Rebirth of a Concubine's Daughter

On the day the army set out, Lu Jiusi led his men out of the city before dawn. Twenty thousand men rode on horseback, just to get to the border as quickly as possible. The court's food and fodder had left Beijing a few days ago. Shang Ci also arranged for a team of people to go first with grenades and some food and fodder to ensure that there would be no accidents.

Aunt Su and Shen Nanyue were stopped in the mansion by Shen Yunzhi early in the morning. The mother and daughter could only see Shen Yunzhi out of the mansion and watch his back getting farther and farther away.

Aunt Su returned to her room with a worried look on her face. Shen Nanyan comforted her for a long time before she was reluctantly relieved. At this time, Shen Nanyan took out a small bottle from her arms and handed it to Aunt Su.

"what is this?"

"It's a blood-replenishing medicine. Although Grandma has recovered, she still feels weak and is about to catch a cold. Mother, you can make a bowl of soup for Grandma every day and put a pill in the soup. In less than half a month, Grandma will be in good spirits."

"You should give this wonderful thing to your grandmother yourself, so she can remember your kindness."

"It doesn't matter to my daughter. Grandmother remembers my mother's kindness. It will benefit both my daughter and my brother!"

Aunt Su raised her hand and touched Shen Nanyan's little face with a loving smile.

"My Yan'er is really different from before."

"That's natural. My daughter has grown up. By the way, mother, take this medicine and you'll feel better. When the sun is shining, take grandma out for a walk more often."

"Okay, the old lady is just feeling lazy now, so she should walk more."

Shen Nanyan thought about it for several days and decided that the old lady had to expose the affair of Concubine Lan, no one else could do it. The one who had an affair with Concubine Lan was Shen Yunyi, and Mrs. Lu would definitely suppress the matter for the sake of her son. Shen Zongyuan might also endure it alone for the sake of Concubine Lan or for his own face, but the old lady was different. She didn't like Concubine Lan in the first place, and now that such a scandal had happened, she would never tolerate Concubine Lan again no matter what.

When the facts were laid out before him, even if Shen Zongyuan wanted to speak for Aunt Lan, he couldn't say a word. Aunt Lan would either be drowned in a pond or beaten to death. It all depended on her fate.

The pills that Shen Nanyan gave to Aunt Su were very effective. Within ten days, Shen Nanyan saw Aunt Su accompanying the old lady for a walk in the garden. The old lady also looked more energetic, her complexion was much rosier, and her voice was louder and stronger. Shen Nanyan estimated that once the old lady was in better spirits, her plan could be implemented.

Half a month later, Princess Chunxi, who had not been seen for a long time, came again. It happened that Aunt Su was also in Shen Nanyue's room. Aunt Su was about to salute Princess Chunxi, but was helped up by Princess Chunxi.

"Don't be so polite, Aunt Su. You don't have to be so polite when you see me in the future."

Aunt Su was panicked. This was the princess, and she was just a concubine. How could she be so rude to her?

"I dare not, I am of humble status."

"Yan'er and I are friends, and you are Yan'er's mother, so there is no need to be formal with me. I came here in a hurry today and didn't bring anything for you, so please accept this bracelet."

After saying that, Princess Chunxi took off a gold bracelet from her wrist and tried to put it on Aunt Su's hand. Aunt Su was so scared that she almost knelt down.

"Absolutely not! Princess, you are embarrassing me. How can I be worthy of such a precious thing?"

"It's not expensive at all, it's just a bracelet. I think it's not too much to buy a golden Buddha statue for you, Auntie. Please keep it."

Princess Chunxi ignored Aunt Su's refusal and forcibly put the bracelet on Aunt Su's wrist, refusing to let her take it off. The two of them were struggling, and Shen Nanyue stopped Aunt Su with a smile.

"Mother, since Princess Chunxi is giving it to you sincerely, please accept it. I will return one to her someday."

"What do you know? I'm just a concubine. How can I want the princess's things?"

"What you said is wrong, Auntie. Concubines are also human beings. If anyone in this mansion dares to bully you, just tell me and I will chop him down... No... No, I mean I will go to the palace and tell the emperor to take care of things for you, hehehe..."

"Pfft, the emperor still cares about the affairs of these women in the backyard."

Shen Nanyan felt that Princess Chunxi was a little strange today, but she couldn't tell what was wrong.

"If I say he's in charge, he has to be in charge."

"Yan'er, please ask the princess to sit down. I'll have someone prepare some fruit so you can have a good chat."

Although Aunt Su didn't know what was going on with Princess Chunxi, girls would definitely talk about personal matters when they were together, and they wouldn't feel comfortable with her being here, so she made an excuse to leave. However, Princess Chunxi grabbed her and pressed her down on the chair.

"Auntie, please sit down too. I want to talk to Yan'er, so you can listen to it."

"But I don't understand anything."

"It's related to Yan'er, you must understand."

Shen Nanyan also sat down curiously.

"It could be related to me, tell me."

"Winter is coming, and I'm not feeling well. I'd like to stay at Cuihua Palace for a few days. There's a hot spring pool there, and soaking there is good for the body. But it's boring for me to go alone, so I hope Yan'er can accompany me. I wonder if Auntie would agree."

As soon as Princess Chunxi said this, Aunt Su felt her wrist burning.

No wonder Princess Chunxi insisted on giving me something. It seemed like she was waiting for me here. But if I took off the bracelet now, it wouldn’t look good. Aunt Su was at a loss for a moment.

"Princess, you want me to accompany you to the temporary palace. That is a temporary palace. Who am I to go in?"

It’s not that Shen Nanyan is unwilling to accompany her, but she has more important things to do and can’t delay.

"The Emperor hasn't been to the palace for over ten years. What are you afraid of? I can take you there. Don't worry, Auntie. What do you mean?"

"I...I am..."

"Princess, please don't ask my mother. I need to think about this first. Mother, it's almost time. Grandmother should take her medicine. Please go to Luxiangzhai."

"Yes, I almost forgot, Princess. I'll go take care of the old lady and help her take her medicine."

"Okay, Auntie, take care. Shuangye, help me see Auntie Su out."

"Princess, no, no, how can I bear it?"

"As you should, Auntie, don't feel burdened."

The princess insisted, and Aunt Su had no choice but to follow the princess's maid Shuang out of the house. As a concubine, she really didn't know how much face she had gained today. I'm afraid that all the concubines in the capital would not dare to think about such a thing.

After Aunt Su left, Princess Chunxi slapped Shen Nanyue on the shoulder.

"You two didn't agree on this, what's wrong?"

"What? Who?"

"You and Lu Jiusi, didn't he ask me to pick you up? You said you were going to the palace with me, but you actually had other things to do away from home? Why are you refusing me? Did you not explain clearly, or did Lu Jiusi trick me?"

"Is that so? He asked you to pick me up, but... he didn't say a word to me. How would I know he arranged it this way? I thought you were sincerely inviting me to the palace to see the world."

"I was wondering, you guys made me feel awkward. I guess you didn't agree on this. So why don't you come with me to the palace for a few days? We've already said it."

"No, I have something to do."

"Well, there's still something going on."

The two of them agreed that Princess Chunxi would come to pick up Shen Nanyan and take her to the palace three days later. With the princess as a shield, Shen Zongyuan couldn't stop her even if he was unwilling. As long as they left the city, Shen Nanyan could rush to the border and meet up with Lu Jiusi.

But when Shen Nanyan thought of Lu Jiusi, she still felt upset and didn't know what was wrong with him.