Thinking of this, the Old Madam waved her hand: “Stand up. You’ve only just recovered from illness—if I punish you again and you collapse, I fear some restless spirit will come to claim this old woman’s life.”
She looked at Sheng Xiangqiao, who kept her head lowered, and sighed:
“You are grown now, and this old woman cannot control you too much. Prince Cining’s household does not wish to pursue your reckless behavior, for the sake of the bigger picture. But if you continue to act willfully, even when you enter the prince’s household, you will only be despised. If you are wise, you should not ruin your own marriage prospects. Besides studying under the tutors from the prince’s household, you must also pick up your needlework again. In a few days, it will be the Daughter’s Festival. According to custom, you should personally sew a sachet for the heir. If you let someone else do it, it will not be proper.”
Sheng Xiangqiao lifted her eyes to look at the white-haired Old Madam sitting on the soft couch. For a moment, she could not help but think of her own grandmother. She had been too young then, and separated for too long, so she could no longer remember her grandmother’s face. If her grandmother were still alive, would she look like this—hair white as a crane’s feathers?
Her nose tingled with emotion. Too weary to think about how the real Sheng Xiangqiao might have behaved, she only said softly: “Alright, I will practice my needlework diligently. When the time comes, I will also make a new headband for you, Grandmother…”
The Old Madam nodded in satisfaction. After scolding both son and granddaughter, she felt her spirit strained and somewhat tired, so she let Sheng Xuanhe take his daughter back.
Once they left the courtyard and reached the deserted back garden, Sheng Xuanhe’s face darkened. After dismissing the maids and attendants, he scolded his false daughter in a low voice: “You truly are bold. Tell me—why did you smash the teapot and anger the Old Madam? And why did you act on your own in the great hall? Do you realize our entire household nearly lost our heads because of you?”
Sheng Xiangqiao blinked and said: “…It was Ning Yan who told me that the real young lady had a fiery temper, and if provoked by her half-siblings, she would surely lose her temper. I thought I was imitating her well, but it seems I misunderstood…”
Sheng Xuanhe was taken aback. In the past, Sheng Xiangqiao had also complained to him that her half-siblings bullied her behind his back. But in his eyes, Madam Bai’s two children were always well-behaved—he assumed Sheng Xiangqiao was the one causing trouble, so he never intervened.
Now, hearing this false daughter describe their mocking words, Sheng Xuanhe realized those two children were not so innocent after all.
They were only children, so who had taught them such biting remarks? With a little thought, Sheng Xuanhe guessed Madam Bai. His anger flared again. He glared at Sheng Xiangqiao and warned her to watch her behavior and not stir up trouble in the household. Then he turned and strode toward Madam Bai’s quarters. Since her poor upbringing of her children had caused him to be scolded by his mother, he was determined to settle accounts with her!
Sheng Xiangqiao watched her false father storm off in anger. She had originally wanted to ask whether the Emperor’s generous reward could be shared with her, but now she dared not say a word.
During her days in the Sheng household, she discovered that their lifestyle was rather simple. Though not as plain as that of rural families, meals were always measured and modest.
According to Ning Yan, the Sheng family’s ancestral teaching was to avoid extravagance and practice frugality. The deeper reason, however, was that the Sheng family’s foundation had grown weak. It was said that during the war of the Heavenly Kingdom, the late Grand Master Sheng had donated half of the family fortune. The reputation for loyalty and patriotism was earned, but the descendants had to tighten their belts ever since.
As a noble family in the capital, they had to maintain appearances, even if it meant stretching beyond their means. Behind closed doors, however, they had to calculate carefully.
Thinking of this, the young girl felt rather disheartened—most likely, the Emperor’s generous reward would be collected by Sheng Xuanhe and absorbed into the family accounts. She only hoped that tomorrow’s meals might include more fresh fish, meat, and fine pastries, so that her exhausting performance in the palace would not be in vain. As she was lost in thought, she saw her aunt, Sheng Guiniang, walking toward her along the garden path.
By now, Sheng Guiniang had been back at the Sheng residence for several days. Aside from the family banquet upon her return, Sheng Xiangqiao had only met her once and had not encountered her again until now. Seeing her, she naturally stepped forward to pay her respects.
Sheng Guiniang was usually kind to the younger generation of the household, but when she saw Sheng Xiangqiao now, though she wore a polite smile, her brows furrowed slightly.
If Sheng Xiangqiao had not mysteriously disappeared before, she and her husband would not have suffered so much turmoil. Thinking of her current situation, Sheng Guiniang could not help but harbor resentment toward her niece.
Now, meeting her in the garden at night, Sheng Guiniang asked in a flat tone: “It’s late. Why are you still wandering in the garden? And why don’t your attendants keep you in check?”
Nanny Zhao, confident in her background from the Prince’s household, replied calmly: “The young lady has just come from the Old Madam’s quarters and is on her way back.”
Following behind Sheng Guiniang was a girl about Sheng Xiangqiao’s age, with features resembling her mother—she was likely Sheng Guiniang’s daughter, Cheng Deqing. She was fourteen, the same age as Sheng Xiangqiao, though two months younger, so she addressed Sheng Xiangqiao as elder cousin.
Miss Cheng, still young, immediately spoke rudely upon seeing her disliked cousin: “It’s because your attendants are too lax that you have no manners, stirring up trouble inside and outside the household. Our Cheng family has been thrown into chaos because of you!”
Sheng Guiniang hadn’t expected her daughter to speak so brazenly in her grandmother’s house, and quickly scolded her: “Qing’er, how can you be so ill-mannered!”
