“What? You want to marry the General Who Stabilizes the Nation in Ah-Fu’s place?” Lord Xiahhou stared at Shen Wangshu in shock, thinking he must have misheard. “Nian-nian… has someone been talking to you these past few days? Tell Grandfather.”
Inside the study, Shen Wangshu’s gaze fell on the stacks of documents awaiting review on the desk. The old man’s thick brows were tightly knitted, his temples dusted with white. In just a few short days, the sorrow etched between his brows had deepened. His under-eyes were dark, clearly showing that the matter weighing on him had yet to be resolved. A cup of strong tea sat on the table, long grown cold.
He had lived to such an age not easily, and yet he had still taken the great risk of sheltering the two sisters. One should know to repay kindness.
In the original story, Shen Wangshu had been forced to take the marriage in her sister’s stead. The old man had been determined to protect her, the Xiahhou Madam threatened her life, and the entire Xiahhou household had been thrown into chaos because of it.
In the end, Xiahhou Fu cried and hurled all sorts of heart-piercing words at the original Shen Wangshu. Seeing her grandfather grow increasingly despondent from that day on, seeing the Xiahhou Madam’s resentment toward her, and seeing her uncle avoiding her gaze, she finally compromised and agreed to the substitute marriage.
On her wedding day, no one sent her off. The Xiahhou residence was cold and deserted, not a single strip of red silk hung. Even the bridal veil had been hurriedly embroidered by Shen Wangshu herself in those few days. Her needlework had always been poor, and she had pricked her fingers so many times they were full of tiny holes. Sometimes, her vision even blurred while she worked.
The former Marchioness of Yongning had once held her lovingly and said, “Our Nian-nian doesn’t need to do needlework. When you marry, Mother will find you the best embroiderers in the capital. You will wear a phoenix coronet and crimson robes, with a ten-mile wedding procession befitting your honor.”
But now, all that remained was her white-haired grandfather taking out a pair of dragon-and-phoenix bangles from his sleeve and handing them to her. Exhausted and guilty, he said, “These were worn by your grandmother when she married me. I had meant to leave one for you and one for your sister. But now… only you are left, and Grandfather cannot keep you.”
A small sedan chair, a red wedding dress, and a pair of dragon-and-phoenix bangles—just like that, the original Shen Wangshu was carried off to the Duke of Rong’s residence.
After marrying in, she never had a single good day. Because the Xiahhou family had shown such disregard toward the marriage, everyone in the Duke’s residence treated her coldly. Her husband, Chen Ting, though not harsh, did not love her. Marriage was no different from before—he was solitary and eccentric, spending most of his time in the military camp.
In such a stifling environment, the original Shen Wangshu withered within half a year and passed away in sorrow.
Thinking of this, Shen Wangshu looked into the old man’s eyes and gently shook her head. “No one has forced me. I am doing this of my own will.”
Rather than be driven out, it was better to take initiative. Perhaps then, Madam Xiahhou—seeing her voluntarily shoulder this calamity for the family—might allow her a proper, dignified wedding. And perhaps the Duke’s residence would not treat her as cruelly as in the original story.
Lord Xiahhou still seemed doubtful. His lips moved for a long moment before he finally asked, “But has someone been speaking to you? Don’t be afraid—tell Grandfather.”
Shen Wangshu had no choice but to smile, gently pressing the agitated old man back into his seat. Her tone was light. “Truly, no one has said anything to me. It’s just… I cannot bear to see Grandfather’s constant worry, or Aunt’s tear-stained face. Even Ah-Fu doesn’t seem her lively self these days.”
“Besides… Aunt was right that day. His Majesty’s decree was likely meant to test our household. I cannot stay in the Xiahhou residence for too long, or sooner or later, I may bring even greater disaster upon our family.”
The old man looked at his young granddaughter—still just a child. In the capital she had once been carefree and innocent, but now she was forced to plan for their entire family. To avoid implicating them, she was willing to offer herself to that man…
“No matter what, if I marry the General Who Stabilizes the Nation, he must protect his own wife, mustn’t he?” Shen Wangshu tried to guide him toward a hopeful thought. “Many of the girls previously bestowed to him died on the way. Only one or two died by their own hand in the bridal chamber. I don’t believe it’s a curse. It must have been done by someone.”
“Someone does not want noble-born girls to marry the General…”
Before she could finish, the old man understood and immediately cut her off. “Enough. Grandfather understands.”
Shen Wangshu’s brows curved as she looked at him. “Grandfather, Nian-nian will not take her own life. I will try my best to live.”
The old man’s eyes instantly reddened. He turned away to wipe his tears, his voice trembling. “Have you truly thought this through?”
“I have.” Shen Wangshu nodded. Remembering the dim expression Xiahhou Fu had worn when she visited her that afternoon, she paused and said, “Ah-Fu is innocent and lively. Her future husband should be a handsome young man in fine garments, or a gentle, elegant gentleman.”
Not a place as treacherous as the Duke of Rong’s residence.
Lord Xiahhou studied her for a long moment before finally letting out a long sigh. “Very well.”
Ever since Shen Wangshu volunteered to take the marriage, the entire Xiahhou residence had grown busy.
The next day, Madam Xiahhou personally stepped into the Falling Petals Courtyard to see her.
Her arrival was at the same hour that Xiahhou Fu had visited previously—mid-afternoon, when Shen Wangshu was boiling her medicine. And the moment she spoke, her words were exactly the same: “Are the servants in your courtyard so useless? Must the mistress boil her own medicine?”
“Greetings, Aunt.” Shen Wangshu curtsied before answering, “The servants Aunt assigned are all diligent. I simply wished to watch over the medicine myself.”
Madam Xiahhou was in no way concerned about boiling medicine. Her gaze rested on the frail-looking girl before her. After some hesitation, she asked, “I heard from Father-in-law… that you volunteered to marry in Ah-Fu’s place?”
Shen Wangshu lifted her head and saw the trace of redness beneath the powder around the woman’s eyes—clearly, she had also slept poorly these last few days. Shen Wangshu nodded. “Yes.”
Madam Xiahhou hadn’t expected such a straightforward answer—no hesitation whatsoever. Remembering the harsh words she herself had spoken that day, she cleared her throat awkwardly and said, “I… was a bit emotional that day. Some things I said were unpleasant. Don’t take them to heart.”
Shen Wangshu lowered her gaze obediently. “Nian-nian would not dare.”
“You… without your parents, I will send you off with the full rites and honors befitting a legitimate young lady of the household. Granny Liang was once a palace maid, serving the Noble Consort in her youth. I originally planned to keep her for Ah-Fu, but from now on, she will accompany you. She will help you make sound decisions.”
Madam Xiahhou added, “I will also add three more trunks of dowry from my own maiden dowry. It may still not be as grand as when you were a young lady of the capital, but it is already everything I can give.”
“You are shielding Ah-Fu from this calamity. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But this is all I can do.”
“The Duke of Rong’s residence… Ah-Fu cannot go there. You are far more intelligent and perceptive than she is. I hope that after you marry into that household… you will remain safe.”