Chapter 21

Still, a flaw does not hide the jade; after all, marrying such a fine husband is something many women long for but cannot obtain.

Shen Shuangning, however, thought of Shen Miaoyun's miscarriage in her previous life, a lingering worry in her brow; seeing this, Shen Miaoyun assumed she was worrying about her own future marriage.

Thus she took her two sisters' hands and gently said, 'Ningning and Ah Ling will also find their own happiness.'

Shen Shuangning and Shen Ling exchanged a glance and slowly smiled.

Shen Miaoyun and her husband did not stay long before bidding farewell and returning to the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor's residence.

Over the next month, Shen Shuangning led a very fulfilling life, busy secretly detoxifying and searching for the whereabouts of the potato, almost forgetting Xiao Jingyuan's existence.

Mu Yu entered unnoticed, her relations with the Shen sisters gradually deepening; thanks to her, the old madam Shen's chronic ailment eased, and everyone in the manor held her in high esteem.

Thus, Mu Yu gradually gained the Shen family's trust, and everyone in the manor addressed her as 'Miss Mu'.

That day, Mu Yu made the excuse of returning to the Miao Sheng Hall to fetch medicinal herbs, but in fact went to see Su Chen.

In an inconspicuous carriage parked beside the alley, Su Chen yawned lazily and asked, 'Fourth Miss, did you go chasing butterflies again today?'

'No, she seems to be looking for something called a potato,' Mu Yu said.

'A potato? What a strange name,' Su Chen said, seeming a bit more spirited.

Shen Shuangning naturally did not tell Mu Yu about the potato; Mu Yu had inadvertently learned of it from Shen Ling.

'It seems to be a grain that grows underground and bears fruit there,' Mu Yu said while tidying her hair before the mirror, meticulous as ever.

Seeing her smug expression, Su Chen was speechless, then wondered, 'Do you know what she wants it for?'

Mu Yu: 'I don't know.'

Su Chen rubbed his forehead.

Everyone else was rushing to battle for the heir apparent, yet he was assigned to tail a young lady from the inner quarters—Su Chen felt resentful.

This fourth miss's daily life was no different from that of other aristocratic young ladies; the letters he sent to the heir apparent vanished without a trace, likely even the heir didn't bother to open them.

But this time, at least there was somewhat different news.

'Then do you know roughly what the potato looks like?'

Mu Yu thought for a moment, gave a description; after hearing it, Su Chen repeatedly asked if it might be a sweet potato, but Mu Yu said no.

Su Chen, versed in all matters under heaven, had never heard of a grain called potato; he suspected it was the fourth miss's own imagination, yet he still sent a letter as usual to Zhen Ding.

He had expected to wait at least three days, but received the heir apparent's reply the very next day.

Handsome and neat seal script, slender yet upright, like orchid and bamboo.

The note simply wrote a few characters: 'Have her go to Wanbao Tower.'

Su Chen understood the heir apparent's intent: to lead the fourth miss to Wanbao Tower without arousing her suspicion.

Such a trifle was child's play for Su Chen.

Wanbao Tower also had another well-known name: Zhenbao Pavilion.

Only those of status and wealth may readily enter Zhenbao Pavilion.

Shen Shuangning never imagined such a place would also offer a service to locate items.

The one who received her was a beautiful woman with a graceful figure, alluring and gentle; everyone here respectfully called her 'Yao Niang,' indicating her high standing.

Shen Shuangning had once been curious and, together with Shen Er, visited Jingcheng's most renowned Chunfeng Tower; frankly, even its most famous courtesan paled in comparison to the beauty before her.

Such a nation‑toppling beauty made even Shen Shuangning glance a few extra times; her slender willow waist swayed lightly as she walked, like spring‑bending willow twigs, light and supple.

Shen Shuangning then lowered her gaze to her own chest, inexplicably feeling a sense of inferiority.

It is rumored that the power behind Zhenbao Pavilion is rich enough to rival a country; only someone with such overwhelming authority could afford to keep such a beauty.

'Buy, sell, seek—miss, you may tell us your purpose.'

When Yao Niang spoke, one's bones felt as if they would melt.

Shen Shuangning steadied herself and said, 'I want to find something; price is no issue, but I have only one demand: it must be quick.'

Yao Niang said gently, 'Miss, please follow me.'

Yao Niang led her to an elegant room on the second floor, gave her brush and paper, saying, 'If you can draw this item in detail, the chances of finding it increase, and it won't interfere with your affairs.'

Shen Shuangning thought it reasonable: seeking something no one else had heard of, growing underground, was like looking for a needle in the sea; she ought not to make things difficult for Zhenbao Pavilion.

Shen Shuangning sat in the chair, took up the brush, inked it, drew from memory, and handed it to Yao Niang.

Yao Niang glanced at it, folded it carefully and put it away without further question, then said tactfully, 'I don't know how to contact you, miss.'

Shen Shuangning was wearing a veil and still reluctant to reveal her identity, so she cautioned, 'I happen to be ordering a longevity lock from you; if you have news, just send the lock to Li Ji, and I will know.'

She had previously notified Li Ji, where she had trusted people.

This longevity lock was prepared for the child in Shen Miaoyun's womb; today, when she went out, she also consulted Lady Shen about this matter.

Yao Niang smiled and said, 'Understood.'

After the transaction, Shen Shuangning and Yao Niang went downstairs to the main hall of Zhenbao Pavilion; she glanced absentmindedly and saw a few familiar young ladies.

