Chapter 2

Tao Sheng quickly recalled the plot of the book. She instinctively disliked the idea of going home with Shen Yu and facing the “family reunion” scene.

Noticing Tao Sheng’s mood, Su Jia thought she was still recovering from the shock and tried to comfort her: “Your biological parents have been searching for you all these years. Now that the Marquis has found you, why not go back and see them?”

Tao Sheng understood what her Aunt Su Jia meant. 

No matter what, the other party had really come to find her. It made sense for her to return with Shen Yu to learn about her biological parents and plan for her future.

Her life over the past decade had unfolded like the story in a book, with Shen Yu finding her at the right moment, just as described. This meant that there were many things she couldn’t avoid, even if she wanted to.

After thinking it over, Tao Sheng finally said, “Okay, I’ll go back with you.”

Although her adoptive parents were well-off and could provide for her, they were not wealthy, only upper-middle class locally. The same went for her aunt.

Once Tao Sheng got into the carriage, she noticed how much the wealthy spent on food, clothing, and other daily necessities. The carriage’s interior was even more extravagant than she had imagined, so complex and luxurious that it felt magnificent.

Tongguang Lane and the Marquis’ Mansion were not very close. On the way, Shen Yu continued the earlier conversation from Su’s house, explaining more about the family and asking her about her life and any difficulties she faced.

In the story, Shen Yu naturally connected with Shen Ruojin because of the bond they had over the years. Shen Ruojin could read the pulse of Marquis Wenyuan and knew how to speak in a way that made him happy. Additionally, as a study partner of Princess Hui’an, the Crown Prince’s grandson’s sister, she had even greater advantages.

The original owner’s fate had mostly to do with her biased and neglectful father. If the family head, who had all the power, had spoken up, Shen Taosheng wouldn’t have been cast out.

While thinking about what would happen after entering the mansion, Tao Sheng felt little affection for her adoptive father. As a result, she showed disinterest in the conversation, responding briefly to important questions.

Shen Yu was surprised by Tao Sheng’s coldness. 

In his view, finding his daughter, a low-probability event likened to winning the lottery, should bring joy. Tao Sheng should have been warm and friendly toward him, as the family head and her father, to better fit into the Marquis’ Mansion.

However, she didn’t show any admiration for him and made no effort to answer his questions in a way that would impress him.

This girl had grown up in a small, less prosperous town. While she looked good, she was not very talkative and was quite naive about the capital city filled with cunning people.

Shen Yu mentally distanced himself from her. 

After all, she hadn’t been raised in his home, creating a significant gap between her and Shen Ruojin, who had lived in the Marquis’ Mansion for years.

Compared to Tao Sheng, who had been found after wandering for over ten years, Shen Ruojin understood social dynamics, knew how to behave, and could read others’ expressions, making her more suitable for the role of the eldest daughter of the Marquis’ Mansion.

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The Wenyuan Marquis Mansion had always believed in governing the family with respect. When Shen Yu brought Tao Sheng home, he first wanted her to meet Madam Shen, the oldest and most respected elder in the family.

Old Madam Shen had been informed early in the morning and was waiting in De Shou Hall with her grandchildren.

Tao Sheng followed Shen Yu into De Shou Hall and greeted the old lady according to the customs.

After receiving her greeting, Old Madam Shen got up to help her up and asked her mother to give Tao Sheng a red envelope, which was quite heavy.

“Good girl, you’ve suffered a lot these years. Now that you’re back home, you won’t have to live in a place without a fixed address and rely on others like before.”

Though these words seemed caring, the way Old Madam Shen spoke, filled with a sense of superiority, overshadowed the kindness her adoptive parents had shown her over the years, as well as her aunt’s love.

After Tao Sheng finished greeting, she looked up at the old lady seriously.

Old Madam Shen was seated at the top, wearing a simple jacket with a crow gourd longevity pattern ^[1]which is a traditional Chinese design symbolizing long life., her hair neatly arranged and secured with a simple ebony hairpin. This starkly contrasted with the richly dressed young men and women beside her.

Although Old Madam Shen wore plain clothes and spoke kindly, Tao Sheng sensed that she was not an easy person to deal with.

Old Madam Shen noticed that Tao Sheng was good in both appearance and manners, concluding that taking her out wouldn’t embarrass the family. She continued, “Your mother was ill when she came back from Qin County to look for you last time. She has been recuperating at the farm for a few days. I just sent someone to deliver a letter. She probably won’t return until tomorrow.”

