In the blink of an eye, another five years quietly slipped by.
Time, like flowing water, never waited for anyone.
The little girl who had once hidden behind her father’s robes had gradually grown into a lively ten-year-old young miss.
The Shen Residence, too, had undergone many changes over the years.
The first change everyone remembered was the fright Shen Xuan had given the entire family five years ago.
After returning from the Lantern Festival in the Crown Prince’s carriage, she had developed a high fever that lasted for three full days and nights.
During those three days, the entire Shen Residence had been thrown into chaos.
Physicians came and went one after another.
Old Madam Shen personally remained by her bedside every day, constantly praying to the ancestors for her precious granddaughter’s speedy recovery.
Madam Gu barely slept, refusing to leave Shen Xuan’s room even for a moment.
Shen Ruiwen delayed all unnecessary official matters and returned home immediately after court each day.
Even Shen Zhiqian blamed himself endlessly for allowing his little sister to become separated from them.
Only after Shen Xuan’s fever finally subsided did everyone truly breathe a sigh of relief.
From that day onward...
The Shen family unanimously reached one decision.
Whenever Shen Xuan wished to leave the residence, she would never again be allowed to go anywhere without a proper escort.
Servants.
Guards.
Carriages.
Everything had to be arranged beforehand.
At first, Shen Xuan had protested bitterly.
"I won’t get lost again..."
"I promise!"
Unfortunately...
Not a single person believed her.
After several failed attempts, she finally gave up resisting.
"Forget it."
"Being a heavily protected salted fish isn’t so bad either."
Life continued peacefully.
Last year, the Shen Residence celebrated another joyous occasion.
Shen Zhiqian, the eldest young master of the Shen family, had married.
His wife was Mo Yunxu, the eldest daughter of one of Grand Protector Gu Zhengyuan’s trusted deputy generals.
Unlike many noble ladies of the capital who possessed sharp tongues and proud tempers, Mo Yunxu was gentle beyond compare.
She always wore a warm smile.
Her calm eyes carried a comforting gentleness that naturally put others at ease.
From the very first day she entered the Shen Residence, she had treated every member of the family with sincerity.
Especially Shen Xuan.
To the little girl...
It simply meant there was one more person who doted on her endlessly.
Shen Xuan often sighed happily.
"Being spoiled is exhausting..."
"But someone has to endure it."
After his marriage, Shen Zhiqian officially entered the Ministry of Revenue, serving as the Assistant Minister despite his young age.
Many court officials praised him as a worthy successor to Grand Chancellor Shen Ruiwen.
Meanwhile...
Shen Ziheng had left the capital three years ago.
Following their maternal grandfather, Grand Protector Gu Zhengyuan, he journeyed to the northern frontier to temper himself upon the battlefield.
Since then, he had yet to return home.
Only letters arrived every month without fail.
Sometimes they contained amusing stories from the frontier.
Sometimes pressed wildflowers.
Sometimes curious little trinkets he believed his little sister would enjoy.
Whenever Shen Xuan received one, she would treasure it carefully before writing a long reply.
Though separated by thousands of li...
The bond between the siblings had never weakened.
As for Shen Yuerou...
She had blossomed into the capital’s most dazzling young lady.
Today...
She would celebrate her Ji Li—the coming-of-age ceremony of a noblewoman.
At sixteen years old, Shen Yuerou possessed beauty as gentle as the moon.
Every movement she made carried effortless elegance.
Every smile resembled the first bloom of spring.
Her accomplishments were equally astonishing.
She excelled in the four arts expected of noble ladies.
The qin.
Chess.
Calligraphy.
Painting.
Her embroidery was admired throughout the capital.
Her poetry had even been praised by renowned scholars.
Two years earlier, during the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, Shen Yuerou had personally presented a landscape painting depicting the empire’s flourishing mountains and rivers.
The Empress Dowager had been so delighted that she immediately bestowed upon her the honorary title of Princess Zhangyang.
Although not a princess by blood, it was an immense honor.
Since then...
Her reputation had spread throughout the empire.
She was recognized as the Capital’s Number One Talented Maiden.
Naturally...
Marriage proposals flooded the Shen Residence almost daily.
Princes.
Young marquises.
Heirs of influential families.
Even distinguished scholars from distant provinces sent matchmakers carrying gifts.
Every time another proposal arrived...
Shen Ruiwen and Madam Gu could only exchange helpless smiles.
