Chapter 10

Because she had things on her mind, Shen Yuanyu woke up early. Touching her head, she found the fever had broken, and her body felt much more relaxed. She marveled inwardly; she hadn't expected her father's prescription to be so effective!

She remembered one thing: the famous scholars of this era had a habit of taking drugs. They consumed something called "Wushi San," a highly addictive substance that, once used, could not be stopped without risking one's life. Since these "Wushi San" were concocted by the scholars themselves, they were often well-versed in medical theory.

*Could Father be one of those drug users?*

Shen Yuanyu couldn't help but feel a bit worried. She thought to herself that she must find an opportunity to ask him properly.

"Someone, come here!" Yuanyu called out. Nanny Zhang lifted the curtain and walked in, speaking with great diligence and care: "Third Young Lady, you are awake!" Her attitude was extremely fawning, carrying a hint of "respectful only after being humbled." It seemed that seeing how much the Eldest Master cared for this daughter yesterday had made her more respectful and cautious.

Shen Yuanyu said, "Call Luan Niang in to assist me with washing and dressing!"

Nanny Zhang said, "It is still early, and there is nothing important to do today. Since you have caught a cold, why not rest a little longer?"

Shen Yuanyu frowned slightly. "Nanny, you certainly have an interesting way of speaking. Since I have woken up, am I supposed to listen to you? Have you become so used to making decisions on my behalf?"

After being rebuked by her, Nanny Zhang's expression turned sheepish and she didn't dare say more, hurriedly going out to call for people. A moment later, the curtain was lifted, and it was Ruixin, a maid serving by her father's side, who entered. A group of maidservants followed behind, carrying copper basins, copper kettles, towels, soap pods, and other items.

Toward those serving her father, Yuanyu was much more polite. "How could I trouble you, Sister? Just let my own maids come in to serve me!"

Ruixin had a lively temperament. She pursed her lips and smiled, "There is no need for the Third Young Lady to be so polite. The Master instructed me yesterday to take care of the Third Young Lady. If I am not diligent and responsible, I will be punished by the Master upon my return." As she spoke, she stepped forward to help roll up Yuanyu's sleeves, assisting her with washing her face and rinsing her mouth. Her movements were gentle, making one feel exceptionally comfortable.

The maids by her father's side were indeed capable! Shen Yuanyu decided not to say anything more.

Once she was washed and dressed, Shen Yuanyu didn't even eat breakfast. She put on a bright crimson jacket and led Luan Niang to Yanran Residence.

When Shen Yuanyu arrived, the maids and older women of Yanran Residence were clearing the accumulated snow from the small courtyard. Looking at it, Shen Yuanyu felt a slight lump in her throat. Yanran Residence was merely a small courtyard meant to house Lady Zhou and her daughter Shen Yushu; it appeared somewhat cramped.

A clever little maid saw Shen Yuanyu, froze for a moment, and then ran into the house to deliver the news. A moment later, a nanny in her fifties wearing a pea-green jacket walked out briskly: "Third Young Lady, is it truly you? When did you return?"

This nanny was Nanny Jia, Lady Zhou's wet nurse. She had married into the Shen family as Lady Zhou's personal attendant. Lady Zhou was a timid person, and because she did not come from a first-rate aristocratic family, she had endured much disdain and hardship in the Shen household. Fortunately, Nanny Jia was shrewd and capable, having supported Lady Zhou all this time to help her navigate through the difficulties to the present day.

Thinking of how her mother was the mistress of the junior branch of the main house, yet she was the last person to receive news of her daughter's return, Shen Yuanyu felt a deep sense of heartache. Shen Yuanyu stepped forward and gave Nanny Jia a half-bow: "Nanny, I returned last night. Because it was so late, I was afraid of disturbing Mother, so I did not come to pay my respects. Is Mother awake?"

Nanny Jia was somewhat stunned by Shen Yuanyu's courtesy. This eldest young lady rarely visited Yanran Residence, and even when she did, she never showed a good face to those of them who served. Today, the sun must have risen from the west.

"For the Third Young Lady to bow to this old servant, it is too much honor."

The original owner of this body had been a little heartless; after being provoked a few times, she had distanced herself from her mother and sister. As the successor to this body, Shen Yuanyu had always felt a sense of guilt. "Nanny, you have protected Mother and my sister all these years, blocking so many hidden arrows and conspiracies for them. You deserve this bow!"

Nanny Jia never expected to hear such words from Shen Yuanyu's mouth. She felt her eyes grow sore, and tears began to fall. "The Third Young Lady has grown up. If the Madam knew, I don't know how happy she would be!" While wiping her tears, she said, "Quickly, come in! Come in! The Madam is already awake!"

As the little maid lifted the curtain, Shen Yuanyu saw her mother, supported by the maid, having already gotten out of bed and walking shakily toward the outside, seemingly having already learned of her arrival.

Lady Zhou was in her thirties, with an oval face and fair, very beautiful features. Because of her years of illness, her complexion was very pale, and her lips lacked any color. She was originally younger than Shen Yun, but the misfortunes of these years had given her a touch of agedness; compared to her elegant and dashing father, she almost looked a few years older than him.

"Mother! Please, lie back down on the bed!" Shen Yuanyu hurried forward a few steps to support Lady Zhou. "Daughter is back. Mother, it was my fault before! I have failed you!"

