Madam Feng felt a jolt of anxiety and hurriedly explained:
"Old Madam, you don't understand. When Qing'er first returned to the manor, there truly wasn't a suitable courtyard available. While Tingyu Pavilion is a bit small, it is quiet and well-suited for Qing'er to recuperate. Your daughter-in-law had intended to clear out a better courtyard after the New Year for her, but I never expected..."
"You never expected?" The Old Madam let out a cold snort, interrupting her. "Qing'er has been back for half a month, and you haven't even arranged a decent courtyard for her? Tingyu Pavilion doesn't even have a supply of coal; how do you expect her to recover here?"
Madam Feng was left speechless by the interrogation, her complexion cycling between shades of pale and flushed. She seethed inwardly, never imagining the Old Madam would be so protective of her.
Seeing the situation, Shen Qing stepped forward and said softly, "Grandmother, please don't be angry. Mother has been very busy and simply overlooked it. It’s actually quite nice living here; it’s peaceful and comfortable."
Though Shen Qing spoke of peace and comfort, inside she was calculating how to reclaim her Star and Moon Pavilion.
The Old Madam patted Shen Qing’s hand, her tone softening. "Qing'er, you are such a sensible child. But how can the eldest legitimate daughter of the Marquis Manor suffer such indignity?"
With that, the Old Madam turned to Madam Feng, her tone stern. "Luochuan, make arrangements for Qing'er's courtyard immediately. Ensure she is moved in by the end of the day. Furthermore, there will be no more shortages of coal from the storeroom."
Madam Feng’s expression shifted drastically upon hearing this. She bowed her head and replied, "Yes, I will go make the arrangements at once. I will ensure Qing'er suffers no further grievances."
"Grandmother, that’s too much trouble. I would still prefer to move back into my Star and Moon Pavilion."
Shen Ying'er’s expression hardened at these words.
Star and Moon Pavilion had originally belonged to Shen Qing. Years ago, when Shen Qing took an arrow for the Grand Princess, the Master was granted the title of Marquis, and this manor was bestowed upon them by the imperial court. Shen Ying'er had lived in Star and Moon Pavilion for three years; it was spacious and occupied an excellent location, second only to the Old Madam’s West Main Courtyard and her parents’ East Main Courtyard. To accommodate Shen Qing’s recovery back then, a small kitchen and a side gate leading outside the manor had even been built.
After Shen Qing left, Madam Feng took control and moved Shen Ying'er into the residence. As time passed, people gradually forgot the true legitimate daughter, and Shen Ying'er openly took her place. For the past three years, Shen Ying'er had been the apple of everyone’s eye, her status long since eclipsing someone who had gone missing.
Madam Feng smiled and said, "The Star and Moon Pavilion is occupied now. How about moving to Yuanqu Pavilion? It is no less impressive than the Star and Moon Pavilion, and it is located just behind the East Main Courtyard, making it convenient for you to grow closer to your father, whom you haven't seen for years."
"Occupied?"
Shen Qing did not cry or cause a scene as she had in her previous life. Her tone was calm as she said:
"It’s just that the Star and Moon Pavilion is my lucky place. I almost died back then... fortunately, the feng shui of that pavilion was good and restorative. Once I moved in, I slowly began to recover and was out of danger."
She lowered her head, her tone pious and her brow heavy with sadness. "The Star and Moon Pavilion also holds the final memories I have of my mother..."
The room fell into a heavy silence.
Shen Ying'er’s expression changed instantly. Shen Qing was playing the emotional card. Now, both in terms of reason and sentiment, she had to move out!
Biting her lip, she stepped forward slowly. "Sister, I have been living in the Star and Moon Pavilion. Since it holds such great significance for you, I will move out and give it back to you."
In everyone’s eyes, Shen Ying'er had lived there for three years, and they had subconsciously come to view her as the mistress of the pavilion. Her words made it sound as though Shen Qing were a villain snatching away something she loved, while she, Shen Ying'er, was ever so magnanimous and generous.
