The more Luo Xueyan thought about it, the sadder she became. She continued, “I often wonder if it’s really safe to leave Jiaojiao in the capital. Without us by her side, I wonder if she’s really living a happy life. Every year, when we meet her at the end of the year, she always treats us coldly. It’s all our fault to begin with, so no matter how she treats us, we can’t blame her.”
Shen Miao wasn’t close to Shen Xin, Luo Xueyan, and even Shen Qiu, because they were never by her side since she was young. She was close to Ren Wanyun, Chen Ruoqiu, and even Old Madam Shen, because these people were all with her day and night. They were the “families” in her eyes. As for Shen Xin and his wife, they gave their daughter whatever she wanted. No matter how infamous Shen Miao was in the capital, they had never been angry at her because they knew they were to blame.
Shen Xin patted Luo Xueyan on the shoulder. “One day, Jiaojiao will understand us.”
“Will she really understand?” Luo Xueyan smiled bitterly. “Sometimes, I even wonder who caused Jiaojiao to be so mischievous now. The Shen family…” She suddenly stopped and looked at Shen Xin in frustration.
Shen Xin naturally understood what she meant, and his expression changed slightly. A moment later, he sighed and held his wife’s hand. “Madam, you’re thinking too much. Old Madam and Sister-in-law will teach Jiaojiao well. If not, Jiaojiao won’t be so close to them.”
Shen Miao’s attitude towards her two aunts was so good that it made people jealous.
“I was thinking too much,” Luo Xueyan said. She was the precious daughter of the first wife of the Luo family in the northwest, which was also a military family. Although it was a third-grade military family, her family was filled with honest and upright men. Luo Xueyan was the youngest sister and had three brothers. Therefore, ever since she was born, she only had her parents and brothers in her family. She did not have much experience in the ways of the world and did not know the dangers involved.
If she knew, she would definitely rather Shen Miao take the risk to stay with her than leave her alone in the terrifying Shen family.
As she spoke, she heard someone call out from behind, “Father, Mother.”
Shen Xin’s face darkened and he said angrily, “When we are outside, call me…”
“General Shen!” The person quickly said.
“Ignore your father.” Luo Xueyan rolled her eyes at Shen Xin. “Stop acting like a general.”
The person was a young man in his twenties. He was handsome and had wheat-colored skin. When he smiled, he had two dimples, making him look like a child. This young man looked quite similar to Luo Xueyan. He was Shen Xin’s son, Shen Qiu.
Shen Qiu was 22 years old this year. When he was ten years old, he was brought to the battlefield by Shen Xin to train. It was said that a strict teacher produced a good disciple. Shen Qiu was quite brave. Over the years, he had earned some meritorious service. Now, he was a junior fourth-grade general.
“Father, Mother, what gift should I give?” Shen Qiu scratched his head in confusion.
“Don’t you have a brain? Why are you asking us what gift you should give? As a man, if you can’t even make up your mind about such a small matter, why are you going to the battlefield?!” Shen Xin seized the opportunity to discipline his son.
“I haven’t been to Grandmother’s birthday in a long time.” Shen Qiu said awkwardly, “I don’t know what to give her. I can’t tell her how many enemies I killed, can I? It’s not an appropriate birthday gift.”
Luo Xueyan was amused by Shen Qiu’s words. “Don’t worry. Didn’t His Majesty reward you with a piece of silk brocade? Give that to Old Madam. I heard that there is an extreme shortage of this silk brocade in the capital now. Even the ladies in the palace might not have it. Old Madam is naturally happy to have one.”