Chapter 18: Intentions

That evening, upon returning to the Shen residence, Shen Jiao angrily threw everything in her room onto the floor.

Dan Zhuyu came over upon hearing the noise. “What are you doing?”

“I originally intended for her to lose face at the polo match, but instead she stole the spotlight! Now everyone is saying that Shen He is the foremost talented woman in the capital, skilled both in literature and martial arts! Mother, how can I not be furious?”

Dan Zhuyu looked helplessly at the broken items on the floor and sat down. “What good does being angry do? The facts are out there. I’ve heard that you and Third Prince work well together. Actually, if you win Third Prince’s heart, these empty titles won’t matter.”

“Mother! The Empress said that only if Brother Jing Ren marries Shen He will she agree to acknowledge him as the legitimate heir. If Brother Jing Ren really marries her, and in the future he becomes emperor, won’t she be Empress? If we don’t ruin her reputation early, will she forever overshadow me?”

Dan Zhuyu gestured for the maid to gather the scattered items. “Foolish girl, there are many ways to ruin a reputation. This failure is just one chance lost; there will be more.”

Seeing her mother’s expression, Shen He knew she must have a plan, and her eyes shone. “Mother, what do you mean?”

“Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet is approaching, and the major families will be invited. If she loses her chastity in front of everyone, do you think her reputation will remain intact?”

Shen Jiao chuckled quietly. “Mother, is this really wise? What if Father finds out? Won’t he be angry?”

Dan Zhuyu shot Shen Jiao a look. “Your father will only know that Shen He disgraced the family at the Mid-Autumn Banquet. As for what we do, how would he know? If he angrily banishes her, then the Shen family’s legitimate daughter will be you. Isn’t the ‘Qin’ character jade pendant still yours? The Empress’s request for Third Prince to marry Shen He is also for that jade pendant.”

Shen Jiao suddenly embraced Dan Zhuyu. “Mother, you always think so thoroughly!”

...

A few days later, the Empress Dowager prepared a sumptuous feast in her palace for Shen He, supposedly to celebrate her brilliant performance at the polo match.

“Ah He, come, eat more. I heard you won the grand prize at the Xue family’s polo match. I’m truly happy for you. How come I never knew you were such a skilled polo player?”

Shen He replied modestly, “Actually, Sixth Prince also deserves some credit that day.”

“Ahem, that Jing Chi boy was just lucky. It’s really our Ah He who is impressive. Now, everyone says you are the capital’s foremost talented woman, and your reputation is excellent.”

Shen He blushed slightly, feeling the title was more than she deserved. “Those are just rumors.”

“A woman’s reputation is truly precious. Now that I protect you, and your name is well-known in the capital, I want to ask if what you said at my birthday banquet was true?”

At this moment, the Empress Dowager’s palace was filled with a somewhat pungent fragrance, seemingly mixed with many sweet scents.

Shen He’s nose had always been more sensitive than others’. Back in Yunshan Academy, Yan Qingyi often teased her as having a dog’s nose.

“Yes, Empress Dowager, I have made up my mind. Please grant me this favor,” Shen He looked up at the Empress Dowager. Having seen many coquettish women in her past life, she understood well that a woman who knows how to beg wins the best fate.

“Silly child, your marriage will be decided by me and the Emperor. Whom you want to marry, I will satisfy you. There were too many people that day, so I didn’t ask properly. Tell me, what exactly happened between you and Jing Ren?”

Shen He lifted her gaze, her eyes sparkling like stars. “Your Majesty, outside you are the Empress Dowager, but inside, I regard you as a grandmother. There are some things I can say to a grandmother but not to an Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager smiled, understanding that Shen He had something on her mind. Well, one must indulge their own children.

“Speak freely, rest assured I won’t tell anyone else.”

Having received permission, Shen He no longer hid anything and feigned grievance. “Third Prince’s heart seems to belong to my stepsister.”

The Empress Dowager frowned. “Shen Jiao?”

Shen He nodded. “I dare not lie to Your Majesty. I was blinded before, my heart and eyes filled only with Third Prince. But now, looking back, there were signs. Your Majesty should believe a woman’s intuition; this time it is not just sensitivity.”

She recalled that the Empress Dowager never quite liked Shen Jiao, perhaps because she took after her mother, Madam Shan, who was somewhat petty.

“I heard about that day at the polo match; the two exchanged glances filled with affection. I’m not taking sides, but Shen Jiao and you are worlds apart. What is Jing Ren thinking?”

“Empress Dowager, I would rather be shattered like jade than remain intact like tile. If my future husband’s heart does not cherish me most, then I would rather have none at all.”

The Empress Dowager affectionately stroked Shen He’s hair. “I understand. But even if it’s not Jing Ren, it doesn’t have to be Jing Chi either. There are many good sons of noble families. I will keep an eye out for you.”

Shen He shook her head. “I know you care for me, but I once gave my entire heart to Third Prince and received no return. I’ve come to understand: rather than choosing someone who is kind to me, it’s better to choose someone who is inherently good. Life’s choices always carry regrets. At least Sixth Prince is simple and kind, and we can live a peaceful life.”

The Empress Dowager frowned, surprised that someone so young could have such a mindset. Just as she was about to speak, Shen He smiled and said, “Let me tell Your Majesty a story.”

The Empress Dowager raised a delicate brow. “Oh? What story? Do tell.”

“Once there was a girl who lost her mother at birth. Her stepmother outwardly treated her kindly, but secretly allowed the servants and stepsisters to bully her. Fortunately, her father felt guilty for her birth mother and doted on her, sending her to Yunshan Academy, where Master Yan Qing personally cared for her. Yet, even so, a daughter without her mother’s family was never as favored as a stepsister with a maternal clan. Whenever Master Yan was absent, her stepsister led many noble girls to torment her. Once, they pushed her into a pond and stood guard to keep her from climbing out.”

Shen He spoke slowly, telling the story gently. “She felt helpless and wanted to cry, but she knew she couldn’t. Crying would show weakness, and that’s exactly what they wanted.”

“At that moment, a man appeared. Tall and upright, wearing a pale green robe, graceful and refined, exuding a cool, clean scent. Though he spoke plainly, it was clear his mind was different from others. He directly pointed out their wrongdoing, calling it unforgivable. The noble girls blushed and scattered. The man pulled the girl from the water and gave her clean clothes.”

After finishing, Shen He looked at the Empress Dowager, who was deeply moved by the story.

“Your Majesty, I believe you have guessed—the man was Sixth Prince. Actually, Consort Liang educated Sixth Prince well. Though his mind is childlike, Consort Liang insisted he study at Yunshan Academy. Thanks to her perseverance, Sixth Prince’s heart is full of kindness and justice. Compared to Third Prince, such a Sixth Prince is more worthy of my lifelong trust.”

Once, Consort Liang insisted on sending Xiao Jing Chi to Yunshan Academy. Even the Emperor opposed it, fearing it would disgrace the imperial household. Consort Liang dared to offend the Emperor and worked hard to persuade him.

Shen He’s words suddenly made the Empress Dowager understand the significance of Consort Liang’s insistence.

“Consort Liang has arrived, Sixth Prince has arrived!”