Early in the morning, Shen Qing heard Qing'er grumbling as she walked in carrying a food box with an indignant expression.
Shen Qing sat up on the bed, rubbed her slightly sore shoulders, and let her gaze fall on the food box in Qing'er's hands.
She sighed softly, knowing all along that Madam Feng would not easily let her go. Although the crisis had been temporarily averted yesterday, Madam Feng would by no means give up just like that.
"Miss, look! The food is all cold, and they're just leftovers, not even a hot bowl of soup!"
Qing'er opened the food box to reveal a few cold dishes inside, her expression turning even uglier.
Shen Qing gave a faint smile, reached out to take the food box, and gently poked at the food inside. Her tone remained calm: "It's fine. Just leave it here for now."
"Miss, how can you swallow your anger like this? Madam Feng is clearly making things difficult for us on purpose!" Qing'er stamped her foot in anger, her eye rims turning slightly red.
Shen Qing raised her eyes to look at her, a flash of coldness in her gaze:
"Qing'er, now is not the time to go head-to-head. Madam Feng has deep roots in the manor. If we rashly confront her, we will only fall right into her trap and bring trouble upon ourselves."
"But Miss, are we just going to let her bully us?" Qing'er asked, unwilling to accept this.
Shen Qing smiled faintly, a trace of cunning flashing in her eyes:
"Of course not. Madam Feng thinks this will make me submit, but she is wrong. The more weak we appear, the more she will let down her guard. When the time is right, we will strike back with a single blow."
Qing'er nodded, understanding half-heartedly. Though she still felt discontented, seeing Shen Qing so composed made her feel somewhat more at ease.
Right now, she had no backing and no money; she needed to find a way to get some cash!
Since Shen Qing had returned to the capital, it stood to reason that the Grand Princess, mindful of the past debt of gratitude, would have sought her out for a chat. Why had there never been any word from the Grand Princess's Estate?
Shen Qing found this rather suspicious.
"Qing'er, go help me find out if there are any important banquets or events coming up recently," Shen Qing said suddenly.
Qing'er was slightly startled, then nodded: "Yes, Miss, I'll go inquire right away."
After Qing'er left, Shen Qing slowly got up, walked to the window, and gazed at the gradually rising morning sun outside, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
"Miss, I heard that in three days the Grand Princess is hosting a birthday banquet at the Grand Princess's Estate, and she has invited quite a few wives and young ladies of noble families from the capital!"
Shen Qing lowered her head in thought. Logically speaking, the eldest young lady of the Marquis Manor should have been invited, especially since she had saved the Grand Princess's life.
Yet she knew nothing at all about this matter; Madam Feng must have been meddling behind the scenes.
In her past life, after Shen Qing returned to the capital, she repeatedly asked to go see the Grand Princess, but Madam Feng refused to allow it.
"If you go before the Grand Princess, it will look like you are capitalizing on your kindness to demand rewards, and it will ruin our Marquis Manor. The grace the Grand Princess has already bestowed upon us is more than enough."
Whenever the Grand Princess sent someone to invite her, Madam Feng always declined on the grounds that Shen Qing had caught a cold and was in no condition to disturb the Grand Princess.
And whenever the Grand Princess held a banquet, Madam Feng would always take Shen Ying'er to attend.
Later on, after Shen Qing died, the kind and benevolent Grand Princess had twenty years of lamps lit for her at Taihua Temple.
The Grand Princess was not someone who forgot a kindness; it must have been Madam Feng who sowed discord between them, cutting off the bond of gratitude between her and the Grand Princess.
Shen Qing reckoned that today the Grand Princess would send someone once more to invite her to the Grand Princess's Estate for a chat.
"Qing'er, go wait at the front gate. The moment you see the carriage from the Grand Princess's Estate, come report to me."
"Yes, Miss!" Although Qing'er had her doubts, seeing Shen Qing's solemn expression, she didn't dare ask any more questions and hurried off to the front entrance.
