Shen Qing looked at his mother with some confusion. Although he was unwilling, he still kept his mouth shut.

Although Shen Yue didn't understand what was wrong with Shen Miao's words, she realized something when she saw Chen Ruoqiu's nervous expression. She stood there obediently and didn't say anything else.

Old Madam Shen frowned. Although she had followed General Shen for so many years, she did not understand the twists and turns of officialdom. Her vision was limited to the sky in the four corners of the backyard. How could she hear the meaning behind Shen Miao's words? She felt that Shen Miao had taken the wrong medicine today. Her repeated contradictions had offended her dignity as the head of the family. She was about to lose her temper.

"Xiaowu is right," Ren Wanyun smiled, interrupting the rebuke that Old Lady Shen was about to utter. "It was all a misunderstanding. How could something that happened in the front hall get spread to the backyard? It was just an unfortunate coincidence. His Highness Prince Ding is very open-minded and wouldn't take children's play seriously. It was all a misunderstanding. Poor Xiaowu, he fell into the water and was frightened. He's truly wronged."

Old Madam Shen opened her mouth, somewhat displeased with her second daughter-in-law's sudden interruption. However, Ren Wanyun's family was a prominent merchant family in Mingqi, and much of their expenses were subsidized by this second daughter-in-law. Although she was dissatisfied, she didn't want to offend her. She snorted coldly, but didn't continue.

Chen Ruoqiu also realized something and quickly followed Ren Wanyun's words, "That's right, Sister Yue, Sister Qing, please don't ever mention what you just said again. It was just that Xiaowu accidentally fell into the water and was just seen by His Royal Highness Prince Ding. There are always coincidences in the world." She smiled and looked at Shen Miao, "Xiaowu, the old lady is just worried about you, she's not really angry with you."

Shen Miao looked at the woman before her. Shen Yue resembled Chen Ruoqiu in appearance and temperament. Chen Ruoqiu, on the other hand, came from a family of scholars, with graceful features and a gentle demeanor. Her manner of walking and speaking was gentle and tender, beautiful yet not frivolous. Such a bookish woman seemed like someone she could easily get along with, but who knew what would happen next...

Later, the Xiongnu envoys requested a marriage alliance. There was only one princess of the right age in the palace, Wanyu. Chen Ruoqiu said that Chen Yue was old and a marriage alliance was her destiny, so she volunteered to marry the Xiongnu. However, Chen Yue was not a princess, so Fu Xiuyi conferred the title of Princess Yueru on her, thus making the marriage alliance legitimate.

But in the end, it was her Wanyu who got married.

Wanyu died on the way to the marriage, and Wanyu's princess palace was given to Princess Yueru. Princess Yueru naturally accepted everything about Wanyu.

Her Wanyu is not even sixteen years old.

Shen Miao closed her eyes. If she said that Chen Ruoqiu had no contribution in this, Chen Ruoqiu himself would probably not believe it. She was afraid that Chen Ruoqiu and Madam Mei had already reached an agreement. All they wanted was to watch her think she had hope, but have it shattered alive by her own hopes.

Chen Ruoqiu's smile froze.

The girl opposite looked at her. Her round face, round eyes, and round nose, coupled with her timid expression, easily gave people the impression of being stupid and silly.

But now it wasn't the same. The timid look had vanished at some point, replaced by a solemn expression. It wasn't a sudden, nervous seriousness, but a genuine dignity, a subtle sense of distance. For a moment, Chen Ruoqiu felt as if the person before him wasn't the silly daughter of the eldest wife, but a master in a high position. The sharpness that was lurking around him made him tremble.

The next second, the girl curved her eyes at her and said, "I don't need to worry. Aunt San also thinks that Xiao Wu is right now, right?"

Chen Ruoqiu was stunned. She glanced at the obviously displeased old lady in the higher position and reluctantly said, "That being said, Xiaowu fell into the pond, which was really careless. How did the maids around him take care of him? When Big Brother and Sister-in-law are not around, are they bullying their master like this? In my opinion, it would be better to replace these maids."

Ren Wanyun burst out laughing. Chen Ruoqiu glanced at her with some irritation, and a knowing sneer played on Ren Wanyun's lips.

This sister-in-law of mine, who looks well-educated and well-mannered, is actually very shrewd. In this way, she can deceive that fool Shen Miao. Perhaps she wants to replace the people around Shen Miao. Now Shen Yue has reached the age where she should pay attention to others. In the capital, no matter how far Shen Miao's reputation for being stupid and cowardly is spread, in terms of status, Shen Yue is not as good as Shen Miao. After all, Shen Xin still holds the military power.

The third wife is finally ready to make a move.

Shen Miao lowered her head: "Why did Third Aunt replace Guyu and the others? They were all the people left to Wu Niang by my father and mother. Now the people in the West Courtyard have changed a lot. Wu Niang didn't recognize any of the second-class maids a few days ago. If Guyu and the others are replaced, Wu Niang won't know who to talk to in the West Courtyard."

Ren Wanyun's smile suddenly stopped.

In the West Courtyard, the Chen Xin couple were often away from the capital, and almost all the maids and servants in the courtyard had been replaced. There were people from the old lady, the second wife, and the third wife. However, since the second wife was the head of the household, naturally there were more people from the second wife. It would be better if this was kept secret. If it got out to outsiders, how could the second and third wives have good intentions if the eldest wife's daughter didn't know a single servant in her own courtyard? It was absolutely unreasonable for a sister-in-law to interfere in the eldest brother's courtyard.

Her mind raced, she glared at Chen Ruoqiu with a smile, and said to Shen Miao, "Your Third Aunt is joking with you. The girls from Guyu are just careless and sloppy. We in the Shen family are kindhearted and would never do such an inhumane thing. Don't worry, Xiaowu."

At the end of his words, he still challenged Chen Ruoqiu.

Shen Yuanbai looked at his mother, then at Chen Ruoqiu, and yawned. Old Madam Shen was growing impatient with the verbal battle between her second and third daughters-in-law. Seeing this, she said, "Alright, it's just some trivial matter. Second wife, bring Seventh Brother over here, and let's all go. There are so many people here, it's making me dizzy and confused."

Ren Wanyun hurriedly carried Shen Yuanbai to Old Madam Shen's couch and said, "Mother, the wives will leave first. Seventh brother, be a good boy when playing with the old lady."

Chen Ruoqiu glanced at Shen Yuanbo, her hands resting on her belly as she slowly walked out of Rongjing Hall. The Second Wife had a son, which earned her the respect of Old Madam Shen. Even if she was capable, what good would it do... Shen Yue was, after all, a daughter. It would have been much better to have a son. Sooner or later, the First Wife's possessions would have been fought over. A son would have at least given them an equal share, unlike now, where the Second Wife simply got the upper hand. Furthermore... the First Wife had a legitimate son. Even though he was at the border with Shen Xin, who knew if he would return to share in the spoils?

As he was thinking, Chen Ruoqiu raised his head and his eyes fell on the few people heading towards the west courtyard.

The girl was wearing a dark red embroidered gown. She always liked to wear bright colors, and without her parents around, she didn't know how to dress up, so she always looked rustic.

Now, the crimson made her complexion look even fairer. Although she still had the same appearance, she seemed much more solemn. Even a little... majestic?

Guyu whispered, "Miss, you're not well yet, why rush to Guangwenguan? You've already explained your illness, and there's no rush for homework. Or..."

“No.” Shen Miao interrupted her: “Prepare the car immediately.”

He clearly didn't say anything harsh, but for some reason, Guyu shuddered and didn't dare to ask any more questions.