Chapter 16 Was the Girl Shen Jingzhan Had Been Happy About for Years Her?…

Chapter 16: The Girl Shen Jingzhan Has Cherished for Years—Is It Her?

Noticing her mother-in-law's displeased gaze, Zhu Yinluan remained silent.

Lady Pang's dissatisfaction with her was not a recent development but years of pent-up resentment. How could it be alleviated or win her favor with just a few words from her?

More words would only invite more mistakes, so she chose to stay quiet.

She understood perfectly why Lady Pang disliked her more and more—her inability to bear children was one reason, and the other... her humble origins.

Back when the Wei family was in decline, she had just married into the household, and Lady Pang had not voiced so many criticisms then.

Because she had done many things, especially after taking over the management of the Wei household, shouldering all matters big and small with utmost diligence, ensuring Lady Pang had no pretext to reprimand her. Even now, she continued to manage the Wei household with the same dedication.

But as Wei Ruzuo's official rank rose, placing him in increasingly prominent positions, his brilliance grew, while she, standing beside him, seemed insignificant in comparison.

Lady Pang increasingly felt that a lowborn concubine's daughter like her, who couldn't bear children, was unworthy of her son.

Zhu Yinluan thought of the replaced nameplate she had seen at the entrance—discarded because it wasn't grand enough, lowering the Wei family's prestige. Lady Pang had ordered it changed.

Thinking of Wei Ruzuo's coldness and impatience, Zhu Yinluan wondered if she, too, would one day be replaced like that nameplate.

Where would she go then?

Zhu Yinluan didn't know.

Lost in thought, she barely registered the conversation between Lady Pang and Fang Zhongyue.

Lady Pang was very fond of Fang Zhongyue, even though she was just a maidservant. Fang Zhongyue's mother worked for the Shen family as a steward, which meant she held influence and authority.

In the strictly hierarchical capital, being a maid in a noble house was better than many other positions—after all, as the saying went, "Even beating a dog requires considering its master."

To gain access to the Shen family and understand its members, paving the way for Wei Ruzuo's future connections, Lady Pang asked Fang Zhongyue many questions about the Shen family.

Fang Zhongyue claimed not to know much about the Shen family's affairs, but from her mother, she had learned a great deal about their preferences.

Lady Pang urged her to speak quickly. "Shen Heir oversees the Secretariat—he is now the Chancellor. Since he likely manages Young Master Zhuo's promotion, knowing the Shen family's preferences will be crucial for future visits and networking."

"Whatever My Lady wishes to know, this humble one will withhold nothing," Fang Zhongyue replied meekly.

Zhu Yinluan, standing nearby, was forced to listen as well.

When Fang Zhongyue spoke, she glanced at Zhu Yinluan, whose attention was slightly scattered—it was unclear whether she noticed.

Lady Pang was delighted and patted Fang Zhongyue's hand affectionately. "None of this 'maidservant' talk. You are now part of the Wei family—no need to debase yourself so much."

But Fang Zhongyue maintained her decorum. "Thanks to the mistress and My Lady's kindness, Zhongyue dares not forget her roots."

Lady Pang was even more pleased.

"The Shen family has many branches, but only the main lineage resides in the Marquis's estate."

"There's the Marquis, the Lady Marchioness, along with the Dowager, and several concubines. Beyond them, there's Shen Heir and his younger sister."

"I've heard the Marquis of Zhaoping has many children?"

"Yes. Shen Heir, as the eldest legitimate son, inherited the title from birth. The other legitimate and illegitimate sons and daughters have mostly married by now."

"If they're all married, why hasn't Shen Heir married yet?" Lady Pang asked pointedly.

One might assume Fang Zhongyue, as the daughter of a steward, wouldn't know much, but she lowered her voice and said, "My mother heard it's because the Emperor is wary of powerful factions forming, which is why Shen Heir's marriage has been delayed."

Lady Pang was astonished but quickly began calculating. She couldn't help but lament inwardly—*if only her daughters weren't already married, and if the Wei family's status rose a few more years, perhaps they could have matched with the Shen family's noble lineage?*

But regret was useless—both her daughters were already wed.

At least they had married well. Though her elder daughter, Wei Qingsi, often complained about her strict mother-in-law, their squabbles hadn't stopped them from getting by.

"So, you're saying Shen Heir might choose a girl of modest birth as his wife?"

"This humble one only overheard her mother's gossip—the specifics are unclear."

Fang Zhongyue darted a glance at Zhu Yinluan again, unsure if she had caught the implication.

"Who knew even noble houses have their troubles."

"If he can't marry a noblewoman, perhaps the Emperor intends to betroth a princess to Shen Heir? Otherwise, why would he favor the Shen family so much these years?"

Lady Pang brought up Princess Feng'an, as the princess was dearly loved by the Emperor. Moreover, she had once made her feelings known to Shen Jingzhan at a royal banquet, only to be ignored and even reprimanded by the Empress Dowager.

"My Lady may not know this, but Shen Heir once explicitly told the Dowager Lady Shen that he dislikes Princess Feng'an—he visibly recoiled when her name was mentioned."

"Really?" Lady Pang was intrigued.

Fang Zhongyue looked at Zhu Yinluan again.

This time, Zhu Yinluan noticed her gaze and met her eyes.

In truth, Zhu Yinluan had sensed Fang Zhongyue's repeated glances.

She just didn't understand why Fang Zhongyue kept looking at her.

