Chapter 50 The Shen Mansion This was her first time visiting her "former residence"...
"You're saying the Shen family came?"
As Jiang Chen straightened his clothes, he walked towards Shen Yujiao. Seeing that he was getting more and more confused as he tidied himself up, Shen Yujiao stepped forward and naturally straightened his collar for him: "He said he was the most capable steward of the Duke of Cheng. I didn't dare to go out to meet him because of his identity. Zhu Yu received him."
"What did you say?" Jiang Chen looked down at Shen Yujiao, who was tidying his clothes, his expression focused.
"It is said that since Your Highness has come to Jiangnan Prefecture, you must come to the residence to meet me, but you did not mention the embezzlement case."
After tidying up, Shen Yujiao withdrew her hand and immediately felt that something was wrong. Although she and Jiang Chen had always been so intimate and familiar, she felt that something had crossed the line.
"Are you going?" Seeing her somewhat embarrassed, Jiang Chen didn't press the issue.
"I think I'll pass. Even if I were to dress as a man, I doubt there would be anyone in the manor who wouldn't recognize me."
"If you don't go, how will you investigate Miss Chen's past?"
The two looked up and exchanged glances. Shen Yujiao immediately understood Jiang Chen's meaning. Even if the Shen family discovered her identity, they would never dare to publicize it. On the contrary, if the Shen family knew that she had come to Jiangnan, they could better protect her identity.
"Then let's go. We'll go first thing tomorrow morning."
After several days of auditing the accounts, and having barely eaten all day, both of them were starving. Mu Jin brought two bowls of plain noodles from the small kitchen, and the two of them ate a mouthful before going to bed. The next morning, they went straight to the Duke of Cheng's mansion.
The Chengguo Duke's Mansion, a century-old family, exudes a profound family heritage that can be felt even just by standing at the gate. If the Zhu family is a nouveau riche with extravagant wealth, then the Chengguo Duke's Mansion is the epitome of nobility accumulated over generations. Although it appears unassuming on the outside, the quality of the wood used and the craftsmanship of the wood carvings are unmatched by ordinary wealthy families.
The Chengguo Duke's Mansion covers a vast area, occupying half of the market town. Although Miss Shen comes from the Chengguo Duke's Mansion, this is Shen Yujiao's first time here. She is more nervous than Jiang Chen.
As soon as the two stepped out of the sedan chair, before anyone could even knock on the door, the gate opened from the inside, and a middle-aged man in a dark blue brocade robe walked out. Upon seeing Jiang Chen and Shen Yujiao, he bowed deeply and said, "My master instructed that there might be distinguished guests arriving this morning, so this old servant has been waiting here for quite some time. Please come this way, esteemed guests."
If one's feelings at the gate were mostly sentimental, then stepping into the Duke of Cheng's mansion now leaves one only with awe.
In the mansion of this century-old family, every tree is a towering giant that several people cannot encircle, and every flower and plant is of exceptional quality. The ground is paved with solid bluestone slabs. Although this is ancient times, there is not a speck of dirt on the road. Not to mention the pavilions, towers, and covered corridors in the mansion, which exude a natural nobility and carry the unique elegance of Jiangnan.
As Shen Yujiao followed Steward Shen inside, she couldn't help but imagine how Miss Shen must have grown up in such a large garden. If she had grown up in such a large garden, she must have been very happy. But if it were Miss Shen, she would probably have been confined to her boudoir since childhood, and perhaps she had never seen such beautiful scenery.
"Your subject Shen Boyi greets Your Highness the Crown Prince. May Your Highness be well."
When she came to her senses, Shen Yujiao had already followed Jiang Chen into the reception room. The Duke of Cheng was very respectful to Jiang Chen, and only Cui Shi was standing beside him. Shen Yujiao lowered her eyes. It seemed that even though Miss Shen had married into the Eastern Palace, the Shen family still did not promote the members of the clan.
“No need for such formalities, Your Excellency.” Jiang Chen raised his hand to signal the Duke of Cheng to rise, then stepped forward and gave Cui Shi a slight helping hand. After exchanging greetings, the group took their seats in turn.
Duke Cheng and Jiang Chen sat at the head of the table, while Duchess Cui and Shen Yujiao sat opposite each other at the lower table. Shen Yujiao kept her head down the whole time and dared not look at Duchess Cui.
"This is Young Master Jiang, my cousin, the youngest legitimate son of the Duke of Xiangguo's mansion." Jiang Chen introduced him as usual, but it was hard to tell how much the two people he was facing today actually believed him.
"Has Your Highness encountered any difficulties adapting since arriving in Jiangnan? I was unaware of this beforehand. If Your Highness were to send someone to inform me in advance, I could make some preparations for Your Highness."
"Duke Cheng, there's no need to trouble yourself. I think Jiangnan is wonderful, just like the Crown Princess, it's full of charm."
"Why don't you stay for a family dinner today, Your Highness? My wife and I will keep you company."
At this point, Shen Yujiao was suddenly splashed with tea by the maidservant serving her. A chill ran down her spine; the tea was lukewarm, and a servant from the Duke of Cheng's mansion wouldn't be so reckless. Therefore, there could only be—
"I have failed in managing my household properly, and I have allowed such a clumsy person to come to the front hall to serve tea," Madam Cui bowed to Jiang Chen to apologize, and then said to Shen Yujiao, "I am truly sorry, Sixth Young Master, but... Sixth Young Master's clothes are wet now, why don't you come with me to the side hall to change? My adopted son has many clothes that he has never worn since he was young, and I think my size is similar to Sixth Young Master's. If Sixth Young Master does not mind, we can exchange them."
