"Can these truly be compared?" Shen Qingrui remained silent.
She hadn't cared before because she knew these things would always be hers. But now? Things were different. Without a safety net behind her, how could she not care?
The Duke of Anguo's Estate had only one male heir. With such a massive family fortune, shouldn't a bride's home-visiting procession be several carriages long to demonstrate her status and the family's favor toward the new bride? Yet, there was only one measly carriage. How would the common folk view her? Would they say she deserved it? That after snatching Shen Yiren’s husband, it was no wonder the groom's family didn't value her?
Shen Qingrui leaned into his shoulder. "Why do my in-laws treat me this way? Just because I’m a ‘fake’? But I truly did grow up in Yujing, in the General’s Estate." She pouted. "Is it just because I can't act all delicate and pretentious? I was raised in the General’s Estate; I should carry myself like the daughter of a military family! Isn't that spirit and boldness exactly what attracted you to me in the first place, my Lord?"
"Naturally," Cen Liangxuan comforted her. "You don't need to change, but they are my parents after all; you must be more patient with them. Also, you must not be so rude to Prince Duan again—not just him, but any prince or princess."
Shen Qingrui curled her lip. "Prince Duan is so petty and blind, siding with Shen Yiren like that."
"Just say that in front of me; don't let anyone else hear you." Cen Liangxuan pulled her waist closer. Although they hadn't shared a wedding night, he hadn't been idle these past two days. Men who practiced martial arts certainly had better stamina, and his physique was lean, with alluring, well-defined lines. Cen Liangxuan had developed quite a taste for her.
The General's Estate arrived. Shen Qingrui stepped out of the carriage first, followed by Cen Liangxuan. The household had been waiting for some time and bowed immediately upon seeing them.
"Greetings, Heir apparent, Princess consort."
"No need for formalities." Cen Liangxuan personally went to assist Old Madam Shen, then noticed Shen Zhi'ang calling out a crisp "brother-in-law" and reached out to pat his head.
Shen Qingrui glanced around. "Where is Yiren? Why isn't she here to greet us?"
So what if Shen Yiren claimed she was a fraud? Now that she had returned to her maiden home, even her grandmother and mother had to respectfully address her as the Princess consort. Even if Shen Yiren were the true biological daughter of the General’s Estate, she would still have to bow to her.
"Never mind her." The Old Madam spoke, leaving no room for others to question. "Heir apparent, please, come inside. My son is at the border, so I must act as the host in his stead. I hope you will not take offense."
"How could I? Grandmother, you worry too much." Cen Liangxuan helped the Old Madam inside. His every action demonstrated how much he cared for Shen Qingrui.
Shen Qingrui could hardly suppress the smile on her lips.
Madam Shen looked on with relief, yet asked worriedly, "Qingrui, has the Duke's Estate given you any trouble regarding your dowry? I don't know where Yiren hid it all; we can't find a trace of that mountain of belongings!"
Before Shen Zhi'ang could go stir up trouble, the items had already been moved out through the back gate one by one; even he didn't know where.
"Could it be that bodyguard by Shen Yiren's side had people move it?"
Mother and daughter looked at each other, wondering if it was the bodyguard named Cang Ming. Shen Zhi'ang didn't know the man's name, but Shen Yiren had only that one guard and some pathetic, mysterious brother by her side.
Shen Qingrui asked her mother in a low voice, "Could it be that Zhi'ang is right, and Yiren had Prince Duan hide it? She's even sending away her dowry; what, does she really think she can latch onto Prince Duan?"
"In her dreams," Madam Shen said. "Your grandmother has already asked me to find her a husband so she can be married off quickly. Not only did she burn your things in the Mingyue Residence, but she also bullied your brother."
"Shen Yiren burned my things!" Shen Qingrui’s voice rose, causing the Old Madam and Cen Liangxuan to stop in their tracks. The Old Madam looked at her daughter-in-law with dissatisfaction—the Heir apparent was right here, how could they wash their dirty linen in public?
