Chapter 6: Holding Grudges 

Suihan did not return until late afternoon. Shen Shurong stared blankly at the four large chests in the courtyard. “Did I really give him this much?” 

“Junzhu,” Suihan said, holding a small box in her arms, “this is what Heir Xie returned. The four chests were sent by Second Young Master Xie—to amuse you.” Her eyes sparkled with amusement. The steward and she had been detained, plied with tea and rare delicacies, and when they finally left, these gifts had been loaded onto their carriage. 

Shen Shurong pressed her lips together tightly. How annoying. He had nearly ruined the composure she had maintained all day. 

The Commandery Princess Consort was even more astonished. She walked over and ordered the chests opened. 

Two chests of jewelry, one of necklaces, and one filled with delightful trinkets. 

“Daughter, does he know you like necklaces?” The Commandery Princess Consort picked one up to examine—each piece was unique, crafted from gold, silver, pearls, and jade. 

Shen Shurong’s eyes reddened abruptly, her voice slightly hoarse. “Perhaps… the Heir told him.” 

 The Commandery Princess Consort nodded in agreement. After all, who would inquire about the preferences of their future sister-in-law? “Put them all away for now. At least he’s thoughtful. You can look through them properly when you’re feeling better.” 

“Yes, Mother.” 

Suihan directed the servants to store the gifts in the treasury. 

Shen Shurong glanced at Yinzhi. “From now on, Suihan will attend to me personally. Brief her on her duties.” 

Yinzhi’s heart skipped a beat. Had the Junzhu grown displeased with Jinzhi? “Understood, Junzhu.” 

Exhausted from the day’s events, Shen Shurong dismissed her still-concerned mother and retired to rest. 

When Yinzhi returned to the servants’ quarters, she was startled by Jinzhi’s swollen, lantern-like eyes. “What are you doing?” Was she mourning as if at a funeral? 

If the Grand Princess were to see this, Jinzhi would surely be punished severely. 

Jinzhi clung to her. “I’m grieving for the Junzhu! The Heir was like an immortal descended from the heavens—he was her happiness for life!” 

As Yinzhi listened, a strange feeling crept over her. She had served just as long as Jinzhi, yet she didn’t share these sentiments. 

Pushing Jinzhi away abruptly, she gasped. “You… you have feelings for the Heir—” Clapping a hand over her mouth, she cut herself off. 

“How could you entertain such thoughts?” 

Jinzhi turned her face away, a flicker of guilt flashing in her eyes, but her tone remained resolute. “I didn’t—I did it all for Junzhu!” 

“If Junzhu insists on being with the Heir, who can guarantee his heart won’t bear resentment? Can you?” 

“The Heir truly loves Junzhu!” 

“But with vile tongues wagging day after day, will that love remain true? He is the Heir, a man of pride. Are you certain this is truly for Junzhu’s sake?” 

“I…”

“I don’t want to hear it. Suihan has already been promoted to first rank. You handle this yourself.” Yinzhi turned and walked away. 

Suihan had been promoted? 

Jinzhi bit back her tears. No—she had to accompany Junzhu to the Duke of Lu’s Mansion. Only by going along would she have a chance. 

After waking, Shen Shurong dismissed all the servants. Yinzhi, however, didn’t dare leave entirely—she stood by the open door, watching the delicate beauty seated at the desk. 

Shen Shurong hadn’t insisted on closing the door. Now that she had accomplished the most significant task of her life, she finally had time to carefully plan how to secure the power in her grandmother’s hands and how to seize Xie Yunzheng’s achievements for herself. 

In her past life, he had used her to achieve his goals. This time, she would do it herself—why trouble him again? 

The key positions, the capable people—everything he had once told her, she still remembered clearly. 

Before sending her to the Emperor’s bed, Xie Yunzheng must have felt some guilt. For half a month, he had stayed in her chambers every night, spending the days organizing their plans and painting grand visions of a prosperous future for the people. 

Back then, she had believed he was a hero, sacrificing for the nation and its people. 

Now, she understood—he had simply feared her resentment. He wanted her to see his “noble sacrifice,” to believe that sending his own wife away was a necessary hardship for the greater good.

How absurd! Were the lives of an entire nation’s people to rest on her shoulders alone? 

Dipping her brush in ink, she began writing down name after name on the paper. She wasn’t one to hold petty grudges—but she did keep accounts. 

