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Every year during the Lantern Festival, Shen Yizhen would visit the Imperial Capital of Great Yin.

One reason was that the Shen family's business ventures spanned the entire nation, with the majority located in the Imperial Capital. Hence, Shen Yizhen needed to come yearly to oversee and audit the accounts, staying for at least two or three months.

The second reason was her visits to Xiao Yu.

It was peculiar how they, despite not being mother and daughter, shared a bond deeper than that of many biological parent-child pairs. Their relationship was so close that even the usually magnanimous Empress Qi felt a tinge of jealousy.

The connection between Xiao Yu and Shen Yizhen originated from the Lantern Festival of Jiayou Eight.

When Shen Yizhen learned that her long-lost brother Shen Zhi had tragically met his end at the Great Ci'en Temple, she resolved to journey to the capital to uncover the truth behind his death and give him a proper burial.

How could she not be heartbroken over the tragic demise of her childhood companion in a foreign land?

On the night of the Lantern Festival, the entire capital city of Shangjing was bustling with excitement, illuminated by shimmering lights and fiery trees, as if it were the very abode of the Son of Heaven.

Yet, there she was, wandering alone and in despair along Changan Avenue. Halfway through her walk, a young girl, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, took her hand and urged her not to grieve.

The little girl was dressed in exquisite attire, with a delicate beauty that seemed carved from porcelain – truly enchanting.

The moment Shen Yizhen laid eyes on the young girl, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity and a surge of deep affection.

Unaware of the child's origins, she was about to guide her back to her parents when several guards suddenly appeared, whisking the little one away.

Worried that they might be kidnappers, Shen Yizhen followed at a distance until she was reassured that the child had safely returned to her family.

At that time, the young girl was being carried by an old nanny, her delicate chin resting on the nanny's shoulder as her beautiful almond-shaped eyes gazed intently at Shen Yizhen, evoking a mixture of tenderness and sorrow within her.

This brief encounter soon faded into the past.

Assuming they would never cross paths again, it came as a surprise when, the following year in Yang State Prefecture, the emperor made a secret southern tour, and she stumbled upon the same youngster once more.

Before the chaos of the thirty-fifth year of Jiande caused by demonic cultists, Emperor Jia You secretly visited Jiangzhe, where he met with Shen Huai, her father. Impressed by his potential as a benevolent ruler, her father pledged to support him wholeheartedly with the resources of their entire clan.

Her father's decision bore fruit, for after Jia You ascended the throne, the Shen family became royal merchants.

When her father passed away, he smiled and told her that his most righteous choice in life was standing firmly with Prince An in that crucial moment.

Shen Yizhen held a profound respect for Emperor Jia You, and when he embarked on his southern tour, she was the first merchant invited for an audience with the sovereign.

Upon realizing that the little girl was none other than Ling Zhao, the beloved princess who was cherished like the apple of Emperor Jiayou's eye, Shen Yizhen was stunned for quite some time.

The child recognized her at once and, after sliding off Emperor Jiayou's lap, insisted on being carried by Shen Yizhen.

She refused to stay in the garden prepared by the officials for Emperor Jiayou, insisting on residing with Shen Yizhen in Shen Yuan instead.

Shen Yizhen assumed that even with his great affection for his daughter, Emperor Jiayou wouldn't acquiesce. Surprisingly, he gazed at her with a smile and unexpectedly nodded in agreement.

For the following three months, Princess Ling Zhao resided in Shen Yuan.

Shen Yizhen took her around the entire Yang State Prefecture, and despite their brief encounter, they developed an incredibly strong bond.

To outsiders, Shen Yizhen's fondness for the child likely stemmed from the princess's esteemed status. However, Shen Yizhen knew it was more profound than that; she had developed an inexplicable connection with Zhaozhao.

On the final day in Shen Yuan before Emperor Jiayou concluded his southern tour, the little girl approached her with a box of pine nut candies and asked, "Can you be my godmother? I'll come back to Yangzhou to see you."

The words "come back to Yangzhou to see her" brought tears to Shen Yizhen's eyes.

On that fateful day, the eunuch Wang Da in the palace, upon hearing Princess Ling Zhao's request, unexpectedly allowed her to become sworn relatives with Princess Ling Zhao. From then on, Xiao Yu would always greet her with a smile and call her "Mother" whenever she visited Yangzhou. She even gave herself the name "Shen Zhao."

Every year, Shen Yizhen would come to the capital to see Xiao Yu. Lu Shiyi teasingly remarked that perhaps she and Zhaozhao were mother and daughter in their past lives.

Their bond as mother and daughter from their previous existence had carried over into this lifetime.

This year, Shen Yizhen arrived in the capital earlier than usual, still several days before the New Year. Accompanied by Lu Shiyi, she brought Shen Ying along.

After her trip to Fu Jian, Shen Ying had plenty to share with Xiao Yu and kept insisting on meeting her sister throughout the journey.

Emperor Jiayou and Empress Qi had only Xiao Lie and Xiao Yu as children for many years. Xiao Yu had long wished for a younger sister, and her dream was finally fulfilled when Shen Yizhen gave birth to Shen Ying.

Despite having no blood ties, the two sisters had a strong affection for each other.

Shen Yizhen's residence in the capital was situated at the foot of Minglu Mountain. With Empress Qi's permission, Xiao Yu visited Minglu Yard for a few days right after they arrived at the mountain.

In the still of the night, after Shen Ying had fallen asleep, Xiao Yu put on a heavy cloak and went to find Shen Yizhen, sharing with her the events that transpired in Jinan Prefecture.

Upon hearing the story, Shen Yizhen furrowed her brow and asked, "Who could it be?"

"In two more months, Mother will find out who it is," Xiao Yu said with a bright smile. "Right now, Zhaozhao can't reveal it, for fear that you and Empress Mother might scare him away."

Shen Yizhen gave a light cough and lifted her teacup for a sip.

Indeed, she had been contemplating sending someone to investigate the man's background. If he turned out to be an upright individual, all would be well; if not, she would have to advise Zhaozhao regardless.

But Zhaozhao was acutely aware of both her mothers' thoughts, and her lips were tightly sealed.

Aside from knowing that the man was in Jinan Prefecture, Shen Yizhen knew nothing else.

Well, given Zhaozhao's character, anyone who could gain her favor likely wouldn't be of poor quality.

Putting down her teacup, Shen Yizhen changed the subject. "I heard from Shi Yi that you plan to establish a school for girls in the spring?"

Xiao Yu nodded with a smile. "Father Emperor already agreed, as long as my intentions remain unchanged by the time I come of age, he will allow me to proceed with establishing the school."

Back when Xiao Yu was young and living in the palace, she would accompany Xiao Lie to the study hall to listen to the Grand Tutor's lectures.

It wasn't until she turned ten that she learned that noble girls in the capital were no longer allowed to study history and literature after reaching that age. Instead, they were confined to their inner chambers to learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery, and household management.