The news that Shen Yunman and the Heir of Marquis Yong’an had conversed happily reached Jiahe Courtyard, where Madam Wen immediately smashed a teacup in anger. “Utterly incompetent and more trouble than they’re worth!”
Nanny Yang quickly interjected, “Please calm your anger, Madam. I have ordered her to go and receive punishment.”
Madam Wen took a deep breath to steady herself. “Enough. First, go to the kitchen and check if the mung bean and lily broth is ready. The master will be back soon.”
Nanny Yang bowed. “I will go at once.”
Madam Wen inhaled deeply. This move had been purely about using others’ strength against them, leaving no trace of her involvement. She had mentioned the screen incident in advance to the Marchioness of Yong’an, knowing the marchioness would be interested when she came to observe. As for the messenger, Mo Lian—she was not one of Madam Wen’s people.
Unfortunately, Shen Yunying was just like her mother—utterly useless.
Jiahe Courtyard was located in the east, the second-best residence in the mansion. The largest courtyard in the west of Taishi Mansion was Yonggui Courtyard, where the second branch of the family lived.
Shen Yunman snorted coldly. “Aunt wants to suppress me, but I refuse to let her have her way!” Fortunately, she was clever, and her loyal maid had helped her evade this scheme.
Second Madam Wang was eager to know the outcome. “Are you sure it will work? I went all out for you. The gifts sent to Cihui Courtyard alone cost twenty thousand taels.”
“Mother, you can’t catch a wolf without risking the child. Think of the wealth and status of Yong’an Marquis Mansion—isn’t this money worth it?” Shen Yunman secretly curled her lip. Her mother was exaggerating; even if it really was twenty thousand taels, it meant little to Madam Wang.
“We’ve already agreed on a time to meet again to discuss poetry and painting.”
From Zhang Xingyu’s reaction, she was about forty percent confident in him. The rest would take time to slowly win over.
Shen Yunman’s eyes turned fierce. “Mother, do you really want a concubine-born son to overshadow my elder brother and me?”
Of the three branches of the Shen family, the third master, who died young, didn’t count—he was short-lived and had only one wife, no concubines. Madam Wen had two sons and a daughter, with only one concubine-born son still in swaddling clothes. Only the second master had taken two concubines and already had four concubine-born sons.
Shen Yunman felt her mother had made a mistake back then by actively arranging concubines for her father. In the future, she would learn from her aunt and keep her husband firmly under control.
These words immediately ignited a fire of anger in Madam Wang’s chest, surpassing all else. She said at once, “Of course not! Yunman, I only have you and your brother. In the future, you must support each other to keep those concubine-born sons in check. Don’t think that just because your father is the second son, your grandparents gave him less property than the eldest branch.”
Second Madam suspected it was compensation. The second master’s official position hadn’t budged for decades, and she didn’t believe Grandfather Taishi had nothing to do with it.
All this property should rightfully belong to her sons.
Shen Yunman merely nodded slightly. Since childhood, her mother had always said this, but Shen Yunman wasn’t sure if it was true.
Second Madam suddenly smiled. “If this marriage succeeds, Yong’an Marquis Mansion’s betrothal gifts won’t be low. We’ll just demand more dowry from the family funds.”
Shen Yunman supported her mother’s approach. “The eldest branch caused trouble, and the second branch is cleaning up the mess. The eldest branch should compensate more. Shen Yunzhi ran off without a care. Without me, who would step in? Shen Yunying certainly doesn’t have the ability.”
Mother and daughter reached an agreement.
Meanwhile, in Cihui Courtyard, the Old Madam was inquiring about the events of the birthday banquet. “You say that girl Shen Yunying hid away?”
“Third Young Lady only stayed in the pavilion for a short while. After she left, no one saw her again. However, she was indeed dressed up nicely. I saw it with my own eyes.”
Mama Li continued, “The First Madam, distressed for her daughter, stepped in to stop the Second Young Miss. However, the Second Young Miss was clever and evaded her. She emerged from the peach grove with the Heir of Marquis Yong’an, chatting and laughing. Forgive this old servant for speaking out of turn, but the Yong’an Marquis Mansion is, after all, a noble and prestigious family. Would the Second Young Miss be more suitable than the Third Young Miss?”
