The following morning, Shen Xuan was awakened before dawn by the gentle rustling of curtains and the soft footsteps of servants entering her room.
Outside, the sky was still a pale shade of blue. Snow continued to fall throughout the capital, coating the tiled rooftops and ancient pavilions of the Shen Residence in a shimmering blanket of white.
The charcoal brazier in the room crackled softly, filling the chamber with comforting warmth.
"Second Miss."
Xiao Mei gently drew back the embroidered bed curtains.
"It is time to rise. Today is the day you pay your morning respects to Old Madam."
Shen Xuan slowly blinked her sleepy eyes open before letting out a tiny yawn.
"...Already?"
She had only just fallen asleep... or at least, that was how it felt.
Rolling over beneath the thick silk quilt, she seriously considered pretending to still be asleep.
"If I don’t move... perhaps everyone will think I’m hibernating..."
Unfortunately...
Her fantasy lasted less than three breaths.
Xiao Mei had already begun preparing the basin of warm water.
Seeing no chance of escaping, Shen Xuan reluctantly crawled out of bed with the expression of someone walking toward her own execution.
Watching the little girl sluggishly stretch her tiny arms, Xiao Mei couldn’t help but smile.
"Our Second Miss truly dislikes waking up early."
"I like sleeping."
Shen Xuan answered matter-of-factly.
"Sleeping is wonderful."
Xiao Mei chuckled as she helped wash the little girl’s face before changing her into fresh undergarments.
Soon...
The room descended into controlled chaos.
"This ribbon..."
"No, these hairpins..."
"The jade pendant should match the sash..."
Watching Xiao Mei dart from one side of the room to the other like a frightened rabbit, Shen Xuan finally couldn’t suppress her laughter.
"Hehe..."
The maid looked over.
"Second Miss?"
"Take your time, Xiao Mei."
Shen Xuan swung her tiny legs as she sat obediently on the dressing stool.
"Grandmother won’t become angry if I’m a little late."
Instead of reassuring the young maid, those words only made her movements even faster.
"But this servant will certainly be punished."
She looked as though she were about to cry.
"The Shen family treats us kindly, but rules are still rules. If I delay Second Miss, Steward Zhou will surely deduct my monthly allowance."
Shen Xuan blinked.
"...That serious?"
Xiao Mei nodded vigorously.
Seeing the maid’s distressed appearance, Shen Xuan obediently stopped talking and allowed herself to become a very cooperative little doll.
After nearly the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, Xiao Mei finally stepped back with a satisfied smile.
"Done."
Shen Xuan climbed down from the stool before turning toward the bronze mirror.
A tiny girl dressed in a light green winter hanfu looked back at her.
The dress was embroidered with delicate plum blossoms stitched in pale silver thread, while a white fur collar framed her soft face.
Her long black hair had been gathered into a neat half-bun decorated with tiny jade butterfly hairpins that gently swayed whenever she moved.
Her rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and childlike innocence made her look as adorable as a porcelain doll.
Shen Xuan nodded in approval.
"As expected..."
"Xiao Mei is amazing."
The young maid immediately blushed with happiness.
"This servant only wishes for Second Miss to look her best."
After putting on her embroidered winter boots, Shen Xuan stepped outside.
The icy wind greeted her immediately.
"Brr..."
She instinctively shrank her neck.
Before she could complain, Xiao Mei hurriedly draped a snow-white fox-fur cloak over her shoulders.
"Thank you."
Shen Xuan smiled sweetly.
Only then did the two begin walking through the winding corridors of the Shen Residence.
Snow crunched softly beneath their feet.
Servants respectfully bowed whenever they encountered the little miss.
"Greetings, Second Miss."
"Good morning, Second Miss."
Shen Xuan smiled and nodded at everyone she passed.
Although she had lived here for five years, she still occasionally found herself marveling at the Shen Residence.
The estate had not always been this magnificent.
The Shen family had once been nothing more than an ordinary scholarly household.
Everything changed after her father, Shen Ruiwen, rose through the imperial examinations with unmatched brilliance.
His extraordinary wisdom earned the Emperor’s trust step by step until he was eventually appointed Grand Chancellor.
