you may not know,” Shen Qingtan said softly, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, “people in the Duke’s household suspect that the mix-up with the bridal sedan was deliberate, not an accident. If I give my dowry to Second Sister right after returning home, won’t people think she was jealous that I became a marquis’s wife and took my husband in revenge—then even stole my dowry?”

Madam Shen frowned.

“How could I let Second Sister suffer such slander?” Shen Qingtan continued. “The Duke’s household is more than just Second and Third Masters. The imperial title hasn’t been granted yet. If rumors spread, they could ruin her reputation and even affect her husband.”

Madam Shen didn’t like being talked back to, but she had to admit Shen Qingtan’s words made sense. Losing a dowry was better than ruining Shen Mingzhu’s name and risking Zhao Jue’s future.

After all, Zhao Yi had no heirs, and when Zhao Jue inherited the title, everything in the Duke’s household—including Shen Qingtan’s dowry—would belong to Shen Mingzhu anyway.

She sighed. “You’re right. I forgot about Zhu’er’s situation.”

Shen Mingzhu knew she wasn’t getting the dowry back. Even though she knew the mother-daughter affection between Madam Shen and Shen Qingtan was just for show, it still stung.

She pouted. “Mother is biased.”

“Biased? Your sister plans everything for you and considers you in everything she does. If you had any conscience, you wouldn’t say that.” Madam Shen glared at her, then turned to Shen Qingtan with a gentle smile. “Tan’er, your grandmother misses you and has something to say to you in private. Go greet her.”

Shen Qingtan nodded and started to leave.

Madam Shen suddenly asked, “Why didn’t you bring any maids with you today? Are the ones serving you not good enough?”

Shen Qingtan lowered her gaze. “Today I’m bringing Tingxue and Liuyue back to the Zhao household. Since Second Sister only brought two maids, if I also took two from the Zhao household, there would be four maids serving me outside—it wouldn’t look proper.”

Madam Shen found no fault in the answer and waved for her to go.

Once Shen Qingtan left, the servants closed the door.

Shen Mingzhu began to cry. “Mother, I’m not living well in the Zhao household at all. My mother-in-law is strict. I must greet her every day and follow rules. At meals, I have to pour tea and water for her; only after she’s finished can I sit and eat.

Zhao Jue is not gentle or caring toward me. Earlier, when serving tea, he couldn’t take his eyes off Shen Qingtan. They’ve been childhood sweethearts for more than ten years—how could I compare to that?

Even that sickly Zhao Yi treats Shen Qingtan well.

The First Madam doesn’t make her follow rules, and what she eats and uses is far better than what we have in the Second Branch.

Why?

Why is that?

Shen Qingtan is just the daughter of a lowly merchant. She’s enjoyed my noble life for over ten years, and now she’s living better than me in her husband’s home. I wish she were dead.”

She cried into Madam Shen’s lap.

“Silly child, her glory is only temporary. How can it compare to the lifelong wealth you will have?” Madam Shen patted her head. “The First Madam and First Master have influence with the Duke. Zhao Yi will die sooner or later, so you must coax Shen Qingtan into helping you.”

“I don’t want to coax her…”

“Zhu’er, you must endure what others cannot if you want everything you desire.” Madam Shen’s eyes flashed coldly, though her voice was gentle. “When Zhao Jue becomes the heir of the Duke’s household, if you want to get rid of her, Mother will not stop you.”

Shen Mingzhu bit her lip, an idea forming. “Then… do you know where her real parents are?”