Carrying the bird’s nest, Shen Qingran arrived at the gate of the small courtyard.
An elderly woman with silver hair, dressed in a dark‑purple qipao, was directing the servants inside to water the plants and tend the vegetables.
This courtyard was only a few streets away from the Shen family villa.
Back when the family was divided, several uncles had asked the old lady to live with them, but she was stubborn and refused to stay with anyone.
She lived only with her one and only daughter—Shen Qingran’s mother.
Later, after Shen Tang remarried, the old lady refused to stay there any longer.
She claimed she didn’t want to be an eyesore.
Even Shen Tang’s pretended filial piety and the stepmother’s hypocritical concern failed to persuade her to stay.
Despite her age, the old lady was sharp and clear‑headed.
“Grandmother, I’ve come to see you!”
Shen Qingran smiled warmly, holding up the insulated container.
It was noon.
Standing against the sunlight, the old lady stared at Shen Qingran in a brief daze.
For a moment, it was as if she were seeing her only daughter, Shen Yuxi, from years ago.
Back then, Yuxi had been about the same age—running straight into her arms after class, dressed in a blue blouse and carrying a schoolbag.
This granddaughter looked exactly like her.
Sadly, white‑haired parents sending off black‑haired children—such sorrow.
“Grandmother, it’s me, Qingran.”
The old lady adjusted her gold‑rimmed glasses, her back slightly stooped, and nodded.
“You girl—what brings you here today?”
Because her only daughter had passed away, the old lady often lectured Qingran. In her previous life, their relationship hadn’t been particularly close.
Shen Qingran linked arms with her grandmother and walked inside.
“I missed you, Grandma!”
She smiled sweetly, but seeing her grandmother’s slightly hunched back made her heart ache.
The courtyard wasn’t just filled with vegetables—it had even more flowers.
Pale pink peach blossoms, magenta bougainvillea, and blooming peonies.
The air carried a faint floral fragrance.
Born into a wealthy family, the old lady had always maintained a refined lifestyle.
“The young miss is here!”
“Young miss looks so beautiful today!”
The servants inside praised her.
Shen Qingran was wearing a simple white qipao, her face bare and delicate—perfectly balanced.
Wear it while you can, she thought. Who knows how long it’ll be before I can again.
Inside the house, she helped her grandmother sit at the dining table.
“Grandma, look what I brought!”
“Oh? You’re calling me Grandma today instead of Old Madam Shen?”
The old lady teased her.
Shen Qingran smiled indulgently, clinging to her arm and acting spoiled.
“Oh come on, why are you being so picky with your junior?”
“Well, that’s true.”
The old lady tapped her forehead affectionately.
Joking aside, she was one of the very few people in this world who truly cared for Shen Qingran.
“Mmm, not bad. This bird’s nest is very smooth.”
“This must be Zhang Ma’s handiwork.”
The old lady had a sharp tongue—she could tell instantly.
“Hehe, nothing escapes you!”
“Hmph, I’m more used to being called Old Madam.”
“Grandma!”
Shen Qingran deployed her ultimate move—sweet, shameless coaxing.
The old lady smiled warmly. She had bought this house just to be closer to her granddaughter.
“Grandma, I’m going to the countryside.”
Shen Qingran finally stated her purpose.
In her previous life, the ones she worried about most when going to the countryside were her grandmother and Zhang Ma.
Her grandfather had been from a family of traditional Chinese physicians, saving countless lives. His children had all followed in his footsteps.
Her grandmother later became one of those who received special state allowances.
That was why, when the Shen family later faced investigation, many people who had once been helped by her grandfather came forward to speak up.
Her grandmother escaped disaster because of that.
“Going to the countryside? Is your family dead or something?”
“That scumbag father of yours—does he just want to send you, the motherless one, away while the rest of them stay home enjoying everything?”
The old lady slammed the table in anger.
Shen Qingran felt deeply moved. Her grandmother truly loved her.
“They drew lots. I lost.”
“Hmph!”
The old lady sneered dismissively.
Shen Qingran suspected her stepmother had used some trick, but it didn’t matter now.
“Girl, come with me to the bedroom.”
Inside the bedroom, the old lady took out a finely crafted small box from the cabinet.
“This is for you.”
A necklace that looked utterly ordinary appeared before Shen Qingran.
The entire piece was gray and plain.
But Shen Qingran, having lived one lifetime already, knew this was the Shen family heirloom passed only to the head of the family.
In her previous life, her grandmother had given it to her—but she had casually tossed it away after leaving, never realizing its importance.
Only later did she understand her grandmother’s meaning.
“Ranran, this is our Shen family’s ancestral treasure—passed to daughters, not sons.”
“Your mother is gone, but this holds great secrets. You must take it with you to the countryside.”
Her grandmother’s gaze was filled with expectation.
Her grip on Shen Qingran’s hand unconsciously tightened.
Shen Qingran nodded firmly. “Grandma, don’t worry. I’ll protect this necklace no matter what.”
The old lady nodded, her eyes reddening.
This child had lost her mother so young, and now at barely twenty, she had to go to the countryside alone.
That damned Shen Tang!
She had never approved of that son‑in‑law. But her daughter had liked him—almost as if she’d been bewitched.
The old lady then took out several old, yellowed prescription sheets.
“These are our Shen family’s secret formulas.”
“The Hundred‑Herb Pill…”
“The Six‑Ingredient Imperial Pill…”
“The Black Chicken White Phoenix Pill…”
Shen Qingran stared at the faded handwriting.
“Grandma, isn’t Second Uncle in charge of the family now?”
“Shouldn’t these be given to him?”
She was referring to her second uncle, Shen Yuxing, the current head of the Shen family.
The old lady snorted. “Enough of him.”
“Just remember—these are the Shen family’s true foundations.”
“As long as these remain, the Shen family can rise again!”
Shen Qingran nodded solemnly.
After discussing the proper placement of the old staff at the pharmacy, she finally left.
By the time she returned home, it was already night.
The house was empty.
She entered her room, took out the necklace, and put it on.
Looking into the mirror—nothing seemed different.
Wait.
Recalling her grandmother’s instructions, Shen Qingran pricked her finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the necklace.
The next moment—
Something shocking happened.