Seeing Lady Zhou's tearful eyes, her own tears involuntarily welled up. Thinking of her past life, although she had been successful in her career, her mother had passed away early due to illness. The desire to provide for her parents came too late; she had grieved for a very, very long time for that. Fortunately, in this life, she had her mother again. She would definitely filialy serve Lady Zhou to make up for the regrets of her previous life.

Lady Zhou was stunned by that cry of "Mother." In her memory, the girl had been distant from her since childhood. How long had it been since she had called her "Mother"? She had only called her "Mother" in a formal way, like a concubine's child—solemn, but without a shred of the intimacy between a biological mother and daughter.

Lady Zhou did not blame her daughter; she only hated her own poor background for bringing trouble to her daughter and husband.

Hearing that cry of "Mother," her tears flowed out like a bursting dam. "It is good that you are back, it is good that you are back!"

"Mother, please rest!" Shen Yuanyu supported Lady Zhou and took a large bolster to place behind her back. "Mother, I was young and ignorant before. From now on, I will definitely serve you well, help you look after my sister, and never let anyone bully us mother and daughter again!"

Lady Zhou nodded. "With those words from you, even if Mother were to die right now, she would die without regrets!"

Shen Yuanyu chided her, "What is this talk of dying? We are all going to be well." As she spoke, her tears also flowed uncontrollably.

Beside them, Nanny Jia also hurriedly consoled them: "Madam, please do not cry anymore. The Third Young Lady has grown up and become sensible; the Madam should be smiling!" Yet, while advising them, she could not help but be drenched in tears herself.

The mother and daughter cried facing each other for a long while before Nanny Jia finally managed to calm them down. Lady Zhou wiped her tears, remembering something important. "You haven't seen your sister yet, have you? Shu'er, come here quickly. It has been over a year since we last met; let your sister see if you have grown taller!"

Shen Yuanyu's younger sister, the ten-year-old Shen Yushu, had been hiding behind the maids and older women. It was only after Nanny Jia finally pulled her out from behind someone else that she stood before Shen Yuanyu, timidly like a startled fawn, her eyes filled with a faint panic, seemingly very afraid of her elder sister.

Lady Zhou said anxiously, "Quickly, pay your respects to your sister!"

Only then did Shen Yushu somewhat reluctantly bow to Shen Yuanyu. "Sis... Sister!"

The younger sister was a stutterer! The Eldest Master, Shen Yun, had married late; the legitimate son of the Second Master, the eldest young master Shen Ling, was already running all over the place, while the Eldest Master had only just married Lady Zhou. Lady Zhou's first pregnancy was this daughter, Shen Yuanyu. By the time Lady Zhou was pregnant with her second child, the whole family was hoping she would give birth to a boy to carry on the lineage of the junior branch. Who knew that when the fruit ripened, it would be another daughter?

Never mind the stepmother Gu Shi; even the Great Grandfather looked down upon this daughter-in-law of low birth. To make matters worse, after Shen Yushu was born, she refused to speak for a long time, only managing simple words by the age of three. When she got a bit older, they discovered she was actually a stutterer.

Fortunately, the child was quite clever and bright, with a mind that worked even better than most.

The Shen clan of Lanling was a famous family of handsome men; every male in the family was as exquisite as jade, and even the girls were either elegant or refined. Any one of them would be outstanding. Yet Lady Zhou had given birth to a stutterer, which caused her to be completely despised by the Shen family. Even the Eldest Master was unwilling to share a bed with her anymore—lest she gave birth to another stutterer, which would be an embarrassment to the somewhat proud Eldest Master!

In the past, Shen Yuanzhen and the others would mock Shen Yuanyu all day long regarding Yushu's condition. Shen Yuanyu had also very much disliked this sister, believing she was like her mother's background—a disgrace to her. Not only did she never play with her, but she was even unwilling to see her. On the rare occasions they met, it was always with cold sarcasm and scolding!

*My sister is a pitiable person!* Shen Yuanyu felt deeply moved. The original owner had been heartless, but she could not treat Shen Yushu the same way; she had to make it up to her.

She took her sister's hand and looked at her with a smile. "Sister has indeed grown taller. Look at these eyes, they look so much like mine. Truly sisters from the same mother!" As she spoke, she reached out to touch Shen Yushu's head, but Shen Yushu lowered her head to avoid it, and immediately pulled her hand back from her sister's, hiding behind Nanny Jia.

Fearing that Shen Yuanyu would be embarrassed, Lady Zhou hurriedly explained, "Your sister is being senseless. As the elder sister, you must be more tolerant; do not take it to heart."

Shen Yuanyu grasped her mother's hand and said, "Mother, please do not blame my sister. It was always my fault in the past! The reason my sister is not close to me is my own doing! Everything I owed her before, I will make up for it in the future." At this point, her tears could no longer be held back.

She was well aware that the relationship with her sister could not be mended all at once. However, seeing her only biological sister react with such resistance still made her heart ache deeply.

Nanny Jia said, "The Eighth Young Lady is simple and well-behaved, a sensible child. You are sisters from the same mother; there is no such thing as an overnight grudge between sisters. As long as the Third Young Lady has this intention, sooner or later the Eighth Young Lady will become close to you."

Shen Yuanyu wiped her tears. "That is exactly what Nanny Jia said." She then instructed Luan Niang, "Quickly, bring my set of ruby-inlaid eastern pearl hair ornaments. I want to give them to my sister!"

Luan Niang stepped forward carrying a rosewood box carved with red lacquer, and at Shen Yuanyu's signal, she opened it. Inside was a complete set of hair ornaments, brilliant and shimmering with precious light, so dazzling that it made everyone's eyes struggle to stay open.