Combined with the prestige of the Gu family—her maternal grandfather serving as the empire’s Grand Protector—the Shen family quickly became one of the greatest noble houses in the capital.
The Emperor himself had bestowed this magnificent residence upon them.
Despite their newfound status, however, the Shen family had never forgotten their humble beginnings.
Perhaps because they had once lived ordinary lives, the family placed great value on harmony.
Her father had only one wife.
Her uncle had only one wife.
Although powerful officials commonly kept numerous concubines, neither brother had ever entertained such thoughts.
To them...
One lifetime.
One wife.
That was enough.
It was one of the reasons Shen Xuan loved this family so dearly.
The Shen Residence was also larger than outsiders imagined.
Apart from Shen Xuan’s immediate family, her second uncle, Second Madam, and their two daughters also lived within the estate.
The large residence was divided into several elegant courtyards connected by covered walkways, gardens, lotus ponds, and moon gates.
Just as Shen Xuan arrived outside Harmony Courtyard, one of Old Madam Shen’s personal servants hurried over before offering a respectful bow.
"Second Miss."
"The Old Madam was originally waiting for you, but an honored guest arrived unexpectedly."
"Everyone has gathered in the Main Hall."
Shen Xuan nodded.
"I understand."
Changing direction, she followed Xiao Mei toward the estate’s Main Hall.
Long before reaching the entrance, cheerful laughter drifted through the crisp winter air.
The sound alone painted a picture of warmth.
Taking a deep breath, Shen Xuan stepped over the raised wooden threshold.
The lively conversation immediately softened.
"Awu."
Old Madam Shen’s eyes lit up with affection.
"There you are."
"Grandmother!"
Shen Xuan’s face instantly brightened.
Completely forgetting all etiquette, she happily ran toward the elderly woman.
"My little slowpoke."
Old Madam Shen laughed as she caught her beloved granddaughter in her arms.
"You mustn’t run."
"What if you fall?"
"But Grandmother would catch me."
The old lady’s heart nearly melted.
"Oh, listen to this sweet mouth."
She gently pinched Shen Xuan’s soft cheek before kissing her forehead.
Looking around, Shen Xuan greeted everyone one by one.
Her elegant mother.
Her gentle elder sister.
Her second aunt.
Her two young cousins.
The atmosphere was lively and harmonious, making the spacious hall feel wonderfully warm despite the winter outside.
After nibbling on a piece of osmanthus pastry her grandmother fed her, Shen Xuan looked around curiously.
"Grandmother..."
"Where are Father, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Second Uncle?"
Old Madam Shen smiled knowingly.
"They accompanied our distinguished guest."
Almost as soon as those words left her lips...
Footsteps echoed from outside.
The servants standing at the entrance immediately straightened.
"The Grand Chancellor has arrived."
"The First Young Master has arrived."
"The Second Young Master has arrived."
"The Second Master has arrived."
A brief pause followed.
Then another announcement rang clearly through the hall.
"His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Every smile disappeared as everyone rose from their seats.
Shen Xuan instinctively stood together with the others.
Her gaze drifted toward the entrance.
Several figures entered the hall.
Leading them was her father, Shen Ruiwen.
Beside him walked her two elder brothers and second uncle.
Yet...
None of them captured Shen Xuan’s attention.
Instead, her eyes landed on the young boy walking calmly at the center.
He appeared no older than ten.
His black robe was embroidered with golden dragons woven so finely they seemed almost alive beneath the light.
His bearing was composed far beyond his years.
His handsome features were still touched by childish innocence, yet his calm phoenix eyes already carried the dignity of someone born to rule.
The room fell completely silent.
Everyone bowed respectfully.
"This subject greets Your Imperial Highness."
Shen Xuan also lowered her head with the others.
Yet inside...
Her thoughts exploded into complete chaos.
A/N: Shen Xuan’s thoughts appear in italic.
"Wait..."
"Crown Prince?"
"THE Crown Prince?!"
"The obsessive male lead?"
"Why is he here?!"
A/N: I applaud Shen Xuan for staying composed with her expression. I trust myself to have screamed out loud.