Chapter 6: Undercurrent
Shen Qing looked at her own mother with an unknowing look. Even though she was unwilling, she still obediently kept her mouth shut.
Even though Shen Yue did not understand what was wrong with Shen Miao’s words, upon seeing Chen Rou Qiu’s nervous expression she was aware what was going on and thus stood at her place respectfully and no longer spoke.
Old Shen Furen’s brows tightened. Even though she has followed Old General Shen for so many years, she did not know the intricate twists and turns of the official circles as her sights were confined to the skies between the four walls of the courtyards, so how could she understand the meaning behind Shen Miao’s words. She only felt that Shen Miao ate the wrong medication today and repeatedly contradicted her and thus felt offended and wanted to blow up in anger.
“Little Five’s words are not wrong,” Ren Wan Yun smiled and interrupted when Old Shen Furen was about to lash out, “This was originally a misunderstanding. How could the matter of the main hall be spread to the inner courtyard? This was all a coincidence. His Highness Prince Dine is broad-minded and would not put such a small matter at heart. It was all a misunderstanding. It is unfortunate for our Little Five who fell into the water and got a shock. You have suffered a lot.”
Old Shen Furen had opened her mouth and was somewhat dissatisfied with her Second Daughter-in-law who had interrupted her. But Ren Wan Yun’s family was Ming Qi’s famous merchant family and many a times the daily cost was subsidies by this daughter-in-law. Even though she was not satisfied, she could not offend her. She immediately hrumph coldly but did not continue on.
Chen Rou Xiu seemed to be aware of it and also went along with Ren Wan Yun’s words, “That is precisely so. In future Yue-er and Qing-er must never mention the words before. It was Little Five that fell into the water accidentally and coincidently seen by His Highness Prince Ding. There are coincidences in the world.” She smile towards Shen Miao, “Little Five, Old Furen feel anguished for you and was not truly angry with you.”
Shen Miao look at the female in front. Shen Yue took after Chen Rou Qiu that even her temperament was the same. Chen Rou Qiu was born in a family of scholars thus she was a graceful beauty and usually soft and gentle when walking or talking and was beautiful but not frivolous. Such a female with a literary vibe was also a good partner but who knew what happen later…
Later the Xiong Nu came over to request for a marriage alliance and there was only one age-appropriate princess, Wan Yu. Chen Rou Qiu said that Shen Yue is older and a marriage alliance was also a marriage so she was willing to marry to the Xiong Nu. But Shen Yue was not a princess so Fu Xiu Yi conferred Shen Yue as Princess Yue Ru so that it was justifiable for her to be in a marriage alliance with the Xiong Nu.
But at the end the one who was married off was her Wan Yu.
Wan Yu died on the way to marriage and Wan Yu’s Princess’s Residence was given to Prince Yue Rue. In which, Princes Yue Ru was expected to receive everything of Wan Yu’s.
Her Wan Yu was not even sixteen years old.
Shen Miao closed her eyes. If one say that Chen Rou Qiu did not put in effort to this matter, Chen Rou Qiu herself would also not believe. But one would be afraid that Chen Rou Qiu would have already reached an agreement with Mei Furen and the main reason was to let her think that there was hope but then shatter that hope by herself.
Chen Ruo Qiu’s smile stiffen.
The young female that was facing her was looking at her. That round face, round eyes, round nose and coupled with the timid appearance, it would easily leave an impression of stupidity and foolishness.
But now it was otherwise. She did not know when the timid appearance had disappeared ant it was replace with solemnness. Not a sudden tension of seriousness but it was a type of slight feeling of distance. There was a moment when Chen Rou Qiu suddenly felt that the person in front was not the stupid and foolish daughter of the First household but some mistress of a higher status and power, the kind that would make smarter and sharper people shiver.
In the next second, one could see that the young female turn her eyes, “I believe that Third Shenshen also felt that Little Five is also not wrong.”
