When her legitimate elder sister woke up after falling into the water, she pleaded with her legitimate mother to let Shen Zhinian enter the palace for the Imperial Concubine selection in her stead, while she herself wanted to marry her father's poor student. Shen Zhinian then knew that her legitimate elder sister had also been reborn.
In her previous life, both Shen Zhinian and Shen Nanqiao had reached the age for marriage proposals, coinciding with the Emperor's triennial Imperial Concubine selection.
Only daughters of officials ranked fifth-grade and above were eligible for the Imperial Concubine selection. The Shen family was merely a sixth-grade Da Li Si Si Cheng, originally not qualified to participate.
However, Dali Temple had just solved a sensational major case in the Capital, and Shen Father was credited with the greatest achievement. The Emperor bestowed generous rewards, and the Shen family was exceptionally granted a spot.
Such immense wealth and glory naturally wouldn't fall upon Shen Zhinian, a concubine's daughter. It was her legitimate elder sister, Shen Nanqiao, who entered the palace for the selection.
Shen Zhinian was married by her father to his poor student.
Meanwhile, Shen Nanqiao successfully passed the Imperial Concubine selection and, by a lucky coincidence, wore the Emperor's favorite color. She was exceptionally conferred the rank of fifth-grade Guiren even before spending a night with him.
For a time, Shen Nanqiao was immensely proud and became the glory of the entire Shen family!
However, who would have known…
Shen Nanqiao prided herself on her noble character, as ethereal as a chrysanthemum. When other Imperial Concubines vied for favor, she would say, “The women in the Imperial Harem stop at nothing to climb higher. Even if they told me their schemes, I wouldn't deign to do them.”
When she was falsely accused of pushing an Imperial Concubine downstairs, she didn't explain herself, merely saying, “The clear will clear themselves. Imperial Concubine is beyond words.”
The Emperor grew tired of her false pretense of purity. Instead of trying to win back his favor, she pouted, “This Guiren is not what I wanted to be. Imperial Concubine only feels disappointment towards Your Majesty.”
The high and mighty Emperor was always courted by Imperial Concubines; how could he lower himself to coax her? Shen Nanqiao completely fell out of favor.
Those she had offended before all seized the opportunity to add insult to injury. Shen Nanqiao's life became increasingly miserable, and she was eventually framed and tragically killed by the Imperial Noble Consort under a flimsy excuse.
As for Shen Zhinian, after marrying her father's poor student, Lu Jianglin studied even harder. He ultimately achieved top honors in all three imperial examinations, becoming the new Zhuang Yuan, highly valued by the Son of Heaven, and entered the Hanlin Academy as a compiler.
One could not enter the Hanlin Academy without being a Jinshi, and one could not enter the Grand Secretariat without being from the Hanlin Academy.
Since ancient times, Grand Secretaries, important ministers, or powerful regional officials all originated from the Hanlin Academy. It was known as the “Land of Future Prime Ministers,” and its prestige was self-evident!
As expected, after gaining this golden polish in the Hanlin Academy, Lu Jianglin's official career prospered, and he rose rapidly through the ranks. He was first appointed Hanlin Academy compiler, then became a Grand Secretary, and finally was ennobled as a marquis and appointed prime minister, becoming the head of all officials!
He deeply loved his wife. The first thing he did after every promotion was to request a title of nobility for Shen Zhinian.
She followed him all the way to become the youngest first-rank noble lady of this dynasty, adorned with glory and boundless prestige!
Shen Nanqiao, at that time, had already been cast into the Cold Palace due to the Imperial Noble Consort's machinations, forced to snatch stale food from the madwomen there just to survive. Yet, every day she heard the palace guards speak of how much her concubine sister was loved and respected by her husband, enjoying endless glory!
Shen Nanqiao was greatly struck, her health deteriorating day by day, and she tragically died not long after.
Shen Zhinian, remembering their sisterly affection, had intended to use her current status to help her legitimate elder sister. But before she could act, she received the news, and she herself was also at the end of her life.
Opening her eyes again, Shen Zhinian was still bewildered by her rebirth when she saw Shen Nanqiao kneeling in the center of the flower hall, declaring righteously, “Father, Mother, I disdain the pursuit of wealth and glory. This excellent opportunity of the Imperial Concubine selection should be given to younger sister; let me marry Lu Jianglin instead!”
