The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage Chapter 5: Tit for Tat

“Unfilial granddaughter, get down on your knees!”

Shen Miao remained unmoved, disregarding Old Shen Furen’s command.

A wave of shock rippled through the onlookers. With Shen Xin absent from the residence due to his military campaigns, Shen Miao had been raised by Old Shen Furen. Considering Old Shen Furen’s usual severity and Shen Miao’s disposition—historically perceived as weak and timid—she had never dared to defy the matriarch’s orders. Yet today, she refused to kneel? Was it truly that matters concerning Prince Ding ignited an exceptional courage within her?

“Grandmother, what transgression has this Fifth Lady committed?” Shen Miao inquired calmly.

“Is the fever clouding Fifth Younger Sister’s mind?” Shen Yue was the first to voice her concern, her expression laced with apparent anxiety. “Grandmother is merely angered in the moment and would not truly punish you. Simply admit your mistake, and this matter will be resolved. Why must you remain obstinate?”

Shen Yue’s words artfully placed the blame on Shen Miao, portraying her as someone who knew her error but refused to yield, thereby defying her elder.

“Insolent! The heavens themselves are tumbling!” Old Shen Furen, incensed, sat bolt upright, her voice escalating in sharpness. Shen Yuan Bo, who had been peacefully enjoying his sweet steam milk pastries, was startled by her sudden movement. The pastries he held slipped from his grasp and tumbled to the floor, eliciting a wail from the child.

“Seventh son, do not cry.” Ren Wan Yun, seeing her youngest child’s distress, swiftly moved to embrace him. Her gaze then shifted to Shen Miao, carrying an unmistakable displeasure. “Fifth Lady, have you lost your senses? Who instructed you to defy your elders in such a manner?”

Shen Miao’s eyes met Ren Wan Yun’s.

Second Furen, Ren Wan Yun, was a woman of considerable presence, clad in a sapphire silk dress. Her face, rosy and fair, exuded a plump, benevolent charm. To the casual observer, she appeared kind and compassionate, her countenance perpetually graced by a gentle smile. She held the reins of the household with a firm hand, and her reputation for impartiality in managing affairs earned her the respect of all within the Shen residence. She seemed the epitome of a virtuous daughter-in-law and wife.

Shen Miao, too, had once harbored this impression. But later, as she prepared to be married off, Shen Xin had almost included half his fortune in her dowry. Yet, ultimately, only a fraction of it reached Prince Ding’s manor. The reason? It had been surreptitiously absorbed by Ren Wan Yun.

Ren Wan Yun had pilfered the more valuable items from the dowry. With the intended recipient effectively changed and Shen Xin absent from the capital, Shen Miao was wedded off carelessly to Prince Ding’s residence. It was the diminishment of her dowry that led to her diminished standing within the entire Prince Ding’s household. All of this was attributable to the 'fairness' of this very Shen Furen.

“Does Second Mother imply that this Fifth Lady is in the wrong?” Shen Miao inquired softly. “Yet, this Fifth Lady is unaware of her specific wrongdoing.”

“Ignorant child!” Old Shen Furen’s displeasure was unfiltered as she berated Shen Miao. “At such a tender age, you possess no sense of shame. To pilfer a glance at His Highness Prince Ding! You have brought disgrace upon the entire Shen residence! And you dare to retort to me? Who taught you such impudent rules?”

Shen Miao let out a soft sigh inwardly. Old Shen Furen typically carried an air of haughtiness, but her pronouncements often bore the vulgar cadence of a street performer. What matriarch of a noble family would curse with such vehemence? It was akin to the speech of a common courtesan. In her past life, Shen Miao had not perceived it this way. However, having ascended to the position of Empress and witnessed the refined conduct of nobility, she now felt that Old Shen Furen’s coarse language diminished her own status.

“Stealing a glance at His Highness Prince Ding?” Shen Miao tilted her head, feigning confusion.

Shen Yue could not resist interjecting, “Fifth Younger Sister, while it is known you harbor affections for Prince Ding, to fall into the water merely for a glimpse of him is unbecoming and detrimental to this residence’s reputation. Moreover, His Highness Prince Ding would surely not be pleased. Fifth Younger Sister, you would be wise to find an opportunity to apologize to Prince Ding.”

To be accused of infatuation with Prince Ding and then be advised to apologize to him – what maiden would willingly suffer such humiliation before the man she adored? In her previous life, Shen Yue had uttered similar words, and Old Shen Furen had concurred. Shen Miao, overwhelmed by embarrassment, had been confined by Old Shen Furen in a fit of rage.

A single accusation—that of being so consumed by love for Prince Ding that she disregarded all shame, thus ruining her own reputation and implicating the entire household—was enough. Shen Yue presented a gentle and refined facade, yet her mind possessed a cunning ability to twist circumstances. Shen Miao couldn’t help but study her.

As Shen Yue concluded her statement, she noticed Shen Miao’s gaze fixed upon her. Those dark eyes, reminiscent of ripe grapes, were remarkably clear, holding a depth that seemed to harbor an unspoken intention, momentarily startling Shen Yue.

In the next moment, Shen Miao's soft voice echoed, “Second Eldest Sister, saying that I am in love with His Highness Prince Ding is something that cannot be spoken of so carelessly. Currently, Fifth Lady is still an unmarried young lady. To utter such words would be to fear that Fifth Lady's reputation would be ruined.”

Shen Yue was taken aback.

The entire noble circle within the capital was aware that Shen Miao harbored feelings for Prince Ding. While Shen Miao had never explicitly stated it, her actions and words had previously implied as much. Why was she now denying it?

