Chapter 24: Feeling of Suffocation
When Chun Tao saw Shen Miao, she quickly approached the carriage and spoke to the people in the carriage. Afterwards, the curtain of the carriage was pried open.
Shen Yue and Shen Qing was inside and Ren Wan Yun and Chen Rou Xiu was there too. The four of them saw Shen Miao’s appearance and could not help but be astonished. Chen Rou Xiu’s eyes flashed but Ren Wan Yun frowned instead, “Little Five, why are you wearing so plainly?”
“Exactly,” Shen Qing could not wait to speak, “It really look ugly. It is better to wear in brighter colours. I still have a new bright yellow dress in my room. Chun Tao, bring Fifth Younger Sister to change it to that clothing. And what about jewellery? If one did not know, one would think that the General residence had ill-treated you.”
She secretly suppressed the jealousy in her heart.
Actually Shen Qing was also considered a delicate and attractive female. Coupled with the magnanimous and bright occasion, one would see that she was a proper noble young lady from a reputable family. But there was only one thing that she was most concerned about, was that her complexion was not fair enough as it was somewhat in the shade of wheat. For a female, everyone would want their skin to be as fair as snow. Shen Yue’s complexion was fair and she did not dare to say anything. But Shen Miao’s complexion was fair and with the lotus purple clothes, it made her skin look as white as snow. As such, among the three daughters in the Shen residence, her complexion was the darkest and naturally she was unable about it.
Shen Yue examined Shen Miao very carefully and saw that she had styled her hear to a cloud topknot which was exquisite and with the matching lotus purple clothes, she looked exceptionally dignified. Today, she did not wear any of those gold and silver jewellery. Even though it was plain, there was an air of nobility. She smiled, “Fifth Younger Sister, not mentioning the clothes, one must definitely wear jewellery as this concerns the reputation of our residence. Grandmother would not be happy with your current appearance. Furthermore, why do you style your hair as such? You are currently not old, thus the previous double ring hairstyle is very suitable.”
Gu Yu was so angry that her face turn a little white but she was a servant and could not go against the mistresses. She was gnashing her teeth as she thought, these Second and Third households harboured sinister motives and would not hesitate to harm their own niece. They could not wait for Shen Miao to wear as uncouth as possible.
Shen Miao sneered in her heart, Shen Yue even use Old Shen Furen, as she knew that she previously afraid of the dignity of the Old Furen the most. As for her hairstyle, Shen Yue was only older than a year than her and how can she speak about being young. She herself had her hair up in a flying immortal hairstyle with a pink dress which was very light like a fairy. She wanted to be a talent so why should she compare?
They finished talking but Shen Miao kept quiet and only smiled at them, and they did not know what she was thinking. Finally Shen Qing felt uncomfortable with that look and snapped at the maid standing by the carriage, “Chun Tao, what are you standing there for? Still don’t bring Fifth Younger Sister to change her clothes?”
“Not required.” Shen Miao interrupted her words and put up a timely sorrowful demeanour, “There is a reason for today’s appearance. I especially like the jewellery that Second Shen gave to me and intentionally did not wear them.
A few of them look at each other and did not understand Shen Miao’s meaning. Gu Yu and Jing Zhe also look at one another before looking confusingly at Shen Miao.
“Father is currently far away in the Northwest region, leading soldiers into bloody battles. The Xiong Bu have yet to retreated and the soldiers wear cold amours while I am here in the capital wearing brocade garments and enjoying jaded meals, being carefree and enjoying the tranquillity as I appreciate the flowers and compose poems. I am truly ashamed.” Shen Miao slighted bowed her head as her voice lightened, “Last night Bodhisattva entered my dream and wanted me to pray sincerely. Thus I have decided to wear plainly with lesser colours until Father return back and no longer wear bright clothes or jewellery.”
