Chapter 15: The Empress Dowager’s Edict

Page (1/3)

Liu Yan nearly forgot, patting her head sheepishly, “Look at me, my mind’s gone dull! Miss, are you going to change into proper attire to meet Madam now?”

Shen Yuan nodded.

The main residence where Madam Chen lived was known as Jingyuan.

As Shen Yuan approached the courtyard gate, she could already hear Shen Wan’ning’s loud sobbing, with Madam Chen softly consoling her.

Taking a deep breath, she decisively stepped through the door.

Shen Wan’ning collapsed into Madam Chen’s arms, casting a sideways glance while clutching a handkerchief to wipe the tears from her eyes, looking utterly aggrieved.

Today, Shen Yu was also present, and upon seeing Shen Yuan, immediately accused her, pointing a finger at her nose, “You bullied my sister in the palace, and you’re the one slandering her?”

Shen Yuan frowned slightly. Seeing Madam Chen avert her gaze as if pretending not to see, she realized that Shen Wan’ning had portrayed her as a heartless woman in front of them.

She was not angry, merely asking calmly, “Is that how Father taught you?”

“Why do you care how Father taught me? That’s none of your business!”

“Yu’er, how do you speak to your sister?”

Fearing the situation might spiral out of control, Madam Chen couldn’t help but intervene.

She looked up at Shen Yuan with a subtle hint of doubt in her eyes and asked, “Wan’ning said that you were the one who accidentally fell into the lake, yet you blame her? Ah Yuan, the palace is not the household; even if you bear deep ill will toward Wan’ning, how could you embarrass her in front of so many people in the palace?”

Besides, Wan’ning had always been well-mannered, courteous, gentle, and gracious under her upbringing.

If she had pushed Shen Yuan, Madam Chen wouldn’t believe it for a moment.

“Whether Wan’ning pushed me or not, the palace maids of Shoukang Palace witnessed it with their own eyes. Mother, are you suspecting that even the maids would lie in favor of your daughter?”

As Shen Yuan spoke, her voice tinged with emotion, her nose stinging, her tone a little aggrieved.

This mention of “daughter” brought Madam Chen back to her senses.

She remembered that Shen Yuan was the child she had raised from infancy; as a mother, how could she not understand her nature?

Indeed, the palace maids of Shoukang Palace acted under the Empress Dowager’s orders and had no personal ties to Shen Yuan; they would not lie for her.

In her arms, Shen Wan’ning sobbed softly.

Madam Chen couldn’t help but feel pity. “Even if Wan’ning accidentally pushed you, you two sisters should understand each other and put the Shen family’s reputation first. How could you act impulsively and accuse Wan’ning on the spot? Do you want to ruin her reputation?”

Page (2/3)

Shen Yuan took a deep breath.

Though she had prepared herself mentally, hearing Madam Chen’s words pierce her heart nonetheless.

She suddenly looked up, asking softly, “Mother’s meaning is that, whether Wan’ning pushed me or not, it is still my fault. That day when Wan’ning fell into the water, second brother came to the entrance of Qiushui Garden, questioning me harshly, even kicking Liu Yan. Why didn’t Mother stand up for me? The Shen household is neither too big nor too small; I don’t believe Mother hasn’t heard of this matter.”

Her last words cut off the explanation Madam Chen was about to give.

Indeed, a flicker of panic crossed Madam Chen’s face, and she hastily found an excuse, “I was feeling unwell that day. Hearing Wan’ning was unharmed, I thought it best not to pursue the matter.”

“If she had been hurt? How would Mother chastise me then? Would you have thrown me out of the household? Or let Father whip me again?”

Shen Yuan’s throat tightened; she calmly wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes and forced a bitter smile.

“Ah Yuan, I…”

Madam Chen hurried to explain but was interrupted by a summons from outside.

Shen Lang came running in, breathless, “The Empress Dowager has decreed—come out quickly to receive the edict!”