Every debt, principal and interest, would be reclaimed. 

During the evening meal, the Commandery Princess Consort was still present. Sister-in-law Liang, now heavily pregnant, should have prompted Mother to return home earlier—yet today, Shen Shurong didn’t urge her. 

It was only now that she remembered: the means by which Liang had married her elder brother were strikingly similar to her own methods with Xie Yunzhao.

It seemed that the kind and virtuous Liang, whom she and her elder brother had always believed in, might have long been seen through by Mother. Only to spare her children’s feelings had she endured in silence. 

With a warm smile, Shen Shurong served the Grand Princess a dish. “Grandmother, could you spare two of your most capable attendants for me?” 

The two matriarchs exchanged a glance. Very well—the wedding was only two months away. “Alright,” the Grand Princess agreed. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll have Stewardess Wang bring them to you.” 

At the Commandery Prince’s residence, the Young Commandery Prince frowned as soon as he sat down at the dinner table. “The dishes are light today—are you feeling unwell again?” She hadn’t suffered from nausea in a while. 

“Mother isn’t here, so I had the kitchen prepare something simple.” 

“As long as you’re not unwell. What about Father?” 

“Father said he won’t be joining us for dinner.” 

Shen Qi fell silent and picked up his chopsticks. 

Liang shot him a sidelong glance. Was that all? Not a word about his mother’s absence? 

“Mother sent all the bracelets from the treasury to your sister,” she added pointedly. 

Shen Qi nodded. “Her wrist was injured, and she’s always cared about appearances. It’s only right to cover the scars.”

Liang frowned, a hint of displeasure coloring her tone. “That red coral bracelet—you promised to ask Mother for it after I gave birth.” 

Shen Qi looked up. “Did Mother send that one away too?” 

Liang pursed her lips. 

“I’ll find you a better one another day. It’s rare for Little Sister not to make a fuss.” Shen Qi dismissed it lightly. 

Liang’s face flushed with anger, but she forced herself to swallow it. So even carrying the Commandery Prince’s first legitimate grandson meant less than some spoiled girl’s tantrums? 

Was there any pride in crying after humiliating herself—and dragging Liang down with her? 

“Mother sent so many—what’s one missing?” 

Shen Qi set down his chopsticks, studying his wife’s expression carefully. 

Liang lowered her eyes, taking a bite of rice as if indifferent. 

“What did you send her?” 

“What?” Liang blinked, confused.

“I said—what did you send Little Sister? She fell into the water and even attempted suicide!” 

“I…” Did she have to send anything? Hadn’t Mother-in-law already given so much? 

“I was too tired today—the baby kept moving. I thought I’d rest and pick out a few things tomorrow, things Little Sister would truly like.” 

Shen Qi stared at her for two long breaths. “You’re her sister-in-law.” Not a single word of concern for her. 

Liang quickly served him more food. “Exactly! That’s why I want to choose carefully. She must be devastated after losing her marriage alliance with Heir Xie.” 

“Mn. Don’t bring it up around her in the future.” Shen Qi finished his meal and left. 

Liang flung her chopsticks down. Serves her right. Serves her right to lose Xie Yunzheng. 

She wasn’t even half as refined as Liang—why did she deserve him? 

Xie Yunzhao was a joke. Hah! Good. Finally, she could laugh at Shen Shurong’s misery. 

News of the imperial marriage decree spread quickly. While the public feigned sympathy, most privately rejoiced. Xie Yunzheng? He was still worth fighting for.

Only Xie Yunzheng himself drowned his agony in wine, collapsing into drunken slumber.

In the quiet of the night, the soft patter of rain began to fall. Shen Shurong had Suihan stay to keep watch. 

Just as Suihan was about to lower the bed curtains, Shen Shurong patted the edge of the bed. “Sit. Keep me company for a while.” 

In her past life, after faking her death, four years had passed like this—whether in the palace or after returning to the Duke’s mansion, Suihan had always been by her side. 

“What would Junzhu like to talk about?” Though Suihan was less intimate than Jinzhi and Yinzhi, she had always been nearby and didn’t feel the least bit awkward. 

“What do you think of Xie Yunzhao?” 

Suihan pondered. ‘Not incompetent, nor useless.’ Those four chests of gifts—not just anyone would send them all at once. “When I was at the Xie residence waiting for those gifts, I even got to taste the pastries meant for honored guests.”