Mrs. Shen's side room was decorated in a simple and elegant manner. Mrs. Hou was drinking tea while trying hard to hide her anxiety.
According to her plan, she will leave Yangzhou and return to the capital tomorrow.
Unexpectedly, early in the morning, Mrs. Shen’s grandmother came to the door in person.
Brought a post from Xie Zhuohua inviting Su Jingyi to come and enjoy the flowers today.
Mrs. Hou reluctantly smiled and accepted the extremely hot post, unable to move forward or retreat.
If it were someone else, she could refuse without mercy.
Pianpian is Xie Zhuohua, and just because she is the unofficial crown princess and future mother of the country, the queen must handle it carefully and without any slights.
Aunt Zhang saw her expression in her eyes and spoke appropriately to add fuel to the fire, "Old Madam also wants to invite Madam Hou to come over and talk. I don't know if Madam Hou will appreciate her."
These words are serious, but this is Mrs. Shen who is very polite today.
Is it her turn to be a matron-in-waiting and not be appreciated?
"Look what grandma said, it's an honor for me to be able to talk to the old lady."
Knowing clearly that something was wrong, Mrs. Hou, who was aloof and superior, could only eat Coptis chinensis dumbly. She couldn't tell her the pain, so she admitted it with a smile.
Soon, with the maid waiting, she and Su Jingyi tidied up properly.
Because Aunt Zhang was waiting outside, time was urgent. Mrs. Hou could only grab Su Jingyi's shoulders and warn her sternly, "Stop your temper and cleverness later. Remember that Auntie is at home."
How did I teach you?"
Under her gaze, Su Jingyi nodded obediently, "Remember."
"Just remember, follow what you have learned at home, act like a noble lady, don't talk nonsense, don't act randomly, you know?" Madam Hou said solemnly.
"Mom, who are we going to see?" Su Jingyi asked cautiously, as if she was facing a formidable enemy.
As Mrs. Hou led her out, she quickly told her, "The eldest daughter of the Xie family and the future crown princess is not someone you can easily offend."
Su Jingyi was a little unimpressed. During this period of time in Yangzhou, she could be said to be like a fish in water. All the young girls she met supported her.
She had been drifting off for a long time, completely unaware of the seriousness of the matter.
"Anyway, please stay calm today." Madam Hou said with a headache.
"I know." Su Jingyi responded obediently, "I'm not stupid, don't worry, mother."
Isn't it just a flower viewing party? It's not like she has never participated in it in the capital. Except for those who are jealous of her, she gets along very happily with everyone every time.
Looking at Mrs. Hou who was distracted, another Mrs. Shen said with a smile, "What is Mrs. Hou thinking about, so absorbed?"
Madam Hou forced a smile, "It's nothing, it's just Jingyi's first time here, so I'm a little worried about her."
Mrs. Shen didn't say a few words to her from beginning to end, so she left on the pretext of going to listen to the scriptures.
Mrs. Shen Si was left here to accompany her. This young lady was very talkative and not indifferent.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Hou was not in that mood and was absent-minded from beginning to end, hinting that she wanted to leave several times.
The fourth lady didn't know whether she really didn't understand or pretended not to understand, but she just refused to answer the question and chatted enthusiastically with her all over the world.
Madam Hou was a little unsure of what the old lady meant, and asked uneasily, "I heard that Miss Shen is entering the house today?"
Miss Shen? The Fourth Madam heard the strange and polite address from Madam Hou, and the smile on her face faded a little, "It is indeed today, I should have arrived smoothly."
Madam Hou's heart skipped a beat, then why did the old lady keep them here?
She didn't believe that the old lady really liked Shen Xingwan.
She admitted that Shen Xingwan was clever and capable, but unfortunately it was not enough yet.
She thought about it privately with her confidant, and finally came to the conclusion that Shen Xingwan was probably being picked as a flag or a shield.
There is no need for the old lady to have trouble with herself because of her. Mr. Hou has become very popular in recent years!
Madam Hou put down the tea cup in her hand, "Since Miss Shen is already here, I won't bother you here anymore. It's time for her to come visit the old lady."
After saying that, he stood up and wanted to take the opportunity to say goodbye.
How could Mrs. Shen Si let her go like this? She held her hand and said with a smile, "How can I disturb you? Speaking of which, Miss Shen and you have a fate. Now that we have met, you should meet her." It would be nice to see her."
Madam Hou smiled unnaturally and said, "No need, Miss Shen must not really want to see me."
"Miss Shen is here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the maid's clear and melodious announcement sounded.
Mrs. Shen Si smiled more sincerely, "Hey, just as I was talking, people arrived. This is fate. You can sit down with peace of mind."
Madam Hou could only sit down. After all, she was in the Shen family, so she couldn't do anything too much despite her reluctance.
As soon as Shen Xingwan walked into the room, he saw the slightly tired Madam Hou sitting in the guest seat, and a young woman dressed luxuriously.
Mrs. Shen Si spoke first with a smile on her face, "You must be sister Xingwan. You are indeed beautiful and pretty. The old lady has been thinking about you since the beginning."
Shen Xingwan pretended to smile shyly, "You are the fourth sister-in-law, right?"
One of the most capable of the younger generation of wives in the Shen family, she assists the eldest son in taking care of everything at home.
"Someone come and serve tea and snacks for my sister." Mrs. Shen Si enthusiastically took her hand and asked her to sit down, and then said, "I want to invite the old lady myself and tell her that the girl has arrived."
After saying that, he left in a hurry, as if he had forgotten that there was another guest in the room.
The maids of the Shen Mansion stood outside the door in a well-trained manner, waiting for orders.
For a moment, there were only Shen Xingwan, Madam Hou, and their respective maids in the room.
No one took the initiative to speak. The whole room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, and the atmosphere was subtle.
Shen Xingwan sat very upright and well-mannered, looking at the handkerchief in his hand with a calm expression.
After all, it was Madam Hou who couldn't keep her composure and said in a low voice, "Young lady has good tricks."
Shen Xingwan followed the good advice and said, "Madam taught me well that day. I will remember it in my heart and never forget it!"
Mrs. Hou's eyes flashed, she really hated her.
I don't know if she knew about what happened today.
"The road must be walked step by step. Girl, be careful if you step too fast, you may fall." Madam Hou said with a hint of meaning in her words.
Shen Xingwan finally raised his head to look at her, his eyes as bright as the stars, "This is not enough for Madam to worry about. I have accepted Madam's love so many times, so I should give Madam a piece of advice."
"If you like educating others so much, why not educate your own daughter first?"
"After so many years, there is still no progress, and the methods are as unsatisfactory as they were a few years ago!"
What Shen Xingwan said was meant to poke her heart.
Madam Hou's face suddenly changed with anger, and a trace of anger appeared in her eyes.
She was about to speak.
A little girl ran away and shouted loudly, "Oh no, something happened to Miss Su!"
Madam Hou suddenly stood up, feeling a little dizzy.
"It seems that what I said is right. It's really time to teach him well." Shen Xingwan said with a slight smile.
