Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Illness descends like a collapsing mountain, but recovery is as slow as drawing silk.

Shen Anning’s illness this time was brought on by a chill, but even more so by a troubled heart.

Once the heart’s turmoil was resolved, her recovery would naturally hasten.

By the next day, her fever had broken.

Yet, just as in her previous life, she remained in her room, recuperating for three to five days.

In her past life, her severe illness stemmed entirely from overwhelming anxiety. Tormented day and night by Fang Shi’s plan to arrange a concubine for her husband, she dispatched servants daily to Jinyuan to gather information. Little did she expect the news to be far more unsettling than merely taking a concubine.

The Luo family were respectable officials. Though of humble origins, they were a genuine scholarly household. Having traveled thousands of miles to the capital, how could they possibly intend to offer their daughter as a mere concubine?

It turned out the Luo family harbored ambitions of her becoming an equal wife!

It was precisely because the Lu family had a precedent of taking equal wives, coupled with Shen Anning’s own background…

In her past life, Shen Anning had genuinely believed these rumors at the time—and how could she not? Fang Shi was a woman who would stop at nothing to fill the entire Lu household with her own people.

As a result, Shen Anning was so consumed by anger that she fell gravely ill, losing all sense of herself.

This time, however, whether it was Fang Shi, the Luo family, concubines, or equal wives, none of it even registered with her. Shen Anning knew all too well who Lu Suian truly intended to marry!

The Lu family were loyal ministers and staunch proponents of the traditional primogeniture system. They did not involve themselves in the struggle for the throne but firmly upheld the feudal principles of "establishing the eldest legitimate son as heir, not necessarily the most virtuous, and prioritizing nobility over age." Thus, the Lu family’s allegiance lay solely with the current emperor, including the future crown prince.

This was one of the primary reasons the Lu family had remained steadfast and prosperous for a hundred years.

It was also because of the Lu family’s strict ancestral rules that Lu Suian, upon whom the entire family, especially the main branch, placed great hopes, would never repeat his father’s unconventional behavior of taking two wives.

After all, Marquis Lu Rongjing’s marriage to Fang Shi was a compromise born of unique historical circumstances—an act neither he nor the Lu family had desired.

Therefore, in her past life, even if Lu Suian was unwilling, he still obeyed the imperial decree and married Shen Anning, a girl from a farming family. Even if he yearned for another woman, he endured it for seven long years, only marrying his true love after Shen Anning had passed away—a classic case of wanting to have one’s cake and eat it too.

Compared to the prosperity of the family, what did personal feelings matter?

From this perspective, Meng Anran’s significance in Lu Suian’s eyes was nothing extraordinary.

Men have always been this way—putting self-interest above all else. What, then, was a mere Luo family daughter to him?

In her past life, Shen Anning, ignorant of the larger scheme, could only torment herself with fear. Now, with an omniscient perspective, she knew that such a situation, fraught with peril and devoid of benefit, required no intervention from her—the parties involved would resolve it themselves.

Yet, back then, the foolish girl was only filled with relief and gratitude after the storm had passed. How could she have known that she herself was no different from the Luo family daughter?

Even though Shen Anning did not send anyone to investigate this time, rumors about the Luo family gradually spread throughout the estate. When Bai Tao heard the rumors, she was so furious she gnashed her teeth. So that was it—no wonder her mistress had fallen so seriously ill! She had been driven to sickness by anger. So… so Lady Fang Shi in Jinyuan intended to arrange another wife for the young master!

This was simply adding insult to injury!

Her mistress was, after all, the Chief Grand Secretary's descendant and had been married into the Marquis’s household through an imperial mandate. Such an honor, such a grand wedding, and yet she was not only disrespected but also humiliated just six months into her marriage. Was this not the ultimate insult?

Even a cornered rabbit will bite!

Bai Tao stormed into the main room in a fury, only to find Shen Anning sitting calmly behind the desk by the window, focused on working an abacus.

The Chuanze Residence was exceptionally quiet and serene that afternoon.

Lotus blossoms bloomed peacefully by the lake, while two black geese dozed under a tree. A gentle breeze rustled the willow branches.

It also stirred a stray strand of hair on Shen Anning’s forehead.

The rare tranquility of the scene inexplicably cooled Bai Tao’s raging anger.

On the desk were two large rosewood boxes, filled to the brim with land deeds, property deeds, silver notes, and contracts for estates, shops, and fertile fields—all part of Shen Anning’s personal dowry.

