Feng Yulian clenched her teeth tightly, wishing she could slice Jiang Yanqing into a thousand pieces.
That little wench—not only did she look down on her, but she even cursed her three sons to die!
As for making Shen Changfeng remarry, she wasn’t worried at all.
After all, for over a decade, he hadn’t shown any interest in the idea, and now that he was almost forty, it was even less likely.
But she never expected Old Madam Shen to say, “Qingqing’s words make sense. My old friends have openly and secretly mocked me countless times, saying that our Pingyuan Houfu is a prominent and respectable family, yet we don’t even have a legitimate heir.
Some have even speculated whether Changfeng, you might be… incapable?”
“Mother…” Shen Changfeng said, “What does legitimacy or illegitimacy matter? As long as they are my sons, they are all descendants of our Marquis’s Manor. Although Zhenze is somewhat lacking, Zhenming is outstanding. At a young age, he is not only a top scholar but also a second-rank Vice Minister of Works. In the future, he will surely rise to become a chancellor and bring glory to our family.
Even if the child Jiang Yuexi gave birth to back then hadn’t been stillborn, he wouldn’t compare to Zhenming. Why must you still care about legitimacy or illegitimacy? Please don’t bring up the matter of me remarrying again in the future. If Zhenming finds out, he’ll be heartbroken.”
Mentioning Shen Zhenming, Old Madam Shen’s expression softened considerably. “Zhenming is indeed the pride of our Marquis’s Manor. It’s a pity he isn’t legitimate—his status is ultimately not honorable.
Changfeng, you’re not too old yet. While you can still have children, you should try to have more. Don’t regret it when you’re old and feel ashamed before our ancestors.”
“Alright, alright, my matters can wait. What’s important now is Qingqing.”
“That’s true.” Old Madam Shen turned to Jiang Yanqing again. “Qingqing… you’ve been raised in the countryside all these years. We’ve wronged you.
So your father and I have found you a good match—Zhang Haokun, the heir of Cheng Wangfu. Since our two families know each other well, Prince Cheng and the Princess Consort have no objections. Prepare yourself; you’ll marry him in half a month.”
A country girl like Jiang Yanqing, able to marry into a prince’s household and become the heir’s wife—everyone thought she’d be overjoyed.
Unexpectedly, she only sneered coldly. “Zhang Haokun is Huangcheng’s notorious rogue young master. His courtyard is filled with countless concubines and maidservants, and no respectable family’s daughter is willing to marry him as his principal wife.
Because Shen Changfeng wanted to secure an official position for Shen Zhenze, he begged Prince Cheng, who then demanded that Shen Ruoyou marry Zhang Haokun.
Shen Changfeng couldn’t bear to part with her, so you remembered me—abandoned and raised on the estate all along—and decided to have me take her place…”
Shen Changfeng was shocked, a wave of intense fear washing over him.
“You… how do you know all this?”
“I know much more. I know Shen Ruoyou is involved with Fifth Prince. I know Shen Zhenze fancies the courtesan of Yunxiang Tower. I know Shen Zhenming embezzled thirty thousand taels of silver while repairing the embankment. I know Feng Yulian keeps an actor as a lover. And I know Old Madam Shen has taken a lover thirty years her junior.”
“Enough of this nonsense!” Old Madam Shen could no longer maintain the smile on her face. “Considering the hardships you endured in the countryside, I’ve tolerated you again and again. Yet you show no gratitude, biting wildly like a mad dog.
Nanny Lan, slap her!”
“Yes.”
Nanny Lan raised her hand to strike Jiang Yanqing but was kicked far away by Jiang Yanqing.
Old Madam Shen’s features twisted in fury. “You wretched girl, how dare you resist!”
Jiang Yanqing chuckled, "Where there is oppression, there is naturally resistance. What, old lady, no longer pretending? Then let me remind you all once more—one million taels of silver. If even one tael is missing, I will take this to the emperor!"
Shen Ruoyou also dropped her act. "Jiang Yanqing, to be honest with you, the Fifth Prince and I are truly in love. Soon, I will become a Huangzi consort. Even if you go to the emperor, you have no evidence, and His Majesty certainly won’t side with a discarded daughter like you.
If you know what’s good for you, marry Zhang Haokun obediently. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you die without a whole corpse."
"Heh… hahaha…" Jiang Yanqing wore an arrogant expression. "The Fifth Prince… that fool Zhou Yuhuai. Tell him to come himself and see if he dares speak to me like that."
Shen Changfeng glared, teeth clenched. "Jiang Yanqing, you are truly outrageous, daring to utter the Fifth Prince’s name. If you want to court death, go hang yourself with a rope. Don’t drag our Marquis's Manor down with you!"
Jiang Yanqing blinked. "Didn’t you say the Tianshi calculated that I am a calamity star, that my birth chart clashes with the Marquis's Manor?
Then I must follow this setting. Otherwise, wouldn’t it prove that Tianshi is a fraud and you, Pingyuan Hou, are a fool?"
Shen Changfeng truly felt as if a huge stone were blocking his heart, suffocating him.
"Jiang Yanqing, you won’t rest until you’ve angered me to death…"
"No, no…" Jiang Yanqing shook her head. "You just need to die. As for the method, I don’t care at all."
"You… you…"
Shen Changfeng pointed at Jiang Yanqing, his face red and neck thick with rage, but Jiang Yanqing only smiled.
"Don’t bother scheming. Use that energy to hurry and raise the money instead."
With that, she washed the bowls and then cheerfully went out.
Gold shops, silver shops, antique shops, tailor shops… not buying what was right, only buying what was expensive.
And she charged everything to the account—the account of Pingyuan Houfu.
Finally, she arrived at Heyun Pavilion, Daxing’s premier restaurant.
Finding a window seat on the second floor, Jiang Yanqing ordered six signature dishes and half a jin of apricot blossom wine.
But just after taking a sip, she heard Shen Ruoyou’s voice.
"Fourth Sister, why are you eating alone? Why not join us?"