Lady Zhou and Shen Father were furious, scolding her for being absurd!
Sitting below, Shen Zhinian couldn't help but inwardly “tsk,” it seemed her legitimate elder sister had also been reborn.
Lin Momo, the wet nurse, stood behind Shen Zhinian, disregarding propriety, and tearfully whispered to express her indignation for her.
“Second Miss, although the Lu family is poor, Young Master Lu is incredibly talented and has already earned the Xiucai degree. He is the Master's most outstanding student, with unlimited potential. Most importantly, his family is simple, with only his widowed mother and young sister. You can be the mistress of the house as soon as you marry, and your future days will surely be comfortable and beautiful.”
“But the deep palace is a man-eating place. With so many Imperial Concubines from prominent families, the Shen family's daughter has no backing. How can she contend with them once she enters the palace?”
“The Eldest Miss is legitimate, and from childhood, everything good in the manor was prioritized for her. Why does she even want to snatch your only way out?”
Shen Zhinian took in Shen Nanqiao's determined expression and gave Lin Momo a reassuring smile.
“It's fine.”
Since her legitimate elder sister disregarded their sisterly affection and the first thing she did after rebirth was to snatch away her glorious life, then let her snatch it.
She would let her have it.
Shen Nanqiao would soon realize that the Lu family was the true den of wolves!
In her previous life, she became a first-rank noble lady not because of Lu Jianglin's glory, but because she always held her destiny in her own hands!
Although Lu Jianglin had some talent, he was overly ambitious. It was entirely due to her painstaking efforts in managing and running errands for him that he was able to reach the highest official positions, becoming a marquis and prime minister.
The so-called simple family actually referred to a harsh mother-in-law and a troublesome younger sister-in-law.
Moreover, that mother-in-law…
When Shen Nanqiao marries over and discovers that secret, will she still think this is an excellent marriage?
The wet nurse said entering the palace was not good, but Shen Zhinian felt that it was truly a good path!
Her maternal aunt was a commoner woman, but she was extremely beautiful, which caught her father's eye.
Originally, even though her maternal aunt was of humble birth, she was unwilling to be a concubine and constantly endure the main wife's moods. It was her father's sweet words and promises never to betray her in this life that made her maternal aunt willing to be carried into the Shen family in a small sedan chair.
Who knew that after her maternal aunt narrowly escaped death to give birth to his child, her father disliked her for her body changing shape due to pregnancy and quickly took on a new concubine, forgetting all about her.
Her maternal aunt was greatly affected by this and eventually died of melancholy.
Shen Zhinian understood from a young age that men's promises and affections were the most unreliable; only wealth and power held in one's own hands were real!
The most magnificent treasures in the world were all in the palace.
Marrying any man, how could it be more glorious than marrying the Emperor?
In her previous life, the Empress passed away in the second year of Shen Nanqiao's entry into the palace. To contend for the position of Empress, the Imperial Harem became a bloody battlefield!
In this life, although Shen Zhinian was of humble birth, with her beauty and cunning, she might not be unable to contend for it!
She only sought wealth and glory in her life, not a shred of true affection. Being a glorious and honored Imperial Concubine, wasn't that better than marrying a good-for-nothing like Lu Jianglin?
A dark glint flashed in Lady Zhou's eyes as she continuously observed Shen Zhinian's reaction.
This concubine's daughter had always been well-behaved since childhood, but who knew if she would covet the wealth that belonged to Nan Qiao for the opportunity to become an Imperial Concubine in the palace!
If Shen Zhinian dared to show even a hint of delight, she would certainly make her recognize her place!
Shen Zhinian naturally understood that Shen Nanqiao could pompously suggest exchanging marriages with her, but she could not readily agree.
Otherwise, in the eyes of her legitimate mother and father, it would mean she harbored ambition and coveted things that did not belong to her, which would not end well for her.
Therefore, Shen Zhinian remained huddled in her chair, listening to Shen Nanqiao's tearful pleas and her father's and legitimate mother's scolding, her expression anxious and fearful.
She was scared.
Hehehe… she was faking it.
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