Chapter 50: Lu Shi Regrets!

The edict of bestowed marriage was very brief.

The preceding passage praised Shen Yunyao—her orchid-like heart and fragrant nature, her virtuous and gentle deportment—so much that Shen Yunyao felt her cheeks flush upon hearing it; she was so excellent, yet she herself had no idea.

Finally, it meant the emperor's decree to marry her to Xie Zian of the Xie family.

Moreover, the arrangements for her marriage, from the moment the edict of bestowed marriage was issued, would be handled by the Ministry of Rites; she would not marry out from the Shen household, but would follow the edict‑delivering eunuch to the capital, Jingcheng, to be married there.

Of course, the dowry the Shen family must prepare still needs to be prepared.

As for the Xie family's betrothal gifts, they will not be sent to Liu Cheng, but will be sent to the residence the emperor has granted Shen Yunyao for her marriage preparations.

"Head of the Shen Family, receive the edict!"

After the edict‑delivering eunuch finished speaking, he rolled up the imperial edict anew, walked to the kneeling Shen Shen, and placed the edict before him.

"Your servant receives the edict; long live the emperor!"

Shen Shen's feelings were very complicated.

The emperor's bestowed marriage is undoubtedly a great favor to the Shen family, an honor and grace.

But how will the Shen family cope with Shen Yunyao going to the capital to await marriage?

Should they accompany her to the capital to see her off, or merely assign one elder and a few brothers to escort her?

"Head of the Shen Family, our household may stay in Liu Cheng for three days, then we must set out!"

This simply means giving the Shen family three days to prepare the dowry.

In other words, Shen Yunyao can only remain in Liu Cheng for three more days.

The edict‑delivering eunuch departed, but the two wet‑nurses who served the Grand Empress Dowager remained in the Shen household, tasked with teaching Shen Yunyao etiquette and decorum.

The two wet‑nurses: one surnamed Shen, the other surnamed Ma.

Though advanced in years, their speech and bearing were quite extraordinary; that aura inspired awe in all who saw them.

Shen Yunyao's small courtyard had no spare rooms to lodge the two wet‑nurses, so they had to be accommodated elsewhere.

In the end, they temporarily resided in Li Shi's Wenxi Hall.

Li Shi was very unwilling to agree.

Yet she could not afford to offend them.

These two had served the Grand Empress Dowager; if they were slighted, it might displease the Grand Empress Dowager.

In the end, Li Shi could only continue feigning illness.

Thus she could avoid any contact with them.

Li Shi, pretending to be ill, wept and complained to her daughters‑in‑law.

As the eldest daughter‑in‑law, Zhou Shi had to step forward to receive them at this time.

Fortunately, Wet‑nurse Shen and Wet‑nurse Ma were not overbearing; otherwise Zhou Shi might have come to hate Li Shi to death.

……

Lu Shi sat in Shen Yunyao's room, gazing at the simple furnishings and the rather plain arrangement, her heart unable to settle for a long time.

When she was still in her chambers, she had been the family's treasure.

Her parents doted on her, her elder brothers cherished her; everything had been the best.

Even after marriage, she remained as she had been in her chambers—everything went according to her nature, she did as she pleased, and her elder brothers continued to back her.

Put yourself in another's shoes!

For the first time, Lu Shi truly realized from the depths of her heart how much she owed this niece.

Yet she also understood in her heart that it was already too late.

Time cannot flow backward.

She could not make amends for the harm she had caused this niece.

"Upon reaching the capital, do not be willful!"

"If you truly cannot endure the injustice, then reflect on how you have gotten through these years!"

Lu Shi finally left after uttering those words.

Listening to Lu Shi's words, Shen Yunyao suddenly felt a sense of relief arise in her heart.

She knew that the former self's obsession with Lu Shi had dissipated at this moment.

"Lu Shi, do you regret it?"

Shen Yunyao was uncertain.

But she knew that when Lu Shi spoke those words just now, her inner self had surely been moved.

Only, it was too late!

The little girl who once held deep affection for Lu Shi is no longer here.

"Your younger brother is also my younger brother; I will do my utmost to protect them for a stretch of the road!"

Shen Yunyao murmured softly.

Then she seemed to hear a fainter reply: "Thank you."

Thus the former Seventh Miss of the Shen family vanished completely from this world.

Shen Yunyao also inherited all of her past.

Although it was like watching a movie of the little girl's past, the little girl's life had completely merged with Shen Yunyao's, leaving Shen Yunyao feeling both amused and exasperated.

Is she still herself now?

The fusion of two lives made her feel she was no longer pure.

Perhaps this is what is meant by past and present lives!

In fact, I and she have always been one person!

Shen Yunyao suddenly laughed.

Worrying about this is actually quite stupid; it's completely meaningless.

Miss, what's making you so happy?

Cuiyu jumped into the room and just saw Shen Yunyao laughing exuberantly.

Long trapped in the cage, I have finally returned to nature!

I, your young lady, have figured some things out and am happy!

Congratulations, Miss!

As expected of Cuiyu, she's so thoughtful.

Cuiyu, do you have something to say?

Ah, yes, Miss, we're setting out in three days, but who exactly do you plan to take with you to Jingcheng?

It's only been a few days; how can we know who's suitable?

And besides, your dowry maid hasn't been decided yet!

Chattering away, Cuiyu's speech is like popping beans—crisp and fast.

Shen Yunyao chuckled and said, "Dowry maid, didn't you know you could volunteer yourself?"

As for the rest, don't rush; just bring them all!

We're going to Jingcheng; we'll have time on the road, and once there we'll stay a while in the manor bestowed by His Majesty—there's plenty of time, no rush!

Now then, let's go see my great-uncle and settle your family's affairs!

Miss, won't you say a word to the lady?

Cuiyu blinked her eyes, looking at Shen Yunyao, and said, "Before, your dowry was entirely handled by the lady!"

Is that so?

Shen Yunyao really didn't know about this dowry maid matter—it was also being handled by Madam Lu.

But since Cuiyu said so, let's go ask Madam Lu—after all, Madam Lu is her mother.

……

Shen Family Third Branch Main Courtyard.

Madam Lu returned from Shen Yunyao's little courtyard, then sat alone in the room, staring blankly at the account book before her.

She truly regretted it!

When she had just returned to the Shen family, facing Shen Yunyao, she was not yet in this state of mind.

But not long ago, upon learning that Shen Yunyao could only stay in the Shen family for three more days, Madam Lu's mindset changed.

Although because of Third Master Shen she didn't much like this daughter, she had after all given birth to her.

But she had merely given birth to her!

The grace of birth, the grace of raising, the grace of teaching!

She, Lu Wan Ning, is unworthy!

If her parents were still alive and knew how she treated their granddaughter, they would surely be deeply disappointed!

Uuu...

Madam Lu burst into tears, choking with sobs!

She regretted it!

Why should she mistreat her own child just because a man was unfaithful?

Just how foolish she is!

"Father, Mother, the daughter feels she has failed your teachings!"

Madam Lu felt homesick.

Although her parents have passed away, her elder brothers and sisters-in-law are still at home.

As long as her brothers and sisters-in-law are still around, she still has her natal family.

But she is still alive, while her daughter has never had a natal family!

(End of chapter)