The First Madam was a competent mistress of the household. While her daughter was sent to the old residence, she pleaded for leniency while diligently organizing the Dowager’s birthday banquet. The Dowager held the first-rank title of Lady, so her celebration had to be grand and lively, with invitations extended to prominent families across the capital. The preparations were numerous and complex.
The First Madam had been so busy that she had visibly lost weight. Finally, after finalizing all the details, she could sit down and rest, lifting a cup of cold tea to her lips. She asked Nanny Yang beside her, “Has Yunzhi almost reached Tong’an? I wonder how she fared along the journey?”
The Grand Preceptor had personally ordered Shen Yunzhi’s departure, and those handling the arrangements were his own people, keeping the Rear Courtyard from interfering.
Nanny Yang comforted her, “Madam, don’t worry. After all, they are blood-related grandmother and granddaughter. The Grand Preceptor won’t neglect the Eldest Young Lady. You must take care of yourself. Only when you are well can you truly be the Eldest Young Lady’s support.”
The First Madam raised her eyes. “Nanny is right.” She naturally understood this reasoning, yet she still worried about her daughter’s situation.
She truly couldn’t comprehend—what did an obscure scholar have that could compare to the Heir of Marquis Yong’an, Zhang Xingyu? How could Shen Yunzhi have lost her mind like this!
With Shen Yunzhi’s outburst, this excellent marriage prospect had fallen through. Given the temperaments of the Grand Preceptor and the Dowager, the alliance between the Shen and Zhang families would remain unchanged, but the choice of the Shen daughter would now fall upon Shen Yunman or Shen Yunying.
“The Second Branch must be scheming, right?” The First Madam’s eyes sharpened as she pressed for their movements.
“The Second Madam has been sending blood bird’s nest and gourd-shaped jade bonsai for longevity, hoping to gain the Dowager’s approval.” Nanny Yang snorted coldly. “The Second Madam has always been fond of wealth, but this time she’s spent quite a fortune.”
A chill settled in the First Madam’s heart. What my daughter cannot have, Shen Yunman shall not even think of touching.
“What about the Third Branch? Any movements?”
“As Madam knows, that side is practically like the living dead—everything remains as usual. They don’t seem interested. However, the Third Young Lady has been frequently going out to a residence in the western part of the city recently. This old servant inquired and found out it was prepared for the Jiang family, who are coming to the capital to offer birthday congratulations.” Nanny Yang bowed as she replied.
The First Madam nodded. She knew about this matter—the invitation had been sent to Jingyuan Studio on her orders. Suddenly, it occurred to her that among the Jiang family’s visitors this time were two young gentlemen. Could Jiang Wensheng be considering a marriage alliance to strengthen family ties?
The First Madam shook her head again. Regardless, Shen Yunying’s grandfather was the current Grand Preceptor. Finding a high-ranking family in the capital wouldn’t be difficult for her. The Jiang family and the capital’s elite were worlds apart. Would Jiang Wensheng forsake a pearl for a fish’s eye?
In the blink of an eye, the day of the birthday banquet arrived. The spring sunlight was bright and clear, and the peach grove within the Taishi Mansion was in full bloom. The Rear Courtyard was filled with a faint, elusive fragrance of peach blossoms, fresh and pleasant. The Taishi Mansion was bustling with guests, as both noble families and respected scholarly households from the capital gathered to offer their congratulations.
Before the entrance of Cihui Courtyard, festive couplets for longevity had been hung: “May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea’s endless flow; may your life be as enduring as the Southern Mountain’s ageless pine.” The First Madam greeted guests outside, while the Second Madam stayed within the courtyard accompanying the Dowager in receiving visitors.
The main hall was lively and bustling, with ladies and young misses gathered together, their sleeves fragrant and elegant. The side halls and pavilions had been tidied up to accommodate guests as well.
“Young Lady, for today’s birthday banquet, the Dowager has instructed that you dress more formally and not be as casual as usual.” Yinping opened two gold-dusted octagonal jewelry boxes, carefully selecting pieces.
Shen Yunying sat before the dressing table, casually pointing out a few items. “Who knows what Grandmother has in mind? This will do.”
“Miss!” Yinping’s heart tightened, then she sighed, “No matter what, this is a good opportunity for you.”
Shen Yunying hummed in acknowledgment. In the past, when the Shen family attended banquets, they never brought Shen Yunying along. Her mother, being a widow, rarely paid visits. Over the years, outsiders knew the Shen family had three young ladies, but few had ever seen Shen Yunying.
