Chapter 37: The Return

On the day of their return, Qiuyue was overjoyed to learn that Lady Liu would be accompanying them, and she spent the journey holding Liu’s hand and reminiscing about past anecdotes.

When the subject of Concubine Gu Tan was broached, Qiuyue cast a cautious glance toward Shen Quanyi. Shen Quanyi was leaning back against a treasure-blue silk bolster, feigning sleep. Though her eyes remained closed, she waved her hand at Qiuyue, who offered a sheepish smile and immediately fell silent.

Lady Liu, sitting nearby, also stole a glance at Shen Quanyi. Ever since waking that morning, Shen Quanyi had abandoned her usual languid demeanor. She appeared much more composed, her brows furrowed with a sense of gravity and determination. She had even shed her simple manor attire. Dressed in modest, elegant clothing, she wore her hair in a high bun adorned with minimal jewelry. Beneath a treasure-blue, plain silk-cotton jacket and a fur-lined brocade cloak, she wore a simple white silk undergarment. The days of recuperation had stripped away her former fragile, timid air, replacing it with a newfound grace and poise.

Half an hour later, the carriage came to a steady halt. Since the luggage had been transported the previous day, only the small group remained. Before them stood the familiar red gate. Shen Quanyi exhaled, subconsciously tightened her cloak, and turned to enter. Qiuyue followed closely behind, while Lady Liu and Huchang walked with extreme caution, eyes lowered, staring only at the heels of the person in front of them.

Shen Quanyi paused before a tall, elegant magnolia tree in the corridor and turned to her companions. "Qiuyue, lead the nanny and the others back first. I will go to the front courtyard to pay my respects to the Crown Princess."

Qiuyue understood and gave a soft acknowledgment, leading Lady Liu and Huchang away through a side gate.

"Though it has been some time, you are as graceful as ever, Concubine," Yulan said, bowing to Shen Quanyi.

Shen Quanyi personally helped her up and smiled. "You are too kind, young lady. How has the Crown Princess been lately?"

At this, a flash of cunning flickered in Yulan's eyes. She replied casually, "It has been somewhat chaotic. Our Concubine is with child and should not be overworked. Since the two young masters have been staying in the inner courtyard, the Princess has had to attend to everything herself."

Shen Quanyi offered a faint smile, thinking to herself how glorious Zuo Li’s position was, while responding with practiced grace: "The Princess’s heart of a merciful mother is witnessed by heaven and earth."

As they spoke, a wind picked up in the courtyard. Walking became difficult as the gusts pulled at their clothes, causing their skirts to flap violently. After finally leaving the corridor, they reached the West Courtyard. Shen Quanyi looked up to see the Huaian Courtyard draped in silver, appearing solemn and austere.

Once ushered into the inner courtyard, two maidservants at the hall entrance bowed low and lifted the curtain for Shen Quanyi. She adjusted her collar and looked up, seeing a slender shadow cast upon the screen. She bowed her head, the air around her thick with the familiar, heavy scent of sandalwood.

She walked in slowly and, without looking at the person on the kang, performed a formal, respectful bow. The air hung heavy, and as the woman above remained silent, Shen Quanyi held her bow.

"Very well, come up and take a seat."

Finally, Shen Quanyi expressed her gratitude and rose. She sat tentatively on the edge of the kang and looked at the woman opposite her. Zuo Li was dressed in casual attire, her eyes weary. She leaned lazily against a bolster, covering a yawn with her hand. Raising her thin eyelids, she glanced at Shen Quanyi. "It is bitterly cold today, and you’ve arrived just at this time. You should head back and rest; coming tomorrow would have been the same."

"The Princess is merciful and kind to us, but we must remain respectful and not abuse your favor by forgetting our station and propriety." Shen Quanyi kept her head lowered, her fair neck forming an elegant curve.

"I always knew you were sensible. Among all of you, I trust you the most. Now that you have recovered, serve the Crown Prince well. You are young; you must strive to bear children for him."

Before Shen Quanyi could respond, a series of rapid, heavy footsteps echoed from outside the hall. A young girl of about four or five burst in. At a single glance, Shen Quanyi recognized her as the Second Miss, Li Changping, for her fox-like eyes were identical to those of Gu Tan.

Li Changping entered and, ignoring Zuo Li, turned directly to Shen Quanyi and demanded, "Are you Concubine Shen?"

"The Second Miss has a sharp eye; that is indeed who I am." Before Shen Quanyi could answer, Yulan, who had just entered with a smile, spoke for her.

Hearing this, Li Changping’s expression turned cold. She marched to the edge of the kang, snatched a teacup from the small table, and threw it at Shen Quanyi. It did not cause physical pain, but the tea and leaves splashed all over Shen Quanyi’s head, leaving her looking utterly bedraggled.

The atmosphere in the room plummeted. Shen Quanyi was momentarily stunned but quickly regained her composure. She wiped the tea from her face with a handkerchief and asked with feigned concern, "I hope the Second Miss did not burn her hand."

Li Changping lifted her chin proudly, her delicate face showing a flash of malice in her fox-like eyes. "If you dare to make my mother sad again, I will have my father beat you to death."

The words were a breach of all propriety; they were not something a child should ever say. Shen Quanyi gritted her teeth; she knew that Gu Tan hated her to the bone and had clearly poisoned the children’s minds.

Watching the farce, Zuo Li arched an eyebrow, continuing to sip her tea slowly. A draft blew through the room, making the air feel chilly.

"Enough, you child, you are truly lawless. Take her away at once." Zuo Li signaled to Yulan, who suppressed a smile, sighed, and went to take Li Changping’s hand. However, Li Changping showed no respect, glaring at Yulan and snapping, "Get away!"

Yulan looked embarrassed, and Zuo Li, appearing slightly displeased, said languidly, "Alas, dear sister, please bear with it. The child was raised by her birth mother from a young age. She has only been with me for a month, and I am still trying to correct her manners."

The implication was clear: Li Changping’s behavior had nothing to do with her and was entirely the fault of her birth mother’s upbringing. Shen Quanyi understood perfectly. She rose with a polite smile, looking at the mask of perfunctory concern on Zuo Li’s face.

Outside the window, the sun had emerged, casting bright light into the room and illuminating Zuo Li’s delicate features, making her look as pure and serene as the jade Guanyin statue worshipped in the temple.

"Not at all. How could I ever hold a grudge against the Second Miss?"

Zuo Li nodded in satisfaction, smiled at Shen Quanyi, and dismissed her.