(GL) After the Concubine-born Daughter Took the Heir’s Script - Chapter 1

In the spring of the fifth year of the Kaibao era, the blossoms swayed with the spring breeze and bloomed under the warm sunlight. The brilliant colors and drifting fragrance enchanted the bustling city of Bianliang.

A carriage, unassuming in appearance, left the lively streets and traveled along the official road for two steady days. It finally arrived at the serene and refined county town of Taikang, stopping in front of a quiet and elegant residence.

An older woman, over fifty with graying temples, stepped down from the carriage first. Once she was steady on her feet, she turned back toward the inside of the carriage and said, “Young Lady, we have arrived.”

As soon as her voice fell, a slim figure darted out from inside. The gauze hat on her head caught on the door frame and was flung off, revealing a youthful face behind the black veil.

She was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a teal gown. Her skin was pale, her features delicate, and her bright apricot eyes tilted slightly at the ends, adding a spirited charm that balanced between innocence and poised elegance.

Annoyed by the obstructive hat, the girl casually tossed it back into the carriage. Then she lifted her skirt and leapt off the carriage in one fluid motion.

The older woman, startled by the bold and unrestrained action, clutched her chest and called out, “Young Lady, be careful!”

“I’m not made of tofu, I won’t break so easily. Don’t worry, Nanny,” the girl said carelessly.

The old woman stepped forward to pull down the girl’s skirt and smooth the wrinkles, glancing around as she scolded, “I am telling you to be careful because others might see such an improper scene. When we were in Bianliang, you behaved so gently and with such grace. Now that we are back in Taikang, you are slipping back into your old habits.”

The girl, “….”

She wasn’t upset or discouraged by the lecture. Instead, she replied, “You call that graceful and proper. I think it was all fake delicacy and pretentiousness. I don’t understand why every time we go to Bianliang, Mother and all of you insist I wear that ridiculous hat and forbid me from speaking freely with others.”

If it was really about strict family rules, then how come back home in Taikang, she could ride horses, go hunting, drink wine, and her mother never said a word? Not only did her mother allow it, but she even praised her archery when she improved.

And Bianliang, being the capital, didn’t make its customs stricter either. From what she had seen, few noble daughters there wore veils, and some even strolled the streets alone or joked with men. Clearly, Bianliang wasn’t that conservative.

The old woman had no intention of arguing and simply said, “Madam has her own reasons for making you do these things.”

The girl pouted but soon felt relieved at the thought that she no longer needed to follow those rules now that she was home. She quickly and cheerfully ran into the house.

“Mother, Aunt, I’m back!”

Two women inside the residence heard her call and slowly came out from the inner hall.

Leading the way was a noble-looking woman dressed in a pale purple silk robe. Upon seeing the girl, she smiled warmly.

“You sent a letter three days ago saying you were coming back. Why did you only arrive today?”

The girl’s eyes lit up as she clung to the opportunity. “The carriage was too slow. Riding a horse would be faster. Mother, can I ride next time when I go to Bianliang?”

She thought her mother would refuse as usual, but to her surprise, the woman nodded. “Alright.”

“Really?!” The girl’s eyes widened with disbelief, then she beamed and hugged the woman, kissing her cheek. “Thank you, Mother!”

At that affectionate gesture, the woman standing slightly behind in a silver-gray fitted robe frowned and gave a pointed cough.

She appeared to be in her forties. Her expression was cold, though her features bore some resemblance to the girl.

Facing the girl, her expression softened slightly, but she still lacked the warmth of the woman in purple. Especially after seeing the kiss, her look turned faintly displeased.

The woman in purple gave her a meaningful glance, then said to the girl, “You haven’t greeted your Aunt yet.”

The girl quickly corrected herself. “Greetings, Aunt. I haven’t seen you for half a month. Have you been well?”

“Much better without you around to cause trouble,” the woman in gray said.

The girl blinked innocently. She had been out enjoying herself most of the time, even when staying at home. How could she possibly be causing trouble for her Aunt?

But she wasn’t really confused. Her Aunt clearly resented how close she was to her own mother.

Tch. What is her problem? That’s my mother. Isn’t it only natural for me to be close to her? Why is she so jealous all the time?

And why is she always here with my mother instead of attending Father?

She only dared to complain in her heart. If she said it out loud, her Aunt would surely give her the cold shoulder for days.

The woman in purple smiled gently. “Look at you, all dusty from the road. Go take a bath and change your clothes, then come and tell us all about the Princess’s wedding ceremony and what fun you had in Bianliang.”

“Alright!” the girl answered cheerfully.

‘Princess’s wedding’ referred to a royal marriage.

This time, it was Princess Yanqing, the Emperor’s second daughter, who had been married off. Her groom was the son of one of the founding generals, Military Commissioner Shi. The ceremony was expected to be lavish and grand.

Naturally, only the most noble and wealthy could attend.

