Shen Mingzhu lay on the bed, gazing steadily at the beautiful Madam Shen.
Mother?
News Goddess?
Madam Shen suddenly turned to look at Shen Mingzhu on the bed—wasn't that her darling's voice?
It just sounded hoarse, probably from the shock of falling into the lake.
Her heart instantly ached with pity!
Her darling had suffered!
Thinking this, she stared fixedly at her precious one.
She was certain—Shen Mingzhu, her darling, hadn't spoken.
Could it be that she had heard her darling's inner thoughts?
This must be what people often call a mother-daughter heart connection!
Indeed, they were biological mother and daughter, connected heart-to-heart!
"Mingzhu?"
Shen Mingzhu weakly sat up, looking at her beautiful mother and revealing a sorrowful smile.
"Mother."
"My darling!"
Xie Qinghuan tightly embraced Shen Mingzhu in her arms.
Secretly vowing in her heart: No matter what her daughter became, she would unhesitatingly stand behind her to protect and support her.
Holding Xie Qinghuan, Shen Mingzhu felt warmth in her heart.
[This is mother's embrace—so warm.]
In her previous life, she had grown up parentless in an orphanage, later becoming a diligent 9-9-6 office worker living an ordinary life. Now she finally had a home and a mother!
Although this family had some flaws, her standards weren't high—it could still work with some repairs.
"Doctor Wang, please come quickly and examine Mingzhu."
The white-bearded Doctor Wang hurriedly took out a pulse pillow, then placed a white silk handkerchief gently over Shen Mingzhu's wrist to carefully take her pulse.
"Madam, Miss Mingzhu's health is fine. She's just shocked and chilled from falling into the cold lake water. I'll prescribe two doses of medicine—she'll be fine after taking them."
"That's good, that's good."
Hearing Doctor Wang's words, Madam Shen felt relieved.
As long as her dear daughter was okay.
"Mother?"
Shen Mingzhu called out tentatively.
"Yes, dear～"
"Mingzhu, you rest well. Mother will definitely seek justice for you."
"No, no, no～～～"
Shen Mingzhu quickly waved her hands.
[Oh my mother! So brave, facing the male and female leads without any fear, truly worthy of being a general's daughter!]
Shen Mu narrowed her eyes slightly. She was certain she could hear her daughter's inner thoughts, but what did "male and female leads" mean?
She gently placed her hand on her daughter's forehead—no fever.
Due to the incident at Changping Marquis Manor today, Second Prince Yan Yunxuan went directly to the palace, determined to break off his engagement with Shen Mingzhu. He wanted his imperial father to decide for him—he didn't want to be associated with this vulgar woman for even a moment longer.
"Imperial Father, your son truly, truly dislikes Shen Mingzhu from Changping Marquis Manor. The one your son has always loved is Jiaojiao! Everyone in Shengjing knows—I wish to win one heart, and never part till white-haired!"
"Imperial Father, please grant your son this wish. If I cannot be with Jiaojiao in this life, your son would rather remain unmarried forever and grow old alone!"
"Nonsense! What foolish words are you saying!"The emperor Yan Linghan sat majestically above, listening to his second son's words and heavily slapping the dragon desk."
"Since ancient times, marriages follow parental orders and matchmaker's words. Shen Mingzhu, as a marquis estate's daughter with the General's Manor behind her—how is she unworthy of you? Stop this mischief!"
"Imperial Father, I beg you to grant your son's wish!"
"Jiaojiao is the marquis estate's second young miss. In terms of talent and appearance, she's much more compatible with your son! Moreover, we grew up together since childhood, with deep affection between us. Please have mercy on us poor souls, Imperial Father!"
Jingyuan Emperor: …
Acting!
"Get out!"
Having said that, he no longer looked at him!
Soon, Yan Yunxuan was kneeling outside the Imperial Study.
Upon receiving the news, Li Consort Su Bao'er hurried over. Seeing her son kneeling outside, her heart ached unbearably. She looked at him with exasperation and said,
"You've truly been blinded! What kind of bewitching potion has that Shen Jiaojiao given you?"
As the swapped fake young lady, she may appear glorious now, but without blood ties, the Marquis Estate could abandon her at any moment.
Moreover, the mistress of the Marquis Estate, Xie Qinghuan, clearly stands by her biological daughter's side. Why can't Yun Xuan see this clearly!
"Your Majesty? This humble consort has prepared ginseng soup for you. Would you like to try it?"
