Soon, Shen Mingyue's belongings were completely cleared out, and Shen Mingtang naturally moved into the main chamber.
The main chamber was spacious, with every detail meticulously arranged.
Yu Momo was puzzled. "Do you intend to rely on Qin Shi to establish yourself?"
She wanted to advise Mingtang that relying on others was not as reliable as strengthening oneself, especially since Qin Shi was not her birth mother.
In fact, she felt that Mingtang should have asked for some benefits for herself back then—the Empress would have granted them.
"Yu Momo," Shen Mingtang hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell her the truth.
Now in the Shen family, she needed a strong ally.
Yu Momo had spent many years in the palace and had witnessed all sorts of dirty tricks and sinister schemes. If she was willing, she would undoubtedly become Mingtang's most suitable right-hand woman.
"Back when Qin Shi and Zhou Yiniang gave birth to daughters at the same time, Zhou Yiniang bribed the midwife and switched me with Shen Mingyue," Shen Mingtang explained slowly.
Yu Momo sighed upon hearing this. "So that's how it was, that's how it was!"
Her eyes filled with affection as she looked at Shen Mingtang. "You're also a pitiful child."
Shen Mingtang knew that the other pitiful child she referred to was Prince Rui, Xiao Beili.
Ten years ago, the Great Zhou Kingdom was defeated by the Southern Jin Kingdom and had no choice but to send Xiao Beili, the ten-year-old legitimate prince, as a hostage to the Southern Jin Kingdom in exchange for abundant supplies and grain each year.
It wasn't until the beginning of this year that Xiao Beili was brought back to the Great Zhou Kingdom.
It was said that when he was returned by the Southern Jin Kingdom, he was unconscious, extremely emaciated, and covered in wounds. Of the guards who had accompanied him back then, less than one in a hundred survived. One could hardly imagine what kind of life he had lived in the Southern Jin Kingdom.
Yu Momo was Xiao Beili's wet nurse from his childhood and, aside from the Empress, cared for him the most.
As the two were talking, the window suddenly moved.
Yu Momo stood up and went over.
"Is that Qingshan?" she called out.
The guard Qingshan climbed in through the window and stood before Shen Mingtang, scratching his head and grinning foolishly.
The Prince truly cared about Miss Shen—here he was, sending him to check on her again.
Seeing him act like a fool, Yu Momo kicked him. "Did the Prince send you?"
Only then did Qingshan remember that he had brought an invitation. "The Prince specifically ordered me to deliver an invitation to Miss Shen. In a few days, it will be Old Madam Liu's birthday celebration."
He handed the invitation to Yu Momo and whispered, "Momo, this is the first time the Prince has shown interest in a woman."
Yu Momo smacked him on the head with the invitation.
"Miss Shen is the Prince's savior. Don't talk nonsense."
Even as she said this, she couldn't help but entertain a few thoughts of her own.
After spending a few days with Mingtang, she had come to appreciate the girl's good character, courage, and graceful demeanor. She liked her very much.
It was just a pity that Mingtang's background was somewhat low.
As for Prince Rui's marriage, it was unlikely he would have the final say. The Emperor would surely select a noble lady from an influential family for him.
Yu Momo shook her head and warned Qingshan again, "Don't let your imagination run wild."
Qingshan pouted and jumped back out the window.
Shen Mingtang strained her ears to listen but only caught fragmented phrases like "a woman" and "imagination." She thought for a long time but couldn't recall the context.
Yu Momo handed her the invitation. "I suppose the Liu family will also send an invitation to Madam. When the time comes, you can go with her to take a look."
Shen Mingtang took the invitation and stared intently at the gilded character "Liu" on it, lost in thought.
In her previous life, because of Shen Mingyue's status as County Princess, Qin Shi, as her biological mother, also received an invitation from the Liu family.
But something happened to Qin Shi at the Liu family—no one knew what—and she returned gravely ill, unable to leave her bed.
