On the wide street, several exquisitely decorated carriages moved forward at a leisurely pace, their wheels producing crisp, rhythmic clopping sounds.
This area was a residential quarter for the nobility. Each household occupied a vast estate, and with only a handful of residences along the entire street, the atmosphere felt quiet, solemn, and dignified.
After the carriages traveled a short distance, the surroundings gradually grew lively.
All kinds of noisy calls drifted into the air—
“Steamed buns! Freshly steamed buns! Big and full of filling—guaranteed to satisfy!”“Flatbreads! Hot, fragrant flatbreads!”“Fresh soy milk, just out of the pot!”“Fried rice cakes—!”
The cries rose and fell one after another, creating a bustling scene.
From the roadside came the sounds of bargaining, along with children’s cheerful laughter and play.
Because of the founding empress, the Great Xia Empire placed relatively few restrictions on women. As a result, many women could be seen walking the streets—and even running businesses of their own.
Curious, Shen Jingyi couldn’t help lifting a corner of the carriage curtain to peek outside.
Both sides of the street were lined with stalls displaying all kinds of goods, a dazzling array that made the eyes ache just looking at it. Pedestrians streamed past—some hurrying along, others strolling at ease.
When they noticed the luxurious carriages, people instinctively stepped aside to make way. Quite a few also stopped, gazing at them curiously.
Someone sharp-eyed caught a glimpse of the beautiful face inside the carriage and couldn’t help asking, “So early in the morning—whose carriages are these?”
An elderly man nearby who was eating breakfast laughed heartily. “Young man, judging by your accent, you’re not from around here, are you?”
“That’s right, sir. I just arrived yesterday.”
“No wonder you don’t recognize the emblem of Prince Xuan’s residence.”
“So these are Prince Xuan’s carriages! No wonder they’re so grand!”
After that, the young man continued chatting with the old man, asking about various things in the capital. Similar conversations cropped up in many places along the street.
As the carriages moved farther away, the discussions rose and fell behind them.
After briefly enjoying the lively clamor, Shen Jingyi watched as the carriages gradually left the bustling scene behind.
“Nanny, when can we come out for a stroll too?” Shen Jingyi said coquettishly.“I haven’t been out in so long.”
The nanny smiled indulgently at her mistress, who was already married yet still childlike at heart.“Side Consort, there’s no use acting cute with this old servant. If you want to go out, you’ll have to act cute with the prince.”
“Alright then,” Shen Jingyi said. “I’ll talk to him when I see him.”
She had already made up her mind—no matter what, she would get the prince to agree to let her go shopping.
She lifted the curtain again to look outside. Sunlight bathed her face, outlining her delicate features. A faint smile curved her lips, and her eyes revealed a longing for the world beyond.
When the carriage arrived at Minister Shen’s residence, Shen Jingyi stepped down gracefully.
Her complexion was rosy like peach blossoms, and a dignified yet composed smile rested on her lips. Supported carefully by Chun Tao and Qiu Ju, she walked slowly toward the entrance.
Her stepmother, half-sister, and a group of concubine-born sons and daughters were already waiting there.
Shen Qianqian clenched her teeth resentfully as she looked at Shen Jingyi’s imposing carriage entourage. After being glared at by her mother, she reluctantly lowered her head.
“Greetings to Side Consort,” everyone said in unison.
Watching them bow their heads, Shen Jingyi couldn’t help thinking—power really was a wonderful thing.
“You may rise,” she said casually. “It must have been hard on you to wait here so early.”
Hearing her tone, and seeing Shen Jingyi’s indifferent attitude, Shen Qianqian’s resentment deepened. She wanted to glare at Shen Jingyi—but didn’t dare, for fear of angering her mother.
At that moment, Lin Xixia spoke gently,“Side Consort, let us go inside. Your courtyard has been kept just as it was.
“Your father has already gone to court. He’ll return in time for the meal. Chenxi has gone to the Hanlin Academy and said he would come back as soon as possible.”
