Unexpectedly,
not a single one of the peony hairpins bought by the Shen family was to Shen Qingrou’s liking.
Cui Xuenian rubbed her temples, a suppressed rage building in her chest, and asked:
“These were all meticulously crafted pieces from the most famous jewelry shops in the capital.”
“Every color and design here is more exquisite than the two flowers on your sister’s head.”
“If you don’t like any of these, then there is nothing else in the capital you can choose from.”
Shen Qingrou’s eyes were red as she lowered her gaze and said nothing.
Her Black Lotus System suddenly chimed:
【Host, your mother’s resentment level is surging. You can speak now.】
Shen Qingrou’s eyes lit up, and she asked the system:
【Really?】
The Black Lotus System replied:
【Yes, you can speak again.】
【Hurry and tell your mother you want the peony hairpins on your sister’s head.】
【Although your mother’s resentment can be used, it cannot fully cure your speech disorder.】
【Only by provoking Shen Zhao and gaining her resentment can your illness be truly cured.】
This was something Shen Qingrou and the Black Lotus System had discovered together.
It was not only Shen Zhao’s resentment that could treat her condition.
Cui Xuenian’s resentment could also work.
However…
it was not enough to fully cure her speech disorder.
So Shen Qingrou slowly lifted her head and said:
“I want the peony flowers on my sister’s head.”
“What did you say?”
Cui Xuenian’s tone instantly turned sharp.
She was so angered by those words that she did not immediately realize Shen Qingrou had regained her speech.
Even the Shen family fathers and sons, who had been full of frustration, exchanged shocked glances.
Shen Cong suddenly stood up from his chair.
“Little sister, what did you just say?”
They needed to confirm her condition.
Shen Qingrou repeated:
“I want the peony flowers on my sister’s head.”
The Shen family men’s eyes instantly lit up.
At that moment, Cui Xuenian also reacted. She widened her eyes and stared at Shen Qingrou.
“Say that again?”
Shen Qingrou pouted and stood up.
“I want the two peony flowers on my sister’s head.”
She even pointed at the various hair ornaments held by the maids.
“I don’t like any of these.”
“Good!” Shen Cong stood up excitedly and helped her back into her seat.
“All right, all right…”
“You are the Phoenix Star. You can have whatever you want.”
“As long as you speak properly, even if you want the stars in the sky, Second Brother will pluck them for you.”
Pleased by this praise, Shen Qingrou puffed her cheeks slightly and pointed at the peony hairpins.
“Then I want Sister’s peonies. Second Brother, go get them for me.”
“Alright, I’ll go get them right now.”
Shen Cong turned to look at Shen Huaiming and Shen Rong.
“Father, Eldest Brother, shouldn’t Zhaozhao’s things be given to Second Sister?”
Shen Huaiming and Shen Rong exchanged a glance.
Shen Sui said, “Zhaozhao is no longer the Phoenix Star. Precious items like Eastern pearls would be wasted on her.”
“Second Sister is going to be the Crown Princess in the future. She will need Eastern pearls more. I agree with Second Brother take all of Zhaozhao’s accessories and give them to Second Sister.”
Shen Rong considered it briefly and said to Shen Huaiming:
“Father, let’s take them back.”
Madam Yao carried Shen Zhao’s jewelry box into the room.
“Master, Madam, Eldest Miss has locked all her jewelry in the inner chamber. She only took away those two… hairpins, and the Eastern pearls bestowed by the Empress.”
The Shen family’s expressions stiffened.
They all looked toward the red box in Madam Yao’s hands.
That was the box Shen Zhao normally used to store her everyday jewelry.
Cui Xuenian knew it all too well.
And because of that, her resentment toward Shen Zhao deepened even further.
What did it mean that Shen Zhao only took those peony hairpins?
Suddenly, she remembered
five years ago, Shen Zhao had bought two peony hairpins from a jewelry shop in the capital, only for her to step on and destroy them.
Shen Zhao had cried and made a scene for a long time afterward, even alarming the Old Madam.
Thinking of this, Cui Xuenian snapped back to reality, anger burning in her chest.
So this ungrateful wretch had been holding a grudge all along.
Fine. Just fine.
Suppressing her anger, she ordered:
“Take them have Madam Yao immediately go to Ziyun Temple and retrieve the peony hairpins inlaid with Eastern pearls for Rou’er.”
“Rou’er is the true Phoenix Star. Only she is worthy of such noble Eastern pearls.”
Madam Yao obeyed and hurried to Ziyun Temple.