Receiving the reproachful look, Madam Shen gave a sheepish smile and took her daughter’s hand, comforting her, "It's alright, I managed to snatch your favorite shell-inlaid wooden box from the fire, though it did get a little scorched. I'll find a carpenter to patch it up for you."
"Mother, you reached into the fire to grab it?" Shen Zhi'ang rushed over, worried she was hurt. He pulled back her sleeve to check—there was a large scar!
"How dare Shen Yiren burn my sister's things! And hurt Mother!" Shen Zhi'ang’s chest heaved with rage as he filed his complaint. "Brother-in-law, you are the Heir apparent, you must punish Shen Yiren! She bullied my sister, bullied my mother, and yesterday she even dug a hole and buried me in the dirt!"
Cen Liangxuan saw the shocking wound on his mother-in-law's arm and heard the list of grievances from Shen Zhi'ang. He frowned, saying, "Shen Yiren has truly gone too far. I will certainly seek justice for you and Qingrui."
The group arrived at the Mingyue Residence, only to find that the nameplate had been changed.
"Yangcan Residence?" Shen Qingrui scoffed. "A waste of Father hiring a teacher for her. After two years of study, she still writes the characters incorrectly; they’re crooked and hideous, like a dog’s scrawl."
As she pushed the door open, dirt and white fabric rained down from above.
Shen Qingrui, walking in front, was covered in mud. On the white cloth were those same crooked characters: *Dogs and swine may not enter.*
Shen Qingrui ground her teeth and tore down the cloth. She was going in, regardless!
She took another step, her foot sinking into a shallow pit and landing on something round. Before she could look down, a wooden stick rose from the dirt and struck Shen Qingrui with lightning speed.
A blow to the forehead left her dizzy. A red welt appeared across her face, as if it had been split in two.
Another white banner fluttered down: *Told you dogs and swine may not enter.*
The stick was engraved with the words: *Dog-Beating Stick.* Below it: *Swine-Driving Pole.*
"Shen! Yi! Ren!" Shen Qingrui finally snapped. Covering her face, she turned and retreated. The others rushed over to tend to her.
The Old Madam peered into the courtyard. "That wild girl is gone again. Where did she run off to? Today is the day the Heir apparent and the Princess consort return home. Not only did she fail to greet them, she didn't even show her face."
Mother Lü said, "Yesterday she was just wandering around the estate, leading a dog she’d found somewhere. It was flashy, wearing clothes stitched together from scraps of frost-blue fabric. The dog was practically wearing a human skin." She sneered, then continued, "She seemed to be looking for something. Early this morning, she slipped out the back gate again. She was asking if anyone had seen her—I was too far away to hear the details."
Shen Qingrui ignored the pain in her face and the loss of her residence, looking sharply at Cen Liangxuan. Cen Liangxuan's pupils contracted. Both were thinking the same thing: Was Shen Yiren looking for evidence and witnesses? Why couldn't she just let the past be the past?
They were both feeling a bit panicked, so they found an excuse to speak privately.
Once they were alone, Shen Qingrui hissed, "I hid the valuables under the rockery. Hurry and get someone to dig them up and see if they're still there. If they aren't, and Shen Yiren really found them, I can only... deny everything."
"What about you? Was there anyone around when you pushed Shen Yiren off the cliff?"
"Only my servant and I were there at the time. The Duke’s Estate’s servants would never betray me," Cen Liangxuan said with certainty. However, he wasn't sure if anyone knew Shen Yiren had left the estate, or why. He also didn't know if anyone at the city gate had seen Shen Yiren get into his carriage. He hadn't thought that much of it; after all, no one cared about a true daughter returning from the countryside. Shen Yiren herself had always been timid, swallowing everything she faced—how could she possibly have the courage to seek evidence?
She had changed. It seemed she had changed ever since she returned from the cliff.
"I have an idea." Shen Qingrui thought of the maids who had served Shen Yiren and called them over. "Luoqing, Luoxue, did you see who Yiren was in contact with during the two days before the wedding, and when she left the estate?"
Luoxue shook her head.
But Luoqing raised her head. "In reply to the Princess consort, this servant saw."