Shen Qing looked at her mother with some confusion, although she felt resentful, she still kept her mouth shut.

  Although Shen Yue didnt understand what was wrong with Shen Miaos words, seeing Chen Ruoqius tense expression made her realize something, and she stood upright in her original position, no longer speaking.

  Madam Shen frowned, she had followed General Shen for so many years, but didnt understand the twists and turns of officialdom. Her vision was limited to the sky within the four walls of the backyard, how could she hear the meaning in Shen Miaos words? She only felt that Shen Miao had eaten the wrong medicine today, repeatedly disobeying her, and had already offended her dignity as the head of the household, and was about to get angry.

  "Xiao Wu is right," said Ren Yuanyun with a smile, interrupting the scolding that was about to come from Shen Lao Furen: "It was originally just a misunderstanding. How could this matter in the front hall be spread to the back courtyard? Its all just an unfortunate coincidence. Ding Wang Ye has a broad mind and wont take the pranks of children seriously. Everything is just a misunderstanding. Poor Xiao Wu, falling into the water and getting frightened, truly pitiful."

  Mrs. Shen was slightly displeased when her daughter-in-law suddenly interrupted her, but she didnt want to offend her since her family was a well-known and wealthy merchant household that often helped with their expenses. She let out a cold hum and stopped talking.

  Chen Ruoqiu also realized something, and hurriedly followed Ren Yuanyuns words: "Yes, sister Yue, sister Qing, from now on, never mention what was said earlier again. It was just Xiao Wu being careless and falling into the water, and coincidentally being seen by Ding Wangye. What a coincidence in this world." She smiled at Shen Miao: "Xiao Wu, the old lady is also worried about you, not really angry with you."

  Shen Miao looked at the woman in front of her. Shen Yue resembled Chen Ruoxi, with a similar temperament, and Chen Ruoxi was born into a scholarly family, with delicate and beautiful features, always speaking softly and moving gently, beautiful but not frivolous. Such a bookish and elegant woman was also pleasant to look at, who knew what would happen later...

  Later, the Xiongnu envoy requested a marriage alliance, and there was only one eligible princess in the palace, namely Yuanyu. Chen Ruqiu said that Shen Yue was old enough, and marrying into the Xiongnu was also her destiny, so she volunteered to marry into the Xiongnu as a peace offering. However, Shen Yue was not a princess, so Fu Xiuyi conferred upon her the title of Princess Yueru, making it proper for her to be married off in this way.

  But in the end, it was Yuwen Ruo who got married.

  Wanyu died on the way to her arranged marriage, and Princess Wanyus palace was given to Princess Yue Ru. Princess Yue Ru naturally accepted everything that had belonged to Wanyu.

  Shes still under sixteen years old.

  Shen Miao closed her eyes, and if she were to say that Chen Ruoqiu had no part in this, even Chen Ruoqiu herself wouldnt believe it. Its likely that Chen Ruoqiu and Madame Meng had already reached an agreement, wanting nothing more than to watch her think she had hope, only to have that very hope shattered by her own doing.

  Chen Ruoqius smile froze.

  The girl opposite her had a round face, round eyes, and a round nose. With such features paired with a timid expression, it was easy to give people the impression of being stupid and silly.

  But now its not like that anymore. The timid expression is gone, replaced by a solemn face. Its not the sudden tension of seriousness, but the dignity from the heart, with a faint sense of distance. For an instant, Chen Ruoqiu suddenly felt that the person in front of her was not the foolish daughter of the main house, but a master who held a high position. The sharpness contained within made people tremble suddenly.

  The next second, the girl saw her bend her eyes: "I understand, San Auntie now also thinks that Xiao Wu is not wrong, right?"

  Chen Ruoqiu was taken aback, looked at the old lady who was obviously displeased on the high platform, and said reluctantly: "Although its like this, Xiao Wu fell into the pond, which is really too careless. The several maids by her side are taking care of her like this? When Brother and Sister-in-law are not around, they dare to be so arrogant? In my opinion, its better to replace these maids."