Then she pointed to the young men and women beside her and said, “These are your brothers and sisters in the mansion. You’ll have company when you study and talk together in the future.”

Tao Sheng quickly recognized three well-dressed young men and a simply dressed young lady sitting to the right of the old lady. They were likely the three Shen Yue brothers and the heroine Shen Ruojin.

Old Madam Shen deliberately left out details about Shen Ruojin’s identity, and Tao Sheng didn’t ask any further. She simply nodded and took a seat.

Then the old lady asked more questions. Tao Sheng thought it was no surprise that they were mother and son, as even the content of their questions was the same.

Fortunately, she had practiced her responses with Shen Yu in the carriage, so she answered much more fluently than before when she was distracted.

Seeing Luo Taosheng answer so smoothly, Shen Ruojin tightened the handkerchief in her hand.

It seemed this girl was not as simple as she and her brothers had thought; she might even be “well prepared.”

Shen Ruojin had originally believed that Luo Taosheng, having grown up in a small family, would be timid and nervous upon entering the wealthy mansion in Beijing.

But Tao Sheng obviously didn’t.

She had an outstanding temperament and a dignified demeanor. Although her clothes were made of ordinary material and her hairstyle and makeup were casual and simple, she was still radiant as she sat there, and her figure and facial features were superior to others.

Tao Sheng was not familiar with the rules of wealthy families in Beijing, but she did not blindly imitate them, whether it was the etiquette of taking a seat or having tea and snacks. Instead, she followed her own wishes and preferences. She did not deliberately hide her feelings nor pretend to know what she did not know. She was neither humble nor arrogant but was generous and elegant, which gave her a noble demeanor.

As Tao Sheng stayed in the mansion longer, Shen Ruojin became more and more nervous, while the third young master, Shen Ci, who was sitting at the last seat, breathed a sigh of relief.

The “second sister” brought back by their father does not seem to be a shallow-minded person. She speaks clearly, has orderly thoughts, and is quite methodical when speaking. Although she is not as good as Ruojin in many ways, she has not embarrassed their family. It seems that their brothers will not end up like the young masters of the Yongchang Marquis’ Mansion.

After the greetings, they had dinner together. As a century-old family, the Shen family had more rules and regulations than ordinary official homes. The “simple family dinner” mentioned by the old lady took nearly an hour.

After the meal, everyone became familiar with each other.

At Shen Yu’s signal, the eldest brother, Shen Yue, took the lead in raising his glass to Tao Sheng: “We are all family now. If you have any worries or difficulties in the future, just tell me.”

Tao Sheng nodded calmly: “Thank you, Brother of the Shen Family.”

The other party’s attitude seemed sincere. If she hadn’t read in the book that the man was wholeheartedly on Shen Ruojin’s side and ignored the original owner’s actions, she would have believed it.

Shen Yue frowned slightly.

They are a family, and Tao Sheng is his biological sister. Logically, she should call him “eldest brother” or “big brother” instead of such a distant name as “Brother of the Shen Family.”

This sister might not be as simple as they imagined.

The second son of the Shen family, Shen Huan, was not born to Marquis Lady Luo Xin, and Tao Sheng was not considered a real sister, so she just followed her eldest brother, Shen Yue, in being polite.

Next was Shen Ci. As the younger brother, he grew up with Shen Ruojin and had the deepest relationship with her. He was also the most awkward one facing Tao Sheng at this moment.

The atmosphere was tense, and as the younger brother, he had to speak up. He simply greeted Tao Sheng briefly and left it at that. Both his tone and body language revealed a sense of unfamiliarity.

Next, it was Shen Ruojin’s turn to toast Tao Sheng, which was one of the highlights of this family dinner.

Compared with her brothers’ businesslike manner, her attitude was the most sincere, even a bit flattering and humble.

“This morning, I heard that my father had found where my sister lived and was going to take her home to reunite with us. I was very happy. We will all live in the capital in the future and we will be close to each other. I will inevitably discuss and consult with my sister. I hope my sister will not think I am bothering her.”

Although Shen Ruojin said it sincerely, everyone thought it was just a humble remark.

After all, she was the daughter of a wealthy family who grew up in the mansion of a marquis. She started to learn at the age of three and entered a private school at the age of seven. She was proficient in everything from playing the piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Why would she need to ask Tao Sheng, a country girl, for advice?

