"Ming'e!"

The silent Aunt Liu suddenly looked up and interrupted her daughter, then scolded, "You must not be so rude to Madam. I think you've been corrupted by Madam. Madam loves you, but you can't be so ungrateful. Quickly apologize to Madam!"

His humble and respectful tone did indeed put Lin at ease, but the gaze fixed on Shen Ming'e remained sharp.

This family has turned upside down. Even a concubine's daughter dares to speak loudly to her. It's true that she comes from a merchant family, but as long as she is Shen Shuchun's legal wife, she is her legal mother. She has to keep a low profile in front of her!

Shen Ming'e frowned and was still making a last-ditch effort, but Aunt Liu forced her to kowtow to Lin Shi and apologize without allowing her to refuse.

Seeing how humble Liu had been, Shen Mingzhuang couldn't help but feel a sense of enlightenment.

No wonder she was able to remain in power in the Shen family as a concubine. With her ruthless methods towards both herself and others, even the Gu family could not match her.

However, this made her even more convinced that Wenxin's identity was definitely not simple. Thinking that she might have to get along with her in the future, Shen Mingzhuang secretly kept an eye on things and planned to ask Manhuan to keep an eye on this matter when she got back.

Thinking about it this way, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Manhuan, the little girl. It must be very difficult for her to have so many things to worry about at such a young age. She should quickly exchange some cash to increase the little girl's monthly allowance.

"Then it's settled. Granny Jiang will perform the facial initiation on Wenxin later. When Third Master returns tonight, Wenxin will know what to do."

After Lin finished speaking, her gaze lingered on Shen Ming'e's face for a few more seconds. Shen Ming'e's face was flushed red. Although she apologized, her eyes seemed to wish Lin dead immediately.

Madam Lin left satisfied, and as soon as she saw her figure disappear through the door, Aunt Liu's face fell.

Seeing that the time was not right, Shen Mingzhuang did not linger and said that he had to go to Shou'an Hall and would leave first.

With no outsiders around, Aunt Liu no longer needed to feign composure. She gripped the famille rose teacup on the coffee table, clenching her fingers tightly as if she wanted to crush it to pieces.

“Auntie…” Shen Ming’e’s eyes were red as she called out to Auntie Liu with some concern.

Wenxin, the person involved, was at a loss and looked at Aunt Liu with a panicked expression. Aunt Liu took a few deep breaths and gradually calmed down. "Don't worry, I will handle this matter properly."

"Auntie, Wenxin absolutely cannot serve the emperor, otherwise things will fall apart!" Shen Ming'e was eager to know what Aunt Liu was planning, so she nervously reminded her.

"Your aunt isn't senile yet!"

Aunt Liu sneered, her eyes filled with darkness, showing none of the submissive and obsequious demeanor she usually displayed.

Wenxin could not possibly serve Shen Shuchun. She was also his daughter, and neither seniority nor human relations allowed such a thing to happen.

I rarely let Wenxin serve me in public, and I only told others that she was a little maid who managed my trunks. Why would Madam Lin suddenly set her sights on this? Did she know something, or was it just a lucky accident?

No matter which one it was, it made her feel as if she were facing a formidable enemy, and she couldn't help but feel an unprecedented sense of crisis.

Looking at the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, Aunt Liu took a deep breath. Over the years, she had tried her best to remain humble and not compete for favor under Madam Lin's command, yet she was still being targeted by Madam Lin. It seemed that she could no longer continue like this.

Stroking her increasingly pregnant belly, Madam Liu slowly closed her eyes.

After leaving Biyue Tower, Shen Mingzhuang was still thinking about what had just happened, so much so that she didn't notice the steps under her feet. If Man Huan hadn't been quick-witted and agile, she would have fallen flat on her face.

"What are you thinking about, Miss? You fell in broad daylight. People will laugh at you if word gets out," Man Huan teased when she saw her lost in thought.

Shen Mingzhuang smiled and said, "I'm thinking about where to go to escape the heat in this weather."

Manhuan tilted her head, somewhat puzzled, and said, "Didn't Miss already think it all through?"

Shen Mingzhuang smiled and said, "You should compare prices from different vendors!"

The group entered Meishou Hall, which was very quiet. Shen Mingzhuang thought the old lady was resting, so she was about to ask the maid. However, the maid said, "The old lady is talking to the fourth young lady right now. Miss Jiu, you should come over later."

The speaker was Shuxiang, with whom Manhuan had a private friendship. She usually took good care of the people at Cuixuan Residence. Upon hearing this, Shen Mingzhuang frowned and his gaze fell on the bamboo curtain that shaded the sun at the door.

When they usually come over, Shen Pinzhen is always there, and the old lady never avoids talking to them. Judging from Shuxiang's expression, could something have happened?

She snapped out of her reverie and looked at Man Huan. Their eyes met, and Man Huan smiled and nodded. Then she pulled Shu Xiang aside to talk, and Shen Mingzhuang turned and left.

Half an hour later, Man Huan returned to Cui Xuan Residence with a solemn expression.

Shen Mingzhuang quickly dismissed the servants in the room and asked Manhuan what had happened.

Manhuan made sure there were no maids squatting in the corner outside before speaking mysteriously: "Miss, there's a problem with the marriage between our family and the Wen family."

The marriage between Shen Mingxi and Wen Han wasn't exactly a secret in the Shen family; quite a few people knew about it. What could possibly go wrong? Before Shen Mingzhuang could continue speculating, Man Huan leisurely explained, "Madam Wen must have heard some gossip from someone, because she suddenly changed her mind and wants to marry Miss Xianglian, the daughter of Fourth Aunt, as her daughter-in-law. The Old Madam was furious when she found out and is currently arguing with Fourth Aunt!"

No wonder Mei Shoutang didn't dare to breathe loudly. Old Madam Shen must be furious right now. Who would have thought that the one who would stab her in the back would be her own daughter? Who would feel good in that situation?

"However, Fourth Aunt said that the old lady did not value her granddaughter, Miss Biao, and immediately made a fuss about having people pack their things, saying that she would leave tonight."

Shen Mingzhuang couldn't help but burst into laughter. This fourth aunt was really interesting. She was in the wrong first, yet she turned around and blamed him. The old lady was so strict about rules, how could she have raised such a daughter?

However, the Hu family has developed in the Suzhou and Hangzhou area, and the fourth son-in-law is far away at Mingsheng Lake. Compared with the Shen family's daughter, Hu Xianglian's status is somewhat inferior. Compared with Shen Mingxi, she only has the status of being the legitimate daughter. Why did Madam Wen risk offending the Shen family and switch sides at the last minute? Could it be because of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion?

No, no, no, she thought it was more likely that the Wen family and the Hu family had reached some unknown agreement, which made Madam Wen willing to abandon the Shen family, a powerful ally, to get closer to the Hu family.

To be honest, Shen Pinzhen was really unfair this time. Although it is said that a married daughter is like water spilled from a cup, her maternal family is still her source of support. By arranging such a marriage for her daughter, she has probably offended her own mother quite a bit!