Their precious daughter had only just come of age.
How could they bear to marry her off so quickly?
Compared to her accomplished elder siblings...
Shen Xuan remained exactly the same.
Or so everyone believed.
She still spent every day eating.
Sleeping.
Reading storybooks.
Climbing trees despite being forbidden.
Playing with the household cats.
Sneaking desserts from the kitchen.
Then repeating everything again the next day.
To outsiders...
She appeared to be the most carefree young miss in the capital.
A true little salted fish.
Only Shen Xuan herself knew the truth.
She had intentionally hidden her abilities.
Whether it was calligraphy...
Painting...
Music...
Embroidery...
Or even memorizing books...
She learned everything astonishingly quickly.
When Shen Yuerou had required three months to master a particular embroidery technique...
Shen Xuan secretly mastered it in less than one.
Fortunately...
She was very good at pretending.
Whenever someone praised her, she would immediately blink innocently.
"I only got lucky."
Gradually...
Everyone concluded that although Second Miss Shen was clever...
She simply preferred having fun.
Exactly as Shen Xuan wished.
"Standing out attracts trouble."
"Lying flat attracts naps."
"The second option is obviously better."
Today, however...
Even Shen Xuan’s peaceful salted-fish life could not escape excitement.
The entire Shen Residence had been decorated magnificently.
Bright red lanterns hung beneath every corridor.
Fresh flowers adorned each courtyard.
Silk banners fluttered gently in the breeze.
Guests from influential noble families arrived one carriage after another.
Officials.
Madams.
Young masters.
Young ladies.
Even members of the imperial clan attended.
After all...
Today was not merely the coming-of-age ceremony of the Shen family’s eldest daughter.
It was also the coming-of-age ceremony of Princess Zhangyang.
Naturally, no one wished to miss such an occasion.
Shen Xuan herself wore a simple sky-blue hanfu embroidered with tiny white plum blossoms.
Unlike many noble young ladies who adored extravagant ornaments, she wore only two delicate jade hairpins and a pair of pearl earrings.
Her beauty was understated.
Fresh.
Like a lotus blooming quietly beside a lake.
Following behind her were her two personal maids.
Xiao Mei, who had served her faithfully since childhood.
And Xia Cao, whom Madam Gu had assigned to her several years earlier.
The two maids were nearly the same age and got along surprisingly well.
As they walked toward Shen Yuerou’s courtyard...
A clear feminine voice suddenly called out.
"Greetings, Little Cousin."
Shen Xuan stopped.
Turning around, she saw a graceful young lady approaching with several maids.
It was her cousin.
Shen Yier.
The eldest daughter of Second Master Shen.
Fifteen years old this year.
Only one year younger than Shen Yuerou.
Although her appearance could not rival Shen Yuerou’s breathtaking beauty, she was still considered an elegant young lady.
She carried herself with confidence, and every gesture reflected the careful upbringing of a noble household.
Unfortunately...
The moment Shen Xuan saw her...
The warmth disappeared from her eyes.
She politely returned the greeting.
"Greetings, Elder Cousin."
Her tone was courteous.
Yet noticeably distant.
Without waiting for further conversation...
She turned and continued walking.
Leaving Shen Yier standing where she was.
For a brief moment...
Shen Yier’s smile stiffened.
Watching Shen Xuan’s departing figure, annoyance flashed across her eyes before quickly disappearing.
Walking behind her mistress, Xia Cao looked puzzled.
"Second Miss..."
"You’ve always been kind to everyone."
"Why are you so cold toward Eldest Miss Yi’er?"
Shen Xuan answered without even slowing her steps.
"I simply don’t like her."
There was no hesitation.
No attempt to hide it.
Xia Cao blinked in surprise.
She had never heard her young miss speak so bluntly about anyone.
Shen Xuan lowered her eyes.
A faint chill flickered within them.
"How could I possibly like her?"
"In the original novel..."
"When the Crown Prince imprisoned me..."
"She was one of the people who willingly stood by his side."
"She helped destroy the Shen family."
"She watched Father, Mother, Big Sister... everyone fall..."
"Even if none of that has happened in this lifetime..."
"I cannot forget what she once did."
Taking a slow breath, Shen Xuan quietly suppressed the memories.
"I’ll simply stay away from her."
"That is enough."
Little did she know...
Someone standing on a nearby pavilion had witnessed the entire exchange from beginning to end.
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