Chapter 17

Madam Shen’s hand, which had been stroking Shen Mingzhu’s hair, suddenly paused. Her probing gaze fell on the girl’s face.

Shen Mingzhu couldn’t bear Madam Shen’s sharp eyes. She quickly lowered her head and made up a clumsy excuse:
“I… I’m just afraid they’ll find the capital, just like you never gave up on me all these years…”

Madam Shen, seeing her evasive look, knew the truth in her heart.
“They’re commoners, we’re officials. How could they fight us?”
Her lips curled in mockery.
“One side is a noble family, the other a lowly merchant. Shen Qingtan isn’t stupid—she knows who to recognize as her parents.”

When Shen Qingtan was stolen away, she was already three years old and knew a bit about the world. She cried every day, asking for her parents and brother.

She wore a luxurious brocade dress worth a fortune, gold bracelets on each wrist, a beaded necklace, and even her shoes were set with flawless pearls. She was raised delicately and expensively.

Madam Shen tried her hardest to coax her, but no matter what rare toys she gave, the girl refused.

When they returned to the capital, they didn’t dare bring the child straight home, so they stayed in a villa outside the city and locked Shen Qingtan in a dark room, letting her cry all she wanted.

After four or five days, the girl fell seriously ill, almost dying, but survived. She forgot her past, became timid, and clung to Madam Shen.

By then, her real parents were already gone—only their surname, Gu, was known.

Madam Shen said quietly, “She will never escape my palm.”

For some reason, Shen Mingzhu felt a chill down her spine.

Shen Qingtan walked out of the courtyard and came face-to-face with a tall, thin old woman in a plain blue cotton skirt, wearing a dark blue vest.

The woman’s wrinkled face, drooping eyes, and sunken cheeks gave her a sharp and mean look.

This was Madam Shen’s trusted servant, Granny Wei.

Shen Qingtan’s breath caught, and her fingers curled in her sleeves.

In her past life, after Zhao Jue’s trusted aide set fire to her villa and revealed the truth, Granny Wei had stepped out of the shadows, coldly watching her burn in agony.
“Madam still remembers your years together as mother and daughter, so she sent me to see you off.

Your father and brother, high-ranking officials, have suffered from losing you for years.

Madam understands this pain, so she will have our true young lady take your place and recognize them as her parents.

You can go in peace.”

Now, Granny Wei bowed and said without respect, “As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis’ household, you must remember your status. When you go out, you must bring maids to serve you—otherwise, people will think the Marquis’ household treats you poorly…”

Slap!

Shen Qingtan’s hand came down hard across her face.
“Granny Wei, you were my mother’s wet nurse, so I respected you. I didn’t expect that to make you arrogant enough to forget your place, breaking the household rules and disrespecting your master. If outsiders saw this, they would think our servants can trample over their masters.”

Granny Wei was stunned, clutching her burning cheek, staring in disbelief.

Shen Qingtan rubbed her wrist and said coldly,
“My mother is kind and can’t bear to punish you disobedient servants. This slap is my lesson on her behalf. From now on, know your place, so you don’t bring shame to her and earn her a bad name for failing to keep servants in check.”

Granny Wei gritted her teeth until they almost broke but forced herself to say,
“This old servant will remember your teachings.”

Shen Qingtan gave her a cold glance and walked away calmly.

Granny Wei’s eyes turned venomous as she glared at her back. She had followed Madam Shen into the Marquis’ household as part of her dowry and had never been treated like this.

Suddenly, Granny Wei remembered something, and a cold smile appeared on her face.
Let’s see how long you can stay proud.

After walking some distance, Shen Qingtan looked back toward Furong Courtyard and saw Granny Wei’s back as she entered.

Madam Shen might look gentle and kind, but she had a heart as venomous as a snake’s.

And Granny Wei was her knife, doing her dirty work.

Even if today’s slap was reported, Madam Shen wouldn’t side with Granny Wei.

Shen Qingtan still thought about her real parents, but she couldn’t act rashly.

They were only merchants now. If Madam Shen found out, it would bring disaster upon them.

A year and a half later, they would have an opportunity to return to the capital and become people Zhao Jue and the Marquis’ household feared.

She just needed to wait—when her wings were strong enough, she would find them.

Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself.

“Miss!”

Two happy voices rang out. Shen Qingtan looked up and saw two maids running toward her.

Overjoyed, she called out, “Tingxue, Liuyue!”

In her last life, after her marriage, she never saw them again.

“Miss, you’ve suffered,” Tingxue said, eyes red with guilt.
“If I had escorted you during your marriage, you wouldn’t have had to marry Second Master Zhao.”

Liuyue didn’t speak, only cried quietly.

“Don’t worry, the Second Master treats me well. Don’t speak like that again,” Shen Qingtan said softly. Looking at their feet, she asked, “Have your injuries healed?”

“All healed,” Liuyue replied, but then hesitated.

“You have something to tell me?” Shen Qingtan asked gently.

Liuyue glanced at the impatient Tingxue, then whispered in Shen Qingtan’s ear,
“Miss, our injuries weren’t an accident. It was Granny Wei who did it.”

Shen Qingtan lowered her eyes to her reddened palm, regretting she hadn’t slapped harder.

“Miss, this marriage… wasn’t an accident.” Liuyue looked around warily and didn’t explain further, only warning,
“You must be careful.”

“I know.” Shen Qingtan’s gentle eyes turned cold.
“From now on, you two must stay by my side at all times—no matter what happens, don’t leave me.”

Both maids agreed.

The three of them headed to Jufu Hall.

At the courtyard gate, Shen Qingtan saw a handsome man step out of the house. He wore a loose green robe, the collar hanging open to show a bit of collarbone. A heavy scent of perfume clung to him, giving him the air of a frivolous playboy.

“Tan-meimei, you see your big brother but don’t greet him?”

Shen Shaoheng blocked her path, his gaze locked on her bright, beautiful face. His eyes slid down to her chest and then her slender waist, his tongue pressing against his cheek.

He teased,
“It must be the fine life at the Duke’s household—Tan-meimei, you’ve become even more lovely since you married.”