This year, for the Old Madam’s birthday celebration, Shen Yunying had assumed it would be like previous years—she would simply send a birthday gift and then return to Jingyuan Studio to stay with her mother.
Unexpectedly, Cihui Courtyard sent someone to relay a message, instructing Shen Yunying to dress carefully and join Shen Yunman in receiving the young ladies who came to offer birthday congratulations.
Yinzheng ventured a guess, “Perhaps since Eldest Miss isn’t here, the Old Madam wants her granddaughters to make an even number for good luck and prosperity?”
Shen Yunying chuckled, “That could be it. What if Grandmother just wants longevity and good fortune?”
With Yinping and Yinzheng both pitching in, Shen Yunying was soon dressed and made up, arriving at Cihui Courtyard right on time.
As soon as Shen Yunying arrived, she encountered Mama Li waiting at the entrance. She couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow—Mama Li was the Old Madam’s confidante, a figure of no ordinary standing.
A glint of satisfaction flashed in Mama Li’s eyes. When Third Miss put effort into her appearance, her beauty surpassed that of the other two young ladies. She smiled and bowed, “Third Miss has arrived. Second Miss is in the pavilion. Please go quickly.”
Shen Yunying reached out to support her, “No need for such courtesy, Mama. I’ll go right away.”
As Shen Yunying walked forward, she noticed Mama Li heading toward the main hall. A thought crossed her mind—was Mama Li waiting for her? But she quickly dismissed it. Mama Li had never greeted her before, so it was unlikely.
The pavilion stood to the right of Cihui Courtyard, with octagonal eaves and bat motifs, symbolizing blessings, prosperity, longevity, and abundant descendants. Shen Yunying ascended to the second floor, where she saw Shen Yunman standing by the staircase, looking her over with a scrutinizing gaze.
Shen Yunying greeted, “Second Sister.”
Shen Yunman smiled faintly, “Third Sister, it’s rare to see you dressed so formally. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Second Sister’s attire is more exquisite and refined, far better than mine.”
Shen Yunying had a keen eye. Today, Shen Yunman wasn’t dressed in bright reds or greens but wore a misty pink pleated skirt with a subtle bamboo pattern woven into the silk. Her hair was styled in a coiled serpent bun, adorned with a pure white magnolia hairpin and two pearls on the side, round and lustrous, exuding understated elegance.
Shen Yunman’s smile deepened. Since Shen Yunying understood this much, she shouldn’t think of stealing her spotlight.
Her gaze remained fixed on Shen Yunying. She had always known that, in truth, Shen Yunying was the most beautiful among the three sisters.
At this moment, Shen Yunying’s figure was perfectly proportioned, her skin fair and glowing. Her delicately drawn arched eyebrows enhanced her striking yet charming appearance.
Her hair was styled in a towering cloud bun, adorned with a gold hairpin inlaid with red coral, accented with peach blossom hairpins and tiny pearls. She wore a deep red standing-collar jacket with a woven gourd vine pattern and a sand-gold horse-face skirt embroidered with orchid grass. Around her neck hung a gold necklace, and at her waist dangled a cursive-style longevity character sachet.
It was a look perfectly suited for the birthday celebration.
Shen Yunman’s eyes darkened slightly as she smiled lightly, “Third Sister, today I have many close friends coming, so I won’t have time to look after you.”
Hearing this, Shen Yunying smiled knowingly. Shen Yunman didn’t want to introduce her into the social circles of the capital’s noble young ladies.
“No need to trouble Second Sister,” Shen Yunying replied politely.
Shen Yunman turned to enter the room but suddenly heard clear murmurs from inside. The people inside likely thought the Shen young ladies weren’t present and spoke without restraint.
“Today, we didn’t see Shen Yunzhi out receiving guests. I heard she was seriously ill and returned to her hometown—it seems it’s true.”
“Then what about her engagement to the Heir of Marquis Yong’an?”
Though the words were left unfinished, the meaning was clear. The marriage discussions between the Shen family and Yong’an Marquis Mansion had not been made public, but secrets are hard to keep. The sudden frequent interactions between the Shen family’s eldest madam and the Yong’an Marquis’s wife, along with the consultation of birth charts, had been heard by those with well-informed connections.
A lively, girlish voice chimed in, “If Shen Yunzhi can’t marry him, doesn’t the Shen family have two other daughters? Yong’an Marquis Mansion is a rare and excellent match.”
