Chapter 741

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"Is that so? I think so too."

The young girl had a head of beautiful blonde hair, different from Shen Yao's naturally chestnut-colored hair.

The two sat in the garden of the Kain family's back courtyard, chatting idly.

Actually, speaking of it, the two weren't that familiar; as of today they had only met two or three times, and the number of times they could actually hold a conversation was even fewer.

Shen Yao vaguely remembered the other's name was something like Vivian; the two were the same age, but Vivian was born two months earlier than Shen Yao.

"The Kingdom's situation has always been like this; who knows how long it can last this time?"

Vivian propped her chin, that delicate and haughty little face full of nonchalance.

She came over today firstly because her family entrusted her to, and secondly because she had no playmates; although Shen Yao's background made people unable to resist saying a couple of snide remarks, Vivian still liked Shen Yao very much, because Shen Yao's appearance was very much like an Easterner's, chestnut hair paired with a pair of brown eyes, porcelain-white features matched with small and exquisite features, a proper little white flower, a white moonlight.

Mm, simply the type that makes one have a very strong protective desire.

That's not wrong to say either; after all, noble men abroad all really like this type of vibe, otherwise Shen Yao's parents wouldn't have fallen in love at first sight and willingly stayed together even against family opposition.

Later it was also because neither father nor mother (actually the mother's side was even more mysterious) held much importance in the clan, that they were able to marry and have children in peace.

What a pity that in the end only Shen Yao was left; oh, must emphasize here, Shen Yao's name is still Shen Yao, because Shen Yao's mother was surnamed Shen, and Shen Yao's father chose to let Shen Yao take her mother's surname.

The reason wasn't because he deeply loved Shen Yao's mother; it was more that if she took her father's surname, Shen Yao would very likely be taken away for a marriage alliance; Shen Yao's father and mother had no such expectation, and didn't want Shen Yao dragged into those troubles.

Shen Yao's father had several half-siblings; currently remaining in the clan, only Shen Yao's father's full-blooded elder brother was left, but he was the heir and wouldn't easily leave the place.

The others, those who married off married off, those who split the household split the household; anyway it was impossible for them to stay in the clan taking advantage after reaching adulthood.

"Perhaps it will drag on for a few more years; the King's health has not been good for more than a day or two," as long as the King doesn't fall, the other heirs can only endure.

Vivian sighed, telling Shen Yao that in a few days she would set off for a boarding school named Saint Tiana.

Saint Tiana?

That supposedly most promising and famous boarding school in the Faluo Kingdom? Both boys and girls attend, but there are requirements for background and family, and the school also accepts students from surrounding other countries, with equally numerous requirements.

Of course, Saint Tiana is only relatively famous in the Faluo Kingdom; there are other schools better than Saint Tiana, but for the public living in the Faluo Kingdom, being able to study at Saint Tiana is a very glorious and dazzling thing.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yao blinked her eyes and softly expressed congratulations to Vivian.

If there are no problems later on, next spring or autumn, Shen Yao will also have to go to Saint Tiana School to study.

"We'll become schoolmates; who knows, we might get even closer in the future," after all, with their kind of situation, even if they marry, the families won't differ too much.

Although Shen Yao's surname and parental situation would be gossiped about by certain clans, Shen Yao has a powerful advantage that other noble young ladies don't have.

Shen Yao has money! Extremely rich! She inherited all the assets of both father and mother and can take them with her when she marries!

You must know not every noble young lady brings a massive dowry when she marries; only young ladies like Shen Yao, with both parents deceased and an ancient, face-saving clan, are the fat meat in certain people's eyes.

This is also why the Kain family took Shen Yao back at the first moment, and why Shen Yao herself had no objection whatsoever.

What would she go back for? So much family property can't be cheaply given to others for nothing.

After spending about a morning with Vivian, Shen Yao stood up to send off this friend who was still quite pleasant to chat with; upon returning to her room, she saw her grandmother was also there.

"Good child."

Grandmother Cui Si held Shen Yao's wrist, her face full of heartache as she patted her.

"Don't think so much; live well here, wait until next year when things are calm, and we'll send you to study."

The school has many same-aged people; it's far from trouble, and before Shen Yao graduates, it counts as a very friendly place to stay for a long time.

Cui Si didn't have much feeling for her second son, but she felt great heartache for this exquisite-looking granddaughter before her; such a young age, experiencing so many things, sigh, who knows what to do in the future.

