Shen Mingzhu had never felt that anyone could easily provoke her emotions.
Ever since she could remember, Marchioness Jian'an had placed extraordinary emphasis on her upbringing. From the moment she began to babble, she was immersed in the arts of the qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose.
Marchioness Jian'an had always kept her close, teaching her personally. From major affairs of the imperial court down to a single turn of phrase, everything seemed to bear the mark of Marchioness Jian'an.
Madam Shen's painstaking efforts were not in vain, for Shen Mingzhu grew up to be far more accomplished than any other young noble lady in the Capital.
Whenever Madam Shen took Shen Mingzhu out to banquets or outings, she was invariably showered with praise and even envy from other madrasas and marchionesses.
Thus, amidst universal acclaim and Madam Shen's meticulous guidance, Shen Mingzhu grew to the age of seventeen.
In that seventeenth year, on an utterly unremarkable day, Shen Jiaojiao knocked on the gates of the Marquis Manor.
Frankly speaking, that was the first time Shen Mingzhu had ever seen a girl so unbridled, domineering, and utterly lacking in manners.
She claimed to be the biological daughter of her mother and the sole legitimate daughter of the Jian'an Marquis Manor.
Shen Mingzhu appraised her ignorant and fearless expression without feeling any excess of emotion.
Because, at a single glance, Shen Mingzhu knew the other girl posed no threat whatsoever.
On the second day, word came that a couple had arrived to pay a visit, claiming to be the adoptive parents of that unruly girl—and the biological parents of her, Shen Mingzhu.
Mother went to receive them in the front hall in person, forbidding Shen Mingzhu from stepping a single half-step out of her courtyard that day.
Shen Mingzhu obediently complied.
On the third day, that girl was lodged in a courtyard located far away from her own.
Shen Mingzhu knew mother did this out of fear that the girl might be a bad influence on her.
In truth, that girl looked very much like Madam Shen in her youth; faint traces of her mother could be discerned within her.
As for her temperament... well, the less said about that, the better.
However, since she had been allowed to move into the Marquis Manor, father and mother must have verified her identity.
Even so, Shen Mingzhu did not care much about all that.
Because she knew the newcomer posed absolutely no threat to her.
Sure enough, on the fourth day, mother began arranging for etiquette instructors to come to the manor and tutor Shen Jiaojiao in deportment.
Word had it that the girl wailed aloud in her courtyard and threw such a tantrum that she drove the etiquette tutors away in a rage.
Mother had a headache over it and sought out Shen Mingzhu that night to confide in her.
"Only these past few days did I learn that when I gave birth to your younger sister back then, the midwife accidentally swapped the two of you." A rare trace of sorrow tinged Madam Shen's brow.
Shen Mingzhu leaned against her mother's shoulder, embracing her without a word.
"They are your biological parents. Would you like to go and see them?"
"I will obey whatever mother arranges."
Madam Shen fell silent for a long time.
"Mingzhu, mother has her own selfishness, too. Ever since you were still in swaddling clothes, mother's heart has been tied to you, watching you cry, watching you laugh... Now that I've finally raised you to this age, to suddenly be told you are someone else's child—mother cannot accept it."
Madam Shen spoke with a sob in her voice.
Shen Mingzhu naturally knew how deeply considerate mother was toward her; mother probably even knew the exact number of strands of hair on her head.
She lay in her mother's arms, just as she had when she was a little girl.
In the end, as if loosening her final boundary, Madam Shen spoke in a heavy voice: "If you wish to be close to them in the future, just treat them as distant relatives of the Marquis Manor and visit them from time to time."
After all, those people had also raised her own biological daughter well.
But as for anyone trying to take Mingzhu away—that was utterly out of the question!
"I will listen to everything mother says. Whatever mother arranges is fine."
In truth, Shen Mingzhu did not feel very strongly about this news at all.
Especially since she had never even laid eyes on those biological parents, let alone felt any urge to grow close to them.
She said those words merely to comfort her mother.
That night, mother and daughter slept on the same pillow.
On the sixth day, mother announced to the outside world that the Jian'an Marquis Manor had found the young daughter it lost years ago. She had originally given birth to twins, but due to physical weakness and momentary oversight during childbirth, the younger daughter had been misplaced. Fortunately, she had now been found.
Mother had originally wanted to host a banquet in celebration, but the moment she thought of Shen Jiaojiao's manners and temperament, she shelved the idea.
From Shen Jiaojiao's eyes, it was not hard to discern her yearning and longing for wealth and power. Yet her vision seemed hardly far-sighted enough.
