Chapter 119: This Is Your Cousin

Although she held no high opinion of Lin Yan, the girl had ultimately been hurt by Jun Ci, and she had done nothing to harm Shen Nanyuan herself. If Lin Yan had truly come to terms with things, it would be a very good thing indeed.

Let Jun Ci spend his time regretting the loss of the two people who loved him most within a single year.

However... Shen Nanyuan arched an eyebrow with interest. "How did you know about Lin Yan's situation?"

"Also, you always love excitement. Where were you during the Kite Festival? I didn't see you come to find me at all."

Gao Xueluo's smile stiffened. "I just heard about Lin Yan's situation. I had matters to attend to on the day of the Kite Festival, so I didn't go."

"Oh~" Shen Nanyuan dragged out the sound. "Matters, you say."

She looked at her with a teasing expression. "Is it really 'matters,' or were you with someone else?"

"..." Gao Xueluo met her mocking gaze and sighed in compromise. "I couldn't help it. I wanted to come find you and fly kites together; I had been looking forward to it for so long. But unexpectedly, the Liu family came to the Gao residence, and my father insisted that I go to the Kite Festival with Liu Yuli. I had no desire to go out with him."

"He didn't want to go with me either, so we perfunctorily wandered around the capital for a while and then turned back. But who would have thought that his father and mine were acting like they were doing it on purpose? They kept trying to set us up these past few days. With no other choice, we just found a secluded spot in the Gao residence to hide away. That’s how we ended up talking, and in the process, we touched upon Lin Yan. Liu Yuli mentioned that Lin Yan is leaving the capital soon and had invited Jun Ci to meet one last time."

"She probably won't be returning to the capital again."

"It was only with great difficulty that I managed to find the time to see you today."

Shen Nanyuan teased with a sly smile, "That’s good. The first step to changing an impression is to talk. After chatting for a while, you might just talk your way into some feelings."

Gao Xueluo: "..."

She said firmly, "Impossible. There will never be any feelings between him and me."

Seeing her so adamant, Shen Nanyuan didn't tease her much further. After they chatted for a while longer, Gao Xueluo left. Not long after, a maid from Lady Shen's side walked in from outside Shaohua Courtyard and bowed: "Young Lady, the Madam requests your presence."

Upon reaching the main hall, Shen Nanyuan saw not only Lady Shen and Shen Sinian but also a young girl standing there. She appeared to be about the same age as her, dressed without makeup yet looking exquisitely moving, with skin like jade and ice—a true beauty. Lady Shen seemed quite close to her, holding the girl’s hand as they spoke. Shen Nanyuan walked over with a faint smile: "Mother."

Lady Shen beamed, her face filled with affection.

"Nanyuan, come here. This is your cousin, Miaofu. It has been a long time since you two last met; I recall it was when you were seven or eight years old. How the years have flown by."

Wu Miaofu turned and bowed gracefully, her pearly teeth flashing as her eyes curved into crescents: "Cousin."

"Miaofu is approaching her coming-of-age ceremony, so she will be staying at our estate for a while," Lady Shen said. "The courtyard has already been prepared for you. Later, have your cousin take you over and familiarize yourself with the Duke’s Mansion. If you wish to go out and see the capital tomorrow, your cousin and brother can accompany you."

Lady Shen clearly doted on this niece. Shen Nanyuan and Shen Sinian exchanged glances and smilingly agreed.

"Of course. Cousin, you must be exhausted from the journey; please rest first. Tomorrow, I will take you to see the capital."

"Then Miaofu thanks you, Cousin."

She seemed somewhat bashful, a faint pink flush coloring her cheeks.

Her gaze swept over the fine silk and satin worn by Shen Nanyuan and then fell upon her own simple cloth garments. A flicker of something dimmed in her eyes, and her hands clenched tightly.

The courtyard Lady Shen had prepared for Wu Miaofu was neither too large nor too small, but it was fully equipped and kept spotlessly clean. The bedding was brand new, and she had been assigned four or five maids who were currently busy working in the courtyard.

The maid who had accompanied Wu Miaofu seemed to be seeing such a refined courtyard for the first time, her mouth agape in slight astonishment. After a glance from Wu Miaofu, she quickly lowered her head to mask her expression and followed closely by her side.

Shen Nanyuan turned back; she was beautiful and fair-skinned, and even the silk she wore seemed to pale in comparison to her radiance. "Cousin, you must be tired. Please rest; when I am free, I will take you to familiarize yourself with the Duke’s Mansion."

She smiled faintly, her hair adorned with countless pearls and emeralds, sparkling brilliantly. As she moved, the tassels swayed, emitting a soft, crisp sound. "If you need anything, just instruct the servants, or if there is anything else you need, have the servants bring you to Shaohua Courtyard."

Wu Miaofu lowered her eyes and curtsied: "Thank you, Cousin."

Shen Nanyuan had given all the necessary instructions: "Then I shall take my leave."

"Safe travels, Cousin."

Watching Shen Nanyuan and her maids exit the courtyard, Wu Miaofu finally turned and whispered: "Let's go inside."

The interior was even more exquisite, filled with a subtle, luxurious refinement. Wu Miaofu looked around, her gaze finally settling on her maid, Liu'er, her brow knitting slightly.

"Do not show such an expression; it makes us look like we’ve never seen the world. If others find out, they will surely mock us for being from the countryside."

Liu'er hurriedly lowered her head: "Yes, Young Lady."

Having lived in a small place for so long, suddenly arriving in the prosperous capital and staying in the world-renowned Duke’s Mansion, she simply couldn't control her reaction to everything she saw.

When the young lady of the Duke’s Mansion had first appeared, her noble air and peerless beauty had left her stunned. She thought that the renowned Princess Yong'an was truly breathtaking, elegant, and graceful—qualities they would never see in their hometown.

But their mistress was someone who cared deeply about face, so Liu'er dared not look or say anything more.

Wu Miaofu lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea to moisten her throat, but she couldn't stop herself from recalling everything Shen Nanyuan wore. A sense of inferiority welled up, and her hand tightened around the teacup.

Her own looks were considered famous for miles around, but upon arriving in the capital and seeing her cousin, she finally understood what a gap truly was.

Everything in the Duke’s Mansion... was something theirs could never compare to.

Wu Miaofu couldn't help but bite her lower lip.

—

"Uncle sent Cousin here this time because he intends for Mother to help her find a good husband."

Shen Sinian lifted his teacup slowly. "Mother and Uncle haven't seen each other for years, so she is naturally very attentive to her niece. In a few days, once Cousin has rested, Mother will likely begin helping her find a suitable match."