Rebirth of a Concubine's Daughter

Shen Nanyan brought the warmed soy milk to the old lady and sat down beside her.

"This time, my brother fell ill and missed the imperial examination. He's been feeling guilty and has lost his appetite. These past two days, one of his classmates suggested that since our family are all civil servants, perhaps my brother could join the army. Wouldn't that mean he could be both civil and military? My eldest brother could pass the imperial examination and enter the court, while my second brother would fight in the battlefield, protecting the people. Then, our Shen family would have more than just the present glory. I think my brother listened to them, and that's why he's been training so hard every day."

"Oh...he does have this idea. What do you think?"

The old lady's clear eyes showed some thought.

"Granddaughter, just sit and watch."

"You little rascal, that's your brother, can you bear to let him go to the battlefield?"

"It's useless for me to think like that. Grandmother and Father still have to make the decision on this matter. However, I think it's better to spread out our resources rather than put all our eggs in one basket. After all, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. The emperor is old, the court is turbulent, and the future is uncertain. Most importantly, civil officials can be replaced at any time as long as they have knowledge. But it's different for generals. As long as they are loyal, they will always be needed by the court. As long as they are valuable, they have a bargaining chip to save their lives."

The old lady held the cup and didn't speak for a long time. Shen Nanyan's words echoed in her mind for a long time.

Over the years, the old lady has been restraining her son, not allowing him to participate in party struggles, and not allowing him to join any side. She only wanted him to be loyal to the emperor, so that he would be cautious and be a loyal minister, so that the Shen family would not encounter any misfortune. After all, if the wrong master is chosen, the whole family will be beheaded.

She actually agreed with her granddaughter's words to some extent. Most of the civil officials gave advice and counsel, and if something really happened, they had to rely on these generals. If Shen Yunzhi could really achieve something, not only would the Shen family be more stable, but his status in the court would also be even higher than it is now.

"Who taught you these things?"

"Auntie, you always taught me and my brother to be careful with our words and actions, to put the interests and honor of the entire mansion first, and to think long-term in everything, not just about immediate gains."

"How could your aunt say such a thing?"

"Of course, Grandmother, my aunt is not Daddy's wife, nor is she the apple of his eye, so she doesn't want to stand out in everything, in order not to upset Daddy. But this doesn't mean that my aunt is a woman who knows nothing."

"Well, without a good family background and a husband to rely on, I really have to be very cautious in order to find a chance of survival in the cracks."

"Grandma, your birthday is next month. Yan'er, could you please let Auntie take charge of this celebration? But this matter must be kept strictly confidential. When the time comes, just tell everyone that it's Madam who's hosting it. Yan'er just wants Auntie to have this one chance. This may be her only chance to prove herself in this life. Grandma, just know this."

"The credit for your aunt's achievements goes to Madam. Isn't this unfair to your aunt?"

"I don't feel wronged, I don't feel wronged. As long as Grandmother is happy and Auntie has achieved something, that's enough."

"It's still early, no need to rush. I asked Nanny Yin to prepare some sweet soup. Please give it to your brother and let him rest. He has just recovered from a serious illness, so don't come to pay your respects."

Shen Nanyan lowered her eyes, and when she raised her little face again, there was no sign of displeasure on her face. She saluted the old lady obediently, then left with Caifu.

She had already said what she wanted to say, and the old lady would have her own thoughts. Besides, she should discuss these matters with Shen Zongyuan, so there was no need to be impatient.

But if he discussed it with Shen Zongyuan, he probably wouldn't agree to let Aunt Su help the old lady. This is Aunt Lan's chance to show off. How could he not win the old lady's favor for his white moonlight? The old lady has always disliked Aunt Lan.

In the afternoon, Shen Nanyan asked Caifu to send a bowl of ice jelly to Aunt Su. The ice jelly was crystal clear and had a hint of coolness. It was the most comfortable to eat at the end of summer. However, this ice jelly was not for Aunt Su to eat. She was asked to send it to Shen Zongyuan, because she didn't want Shen Zongyuan to focus only on Aunt Lan.

Sure enough, that night, Shen Zongyuan stayed in Aunt Su's courtyard, and this continued for three days. Aunt Lan couldn't stand it anymore, so she smashed the teacup and asked someone to invite Shen Zongyuan to her place. However, before the maid left, Shen Nanyue came to the door first.

"Why is the Second Miss here so late?"

"Didn't Aunt Lan ask someone to invite Daddy so late at night?"

"My body and mind are in great pain."

"Shouldn't you call a doctor if you're feeling unwell? Caifu, get someone to find a doctor to take Aunt Lan's pulse."

"Oh... no, no, it feels a little better now."

Shen Nanyue picked up the teacup and tasted it carefully. Such good tea had never appeared in Aunt Su's courtyard. It was obvious that Shen Zongyuan really sent all the good things to Aunt Lan.

"Auntie Lan, you are a smart person. You know why I appear in your courtyard at this time."

"It's just to help your aunt stop me."

"Father will hand over the Shen family sooner or later. Who do you think Aunt Lan will hand it over to?"

"You don't have to say this. I naturally thought of it. I also wanted to win over your aunt before, but she didn't express her opinion."

If she had to choose between Shen Yunyi and Shen Yunzhi, Aunt Lan would definitely choose Shen Yunzhi. She naturally knew the pros and cons.

Although she could also bow to Mrs. Lu and rely on Shen Yunyi in the future, Mrs. Lu might not be willing to do so. As a mistress, how could she stand on the same side with a concubine? She looked down on Aunt Lan.

"Is it necessary to prove your loyalty to the bandits?"

"What does Aunt Su want?"

"First, you can't monopolize Daddy's favor. Second, Aunt Su has to host Grandmother's birthday banquet."

"Don't even think about it! I'm the housekeeper now. If your aunt takes care of the birthday banquet, where will I be?"

Aunt Lan was so angry that she stood up. She was not Shen Zongyuan's only woman. It was understandable that he favored Aunt Su occasionally, but she could not share the housekeeper power she had just won with others.

"Don't get excited, Aunt Lan. My aunt isn't trying to compete with you for the position of housekeeper. I just want to give you a chance to prove yourself, so she won't always be hesitant and feel worthless. Besides, my aunt isn't in the name of this birthday banquet, and we won't publicize it. It means the public will know that it's you or your wife who's hosting it, and you'll be able to relax. Why not?"

"Would your aunt be willing?"

"She doesn't have any ambitions, so she's definitely unwilling. I just want her to try. If she fails, you can take over. Wouldn't that make you look even more capable? Even Grandmother would look up to you."

Aunt Lan sat down slowly, her handkerchief rolled into a ball in her hands, her eyes fixed on the flickering candlelight, her brows full of deep thought.

Shen Nanyue was not in a hurry, but just waited quietly. She knew that there must be something in her words just now that attracted Aunt Lan, otherwise she would not have thought about it for so long.

After a long time, Aunt Lan nodded, and the two reached an agreement to help each other and benefit each other. Only then did Shen Nanyan leave.

After going out, Shen Nanyan stopped and looked back at Aunt Lan's yard, with indifference and mockery in her eyes.

In the previous life, my grandmother died at the hands of Aunt Lan and her daughter.