The girl was Shen Ji, the legitimate daughter of Shen Yilu, the Deputy Minister of Revenue and Vice Military Affairs Commissioner. The woman in purple was his official wife, Yan Shu, honored as the Lady of Xianyou County. Though Shen Yilu was invited to attend the wedding, Yan Shu had declined, citing poor health. She had sent Shen Ji to Bianliang alone to meet her father and attend the wedding together.

Why Yan Shu and Shen Ji lived in Taikang instead of with Shen Yilu in Bianliang was a long story. For now, it remained untold.

After bathing and dressing, Shen Ji filled her belly with a bowl of fish stew. Once her exhaustion and hunger were settled, she returned to the inner hall to share her experiences from her half-month stay in Bianliang with Yan Shu and Aunt Tian.

Though her mother lived in Taikang, she was far from clueless about Bianliang, especially about national affairs. So Shen Ji focused on quirky stories from the marketplace and even brought back a few gossip pamphlets.

Yan Shu listened with a smile the whole time. Suddenly, she asked, “Did you see Li Yunyao from the Li family during your visit to Bianliang?”

Shen Ji had been speaking with enthusiasm, but her mother’s mention of her nemesis made her words catch in her throat.

With both her mother and Aunt staring at her, she muttered, “Why would I see her? That girl only has eyes for books. She hides at home all day and never goes out. How would I even run into her?”

“You sound a little upset that you didn’t get to see her,” Yan Shu said, stroking her chin and smirking mischievously, a gesture quite out of character for her dignified and gentle image.

Shen Ji: …

No, I do not!

She gave her mother a helpless look.

Yan Shu laughed. “Just teasing.”

Shen Ji didn’t take it as a joke. Her mother never used to ask about Li Yunyao. Why bring her up now? Did something happen?

She asked the question aloud.

Yan Shu turned to Madam Tian and said, “I told you this child looks carefree on the surface but is actually thoughtful. She would ask. I won. The pillow is yours.”

Madam Tian’s expression visibly darkened.

Shen Ji had no idea what riddle they were playing at. “What pillow? Did you find some rare treasure, Mother? But why does Aunt get it if you won?”

Madam Tian’s eyes brightened. Just as she was about to speak, Yan Shu pinched Shen Ji’s cheek. “Grown-ups’ matters are not for children to ask about.”

Shen Ji replied, “Mother, I’ve already had my coming-of-age ceremony. I’ll be sixteen soon. I am not a child anymore.”

Yan Shu’s smile faded a little, and she seemed to sigh. “You’re right. Your birthday is coming soon. I almost forgot.”

Shen Ji didn’t understand her mother’s sorrow, but as a good daughter, she felt she should try to offer comfort.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Yan Shu sighed again. “It is time you knew the truth.”

Shen Ji’s heart skipped a beat.

Could it be… her mother wanted to come out?

She spoke nervously. “Mother, don’t say it. I already know.”

Yan Shu and Madam Tian both looked shocked. “You know already?”

But it made sense. Someone was bound to gossip in front of her sooner or later.

“Of course!” Shen Ji lowered her voice. “You and Aunt want to confess that you have been cheating on Father together. I know everything.”

“Ow! That hurts!” Shen Ji cried.

Madam Tian had twisted her ear, looking furious. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

Yan Shu quickly stepped in to free her from Madam Tian’s grip. “Well, technically, she’s not wrong.”

Madam Tian frowned. “I thought we agreed not to tell her. What if she spreads it? Then we…”

Shen Ji rubbed her red ear and backed away, taking shelter on the other side of Yan Shu.

Yan Shu noticed her movement and said to Madam Tian, “See? You’ve been too strict with her all these years. She’s afraid of you now.”

Shen Ji nodded pitifully.

Exactly. Madam Tian was just a concubine, yet she always tried to dominate Shen Ji, the official daughter. If her mother hadn’t protected her, she would never have given Madam Tian the chance.

Madam Tian only gave a cold snort.

“We raised her together. We both know her character. If she wanted to say something, she would have said it already. She has kept quiet all this time, hasn’t she?” Yan Shu said.

Shen Ji wanted to argue that she truly had not known. Half of what she said was a joke, the other half was just to test them. She didn’t expect to get an actual confession.

Honestly, she was shocked. Others had always envied how peaceful her father’s household seemed, free from petty jealousies. Her father often boasted about marrying a virtuous wife. But if all his women were sleeping together, no wonder things were so harmonious!

Wait a minute. Was that why they lived out here in Taikang? So they could avoid her father and live their two-person life in peace?

That didn’t explain why they brought her along.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Yan Shu’s solemn tone. “What we want to tell you is about your background.”

“Actually, you are not my daughter.”

“To be precise, you were not born to me. Your birth mother is Madam Li.”

As Yan Shu spoke, it was as if a thunderclap exploded in Shen Ji’s mind. The world turned dark.

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Author’s Note:

Yan Shu: Actually, you were born of Li Niang.

Shen Ji was shocked.

Shen Ji: Who is Li Niang?

Madam Tian: Am I not even worthy of having a name?