Credit: Sifa

Sifa: The main character’s name is 沈凝华, which in pingyin, should be Shen NingHua.
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Along the way, mama Zhou couldn’t help but to regret endlessly within her heart. Contrary to expectations, not only was she unable to properly teach Shen Ninghua a lesson, she ended up helping her in establishing her prestige. After today’s event, no servant within the estate would dare to look down upon her. If the madam was to find out, who knows just how furious she would be?

On the other hand, in a relaxed and pleased manner, Shen Ninghua happily browsed her surroundings with a perpetual smile radiating from her face. The nostalgic scenery had once more filled her sight, after all, it has been more than ten years since the last time she was here, causing a unique yet special kind of feeling to stir within her heart. Especially when considering that at the current moment in time, none of the events had yet to occur, there is enough time left for her to slowly send each and every one of her past life’s enemies into hell. Just thinking of such thoughts had made her mood all the more better.

Shen Dong is the Prime Minister of the present dynasty and has received the grace and trust of the emperor. This estate was also a gift from his majesty, thus each and every aspect was beautifully designed and constructed.

“Young miss, the madam has already instructed, young miss must have been tired from the travelling and may take a rest first to freshen up from the fatigue.”

“How thoughtful of mother, I am very happy to hear that. However, it has been a long time since I have last seen my esteemed grandmother and I miss her very much. No matter what, I have to first pay my respects to her.” Shen Ninghua turned her head around, “Qing Que, go with mama Zhou and have her help you settle down the luggage.”

Mama Zhou’s heart almost skipped a beat when hearing this, “It has been awhile since the young miss was last here and might be unfamiliar with the directions, perhaps it would be best for this servant to lead the way instead.” The punishment from the madam if something were to happen after letting Ninghua go by herself was an outcome that mama Zhou was unwilling to bear.

A faint curl appeared on the corner of Shen Ninghua’s mouth as she glanced towards mama Zhou. “That won’t be necessary, after all, how could I possibly get lost within my own house?”

Upon meeting the gaze, Mama Zhou couldn’t help but almost took a step back from shock. Her eyes were as dark as the abyss, with faint rays of lights appearing from within, as though it was capable of seeing through all. Just when did Shen Ninghua become so devil-like?

“Young miss, I imagine the madam and the second-miss are most likely with the old-madam currently, right now would be the perfect moment.” After Mama Zhou and Qing Que had left, the ever silent Bai Ruo had finally decided to speak out. Bai Ruo was the oldest among the servants and one of the first to have followed after Shen Ninghua. She possessed a calm and cautious personality and was deeply trusted by others.

“Wanting to lead the way, that mama Zhou obviously wanted to be the first to alert her mistress. How clever of the young miss, getting her to go away.” Hong Ling also came up and laughed.

Shen Ninghua smiled faintly towards her and said, “It seems that Hong Ling has also learned to become clever.”

“Young miss! How could this servant not make any progress after having followed you for so long?” Hong Ling stamped her feet on the ground as she spoke.

“Enough, don’t make the young miss lose face.” Chided by Bai Ruo, Hong Ling could only lower her head and stand aside. Upon seeing this, Bi Zhu couldn’t help but to giggle which had caused Hong Ling to glare at her all the more.

Ignoring the playfulness of her servants, Shen Ninghua headed directly towards the living quarters of old-madam Xiao-shi*, the Pine Melody Court. Today was one of the resting days for Shen Dong, Shen Lingluo would definitely be attempting at ways of displaying father-daughter filial piety. As such, it wouldn’t be possible for her to act like what the guard had said, hosting a banquet.

*Old-madam Xiao’s name is followed by the character 氏 shi, which means the maiden surname she holds prior to marrying into the current clan. It can be considered as both a title and method of identification used within large clans for women that married in during ancient times.

As her eyes swept across the various servants bowing towards her along the way, Shen Ninghua’s face was full of smiles, but it was a sea of ice deep down in her heart.

Back then, although Shen Ninghua was able to come out from within the valley, the injury she had received on her feet was deep. Capitalising on this, her step-mother Zhao Yunxiang had managed to once more have her sent away under the premise of recovery. And this rest period went on for two and a half years. It was only until her coming-of-age ceremony* that she was recalled home. But by then she had long lost the noble aura of a well-educated lady, and countless amount of efforts had to be spent in order for her to regain what was lost. However, the stigma of a lady that knows no manners was stuck with her for a long time afterwards. Even during the time she was being conferred with the empress title, many ministers had objected using the stigma as the reason.