After the Shen family’s name was cleared, the emperor not only returned all the confiscated family assets but also added a substantial dowry to compensate her. As a result, Shen Anning’s personal wealth was not inferior to that of the entire Lu family.

However, in her past life, Shen Anning was illiterate and inexperienced in management. For the first half-year of her marriage, these assets remained untouched. Later, in her efforts to find Bai Tao and please the Lu family, she spent large sums on Fang Shi, her two sisters-in-law, and Lu Suian.

Another portion was managed under Lady Xiao’s guidance, and by the time she fully took charge of the Lu household, she had nearly achieved financial balance.

In her past life, these vast resources were wasted in her hands. Now, it was time to put them to proper use.

At first, Bai Tao thought her mistress was studying recipes.

The old Shen Anning had spent her days preparing soups and medicinal dishes without rest—for her two mothers-in-law, her sisters-in-law, and the young master, but never for herself.

This time, however, she was working the abacus with practiced ease. Bai Tao’s anger was instantly replaced by astonishment.

“Since when has my lady mastered the abacus so well?”

Bai Tao’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Women in the countryside rarely had the chance to attend school. In their area, three villages had to share a single teacher, who accepted only boys and refused girls. Bai Tao herself was illiterate, and she assumed Shen Anning was the same.

Noticing Bai Tao’s shock, Shen Anning paused for a moment before resuming her calculations. Only after finishing the last few pages did she calmly explain, “When I used to sell herbs in town, the shopkeeper’s daughter taught me a few tricks. I practiced in secret a few times to avoid being shortchanged. I never thought I’d still remember it after all this time.”

With a final click, she cleared the abacus.

Bai Tao eagerly leaned in for a closer look. Shen Anning pushed the abacus toward her and said with a smile, “Want to learn? I’ll teach you! Once you’ve mastered it, I’ll entrust you with managing these funds.”

Of course, Bai Tao wanted to learn. Before coming to the capital, in Lingshui Village, she may not have been as clever as Sister Ling, but she was still one of the most outstanding girls in the village—proud and confident. Otherwise, why would the wealthy Master Guo from town have taken notice of her?

But after arriving in the capital and the Lu household, she realized there were always those more skilled. Even a third-rank maid in the Chuanze Residence was more knowledgeable than her. It was no wonder the other maids in the courtyard looked down on her.

Over the past six months, Bai Tao had mostly followed Shen Anning around the kitchen, learning its tricks and routines. But in other areas, she was only somewhat skilled.

Take, for example, reading, accounting, hairstyling, embroidery, appreciating antiques, or gardening—each required expertise. None were simple. And that was not even mentioning the most crucial skills: managing staff and dealing with other households. Aside from being her mistress’s confidante, she was hardly qualified for anything else.

Hearing that Shen Anning would teach her, Bai Tao’s eyes lit up. But before she could express her joy, Shen Anning took the abacus back and said with a slight smile, “There’s no hurry for now. Another day, you and Huan Xi can learn together.”

Then she added, “Where are the indentures for our staff in our courtyard? Help me find them. We have more pressing matters to attend to.”

Only then did Bai Tao notice the two boxes filled with property deeds and silver notes on the desk. She quickly asked, “What does my lady need these for?”

As she spoke, she retrieved the key she always carried and dug out the documents kept in the deepest part of the chest.

Shen Anning did not answer directly but responded with a mysterious smile.

In that moment, she reminded Bai Tao of Sister Ling, who had once appeared out of nowhere to protect her in Lingshui Village.

Looking at Shen Anning like this, Bai Tao’s heart beat faster for some reason.

It seemed as though her mistress, after this serious illness, had changed—as if she had finally awakened.

For some reason, as this thought arose, Bai Tao suddenly felt like crying and was so stirred that she instantly cast aside all the messy affairs of Jinyuan and the Luo family, not wanting to ruin Madam's rare good mood.

……

On the eighteenth of June, her health had fully recovered, and what must come would come.

Shen Anning went to Jinyuan as usual to pay her respects.

Since she had two mothers-in-law, she attended to one every other day. Lady Xiao, being magnanimous, never treated her harshly. Aside from teaching Shen Anning the rules of managing a household, she rarely made things difficult for her. Thus, the task of morning and evening courtesies essentially followed a work one day, rest the next schedule.

