The noble girl is beautiful.

Shen Yourong fell ill, likely due to being caught in the rain. By midnight, she had developed a high fever, causing her lips to crack and rendering her unconscious. Du Juan urgently called a doctor, but the medicine given to her was immediately vomited up. By morning, Shen Yourong’s forehead was still burning with fever.

Early in the morning, Shen Shuo arrived, ordering someone to go to the palace to summon the imperial physician and scolding the maidservants, Hua Mei and Du Juan, for not taking proper care of her.

Du Juan and Hua Mei did not dare to speak up. Shen Shuo, seeing their distress, could only wave his hand and let them continue to look after her.

Hua Mei brought the medicine, which Du Juan fed to Shen Yourong drop by drop. This time, the medicine stayed down, and she was overjoyed. She instructed the kitchen to keep hot porridge ready at all times.

Shen Shuo entered the inner chamber, and Du Juan and Hua Mei dared not speak. He personally wrung a cloth to wipe Shen Yourong’s face. Seeing her frown in discomfort, he called out, “Yanyan, Yanyan, it’s your brother.”

Shen Yourong struggled to open her eyes and made faint sounds. Even so, it was enough to make Du Juan and Hua Mei happy.

She tugged at Shen Shuo’s sleeve. Realizing what she wanted, he leaned in and asked, “Yanyan, what do you want to say? Do you want some water?”

She shook her head and, in a hoarse voice, managed to say, “The Emperor… told Prince Duan that my petition was inappropriate and wants… to have me enter the palace.”

After speaking, she was almost too exhausted to continue. Shen Shuo’s expression darkened, and his eyes became icy.

He gently stroked her hair, saying, “Don’t be afraid. Your brother is here. I will handle it.”

He comforted her softly, then stood up and looked at Du Juan and Hua Mei. “Take good care of my sister.”

They quickly agreed and saw him out.

Meanwhile, the Emperor issued a marriage decree, making Shen family’s third daughter, Shen Qingyan, a side consort to the Fourth Prince, with the wedding planned for the following year.

Shen Yourong’s severe illness was widely attributed to her distress over her sister’s marriage, which conveniently obscured the true cause of her sickness.

She had a high fever for two days and only recovered the fever on a clear morning. After her fever subsided, she immediately woke up, could talk, and wanted to eat. She appeared to be getting better. However, the physician said that this was only the surface, and it would take time to replenish the energy lost during the fever.

That afternoon, as light rain fell outside, Shen Yourong lay on the couch and watched as the young maidservants picked flowers in the rain.

At this moment, Shen Ying came to visit. As the eldest daughter, She rarely received visits from Shen Ying in her courtyard, so it was unusual for him to come today.

She was about to get up from the couch, but he waved his hand. “Stay seated.”

He sat down on the opposite side and said, “This illness has indeed made you much thinner.”

She touched her face, smiled, and instructed Du Juan to serve tea.

He picked up the tea and, after a moment’s hesitation, spoke. Although Shen Yourong was his daughter, they rarely had heartfelt conversations.

“Your third sister’s marriage decree has been issued. She will marry the Fourth Prince after the new year.”

Shen Yourong nodded and said, “I’ve heard.”

He looked at her and said, “Although your marriage to the Fourth Prince did not materialize, it may not be a bad thing. I was thinking, if you had actually married him and become Empress, our meetings would become quite rare.”

Shen Yourong’s expression shifted slightly as she looked at him.

He continued with a sense of nostalgia, “It’s better this way. Your brother and I are considering finding you a husband with both good family background and appearance. Regardless of whom you marry, you can always return home often. Moreover, with our status as the Duke of Qi’s family and your substantial dowry, your future in-laws will have to think twice before mistreating you.”

He looked at her with a warm gaze. Being a man, he didn’t understand the hardships of women but, from his perspective, had considered many things for her.

“Yanyan, rest assured and recover well. I will handle the rest.”

Shen Yourong was silent and nodded. She suddenly realized that her father’s wish for her to marry the Fourth Prince might not have been solely for power; perhaps he also had her best interests at heart. However, what he considered good and what she wanted were vastly different.

Such is the way of the world, often what parents offer is not what children desire.

After Shen Ying gave some instructions, he left. Shen Yourong lingered for a while and then heard that Shen Qingyan had arrived.

“Is elder sister feeling better?” She asked as she walked in, removing her cloak and sitting on the other side of the couch.

“I’m almost fully recovered,” Shen Yourong said. “I wanted to visit you and bring you some congratulations, but I was unwell and couldn’t go out.”

“We’re family; there’s no need to be so polite,” Shen Qingyan said. “If you couldn’t come see me, then I’ll come see you.”

Shen Yourong smiled and asked, “When is the wedding date set for?”

“In April next year. I’ve been learning the rules from my mother these days,” Shen Qingyan said. “Though I’m the third daughter in the family, I’m likely the first to marry. Father isn’t rushing to marry you and the second sister off; he wants to find good matches for you.”

Shen Yourong smiled, “You have a year until April. You can take your time preparing your dowry.”

“Elder sister always teases me,” Shen Qingyan said with a smile.

Seeing her happiness and joy, Shen Yourong’s smile slightly faded. “It’s a pity it’s only a side consort position.”

Shen Qingyan’s smile also dimmed slightly. “Only elder sister would say it’s a pity. Even the concubines say that being a side consort is already a great favor.”

Shen Yourong asked, “Do you regret it?”

Shen Qingyan was silent for a moment before replying, “Although it’s just a side consort position, he doesn’t have a main wife. Besides, we’ve known each other since we were young, and he will treat me well.”

Her gaze became determined. “This is my choice. Even if it’s wrong, I accept it. I like him, so I want to be with him. Life is only once, and we should live it to the fullest.”

Shen Yourong looked at her and felt a deep envy. She was so free-spirited, willing to be with whoever she liked.

But what about the person I like, she thought. I may never be able to say such words.

In the suburban villa, Ji Zhuo stood under the eaves, watching the drizzling rain silently soak the overgrown grass in the courtyard. Shen Shuo came over from that direction, his whole demeanor enveloped in a gloomy aura.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

Shen Shuo looked at him, “The Emperor wants to have Yourong enter the palace. Is this true?”

“As for this matter,” Ji Zhuo’s voice was calm, “He doesn’t actually want your sister to enter the palace; he just wanted to test me.”

Shen Shuo frowned, “Is that true?”

Ji Zhuo briefly explained the situation from that day. Shen Shuo’s brows relaxed but then furrowed again as he thought of something and looked at him. “You knew Yourong was behind the screen and still spoke about having her enter the palace. How must she have felt hearing that?”

“What else could I do?” Ji Zhuo’s expression remained indifferent. “The Emperor has always been wary of me. No matter how reclusive I am, his suspicion doesn’t diminish. When he saw that I met your sister at the palace banquet, he naturally had to test me.”

He was so calm, almost to the point of being cold. Shen Shuo felt a mix of emotions. “Did the Emperor learn anything from the test?”

“Probably not,” Ji Zhuo thought. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let it go so easily.”

He suddenly glanced at him and asked, “Has your sister recovered a bit?”

“She’s had her fever subside,” Shen Shuo replied. “For now, she’s just resting.”

Ji Zhuo responded and was about to say something but decided against it. He wasn’t one to reveal his personal feelings, even to Shen Shuo, who was Yourong’s brother. He knew that showing concern for her could earn his trust, but some things were simply unsaid, just like some people had to remain well-hidden.

“She must have been frightened,” he thought.
——————–https://ko-fi.com/quarinnah