By the time she arrived, Shen Zhao was already staying in the largest courtyard of the temple
Jiuqing Courtyard.
Half of Ziyun Temple’s courtyards had been funded by the Duke Jing family’s old matriarch when she was younger.
Shen Zhao had been arranged to stay in Jiuqing Courtyard, the residence the Old Madam Xie usually used when she came to the temple, under the identity of the Duke Jing’s future wife.
Madam Yao was led inside and could not help but glance around.
Because…the entire courtyard was filled with peonies.
Peonies bloomed everywhere, brilliant and dazzling like glowing clouds.
Yet Madam Yao’s expression turned extremely unpleasant.
Such scenery was not allowed in the Shen residence.
Once she entered the courtyard, she immediately got to the point.
“Eldest Miss, this servant has been ordered by Madam to retrieve the Eastern pearls bestowed by the Empress, and also…”
She glanced at the peony hairpins on Shen Zhao’s head, her tone heavy.
“Second Miss likes the peony hairpins on Eldest Miss’s head. The Crown Prince has issued an order for Eldest Miss to hand them over to Second Miss.”
Cui Xuenian feared Shen Zhao would refuse, so she had Madam Yao bring up the Crown Prince to pressure her.
Shen Zhao inwardly let out a faint laugh.
In truth, even without mentioning Xiao Xuanzhou, she would have given them.
Not only would she give Shen Qingrou the peony hairpins
she would even give her the dress she was wearing as well.
After all, this was a gift she had personally prepared for Shen Qingrou offered to her “good mother.”
Shen Zhao did not make things difficult for Madam Yao.
She asked Man Yin to help her remove the hair ornament.
Mansu then tidied up her peony-patterned dress and placed it into a box, handing it over to Madam Yao.
When Madam Yao received the box, she looked at Shen Zhao with a complicated expression.
In a serious tone, she said, “Eldest Miss, it’s not that Madam doesn’t love you. It’s just that the situation is as it is right now. For the time being, you can only stay at Ziyun Temple. Madam hopes you will cultivate in peace there.”
Shen Zhao lowered her head to drink tea and did not respond.
Seeing this, Madam Yao said no more, hugged the box, and quickly returned to the residence.
When Cui Xuenian learned that Shen Zhao had so easily handed over the peony hairpins, her expression still remained extremely unpleasant.
“She didn’t say anything at all?”
“Did she cry or beg you to bring her back?”
Madam Yao shook her head. “Eldest Miss did not cry or make a fuss, and…”
Thinking of Jiuqing Courtyard where Shen Zhao was staying, it was not inferior in layout to Qionghua Pavilion.
In fact, it was even more lavishly decorated with blooming flowers.
Servants and maids surrounded her.
Their Eldest Miss was not living in hardship at Ziyun Temple at all. Instead, under Duke Jing’s arrangements, her residence was luxurious and extravagant.
She looked calm and composed.
Completely unlike the miserable situation Madam had imagined.
“And what?” Cui Xuenian grew irritated. “Why are you also hesitating when you speak now?”
Madam Yao quickly lowered her head and did not dare hide anything about Shen Zhao’s residence at Ziyun Temple.
She reported everything she had seen.
This only made the fire in Cui Xuenian’s heart burn even more fiercely.
Her words turned harsh:
“Who taught her to dress up so flamboyantly just to seduce men into bending to her will?”
“She truly has no shame!”
With that, she smashed a nearby vase to the ground.
At that moment, Shen Rong walked in from outside. He glanced at the broken vase on the floor, then looked up at his mother.
“Mother, what has angered you again?”
Cui Xuenian suppressed her anger and said, “Madam Yao, tell Eldest Young Master exactly how Eldest Miss used her charms to make Duke Jing arrange such a courtyard for her.”
“Yes.” Madam Yao repeated everything she had just told Cui Xuenian to Shen Rong.
After hearing it, Cui Xuenian’s expression became even darker.
She said emotionally, “She is a noble young lady of a prestigious family. She should not casually accept a courtyard arranged by an unrelated man. How is that any different from a brothel?”
Shen Rong’s expression darkened slightly.
“Zhaozhao has indeed gone too far this time.”
“I will go into the palace immediately to report this to His Highness the Crown Prince. I will not allow Zhaozhao to do anything that disgraces our Shen family’s reputation.”
When this matter reached the Crown Prince’s ears, it would become
“Shen Zhao sold her charms and moved into the best courtyard in Ziyun Temple.”