The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage Chapter 3: Provocation

“Young Lady, the Second Young Lady has arrived to see you.”

Jing Zhe’s expression was tinged with worry. “To come at such a time. The Young Lady has not recovered her health and is not afraid of catching a chill.”

Gu Yu clutched Jing Zhe’s arm, her own face etched with concern.

Shen Miao observed them, a sigh escaping her lips.

The four maids attending her were handpicked and trained by Shen Xin and Shen Furen themselves, making them exceptionally astute and devoted. Despite their understanding of the Shen family’s current predicament and the veiled intentions of the Second and Third Households, their young mistress, Shen Miao, could not fully grasp the situation, though her maids clearly could infer it.

Before any words could be exchanged, a young woman entered. She appeared to be no older than fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a pale pink frock adorned with daisy patterns and a pleated skirt. Her hair was styled in a fashionable bun, framing a fair complexion and elegantly shaped brows and eyes. She exuded an air of refinement and possessed a dignified, proper demeanor. Upon spotting Shen Miao, she hastened her steps towards the bed. “Fifth Younger Sister,” she began, her voice laced with concern, “is your health improved? I was terribly worried upon hearing you had fallen into the water, but the people at Yu Jiao Courtyard insisted you needed rest, so I dared not disturb you. Learning that you have awoken today, I finally ventured over.”

Shen Miao looked upon the young woman before her. It was Shen Yue, from the Third Household of the Shen family.

The Shen family boasted three Di daughters. Shen Qing was known for her easy-going and magnanimous nature, while Shen Yue was celebrated for her intellectual prowess. Only Shen Miao possessed a disposition akin to a wooden block, devoid of notable talents. While outsiders might commend her as 'virtuous and quiet,' this was merely a facade, masking her lack of true merit – a daughter who could not truly shine in public.

In her previous life, before Shen Miao was married off, her relationship with Shen Yue was exceptionally close. Shen Yue’s gentle temperament often led her to offer counsel to Shen Miao. At the time, Shen Miao, unable to discern the true nature of Shen Yue’s intentions, blindly cherished her cousin’s assistance and devotion.

Shen Yue’s visit now most likely signaled a plea on behalf of Shen Qing.

As anticipated, Shen Yue spoke, “Fifth Younger Sister, Eldest Sister made a regrettable mistake. Now that the situation has escalated, I hope Fifth Younger Sister can forgive her this once. Upon hearing Fifth Sister had a fever, Eldest Sister was consumed by remorse. Since Fifth Sister’s injuries have improved, why not grant Eldest Sister leniency this time? She did not intentionally cause you to be humiliated before His Highness Prince Ding.”

This statement, mentioning Prince Ding, was ill-advised. Everyone knew Prince Ding was Shen Miao’s beloved. While Shen Miao could endure personal grievances, she would never tolerate any disrespect towards Prince Ding. Had Shen Yue omitted this detail, Shen Miao might have let the matter slide. However, Shen Yue’s deliberate mention of Prince Ding could only serve to provoke discord between Shen Miao and Shen Qing. What else could be her motive?

In the past life, the sequence of events was similar. The moment Shen Miao awoke, Shen Yue had rushed to her side to ‘plead’ for Shen Qing, an act that agitated Shen Miao. The usually placid Shen Miao then accused Shen Qing of pushing her into the water before Old Furen, all because of her beloved. Yet, Shen Qing denied the accusation, and no witnesses corroborated Shen Miao’s claim. Old Furen, who consistently favored the Second and Third Households, naturally chastised Shen Miao, labelling her as 'a young girl who failed to cherish her reputation and falsely accused her elder Di sister,' and confined her as punishment.

News of this incident eventually reached the Imperial Academy, turning Shen Miao into a subject of ridicule among the students, leading her to cease her attendance. Subsequently… she gradually faded from the social circles of the capital’s noble ladies.

Reflecting now, her perspective had always been narrowly defined by the figures within the General’s residence, who had expertly crafted an illusion of the world for her. She had believed herself to be virtuous and honorable, unaware that outsiders perceived her as weak and ignorant. She had considered her love for Prince Ding to be a display of bravery, failing to realize that the world saw it as shamelessness.

The deliberate indoctrination she received had resulted in her initial muddled understanding. Though she ultimately married Fu Xiu Yi, she was deemed unfit for public display, and comparisons with Mei Furen invariably painted her as foolish and unlettered.