Shen Qing stood by the window, her heavy gaze fixed on the distant sky as a myriad of thoughts churned in her heart.
In her past life, due to Madam Feng's obstruction, she had never been able to meet with the Grand Princess, ultimately missing out on this connection. But in this lifetime, she would never let Madam Feng get her way again.
The Grand Princess was her only backing in the capital. If she could reestablish ties with the Grand Princess, Madam Feng would never dare lay a hand on her easily again.
"Miss! Miss!"
Qing'er came running back in a rush, panting as she said, "The carriage from the Grand Princess's Estate is here! It's Nanny Mi, who serves right by the Grand Princess's side!"
A flicker of joy crossed Shen Qing's eyes, but she quickly regained her calm: "Qing'er, help me dress."
Qing'er nodded eagerly, working swiftly and skillfully to comb Shen Qing's hair and dress her up, managing to dig out the most well-fitting set of clothes she had.
Shen Qing changed into a plain, elegant long dress that had been washed until it was slightly faded, making her look refined and ethereal.
"Miss, you look so pretty!" Qing'er couldn't help praising, "It's just this dress..."
Shen Qing smiled faintly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes: "It's fine, we'll wear this one."
......
In the main hall of the Marquis Manor, Nanny Mi was exchanging polite pleasantries with Madam Feng.
"Madam, hearing recently that the Eldest Miss Shen has returned to the capital, the Grand Princess specifically sent this old servant to invite the Eldest Miss over to the estate for a chat."
Nanny Mi said with a smile, her tone carrying a trace of respect.
Madam Feng wore a proper smile on her face, but inwardly she was gritting her teeth. She hadn't expected the Grand Princess to actually send Nanny Mi to invite Shen Qing.
"Nanny Mi, what an unfortunate coincidence. Qing'er hasn't been feeling well lately, so I'm afraid she's in no condition to go and disturb the Grand Princess," Madam Feng said, putting on a worried expression.
Hearing this, Nanny Mi furrowed her brow slightly: "The Eldest Miss is not feeling well? Is it serious? If the Grand Princess finds out, she will surely worry."
Madam Feng was just about to speak when she suddenly heard a cool, clear voice coming from outside the door: "Nanny Mi, Qing'er's health is already quite recovered. Thank you for the Grand Princess's concern."
Everyone turned toward the sound and saw Shen Qing walking in slowly with an elegant posture and a faint smile on her face, like a cold and proud plum blossom blooming defiantly in the bitter wind.
When Nanny Mi saw Shen Qing, a relieved smile instantly bloomed on her face: "Eldest Miss, I am so glad you're here. The Grand Princess has been missing you all this time."
Shen Qing stepped forward, curtsied to Nanny Mi, and then slightly nodded toward Madam Feng, her deportment proper and her etiquette flawless.
Seeing this, a trace of cold malice flashed in Madam Feng's eyes, but she quickly resumed her smile: "Qing'er, is your health feeling better? If you're still uncomfortable, you might as well go back and rest."
Shen Qing smiled faintly, her tone calm: "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Qing'er's health is already much better."
Hearing this, Nanny Mi said with concern, "Eldest Miss, you must take care of your health and not agitate your old injuries."
Shen Qing nodded obediently: "Nanny Mi, how has the Grand Princess been lately? Qing'er has long wanted to go pay her respects, but due to poor health, I haven't been able to make the trip."
At these words, Nanny Mi's face broke into an affectionate smile: "The Grand Princess is doing very well, she just talks about you often. Today, this old servant came precisely by the Grand Princess's orders to invite you over to the estate for a visit."
Shen Qing smiled softly, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes: "Thank you for the Grand Princess's kind thoughts. Qing'er will accompany you right now."
Seeing this, Madam Feng had no choice but to forcefully suppress the anger in her heart and squeeze out a reluctant smile: "Qing'er, since the Grand Princess has extended an invitation, you should go. Just remember to return early and not disturb the Grand Princess for too long."
Shen Qing gave a faint smile, her tone serene: "Madam, rest assured. Qing'er knows her limits."