Shen Qing smiled slightly, her tone carrying an unmistakable firmness:
"Madam is right, but Qing'er was thinking, since the Star and Moon Pavilion is my residence, it would be better for me to pack things up myself, so as not to trouble my sister and the servants. After all, I am most familiar with what is inside."
Upon hearing this, Madam Feng’s expression shifted slightly. Just as she was about to retort, she noticed the old mistress frowning, and she was forced to suppress her simmering anger, managing a strained smile:
"Very well. Since Qing'er is in such a hurry, let Ying'er move out today, and you may move in tomorrow."
Shen Qing nodded, her tone respectful yet distant: "Thank you for your consideration, Madam."
Madam Feng gave a cold snort and turned to leave.
At dinner time, Madam Feng was in low spirits. She barely touched the chopsticks in her hand, her brow etched with worry. Shen Ying'er sat beside her, her eyes rimmed with red, having clearly just been crying. Her son, Shen Ziyu, and his wife noticed this and quickly stepped forward to comfort her.
"Mother, what is wrong? You look so pale—are you unwell?" Shen Ziyu asked with concern, his tone tinged with anxiety.
Madam Feng sighed, her voice low: "That child, Qing'er, I don't know what to do with her. I try to teach her not to be arrogant, but she refuses to listen, even accusing me of meddling. I only fear that her sense of entitlement will bring disaster upon our Marquis Manor."
As she spoke, a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.
"Sister has such a fiery temper; she clearly has no respect for Mother at all!" Shen Ziyu’s voice was booming, causing the bowls and dishes on the table to rattle. He clenched his fists, his eyes burning with anger as he stood up for his mother.
Shen Shuming frowned, slamming his wine cup onto the table with a dull thud: "Truly, a child who cannot be taught! Spending those three years recovering in Jiangnan has made her forget all propriety! It is all my fault for not having the time to discipline her!"
His tone was full of vexation; he was deeply disappointed by the change in Shen Qing. In his memories, Shen Qing was obedient and sensible, never once so aggressive.
Seeing this, Shen Ziyu quickly echoed him: "Our family is fortunate; Father is diligent, and that is why His Highness granted us the title. We shouldn't act as if the whole family relies on her! The moment she returns, she won't stop talking about her supposed merits!"
His tone was filled with disdain, as if Shen Qing’s contributions were nothing more than trivial matters.
His wife softly chimed in, her tone gentle but laced with sarcasm: "Since ancient times, how many people have sacrificed their lives for the Imperial family? A mere arrow wound—what kind of merit is that?"
"Enough. In the future, I ask that you, Madam, discipline Shen Qing strictly. If she does not listen, use the family rules!"
As soon as Shen Shuming finished speaking, Madam Feng’s expression softened slightly, as if she had found some measure of comfort.
Early the next morning, Shen Qing brought Qing'er to the Star and Moon Pavilion. The pavilion was located on the east side of the Marquis Manor; the courtyard was spacious and the environment serene, filled with flowers and trees. The towering plum trees were in full bloom, their fragrance intoxicating.
Shen Qing stood before the courtyard gate, looking up at the familiar plaque with deep emotion. Three years ago, she had been recovering from her injuries here and had nearly lost her life.
"Miss, shall we go in?" Qing'er softly reminded her.
Shen Qing nodded and stepped into the courtyard. No sooner had she entered than she saw Shen Ying'er standing there with several maids, a look of displeasure on her face.
"Sister has arrived quite early," Shen Ying'er said, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Shen Qing smiled faintly, her tone gentle: "You have worked hard, Sister, coming so early to help me tidy up the courtyard."
Shen Ying'er gave a cold snort, lifting her chin with a mixture of reluctance and mockery: "Sister, you jest. The Star and Moon Pavilion was always your place. Now that you are back, it is only natural for me to vacate it."
Before she finished speaking, the handkerchief in her hand was crumpled into a ball, her knuckles turning white; she was clearly not as calm as she appeared.
Shen Qing smiled indifferently, her gaze sweeping over the courtyard like water, her tone calm: "Are you comfortable living here, Sister? If there is anything you particularly like, feel free to take it with you; there is no need to be formal."
Hearing this, a flash of jealousy flickered in Shen Ying'er’s eyes. Her lips curled upward as she replied with a provocation: "Don't worry, Sister, I have been living very well. The feng shui of the Star and Moon Pavilion is indeed nourishing; I have lived here for three years, and my health has improved significantly."
Shen Qing smiled slightly, a depth of meaning in her eyes as she replied, still gentle: "That is good. If your health is robust, you will be able to do more for the Marquis Manor in the future."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Ying'er’s expression changed. Not knowing how to respond, she led her maids and hurried away.
Shen Qing watched her leave, then turned and walked into the house. The interior furnishings were much the same as they had been three years ago, though they were now cluttered with Shen Ying'er’s belongings. She walked to the dressing table and gently touched the bronze mirror. It reflected her elegant face, though her eyes held a hint of coldness.
"Qing'er, pack up everything that doesn't belong in the Star and Moon Pavilion," Shen Qing ordered calmly.
Qing'er nodded and quickly began to work. Her movements were efficient, though her eyes burned with indignation. Every object felt like a reminder that for the past three years, the Star and Moon Pavilion had belonged to someone else.
Shen Qing walked to the window and pushed it open. The cold wind, carrying the scent of plum blossoms, rushed in. She took a deep breath, as if to imprint the familiar scent deep into her lungs: "Mother, the plum blossoms have bloomed..."
Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, carrying endless longing and sorrow. Three years had passed, and the plum trees had bloomed again.
Shen Qing still remembered that year, when she lay on her bed, deathly ill, and watched through the window as her father and mother planted those trees together. Back then, they were as loving as ever; her mother had smiled with tenderness, and her father’s eyes had been filled with doting affection.
They had even moved the "Daughter's Wine" that had been buried at her birth to this very spot, saying they would dig it up when she was married. But now, the plum blossoms had bloomed, yet her mother was long dead. She still could not understand why her father had forgotten so quickly, or why her mother had died suddenly one year after she left the manor, only to be buried in a hurried, perfunctory manner. There must be something suspicious in all this!
Just as Shen Qing was lost in thought, a servant delivered the day’s meal. Qing'er opened the food box, and a sour, foul odor immediately wafted out. Shen Qing quickly covered her nose, her brows knitting together.
"Miss, the food the kitchen sent wouldn't even be eaten by a dog!" Qing'er was flushed with anger, gripping the food box tightly.
Shen Qing merely smiled faintly, as if she had expected this: "Never mind. The Star and Moon Pavilion has a small kitchen; we will cook for ourselves."
However, when they opened the small kitchen, the scene before them made Qing'er stomp her feet in fury. The stove was covered in grease, clearly left uncleaned on purpose; the basket nearby was empty, not even a single leaf of vegetable to be found; and the rice jar held only a thin layer of grain, not even a single chicken feather to be seen.
"The Second Miss is truly going too far! She has moved everything out of the small kitchen!"
Qing'er’s eyes were red, her voice choked with sobs. "Shouldn't we go tell the old mistress and ask her to decide for you?"
Shen Qing shook her head: "If I make a scene, Madam Feng will only say that I am picky and pretentious."