Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

The next day, inside Shoukang Palace.

Shen Chuning was wearing a bean green skirt, which made her already fair face look a little pale. A few goose yellow silk flowers were pinned on her hair, making her unmade-up face look pitiful.

"Chun Ning has been ill for the past few days. You have become thinner. Please stop kneeling. Are you feeling much better now? Why don't you stay at home and rest for a few more days? You have lost your former liveliness after recovering from a serious illness." The Queen Mother looked at Shen Chuning who was bowing respectfully and asked kindly, and asked Nanny Jian beside her to bring an embroidered cushion to Shen Chuning.

"Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager. Chu Ning is now much better."

After replying, he bowed to Nanny Jian and thanked her.

"Look, sister-in-law, this girl has become more well-behaved after her illness, and is becoming more and more like a young lady from a noble family." The empress dowager said with satisfaction as she looked at Old Lady Shen who was sitting below her on the left.

The Empress Dowager is the younger sister of Mr. Shen Huaizhong. When Old Madam Shen entered the mansion, the Empress Dowager was just eleven years old. The two sisters-in-law were particularly close. According to seniority, Shen Chuning should call the Empress Dowager "grand-aunt".

"I brought her here today, firstly to express my gratitude for the cat the Queen Mother gave her as a gift. She loves it so much that she wants to hold it every day. Secondly, I want to apologize."

Madam Shen said as she stood up and knelt on the ground.

When Shen Chuning saw this, she quickly stood up from the embroidered cushion and knelt behind Old Madam Shen.

"Sister-in-law, what are you doing?" The Queen Mother walked quickly to Madam Shen's side, helped her to stand up with both hands, and did not forget to order Bi Rui beside Shen Chuning: "Help your young lady up quickly. The ground is cold. She just happened to be sick in my Shoukang Palace. Your master will definitely blame me."

Empress Dowager Shen pulled Old Madam Shen to sit beside her and asked, "Why do you want to apologize?"

"Normally, the cat was a gift from the Empress Dowager, and Ning-ya should have taken good care of it. However, the Sixth Princess loved it so much that Ning-ya gave the cat to her. I hope the Empress Dowager will forgive me."

"I didn't think it was a big deal, worthy of you two kneeling and apologizing so early in the morning. It's just a toy. Since it was given to Ning, it's entirely up to Ning to decide what to do with it. Besides, I know Jinhua's personality very well. Who did you use to steal the cat this time?"

"It was indeed a voluntary gift from An Ning. My grandmother said that the Sixth Princess has been looking for a study partner recently. Mother thought it was an opportunity, so she discussed it with An Ning. This cat is a stepping stone."

"Then do you want to be Jinhua's study partner?"

"A Ning doesn't want to, it's just..."

Empress Dowager Shen had a look of understanding. "They said it was a voluntary gift. You don't need to cover up for them." Empress Dowager Shen interrupted Shen Chuning and turned to Old Madam Shen and said, "I said from the beginning that Qingjiang would not marry the concubine of the Duke of Qing. Look, now the Duke of Qing has extended his hand to our Shen Mansion."

"Why are you saying this in front of the children?"

Old Madam Shen was also very angry when she mentioned Third Master Shen's marriage. The family had originally arranged a marriage for them that was well-matched, but Shen Qingjiang fell in love with Qin Qimei at first sight and insisted on marrying her. In the end, Old Madam Shen could not persuade Third Master Shen, so she found a matchmaker to go to the Duke of Qing's Mansion to propose marriage.

"It wasn't a big deal. The Sixth Princess wanted it, so our Little Nine gave it to her even though she was very reluctant. However, the Sixth Princess's return gift is too valuable. Please, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, return it on her behalf."

After saying this, Mrs. Shen gestured to Jinse, who was following behind her, to take out the ebony box she had brought.

Nanny Jane took the box and was about to hand it to the empress dowager, but Jinse hurriedly grabbed her and shook her head.

Only then did Nanny Jane notice the faint smell of blood coming from the box. She slowly opened the box a crack and saw what was inside. She opened her eyes wide in shock and even her hand holding the box was a little unsteady.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Nanny Jian and saw her serious expression. She knew that there was something strange about the box and changed the subject.

"I will give the Shen family an explanation about Ning's matter. However, your grandmother's suggestion of the princess's companionship is a good way out."

"Aning doesn't want to be the Sixth Princess's study companion." Shen Chuning whispered softly, her tone full of caution and a slight tremor of fear.

"We have few daughters in the Shen family. You've been following your brothers to study at home for years. Not only are the contents of your studies not very suitable for girls, but in two years, your brothers will be taking the imperial examinations or traveling. How can they take you with them?"

When Shen Chuning heard this, she pursed her lips stubbornly and stood there without saying a word.

The Queen Mother sighed helplessly and continued, "I was hoping to ease the relationship between you and Jinhua. After all, more friends are better than more enemies. Seeing as you're unwilling to do so, how about Jinyu?"

Shen Chuning's eyes lit up instantly, and she raised her head and asked happily, "Do you really mean what the Empress Dowager said?"

"You're really a little kid, crying when you want to cry and laughing when you want to laugh. I mean what I say. Although your mother, Queen Jinyu, passed away early, she was gentle and had the protection of her brother, the Crown Prince. You can learn some rules from her. She'd be a good playmate. No matter who you marry into in the future, you won't be bullied."

"The Empress Dowager always makes fun of Aning, but Aning doesn't want to get married." Shen Chuning blushed. "Of course Aning is willing to stay with Princess Jiahe, but I don't know if the princess will think Aning is too young." Shen Chuning stood up and bowed before answering.

Xiao Jinyu, fourteen years old, was a legitimate princess born to the Empress Dowager. Originally, princesses were given titles when they reached the age of 15. However, two years ago, the Empress was seriously ill. She was afraid that Xiao Jinyu would be wronged after her death, so she asked for a title and fiefdom for her on her deathbed.

"Xiaojiu, it's not your turn to be picky about the royal princess."

Old Madam Shen scolded her harshly. She didn't want Shen Chuning to be the princess's study companion. She just wanted Shen Chuning to grow up without worries and find a husband from a lower-class family in the future. With the help of the Shen family, she could have a smooth life.

But Shen Chuning has lived a new life and knows that many things are not as simple as his elders think. Only when he has more chips in his hand can he have more say in some things, instead of feeling deeply powerless about things he doesn't want to do, like in his previous life.

The Queen Mother looked at Shen Chuning with a determined look in her eyes, then looked at Old Madam Shen who was pretending to be angry, and she had a plan in her mind.

"Then I'll ask Jinyu when she comes to pay her respects tomorrow."

"A Ning has another request for the Queen Mother."

"Go ahead."

"Last time, An Ning and the Sixth Princess had some conflicts in the palace. A six or seven-year-old child came to Chu Ning's rescue. An Ning is worried that the Sixth Princess will retaliate against him. Please, Queen Mother, take care of him."

"You are quite grateful and repay your kindness. I will send someone to investigate."

"Thank you, Queen Mother."