Madam Shen naturally sensed the distance in Shen Mingzhu’s words. Yet, she understood that a bond with her daughter could not be mended in a single day. She could only nod helplessly, saying, "Very well. Whatever you say."
She decided that, at the very least, she would make it up to her daughter by adding more to her dowry later.
Just as the mother and daughter were about to continue their conversation, boisterous noises erupted in the courtyard, accompanied by the whispers of chattering maids.
"Aunt Shen! I've come to see you!" Shen Jiaojiao bellowed at the top of her lungs, completely lacking any semblance of decorum.
Shen Mingzhu and Madam Shen exchanged a glance; the latter looked utterly bewildered. "Jiaojiao is back?"
Before the words were out of her mouth, Shen Jiaojiao strode directly inside.
"Sister Mingzhu! You really are here!" Shen Jiaojiao’s face was a mask of feigned surprise, wearing an expression that seemed to say, "I knew it."
For some reason, Shen Mingzhu instantly guessed the girl’s intentions. Especially upon seeing Shen Jiaojiao in a dress embroidered with golden peonies, her head laden with pearl hairpins and gemstone ornaments, a gold and jade collar around her neck, and shoes embellished with southern pearls—it was as if she were terrified that others might not realize she was here to show off.
In truth, it was exactly as Shen Mingzhu had surmised. Hearing that Shen Mingzhu had left the Jian'an Marquis Manor, Shen Jiaojiao had specially dressed up to come and flaunt her status. Heaven knew, when she first heard that Shen Mingzhu had left the manor, she had wanted to throw a banquet to celebrate! Of course, that was just a fleeting thought.
Even without a banquet, her high spirits remained untarnished. She couldn't wait to see Shen Mingzhu’s wretched state; she wanted to see if Shen Mingzhu, now stripped of her status as the legitimate daughter of the Jian'an Marquis Manor, was hiding in some corner, sobbing. To that end, she had risen early to doll herself up, even digging out the most gorgeous gown the Marquise had recently bought for her, and selecting the finest gemstone jewelry, all just to gloat in front of Shen Mingzhu.
But when she failed to see even a glimmer of envy in Shen Mingzhu’s eyes, Shen Jiaojiao felt a tinge of disappointment. And to make matters worse, Shen Mingzhu wasn't crying her eyes out as she had imagined!
Shen Jiaojiao curled her lip. *Perhaps she’s just pretending to be composed,* she thought. With that realization, she puffed out her chest again.
"Sister Mingzhu, why are you dressed so plainly today? After all, you were once the legitimate daughter of our Marquis Manor. This attire of yours..."
Shen Jiaojiao began with a smile, but soon furrowed her brows, her tone shifting from rising to falling—in short, she was being insufferably snide.
Shen Mingzhu saw through her game and naturally chose to ignore such petty tricks. Madam Shen, however, looked anxious upon hearing this and scrutinized Shen Mingzhu’s outfit. "It is a bit too plain."
"Tomorrow, I will take you to pick out some jewelry and fine fabric to have some new dresses made for you." Seeing the simple wooden hairpin in Shen Mingzhu’s hair, Madam Shen felt a sharp pang of heartache.
The smile on Shen Jiaojiao’s face stiffened. A sudden, inexplicable sourness rose in her heart. She had intended to say that her aunt should pick things out carefully for Sister Mingzhu so she wouldn't feel the drastic difference in lifestyle compared to her time at the manor. Yet, the words that actually tumbled out were, "Aunt, I want some too!"
Shen Mingzhu: "..."
Meeting Shen Mingzhu’s meaningful gaze, Shen Jiaojiao suddenly realized what she had said. Burning with shame and annoyance, she couldn't help but glare at Shen Mingzhu. Shen Mingzhu silently looked away.
Madam Shen, oblivious to the silent exchange between them, felt both sorrow and joy upon hearing Jiaojiao’s request. Sorrow, because the daughter she had raised for over a decade now called her "Aunt" with such distance; joy, because it was a rare moment to hear Jiaojiao acting like a spoiled child toward her again.
"Yes, yes, yes. If you like, Aunt will have some dresses made for you, too," Madam Shen said, instinctively glancing at Shen Mingzhu’s reaction.
Hearing this, Shen Jiaojiao tilted her chin up triumphantly, like a proud peacock. The gesture clearly meant: *See? Even when you return to your own family, Aunt Shen’s affection for me is only greater.*
Shen Mingzhu gave her a look that was half-smile, half-scorn. "Mother, Jiaojiao has been talking about missing you all day at the manor. Why don't you let her stay here for a few days?"
Before Shen Jiaojiao could react, Madam Shen replied, "That would be lovely. But is it appropriate?" She was not well-versed in the rigid protocols of high-ranking noble houses and wasn't sure if a young lady of Shen Jiaojiao’s current status could easily spend the night elsewhere.
"No, that won't be necessary! I mean—I just remembered my mother asked me to join her for dinner tonight. It wouldn't be convenient for me to stay. Besides, you and Sister Mingzhu have just reunited; you must have much to discuss, so I won't disturb you! I have things to attend to, so I'll be going now!"
With that, she scrambled to her feet as if something were chasing her. Jokes aside, she had worked so hard to get into the Jian'an Marquis Manor; she hadn't slept enough in the manor's ornate canopy beds yet! Having transformed into a golden peacock, why would she ever want to return here? She wasn't crazy!
Just as she reached the courtyard, the memory of Shen Mingzhu’s words sent a chill down her spine.
"No one is chasing you; why are you running so fast?" Shen Mingzhu’s voice came from behind her.
Shen Jiaojiao jumped. Turning around to face the slow-walking Shen Mingzhu, she bristled. "Tell me the truth! Are you hoping I’ll keep pining for the Shen family so you can seize the chance to reclaim your position as the legitimate daughter of the Jian'an Marquis Manor?"
Before Shen Mingzhu could respond, she hurried on, "Let me tell you, don't even think about it! The position of the only legitimate daughter of the Jian'an Marquis Manor belongs to me and me alone!"
"Since you've moved out, you are forbidden from stepping foot in the manor again! Even if you beg me, I will never let you return!"
Shen Jiaojiao held her head high; with her outfit, she looked like a proud little red peacock. Shen Mingzhu realized that Shen Jiaojiao had become obsessed with the title of the Jian'an Marquis Manor's legitimate daughter. Out of every three sentences, two and a half were about that title, and the remaining half was spent emphasizing the word "only."
*Tsk, how much must she have minded us being on equal footing in our past life to have developed such a stress response?*
"Is that so? Then you had better watch your step. Otherwise, I’m sure the Marquise wouldn't mind having another brilliant, seventeen-year-old twin daughter." Shen Mingzhu cast a meaningful look at the stunned Shen Jiaojiao. "Also, you dropped your purse."
With that, Shen Mingzhu tossed the purse into Shen Jiaojiao’s arms and walked away, leaving behind a dark-faced Shen Jiaojiao, clutching her purse, utterly flustered.
There was no other reason than the fact that Shen Jiaojiao suddenly remembered how, in her past life, the Marquise had indeed claimed that Shen Mingzhu and she were twins. Furthermore, the Marquise had indeed praised Shen Mingzhu as being remarkably gifted!
She was even angrier now, but Shen Jiaojiao refused to admit defeat!
She glared at Shen Mingzhu’s retreating back, hands on her hips. "Hmph! Keep talking tough! I'll be waiting for the day you come begging me!"
Not feeling satisfied even then, she shook her fist at Shen Mingzhu’s back. However, that comment had truly left a shadow on her. For an entire week, Shen Mingzhu did not see her shadow once.