"As a Prince, how can you use your power to bully a minister's wife?" In Yujing, Shen Qingrui was famous for her unconventional behavior. To put it nicely, she was unyielding; to put it bluntly, she had no respect for social hierarchy.
Cen Liangxuan was drawn to this very trait in her, but one had to draw the line somewhere. Standing up to ordinary noble scions was one thing, but Prince Duan was the only royal in the current court to have been granted his title at such a young age.
Born sickly, Prince Duan was not only doted on by the Emperor as if he were any ordinary father, but he also received constant concern from the Empress and the many other Princes. Whether that concern was genuine or feigned, everyone saw Prince Duan as a person of gold and jade, steeped in favor.
Cen Liangxuan called out to her again: "Qingrui."
The Duchess of Anguo added, "Shen Qingrui, do not be impudent!"
Shen Qingrui curled her lip. What had she said wrong?
"I have always heard that the General's Estate's long-lost daughter is a haughty soul who fears no power. Today, I have witnessed that lack of fear." Zhou Jinyan arrived wrapped in a fox-fur cloak, his face still pale, coughing lightly every two steps.
"Greetings to Prince Duan," the people of the Duke of Anguo's Estate bowed.
Shen Yiren and Xiao Ba, unfamiliar with human etiquette, simply stood there. Zhou Jinyan swept a glance over the pair.
"Your Highness," Shen Qingrui said upon seeing him, "I hope you will forgive my sister. She has yet to learn the proper manners."
"I don't see that you have much in the way of manners yourself," the Prince remarked with a faint sneer. "The pot calling the kettle black, wouldn't you say?"
Shen Qingrui felt a lump form in her throat.
"Shen Qingrui, you have always been so high and mighty; why concern yourself with such a meager dowry? With your capabilities, would you struggle to get by without it?" Zhou Jinyan turned to look at Cang Ming and Cang Xu, signaling them to move quickly; he was exhausted from standing for so long.
Seeing his expression, Shen Yiren nudged Xiao Ba's back, telling him to hurry and lead the men over.
Since Prince Duan had put her on a pedestal, how could Shen Qingrui possibly object?
The Duchess of Anguo, however, watched the guards head into the inner courtyard and felt a pang of heartache at the thought of the entire dowry being hauled away.
"Your Highness, is this not contrary to proper custom? Since ancient times, it is the groom who sends gifts, and the bride who brings the dowry."
Zhou Jinyan lifted his gaze to scan them briefly. "Shen Qingrui is a fake legitimate daughter; taking the true legitimate daughter's dowry is what you call contrary to custom."
It seemed the dowry would not be staying.
Shen Qingrui ground her teeth in fury, and the Duchess of Anguo felt a suffocating pressure in her chest. Cen Liangxuan, meanwhile, kept his focus entirely on Shen Yiren and the Prince.
Ever since Shen Qingrui returned, she had been completely devoted to him. How could she have gotten involved with Prince Duan? What exactly was their relationship? And why had Shen Yiren caught the Prince's eye?
"I am weary. Let us go." Zhou Jinyan turned to Shen Yiren.
Shen Yiren followed him, asking in confusion, "Why did they not dare to argue with you?"
"I am a Prince."
"I am a King, too."
"What kind of 'King' are you?"
*The Ginseng King!*
She couldn't say that. Shen Yiren asked instead, "Can you not get me a title of King?"
Zhou Jinyan stopped, his gaze complex. Even in the most remote backwaters, one should know that a title like that could not be granted lightly. If one was not of royal blood, they had to have performed great service for the nation and its people.
"Do you live in the deep mountains?"
Shen Yiren's eyes went wide. *How did he know?!*
She shook her head hurriedly and changed the subject. "Why does your complexion still look so poor? Did you not eat the ginseng?"
"It is being decocted."
"Decocted? Just eat it directly."
Zhou Jinyan truly wondered what was inside her head. He shook it, saying, "A thousand-year-old Ginseng Spirit root is highly potent. If consumed raw, the body will be unable to handle the sudden surge of energy."
"Oh." She had forgotten he was human. Humans were not like the beast-kin, who would feast on raw flesh and blood without hesitation.
Shen Yiren did not forget her request. "Are you truly unable to make me a King?"
