Chapter 598 Daughter Asks for an Official Position for Her Father

Shen Wantang, who was listening from the side, sneered: "Madam is really a good stepmother. She made up a serious illness for me on the spot. Have you always been able to lie so easily? I really don't know how many lies you have made up to deceive Father over the years! Father, you'd better watch out in the future!"

Madam Qi turned her head, putting on a kind mother's expression: "Tang'er, stop trying to sow discord. I had no choice but to make this up, and it's for your own good! You'll lose face if you go to the Duke's mansion with a swollen face, won't you? Your sister took a huge risk to go to the Duke's mansion for you, shouldn't you hurry up and thank your sister for saving the day?"

Shen Wantang truly regretted only slapping Qi Shi twice; she should have slapped her more.

"Who caused the swelling on my face? When Madam hit me, she was so fierce and vicious. If Father hadn't arrived in time, you probably would have beaten me to death, right? And you say it's for my own good? You're kidding me!"

“Since you are taking such a huge risk to go to the Duke’s mansion, how can I, as your younger sister, do it? You shouldn’t go, I will go instead. I will bring ice and apply it to my face along the way. By the time we get to the Duke’s mansion, the redness and swelling will have subsided.”

As Shen Wantang spoke, she looked at Shen Guannian and said, "What do you think, Father? The Duchess is still waiting for me to save her life. I have to leave quickly."

Shen Guannian frowned and ignored her completely. He looked at Shen Mingxuan with a flickering gaze, as if he was weighing whether the benefits of having his eldest daughter replace his second daughter at the Duke's mansion outweighed the risks.

Seeing his hesitation, Shen Wantang wanted to laugh.

Of course, she couldn't go to the Duke's mansion. She already knew that the servant wasn't from the Duke's mansion, and she also knew that the letter wasn't written by Gu Qianhan at all.

She had copied so many of Gu Qianhan's characters in her past life that she was extremely familiar with his handwriting.

The handwriting on the letter did resemble Gu Qianhan's, but only about 50% of it. This imitation was not as good as hers; Gu Qianhan's handwriting was at least 90% similar.

However, even if she didn't go, she still had to put on an act. Otherwise, if she didn't resist at all, didn't get angry at all, and didn't fight for anything, her good father, good stepmother, and good sister would all become suspicious.

Shen Mingxuan was afraid that Shen Guannian would be persuaded by Shen Wantang, so she hurriedly stepped forward, hugged Shen Guannian's arm, and shook it coquettishly: "Father, please agree to let your daughter go. Your daughter will never embarrass you. Moreover, no matter what gifts the Duke's Mansion gives you as thanks, your daughter will not accept them. After you come back, she will give them all to your father!"

Shen Guannian felt much more at ease and found Shen Mingxuan particularly pleasing to the eye. This daughter was so considerate and sensible, unlike Shen Wantang, who treated him like a thief!

But he said, "I'm not after that little bit of stuff. What's this about thanking you? The main thing is that you have to be able to cure the Duchess. Otherwise, it'll be a waste of your time."

"So that's what Father was worried about. You really don't know my true abilities. I'm just low-key and don't like to show off. Unlike my sister, I don't boast about what I know, as if I want the whole capital to know. Actually, I have a real talent for medicine. Curing the Duchess is a piece of cake for me."

Shen Mingxuan was genuinely not worried about not being able to cure Madam Gu. Luo Yan's medical skills were superb. She would dismiss everyone else and let Luo Yan treat Madam Gu. If she was cured, it would naturally be Shen Mingxuan's credit!

Seeing that Shen Guannian was still hesitant, she grabbed his arm and gave him another strong dose of advice: "Father, if my trip to the Duke's mansion can win over the Duchess, then I will ask the Duchess for an official position on your behalf, one that is higher than your current one! What do you say?"

Shen Guannian's heart skipped a beat, and his tone changed: "Xuan'er, is this really true?!"

Shen Mingxuan smiled, her face full of filial piety: "Of course it's true. Father raised his daughter, and now it's time for his daughter to repay him."

"My father has been unable to regain his original position for a long time, and I am very anxious about it. Unfortunately, I am powerless and have never had the opportunity to help my father."

"Now the opportunity has come. I will do everything in my power to win an official position for my father. He is a man of great talent and learning. He should not be idle at home. He should go to the court to display his talents and realize his ambitions!"

After hearing this, Shen Guannian felt as refreshed and happy as if he had eaten ice cream on a hot summer day.

He reached out and patted Shen Mingxuan's head, praising her generously: "Good! This is my daughter, Shen Guannian. Filial, sensible, and considerate. I haven't spoiled you for nothing! You are so much better than your sister!"

Shen Mingxuan glanced triumphantly at Shen Wantang, and seeing Shen Wantang's unpleasant expression, she asked cheerfully, "Father, who will go to the Duchess's side?"

Shen Guannian waved his hand dismissively: "Go!"

Shen Mingxuan was overjoyed: "Really?"

“It’s true, of course. If the Duchess asks why you were replaced after you go there, just say that your sister is sick and you were afraid of passing on your illness to her, so you were the only one who had to be replaced.”

Shen Mingxuan couldn't suppress the smile on her lips. She lowered her head, looking obedient, and said, "Father, don't worry, I know what to say. But what about that servant sent by the Duke's mansion... what should I do?"

Shen Guannian glanced at Shen Wantang and snorted coldly: "That's easy! Tang'er, take off your clothes and give them to your sister!"

Shen Wantang was shocked: "Father, how could you do something like this, switching the prince with a cat?! My sister doesn't know any medicine at all, and the Duke's mansion specifically asked for me. I don't agree to send my sister instead! I want to go to the Duke's mansion!"

Shen Mingxuan walked up to her with a sinister smile and started tearing off her clothes: "Little sister, I risked my life for you, and instead of being grateful, you look like you've been wronged? You have no conscience! Someone, quickly help me take off her clothes!"

Shen Wantang burst into tears: "Father, aren't you afraid that if word gets out that my sister is bullying me like this, it will ruin your reputation? Father, please save me! I'm the one who should be going to the Duke's mansion!"

Shen Guannian didn't even look at her and walked straight out: "I'll go and take care of that servant in the Duke's mansion first. You guys need to be quick here."

After he finished speaking, he left without caring whether Shen Wantang lived or died.

Fifteen minutes later.

Shen Mingxuan then dressed in Shen Wantang's clothes, changed her hairstyle to be the same as Shen Wantang's, wore the silver hairpin that Shen Wantang wore, and went to the front yard with Shen Wantang's two maids, Qin Xin and Du Juan.

Shen Guannian had specially ordered that all the lights in the front yard be turned off, leaving only one lantern on.

In the dark, the servant couldn't see Shen Mingxuan's face clearly, only that her clothes and hair ornaments were the same, and that her maid was also Shen Wantang's maid.

Moreover, the two sisters were somewhat similar and both had slender figures. Although Shen Wantang was slightly taller than Shen Mingxuan, Shen Mingxuan deliberately wore platform shoes, so at a glance, people who were not familiar with them could not tell which one was which.

"Second Miss, please. Our Duke's carriage is already waiting outside."