“Brother, where is sister-in-law?” Shen Wen looked at Shen Jue Ming’s side, seeing no one there, and asked in confusion. “Didn’t you go to pick her up?”
Shen Jue Ming’s expression was not good. “Father is injured. As a daughter-in-law, she has gone to take care of him.”
It was already nearing dusk. Although the Duke of Zhen was nominally her husband’s father, he was only an adopted one. For her sister-in-law to go alone to the Duke’s residence at this hour… it seemed improper.
“Can’t she go tomorrow?” Shen Wen asked, puzzled. She came from a humble background. If not for her brother’s success in the imperial exams, she would never have had the chance to come to the capital.
So she admired her sister-in-law, who came from the prestigious Jing family of Qingzhou. Standing beside her made Shen Wen feel like a noble lady herself.
At her question, Shen Jue Ming’s hand tightened under his sleeve, a flash of ruthlessness appearing in his eyes.
Seeing this unfamiliar, terrifying expression, Shen Wen gasped. “B-Brother… I spoke out of turn.”
“My son, you’re finally back!” Madam Shen rushed over, her face full of joy as she looked at her accomplished, refined, and handsome son.
She had been a tenant farmer all her life, yet now she was the mother of a fourth-rank official. Perhaps she might even receive an official title in the future.
“Why bring up that hen who can’t lay eggs?” Madam Shen scoffed. “A criminal’s daughter—she can’t help your career, and she can’t even manage the household? A daughter-in-law should serve her in-laws. Your brother works hard all day—should he be the one serving her instead?”
Madam Shen had always disliked Jing Miaoyi. She thought her a seductress—married for three years and still no child. Worse, she had her son wrapped around her finger and even forbade him from taking concubines.
Was she trying to end the Shen family line?
Madam Shen looked her son up and down, pride overflowing. With his looks and talent, even royal women would be worthy of him.
“What a waste on Jing Miaoyi.”
“Mother—” Shen Jue Ming’s voice turned cold. “This is the capital. Watch your words. If you insult Miaoyi again, I will send you back to the countryside.”
“What?! You’d send your own mother away for a woman?!”
Her sharp voice rang out as she collapsed onto the ground, wailing and rolling about.
The servants lowered their heads, embarrassed. Such behavior from the mother of a high official was disgraceful.
Shen Wen felt deeply ashamed. Since coming to the capital, she had been surrounded by refined noblewomen. How could her mother behave like this?
Shen Jue Ming’s face darkened like night. His cold gaze silenced Madam Shen instantly.
He turned and left.
Madam Shen glared after him. That shameless woman… She’s bewitched my son.
Inside the room, Shen Jue Ming stared at the empty space.
“Miaoyi, you’re back.”
He imagined her approaching, smiling.
He reached out to embrace her—only to grasp emptiness.
His eyes darkened.
He held her light pink undergarment, inhaling deeply—the faint orchid scent that belonged only to her.
In his mind, he embraced her, kissed her…
Her tearful eyes, her soft voice calling his name…
“Miaoyi… once more… I’ll be gentler this time…”
A knock at the door interrupted him.
“My lord,” a guard said, “Miss Lianhua from the Grand Princess’s residence has arrived.”
Shen Jue Ming’s expression turned cold. “Prepare the carriage. We’re going to the Grand Princess’s residence.”
Standing there again, Jing Miaoyi felt as though her past life had been a prophetic dream.
In her previous life, she had been poisoned to death within half a month of entering this residence.
But this life was different.
She was no longer ignorant.
The doors opened.
A tall man entered, dressed in black embroidered with golden tigers, exuding a terrifying aura.
Ruan Xi.
A man of low birth—bandit father, dancer mother from the northern tribes—yet he had risen through military merit.
Now he was a powerful Duke.
“Your daughter-in-law greets Father,” Jing Miaoyi said calmly.
“Daughter-in-law?” he sneered. “So the noble Jing family also stoops to flatter someone of low birth like me?”
“My husband has acknowledged you as father. I merely follow propriety.”
She stood tall and composed.
Just like the proud Jing Miaoyi of the past.
Ruan Xi’s eyes burned with fury.
He grabbed her throat, lifting her easily.
“Still looking down on me, aren’t you?” he growled. “Look at you now—a criminal’s daughter, sent here for my amusement.”
His grip tightened.
She struggled to breathe.
Without hesitation, she pulled out a hairpin and stabbed his arm.
He let go.
She staggered back, gasping.
“Duke, you are my father-in-law. This is against propriety!”
“Propriety?” he scoffed. “If this gets out, do you think the court won’t impeach you?”
He laughed coldly. “What father-in-law? If I hadn’t rushed to Youzhou back then, do you think Shen Jue Ming could have married you?”
Jing Miaoyi frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Ruan Xi laughed wildly.
“You really don’t remember me, Jing Miaoyi.”
“Six years ago. Qingzhou. Changle Alley.”
“That beggar who picked flowers for you.”
“Remember what you said to him?”