“Ying’er says you deliberately tried to seduce the eldest young master of the Song Family. Is that true?” Old Madam Shen began questioning her again.
“Kneel down, you disgraceful thing! If you really dare ruin the marriage alliance between the Shen Family and the Song Family, I’ll kill you myself.”
Shen Duancheng’s expression darkened as well.
He even hurled a teacup at her. If Shen Xia had not quickly turned aside to dodge it, the cup would have smashed directly into her forehead.
“That’s enough. She’s only a concubine-born daughter, not worth making such a fuss over. Someone, carry out the family punishment,” Old Madam Shen ordered coldly, having long since run out of patience.
The moment her words fell, the servants waiting nearby rushed forward, preparing to punish Shen Xia according to the family rules.
Seeing them already approaching, Shen Xia pressed a hand against her chest, forcing down the frustration and anger within her before fixing her gaze directly on Shen Duancheng.
“I heard that His Majesty will be selecting palace candidates in a few months. Does Father have a way to send Second Sister into the palace?”
She had already thought of a way to deal with this before coming here.
This body of hers absolutely could not endure another round of family punishment.
“What do you mean by that? Don’t tell me you want to become a palace candidate too. Take a look at yourself. You’re nothing but a lowborn wretch, yet you dare compete with Second Sister?”
Shen Ying’s temper ignited instantly, and she immediately began insulting Shen Xia.
Ignoring her abuse, Shen Xia continued, “Each region has a limited number of candidate slots. Nanli Island is remote and impoverished, and it has always received fewer places than other regions. The Prefect Murong’s legitimate daughter and the Song Family’s legitimate daughter have already taken the available slots. Where would Second Sister’s opportunity come from?”
Her words immediately caused Shen Duancheng’s face to darken further. This was precisely the reason he had been so irritable these past few days.
Shen Yi had long since reached the age to participate in the selection, but the Shen Family simply could not secure a slot.
He had spent large sums of silver and humbled himself before influential people, yet the matter remained unresolved.
If this continued much longer, Shen Yi would become an old maid.
“How dare you! Your legitimate sister’s affairs are none of your business. I think you’ve become too bold and need a lesson. Someone, bring me the whip. I’ll personally discipline this unfilial daughter.”
With nowhere to vent the anger filling his heart, Shen Duancheng wanted to take it out on Shen Xia.
“Why be so anxious, Father? Aside from official recommendations, aren’t there also Imperial Inspectors? I heard that next month an Imperial Inspector will be arriving on Nanli Island,” Shen Xia replied calmly.
Imperial Inspectors were supervisory officials dispatched by the court to local regions, but within the Jin Kingdom, they also served another purpose.
During the palace selection period, they searched among the common people for women of outstanding beauty and virtue, compiling their names and portraits before sending them to the capital.
Simply put, they also helped the Emperor select women.
Shen Duancheng sneered repeatedly, clearly thinking Shen Xia was speaking nonsense.
Yet the next moment, her words made him hesitate.
She said, “I am confident I can make Inspector Qin take notice of Second Sister.”
“You’re confident?” Shen Ying burst into laughter as though she had just heard the greatest joke in the world.
“The Shen Family is so wealthy, and Father has sent plenty of silver to previous Imperial Inspectors, yet none of them ever budged. Where do you get the nerve to say you’re confident?”
This time, however, Shen Duancheng did not agree with her. Instead, he kept studying Shen Xia, his thoughts turning over and over.
He had heard that the Imperial Inspector coming to Nanli Island this time was surnamed Qin and, like himself, had a weakness for beautiful women.
There were already more than twenty concubines in his household.
Although Shen Xia was still young, her face was exceptionally beautiful. Perhaps she truly did have a chance.
Shen Ying grew impatient. Tugging at Shen Duancheng’s sleeve, she pouted and said, “Father, didn’t you say you’d help me punish Shen Xia? Why aren’t you doing anything?”
“Father should think carefully. If Second Sister successfully enters the palace, the Shen Family may have a chance to become a true aristocratic family,” Shen Xia said, knowing that Shen Duancheng was already wavering.
At present, Nanli Island was practically Murong Ke’s domain. Shen Duancheng had been suppressed at every turn and had suffered greatly under it.
His desire to send Shen Yi into the palace stemmed from the hope that, once she gained favor, she could help him obtain an official post in the capital.
In his heart, nothing was more important than that goal.
When Shen Ying saw that her father remained silent for so long, she grew anxious.
Turning toward Shen Xia, she immediately cursed, “You idiot, stop deceiving Father. Inspector Qin would never take a liking to a shameless thing like you. If you ask me, once I marry into the Song Family and establish connections with the Song Family in the capital, then I can help Second Sister!”
Suppressing the discomfort in her throat and chest, Shen Xia stepped back.
“As for which choice to make, I trust Father knows the answer. Your daughter will take her leave now.”
With that, she turned around and left without looking back.
Old Madam Shen wanted to have someone stop her, but Shen Duancheng silenced her with a look.
He needed to carefully evaluate whether his seventh daughter truly possessed any value.
Qianxue had been waiting outside the entrance. She had intended to complain and ask Old Madam Shen to stand up for her and properly punish Shen Xia. Yet before she even had the chance to speak, Shen Xia had already escaped completely unscathed.
Shen Ying was equally furious.
She secretly gritted her teeth. How had Shen Xia suddenly become so sharp-tongued and eloquent?
No! If Father would not help her, then she would find her own way to continue tormenting Shen Xia.
After all, Shen Xia had dared to seduce her fiancé!