  Ren Yuanyun burst out laughing with a "heh". Chen Ruoqiu gave her an annoyed glance, and Ren Yuanyuns mouth curled up into a cold smile.

  This younger brother and sister, looking knowledgeable and reasonable, but actually very cunning. In this case, its also deceiving Shen Miao that fool, probably thinking of replacing the people around Shen Miao, now Shen Yue has also reached the age to pay attention to others, in the capital city, no matter how far-reaching Shen Miaos reputation for being stupid and timid is, in terms of status, Shen Yue is not as good as Shen Miao. After all, Shen Xin still holds military power in his hands.

  Three rooms, after all, are also itching to move.

  Shen Miao lowered her head: "Third Aunt, why do you want to replace Gu Yu and the others? They were all left by Father and Mother for Wu Niang. Now that many people in the West Wing have been replaced, just a few days ago those second-rate maidservants, Wu Niang didnt recognize any of them. If you replace Gu Yu and the others again, Wu Niang wont know who to talk to in the West Wing."

  Ren Yuanyuns smile came to an abrupt halt.

  In the West Wing, Shen Xin and his wife were rarely in the capital city, and almost all of the maids and young servants had been replaced. There were people from the old ladys side, the second house, and the third house. However, since it was the second house that managed the household, naturally there were more people from the second house. It would be better not to mention this, but if outsiders heard about it, wouldnt they think that the eldest daughter of the main house didnt even recognize a single servant in her own courtyard? How could the second and third houses possibly have good intentions? There was no reason for the sisters-in-law to interfere with the eldest brothers household.

  She quickly turned her brain, smiled and stared at Chen Ruoqiu, saying to Shen Miao: "Your third aunt is joking with you, Gu Yus girls are just careless, our Shen family is kind-hearted, cant do such inhumane things, Xiao Wu dont worry."

  In the end, he still managed to get in a parting shot at Chen Ruoqiu.

  Shen Yuanbo looked at his mother, then glanced at Chen Ruoqiu and yawned. Old Lady Shen was getting impatient with the bickering between her second and third daughters-in-law, so she said: "Alright, thats enough. These are just trivial matters. Second sons family, bring Seventh Brother over here. Everyone can disperse now. With so many people, its giving me a headache."

  Ren Yuanyun hastily carried Shen Yuanbai to the bed of Old Lady Shen and said, "Mother, those daughters-in-law will go down first. Seventh brother, be good and play with old lady."

  Chen Ruoqiu glanced at Shen Yuanbai, stroking her belly with both hands, and slowly walked out of the Rongjing Hall. The second house has a son, so they have gained the favor of Old Lady Shen... no matter how capable she is herself... Shen Yue is after all just a daughter. If only she had a son, things in the Shen household would be divided more fairly, at least the inheritance would be split equally, unlike now when the second house has an advantage for no reason. Moreover... the first house also has a legitimate son, although hes following Shen Xin to the border, who knows whether hell come back to claim his share?

  As she thought about it, Chen Ruoqiu raised her head and her gaze fell on several people heading in the direction of the West Wing.

  The young girl wore a deep crimson velvet dress, she had always loved to wear bright colors, and without her parents by her side, she wouldnt dress up, but would always reveal a rustic air.

  Now, with her skin tone set off by the deep red, she looked even more pale and delicate than before. Yet, despite being the same beauty as ever, she seemed to have become much more solemn. Even a bit... majestic?

  "Miss, youre still recovering, why rush to the Guangwen Academy? Your condition has been explained and your schoolwork isnt urgent. Besides..."

  "Its no use." Shen Miao interrupted her: "Prepare the carriage immediately."

  Obviously didnt say anything serious, but for some reason, Yu Yu had a chill and didnt dare ask any more questions.

  Digression

  Thank you Xiliang. Thanks for the flower tickets from 777, yunanron and jchlchxq!