Shen Dongling was ranked third, so she was called Third Miss. After Concubine Wan gave birth to her, she stayed in the courtyard all day long and did not come out. Shen Dongling was also weak and sickly. In Shen Miao’s previous life, she actually had no impression of Shen Dongling at all.
In her previous life, Shen Dongling seemed to have been given to someone by Ren Wanyun to help Shen Gui rise to another height in his official career. In this life, Ren Wanyun had already lost her momentum, and Concubine Wan had taken her place. It was unknown if Shen Dongling’s fate would change because of this.
“Third Sister is not in good health. It’s best if she doesn’t walk around.” Shen Miao said indifferently, “If she catches a cold because of visiting me, I won’t be able to bear the responsibility.”
When Concubine Wan heard this, she was a little displeased, but she still smiled and said, “Among all the cousins, Third Miss liikes Fifth Miss the most. It’s all my fault. Third Miss was born sick and can only stay in the courtyard all year around. It’s all my fault…” After saying that, she turned her head to the side and covered her eyes with the handkerchief in her hand, looking extremely sad.
Shen Miao couldn’t stand Concubine Wan’s hypocrisy and said indifferently, “No one can decide the body they want to be born into. Moreover, it’s not necessarily a bad thing for Third Sister to stay in the courtyard. Eldest Sister has enjoyed all the glory and fame, but look at her. Who knew that she would die so young?” The corners of her lips curled up slightly. “Fate is ever-changing.”
As soon as she said that, Concubine Wan looked at Shen Miao in surprise. A moment later, she forced a smile and said, “Fifth Miss, you’re right.” She suddenly stood up and looked at Shen Miao. “Fifth Miss, I suddenly remembered that I still have something to do, so I’ll take my leave first. When you’re free one day, I will get Third Miss to come and greet you. She’s not in good health. Please forgive her.” With that, she bowed to Shen Miao and left. She left in a hurry as opposed to the composed manner with which she came.
Jingzhe had been serving tea at the side. Looking at Concubine Wan’s back as she left anxiously, she asked in confusion, “What does Concubine Wan mean? Isn’t she here to suck up to us? Why did she leave so early? And Third Miss, she hasn’t left the courtyard for so many years and has only seen you a few times. Why does Concubine Wan make it sound like she knows Fifth Miss very well?”
“That’s right.” Gu Yu cleared the teacups on the table and said, “Now that I think about it, I can’t even remember what Third Miss looks like. She’s a daughter of the Shen family as well, but she’s been hiding for so many years just to avoid Second Madam. She’s really pitiful.”
“What makes her pitiful?” Shen Miao picked up the tea on the table and took a sip. “I’m afraid in her eyes, you girls are the pitiful ones.”
“Her?” Jingzhe was puzzled. “Miss, are you talking about Third Miss?”
Shen Miao smiled. “I was wrong. There’s a smart person in our mansion.”
The purpose of Concubine Wan coming over today was obviously to test her. However, for someone as smart as Concubine Wan to think of this method to test her, on the surface, she looked like she could not wait to announce that she had won Chen Gui’s favor again, but on careful thought, that was not the case. The elusive Shen Dongling was much smarter than Shen Qing.
However… no matter which side she was on, Shen Miao would not treat her as a friend, let alone a cousin.
“Be careful.” She put down the teacup in her hand and reminded the maids beside her.
