Chapter 304: Face
"There's no such thing as being worthy or not. It's just a rough product, so why bother with all the fancy stuff?"
Besides, my sisters' status is no less than mine; when my brother, the Crown Prince, returns, we will all receive the same favor.”
Shen Ruolan covered her face and smiled, holding the bowl of water steadily and calmly.
"Hurry up and invite him in." She gave him a wink, and Xi Yue fell silent.
"This maidservant of the concubine seems rather indifferent. Should we replace her?"
I happen to know a skilled human trafficker who has quite a few good ones. If you're interested, just tell me, and I'll carefully help you choose a sensible and obedient one."
"Madam Xin, you're making quite a show of yourself. Are you trying to plant another young woman next to your concubine?"
The woman in the gold-embroidered brocade dress paused in her smile, placed her hands on her knees, and fell silent.
"It's alright. Madam Xin meant well after all. Xi Yue has just been feeling unwell lately, and I can't bear to send her back to the Shen family, since she's used to serving them."
"The concubine is truly kind-hearted; none of us can compare to her."
The woman who had just been sarcastic towards Xin Jin quickly changed her tune and began to fawn over Shen Ruolan.
Shen Ruolan took all of this in, but smiled slightly and said nothing.
This delicate situation is just right.
Although these concubines came from similar backgrounds, most of them were born out of wedlock, and their status and treatment were far inferior to that of the main wife.
Xin Jin is an exception.
Although the Xin family was not a prominent family, they were wealthy merchants in the capital. Otherwise, the Empress would not have agreed to take her into Yu Yuanchao's harem.
Although no one said it outright, they all spontaneously distanced themselves from and isolated Xin Jin.
The legitimate son looks down on the illegitimate son, and the illegitimate son naturally looks down on the humble families of merchants.
The reason it's considered "perfect" is that everyone is living peacefully and quietly, with no one bothering anyone else, and the calm and tranquility are naturally just right.
But if someone breaks this balance, and she remains neutral and has never shown any malice, then Xin Jin will only turn to her, and only then can the situation be considered extremely good.
"Alright, what's there for sisters in the same place to argue about?"
That's enough for today. The younger sisters must be exhausted from standing in line every day; they should go home and get some rest.
Thinking of this, Shen Ruolan acted as a peacemaker and sent everyone back. As expected, Xin Jin looked grateful when she got up.
No sooner had the group left than Xi Yue brought Wang Shi back.
The mother and daughter, having not seen each other for a long time, were at a loss for words. It was Shen Ruolan who broke the somewhat awkward silence with a smile: "Didn't Mother say she brought Xueya?"
"Yes, Xueya, I brought Xueya."
Wang Shi hurriedly took the exquisite tea box from the maid's hands: "This new tea was sent at the beginning of spring, you..."
Looking at her daughter, who was familiar yet vaguely unfamiliar, Wang felt a pang of sadness.
Shen Ruolan opened the tea box and saw that the tea leaves inside were of excellent color, indeed a rare and fine tea.
"Mother, what are you still standing for? Please sit down. Xiyue, make some tea. I've been wanting to drink Xueya tea."
"Mother... came because of Zhu'er." After hesitating for a long time, Wang Shi lowered her voice and said.
Shen Ruolan's smile faltered. "You want money again? Before, you only sent a message, but now you're coming to ask for it in person. Aren't you afraid Father will find out?"
Despite her advanced age and good appearance, Wang was still a woman with two children. Seeing her daughter humiliate her like this, her old face flushed red.
"What silver? Do you think your brother only cares about silver?"
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