No one expected that Shen Miao would suddenly make such a speech. Normally her words were spoken so timidly that it was unclear, let alone could she speak with such punctilious words eloquently. Shen Yue and Shen Miao was so surprised that they could not speak while Chen Rou Qiu held her head as if deep in thought. It was Ren Wan Yun who was embarrassed. Shen Miao words sounded that she alone prayed sincerely for her father but what were these Shen family doing? But she definitely not want her Qing-er to wear such plain clothes to attend the Chrysanthemum banquet too. Ren Wan Yun gritted her teeth and persuaded lovingly, “Even it was like this, you are also a young lady and did not have to think about such heavy thoughts and relax during the Chrysanthemum banquet…”
But Shen Miao suddenly gave a big bow to Ren Wan Yun, “Beseeching Second Shen to fulfil Shen Miao’s act of filial piety.”
They were standing at the main doors of Shen residence and there were many passer-by. When Shen Miao gave such a big bow, many of the passing people could not help but cast a curious eye towards them.
Ren Wan Yun could let Shen Miao wear beautiful clothes to maintain the reputation of Shen residence, but Ren Wan Yun dare not fulfil Shen Miao’s act of filial piety?
Their own family’s eldest brother was in the battle in the Northwest region. Not considering that they themselves did not pray for him, what kind of intentions did they have for not allowing his daughter to fulfil the act of filial piety?
Ren Wan Yun’s face suddenly turned green as she did not expect Shen Miao to reply like this which made her so suffocated as she was unable to refuse. Ren Wan Yun quickly let Chun Tao support Shen Miao up and said, “This child. How would Second shen not fulfil your act of filial piety? It is tough for you to have such a mind like this at such a young age. Never mind, dress plainly then.”
Shen Qing was still somewhat not happy about it but did not refute her mother’s intentions. Both Shen Yue and her mother seem to understood something and when they look at Shen Miao again, their vision was different.
“However,” Ren Wan Yun smiled, “Our carriage is currently full. Let the steward prepare another one specifically for Little Five. It would also be spacious. Little Five will follow after the second carriage and head out later.”
In every Chrysanthemum banquet, Shen Miao would ride in a carriage with both mother and daughter pairs. It was just an additional person, how can anyone unable to squeeze in. To have such an attitude today, it must be deliberate.
Ren Wan Yun also had her own thoughts. Shen Qing had reached an age to look for marriageable partners but Shen Xin’s official ranking was higher than Shen Gui, thus those higher ranking family would consider Shen Miao first. Since Shen Miao was foolish and dumb, if there was no one guiding her, most probably she would make a fool of herself. Only with that, can Shen Qing’s magnanimous be outstanding.
So she had deliberately prepared two horse carriages. Chen Rou Qiu and her daughter was playing with her so she would naturally not refuse it.
“Alright, will do as instructed by Second Shen.” Shen Miao said with a smile.
Ren Wan Yun was somewhat flabbergasted as she did not think that Shen Miao would agree to it so easily. Shen Miao has always been timid and previously would always stick with Shen Yue and Shen Qing. She thought that it would be difficult for her to sit alone in a carriage and did not think that Shen Miao would simply not refuse.
As a result, the words that she had previously prepared was made redundant.
“If there is nothing the matter then Shen Miao would go up to the carriage first.” She quickly gave her greetings to the four of them and went up her own carriage.
That carriage was also considered spacious but was not as refined as Ren Wan Yun’s one.
Gu Yu said angrily, “Not mentioning about letting Young Lady sit alone in a horse carriage but also to let one travel behind. What kind of intention is this?”
Jing Zhe glance over at Shen Miao with a look of concern as she sighed softly in her heart.
Shen Miao’s slights stared deeply onto the candied confections as her hands gradually clenched.
They want to ruin the reputation of the First Household and deliberately extending the distance between the First Household so that when she was laughed at, Shen Xin’s name would be blackened?
She would like to see at the end who will be the one that would feel of suffocated.