Volume One, Chapter Five: The Design

He slammed his hand heavily on the table and scolded, “Scoundrel! Tell her to come to my study tomorrow! I will properly reprimand this ungrateful brat who knows no respect for hierarchy!”

Madam Liu couldn’t help but smile with delight, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly, yet she still feigned concern as she gently patted Shen Dengda’s back and whispered, “Master, don’t let anger harm your health. Dai’er is still young and sometimes thoughtless. Perhaps she’ll improve as she grows older. Maybe she was just delayed by something today. It’s true she shouldn’t have been late, but usually we would just wait. Today, with so many elders present, her behavior was... ah, it’s all my fault as her mother.”

Shen Qingdai lowered her gaze. Although Madam Liu’s words seemed reasonable on the surface, upon closer listening, she realized they only served to fuel Shen Dengda’s anger rather than soothe it.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Shen Dengda grew even angrier, his face dark as the bottom of a pot.

Feeling the moment was right, Shen Qingdai stepped into the room, only to find the entire tableful of relatives frozen and staring at her.

She fixed a steady look on Madam Liu, a faint smile playing on her lips. First, she respectfully acknowledged the hierarchy and seniority, bowing one by one to the assembled kin.

After the greetings, an uneasy silence fell.

Clearing his throat, Shen Dengda looked at Shen Qingdai somewhat awkwardly but still displeased. “Though you arrived late, your manners were proper. Sit beside your second aunt.”

Obediently, Shen Qingdai nodded, bowed slightly, and took her seat with impeccable poise. Every movement was measured as if by a ruler, leaving Madam Liu unable to find fault.

Noticing Madam Liu’s forced smile, Shen Qingdai’s lips curled slightly as she softly said, “Mother just mentioned the bird’s nest. I must defend myself a little.”

She glanced timidly at Shen Dengda before continuing, “I did not dislike or refuse the bird’s nest. Though my knowledge is limited, I understand it’s a precious item. Third Sister was unhappy because Mother gave it to me and not her, so I had someone bring the bird’s nest to her instead…”

Madam Liu quickly interrupted, “Good child, your Third Sister is not so petty. You must have misunderstood her.”

Shen Qingdai smirked inwardly but smiled more gently on the surface. “Mother, I understand. Still, Second Aunt is right—my status is not as honorable as Third Sister’s. Such rare delicacies should go to her. I only worry that Father and Mother might misunderstand me.”

Madam Liu’s smile was strained. This little vixen, usually so timid, dared to speak up today. She hurried to say, “You child, status doesn’t matter in my eyes. You are all the same. Don’t say such things again.”

Though a smile graced Shen Qingdai’s face, it did not reach her eyes. Equality? Even the least discerning would doubt that.

With the matter seemingly settled, Second Madam grew displeased, still remembering how Shen Qingdai had been ignored upon entering.

She spoke sharply, “Second Miss, this is the New Year’s Eve family banquet with everyone present. You come so late and disrespect the elders. Do you know you have sinned?”

Shen Qingdai, relieved to find an opening to bring this up, smiled warmly and said, “Second Aunt, that’s a misunderstanding. Though still ill, I have constantly kept the banquet in mind and would never neglect the elders. Just as I was about to leave, Mother sent someone to tell me to rest and that I needn’t come to pay respects or keep vigil.”

She blinked back tears and looked softly at Madam Liu. “Since Mother was so considerate, how could I take advantage and be spoiled? I prepared and came nonetheless, only a bit late. I only wished to show my devotion to our ancestors and elders. I even feared Mother would blame me for dragging my illness here…”

Madam Liu, however, had no patience to listen further. The feast was about to begin, but Shen Manxuan was nowhere to be seen. Earlier, she had joked that Manxuan was in the back preparing a dish for the elders herself. Knowing her daughter’s nature, she wouldn’t appear until the last moment. Still, this was later than usual.

Second Madam looked to Madam Liu, wanting her to speak up, but seeing her silent, she reluctantly held her tongue. After all, this was the main wife’s household; she was not fully informed.

Shen Dengda’s expression softened but remained stern. “Enough. Since it’s a misunderstanding, let it pass for now. Don’t mention it again.”

Shen Qingdai quickly lowered her head and whispered, “Yes, daughter understands.”

With that, she had cleared this hurdle. But tomorrow, the one to be scolded and made to kneel would be someone else.

Nanny Liu quietly approached Madam Liu’s side and whispered, “Madam, Miss refuses to come.”

Shen Qingdai had been watching Madam Liu closely. Seeing her face suddenly change, she couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. It seemed Shen Manxuan’s side was truly in trouble.

Madam Liu rose, forcing a smile. “One of the maids clumsily knocked over a jar in the back. I’ll go check.”

Shen Qingdai would never give her the chance to summon Shen Manxuan. Rising obediently, she said softly, “Mother, the hour of the rat is near, and the dishes are being served. Perhaps it’s better to finish the reunion dinner first, then handle it?”

Shen Dengda nodded in agreement. “Sit down. It’s nothing serious. We can deal with it later.”

With Shen Dengda’s word, Madam Liu had no choice but to sit reluctantly, sending Nanny Liu once more to call Shen Manxuan. Her gaze toward Shen Qingdai was tinged with irritation.

Shen Manxuan, for some reason, had thrown a tantrum. Madam Liu felt overwhelmed; if she started eating before Manxuan arrived, she would surely be scolded tomorrow…

Twisting the handkerchief in her hands, Madam Liu gazed absentmindedly toward the doorway. Shen Qingdai smiled faintly and turned to Shen Dengda, speaking gently, “Father, why hasn’t Third Sister arrived today? I wanted to ask her about the new tricks her master taught her recently.”

Shen Dengda suddenly realized and looked to Madam Liu. “Manxuan still hasn’t come? Does that dish really take so long to prepare?”

At that moment, a maid rushed in anxiously, wanting to whisper something to Madam Liu.

Even Shen Dengda, usually slow, sensed something wrong. He slammed the table again, eyes fixed sharply on the maid. “If you have something to confess, say it now! Don’t hide anything!”

The maid instinctively looked at Madam Liu. Madam Liu’s heart tightened, clutching her handkerchief nervously as she glanced at Shen Dengda. “Master…”

Ignoring her, Shen Dengda stared the maid down. “Speak! Do you want to be sold off? Am I not the head of this family, unworthy to know and discipline my household?”

The maid knelt hastily, eyes shifty, stammering, “Master, it’s… Third Miss threw a tantrum… refused to come to the main hall and even quarreled with Nanny Liu…”