However, that had nothing to do with Shen Mingzhu.
At the spring flower viewing banquet, Madam Xiao kept holding my hand, showing me the utmost care and affection, and her conversation made it clear how utterly pleased she was with me.
She spoke up to tell mother that she wanted me to become her daughter-in-law.
Madam Shen merely smiled without giving a definitive promise on the spot.
Yet I knew mother was secretly overjoyed within her heart.
The legitimate eldest son of the Duke Xiao Manor was a man of graceful bearing and vast learning—an ideal candidate for a husband.
One day, while Shen Jiaojiao was out on a shopping trip, she was dazzled by the newly-minted top scholar riding a horse through the streets and immediately bestowed her heart upon him.
After mother returned from drinking tea with Madam Xiao, Shen Jiaojiao rushed up to mother and clamored that she would marry no other man, angering mother to no small degree.
Although he was a top scholar, his official appointment had not yet been finalized, and no one could guarantee what kind of future prospects he might have; therefore, mother did not consent.
Father, however, said there was no need to refuse point-blank. Even if the young man truly amounted to nothing, with father's influence in the court, securing some official post for a future son-in-law would be a piece of cake.
Compared to mother, father was far more indulgent toward his daughters.
Life went on just like that. I became betrothed to Xiao Yi, the legitimate eldest son of the Duke Xiao Manor, while Shen Jiaojiao and the top scholar were also nearing their wedding day.
Just as my wedding to Xiao Yi was approaching, an excursion into the countryside almost caused our marriage to be called off on schedule and even drove our affection into total disarray.
That outing was organized by Madam Xiao with the initial intention of fostering deeper affection between me and Xiao Yi.
Yet, it ended up destroying the meager shred of goodwill existing between the two of us.
"Madam Xiao said that our two families are about to become one very soon, so she thought we should take advantage of this rare leisure time for both families to go out for a stroll. What do you think?"
"Are we all going?"
Madam Shen pondered for a moment. "Your younger sister's temperament is far too boisterous, so we won't bring her along. The two of us will go. As for the Xiao family, only Madam Xiao and Xiao Yi will be coming. How does that sound?"
"Is that appropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it? You and Xiao Yi are already betrothed, and your wedding date is just around the corner. What could possibly be inappropriate?!"
Shen Mingzhu thought for a moment. "Whatever mother arranges is fine."
Naturally, this was not the first time Shen Mingzhu had seen Xiao Yi. Ever since their engagement, Xiao Yi had come to visit the Marquis Manor on every festive holiday. Through such coming and going, a measure of genuine affection had naturally blossomed between them.
In terms of family background, appearance, and scholarship, Xiao Yi was top-tier, and Shen Mingzhu naturally found not a single thing to be dissatisfied with.
As for Xiao Yi, Shen Mingzhu was talented, beautiful, well-read, virtuous, and moreover chosen by his mother—making her the absolute most suitable candidate to be the mistress of the Duke Xiao Manor.
The place Madam Xiao had chosen was a sparsely populated yet scenic spot in the countryside, intended precisely to create an opportunity for her son and future daughter-in-law to spend some time alone together.
Inside a gazebo, Madam Xiao and Madam Shen were chatting and laughing, while Shen Mingzhu and Xiao Yi sat facing each other in silence.
"My goodness, the scenery here is so lovely! Why aren't the two of you out strolling instead of sitting here staring blankly? You're just getting in the way of our chat!"
Madam Xiao laughed, teasing Shen Mingzhu and Xiao Yi.
Shen Mingzhu and Xiao Yi exchanged a glance. Xiao Yi spoke first, "Shall I take Miss Shen out for a stroll?"
Shen Mingzhu looked toward Madam Shen, who smiled and nodded at her. "Go ahead. The wind outside is a bit chilly, so take your cloak with you."
The place chosen by Madam Xiao was rich in picturesque mountains and clear waters.
Shen Mingzhu wore a white dress paired with a red cloak, the lower right corner of which was embroidered with a blossoming peach branch in white and pink thread. Xiao Yi was dressed in white robes with a black sash, a red sachet dangling from his waist. Walking together, the two of them looked like a match made in heaven.
"Would you like some roasted fish?" Xiao Yi turned his head to ask her.
"Roasted fish?"
Shen Mingzhu's gaze fell upon the nearby river, and her eyes lit up slightly. "Can you catch fish?"
"A little. Wait here for me; I'll go find a suitable tree branch and catch some fish for you to eat later."
"Alright."