Don't look at how Shen Yao's marriage prospects are very good; but because of family reasons (mainly both parents deceased), Shen Yao is very easily targeted by certain bold people, and in the end not only would she lose her life to the Yellow Springs, but that rich family property would also cheaply benefit others.

Don't think this kind of thing is uncommon here; in fact, these things happen most easily in this era; even if Kain and Cui Si want to back their granddaughter, the relationship being a layer short still leaves them at a loss.

Shen Yao lowered her head without speaking, just silently leaning in Cui Si's embrace seeking comfort.

What could she say? Right now she was just a little bean who couldn't make any decisions; some words, even if she spoke them out, would have absolutely no significance.

Cui Si raised her hand and stroked Shen Yao's head, then finally left the room.

Her time was relatively busy; as the proper Mistress, Cui Si was responsible for countless matters daily; although Shen Yao received Cui Si's attention, Cui Si couldn't possibly keep all her gaze on Shen Yao and ignore everything else.

After instructing the maidservants caring for Shen Yao to pay attention to the situation, Cui Si rallied her spirits and diligently managed all the major and minor affairs of the entire Kain family.

Shen Yao usually either stayed in her room or went out wandering everywhere to look around, and would also take a carriage to leave this manor and visit other noble families as a guest.

They were all situations like Vivian's; both sides meeting to chat and eat desserts, occasionally discussing the recent Kingdom situation.

Because many noble young ladies had to go to school; even if not Saint Tiana School, they would go to other private schools with better reputations.

Shen Yao didn't spend much time with them; at most she remembered names and got a simple understanding; to say the relationship was very good would be a lie.

"This kind of socializing has not the slightest use; it's simply a waste of time!"

The System was indignant; right now they were on the return carriage, Shen Yao had her eyes closed not speaking, the System hiding in her mind chattering away.

"In this era, everyone's socializing is just something to relieve and kill boredom; when it comes down to it, it's still interests first."

No matter which era, great clans consider their own interests; the current nobles are even more so; 'pull one hair and move the whole body' isn't just empty talk.

"No different from ancient times; looks like no matter which task world, it's all the exact same routine."

The System sighed, speaking in an old-fashioned, world-weary tone; one who didn't know would think it had received some stimulation; actually it was completely just its own love of overthinking.

Shen Yao helplessly rolled her eyes, dismissing the System to hurry off and listen to gossip, not stay before her eyes being an eyesore.

System: ……

Listen to what kind of words are these? It was really curious, to be treated like this.

The drama-queen System, unsatisfied with the status quo, wanted to provoke its own Host; result: not two sentences in and it was retorted away by the Host.

System:... Fine.

The system obediently left to listen to gossip; after all, there were so many nobles here, and almost every family had some old scandals.

Though it couldn't compare to the entertainment industry in another world, the noble gentlemen here were also quite wild, keeping lovers by the dozens.

Not only did noble gentlemen keep lovers, but noble ladies and even young ladies and young masters did too; in short, one word like "chaotic" couldn't describe it.

Although Shen Yao's parents had died young, the two of them were considered pure love in the entire noble circle, truly devoted to each other.

The carriage swayed gently; Shen Yao leaned against the soft pillow and couldn't help but close her eyes to rest. She didn't know how long had passed before the carriage beneath her finally stopped moving, and Shen Yao opened her eyes and got down from the carriage.

Cui Si stood at the doorway to welcome Shen Yao. Seeing Shen Yao's excessively pale face, she couldn't help but draw the person into her arms and murmur that she had worked hard.

Shen Yao:...

Actually, it wasn't that hard; she went out socializing to improve her reputation and accumulate connections, so she wouldn't be lonely when she went to Saint Tiana School.

Cui Si had already clearly told her that next spring she would go to Saint Tiana School to study, which was a full-grade boarding school, meaning once inside, she would study until graduation before returning.

Mm.

Conservatively estimated, Shen Yao would have to stay at Saint Tiana School until she was eighteen.

Eighteen; in this era, nobles married early, and young ladies of noble families were basically engaged at seventeen or eighteen, then married smoothly within two years.

After Shen Yao came out of Saint Tiana School, she would have to choose her own fiancé.

One thing had to be mentioned here: Cui Si sending her to Saint Tiana School also meant applying the principle of proximity, intending for her to find a fiancé at school.