If it was to flaunt Lady Pang's favor in front of her, the legitimate wife, it didn't seem so—Fang Zhongyue's expression lacked any smugness.

It was more like... she was checking if Zhu Yinluan was paying attention.

*How odd.*

So this time, Zhu Yinluan looked back, wanting to know what she intended.

But Fang Zhongyue merely glanced away and continued speaking with Lady Pang.

"Who would have thought Shen Heir dislikes Princess Feng'an? Though the princess is wilful and improper, she is still royalty—the Emperor's beloved daughter."

Fang Zhongyue only smiled. "Shen Heir is an exceptional man—why would he need to marry into royalty to add to his glory?"

Lady Pang, though rebutted, wasn't angered. "You're right. The Shen family's prestige is unmatched. Shen Heir was destined to inherit the title from birth. Even without family backing, his talents alone have elevated him to the position of Chancellor. I hear he also oversees the Imperial Censorate?"

Lady Pang sighed repeatedly. "I wonder when Young Master Zhuo will rise to such heights, bringing honor to our house and elevating us among the capital's noble houses."

"With his rapid promotions, the future is surely assured," Fang Zhongyue coaxed, showering Lady Pang with a barrage of flattery until she beamed, flushed with pleasure.

Soon, the topic circled back.

"If Shen Heir remains unmarried, I wonder which family's daughter will win his favor?" Lady Pang mused aloud, wondering which girl would be so fortunate.

"My mother once took over serving the Dowager Lady Shen for a few days and heard that Shen Heir refuses to marry because he has long been in love with a particular young lady."

"The girl he's been fond of for years?" Pang Shi was astonished. "Did they mention which family she's from?"

After Pang Shi asked this, Fang Zhongyue glanced over again.

Zhu Yinluan found her completely perplexing.

Wasn't this about the girl Shen Jingzhan had been fond of for years?

Why look at her?

Could it be... that the girl Shen Jingzhan cherished was her? How could that be?

She didn’t even know Shen Jingzhan.

Wait—though they could be considered acquainted, it wasn’t as if they truly knew each other. They had merely exchanged a few passing greetings.

With so many noble daughters in the capital, and likely even more throwing themselves at him, Shen Jingzhan’s cool, detached manner probably meant he didn’t even remember who she was.

Pang Shi noticed Fang Zhongyue’s gaze and asked, puzzled, why she was looking at Zhu Yinluan.

"Could it be someone from the Zhu family?" No—Pang Shi dismissed the thought almost immediately.

Lord Zhu had few children—only two daughters and a son. Both daughters were already married, and Zhu Mingsheng was promised to a noble young lady this year. It couldn’t possibly be someone from the Zhu family.

But the Zhu family had many collateral lines—maybe from one of those?

Just as Pang Shi was about to ask Zhu Yinluan if there were any unmarried girls in the Zhu family, Fang Zhongyue smiled and spoke first.

"Even Mother couldn't learn who it might be. But I was thinking—for the heir to cherish someone for so many years, she must be every bit as lovely as the young madam."

The sudden praise took both Pang Shi and Zhu Yinluan by surprise.

Especially when Zhu Yinluan caught the look in Fang Zhongyue’s eyes.

She detected something more beneath the surface, as if there was more to it than mere flattery.

Pang Shi, however, scoffed. "What good is beauty by itself? She still hasn’t borne a child."

Fang Zhongyue soothed Pang Shi while praising Zhu Yinluan. "The young madam has shouldered the burden of managing the Wei household all these years. Perhaps the strain of overseeing everything has affected her constitution."

At the mention of children, Pang Shi waved her hand dismissively, and Fang Zhongyue said no more.

Still, Pang Shi turned to Zhu Yinluan. "If household matters become too much for you in the future, let Zhongyue assist you."

The words sounded considerate, but in reality, it was a transfer of power.

Zhu Yinluan showed no displeasure, smiling faintly. "This daughter-in-law defers to Mother’s arrangements."

Expecting resistance, Pang Shi was taken aback by Zhu Yinluan’s immediate compliance, giving no opening for criticism.

Later, Fang Zhongyue went on at length about the preferences and taboos of the Shen family’s esteemed members. Even Zhu Yinluan, listening nearby, inadvertently learned much about the eldest branch’s likes and dislikes.

Except for Heir Shen—Fang Zhongyue mentioned he seldom resided at the marquisate, maintaining his own separate household, so little was known about him.

When she said this, Fang Zhongyue’s gaze flickered toward her again—almost imperceptibly, but Zhu Yinluan noticed. She couldn't decipher the intent behind it and chose to ignore it.

"..."

Pang Shi wearied and decided to return to Tingyu Pavilion. Fang Zhongyue and Zhu Yinluan escorted her back.

She kept Fang Zhongyue but dismissed Zhu Yinluan, citing yesterday's absence having left affairs piled up.

Relieved to escape Pang Shi's ill humor, Zhu Yinluan was happy to leave.

Only Ming Ya kept up a steady stream of complaints in her ear about Fang Zhongyue’s calculating ways—how she played innocent in front of Zhu Yinluan but ingratiated herself with Wei Ruzuo and Pang Shi behind her back. Now she even gained a foothold in household affairs. Where would it end if she bore a child in the future?

"Miss, won’t you do something about it?" Ming Ya worried aloud, afraid Fang Zhongyue would walk all over Zhu Yinluan.

"Leave it for now. We’ll deal with it later." Zhu Yinluan shook her head.

She didn’t know what Fang Zhongyue was plotting, but she sensed somehow... she meant no harm.