She forced a smile, “Fifth Younger Sister, it's only our own family here. There's no need to conceal these matters...”

“Second Eldest Sister!” As Shen Yue spoke, Shen Miao suddenly cut her off with a loud and stern tone. “Second Eldest Sister must be mindful of her words, as speaking improperly invites trouble. His Highness Prince Ding is a Royal noble, and we, from an old, established family, must be even more cautious of our conduct. Previously, it was Fifth Lady who was young and immature, leading to misunderstood words and actions, but what occurred the other day served as a lesson. Fifth Lady will henceforth be more discreet in her words and deeds, so may Second Eldest Sister please refrain from speaking such things.”

These words left not only Shen Yue but also everyone present, including Old Shen Furen, utterly stunned.

Shen Miao was typically very gentle and timid, never having raised her voice before. She was known for being obedient and easily guided. How could her words be so sharp and severe now?

A glint flashed in Chen Rou Qiu's eyes. Shen Yue, still young, lacked her mother's astuteness. Having come from a scholarly family, Chen Rou Qiu was not without intelligence. Usually proud and unwilling to admit defeat, she grew annoyed upon seeing her own daughter at a disadvantage and immediately spoke gently, “Fifth Lady could easily clarify whether or not she is in love with a single sentence, but ultimately, who can truly fathom a woman's heart? However, Fifth Lady would do well to heed Third Madam's counsel; your Second Eldest Sister's words were not entirely wrong. His Highness Prince Ding holds a noble status, and in any circumstance, one should offer an apology to him.”

“That is correct,” Old Shen Furen recovered her composure and added, “Tomorrow, send a calling card to Prince Ding's residence and apologize in person.”

Shen Miao nearly laughed out loud in her rage. These very words had been used to deceive her, the innocent girl, in her past life. Seeing it now, she, a Di daughter from a family with a military lineage, held a noble status. Why should she go to a Prince to offer an apology? If she did, where would Shen Xin's reputation stand? This would surely become another jest spreading throughout the capital starting tomorrow.

She finally understood that Old Furen viewed Shen Xin, born to the YuanPei of the First household, as an eyesore and eagerly wished to see the First household disgraced daily. At best, she hoped it would collapse as soon as possible. Since Shen Xin and Shen Furen were absent from the capital, she could use her as a pawn.

In this world, could there truly be such good fortune?

Shen Miao offered a faint smile, her gaze falling upon Shen Qing, who had remained silent throughout. She spoke, “Eldest Sister, when I fell into the water, you were the only one beside me.”

Shen Qing raised her head and nodded quietly. She had anticipated this moment, expecting Shen Miao to accuse her of pushing her into the water. However, Shen Qing felt no fear. The one who held sway in the Shen family now was Old Furen and Ren Wan Yun. Shen Miao possessed only the title of a young lady but was, in reality, a daughter whom no household would truly care for. As long as she remained steadfast in her denial, Old Furen and Ren Wan Yu would undoubtedly side with her. In that scenario, Shen Miao would be deemed a liar, certainly incurring Old Furen's displeasure and facing severe punishment. She deserved it! Who told her that a vulgar and ignorant daughter like her dared to compete with her for Prince Ding? She should have drowned that day!

“Eldest Sister, did you also see His Highness Prince Ding?” Shen Miao inquired, though her question held a deeper meaning.

“I did,” Shen Qing replied.

“Then it is as such. The other day, it was clear that Eldest Sister and I were playing by the edge of the pond and accidentally fell in. At that very moment, His Highness Prince Ding, who was passing by the Shen residence to retrieve a painting from Second Uncle, encountered the incident,” Shen Miao stated, shaking her head. “If I were secretly observing Prince Ding, how would I have obtained the news? It is illogical for the servants of Second and Third Uncles to pass information to the Inner Residence. How could I possibly know that His Highness Prince Ding would visit the Shen residence to request a painting from Second Uncle, unless one is a prophet? Or perhaps...” She continued leisurely, “Could it be that His Highness Prince Ding sent a formal invitation to our residence?”

Shen Qing, puzzled by Shen Miao's words, prepared to retort with a frown. However, her mother's sudden, urgent cry of “Eldest daughter!” cut her off.

Shen Miao’s gaze swept over the ashen-faced Ren Wan Yun and the suddenly flustered Chen Rou Qiu before she offered a faint smile.

Her words, given the numerous astute individuals within the residence, were hardly subtle. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence would grasp their implication.

The previous day, when Fu Xiu Yi visited the Shen residence, it was merely a happenstance encounter. He had been passing by and, recalling a chess wager with Shen Gui, decided to seek him out for a painting.

Yet, Shen Miao had declared that a card was dispatched in advance… In this current climate, where the Emperor harbored deep suspicions of any undue closeness between princes and officials, what could such a pre-arranged notice signify? A calculated move for future succession?

The world is rife with eyes and ears, and it’s impossible to know if spies from the Royal Family are lurking within the Shen residence. Certain words simply cannot be uttered.

Shen Miao's statement had already transcended the expected conduct of females, venturing into the realm of official loyalty. While Shen Xin, stationed in the Northwest, would remain unaffected, Shen Gui and Shen Wan, both holding court positions, resided within the Shen household.

This particular implication escaped Shen Yue and Shen Qing, but Ren Wan Yun and Chen Rou Qiu apprehended it all too well.

A sneer touched Shen Miao's heart. They had sought to tarnish her reputation, so she brought forth the heads of Shen Gui and Shen Wan as a wager. Did her Second and Third Uncles understand the gravity of this? Was it worth the gamble? Did they even dare?