After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

The most important event in the capital recently is His Majesty's plan to establish schools for girls.

The old, rigid officials in the court had never been so united in their opposition; folded paper flew onto Pei Heng's desk like snowflakes.

Unfortunately, the emperor was determined to do things his own way, and no matter how the ministers tried to persuade him, it was to no avail. Instead, he stripped the two officials who were most vocal in their dissent of their positions and sent them to remote prefectures as governors, which was tantamount to exile.

This was an opportunity that women in the capital could not afford to miss.

Early in the morning, Shen Su sent Shen Lingyi's name card to the academy, and also sent one to Shen Tingjiao.

The old lady was still dissatisfied. "You've confined Jiaojiao for three days, isn't that enough? If this continues, are you going to make her miss the start of the academy's term?"

Shen Su took out the academy's receipt and gave it to the old lady: "I will not show favoritism."

The old lady's expression softened somewhat.

"Hmph, look at you, only caring about that brat Shen Lingyi, I thought you really didn't care about Jiaojiao anymore."

"Mother," Shen Su said, unable to bear it any longer, "Mrs. Jiang has never shown favoritism to anyone, not even me. Could you please be a little more lenient with Yi'er?"

"you!"

The old woman clutched her chest, looking as if she couldn't breathe. "Am I wrong? I think you're bewitched by that mother and daughter! Look at how you've turned against your own mother who gave you life and raised you for their sake! What kind of unfilial son are you?"

"Yes, I am an unfilial son. Then Mother, you might as well go directly to His Majesty and accuse your son." Shen Su looked exhausted.

Since Shen Tingjiao was placed under house arrest, the old lady has come every two or three days.

The mother and son had become estranged long ago, and they probably hadn't spoken as much in the past year as they had in the last few days.

Shen Su, who had initially been patient and forbearing, has now truly reached his breaking point.

The old lady watched helplessly as he walked away, unable to do anything about it.

Granny Feng's eyes darted around. "Madam, we don't really need to worry about the General. We can just release the young lady. The General has always been very filial, but he's just been deceived for a while. Sooner or later he'll see that only you, Madam, truly care about him."

"Once everyone's been released, will he be able to lock the young lady up again, or will he do something to you?"

The old lady thought that what Granny Feng said made sense, so she held the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, nodded, and said, "Let's do it your way."

She squinted and said, "Jiaojiao's pomp and circumstance must not be inferior to that mother and daughter. She was raised by me, so she should at least outshine the Jiang family."

backyard.

The servants worked diligently under the supervisor's instructions, and the maple leaves that had fallen from the trees in the yard were swept clean as soon as possible.

As Shen Lingyi reached the corner, she bumped into Shen Tingjiao, who was walking in this direction. The latter had been confined for so many days, and her body had become increasingly frail. She looked as if she would be blown away by the wind if she stood there.

If others saw this, they might blame her for bullying Shen Tingjiao.

Shen Tingjiao saw Shen Lingyi first, and pretended to turn around and leave, but then stopped and looked at her with fear and unease: "Sister, don't be angry. It was Grandmother who decided to let me go. If you don't want to see me, I will go back."

Linlang quickly replied, "Miss, the old lady specially sent someone from Jiangnan to bring a set of fine writing implements, and the table is made of sandalwood. She just told you to go and take a look, how can you go back?"

After she finished speaking, she ran up and bowed to Shen Lingyi.

"Second Miss, please be magnanimous and let our young lady pass by. It's none of your business anyway."

"What's it to you!"

Peony rolled her eyes at Linlang and gestured for her to leave, "Go away, go away! How dare a servant like you interrupt when your mistress is speaking!"

Linlang's face flushed red, and she was so angry she wanted to yell at her, "You, aren't you a servant too?"

"I'm not like you." Peony snorted arrogantly. Shen Lingyi treated her like a sister, unlike Linlang.

Shen Lingyi also walked over, lifting the hem of her skirt. The further she went forward, the more Shen Tingjiao retreated.

The latter's slender and delicate appearance made her seem like a bully.

The servants sweeping around stopped what they were doing. Although they were used to it, they couldn't help but look down on Shen Lingyi in private.

Ignoring what others might think of her, Shen Lingyi cornered Shen Tingjiao against a pillar, saying, "Who said you're not in my way? Look, you've blocked my path!"

She paused, then continued, "A desk made of rosewood, I suppose Grandmother chopped up a rosewood stump to make it. It is indeed priceless. Grandmother has always been very kind to my sister, but I don't really care for it."

"I think things made of sandalwood are too old-fashioned, so my maternal grandfather said he would give me a table made of jade. I can even warm it up if I fall asleep leaning against it during class. I asked someone to deliver it when the academy starts, and I think it should be soon."

Shen Tingjiao pinched the soft flesh in her palm, and it took a lot of effort to force a smile. "Really? Congratulations, little sister."

Shen Lingyi didn't look at the master and servant pair again, and left directly with Shaoyao.

If she wanted any kind of desk, she could fill the entire room with them. I don't know what Shen Tingjiao was thinking, actually coming up to her to show off.

After Shen Lingyi left, Shen Tingjiao's smile gradually disappeared from her face.

Linlang had been particularly afraid of her ever since the last time, and she spoke very cautiously now: "The Jiang family is extremely wealthy, and it wouldn't take Old Master Jiang much effort to find these things... Miss, please don't be angry."

"At least we're out now. Once we get to the academy, we can easily manipulate her, right?"

Shen Tingjiao gritted her teeth: "What do you know? Everyone says Shen Lingyi is good-for-nothing, and you actually believe it after hearing it so many times?"

Linlang was taken aback: "Could it be... that's not it?"

A faint shadow fell beneath Shen Tingjiao's eyelashes, and shallow marks had been left on the soft flesh of her palms from being pinched.

of course not.

From the day Shen Lingyi's talent was discovered, she painstakingly hid it like a thief, trying not to let others find out.

Fortunately, Shen Lingyi herself was also stupid, and she didn't realize it for so long. This led to Shen Tingjiao's ambition growing bigger and bigger. At first, she just hid it and then she wanted to smear Shen Lingyi. She took advantage of Shen Lingyi's personality of not liking to associate with noble ladies and not liking to nitpick.

She successfully transformed Shen Lingyi into a brainless idiot with big breasts, while she herself became a renowned talented woman by stepping on Shen Lingyi. However, only Shen Tingjiao herself knew how much of this title was genuine.

But I don't know when it started, this idiot suddenly stopped being stupid!

Shen Lingyi began to show her talent!

Shen Tingjiao muttered to herself, "I have to think of a way... I have to think of a way so that no one finds out."

Seeing her in this bewitched state, Linlang felt a chill spread through her limbs and shivered.

What's wrong with her young lady? Where did she go wrong?