The Old Madam lightly tapped her fingers on the table, her gaze sharp. “The Old Master told me a piece of news: the Emperor inquired about our family’s granddaughters.”
After a moment, the Old Madam sighed wistfully, “I recall the Crown Prince still has a vacant position for a Liangdi.”
If Shen Yunzhi were here, she would be the most suitable. Shen Yunman could still contend for it. As for Shen Yunying, the Old Madam did not even consider giving her the opportunity.
Alas, each had their own little schemes.
The Old Madam sighed, her heart burdened with the future of the Shen family.
Mama Li was startled by the news revealed by the Old Madam, trembling all over. “This… how could it be such a coincidence? The Eldest Young Miss was just sent back to Tong’an, and now the Second Young Miss—” She could see that the Heir of Marquis Yong’an and the Second Young Miss seemed to have some mutual interest.
“Our family’s luck has not been favorable,” the Old Madam lamented, then inquired about the Taishi’s situation in the front courtyard.
Mama Li replied, “The Taishi has retired early in the front courtyard for tomorrow’s morning court.”
The Old Madam’s brows twitched slightly. Was he not going to inquire about the marriage alliance with the Yong’an Marquis Mansion? She and the Taishi had been married for many years, yet he devoted more of his attention to court affairs, leaving the Rear Courtyard entirely to her discretion.
This marriage alliance had been personally arranged by the Taishi. Did he think it was foolproof?
The Old Madam shook her head again. She would wait for the Taishi to wake and let him decide.
“What about Lan’er?”
It turned out that in the pavilion where Shen Yunying and Shen Yunman eavesdropped, the charming young girl was named Li Lan’er, the granddaughter of the Old Madam’s elder brother from her maternal family, who addressed her as Grandaunt.
“Young Miss Lan’er is close with the Eldest Young Miss. She said she waited in the pavilion for most of the day but never saw the two young ladies arrive. Growing impatient, she went to stroll in the peach grove with her friends.” Mama Li sounded somewhat helpless. This Young Miss Lan’er had not accomplished a single thing.
She was close with Shen Yunzhi but had neither seized the opportunity to find a good match nor noticed anything unusual about Shen Yunzhi. Today, taking advantage of the birthday banquet, Li Lan’er was supposed to let Shen Yunying shine, paving the way for a marriage proposal with the Yong’an Marquis Mansion.
Yet, things had turned out completely different from the Old Madam’s plans.
In the deep of night, when thoughts run deep, only Shen Yunying in Yanju Courtyard slept soundly.
The next day, Shen Yunying and Jiang Wensheng dressed simply and elegantly to visit the family of the Eldest Maternal Uncle.
The Taishi Mansion was also located in the western part of the city. Starting from the Taishi Mansion, it took two quarters of an hour to reach Jiang Wensheng’s residence in the west of the city. This house had been tidied up by Shen Yunying. Entering again as a guest, she found everything familiar.
Shen Yunying followed Jiang Wensheng into the room and saw that the Eldest Maternal Aunt looked somewhat pale but was in good spirits, speaking with vigor. Shen Yunying guessed that her Eldest Maternal Aunt had largely recovered.
“Sister-in-law, how is your health?” Jiang Wensheng walked to the bedside. The Eldest Maternal Aunt, leaning against the headboard, nodded gently. “Younger Sister, you’ve come. Please, sit.”
“Greetings, Eldest Maternal Aunt.” Shen Yunying performed a slight curtsy, her manners proper. The Shen family had hired a governess to teach her, and Shen Yunying’s superficial etiquette was entirely up to standard.
The Eldest Maternal Aunt smiled and nodded, gentle and amiable. After softly inquiring about Shen Yunying’s preferences, she said, “I have not fully recovered yet, so I won’t keep you long. Wan’er is already much better. Why don’t you go and chat with her?”
Shen Yunying agreed and followed the maid’s directions to her cousin’s boudoir.
As soon as Shen Yunying left, Jiang Wensheng got straight to the point. “Sister-in-law, now that you’ve met Yunying, are you willing to consider the marriage proposal?”
