CHAPTER 38 — The Fourth Miss Returns
1102 Words
Snow covered the Shen residence like a white burial shroud.
Lanterns flickered softly across the massive estate while servants hurried through the courtyards in nervous excitement after receiving news of the imperial convoy's return.
The Shen family had not expected attention tonight.
Especially not imperial attention.
Yet now—
royal escort soldiers stood directly outside their gates.
And at the center of it all—
the Fourth Miss had returned.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The moment Shen Yue stepped down from the carriage, the atmosphere within the courtyard shifted completely.
Servants lowered their heads instantly.
Several family members stared openly in disbelief.
Even the old steward looked shaken.
Because this was no longer the same neglected Fourth Miss who left for the imperial hunt weeks ago.
No.
Something about her presence had changed entirely.
Calmer.
Sharper.
And perhaps most unsettling—
important people now revolved around her existence.
Madam Shen hurried forward quickly beneath heavy cloaks, her expression unusually warm tonight.
"Yue'er!"
The woman grabbed Shen Yue's hands immediately.
"You've finally returned safely!"
Shen Yue quietly observed her stepmother.
Interesting.
Before the imperial hunt, Madam Shen barely acknowledged her existence unless necessary.
Now?
Affection overflowed everywhere.
How fascinating.
Shen Yue lowered her eyes slightly.
"This daughter worried Mother."
Madam Shen smiled gently.
But beneath that smile—
calculation flickered clearly.
Of course.
The capital's rumors spread faster than wildfire already.
Everyone knew the Fourth Miss gained favor from both the Crown Prince and Lord Valin during the imperial hunt.
And within noble households—
favor meant opportunity.
Nearby—
Shen Rong, the Third Miss of the Shen family, stood frozen beneath the snowfall.
Her face looked pale.
Unbelieving.
Impossible.
This was impossible.
How did Shen Yue become like this?
Before leaving—
she was still the same quiet, pitiful girl everyone ignored.
Yet now—
even royal guards escorted her home personally.
The jealousy twisting inside Shen Rong felt almost unbearable.
Then suddenly—
another carriage stopped outside the residence gates.
Imperial insignia.
The entire Shen family immediately stiffened.
An imperial eunuch stepped forward calmly while several palace guards carried elegant wooden chests behind him.
"Imperial decree!"
Everyone instantly knelt within the snowy courtyard.
Shen Yue's eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
Fast.
Very fast.
The eunuch smiled smoothly.
"By His Majesty's command…"
"The Fourth Miss Shen Yue displayed courage during the imperial hunt and assisted imperial forces during the assassination attempts."
A pause.
"His Majesty rewards Fourth Miss Shen with jade ornaments, silk, and medicinal treasures."
Shock spread visibly through the courtyard.
Imperial rewards.
Public rewards.
Dangerous rewards.
Because this officially confirmed Shen Yue's importance before the entire capital.
The eunuch continued smiling.
"Additionally…"
"His Majesty invites Fourth Miss Shen to attend the Winter Palace Banquet three nights from now."
Silence crashed heavily afterward.
Even Madam Shen's breathing hitched faintly.
The Winter Palace Banquet.
Only high-ranking nobles and politically significant individuals attended such gatherings.
Yet Shen Yue—
the previously ignored Fourth Miss—
received direct invitation personally.
Interesting.
Very interesting indeed.
The eunuch finished the decree before leaving quickly afterward.
But the atmosphere inside the Shen residence had already changed permanently.
Servants stared toward Shen Yue differently now.
Respectfully.
Fearfully.
Even the family elders who once ignored her entirely now looked thoughtful.
Because everyone understood one thing.
The Fourth Miss had become valuable.
And valuable things inside noble households were never left alone peacefully.
Meanwhile—
far across the capital—
inside the western military district—
Chu Wenzhe removed his bloodstained armor slowly inside a dimly lit chamber.
The room remained silent except for the soft crackling of burning charcoal nearby.
A trusted subordinate stood respectfully several distances away.
"My Lord."
Chu Wenzhe's voice remained flat.
"What?"
"The Emperor announced the Winter Palace Banquet."
The subordinate hesitated briefly.
"And Fourth Miss Shen received direct invitation."
Silence followed.
Then—
Chu Wenzhe continued removing his armor calmly.
No reaction.
Yet somehow—
the subordinate sensed the atmosphere grow colder anyway.
Interesting.
Very interesting indeed.
The soldier carefully continued:
"Several noble families already prepare marriage proposals toward the Shen residence."
This time—
Chu Wenzhe paused slightly.
Only slightly.
Then finally—
"So quickly."
The subordinate lowered his head further.
"Fourth Miss Shen's reputation has risen rapidly after the hunt."
Indeed.
Too rapidly perhaps.
Chu Wenzhe quietly remembered Shen Yue standing beneath collapsing mountains earlier.
Calm even amid death.
Sharp enough to notice battlefield traps before trained soldiers.
Different from everyone else within the capital.
Interesting woman.
Dangerous woman.
Then unexpectedly—
another thought crossed his mind.
The Winter Palace Banquet.
A place filled with smiling snakes and political schemes.
Troublesome.
Very troublesome.
Meanwhile—
inside the Crown Prince's palace—
Xu Yan stood beside an open window watching snowfall cover the imperial city quietly.
Several documents rested untouched beside him.
His thoughts remained elsewhere tonight.
Specifically—
on Shen Yue.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
A trusted advisor approached cautiously.
"Your Highness."
Xu Yan didn't turn.
"Yes?"
"The Emperor's invitation toward Fourth Miss Shen caused considerable discussion already."
Naturally.
The advisor hesitated before continuing:
"Several ministers believe His Majesty intends to select a marriage alliance during the banquet."
Silence.
The snow outside drifted endlessly through the capital night.
Then suddenly—
Xu Yan smiled softly.
A dangerous smile.
"My father truly moves quickly."
The advisor carefully lowered his voice further.
"Your Highness should perhaps avoid becoming too involved."
Interesting advice.
Xu Yan finally turned slightly.
And for the first time tonight—
his eyes revealed something cold and possessive beneath the elegance.
"Too late."
The advisor immediately lowered his head completely.
Because that answer itself felt dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Meanwhile—
back inside the Shen residence—
Shen Yue sat quietly within her chamber while examining the imperial invitation laid across the table.
The Winter Palace Banquet.
A trap hidden beneath luxury.
She already understood that much.
The Emperor intended to observe her personally.
Perhaps pressure her.
Perhaps arrange marriage publicly.
Interesting.
Very interesting indeed.
Suddenly—
her window shifted softly.
Shen Yue's eyes sharpened instantly.
A shadow figure knelt silently outside.
Valin shadow guard.
The man respectfully presented a sealed black envelope before disappearing again without a word.
Fast.
Silent.
Terrifyingly skilled.
Shen Yue opened the letter carefully.
Inside—
only one sentence appeared in sharp black ink.
"The banquet will not be peaceful."
No signature.
None needed.
Shen Yue quietly stared at the message for several long moments.
Then slowly—
despite the danger surrounding her from every direction—
a faint smile finally touched her lips.
Because somehow—
the coldest man in the empire had begun warning her before danger arrived.
- Writer