Shen Jingyi nodded and replied politely,“Alright, I understand. Thank you for the trouble, Madam. There’s no need for you to accompany me—if you have matters to attend to, please go ahead.”
“What ‘Madam’?” Shen Qianqian suddenly shouted, as if she’d finally found her chance.“How rude! You should call her Mother!”
“Is that so?” Shen Jingyi raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her eyes.
Then she continued calmly,“I think the fact that I didn’t call her Concubine Lin already shows plenty of courtesy.”
Lin Xixia’s expression changed instantly.
What she hated most was being reminded of her past as a concubine. And yet this wretched girl loved to bring it up again and again, always opposing her.
In the past, she had been unable to deal with her. She had even wished for Shen Jingyi to die along with her short-lived mother—but no matter how many times she schemed, the girl survived.
Now Shen Jingyi had become Prince Xuan’s side consort, growing even more arrogant.
The others quickly lowered their heads, pretending they hadn’t heard anything—though their eyes sparkled with anticipation, eager for drama.
Unable to restrain herself, Shen Qianqian shouted angrily,“Shen Jingyi, you bitch—!”
“Impudent!”
At the same time, Nanny Qin’s stern shout rang out like thunder, making ears ring.
But it was too late.
Slap!
The sharp sound froze the air.
Shen Qianqian stared in disbelief at her mother’s hand, which had yet to lower. Her cheek burned painfully, tears welling up in her eyes.
She never imagined her mother would slap her—this was the first time in her life she’d been hit.
It was all Shen Jingyi’s fault!
If it weren’t for Shen Jingyi’s mother, she wouldn’t have become a despised concubine-born daughter!
Yet she never stopped to think—how could this be Shen Jingyi’s mother’s fault? If anything, blame should fall on her scumbag father.
Without Shen Jingyi’s mother, who knew which miserable corner her father would still be rotting in?
She wouldn’t be living such a privileged life now.
People often only see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear, and refuse to think about anything that doesn’t benefit them.
From childhood, Shen Qianqian had lived in Shen Jingyi’s shadow.
Just when her birth mother finally died, her own mother was elevated to wife, and she herself became the legitimate daughter—when she thought her suffering was over—
Shen Jingyi became Prince Xuan’s side consort, once again trampling her underfoot.
Why was Shen Jingyi always able to suppress her so effortlessly?
The more she thought about it, the more intense the resentment and hatred in her eyes became—almost tangible.
With everyone around watching her like a spectacle, she felt utterly humiliated and unable to remain.
Turning on her heel, she ran wildly toward her own courtyard.
“Miss, slow down! Wait for me!” her maid cried, hurrying after her.
Lin Xixia watched her daughter run off clutching her face, heart aching—but she knew now was not the time to comfort her.
Clenching her teeth, she forced a smile and apologized,“Please forgive us, Side Consort. Qianqian didn’t mean to offend you.
“You are her elder sister—you wouldn’t stoop to her level, would you? I will certainly discipline her more strictly in the future.”
Shen Jingyi smiled faintly, deliberately sounding magnanimous.“Of course. We’re family, after all—why would I argue over such things?
“However, Madam Lin, you really should put more effort into disciplining Qianqian.
“Look at her spoiled temperament. If it isn’t corrected, she’s bound to offend someone when she goes out.
“And when that happens, she might very well bring disaster upon the whole family.”
With that, Shen Jingyi ignored Lin Xixia’s expression and those of the others. She led her people away, swaying her hips as she walked toward her former courtyard, her mood excellent.
Seeing Lin Xixia suffer a loss without daring to talk back—this felt amazing.
So this is the joy of being the villain?
“Hahaha, I finally let out some pent-up anger today,” Xia Zhu said happily once they were far away.
“Quiet,” Nanny Qin warned sharply. “Walls have ears. Save it for later.”
Seeing that the girls’ smiles were barely restrained and that they seemed eager to keep talking, Nanny Qin quickly stopped them.
The maids stuck out their tongues and said no more—but from their light footsteps and bright smiles, it was clear that they were all in excellent spirits.