She could not be bothered to go over and socialize, merely pretending not to see them, yet she could not shut her ears to their voices.

'Don't make fun of me; my hair ornaments cannot compare to the set Xiao Jingyuan gave to Sister Song—I have never in my life seen such splendid and beautiful headgear, glittering with pearls and jewels yet retaining elegance; at a glance one can tell the heir put thought into it, truly enviable.'

Shen Shuangning's steps halted; she lifted her beautiful eyes and looked toward that person on the steps.

She realized how familiar that voice was—it was Wei Chun.

Last time at the ladies' rites contest, Wei Chun, together with Song Yao's gang, had framed them.

Shen Shuangning's gaze turned somewhat cold.

Speaking of that day's ladies' rites contest, Song Yao merely had her eligibility revoked, whereas Wei Chun was forbidden by Madame Pei from participating—a punishment quite severe.

Put lightly, it would affect Wei Chun's own marriage; put heavily, it would damage the Wei family's reputation in Jingcheng.

The Wei family was already ordinary among the aristocracy; Wei Chun, in trying to curry favor with Song Yao, brought ruin upon herself and dragged the other women of the Wei household down with her.

Meanwhile, those few people had not noticed Shen Shuangning's presence and continued their lively chat; Song Xizhi was not among them.

Among them, the loudest voice belonged to Wei Chun, a master of flattery.

Song Xizhi is Song Yao's older sister; Wei Chun flatters Song Xizhi, and Song Yao is naturally pleased, her pointed chin slightly lifts, and the corner of her mouth never comes down.

Wei Chun stands together with Song Yao, their relationship seeming extremely close, arms linked, calling her "Miss Song" over and over.

Shen Shuangning truly dislikes Wei Chun, even feeling uncomfortable.

Recalling how in her past life the Song household incurred guilt, Wei Chun was the first to undermine the Song family.

Just as Shen Shuangning was about to withdraw her gaze, Song Xizhi entered from outside, followed by two maids.

Perhaps having heard some words earlier, Shen Shuangning subconsciously didn't want to meet Song Xizhi's eyes, so she turned away and pretended to examine the jewelry on the counter.

Needless to say, the jewelry at the Precious Treasure Pavilion is truly beautiful, and indeed very expensive.

Yao Niang beside her also had no suspicion, softly introducing the currently popular jewelry.

Behind her came Song Xizhi's voice.

"Ah Yao, come back with me." Song Xizhi's voice had always been gentle, making one feel comforted from the heart, but now it was a little cold.

Shen Shuangning then glanced in that direction.

Originally bold and unrestrained, Wei Chun hid behind Song Yao, lowering her head, seeming guilty, or perhaps afraid of Song Xizhi.

"Didn't you listen to what the older sister said?" Song Xizhi looked at Song Yao, her expression stern.

Song Yao tugged at her older sister's sleeve, "Ah Sis, don't be angry, I previously agreed with Elder Sister Wei to come together to the Precious Treasure Pavilion; having promised someone, how could I break my word?"

"Miss Wei, Ah Yao's studies are heavy; from now on, don't come looking for her when you have nothing to do."

She almost said it outright: don't lead Song Yao astray.

Wei Chun's face turned deathly pale as she suddenly clenched the hem of her skirt; the two other young ladies exchanged glances, none daring to speak.

Shen Shuangning saw this and raised an eyebrow.

It turned out she wasn't allowed to play with Wei Chun.

Moreover, Song Xizhi is meticulous in thought; how could she fail to see Wei Chun's nature? If it were Shen Ling, she would do the same—just as one should rather offend a gentleman than a petty person. Song Xizhi's lack of courtesy may cause Wei Chun, who is narrow‑minded, to bear a grudge.

Recalling how Wei Chun dared to strike someone during the ladies' etiquette contest, Shen Shuangning realized this Miss Wei was vicious.

In the Precious Treasure Pavilion, the comings and goings were all officials and nobles, or servants from great clans; they had already noticed Song Yao's party and began whispering.

It would likely spread throughout Jingcheng within a day; knowing Song Xizhi's status among the capital's young ladies, with this remark other young ladies would probably distance themselves from Wei Chun.

"Ah Yao, come back with me now."

Song Xizhi gave Song Yao a cold order regardless of how ugly Wei Chun's face looked; Song Yao obediently replied yes and followed closely behind her elder sister.

But just as the Song sisters were about to reach the door, Song Xizhi seemed to catch sight of someone in her peripheral vision, stopped, and turned her gaze over.

Shen Shuangning's heart jolted; she had thought she was being looked at, but upon closer look she realized Song Xizhi was clearly gazing at Yao Niang.

Yao Niang was also looking at Song Xizhi.

At a moderate distance, the two equally beautiful women locked eyes in silence.

Observing them, Shen Shuangning saw hostility in their eyes, and the air seemed to faintly reek of gunpowder.

It was as if... they were looking at a love rival?

When that thought arose, Shen Shuangning herself felt a jolt in her heart; she dared not think further, nor did she want to get involved, pretending she hadn't seen anything.

Spring rain lingered, falling for several days; the weather warmed, the chill dissipated, and the magnolia trees in the courtyard sprouted buds, brimming with spring vitality.

Half a month later, Shen Shuangning received a longevity lock sent by Li Ji, her face lighting up; she immediately took Ah Heng to Wanbao Pavilion.

She never would have imagined that she would meet here the person she least wanted to see in this life.