After all, students who could study at Saint Tiana were all of distinguished backgrounds; if Shen Yao could find a suitable match there, they could get engaged upon graduation, even engagement and marriage could be called a one-stop service, simply the perfect situation in Cui Si's heart.

Shen Yao naturally knew Cui Si's meaning; although she was young now, at this time whose child could truly be innocent? Besides, she had just suffered a great change, and Cui Si expected her even more to grow up quickly.

Although doing this wasn't exactly friendly to Shen Yao, Cui Si was getting older and truly didn't know how long she could take care of her granddaughter.

The grandmother and granddaughter briefly discussed the situation, then turned around and each went about their own business.

Overall, Shen Yao was considered a cute and obedient image in the Kain family; whether it was Cui Si or Kain, or even the several cousins who usually didn't look favorably on her, none could find fault with her.

As time moved forward, Shen Yao spent her first New Year in the Kain family.

She wore a beautiful red dress and appeared at the banquet, eating bread and sausages sent from the kitchen, then walked to the window to look at the scenery outside.

It snowed!

Snowflakes fell one by one, finally covering the sky and earth heavily.

Shen Yao stood by the window, holding a drink that hadn't cooled down yet, and slightly curved the corners of her lips toward the outside.

How to put it?

This was the first time she had seen snow in this world; although winter was very cold, snow rarely fell in the Faluo Kingdom.

Thump thump thump.

Footsteps came from beside her; Shen Yao couldn't help but turn her head to look, and saw some not very pleasant mockery coming.

Sarcastic with a hint of envy, because she didn't dare to speak ill words to Shen Yao's face, she could only feel aggrieved in her heart.

Shen Yao:...

To say or not to say; because Kain and Cui Si's favoritism made her live quite comfortably in this family, the children of her cheap eldest uncle all had varying degrees of prejudice and dislike toward her.

"Of course I'm happy, Happy New Year, Cousin Lily."

Lily:...

"Happy New Year."

Lily gritted her teeth and said a sentence, then turned around and left with thumping footsteps.

The proud noble young lady was like a peacock, wearing beautiful clothes and displaying everywhere; Shen Yao was just one of the display targets.

After Shen Yao ignored her and softly retorted back, the other party stopped provoking.

Shen Yao appreciated the scenery outside, while the system in her mind couldn't help but nag about various things, especially since there were many fresh gossip here.

Who would have thought? On such a reunion day, her own home could have a fire in the back courtyard.

Tsk tsk tsk.

'No wonder they say nobles play around; this is really like the flowers in the garden.'

The system sighed while telling Shen Yao about all the gossip it had heard; although some gossip was indeed bizarre, Shen Yao didn't interrupt the system's chatter, because she didn't have much time left before going to Saint Tiana School, and the affairs of the Kain family really had nothing to do with her.

The New Year just passed like this; Shen Yao returned to her room and slept in.

When she opened her eyes again, it was bright daylight; pulling open the curtains, she could see the bright and dazzling sun outside, and the sun hung in the sky radiating heat.

Wow~

The white snow outside the window had already been cleaned up by the servants who got up early.

Shen Yao blinked her eyes, then took out new clothes from the wardrobe; as the saying goes, new year new atmosphere, it was better for her to dress splendidly.

Cui Si gave Shen Yao's attire very high praise; it could be seen that she truly liked this granddaughter of hers.

Shen Yao smiled and accepted the praise, while showing a shy and cute expression.

She sat by the dining table and seriously ate the steak and vegetables on the plate.

Mm.

The taste was not bad, but because the Kain family ate these all year round, Shen Yao's appetite was not very good; her state of chewing slowly made Lily beside her unable to help but speak nastily and actively provoke.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao didn't pay attention to this cousin; although they would go to Saint Tiana School together in two years, their relationship was really ordinary, and Lily was four years older than Shen Yao, so they definitely wouldn't be in the same place.

Cui Si frowned and directly glared at Lily, who was running wild.

Lily:...

Lily became honest again; after all, her grandfather and grandmother were the biggest in the family, including her parents had to endure honestly, so she could only timidly bury her head and not speak.

This breakfast just passed smoothly; Shen Yao continued to stay in her room to rest, occasionally going out to move around, until spring arrived; she put on her clothes, took a carriage, and left the Kain family for the more distant Saint Tiana School.