"Then I thank you, younger sister, for managing the Star and Moon Pavilion for me these past three years."
With a single sentence, Shen Qing reclaimed the Star and Moon Pavilion as a matter of course and asserted her rightful status. In that pavilion, she was the mistress, and Shen Ying'er was merely a guest! She was the true legitimate daughter, while Shen Ying'er was only the daughter of a concubine who had been elevated.
Shen Ying'er was seething with rage, but she could only offer a hypocritical smile. "What are you saying, sister? To speak like that makes us seem like strangers."
The Old Madam turned to Shen Qing, her tone gentle. "Qing'er, please bear with living in Tingyu Pavilion for a few more days until the Star and Moon Pavilion is ready."
Shen Qing nodded obediently. "Yes, Grandmother."
After the Old Madam draped a sable cloak over Shen Qing’s shoulders and gave Madam Feng a few more stern words of warning, she left Tingyu Pavilion, supported by Shen Ying'er.
Madam Feng shot a venomous glare at Shen Qing. She hadn't expected Shen Qing to be so calculating! Her own carefully laid plans had backfired, and in a few short exchanges, Shen Qing had reclaimed the Star and Moon Pavilion! The Old Madam was now displeased with her as well. Unable to vent her anger, Madam Feng took a deep breath to suppress the fire in her heart, flicked her sleeves, and left.
In the East Main Courtyard, Madam Feng smashed a teacup in a rage.
"That damned Shen Qing!"
Her daughter-in-law, Zhao Liangti, hurried forward to help her calm down. "Mother, don't let it ruin your health. This entire manor listens to you; Shen Qing won't be able to make any waves."
...
"Finally, it's quiet!"
Back inside her room, not even half a quarter-hour passed before several servants arrived with two baskets of premium coal.
"Miss, the storeroom sent coal!" Qing'er exclaimed with joy.
"The Old Madam has spoken, so naturally, the Madam dares not mistreat us... Qing'er, go ahead and light the fire!"
"Right away, Miss!" Qing'er scampered off to tend to the fire.
Although she hadn't succeeded in getting Madam Feng punished, this was the best result she could manage for now. At least she wouldn't catch a cold like in her previous life, wouldn't be grounded, and wouldn't be slandered while Shen Ying'er took all the glory in her place.
Shen Qing was satisfied. The power dynamics of the Marquis Manor were tangled, and with the wealth from her maiden family, Madam Feng had bought a great deal of loyalty, making her position seem untouchable. She would have to reclaim everything that belonged to her piece by piece.
Holding a cup of hot tea, Shen Qing’s gaze was calm as still water. She knew that although today’s events hadn't resulted in any substantial punishment for Madam Feng, it had at least focused the Old Madam’s attention on her and made Madam Feng wary of acting against her so easily.
"Miss, you are truly clever. If you hadn't brought up the Old Madam just now, we would have suffered a great loss," Qing'er remarked while organizing the newly delivered coal.
Shen Qing smiled faintly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. "Qing'er, this is only the beginning. It won't be easy for Madam Feng and Shen Ying'er to use me as a stepping stone."
Qing'er nodded. "Miss, I didn't expect that we would be back in the Capital for such a short time and already face such mistreatment, and even plots, from the Madam."
Shen Qing gently patted Qing'er’s hand, a surge of warmth in her heart. Only Qing'er, who had grown up with her, would stand up for her. In her previous life, she had been too weak, allowing herself to be bullied by Madam Feng and Shen Ying'er until she met a tragic end. In this life, she would never repeat those mistakes.
She set down her teacup, stood up, and walked to her vanity, opening an exquisite wooden box that held a piece of mutton-fat jade. It was the only heirloom her mother had left behind.
Shen Qing stroked the jade pendant and whispered, "Mother, don't worry. In this life, I will never let anyone bully us again. As for those who harmed us—not a single one of them will escape."
That night was the most peaceful and warm sleep Shen Qing had known since returning to the Capital. That night, she dreamed of her mother...
"Miss, the kitchen has sent leftovers again to fool us!"