Chapter 48: Please
Even though Shen Ji held military power, he did not dare to say that he could maintain the prosperity of the Duke of Baoding's Mansion for a hundred years. How could a daughter born to a concubine do that? Could it be that she married the prince, ascended to that position, and gave birth to a prince? Apart from this possibility, no one could think of anything else.
The old lady glanced in the direction of Ye Caiwei without leaving a trace. The second lady tried her best to endure it, but her hands were still shaking with anger.
Shen Wan was surprised and said, "Madam Mei has never given birth, so how could she have a daughter who is so precious?"
Just as the Taoist priest was about to speak, the old lady spoke first, "If Madam Mei can truly fulfill the Taoist's words and give our Duke Dingguo's mansion a daughter of inestimable value, I will accept it even if it means enduring some hardship and copying the Tao Te Ching for a month or two."
This means that Aunt Mei will be given the status of a noble concubine.
Considering the family background of Concubine Mei, the sister of the Qingzhou prefect, she should indeed be given the status of a noble concubine. However, she was kept outside by the second master for more than ten years without suffering any hardship, so the second lady was unwilling to give her the status of a noble concubine.
But the Taoist priest was invited back by the old lady. Concubine Mei would have a daughter who was invaluable and could ensure the prosperity of the Duke of Baoding's Mansion for a hundred years. For the sake of this granddaughter who was not even there yet, the old lady was willing to copy the Tao Te Ching. One article of the Tao Te Ching was enough for the old lady to copy from morning to night, let alone her, she had no choice but to agree.
Regarding such an irresistible thing, regardless of what she thought in her heart, the Second Madam was extremely generous on the surface, "If Aunt Mei can really give Master a daughter like this, it will not be in vain for Master to delay his career for her."
The Taoist priest said everything he needed to say, and then Mother Sun sent him out of the house.
Ye Caiwei helped the old lady back to the house. The old lady looked at the second lady and said, "I'm sorry for wronging you."
The Second Madam laughed and said, "I dare not. Nothing is more important than the prosperity of the Duke's Mansion for a hundred years. If Aunt Mei can really give birth to such a daughter, let alone a concubine, even if she is a co-wife, I will accept her if she climbs over my head and acts arrogantly."
These words were a bit harsh. The old lady frowned and said nothing more.
After leaving Shou'an Hall, the Second Madam's face fell. She said in a low voice, "There are so many young masters and young ladies in the mansion, but they can't prosper the Duke's Mansion. Pointing at a concubine's child is too humiliating. Grandmother has always protected Concubine Mei, and it will only be more so in the future..."
"Mother won't let Aunt Mei have a chance to have a child."
After feeding her a bowl of sterilizing medicine, let’s see how she can still have children!
There was murderous intent in the Second Madam's eyes.
Inside the house, the old lady knelt on the cushion, twirling her Buddhist beads.
Mother Sun walked in and called softly, "Old Madam..."
The old lady didn't open her eyes, "What's going on?"
Madam Sun said, "The Taoist priest said he had received the money and should have done as I commanded, but the sky above our Duke's Mansion is shrouded in a hazy glow. If he dares to speak nonsense, he will suffer the consequences. He cannot bear it, so he can only tell the truth."
“Could it be…”
The old lady murmured, "Send some pregnancy-maintaining medicine to Aunt Mei."
…
Back at Mingyue Garden, Chen Wan reclined on the small couch, eating fruit happily.
The old lady wanted to use the broken Buddhist beads and nightmares to send Aunt Mei to her own farm to be raised. As long as Aunt Mei was not persecuted by the second lady, Ye Caiwei would not worry and would not be exposed.
Shen Wan had finally managed to get Concubine Mei into the mansion, so how could she let the old lady get her wish and give Concubine Mei the status of a noble concubine and then set a trap for Ye Caiwei?
Ye Caiwei won the first prize at the Peony Banquet at Princess Shunyang's Mansion, and sang a stunning song at the birthday banquet of Duke Xingguo. She is also an orphan of General Ye. Her father values her, her mother loves and protects her. In her previous life, she was able to marry the prince of Duke Song, and in this life, she has great hope of marrying a prince.
