Volume One, Chapter Four: What Kind of Legitimate Miss Does She Think She Is?

Mother Xie, having been through it all before, naturally recognized the marks immediately. Shen Yurou trembled, lowering her head in silent shame. Mother Xie did not suspect anything further, merely thinking she was shy.

"My son is also quite indulgent. Next time, you mustn’t think only of your own pleasure; you should remind him too. A man who becomes too obsessed with such matters only harms his health."

Shen Yurou knew her mother-in-law was mistaken, but she had no way to explain, so she merely gave a hesitant hum of agreement.

The usually stern expression on Mother Xie’s face rarely softened into a smile, but now it did. She circled around Shen Yurou a few times, exclaiming, "It’s done, it’s done, finally done!" Her gaze then pointed meaningfully at her small belly. "Ancestors of the Xie family, you must bless Lady Rou!"

Xie Fangying, hearing the commotion, poked her head out from inside the house. "Mother, what are you saying? What’s done?"

Mother Xie scolded sharply, "Go, go, go! A young lady should not pry into matters she ought not to."

Xie Fangying frowned, muttered discontentedly, and returned indoors. Mother Xie’s attention returned to Shen Yurou.

The expectant gaze burned into her, and Shen Yurou forced a faint smile on her stiff lips.

"Mother-in-law, I’ll go check the shop. Qiuyue is alone there, and I’m a bit worried."

Qiuyue was Shen Yurou’s dowry maid, and with Yurou away for these few days, she was the only one tending the shop.

Mother Xie’s smile vanished instantly.

"A mere woman, constantly exposing herself in public—what kind of propriety is that?"

Her voice was low, almost a murmur in her throat.

Shen Yurou pretended not to hear.

In this era, scholars and farmers ranked above merchants, who were at the bottom. She understood why her mother-in-law thought this way.

But Mother Xie was also aware of the family’s situation; the household needed the income. So, she could only mutter a few complaints now and then.

As for Shen Yurou herself, she loved her Cloud Pastry shop.

Making sweets every day was a true joy.

Moreover, the income was genuinely necessary. Often, this little shop was her source of confidence.

The marketplace remained bustling with lively activity.

In the familiar streets, Shen Yurou felt much more at ease. She slowed her pace and strolled leisurely.

“Ah, isn’t this the General’s Lady?” a sharp, mocking female voice rang out.

Shen Yurou frowned and looked over.

It was Shen Yuwan.

Her dress was as luxurious as ever. Behind her followed her personal maid Jinling and a dozen unfamiliar maids and old women.

Her entourage seemed to grow ever more grandiose.

Shen Yurou didn’t want her good mood spoiled and lowered her head to walk around her.

But Jinling blocked her path abruptly.

“The General’s Lady certainly has quite the airs. Passing by my lady without so much as a greeting?”

Shen Yurou stepped back and looked at Shen Yuwan.

“A greeting? Shouldn’t the younger sister greet the elder first? It’s not proper for the elder to greet the younger first. Wouldn’t that shorten one’s life?”

Jinling clenched her skirt, furious, and took a few steps forward.

“You’re just a concubine’s daughter, while my lady is the legitimate daughter. You actually expect my lady to greet you? Don’t you know your place?”

Ha! Legitimate daughter! What kind of legitimate daughter was Shen Yuwan?

If their father hadn’t killed his wife to replace her and changed the statuses of their mother and Lady Liu, how could Yuwan have become the legitimate daughter? And how could Shen Yurou have inexplicably become the concubine’s daughter of the Shen family?

“What my status is, you should know very well, little sister,” Shen Yurou said slowly, touching the bracelet on her wrist.

If they wanted to use status to threaten her, she would just have to bring out the title of General’s Lady.

Though this bracelet was not particularly precious, it was the engagement gift given to her by Xie Zhi’an when his fortunes were still waning.

Shen Yuwan recognized it, too.

At that time, she had sneered with disdain, “Truly impoverished. Luckily, I rejected this match.”

But who would have thought that an obscure military scholar would rise to become a general?

For a while, Shen Yuwan had been quite upset.

Yet now, she did not lose her temper.

“Oh, you still wear that broken bracelet, sister? Ha!” She puffed her chest proudly. “A mere General’s Lady, only you hold it dear. I certainly don’t.”

“That’s not true. Our lady’s destined for great wealth and status,” Jinling said as she took Shen Yuwan’s hand, supporting her.

Her supple waist swayed as she pushed through Shen Yurou.

Then Shen Yuwan’s maids and old women followed her, chattering as they left.

Shen Yurou dusted off her sleeve and muttered, “Going mad in broad daylight, what bad luck.”

At that moment, a familiar voice called out.

“Miss, Miss, it really is you! You’re back!”

It was Qiuyue, wearing a green dress, excitedly circling Shen Yurou several times.

“Did you see the master? How are you two... doing?”

Qiuyue’s face came close, eyes blinking with a tight smile.

Shen Yurou smacked her forehead.

“A young lady, you’re becoming more and more hopeless!”

Qiuyue blushed but pressed on eagerly.

“I’m just worried about you! So, have you gotten together or not, huh?”

A sharp ache surged again between her legs—the brutal assault seemed to come on once more.

Shen Yurou’s eyes flickered, and she quickly changed the subject.

“My younger sister—what high branch has she climbed onto recently? She’s becoming more and more pretentious.”

“You ran into her?” Qiuyue’s lips tightened as she lowered her voice.

“I heard she’s attached herself to the Duke of Luo.”

The Duke of Luo? Shen Yurou thought for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise,

“The one they call the Maiden Yama...?”

Qiuyue quickly covered her mouth.

“Miss, keep your voice down!”

Seeing Shen Yurou nod, she slowly let go.

Shen Yurou asked quietly again, disbelieving,

“Is it really that Duke of Luo, known as the Maiden Yama?”

Qiuyue nodded slowly.

“It’s him.”

Shen Yurou gasped coldly.

“That old lecherous Duke of Luo has ruined so many girls! Everyone in town knows. Has Shen Yuwan lost her mind?”

Qiuyue glanced cautiously around and lowered her voice further.

“Miss Yuwan isn’t stupid. I heard she was promised the position of secondary consort. Did you see those maids and old women behind her? That’s the status the Duke of Luo has given her.”

Shen Yurou uttered a soft “oh,” though a vague unease remained in her heart.

The two walked and chatted until they reached the shop.

Under the warm afternoon sun, people flooded the storefront, and two shop assistants busily attended customers behind the counter.

They greeted Shen Yurou briefly, then focused back on their work.

Qiuyue proudly lifted her chin.

“Well, Miss, haven’t I managed the shop quite well?”

Shen Yurou gave a thumbs-up, nodding repeatedly.

This little maid had truly become more capable.