“I can’t say I need advice, but discussions are always welcome.”

Tao Sheng felt that Shen Ruojin’s words were very skillful.

After all, the Shen family has not said how to announce the identities of the two, so the other party did not regard herself as the Second Miss Shen but did not mean to let Tao Sheng replace her. She just made some polite remarks and lowered her posture, winning the favor of all the Shen family members in the hall.

It turns out that the heroine of this house fight is not something ordinary people can do.

But as a fourteen-year-old girl, Shen Ruojin is indeed a bit thoughtful. She is not the type of girl Tao Sheng wants to spend much time with. Probably, the two of them will not be able to become friends in the future.

Now, after nearly two hours, the meeting is coming to an end.

Madam Shen was obviously a little tired. She leaned on the cushion, and her voice was noticeably more tired than before: “I have asked Mother Zhao to prepare a room for you. It is in Fenglin Garden next to Ruojin’s yard. You two sisters can take care of each other in the future.”

Mother Zhao said, “When the old lady heard that the young lady was coming back, she was so happy that she ordered the servants to clean up all night. The clothes and bedding have been prepared. They are all brand new. The young lady can rest when she returns now.”

“You are still as quick and efficient as ever.” Old Madam Shen smiled at Madam Zhao and then said to Tao Sheng, “You can move in first. If there is anything missing or you don’t like, just send someone to tell me. You are a young girl, as young as a flower, don’t let yourself suffer.”

After saying that, she looked at Tao Sheng, waiting for her response.

Just now, when Tao Sheng and Shen Yu were on the way to Wenyuan Marquis’ Mansion, she recalled the plot in the book and felt it was a bit ridiculous.

The real daughter, Shen Taosheng, is obviously the granddaughter of Old Madam Shen, the biological daughter of Shen Yu, and the sister of Shen Yue and Shen Ci. But why are they all so devoted to Shen Ruojin and turn a blind eye to her original self?

This is obviously unreasonable.

But after spending half a day in the Marquis’ Mansion, Tao Sheng no longer thought so.

Old Madam Shen was obviously closer to Shen Ruojin than to her grandchildren. Just now, a maid brought a dish of “Golden Wind and Jade Dew” ^[2]is a rare and luxurious dish often served in wealthy households., which should be relatively rare in this season. Old Madam Shen signaled to the maid serving the food to give it to Shen Ruojin first.

Big brother Shen Yue has been a little nervous since he came in. It’s not that he’s nervous about how he and Ruojin will get along in the future, but his whole heart is on Ruojin, and he’s afraid to see her look of being aggrieved and hurt.

Although the second brother Shen Huan was relatively low-key, his eyes mostly lingered on Shen Ruojin. He looked at Tao Sheng with a strange and cold gaze, as if he were looking at a most dispensable person.

The third brother Shen Ci’s behavior was even more obvious. He wished he could draw a line between himself and her immediately, for fear that if he said a few more words to her or showed any closeness or friendliness, he would displease his sister Shen Ruojin.

The head of Wenyuan Marquis’s Mansion, Shen Yu, smiled when he mentioned Shen Ruojin. 

Thinking about it, the plot in the book seems very logical. 

The heroine Shen Ruojin has a strong presence and is the most loved person in the marquis’s mansion. In contrast, Shen Taosheng is an outsider and a supporting character who overestimates her abilities and tries to win the family’s attention and love.

Tao Sheng listened patiently as the family talked about her return home, including their shock at finding her and their joy at her return, but there was no real plan for how to bring her back.

“Thank you, old lady, for your concern for me,” Tao Sheng said. “But it’s getting late, and I think it’s better to go back now. Like Sister Shen said, we all live in Beijing now, and it’s easy to visit each other. I can come back another day.”

Everyone was surprised by her words. 

What? What does she mean by that?

Instead of wanting to stay and recognize her family in the marquis’s mansion, she wanted to return to her small house in Tongguang Lane?

Finally, Shen Yu broke the silence: “Go back? Where are you going?”

Tao Sheng met their puzzled gazes: “I want to go home.”

Everyone expected her to want to stay in the mansion and recognize her family after seeing all the wealth, but they were surprised she didn’t want to stay.

Madam Shen spoke again: “This is your home. Your parents and elders are here. You should stay here and not go back to the house in Tongguang Lane.”

Tao Sheng replied calmly, “In that case, I’d like to ask you, under what identity should I stay here?”

Old Madam Shen was momentarily speechless.