Chapter 138 Return to the Duke's Mansion

The third and fourth wives should not interfere in matters between the first and second wives.

The third master, Shen Yutang, approved of his second brother's approach.

Now that Taotao is back, the second house’s resources should be used on their own children.

The eldest brother doesn't have any children, so wouldn't it be good for him to take Jingshu in and have a legitimate relationship with his biological daughter?

However, the fourth master Shen Cunzhong thought that his brother was acting too hastily.

The crown prince is still undecided.

He had previously raised his niece as his own daughter, giving her both a dowry and money.

After being raised with such care and respect, it is really not worth it to suddenly give up at this critical moment.

Although he also felt that the second prince was not a good candidate for the crown prince.

Zhu Ruijing's virtue was only superficial. He secretly formed a clique to usurp power and lacked the bearing of a ruler.

But the eldest prince doesn't seem suitable either.

Zhu Yanqing is a soft-hearted person. Even if the emperor gave him a good sword like Xiao Mo's, he was still undecided about the choice of crown prince.

However, since it was his father's decision, Shen Cunzhong felt that there might be some other considerations involved.

On their days off, everyone in the Shen Mansion would go to Yiyuan to visit Master Shen, and then have lunch together before leaving.

Today is no exception.

Overall, this lunch was quite depressing.

Perhaps because of what had just happened, the couple from the eldest house finished their food in silence and then stood up to say goodbye.

While Xu Shuyao was having lunch, she occasionally met the eyes of the man's brother at the table. He looked very happy, as if he had been waiting for this result for a long time.

Only her mother, Ruan, lowered her head, as if she had done something wrong.

Xu Shuyao no longer looked at her.

After finishing lunch, he returned to his Mingxiuyuan.

Thinking that her father would take her back to the Duke's Mansion later, she changed her clothes and re-combed her hair.

About half an hour later, someone came to call her over.

When Xu Shuyao arrived at the second gate, she saw her parents and brother all dressed in new clothes waiting there. Behind them, three carriages were lined up.

She and Ruan took one car, and her father and brother took another.

Ruan didn't mention the car in front, but Xu Shuyao guessed it was a gift for everyone in the Duke's Mansion.

Maybe it was because of what his father said, the mother in front of him looked a little better now, but her brows were still slightly furrowed, as if she was filled with an unrelieved sorrow.

Xu Shuyao thought of her brother who was almost dying in the temple that day, and after a little effort, she asked, "Is there something bothering Mother?"

Ruan's face froze, and she stammered, "No... no, don't worry."

"Mother, do you feel guilty towards Big Sister?"

Ruan raised her head and looked at her, her face pale. "No, it's not like that. I just felt that everyone was fine before, and suddenly... it became like this."

"I think mother is the only one who thinks everything is fine. My brother was nearly killed in Qingning Temple. Mother, do you want to hear my maid talk about the process of saving him?" Xu Shuyao spoke very directly, but in a slow and unhurried tone.

"I thought Jingshu wouldn't do that... I..." Ruan shook her head, looking at a loss.

"Mother!" Xu Shuyao interrupted her and said seriously, "Between my brother and Shen Jingshu, you can only choose one."

After she said this, Ruan suddenly became quiet.

In her heart, her son and husband are more important.

However, after seeing her eldest son return safely that day, she began to doubt Jingshu's ability to do such a thing, thinking that there might be some misunderstanding.

After all, the eldest son didn't like his younger sister at home before.

On the other hand, Nguyen had an ostrich mentality and did not dare to pursue the truth.

After that, neither mother nor daughter spoke again in the carriage.

But time passed quickly. Xu Shuyao had just taken a nap when they arrived at Duke Cheng's Mansion. The gatekeeper was also a little stunned when he saw the Shen family's group of people gathered together.

Everyone in the mansion was saying that his cousin had found her biological parents. He didn't dare to believe it at first, but now he saw it with his own eyes.

The two families were already very familiar with each other, and with Xu Shuyao present, there was no need to bother waiting for the mistress to come out to greet them.

Xu Shuyao led the person directly to Songhe Hall.

Old Madam Xiao had just finished her lunch break when she heard that someone had arrived at the Shen Mansion.

He hurriedly asked the maid to go to Chunhui Hall to invite the eldest daughter-in-law over.

After a brief thought, he instructed the people outside, "By the way, ask the Second Madam to come over as well!"

After all, she is Yaoyao's aunt.

Chen Xinian hasn't visited the old lady of the Duke's Mansion for many years.

But today, after arriving, he politely performed three large bows, then said respectfully, "Xinian thanks you for taking care of our Taotao over the past three years, and also thanks the old lady for bringing this child up with you. I am deeply grateful! I have prepared some small gifts today, I hope the old lady will accept them!"

Then the maid came over and carried the gifts in one by one.

The Duke's Mansion was already wealthy and glorious enough, but what Chen Xinian brought were not ordinary gold and silver objects, jewels and jades, but rare and unique copies of calligraphy and paintings, and priceless relics of the previous dynasty.

This is quite precious.

Madam Xiao smiled and said, "I have a connection with this child. She is so clever and intelligent. I have gained far more than I have given. I do not deserve this great gift from you. I am also happy for Yaoyao to be able to recognize her family. This child is not easy to come by. She is so sensible that it makes people feel distressed. I only want to say one thing: I hope the Shen family will treat her well in the future."

Xu Shuyao stood by and looked at the old man, her eyes couldn't help but turn red.

Thinking about her original intention of approaching Old Madam Xiao that day, how could someone as insightful as her not see that a young lady's flattery had hidden ulterior motives?

But the other party still accepted her with good intentions and immediately gave her what she wanted.

That's just right.

Xu Shuyao walked over and kowtowed solemnly before saying, "Old Madam! Yaoyao is sorry for not telling you all about my life story. I..."

Madam Xiao helped her up: "No need to say, I know everything, don't feel guilty, you have done very well."

"You have suffered a lot for your younger brother, and now you have finally enjoyed happiness. However... even if your biological parents are here, I still want to tell you the truth. If you have any difficulties in the future, you can still come to Songhe Hall and the Duke's Mansion. This will be your second home." said Old Lady Xiao.

"Okay!" Xu Shuyao choked.

But after a while, Wang and Chen also came, followed by Xiao Jinshan. When the third cousin saw her, she was not as noisy as before.

Xu Shuyao walked over to greet Chen and whispered to her how little Chen had raised her.

Although this cheap aunt was not very kind to her, Xu Shuyao was able to live in the Duke's Mansion through her.

Chen felt emotional, hoping that the young lady in front of her would not hold a grudge against her. How could she dare to pursue the other party's lies that day?

Besides, even if the niece is fake, the nephew is real.

At this moment, she was a little envious of her younger sister. Where did she find this good child?

Over the years, he has helped her manage the household and take care of her son, and now he has found the Shen family as a backer for his nephew.

"How could your aunt blame you? I know you did all this for that child Shu Heng. Your aunt and your two cousins ​​have done some wrong things before, I hope you don't bear them in mind. You can still treat me as your aunt in the future." Chen felt a little guilty when she said the last sentence.

Only Xu Shuyao knew it was just a polite remark.

However, Shu Heng is related to the Chen family after all, and they may meet many times in the future.