After speaking, Li Consort gently brought out the soup bowl, carefully blowing on the ginseng soup to cool it before feeding it to Jingyuan Emperor, showing great attentiveness.
After finishing the soup, seeing that Jingyuan Emperor was in a good mood, Li Consort cautiously spoke up.
"Your Majesty, Yun Xuan is still young and doesn't understand your thoughtful intentions. Don't you think having him kneel outside is inappropriate? Perhaps he should return to reflect on his actions."
"Hmph!"
Jingyuan Emperor glanced at the consort, his expression instantly turning cold.
Did she think he didn't know her little schemes?
Li Consort smiled charmingly at Jingyuan Emperor and coquettishly said,
"Your Majesty, please have mercy on this humble consort and Yun Xuan"
"Go ahead, properly teach that boy a lesson."
Jingyuan Emperor waved his hand.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Soon, Li Consort went out and brought her son back to her Yikun Palace.
"Mother."
"Enough, this matter requires careful planning. That Shen Jiaojiao is just a peasant girl. If you truly like her, you can take her as a concubine. There's no need to provoke your father's displeasure."
"Mother, how could Jiaojiao be a concubine?"
"Moreover, I promised her I would marry her as my principal consort!"
Li Consort looked at her son, whose eyes were filled with naive foolishness, and felt furious.
"Yun Xuan, you are a prince. You should know what missions and responsibilities you will shoulder in the future. Shen Jiaojiao cannot bear the weight of being a prince's principal consort."
"Mother!"
"Don't call me! Calling me ten thousand times won't help!"
"I disagree!"
This time, Second Prince Yan Yunxuan parted ways with his mother, Li Consort, on bad terms.
…………
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
At Changping Marquis Manor, the Shen residence.
"Madam, Young Miss, the Old Madam requests your presence."
Shen Mu, "Understood!"
Gui Momo glanced at Shen Mu's expression and quietly withdrew.
The Old Madam of Changping Marquis Manor, Wangshi, was from a collateral branch of the Langya Wang Clan. She had given birth to two sons and one daughter. Since her eldest son Shen Changyuan inherited the title, she usually stayed in her Shoukang Courtyard and generally didn't interfere with manor affairs.
The last time she intervened in manor affairs was three years ago when Mingzhu returned to the manor.
That time, it was also she who insisted on keeping Shen Jiaojiao!
"Mingzhu, don't be afraid. Just follow Mother."
Shen Mingzhu smiled sweetly,
"Alright, Mother."
Mother and daughter intimately went to Shoukang Courtyard together.
As soon as the mother and daughter entered Shoukang Courtyard, the previously cheerful and playful sounds immediately fell silent.
Wangshi sat at the head seat, glanced up at Shen Mingzhu, and had tea served by a maid.
After taking a sip of tea, Shen Mingzhu looked up and examined her nominal grandmother—Wangshi.
Wang Shi was dressed in a deep purple gown with red flowers embroidered along the hem. A black forehead band adorned with Imperial Green Jadeite rested on her brow, and her hair was simply styled into a bun secured with a jade hairpin. The pastries and tea on the table were all exquisitely prepared, clearly reflecting the refined and indulgent lifestyle of an elderly noblewoman.
Wang Shi, plump and fair-skinned with a rosy, glowing complexion, bore the unmistakable appearance of someone accustomed to a life of privilege and ease.
Shen Mingzhu caught a whiff of wealth emanating from her.
[Ding—]
[A juicy piece of gossip!]
[Host, care to hear it?]
Shen Mingzhu: [Yes!]
As long as there was gossip to be heard, she would earn points—and she couldn’t afford to miss out.
Besides, she had her eye on the Beauty and Complexion Pill in the System Store and wanted to buy it for her mother, Xie Shi.
After all, what woman doesn’t love beauty?!
[Old Madam Wang Shi loves stinky tofu! To maintain her usual dignified image, she secretly eats it under the covers late at night. Once, the night-duty maid Cui'er woke up and, thinking the old madam had soiled herself, cautiously asked if she should come in and clean up. The old madam refused! Now, in Cui'er’s mind, Old Madam Wang Shi is the kind of elderly lady who handles her own mess!]
Old Madam Wang Shi: …
Gui Momo, seeing the old madam nearly faint from shock, hurried over to support her.
“Old Madam!”
[Ugh… this piece of gossip is a bit disgusting!]