Shen Jingyi returned to her former residence with Nanny Qin and the others. Looking at the place where she had lived for three months, she truly felt reluctant to part with it.
Life here had been genuinely comfortable—there was nothing she needed to do. Every day she simply ate, slept, read books, and took leisurely walks.
Although Madam Lin would occasionally come by to stir up trouble, Shen Jingyi treated it as a bit of seasoning in her life. After all, Madam Lin had never once succeeded.
Ah… if only the people in the prince’s residence could be a little more simple-minded. But really, it was because they were too idle—when people had nothing to do, they were prone to harboring ill intentions.
As Shen Jingyi pondered this, she walked toward the swing beneath the tree.
Once she sat down, Winter Plum stepped forward and began pushing the swing.
Before long, Shen Jingyi’s laughter rang out.“Hahaha! Higher! Push me even higher!”
Nanny Qin moved over a small embroidered stool and sat nearby, watching attentively. Although she had seen this scene many times before, seeing the swing rise higher and higher still made her worry.
She called out, “That’s high enough. Be careful you don’t fall.”
“Nanny, when we go back, let’s build a swing in our courtyard too!” Shen Jingyi said eagerly.
Nanny Qin gazed at her with a loving expression, thinking she was missing her late mother.“Alright,” she said kindly. “This old servant will remember it and have people build one when we return.”
This swing had been made for Shen Jingyi by her mother when she was still alive.
In truth, Nanny Qin had misunderstood—Shen Jingyi simply wanted one.
She liked sitting on a swing, feeling the breeze brush against her cheeks, enjoying the sensation of flying freely.
She had loved swings even in modern times, but never had the chance. So after coming here and seeing one, she immediately grew fond of it. Seeing her sit on it so often, the servants all assumed she was thinking of her late mother.
It could only be called a beautiful misunderstanding.
They laughed and played happily here.
Meanwhile, over at Shen Xianxian’s place, the atmosphere was far from pleasant.
She had just finished venting her anger and was still cursing loudly. Several maids knelt on the ground, trembling in fear.
The floor was a mess, littered with shattered porcelain.
Most pitiful was her senior maid, Juan’er—her cheeks were swollen red, and there were faint traces of blood seeping through the fabric at her shoulder.
Lin Xixia felt a pang of distress for her daughter. Upon entering and seeing the scene, she frowned slightly but said nothing. Instead, she instructed the maid beside her, “Give Juan’er five taels of silver and take her to the residence physician to have her injuries examined.”
Then she turned to Juan’er with a gentle expression.“Get up. A woman’s looks are most important—you mustn’t leave scars. I’ll give you ten days off. Go home and recover properly, and visit your family while you’re at it.”
In truth, these words were also a warning: Don’t forget you still have family. Even if you’re beaten by your mistress, you mustn’t go outside and speak carelessly—or both you and your family will suffer.
Juan’er expressed her gratitude with a tearful face.“Yes, thank you, Madam.”
She withdrew together with the others.
In her heart, however, she was filled with hatred.
Shen Xianxian had a terrible temper—whenever something displeased her, she took it out on those around her.
They could not resist; they could only endure it, because their entire families depended on the Shen household for survival.
Her face throbbed with pain, and many parts of her body hurt as well. If not for Jin’er helping her, she wouldn’t even have been able to stand.
Shen Xianxian, upon seeing her mother arrive, felt somewhat afraid.
Her mother had always taught her that no matter how angry she became, she must never vent it on those around her. Only by winning their loyalty could she prevent betrayal.
But earlier that day, her mother had struck her. She had been too angry and lost control.
Now she didn’t dare curse anymore. She lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong, waiting for a scolding.
Seeing her daughter like this, Lin Xixia found it impossible to scold her further. Moreover, she had already slapped her earlier and had come this time to comfort her.
She stepped carefully over the shards of porcelain, walked up to Shen Xianxian, and gently cupped the side of her face that she had struck.“Does it still hurt?”
That was the last thing she should have asked.
The moment she spoke, Shen Xianxian felt even more wronged. Tears welled up and soon fell in drops.
Still, she said, “It doesn’t hurt now… you don’t know how awful I felt earlier.”
“Mother didn’t do it on purpose,” Lin Xixia said softly. “But your temper truly needs to be restrained.”
She pulled Shen Xianxian’s hand and sat down beside her.“She is now a secondary consort of Prince Xuan’s residence. Her status is no longer what it once was. We must be on good terms with her and absolutely must not offend her lightly.”
At the mention of having to curry favor with that woman, Shen Xianxian immediately exploded.
“No! I refuse! I won’t flatter her! I hate her the most!”
“Xianxian, Mother would never harm you,” Lin Xixia said earnestly.“Think carefully about your future marriage. Do you want to marry an outstanding and suitable man, or just casually marry anyone?”
But Shen Xianxian still couldn’t accept it. She cried bitterly,“But… but I just can’t accept it! Why is it that she always ends up suppressing me?”
Her tears fell like broken pearls from a snapped string.
Lin Xixia could only patiently comfort her, gently analyzing the pros and cons in hopes of calming her down.
……
Not long after, Shen Jingyi saw her elder brother, Shen Chenxi, striding in under the sunlight.
His graceful bearing and refined, handsome appearance instantly brought to mind the lines:“A gentleman like jade upon the path—unmatched in all the world.”
For a moment, Shen Jingyi found herself staring in a daze.
Nanny Qin hurriedly stood up and led the four maids in greeting.“Greetings, Eldest Young Master.”
“Rise,” Shen Chenxi said.
He walked up to Shen Jingyi and asked with warmth and urgency,“Iy’er, you’re back! How have you been in the prince’s residence? Has anyone bullied you?”
Shen Jingyi snapped back to her senses, quickly stopped the swing, and stood up, acting spoiled.“Brother, I’ve been doing very well. The prince treats me kindly. You don’t need to worry.”
Hearing this, the worry Shen Chenxi had carried since her marriage finally eased.
Then he heard her playful voice again:“Why do I feel like you’ve gotten thinner after just a few days? Is there a girl you’re missing?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. I’m just tired—there’s been a lot going on at the Hanlin Academy lately.”
As he spoke, he reached out and lightly flicked her forehead.
“Ouch!”
“What’s wrong? I didn’t even use any strength—let me see.”
Shen Chenxi was startled, thinking he had accidentally hit her too hard.
But Shen Jingyi hopped away at once.
“Hahaha! I was lying—nothing’s wrong!”
“You little rascal,” he said helplessly.
Shen Jingyi stuck out her tongue, then turned to Spring Peach and Xia Zhu.“Go bring a chair for Eldest Brother.”
“Yes.”
The two entered the main hall, and shortly afterward returned together carrying a chair, which they placed beside the swing.
“Brother, let’s sit here and talk. It’s cool and comfortable.”
“Alright, whatever you like.”
Shen Chenxi sat down.
“Since it’s rare for me to be back, you all go find your friends to play with. I’ll stay here and talk with my brother,” Shen Jingyi said.
“Secondary Consort, let them go,” Nanny Qin said. “This old servant will sit by the doorway. Just call out if you need anything.”
Shen Jingyi nodded. “Then I’ll trouble you, Nanny.”
“How could that be troublesome?” Nanny Qin said with a smile. “I’ll just sit here enjoying the shade, doing nothing at all. Many people would envy that.”
Laughing, Nanny Qin led the four maids out.
As they reached the doorway, she added, “You have one hour. Don’t lose track of time.”
“We know, Nanny!”
“We’ll be back soon!”
With that, the girls hurried off.