From then on, Shen Mingyue developed a strong aversion toward her mother and grew closer to Zhou Yiniang. Qin Shi never stepped out of her courtyard again.
Soon after, when her brother met with misfortune, Qin Shi passed away not long after.
Shen Mingyue instinctively wanted to prevent Qin Shi from going to the Liu family, but then she reconsidered: the Liu family was the Empress's maternal family, and Qin Shi had just received an Imperial Order. Not attending would surely draw criticism from the Lius.
She had no valid reason to stop Qin Shi from going.
Since that was the case, she decided she would accompany Qin Shi when the time came.
"Alright," Shen Mingyue agreed.
Meanwhile, Shen Mingyue was furious seeing her belongings being moved to Xiaoxiang House.
"She's just a lowborn daughter—how dare she take my courtyard!" She stamped her foot. "That wretched girl, who does she think she is? Move these things back at once!"
Even if she didn't live in Jinxiu Courtyard anymore, it was still rightfully hers.
A servant stepped forward and said, "Eldest Daughter, Madam has instructed that you will reside in Xiaoxiang Courtyard from now on, so you can be closer to Zhou Yiniang."
Shen Mingyue kicked the servant. "You're supposed to serve me! How dare you listen to that vile woman!"
Hearing her refer to Madam as a "vile woman," the servants exchanged uneasy glances.
Zhou Yiniang arrived, supported by her maid, and overheard the insult.
She felt both smug and anxious.
"Mingyue, you mustn't speak of your mother that way," Zhou Yiniang said as she approached. "Your mother only wants what's best for you. What happened today was your mistake."
She had to maintain appearances in front of the servants.
"All of you, return to your duties," Zhou Yiniang said coldly.
Once the servants had dispersed, Zhou Yiniang led Shen Mingyue inside and questioned her in detail about the day's scheme.
Shen Mingyue wept as she explained, "That vile woman struck me again for that little wretch's sake and gave her my Jinxiu Courtyard! Yiniang, if you don't rein in that lowborn girl soon, she'll trample all over me and replace me as the legitimate daughter!"
Zhou Yiniang had repeatedly told her that legitimate daughters were exalted, while lowborn daughters were worthless like mud.
How could a piece of mud like Shen Mingtang deserve to live in Jinxiu Courtyard?
Zhou Yiniang's temples throbbed with irritation. She instinctively pressed a hand to her lower abdomen and soothed, "Why didn't you consult me before plotting against Mingtang? I could have helped you plan more carefully."
Although she, too, felt that Shen Mingtang had been acting strangely lately.
It had been several days since she last saw Shen Mingtang. The girl used to be utterly submissive, following every order without question. Now, Zhou Yiniang kept waiting for Shen Mingtang to return and apologize, but there was no sign of her.
Yet she refused to go to Qin Shi's courtyard to fetch her herself.
Zhou Yiniang gently stroked her abdomen, her expression softening unconsciously.
Ever since becoming a concubine in the Shen family, she had schemed day and night to bear a son and secure her position. She had consumed countless bitter medicines, all to no avail.
But now, it had finally happened.
Shen Mingyue didn't notice her gesture and simply complained that her maid, Cuier, was useless.
Zhou Yiniang frowned repeatedly and sighed. "You're still too young and impulsive in your actions."
Then she changed the subject. "But that's not important now. What matters most is Old Madam Liu's birthday celebration in a few days. I expect the Liu family will send your mother an invitation, and you must go with her."
After all, Qin Shi now held a second-rank Imperial Order.
With a second-rank Imperial Order, even the wives of noble families had to treat her with respect.
Zhou Yiniang suppressed the jealousy and resentment in her heart, then continued, "There's no need to give any silver. I have a plan that can help you vent your anger…"
"Please tell me quickly, Yiniang," Shen Mingyue urged anxiously.
At this moment, she wished for nothing more than to see Shen Mingtang's reputation ruined and Qin Shi suffer as well.