Quick Transmigration: Survive to the End

Princess Jinyang's statement that she would stay in her hometown with her children to observe mourning for her husband was not a joke.

She did indeed order someone to build a hut next to the tomb of Marquis Xin, but because she was taking care of the infant Shen Ruyin, the things used inside were of the highest quality.

The Shen family has been stationed on the border for generations, dedicating themselves to the country and already enjoying a good reputation among the people. Now, Princess Jinyang is observing three years of mourning with her child, which only adds to the Shen family's good name.

Seeing that the Shen family had already completed their mourning period and Princess Jinyang showed no intention of returning to the capital, letters began to arrive from the capital one after another.

Shen Ruyin picked flowers in the garden and carried them all the way to the main courtyard, where she saw her mother and brother opening letters.

Curious, she leaned closer for a look: "From the capital again?"

Eight-year-old Shen Ye held her in his arms and teased her with a smile, "Little sister is so smart, she guessed it right away."

Shen Ruyin proudly separated a flower and handed it to her brother: "Brother is smart too. I take after our parents and brother."

After Princess Jinyang finished reading the letter, she casually put it aside, and a cluster of flowers gathered around it.

“These are for Mother,” Shen Ruyin said, subtly pushing the letters aside. “What kind of vase would Mother like to use for the flowers today?”

Princess Jinyang saw her daughter's actions but did not point it out: "Just use the straw basket you bought from the street a few days ago."

Once the items were retrieved, the family discussed how to rearrange the flowers. In the end, they chose the one suggested by Shen Ruyin, which had the most rustic charm.

Seeing them enjoying each other's company, the maids and servants quietly withdrew, leaving only Granny Lin and Hongling in front of them.

The room was filled with trustworthy people, so Princess Jinyang said, "My family is already in mourning, so the excuse that I refused to return to the capital before is no longer valid."

"If I were to be honest, I would love to live here with your father forever, but Ye'er still has to go back to inherit the title, so we have no choice but to make this trip."

Logically speaking, after Marquis Shen's death, Shen Ye, as his only son, should have directly become the new Marquis Xin.

However, the Ministry of Rites cited a provision, arguing that Shen Ye was still young and had not yet established himself, and requested the emperor to first bestow the title of heir apparent.

The emperor argued with them briefly in court, but still followed the law and first conferred the title of Heir Apparent of the Marquis of Xin upon Shen Ye.

Therefore, the emperor even sent someone to the Marquis's residence to assure Princess Jinyang that once Shen Ye reached the required age, he would immediately issue an edict to confer a marquis title upon him.

Princess Jinyang felt uneasy, but the emperor hadn't said he wouldn't grant Shen Ye a title. He had just created a time difference, making it difficult for the nobles who wanted to speak up for his family to do so. They could only acquiesce.

At that time, the nobles didn't give the officials of the Ministry of Rites a friendly look. The Ministry of Rites had no way to speak up. Fortunately, Princess Jinyang didn't say anything and properly allowed Shen Ye to receive the title of heir apparent.

Shen Ye is now over eight years old. After arriving in the capital, he will be around nine years old. The emperor pretended to be deaf and dumb, but after arriving in the capital, no one could use this as an excuse to deny him a title.

Hearing her mother sigh, Shen Ruyin knew that her worry wasn't about the title, but rather about what was written in the letter: the emperor intended to send Shen Ye to the palace to study with the princes.

“Mother,” Shen Ruyin touched her mother’s face and then stepped forward to kiss her, “Don’t worry, my brother and I have grown up and we will protect you.”

Shen Ye also said, "My sister is right, Mother. You have taught me so much these past three years. Don't you know how hard I am to fool now?"

Princess Jinyang was pleased that her children were so considerate, but she still had to give them a word of advice: "After you come to the capital, things will be different from when you are at home. Especially Ye'er, you are a boy and you will often be traveling outside. You must keep a close eye on the people around you."

Shen Ye looked like he was being taught a lesson. After listening to his mother nag for a few more minutes, he noticed that she seemed a little tired and said, "Mother, take a rest. I'll take my sister outside to play."

“Go ahead,” Princess Jinyang said, trusting her son to take care of her sister. “Take plenty of help with him.”

Shen Ruyin followed her brother out of the main courtyard and was picked up by the old woman waiting beside her.

"Brother, where are we going today?"

Shen Ye said, "Yipinlou has just released peach blossom pastries. Don't you always love these new foods? Let's go to Yipinlou and try them. If they're good, we can bring some back for Mother too."

Hearing that there was something delicious to eat, Shen Ruyin became impatient: "I'd like another serving of pea flour cake."

“Okay,” Shen Ye readily agreed, and took his sister into the carriage. Before long, they arrived outside Yipinlou.

Since they were outside and there was no rush, Shen Ruyin didn't ask anyone to carry her. Instead, she asked her brother to hold her hand and walk slowly.

Those who recognized Shen Ye came forward to greet the brother and sister: "Brother Shen, Sister Shen."

Shen Ye glanced at the person and smiled, "Brother Li, when did you arrive?"

The person he called Brother Li was Li Yuan, Shen Ye's classmate.

Although the Li family was not a noble family, they had served as officials for generations. Moreover, their temperaments suited Shen Ye's tastes, and the two had a good relationship. Shen Ruyin had met them a few times as a result.

"Brother Li Yuan," Shen Ruyin greeted him, then met a pair of curious eyes and a face as handsome as a fairy child.

Li Yuan realized what was happening and quickly introduced them: "This is my cousin Wei Ying, who is slightly older than Sister Shen."

Wei Ying?

Shen Ruyin felt the name sounded familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.

After Li Yuan explained which two words it was, Shen Ruyin had a flash of inspiration. Wasn't this the political enemy villain who was the contrasting character for the male lead in the story?

In the story, the male protagonist is cunning and maneuvering, climbing to a high position step by step through his own efforts, and he considers himself to be upright and honest.

Wei Ying, who served as his comparison, first gained favor with the emperor because of his good looks, and then became a favorite minister of the emperor. He used any means necessary, which was criticized by the people, but he rose all the way up, and finally fell from grace.

The male protagonist managed to extricate himself in time, while Wei Ying was purged after the new emperor ascended the throne and died on the way to exile.

Shen Ruyin felt that, putting everything else aside, as long as Wei Ying didn't become ugly, even if she just grew up proportionally, she would be good-looking enough. She was indeed a villain who could make a living off her looks, as certified by the plot.

Shen Ruyin glanced at Wei Ying, took a bite of the pastry, and before she knew it, she had finished the whole piece of pea flour cake.

When she went to get it again, she couldn't find the plate. She then realized that her brother had moved the pea flour cake far away at some point.

"Brother?" Shen Ruyin asked, somewhat puzzled. "I'd like to have another piece."

Shen Ye placed another plate of pastries in front of her: "If you eat pea flour cake again, you won't be able to eat peach blossom pastry."

Shen Ruyin immediately changed her snack to something else: "Thank you, brother, I'll have the peach blossom pastry."

Li Yuan sat opposite her, finding Shen Ruyin more and more adorable. She couldn't help but push the peach blossom pastries she had ordered towards her, saying, "Sister Shen, enjoy yours. I still have some here."

Shen Ye pushed it back to him directly: "Children don't have big appetites, one piece is enough, no more."

"Alright then," Li Yuan pushed the snacks towards Wei Ying again, "Does Ying-di want some?"

Wei Ying glanced at the pastries being pushed around, then looked at the same peach blossom pastry she had already eaten a little of.

A pair of big eyes looked at Li Yuan, her cousin.

stare--