However, Lady Fang Shi alone was as demanding as three people combined.

The entire marquis' household was under Lady Xiao’s control, leaving no share for Lady Fang Shi. Coupled with her strained relationship with the marquis, even with two sons by her side, she still lacked the dignity Lady Xiao commanded. To seek a sense of importance, she had to find another way.

Unfortunately, Shen Anning became her punching bag.

This day happened to be her turn at Jinyuan.

Since Lady Fang Shi was Lu Suian’s birth mother, in her past life, Shen Anning had served her even more diligently and attentively than Lady Xiao, yet she never gained her favor. If Lu Suian was her greatest setback in her past life, then Lady Fang Shi would rank second.

It was only after having been reborn that Shen Anning realized—it had nothing to do with birth, talent, virtue, temperament, appearance, or character. Those who look down on you will always look down on you. No matter how hard you try, how much effort you put in, even if you devoted your entire life, it will all be in vain.

In the past, whether it was windy or rainy, Shen Anning would arrive at Jinyuan at mao hour (5-7 AM) every day to serve. Since Lady Fang Shi woke up later and had no fixed waking time, sometimes the wait was long—up to two hours, or at the very least, fifteen to thirty minutes. She could not be rushed.

Before Lady Fang Shi woke up, Shen Anning had to prepare all the morning meals, tea, and snacks, ready to personally assist Lady Fang Shi with changing clothes and rinsing her mouth as soon as she awoke.

Today, however, she arrived right on the dot.

She came empty-handed.

When she arrived, Yu Zhiwei, the wife of the third concubine-born son, and Fang Siyan, the wife of the fourth branch, were already there.

Fang Siyan seemed somewhat surprised to see Shen Anning arriving fashionably late. Leaning back in her seat without moving, she played with her nails while sparing a distant glance at Shen Anning, saying with a faint smile, "Eldest sister-in-law, you’ve arrived quite early today!"

After a pause, she instructed the maids nearby, "The tea has gone cold. Fetch another cup for eldest sister-in-law."

It was unclear whether she was teasing or mocking.

Across from her, Yu Shi sat quietly, though her eyes darted around anxiously, as if she were fidgeting restlessly.

Upon seeing Shen Anning arrive, she nearly burst into tears of joy, as if seeing a savior, and exclaimed, "Eldest sister-in-law, you’ve finally come—"

From her overjoyed expression, it was easy to see how Yu Shi had fared during Shen Anning’s absence.

Undoubtedly, with the primary target for venting gone, the next in line had to bear the brunt.

Though Yu Shi was the legitimate wife of the third branch and had entered the household a year earlier than Shen Anning, she had been hastily married to Third Young Master Lu Jinxuan—who was in poor health—as a chongxi bride (a marriage to improve health). Despite being the daughter of a prefect, her background as a concubine-born daughter made her marriage to the third son of the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household a case of marrying above her station.

However, having grown up in an official’s inner courtyard, she was more worldly and clever than Shen Anning had been back then, with some petty shrewdness and scheming. Under the shelter of Shen Anning, the punching bag, she had managed to stay out of trouble.

Just as Shen Anning was about to respond to her two sisters-in-law, some noise came from the direction of the bedroom.

Hearing the commotion, Fang Siyan immediately rose and went to greet her. The brocade curtain was swept aside, and Lady Fang Shi, supported personally by Fang Siyan and surrounded by maids and matrons, made a grand entrance into the hall.

Their party and Shen Anning’s party stepped into the hall at the same time.

Both groups paused at their respective thresholds.

They exchanged a distant glance.

A moment later, Shen Anning gave a slight, casual bow and greeted Lady Fang Shi calmly, "Did you sleep well last night, Madam?"

Her expression was composed, without any awareness of having arrived late or left early.

Seeing Shen Anning arrive so late and with such shameless behavior, Lady Fang Shi’s face instantly darkened. She stiffened her expression, did not acknowledge Shen Anning’s greeting, and left her standing in place as she was escorted by Fang Siyan to take a seat at the Eight Immortals table. However, once seated, her eyes swept across the table, and in an instant, her face visibly turned cold and stern again.

The next moment, she straightened her posture, her eyes blazing with suppressed anger, and fixed them directly on Shen Anning, who was about to take her seat as if nothing had happened—

"Shen Shi, do you know your mistake?"

Her eyes bore into Shen Anning, seeming to drip with deadly venom.