Sheng Xiangqiao sighed inwardly, thinking that the silver she had asked Fourth Young Master for was still too little. Taking on the role of Miss Sheng meant enduring daily scolding, no less than when she lived in the Xue household. She also marveled at the original Sheng Xiangqiao—how could a well-born young lady manage to earn such universal resentment, unloved by father and grandmother alike?
Still, she had always been one to adapt to circumstances. Now, escape was nearly impossible, especially since Sheng Xiangqiao’s attempted elopement had already set a dangerous precedent.
Because of Sheng Xiangqiao’s attempted elopement, Prince Cining had placed strict watchers around her, managing her every move. She herself did not know how long she would have to continue pretending in the Sheng household. If she could avoid some scolding, that was always better. So she no longer wanted to imitate the original Sheng Xiangqiao’s arrogance and quarrel with her cousin from the Cheng family. Having just been taught a lesson by her grandmother, she had resolved to reform. Thus, when Cheng Deqing mocked her, she only reddened her eyes, her lips trembling, and said: “Grandmother has already scolded me, and I know I was wrong…”
Cheng Deqing, sharp-tongued and resentful, thought her cousin hateful—her disappearance had caused discord between her own parents. Now, seeing her act pitiful, she pressed harder: “If you truly repent, then bear the blame yourself. Don’t drag others down with you. If I were you, I’d have already jumped into a well!”
Hearing this, Sheng Xiangqiao took a deep breath, suddenly lifted her head to look around, and then spotted a well at the corner of the garden. She lifted her skirts and ran toward it. Reaching the edge, she raised her hem as if to jump straight in.
Everyone in the garden was caught off guard.
Sheng Guiniang, panicked, waved for her maids to pull her back—if her daughter’s cruel words drove her niece to suicide, then her daughter would be guilty of forcing the future heir’s consort to her death, a crime that would have to be confessed before the Emperor himself.
Nanny Zhao and Ning Yan were even more shocked. Did she not realize she was only a counterfeit? Was she so deep in her role that a young girl’s taunts could make her act like a chaste martyr and leap into a well?
Nanny Zhao, entrusted with the prince’s orders, could not allow the impostor to come to harm. She rushed forward, seized Sheng Xiangqiao by the waist, and pulled her back.
Sheng Guiniang, now terrified, no longer dared treat her niece coldly. Supported by her maids, she approached the sobbing girl and whispered weakly: “My little ancestor, what are you doing?”
Then she turned sharply to her daughter: “This is all your fault! Apologize to your cousin at once!”
Cheng Deqing was stunned. Her cousin had always been fierce in quarrels; she herself had said harsher things before, which only made Sheng Xiangqiao claw at her face in anger. She had never seen her cousin so obedient, truly ready to die.
But a young lady’s reputation was no small matter, and her elder brother had repeatedly warned her not to speak recklessly. Today, she had indeed gone too far.
Seeing that one of Sheng Xiangqiao’s shoes had fallen into the well, Cheng Deqing was badly frightened. Flushing red, she forced herself to mutter an apology.
Sheng Xiangqiao, satisfied with the effect, let the matter rest. Pretending to be overcome with sobs, she allowed Ning Yan and the others to escort her back to her quarters. As she stepped away from the well, she blinked and noticed a graceful young man standing beneath the trees in the moonlight.
It had been several days since she last saw her cousin Cheng Tianfu. Although she was still young, she could already discern the good looks of a man.
No wonder all the noble ladies loved to gaze at Cheng family’s Fourth Young Master—he stood tall beneath the moonlight like a jade tree, his long black hair tied up, the golden coronet on his head glowing under the lantern light. The gold-embroidered ribbon trailed behind him, and the jade belt at his waist accentuated his straight posture, making his waist seem slender and his legs long. If he were a figure in a painting, one would want to silently admire him for a while. But since she had just been crying and making a scene about jumping into a well, she could not suddenly stop sobbing. Under the boy’s unreadable gaze, she lowered her head and hurried away.
As she passed him, Cheng Fourth Young Master said coldly: “Do not let there be a next time…”
Sheng Xiangqiao had studied the golden hammer dance under Cheng Tianfu for some time, and she knew this youth did not speak much, but he never threatened idly.
Her attempt to jump into the well had frightened his mother and sister, clearly touching his reverse scale. His glare just now had carried a fierce light.
She had seen many vicious dogs in the countryside, silent until they suddenly bit. Her cousin’s eyes reminded her of that, and she feared being bitten. So she said nothing, only bowed respectfully to him before leaving with her head lowered.
Back at her embroidery quarters, as usual, Nanny Zhao was ready to scold her and demand proper behavior.
But after the hammer dance in the palace and today’s well-jumping incident, Nanny Zhao felt this village girl was not only dim-witted but utterly without discipline—acting on impulse with no plan at all!
She feared that further harsh words might provoke this foolish girl again, so she only thought of finishing her assignment smoothly. Her spirit had already been shaken enough in the Jinluan Hall, and she was dreaming of taking her retirement money back to the countryside to buy land and live in peace.
So, after casting a fierce glare at Sheng Xiangqiao, Nanny Zhao ordered Ning Yan to supervise her washing and sleeping, while she herself went to another room to eat the supper the kitchen had saved for her.
Once Nanny Zhao left, Ning Yan felt much more relaxed. Since the girl before her was not the real young lady, she did not need to serve her too attentively. She fetched water and told Sheng Xiangqiao to wash.
Sheng Xiangqiao obediently came forward, dampened a cloth, and cleaned her face. With the powder washed away, her face looked tender and youthful again.
Ning Yan sat in a round-backed chair, cracking melon seeds on the table, and looked at the girl who now seemed several years younger. She couldn’t help but sigh deeply: “Clearly you’re just a little girl—how can you have such big ideas? If no one had pulled you back just now, would you really have jumped into the well?”