The woman leaning against the bed couldn’t help but chide, “You’re always so impatient. How can something as important as marriage be decided after just one or two meetings?”
Just as Jiang Wensheng was about to speak, she was cut off again. “However, if I can’t even approve of your daughter, who else could I possibly hope to bring into this family as a daughter-in-law?”
“To be honest with you, before coming here, your brother already gave me a token. We’re just waiting to have their birthdates matched at Huguo Temple before formally settling the engagement.”
Jiang Wensheng, reassured by this, immediately beamed with joy. “You and my brother are so straightforward.”
“Gao Heng is open-minded and carefree, fond of traveling. Yunying has always been ambitious and yearns to explore mountains and rivers—they’re sure to get along well.” Jiang Wensheng spoke softly; she wasn’t randomly matching couples but had carefully considered their personalities.
Jiang Gao Heng was broad-minded and found solace in nature, so he would never restrict Shen Yunying in the future. Whether they traveled together or lived comfortably at home, either would be a good life.
“Miss, just ahead is our Fifth Young Lady’s courtyard. Please come this way.” The maid leading the way pointed to the exquisite courtyard ahead.
Shen Yunying nodded. Yinzheng pursed her lips—this courtyard was tidied up by our young lady herself; of course, she knows the way.
Shen Yunying winked at Yinzheng; the maid was just doing her job, and there was no need to make a fuss. As soon as they entered, they heard a childish voice.
“Brother, the shadow puppetry was so much fun! When can you take me to see it outside?”
Then came a gentle male voice, tinged with laughter. “When Mother gives her permission. For now, focus on studying and practicing your calligraphy at home.”
“Sigh, when will that be? If I could pass the imperial exams like you, I’d be a scholar too and go out to play every day.” Jiang Wan was quite envious of her second brother.
The maid announced loudly, “Young Master, Young Lady, Miss Shen from the Shen family is here.”
The room fell silent immediately. After a moment, Jiang Wan said, “Please invite Cousin in.”
Shen Yunying, dressed in a lotus-pink brocade gown, carried herself with grace and had intelligent, lively eyes, which brightened the gazes of the siblings in the room.
Jiang Gao Heng was the first to bow in greeting. “Cousin, please forgive me. I was careless and stayed too long in my sister’s room.” Jiang Gao Heng felt it was inappropriate to meet his cousin Shen so abruptly.
Shen Yunying replied indifferently, “Second Cousin, there’s no need to apologize. It was just a coincidence.”
Jiang Wan looked left and right before speaking up. “Cousin, you’re really pretty. I’m Jiang Wan, your cousin.”
Shen Yunying chuckled; Jiang Wan’s introduction was quite amusing. She responded, “I’m Shen Yunying.”
“I heard Cousin fell ill soon after arriving in the capital. I have some poria and snow pear paste here—it works wonders for adjusting to a new environment.” Shen Yunying signaled Yinzheng to present it. “Consider it a meeting gift for Cousin.”
Jiang Wan’s cheeks were plump, puffing up adorably when she widened her eyes.
“Thank you, Cousin.”
She accepted it with both hands. “I also prepared a gift for you, Cousin.”
A maid brought forward a green bamboo box, which Yinzheng stepped forward to receive.
Jiang Wan was lively and cheerful. Seeing that Shen Yunying was easy to get along with, she directly pulled Shen Yunying to sit down and sweetly ordered Jiang Gao Heng, “Second Brother, the shadow puppetry isn’t finished yet. Let’s watch it again. I want to watch it with Yunying Sister.”
Shen Yunying felt a bit restrained. Although Jiang Gao Heng was her cousin, this was their first meeting. She frowned slightly, wondering how to decline.
Jiang Gaoheng then smiled and said, “Please sit, both sisters. Consider this performance as my apology.”
“Next up is ‘Nezha Stirs Up the Sea’.”
Jiang Gaoheng’s hands moved swiftly, his gentle voice shifting through several different tones. The performance was just as splendid as those at temple fairs.
Shen Yunying secretly admired him—this cousin of hers had put in the effort to learn and had truly mastered it. His years traveling abroad must have been full of excitement.