*及笄 which refers to during ancient times, the coming of age ceremony when a girl reaches the marriageable age of 15.

Thinking back, if it wasn’t due to the need of betrothing her to Baili Jinze, even till death the Shen family would not have recalled her.

At the entrance of the Pine Melody Court was a maid clad in a light pink coloured clothing. The moment she spotted Shen Ninghua she immediately came forward to welcome her. “Servant Xue Zhu greets the young miss. The old-madam has long been waiting.”

“Ninghua has caused the esteemed grandmother to worry, having not been here for a long time, Ninghua would like to thank you for looking after grandmother all these years.” Shen Ninghua faintly curtsied in an elegant yet slightly cold demeanour. Her actions were as fluid as water. This Xue Zhu is a servant that is highly valued by the esteemed grandmother.

Xue Zhu was briefly startled by the response and dared not to show any contempt. “Such is my duty.” The eldest young miss doesn’t look to be like someone lacking in education, instead it seems as though she is more elegant and knows more etiquette than young miss Linghan, and good gracious her appearance is just too stunning.

Shen Ninghua smiled lightly as she nodded her head.

Seeing her expression, Xue Zhu inexplicitly felt compelled to speak further “The madam and the second young miss are also inside.”

Bai Ruo came up grasping her hand, with a slight flick of the wrist, a crystal-clear jade bracelet had seamlessly appeared on Xue Zhu’s arm. “Our thanks to miss Xue Zhu.”

Xue Zhu paused momentarily, the colour of the jade was bright and transparent, with the craftsmanship exquisite, the value of the bracelet was definitely extraordinary. However, just as Xue Zhu had made up the mind in refusing the bracelet she had discovered that Bai Ruo had already returned to her initial position respectfully standing behind Shen Ninghua. Thus, she could only raise the curtain and said, “Please enter.”

“Old-madam, the young miss has arrived.”

With the curtain raised, Shen Ninghua walked into the main hall step after step. A refreshing scent along with a feeling of coolness confronted her as she swept her eyes across the hall and bowed.

“Ninghua pays her respect to the esteemed grandmother and mother.”

Sitting at the very center was old-madam Xiao-shi. The moment she heard the sound of speaking, she raised her head and saw Shen Ninghua.

With her knees bent in the position of a formal bow, the attractiveness of her slim and slender figure was put to full display. An impression of delicateness could be felt underneath the celeste blue silk skirt she was wearing. With her head slightly hanging, what was revealed was a smooth forehead, a well-chiseled nose and rosy lips. Her looks were under no circumstances in any way inferior to that of Shen Linghan.

“Arise. It was just moments before that I heard from your mother that you have returned. It truly is a blessing, having rested for so long, not only have you recovered your health, you have even grown to become more beautiful. It must have been the will of the ancestors to see you return.”

“Ninghua has caused the esteemed grandmother to worry, and the fault lies on Ninghua. Thinking back, it must have been the will of the heavens that could not bear to see grandmother suffer which granted me the fortunes to rid myself of my illness.” Lifting her face up once more, what was revealed was a pair of slight red eyes.

Seeing such response, the eyes of the old-madam Xiao-shi gleamed in satisfaction. She had previously felt worried that this granddaughter of hers might be lacking in education, however, from the looks of things it appears that her worries were for naught. This brat in front of her was definitely someone that could be put to use.

While on the other hand, cold gleams of light started to show within Zhao-shi’s eyes. The tea cup held within her hand swayed ever so slightly, causing faint ripples to appear on the surface of the tea water. The previous messages had only mentioned the improvement in her appearance but had failed to detail the specifics. Wouldn’t her current countenance be a threat even to Linghan?

Xiao-shi smiled warmly. The moment Shen Ninghua had risen, she immediately said the following, “Quickly come sit over here to let grandmother take a better look.”

In a clever and well-behaved manner, Shen Ninghua walked to the side of Xiao-shi with slight timidness and anticipation casted on her eyes.

Xiao-shi’s heart was filled with satisfaction as she grasped Shen Ninghua’s hands and said, “My my, such an exemplary appearance. Linghan, quickly come and greet your elder sister.”

Shen Ninghua has long ago noticed her “dear little sister” Shen Linghan standing by the side of Xiao-shi. After taking a closer look up front, her heart was filled with hatred and rage. The agonies of having her husband stolen, the wretched pains from having her bones broken, her corpse butchered… Everything was caused by the person before her eyes, who had sent her into hell. Even till death she would not forget the bitter pains she had experienced.

Despite the turmoils from within, her tone was filled with gentleness and warmth, “long time no see, little sister.”