What a foolish past!

A flicker of anxiety crossed Shen Yue’s brow, and a subtle smile graced Shen Miao’s lips.

Shen Yue knew that Shen Miao, given her temperament, would certainly erupt in anger at the mention of Fu Xiu Yi. Yet, after a prolonged wait for a reaction that never came, Shen Yue looked over suspiciously, only to find the young woman smiling back at her.

The maiden’s face remained pallid, her lips parched, but her dark eyes sparkled with a life akin to fresh grapes.

Shen Miao’s eyes were indeed her most striking feature: large, almond-shaped, appearing innocent and bewildered, much like a newborn puppy. Normally, however, she presented a rather stiff and unvibrant demeanor.

Today, those same almond eyes were wide, but the expression within was markedly different. They held a certain coldness, devoid of any discernible emotion. Instead of stiffness, there was an air of… a condescending gaze.

A shiver ran down Shen Yue’s spine. For reasons she couldn’t articulate, an inexplicable panic seized her heart. It felt as though she was no longer facing a foolish, naive girl, but someone of noble bearing.

How could such a feeling arise?

Little did she know that the Shen Miao before her was no longer the same person. The Shen Miao of this moment had endured the brutal struggle for the Imperial throne, the treacherous rivalries for affection, the crushing weight of lost favor, the profound grief of losing children, and the horrific demise of her entire clan.

She had once presided over the Inner Palace, wielded supreme authority across the six palaces, the esteemed Empress Shen of Ming Qi.

Shen Yue stood frozen for a long while, until the young woman before her gently rubbed her forehead and murmured, “My Second Elder Sister speaks too earnestly. It was I who stumbled and fell.”

“Fifth Younger Sister…” Shen Yue, momentarily taken aback by Shen Miao’s response, blinked in surprise before reacting. She shook her head, saying, “Fifth Younger Sister, you must not harbor any resentment.”

“Why would I feel resentment?” Shen Miao interjected with a smile. “It was merely a trivial matter. My head still feels rather dizzy, and I wish to rest for a while. If there are any other pressing concerns, they can be discussed later at Zu Mu’s residence.”

With Shen Miao’s words spoken, Shen Yue found herself unable to press the matter further. Although she found Shen Miao’s lack of warmth unsettling, she also attributed it to Shen Miao’s embarrassment in front of Fu Xiu Yi, which left her displeased. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Shen Yue finally departed.

Once Shen Yue was gone, Gu Yun spoke, “Our Young Lady was pushed into the water and nearly lost her life. If she came here to plead on behalf of the Eldest Young Lady, she should have done so. Why does it feel as if that wasn’t her true intention?” Gu Yu subtly warned Shen Miao that Shen Yue harbored ill intentions.

“When two contending parties clash, it is the third party who reaps the benefits. She likely wishes to be that ‘third party’,” Shen Miao stated calmly.

Gu Yu was both surprised and pleased that Shen Miao could finally perceive Shen Yue’s true nature. However, she couldn’t quite grasp the full meaning behind Shen Miao’s words. She glanced up, catching sight of a cold smile on her Young Lady’s lips, accompanied by an inexplicable aura of respect that compelled one to look up involuntarily.

Shen Miao gazed down at her own fingertips.

Why had Shen Qing pushed her into the water? It was because of a single sentence she had uttered then: “When Father returns triumphantly during the New Year, I will have him arrange my marriage to His Highness Prince Ding.”

She had truly spoken with naive innocence, believing that as family, there was no need for pretense. Shen Xin, a distinguished Great General of the Imperial Court, possessed the power to make her marriage wishes a reality if he so desired.

And why would Shen Yue instigate discord between herself and Shen Qing?

Naturally, it was because Shen Yue, too, harbored affections for Prince Ding.

In her previous life, both Shen Yue and Shen Qing had confessed their long-held love for Fu Xiu Yi only at the very end of her life. Now, looking back, it was clear those feelings had begun to take root even at this very moment.

Since both sisters harbored a secret crush on Fu Xiu Yi, wouldn’t it be a tragedy if they were denied their desires in this lifetime?

She would absolutely ensure their wishes were fulfilled. The blood debt owed by the Second and Third Households to the entire Shen family would finally be repaid, beginning now.