Chapter 23: Qing'er Returns Home

Ye Qianning blinked, confused, and asked, "Sister Yunqing, what is going on? Is Sheng Jintang here with you?"

She rolled her eyes, wearing a malicious smile, and added, "Did you tie her up, Sister Yunqing? Where is she being kept? I want to go and give her a good lesson!"

Su Lan sneered, "Just watch and see."

Yunqing, who had remained silent, stood up and opened the door to step outside. Seeing the grand display at the entrance of Sansheng Hall—a red carpet had even been laid out, stretching all the way toward the direction of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate—she looked on.

Beside Sheng Yukun, four sedan bearers stood waiting with a magnificent palanquin.

Yunqing’s lips curled slightly. "Where is the Eldest Miss Sheng? I am but a physician of Sansheng Hall; surely, Marquis, you have mistaken me for someone else?"

"The Sheng Jintang they speak of is the Fairy Sister! The one inside the Marquis’s estate is a fake who has been usurping the title of Eldest Miss," Su Lan whispered, clenching her fists toward Ye Qianning.

"There is such a thing?" Ye Qianning gasped in astonishment.

"Tang’er, your uncle knows you have suffered great injustice," Sheng Yukun said, pursing his lips. "You are the one and only Eldest Miss Sheng in this world. Sheng Jintang... Tang’er, come back home with your uncle."

"Miss Yunqing is the Eldest Miss Sheng? Then the one in the estate..."

The crowd erupted in commotion once more.

"Tang’er, are you still unwilling to admit it?" Sheng Yukun looked at Yunqing with eyes full of pity.

At these words, the surrounding crowd held their breath, all eyes turning to Yunqing.

After a long silence, the young woman spoke coldly: "My name is Yunqing."

Sheng Yukun froze, then hung his head in frustration.

"Sheng Yunqing."

Sheng Yukun looked up, a spark of light flashing in his eyes. He beamed and announced loudly, "I respectfully invite the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei, Sheng Yunqing, to return home!"

"We respectfully invite the Eldest Miss, Sheng Yunqing, to return home!" the members of the Marquis’s estate echoed.

"This is the proper way to apologize!" Sheng Yuting’s voice came from the hairpin with a satisfied laugh. "Qing’er, go home. Take your father home."

Hearing her father say "go home," Yunqing’s eyes suddenly turned red.

She spoke softly, "Alright. Let’s go home."

Hearing this, Sheng Yukun laughed heartily and eagerly stepped forward to invite her into the palanquin.

The girl sat within the luxurious sedan, held in the palm of their hands like the most precious treasure of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate.

Her peerless, breathtaking beauty and graceful bearing, even in plain attire, radiated an undeniable nobility.

She was a noblewoman by birth, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Sheng family: Sheng Yunqing.

Sheng Yunqing was carried into the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate amidst the gaze of the entire capital, accompanied by envious eyes all the way.

"Father, Qing’er is home," Sheng Yunqing said with a smile.

Firecrackers popped and crackled outside the Marquis’s estate. Inside, lanterns and decorations were hung everywhere; the scene was as grand as a wedding celebration to welcome Sheng Yunqing home.

The Marquis’s estate possessed great military merit and enjoyed a generous stipend.

Sheng Yunqing returned to her original room. It had previously been occupied by Sheng Jintang, but now it had been refurbished, with everything replaced by brand-new items.

Sheng Yukun assigned her two personal maids, Dongning and Chunrui, and arranged for Su Lan to stay in the adjacent room.

Before she could even rest, she was ushered to bathe and change into a dress made of luxurious silk, while her chambers were filled with jewelry and trinkets.

Even the most favored princess would have received nothing more.

Sheng Jintang was awakened by the continuous sound of firecrackers outside and slowly opened her eyes.

In the dim, dilapidated woodshed, a sliver of light filtered through the cracks in the old wooden door.

Sheng Jintang endured the pain to push herself up, intending to get off the bed, but her legs lacked the strength, and she fell to the ground, losing her balance.

She let out a cry of shock, the piercing pain bringing tears to her eyes.

Sheng Jintang looked at the small wooden wheelchair by the bed, which the Bai woman had brought for her, as Sheng Yi no longer needed it.

Gritting her teeth, she crawled onto it with great difficulty. Once she sat in the narrow chair, however, she found herself stuck.

She paused, struggled for a moment, but could not get back up.

Ignoring her current state, she pushed the wheels with her hands and moved out through the door.

The desolate courtyard was empty, as everyone was gathered at the front.

The maids and servants were chatting and laughing, as if a monumental joy had occurred in the estate.

She struggled to move to a small corner behind the main hall, tilting her head to watch the scene inside.

Sheng Yunqing was wearing a light blue floral dress with a high-waisted skirt; the fabric was the same noble brocade she had once owned. Her intricately styled hair was adorned with delicate hairpins.

After eight years, Sheng Yunqing had not forgotten a single detail of noble etiquette.

She walked with graceful, measured steps, just as she had appeared the first time Sheng Jintang saw her—so noble, so elegant.

Sheng Yueying pouted, "Hmph, the last one hasn't even left yet, and here comes another. Look at Father, he’s smiling as if she were his own daughter."

Sheng Qiuyao gently tugged at her sleeve. "Regardless, she is our elder sister. And didn’t she make that Sheng Jintang, whom you dislike so much, suffer greatly? Why don't you like her?"

"You changed your tune quickly," Sheng Yueying said, crossing her arms and turning her face away. "Now that someone sharp-tongued has arrived, who knows if she’ll make things difficult for us in the future."

Sheng Qiuyao frowned and urged earnestly, "Don’t jump to conclusions so quickly. I believe our elder sister is a good person."

In the corner, Sheng Jintang’s eyes were filled with envy, and she couldn't help but tear up.

Sheng Yunqing glanced at the person hiding behind the curtain, her lips curling up in a way that went unnoticed.

"Qing’er, your uncle will certainly make it up to you," Sheng Yukun promised sincerely.

"It is good that you are back; it is good that you are back," Old Madam Sheng nodded in satisfaction.

Just as they were settling in, a sharp voice rang out at the entrance of the estate: "The Imperial Edict has arrived!"

An imperial eunuch from the palace walked in, holding a bright yellow scroll.

Hearing the words "Imperial Edict," Sheng Yunqing narrowed her eyes slightly.

Was that wretched man really coming to issue an edict for her?

Everyone knelt to receive the decree.

"By the grace of the Heavens, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei is sixteen years of age, in the prime of her youth, virtuous and refined, dignified and proper. It is hereby decreed that the Eldest Miss Sheng shall be betrothed to Prince Ye. Without an imperial decree, no one shall presume to make other arrangements for her marriage. This is the decree."

Sheng Yunqing raised an elegant brow. It was only an engagement, not an immediate marriage?

The eunuch glanced around, his brows lifting slightly. "Where is the Eldest Miss Sheng?"

The Eldest Miss Sheng?

Sheng Yunqing blinked. Wasn't she the Eldest Miss Sheng?!

"Me! It’s me!" Sheng Jintang, hiding behind the curtain, was filled with joy. "I am the Eldest Miss Sheng!"

Wonderful! Prince Ye wanted to be betrothed to her! She would soon be the Princess Consort of Ye, and she would never have to stay in this Marquis’s estate and suffer the cold shoulder again!

Su Lan, standing behind Yunqing, wanted to rush forward and chase her away, but Yunqing stopped her: "Don't."

Her lips curled up as she quietly watched Sheng Jintang stir up trouble.

If all went as expected, an accident was about to happen.