What a beautiful wish that the Duke Dingguo's Mansion will prosper for a hundred years. As long as the old lady believes it, she will spare no effort to protect Ye Caiwei in the future.
The Second Madam would never let Ye Caiwei dominate her own daughter. If they couldn't fight their internal conflicts in the future, how could they collude with each other to plot against them?
Shen Wan asked Uncle Li to help with this matter. She was afraid that Shen Ji would find out and blame her, so she asked Uncle Li to help keep it secret temporarily, and Uncle Li agreed.
The whole day, people in the mansion were discussing this matter. The old lady issued a gag order, and the matter did not spread outside the mansion.
In the afternoon, Shen Wan was standing by the window playing with pigeons when Ye Caiwei walked in.
Shen Wan turned around and looked at her, "Why is my cousin here at this hour?"
Ye Caiwei hesitated.
Shen Wan said, “Is there anything I can’t say to my cousin?”
Ye Caiwei said, "I want to borrow some money from my cousin."
Shen Wan raised an eyebrow, “The Duke’s Mansion has no shortage of food and clothing for my cousin, why would my cousin borrow money?”
Ye Caiwei said, "I want to give a gift."
"Who is it for?" Shen Wan asked.
"Aunt Mei."
Having said that, Shen Wanke became interested.
Shen Wan continued to tease the pigeons, not taking it seriously. "She's just a concubine. If my cousin says one more word to her, it's a compliment to her. Why should I give her a gift?"
Ye Caiwei came over and said, "If it were just an ordinary concubine, you wouldn't have to take it seriously. But my cousin heard what the Taoist said today. Concubine Mei will have a daughter who is invaluable in the future.
My grandmother would even copy the Tao Te Ching for her. Now Aunt Mei hasn't made it big yet, so I'm trying to be nice to her. When she does, she can be a support for me."
Chen Wan laughed, "Madam Mei's precious daughter is nowhere to be found. Even if she is born now, it will take at least ten years for her to get married. Cousin, are you not afraid of being laughed at by finding such a person as a backer?"
Ye Caiwei said, "It's precisely because Aunt Mei hasn't given birth yet and her power is weak right now. Once she becomes successful, she won't be interested in anything she receives as a gift."
Shen Wan looked at Ye Caiwei, and Ye Caiwei said, "Why are you looking at me like that, cousin?"
Shen Wan smiled and said, "My cousin is far-sighted and prepared for a rainy day, but what should I give to Aunt Mei?"
Ye Caiwei mentioned a few things.
Shen Wan said, “You draw up the list, and I’ll deliver it.”
Ye Caiwei actually walked towards the desk and wrote down seven or eight items, which cost a total of one hundred taels.
He really knows how to pull things out of his own mother's hands.
Does she look so stupid and rich that she is easy to fool?
After Ye Caiwei left, Chen Wan took the gift list to find Yun, prepared all the things, and sent them to Aunt Mei in the name of Ye Caiwei.
As for the money, of course it was Ye Caiwei's fault.
The things were delivered to Aunt Mei, and less than half an hour later, Shen Wu slapped Ye Caiwei in the face.
After coming out of Qingyi Garden, Shen Wu came to question Shen Wan, "My cousin said that those things were given by you, why did you give things to Aunt Mei in her name?!"
Shen Wan handed the gift list to Shen Wu, "Do you recognize whose handwriting it is?"
Shen Wu said, "That's what she said!"
Shen Wan said, “My cousin is living under someone else’s roof, and she’s worried that she’ll be left alone after her parents pass away. She wants to take advantage of Aunt Mei’s decline to curry favor with her, and she even advised me to prepare for a rainy day.
I am the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Dingguo, protected by my father and brother. If I try to please a concubine from the second house, wouldn't people laugh at me? But for my cousin's peace of mind, I will persuade my mother to agree to let my cousin take money from the public treasury to help her buy all the things and send them to Concubine Mei. "
"My cousin is sensitive and cautious. It's just a hundred taels of silver. There's no need for my third sister to be so angry."
One hundred taels?!
Ye Caiwei gave away five months' salary, she was really generous!
By trying to please Aunt Mei like this, do you really think her mother doesn't exist?!
Chen Wu only regretted that the slap was too light.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
