When Chun Tao saw Shen Miao, she hurriedly approached the carriage and said something to the people in it. Then, she saw the curtain of the carriage being lifted.
Inside were Shen Yue and Shen Qing, as well as Ren Wanyun and Chen Ruoqiu. The four of them couldn't help but be startled when they saw Shen Miao's appearance. Chen Ruoqiu's eyes flashed, while Ren Wanyun frowned: "Xiao Wu, why are you dressed so plainly?"
"That's right," Shen Qing couldn't wait to speak up. "It looks really ugly. It's better to wear something brighter. I have a bright yellow new dress in my room. Chuntao, take your fifth sister to change into that dress and jewelry. Why are you not wearing anything? If someone didn't know, they would think the general's mansion had treated you unfairly."
She secretly suppressed the jealousy in her heart.
In reality, Shen Qingsheng was a beautiful woman, and with her cheerful and generous demeanor, she looked like a well-behaved lady from a wealthy family. However, one thing that bothered her most was her skin, which wasn't quite fair, leaning towards a wheatish tan. Every girl wanted skin as white as snow. She didn't dare say anything about Shen Yue's fair complexion, but Shen Miao's was fair, and today, in a lotus-green dress, it looked even more like snow. This meant she had the darkest complexion of the three daughters of the Shen family, and naturally, she was unhappy.
Chen Yue carefully observed Shen Miao and saw that the bun she wore was also very small and exquisite. It matched her lotus green dress and made her look very dignified. Today, she did not wear those gold and silver jewelry. Although she was simple, she had a natural and noble temperament. She smiled and said, "Fifth sister, let's not talk about clothes for now. But you must wear jewelry. After all, you are the face of our family. Grandmother would be displeased to see you dressed like this. Besides, why do you wear your hair like this? You are still young now. The double-ring bun you wore before was fine."
Gu Yu's face turned pale with anger, but as a servant, she couldn't contradict her master. She gnashed her teeth in hatred. The second and third wives of the Shen family were all up to no good, and they didn't hesitate to harm their niece. She wished that Shen Miao dressed as plainly as possible.
Shen Miao sneered inwardly. Shen Yue had even brought up Old Madam Shen. She knew that what she used to fear the most was the Old Madam's authority. As for combing her hair, Shen Yue was only a year older than herself, so how could she be considered young? She combed her hair into a fairy bun herself, and her pink gauze dress was as light and ethereal as an angel. She wanted to be a stunning and talented woman, so why did she have to do it herself?
After they finished speaking, they saw Shen Miao said nothing, just smiled and looked at them, not knowing what she was thinking. Finally, Shen Qing felt a little uncomfortable with that look and scolded the maid standing beside the carriage: "Chun Tao, what are you still standing there for? Why don't you take Fifth Sister to change clothes quickly?"
“No need,” Shen Miao interrupted her, putting on a melancholy expression at the right moment, “There is a reason why I’m dressed like this today. I really like the jewelry Second Aunt gave me, and it’s not that I’m deliberately not wearing it.”
Several people looked at each other, not knowing what Shen Miao meant. Guyu and Jingzhe also looked at each other, looking at Shen Miao with some confusion.
"Father is now far away in the northwest, leading the soldiers in bloody battles. The Xiongnu have not retreated yet, and the soldiers are gleaming in their iron armor. I am in the capital, yet I am clothed in fine clothes and fed with delicious food, enjoying leisurely leisure, admiring flowers and reciting poems. I am truly ashamed." Shen Miao lowered her head slightly, and her voice became softer. "Last night, a Bodhisattva appeared in my dream, asking me to pray devoutly. I have made up my mind to wear plain clothes and light colors, and not wear bright clothes or jewelry until father returns triumphantly."
No one expected Shen Miao to suddenly say such words. Normally, she couldn't express herself clearly with such timid words, let alone such literal words. Shen Yue and Shen Qing were both speechless with shock. Chen Ruoqiu stroked his forehead thoughtfully. Ren Wanyun, on the other hand, looked a little embarrassed. After Shen Miao said this, she prayed devoutly for her father alone. What about the Shen family members? But she definitely wouldn't let her Qing'er wear such plain clothes to the Chrysanthemum Banquet. Ren Wanyun gritted her teeth and advised lovingly: "Even so, you are a young girl. Why worry so much? Just relax at the Chrysanthemum Banquet..."
Shen Miao suddenly bowed deeply towards Ren Wanyun: "Please, Second Aunt, fulfill Shen Miao's filial piety."
There were already quite a few passersby standing at the gate of the Shen Mansion, and when Shen Miao bowed like this, the passersby couldn't help but cast curious glances at her.
Ren Wanyun could force Shen Miao to wear brightly colored clothes to maintain the reputation of the Shen family, but would Ren Wanyun dare not fulfill Shen Miao's filial piety?
His elder brother is fighting in the northwest, and not only do he not pray for him, but he even refuses to help his daughter be filial. What is his intention?
Ren Wanyun's face instantly turned pale. She hadn't expected Shen Miao to answer like that, and what was even more frustrating was that she couldn't refuse. Ren Wanyun quickly asked Chuntao to help Shen Miao up, saying, "You child, why wouldn't Second Aunt fulfill your filial piety? It's incredible that you're so young and have such thoughts. Well, just keep it simple."
Shen Qing was still a little unconvinced, but it was difficult to refute her mother's opinion. However, Shen Yue and her daughter seemed to have noticed something, and when they looked at Shen Miao again, their eyes had changed.
"However," Ren Wanyun said with a smile, "Our carriage is full, so we asked the butler to prepare another one especially for Xiaowu. It's spacious too. Xiaowu will follow us behind the second carriage, and we'll go in together later."
Every year at the Chrysanthemum Banquet, Shen Miao would ride in the same carriage with the two mother and daughter. It was just one more person, so how could they not be able to squeeze in? Her behavior today was just deliberate.
Ren Wanyun also had her own considerations. Shen Qing was also at the age to find a husband, but Shen Xin's official position was higher than Shen Gui's, so if there was a high-ranking family, they might consider Shen Miao first. Shen Miao was stupid and if there was no one to lead her, she would probably make a lot of jokes. Only in this way could Shen Qing's generosity and propriety be highlighted.
That's why she specially prepared two carriages. Chen Ruoqiu and her daughter had the same idea as her, so naturally they wouldn't refuse.
“Okay, I’ll just follow Second Aunt’s orders.” Shen Miao smiled slightly.
Ren Wanyun was a little surprised. She didn't expect Shen Miao to agree so easily. Shen Miao had always been timid and always stuck to Shen Yue and Shen Qing. She thought it would be difficult for her to have a carriage by herself, but she didn't expect Shen Miao to refuse at all.
This made the words she had prepared seem unnecessary.
“If there is nothing else, Shen Miao can go get on the carriage first.” She saluted the four people and got on her own carriage.
The carriage was quite spacious, but not as exquisite as Ren Wanyun's.
Gu Yu said angrily, "It would be fine if you let the girl ride in the carriage alone, but you actually let someone sit in the back. What's your intention?"
Jingzhe glanced at Shen Miao with some worry, and sighed inwardly.
Shen Miao stared solemnly at the candied fruit on the small table, her hands gradually clenching.
Want to embarrass the eldest wife, deliberately distance herself from her, make her a laughing stock, and bring infamy to Shen Xin?
She wanted to see who would cause trouble to whom in the end.