Witnessing this scene, the crowd couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.
This Miss Shen wasn't just fierce—adding "formidable" wouldn't be an overstatement.
She had blocked Qin Shi's slap… How would this situation be resolved?
Suddenly, a steady, vigorous voice came through.
"Enough now, eldest daughter-in-law. You well know Zhao Niang's temperament. As an elder, why must you publicly intimidate a young girl?"
When Liu Laofuren spoke these words, she wore a smile on her face.
As if the earlier incident had been mere playful banter.
She beckoned to Shen Mingtang, "Ming Tang, come here."
With someone offering a way to save face, Liu Furen lowered her hand, and Shen Mingtang released her grip as well, the fierce expression on her face instantly dissipating.
Liu Furen hummed softly, almost like she was coquettishly complaining to Liu Laofuren, "This daughter-in-law merely wanted to see how bold this young girl truly is."
Her right hand, hidden in her sleeve, trembled slightly.
Shen Mingtang remained standing where she was.
Beside her, Qin Shi secretly breathed a sigh of relief; she had nearly come to blows with Liu Furen moments earlier.
She was prepared to forsake her status conferred by the Imperial Order.
After all, it was Ming Tang who had secured it for her. If the circle of noble madams was too difficult to enter, then so be it—she wouldn't force her way in!
Seeing that Shen Mingtang wasn't moving, and with Liu Laofuren waiting expectantly, Liu Furen simply took a step forward and grasped Shen Mingtang's sleeve.
"Alright, you little girl, young as you are, your courage is anything but small. You'll go far in the future," Liu Furen said with a laugh. "You're not even afraid of me."
Having said this, she pulled Shen Mingtang forward while smiling at the crowd, "A girl who remains calm and bold in the face of trouble is hard to come by. If any of you have promising children, I could help arrange a match for this young lady."
"I think this Miss Shen is quite remarkable. Madam Li, weren't you considering a marriage proposal for your son not long ago?"someone chimed in to echo."
The Madam surnamed Li secretly rolled her eyes before replying with a smile, "My son has already taken a liking to another girl. What about Madam Xiao?"
With everyone chiming in one after another, they managed to smooth over the earlier incident.
Now that this young girl was connected to Prince Rui, perhaps, by virtue of this life-saving grace, she might secure a place in the Rui Wang Residence in the future.
But then again.
Judging by how this Second Daughter Shen had confronted Liu Furen earlier—articulate and composed—she truly seemed capable of handling difficult situations.
Fortunately, Second Daughter Shen was still young. Once Prince Rui's situation settled down, if she didn't enter the Rui Wang Residence, they could consider her as a match.
She might not be suitable for a direct descendant, but she would make a good match for a secondary son.
Since Liu Furen had offered a 'way out,' Shen Mingtang saw no reason to stand on ceremony and followed Liu Furen to where Liu Laofuren stood.
Not far away, a maid hurried over.
The maid bowed, "Laofuren, Prince Rui has arrived."
Shen Mingtang: I understand.
Liu Laofuren personally took her hand, beaming with the same warmth she had shown when Shen Mingtang first entered the Liu residence.
Shen Mingtang also smiled, and her smile was generous.
Xiao Beili was personally escorted in by the maid. Everyone rose to greet him, and even Liu Laofuren stood up.
"Grandmother." Xiao Beili strode over to support her.
Liu Laofuren nodded repeatedly, her eyes reddening, "Good, come, come, come."
Although Xiao Beili had arrived early today, she had been busy entertaining the female guests since morning and hadn't had a chance to see her grandson until now.
She tugged at Xiao Beili's clothes, examining him anxiously, her voice trembling as she asked, "Have the injuries from the other day healed? How is your health now?"
She was referring to the assassination attempt in the capital over a month ago.
The perpetrator still hadn't been found, with only clues pointing to someone sent from the Southern Jin Kingdom, but no one had been captured.
Xiao Beili nodded, his peripheral glance sweeping over the young girl beside him as he responded.
"All is well, Grandmother need not worry."
Xiao Beili helped Liu Laofuren sit down.
Shen Mingtang stood nearby, watching the "heartfelt affection" between grandmother and grandson, unsure what to say.
From her observations, Liu Laofuren's doting on Xiao Beili was genuine, though inevitably mixed with some interests.
"Does Grandmother like the Second Daughter of the Shen family?" Xiao Beili suddenly asked.
Liu Laofuren first glanced at the quiet Shen Mingtang before answering, "This girl is steady and dignified. I quite like her. Your aunt likes her too and was just teasing her earlier, wanting to arrange a marriage for her."
"Indeed." Liu Furen chimed in with a smile.