“We’ve all met the second young lady, but that third young lady—why has she never made an appearance?”
The circle of young ladies in the capital was only so large; they all knew each other, yet none had ever seen the Shen family’s third young lady at any of the elegant gatherings or flower banquets.
The same lively voice replied, “The third young lady is from the third branch of Taishi Mansion. The master of the third branch passed away at his post over a decade ago, leaving only the mother and daughter behind.”
With such circumstances, the Yong’an Marquis’s wife would certainly not consider such a daughter-in-law.
The group fell silent for a moment, exchanging glances, already understanding that this third young lady was not a suitable match for the Heir of Marquis Yong’an.
“The Heir of Marquis Yong’an is noble and refined, as elegant as bamboo. Shen Yunzhi’s engagement to him would have been a well-matched union. What a pity.”
“Indeed, let me tell you, I once thought Shen Yunzhi might marry into the Yan family.”
“Yan Peifeng? Impossible. Just this year, after he completed his mourning period, my mother sent someone to propose a match for my elder sister, but Yan Peifeng firmly refused, saying he would not marry until he had established his career.”
The lively-voiced girl spoke with dissatisfaction, deliberately lowering her voice. Unfortunately, they were too close to the door, and Shen Yunying and Shen Yunman, standing at the entrance, heard every word clearly.
Shen Yunying found the conversation dull and quietly turned to leave, seeking a quiet place to pass the time. The elderly lady’s instructions—she would listen, but that was all.
Today, her eldest aunt and younger cousin had not come. Exhausted from the journey to the capital, both had fallen ill upon arrival and could not attend the banquet while unwell. Her two elder cousins were in the front courtyard, being entertained by her male cousins.
The room was filled with strangers, so she left without a second thought.
Seeing Shen Yunying depart, Shen Yunman slowly lowered the hand she had raised to push the door open, deciding not to enter for now. Inside, they were discussing the Heir of Marquis Yong’an, Zhang Xingyu; Yan Peifeng, the Emperor’s nephew and the previous imperial examination’s top scholar; and the third son of Duke Chongguo, Kong Yangzhi, the current imperial examination’s third-ranked scholar. These three were widely regarded as the most desirable marriage prospects in the capital.
Among them, Yan Peifeng was considered the foremost.
Yan Peifeng came from a prominent family in Fanzhou, but unfortunately, for three consecutive generations, the family line had been thin. From Yan Peifeng’s grandfather and father down to himself, each was an only son. Moreover, his grandfather had moved to the capital to reside permanently early on, so their branch maintained a distant yet not entirely severed relationship with the main family in Fanzhou.
His mother was the current Emperor’s younger sister, Princess Jiarong, who shared a close bond with her brother and often entered the palace to converse with the Emperor.
As for Yan Peifeng himself, he was exceptionally talented, aloof, and noble. Everyone in the capital knew that once he entered officialdom, his future would be boundless.
Shen Yunman secretly sighed in regret. Since Yan Peifeng had completed his mourning period, the Emperor summoned him to the palace daily, and he never attended any banquets. This left all those hoping to propose marriages disappointed.
She pondered repeatedly in her heart: Yan Peifeng was excellent, but beyond reach.
The Heir of Marquis Yong’an, Zhang Xingyu, however, was right within grasp.
Shen Yunman frowned slightly. Why hadn’t the maid she sent out returned yet? Couldn’t she manage to gather such a small piece of information?
Suddenly, footsteps sounded on the stairs. It was Mo Lian, a maid from Cihui Courtyard, who reported, “Second Young Lady, the elderly lady asks you to return to the storeroom to fetch the Thousand Mechanisms Longevity Painting. The Yong’an Marquis’s wife wishes to examine it.”
The “Thousand Mechanisms Birthday Tribute” was a work by the renowned calligrapher and painter Meng Zhaowen, originally a private collection of the Old Madam, gifted to Shen Yunman last month. Shen Yunman, inspired by this painting, personally crafted a small screen based on it as a birthday gift for the Old Madam.
It was currently displayed in Cihui Courtyard.
It must be that the Yong’an Marquis’s wife had seen the screen, and the Old Madam, wanting to show off for her, requested to have a look. Shen Yunman thought to herself, quickly responding and heading over.
Below the pavilion, a deep gaze confirmed Shen Yunman’s departure before turning to walk toward the mansion gate.