Later that morning.
Shen Miao sat in the garden under the shade of the oak tree when Old Shen found her.
Since her brother had left earlier, Shen Yao hadn't returned yet.
Only sending a little page boy to inform her that their trip would be rescheduled for the next day.
The morning sun was warm, and she had wrapped a light shawl around her shoulders. She was staring at the koi pond, her thoughts far away.
Turning around Shen Miao smiled.
"Grandfather..." She stood up to bow in greeting, but he stopped her
"It's alright" Old Shen said gently, urging her to take a seat down.
"Your brother told me what happened," he said. "Are you alright?"
She nodded. "I am now."
"Really?"
"Yes, there's nothing to worry about since nothing happened yesterday"
She glanced at the spacious pond not too far away in a daze.
He didn't push. He just sat with her in silence, watching the water ripple.
After a long moment, she spoke.
"Grandfather, did brother tell you who that woman was? The one who was in the room?"
Old Shen's expression remained calm. "I heard some of it. Not all."
"So, I'm not sure, I'll ask someone to investigate it if you want to"
"No....It's just"
She told him, in fragments, what she remembered—the scent, the door, the voice, the bulge on the bed. She told him about Wei Lin and Wei Mei, and how they had helped her.
When she finished, Old Shen fell silent.
Then he placed his hand over hers.
"You survived all that," he said. "That's what matters. The rest can be uncovered slowly."
After a while of silence, she looked up at him.
"Grandfather, do you also think it was the Ling family?"
He paused slightly.
Then turned to meet her gaze. "I think the answer is far more complicated than one would think.
"But I also think that's not your burden to carry today. My child"
She nodded slowly.
"I understand"
He patted her head then slowly rose. "Get some more rest.
"I'll have the kitchen prepare something for you later"
---
Later that day.
The afternoon sun was warm when the servants suddenly announced visitors looking for the fourth miss in the outer hall.
After telling Bai Yue to invite them into the main hall.
Shen Miao walked into the main hall and sat down. As she waited, she read through one of the scrolls her brother had asked the page boy to deliver when he sent his message, having read through it once she could barely focus on it. She looked up at the servant, frowning.
"Young miss, it's the Wei siblings from the night before?"
"They said they were expected."
Shen Miao's heart lifted.
"Tell Bai Yue to send them in."
A moment later Bai Yue walked in and right behind her she saw them—Wei Mei in a clean but worn pale blue robe, Wei Lin standing behind her with sharp, wary eyes—she rose from her seat.
"My lady no need to greet us "Wei Mei bowed deeply.
Shen Miao smiled slightly before taking her seat again as for Wei Mei she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Please sit down" Shen Miao said glancing at the two who immediately shook their heads making Shen Miao feel helpless.
"Alright then how may I help you then"
Wei Mei's body tensed up like a coil she wasn't sure if the offer Shen Miao made to them was due to sympathy or whether it was just a form of pleasantries and so her hands twisted as she bit her lower lip.
"Fourth Miss. I—we came as you offered. If the position is still available."
Shen Miao stood up taking a step forward, a genuine smile spreading across her face.
"Of course it is."
She glanced at Wei Lin, who was watching her with that same unreadable expression. Then she turned to the side, where Bai Yue stood waiting.
"Bai Yue, please show them to their quarters. They'll be staying here from now on."
Wei Mei blinked. "We will?"
Shen Miao nodded. "It's dangerous for you to go back after everything that happened. You'll be safer here."
"Bai Yue will train you. After that, you'll take up the position of my personal maid"
Wei Mei's eyes widened as she shook her head refusing the job and offering to work in the closed kitchen, but Shen Miao wasn't listening to her anymore.
She glanced at Wei Lin. "I'd like to thank you again for all you did so please take this as my sincerity."
Wei Lin's gaze flickered. He said nothing. But he didn't argue.
Bai Yue stepped forward and gestured toward the corridor. "Please, follow me."
Wei Mei bowed again, then turned to her brother.
Wei Lin hesitated for just a moment—then nodded.
They followed Bai Yue out of the hall.
Shen Miao sat back down, her heart lighter than it had been all morning.
She hadn't been sure if they would come. But they had.
And that felt like a small victory.