Miss Cousin's Arrival in the Capital

Xu Shuyao, a fourteen-year-old girl, and her seven-year-old brother Xu Shuheng are orphaned children of the late Prefect of Huzhou. Following the death of their father, the siblings face immediate peril from their greedy relatives in the main Xu family branch, who seek to seize their inheritance and force Shuyao into an unwanted marriage alliance. Remembering the dying wish of their mother, the siblings embark on a perilous thousand-mile journey to the capital to seek refuge with their only remaining kin, the Duke Cheng’s mansion. They are accompanied only by Nanny Zheng, an elderly servant who has dedicated herself to their safety. The journey is fraught with hardship, including floods and illness, but Shuyao’s cautious nature and strategic thinking guide them. She decides to trail the entourage of Wang Shaowei, a nobleman returning from Huzhou, to ensure their safety, though she deliberately maintains a distance to avoid appearing as a burden or a sycophant.

Upon arriving at the capital’s Chongwen Gate, a sudden rainstorm causes chaos at the city entrance, threatening to strand the siblings outside the walls. In a twist of fate, Xiao Mo, the cold and formidable heir to the Duke’s mansion and commander of the Imperial Guards, notices their plight. Though he does not reveal his identity to Shuyao, he ensures the city guards allow them entry by claiming them as distant cousins of Wang Shaowei. This act of silent protection marks the beginning of a complex dynamic between the two. Shuyao and her brother are settled in Jiyun Hall, a secluded courtyard within the vast Duke’s estate, under the care of Madam Chen, Shuyao’s aunt and the second wife of the Second Master. Madam Chen, who lacks a son of her own, views Shuyao with a mixture of maternal affection and calculated ambition, hoping to marry her stepson, Xiao Jinrong, to the capable and beautiful niece to secure her own position in the family.

Life in the mansion is not without its dangers. Shuyao quickly learns of the intricate web of family politics and the looming struggle for succession among the emperor’s princes. Her aunt’s household is entangled with the Liu family, who are secretly aligning themselves with the Second Prince, a move that draws the suspicious and hostile attention of the emperor and the Old Madam, the matriarch of the Xiao family. The Old Madam strictly forbids any marriage between the Xiao heirs and the Liu family, creating a tense atmosphere that Shuyao must navigate carefully. Meanwhile, Shuyao’s younger brother is admitted to the prestigious Shen clan school, a decision that brings him under the protection of the family but also exposes him to the competitive world of the capital’s elite.

Shuyao’s presence in the mansion does not go unnoticed by the other young ladies, particularly Liu Qingwan, a cousin from the third branch whose beauty and status make her a rival in the eyes of some. Liu Qingwan harbors her own ambitions and affections, particularly for the aloof Xiao Mo, whose rejection of the celebrated Shen Jingzhu has caused a stir in the capital. As Shuyao settles into her new life, she remains vigilant, aware that her position as a dependent relative is precarious. She maintains a respectful but distant relationship with Xiao Jinrong, who suspects her of hidden schemes, and avoids the political intrigues that surround the Liu family. The story follows her efforts to protect her brother’s future and secure her own place in a household where every interaction is laden with potential consequence, all while the shadow of the imperial succession looms over the Xiao family.