Chen Rou Qiu was surprise for a moment as she looked at the displeasure of the Old Furen sitting at a higher level and said reluctantly, “Be that as it may, it was really too careless of Little Five to fall into the pond. How do the few maids beside you take care of people? Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law is not by one’s side so the maids started to bully the masters? According to what Shenshen see, it would be better to replace these maids.”
Ren Wan Yun laugh escaped with a ‘pu-chi’ sound. Chen Rou Qiu glared at her somewhat angrily and a sneer was formed on Ren Wan Yun lips.
Her this DiMei look like a well-educated person but her heart was extremely shrewd. These kind of words can only be used to deceive that foolish Shen Miao. She most likely want to change the people by Shen Miao’s side. At the moment Shen Yue has also reached the age where one would start paying attention and in the capital, no matter how far Shen Miao’s foolish or stupid reputation has spread, in terms of status, Shen Yue’s was unable to be compared as Shen Miao’s. After all, Shen Xin still held the military power in his hands.
At the end the Third household was also ready to create trouble.
Shen Miao lowered her head, “Why would Third Shen want to replace Gu Yu and the rest since they are all Dad’s and Mum’s people? At present there are many personnel changes in the West courtyard. Just few days ago, a batch of second rank maids were sent over and Fifth Lady did not recognise a single one. If Gu Yu and the rest are changed then Fifth Lady would not know who to talk to in the West courtyard.”
Ren Wan Yu’s smile stopped short.
In the West courtyard, Shen Xin and his wife were not in the capital most of the year and most of the maids in the courtyard have been changed. There were Old Furen’s people, Second household’s people and Third household’s people. But because the Second household was managing the family, so naturally there were more people from the Second household. If these words were not said it would be better, if this was spread to outsiders that the daughter of the First household did not know any single servant in her own courtyard, what intentions did the Second and Third household have? There was no logic that a younger sister-in-law that could intervene in the courtyard of the Eldest Brother.
Her brain started to turn quickly as she smile and gave Chen Rou Qiu a look before saying to Shen Miao, “Your Third Shen is joking with you. Gu Yu and the few maids are just careless and sloppy but we the Shen family is benevolence and cannot bear to do such inhuman things. Little Five must not be anxious.”
The words at the end was choked out from Chen Rou Qiu.
Shen Yuan Bo look at his mother and then looked over at Chen Rou Qiu before yawning. Old Shen Furen was getting impatient with her own Second and Third daughter-in-law when she saw the scene and said, “That’s enough. It’s only some trivial matter. Second son’s family, carry Seventh son over and then disperse. So many people making so much noise that made one’s head dizzy.”
Ren Wan Yu quickly carried Shen Yuan Bo to Old Shen Furen’s couch and say, “Mother, then these daughter-in-laws will go first. Seventh son will play obediently with Old Furen.”
Chen Rou Qiu glance over at Shen Yuan Bo and both her hands went up to her belly as she slowly exited from Rong Jing Tang. The Second household had sons so they were looked upon highly by Old Shen Furen. So what if she had the ability… Shen Yue was still a daughter. It would be good if she had a son. In the Shen residence, the things from the First residence would need to be fought over and if she had a son, at least there would be equal shares, not like now, letting the Second household have all the advantage. Moreover… There was still a Di son in the First household. Even though he followed Shen Xin to the border, who would know if he would come back to fight for a share.
After much thinking, Chen Rou Qiu raised her head and her eyes landed on the direction of the people heading towards the West courtyard.
The young female was wearing a dark red embroidered dress as she always love to wear brightly coloured ones. In addition with no parents at her side, she did not know how to dress up and would always portray an unsophisticated look.
But now, the crimson colour of the clothes made her complexion fairer. She was obviously still had the same appearance but one felt that she was much more solemn. And there was also some… Imposing air?
Gu Yu softly said, “Young Lady’s health is not recovered yet, why the hurry to head to the academy? Since the health condition was already explained, the homework would not be in rush to complete. It would be better…”
“No.” She Miao interrupted her words, “Prepare the carriage immediately.”
It was clearly not harsh words but Gu Yu did not know why she had a shiver and dare not ask more.