Both Shen Yuan and Madam Chen were taken aback.

When the late Lady Luo was alive, being close friends with the Empress Dowager, the Shen family was often mentioned and occasionally received favors from the palace, such as imperial gifts or tributes from vassal states.

After Lady Luo’s passing, the Empress Dowager gradually ceased contact with the Shen household.

That the Empress Dowager now summoned Shen Yuan and Shen Wan’ning to Shoukang Palace was already a great favor in Madam Chen’s eyes.

Unexpectedly, there was an actual edict?

With Shen Yong absent, Shen Yi took the lead in the front hall to receive the edict. Madam Chen and others arrived belatedly and quickened their pace when they saw the slightly smiling Eunuch Yu.

“The Empress Dowager’s edict says: Third Miss Shen Yuan of the Shen household is learned, genteel, gentle, and virtuous, greatly favored by this humble one.”

“Today, she is granted a red coral jade pendant, a red jade wisteria jade pendant, a pair of gold-inlaid jade bracelets, a fine ink-wash fan, two pairs of white jade jasmine hairpins, two pairs of hollowed orchid jade hairpins, and two pairs of pearl necklaces!”

“Third Miss, please receive the edict and thank the Empress Dowager.”

Eunuch Yu smiled warmly at Shen Yuan, though moments earlier he had scowled at Shen Yi and Shen Lang.

The two brothers scratched their heads, wondering what they had done wrong.

Page (3/3)

Shen Yuan knelt and bowed, expressing gratitude for the imperial favor, “Your servant thanks the Empress Dowager for her generosity. May Her Majesty enjoy longevity and health, with every year filled with good fortune!”

Eunuch Yu nodded in satisfaction, signaling his subordinates behind him to carry the gifts over to Qiushui Garden.

The sandalwood boxes glittered with pearl-like shine.

Shen Wan’ning, who was never short of jewelry, was also captivated by the exquisite treasures bestowed by the palace at that moment.

The next instant, a trace of disdain flickered in her eyes. She could not understand why Shen Yuan alone had earned the Empress Dowager’s favor.

No noble lady in the capital had ever been so favored.

Shen Yuan was the first.

“Third Miss, you must still be recovering from choking on water in the palace just now. You should return to rest soon,” Eunuch Yu said with a smiling face.

Shen Yuan responded politely, bowed, and then turned to leave with Liu Yan.

Madam Chen did not understand why the Empress Dowager would bestow gifts upon Shen Yuan but not Wan’ning.

Hesitating to ask, she caught the contemptuous gleam in Eunuch Yu’s narrow eyes and stopped herself.

“Master Shen, allow me to congratulate you on finding both your younger sisters—it is truly a blessing! This joyful family reunion is something the Shen family must cherish, isn’t it?”

Shen Yi’s brow twitched. Before he could reply, Eunuch Yu chuckled and turned to leave.

As soon as he stepped out of the residence, Shen Lang straightened up and, recalling his words, complained, “What does that old Eunuch mean? Our Shen family isn’t something he can manipulate, right?”

Shen Yi’s eyes darkened, “He is the Empress Dowager’s trusted confidant; he would not speak recklessly. This must be the Empress Dowager’s intention.”

“Could it be that Shen Yuan has smeared us before the Empress Dowager? She can never stand to see us prosper and must have said many bad things, painting herself as the poor victim bullied by us! The Empress Dowager’s kindness is soft-heartedness, so she rewarded her with so many gifts—to intimidate us, isn’t that it?”

In his agitation, Shen Lang even wanted to confront Shen Yuan openly.

Just as he was about to step away, Madam Chen grabbed his wrist and shook her head, “Ah Yuan fell into the water and was frightened. Don’t disturb her.”

“Mother is right. Second brother, let sister Yuan rest well. Otherwise, if we disturb her and it reaches the Empress Dowager’s ears, she’ll say we’re bullying her, just like how she slandered the Shen family…”