Xiao Beili's faintly amused gaze swept over Shen Mingtang's face, meeting her eyes as he saw the young girl secretly pouting at him.
He understood perfectly well. "Miss Shen is my benefactor. I must inquire more about her."
This clearly indicated his intention to stand up for Shen Mingtang!
His words fell, and silence enveloped the surroundings.
Aside from Prince Rui, everyone present knew that Liu Furen had nearly confronted the Second Daughter of the Shen family earlier. It was only Liu Laofuren's intervention that stopped Liu Furen's aggressive approach toward her.
Or rather, it was because Liu Laofuren knew Prince Rui was about to arrive; otherwise, the Second Daughter of the Shen family would have surely been slapped.
Several madams who had witnessed Prince Rui and Shen Mingtang tugging at each other in the guest room exchanged knowing glances. Some matters were understood without words.
It was evident that Prince Rui truly cared about the Second Daughter of the Shen family.
Liu Furen's heart trembled, shooting a dagger-like glare at Shen Mingtang while silently cursing her as a seductress.
She instinctively wanted to brush the matter aside, but before she could speak, Xiao Beili's cold, gloomy voice rang out.
"I just encountered Miss Shen near the guest rooms. Why did I see her clothes completely soaked? I asked the servants, and they said Zhao Niang pushed Miss Shen into the lotus pond?"
"Prince Rui!" Liu Furen urgently stepped forward.
"Eldest daughter-in-law." Liu Laofuren chided in a low voice. "It's just some playful banter among the young ladies. Why are you getting so worked up?"
Liu Furen had no choice but to clutch her handkerchief and remain silent.
Liu Laofuren's heart also tightened. Since this grandson of hers returned to the Great Zhou Dynasty, he had shown indifference to everything, maintaining distance from the Liu family, only granting her, this old woman, some face.
She never expected this grandson to publicly stand up for Shen Mingtang.
For an unknown minor daughter of the Shen family!
Considering this, Liu Laofuren understood the situation. She addressed her tall, lean grandson, "Let's discuss this matter after the banquet. Today is my birthday celebration. Your Highness, please grant this old woman some face."
"Naturally, I grant Grandmother face." Xiao Beili replied with a faint smile.
After speaking, he glanced at Shen Mingtang.
Understanding his meaning, Shen Mingtang bowed slightly to Liu Laofuren and quietly withdrew.
Liu Laofuren breathed a sigh of relief.
Due to Liu Zhaoniang catching a chill from falling into the water, she did not attend, and several sisters who were usually close to her stayed to keep her company.
No one brought up the matter again.
Xiao Beili personally toasted Liu Laofuren, ordered the palace-sent birthday gifts to be presented, and then went to the men's banquet on the other side.
During the feast, Qin Shi ate somewhat absentmindedly, but no one came to cause further trouble.
Soon, the guests finished the banquet and came one after another to bid farewell to Liu Laofuren.
Liu Furen was sent by Liu Laofuren to accompany her granddaughter, and Liu Laofuren did not make things difficult for Shen Mingtang either.
"That child Zhaoniang has a quick temper, just like her mother. I apologize on her behalf," Liu Laofuren said to her. "Please do not hold it against her."
She had learned the full story of the incident and knew clearly that Zhaoniang had started the trouble.
As for Shen Mingtang's temperament, she rather admired it.
It reminded her somewhat of her younger self.
However, since the eldest branch guarded their daughter like a prized possession, she had no choice but to let Zhaoniang vent her anger publicly.
She glanced at Shen Mingtang's clothes. "Is this Shuniang's dress?"
Shen Mingtang nodded. "It belongs to Liu San Guniang."
Liu Shuniang—she noted the name.
Liu Laofuren nodded. "Good. Shuniang has a gentle temperament and is around your age. Perhaps the two of you will get along well."
Shen Mingtang acknowledged again, curtsied to take her leave, and led Qin Shi out to the carriage.
After Shen Mingtang left, Liu Laofuren turned to her maid. "Go to the storeroom and select some items to send to Shen Jia. Say they are an apology for Er Guniang."
The maid acknowledged the order.
Liu Laofuren frowned again. "By the way, why didn't I see Shen Da Guniang today?"
She had heard that Shen Da Guniang was the legitimate daughter of Shen Jia, while this Er Guniang was only a concubine-born daughter.
The maid thought for a moment. "According to the gatekeepers, it seems she was unwell and left early."
Liu Laofuren nodded—it was a minor matter.
"Send someone to investigate how His Highness and Er Guniang happened to meet in the guest room today."
After the maid acknowledged once more, she stood up. "I'll go check on Zhaoniang."