The two had reached the gates of the Duke's estate. As Zhou Jinyan was being helped onto his carriage, his foot just touching the step, he suddenly thought of something.
"You want a royal title?"
"Mm!" Shen Yiren looked up at him, her dark, round eyes full of anticipation.
"It is possible," Zhou Jinyan said, "but you must first tell me about your treatment method. What herbs are required, what are the taboos, and how do I need to cooperate?"
This was, after all, the reason he had come looking for Shen Yiren today. He could not truly trust the ramblings of a young girl and stake his own health on it.
"I cannot tell you." If she did, would that not be the end of her? Would she not be dried out and locked in a box, or soaked in yellow wine, only to have her corpse whipped by humans every now and then?
"Why?"
"I just cannot. If you do not believe me, I will go back and make a medicinal pill, and have Cang Ming send it to you." Shen Yiren promised, "It will certainly be useful to you."
Zhou Jinyan looked at her deeply, seemingly hesitant.
"Does that not work?"
"If it is useful, I will promise you."
"It's a deal!" Shen Yiren held up her right hand, palm facing him.
Zhou Jinyan leaned down and high-fived her.
The dowry was hauled out one load after another.
Shen Yiren returned in triumph. When Madam Shen, having heard from the steward that Shen Yiren had gone to retrieve the dowry, came out and saw the red-tasselled chests being moved back into Mingyue Residence, she nearly fainted from rage.
"My poor daughter! Without the dowry, how will the Duke's estate continue to look upon you with favor?"
"If the Duke's estate looks down on Qingrui, they look down on my General's Estate." The matter had already reached Fuan Hall. The Old Madame, who had not slept well the night before, looked even more fearsome in her exhaustion.
Her cane struck the floor, and the maids in the room fell to their knees.
Mother Lü, harboring a grudge against Shen Yiren, stated definitively, "The Second Miss is jealous that the Eldest Miss is superior in every way, so she wants to snatch everything back. She wants to shatter the bond between the Duke's and General's estates! She wants to turn our house into the laughingstock of the world!"
"Mother, I truly cannot control that child, Yiren," Madam Shen said, wiping away tears as the pain from her burns flared up again. "Why not find her a husband and marry her off? If we cannot discipline her, her husband's family will teach her how to behave."
"If Yiren stays in the boudoir, not only is it unseemly given her age, but who knows how much more trouble she will stir up? My husband has spent half his life in battle to earn his current glory and reputation; we must not let Yiren ruin it entirely!"
The Old Madame cared about the reputation of the General's Estate, but she cared even more for her son. Upon hearing this, she immediately decided to find a husband for Shen Yiren.
"With your daughter's character, which noble son would dare marry her?"
"Mother, how could Yiren be worthy of a noble son of Yunjing? A common household will do." Madam Shen was focused only on getting rid of this daughter who constantly brought her trouble and made things difficult for Shen Qingrui. The sooner she was gone, the better. A married daughter was like spilled water; even if Shen Yiren caused a catastrophe, it would be her husband's family's misfortune.
The Old Madame nodded. "Even if Yiren is lacking, she is still a legitimate daughter of the General's Estate. She cannot lower her status to be a concubine, nor can she marry into someone too common. Let us look among the families of sixth or seventh-rank officials."
"Yes." Madam Shen felt slightly relieved. "Mother, what about Qingrui's dowry? Shall we really let Yiren keep it?"
"If she was able to move it back, can you not have people move it back again?"
"With your words, Mother, I am relieved." Madam Shen rose, finally adding, "Should we call a doctor to examine you?"
"It is an old ailment. Doctors examine me time and again, but it is always the same. I take plenty of medicine, but it does no good." The Old Madame thought of the sachet Shen Yiren had taken. With it, she could sleep soundly, but without it, she woke at the slightest sound. But to lower her head to that rebellious granddaughter? That was out of the question.
She looked at Mother Lü, who had served her for decades.
Mother Lü understood immediately. "The Second Miss robbed the Old Madame of her sachet last night and snatched the Eldest Miss's dowry today. Her behavior is becoming increasingly intolerable."
Madam Shen was shocked.
"Mother, rest assured. I can return the dowry to Qingrui, and I will also bring back your sachet."