Shen Yujiao subtly looked up at Jiang Chen, but inadvertently met the gaze of the Duke of Cheng. Upon seeing that extremely majestic gaze, she knew that her identity had probably been exposed as soon as she entered the door. Since she had already given herself away, she simply stood up and returned the greeting in a generous manner.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam."
As Cui said, she did not take Shen Yujiao to the inner courtyard, but only to the side hall. Then she had a maid fetch a set of men's clothing. As Cui unfolded the men's clothing, she said, "Does this outfit look familiar to you?"
It was "you," not "young master," which was a direct and frank statement. Shen Yujiao stopped beating around the bush and went straight up to take the pale yellow brocade robe. She gave Cui a lady's bow and then followed the maid to the screen to change her clothes.
Contrary to her expectations, the brocade robe fit Shen Yujiao surprisingly well. As she walked out from behind the screen, she met Cui Shi's gaze directly. Cui Shi seemed to be looking through her at someone else, and that look startled Shen Yujiao.
“When you were little, you loved to wear these few outfits when you went out with your brother. Over time, your mother remembered all those men’s clothes you wore, but you thought you could hide it from your mother.”
Is this the young Shen Yujiao? Shen Yujiao touched the clothes she was wearing. No wonder she was wearing such well-fitting clothes; they were actually Miss Shen's old clothes.
“But—” Cui suddenly changed the subject, “It was one thing that you were ignorant and reckless back then, but you were in Jiangnan Prefecture and you were just a child. You wouldn’t have caused any trouble. But today, you are really audacious!”
As she spoke, Madam Cui grew anxious. She stood up from her chair, walked up to Shen Yujiao, and questioned her, "Do you know that if someone in Jiangnan discovers your identity, it will be a great calamity for the Crown Prince! And a great disaster for the Shen family!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yujiao merely glanced at her indifferently before walking to a chair and sitting down. She then asked Madam Cui, "Since Mother sent me to such a place that day, how could you not know how dangerous it was?"
Upon hearing this, Cui froze, and Chen Yujiao continued, "This trip out of the capital was at the Crown Prince's behest. He feared that leaving me alone in the Eastern Palace would make me a target for those with ulterior motives, so he contacted the Duke of Xiangguo's mansion to allow me to travel outside as the Sixth Young Master Jiang."
Hearing her say this, Madam Cui turned around, her expression much better than before. "It seems His Highness the Crown Prince values you highly."
"Is that so?" Shen Yujiao smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. "I have a feeling that he values the Shen family more."
"What difference does it make? You are the eldest daughter of the Shen family. If he values the Shen family, then he naturally values you as well."
Her beautiful face was reflected in the teacup. Shen Yujiao stared at it for a long time, then stirred the teacup to make a mess of the water. She took a sip and then asked, "So, did the Shen family, which is favored by the Crown Prince, get involved in the corruption case in Jiangnan?"
“No,” Cui said with a serious expression. “Your father is currently discussing this matter with the Crown Prince. The Shen family will never violate ancestral precepts and do anything to harm the livelihood of the people.”
"Then why did I hear rumors circulating in the city about the Two-Tax System? They even claimed that the Two-Tax System was a double taxation system, and emphasized that it was a law enacted by His Highness the Crown Prince? If the Shen family were truly closely connected with the Eastern Palace, how could they stand by and watch someone tarnish the Crown Prince's reputation in the Jiangnan region?"
"Jiaojiao!" Cui suddenly interrupted her loudly, her eyes filled with complicated emotions. "Are you still blaming your father and mother?"
For some reason, Shen Yujiao suddenly lost the desire to continue chatting with her. She put down her teacup and said, "Father has to give the Crown Prince an explanation for this matter anyway. If Mother doesn't want to talk about it, then so be it. I'm a little tired and want to go back to my courtyard to rest."
“Alright,” Madam Cui turned and called over a maid, saying to her, “Take Young Master Jiang through the side path and enter through the back door, so that no one can see us.”
"yes."
Shen Yujiao knew that she was hiding her identity for her sake, and she was very grateful to her. She bowed to her and then left with the maid.
The maid remained silent throughout the journey until they reached a courtyard wall. There, she opened a small door from a hidden spot and said, "I apologize, young master, for having to enter the courtyard from here."
Shen Yujiao nodded to her and instructed, "No need to come in. Just wait for me here and guard the door for me. Don't let anyone disturb my rest."
"Yes." The young maid still had a mature and taciturn appearance, and it was clear at a glance that she was a maid from the Duke of Cheng's mansion.
Using the vines as cover, Shen Yujiao bent down and walked into the courtyard. But as soon as she entered, she was taken aback. It was not for any other reason than that she found that Miss Shen's courtyard was actually several sizes larger than her main courtyard in the East Palace. There was even a rockery and running water in the courtyard. Even though no one lived there after she got married, it still maintained a vibrant appearance.
She walked along the corridor, her hand unconsciously touching the wooden railing. At this moment, she was walking the path that Miss Shen had walked countless times. She wanted to put herself in Miss Shen's shoes and wanted to know what Miss Shen had gone through back then.
Passing through the corridor, Shen Yujiao arrived at the door. She pushed open each door and went into each room to look around. In Miss Shen's courtyard, there was not only a huge storeroom, but also a separate room to store clothes and jewelry. In addition, the music room, chess room, tea room, and elegant room were all exquisitely decorated. Such a large courtyard was more like an academy than a residence, and all these rooms were classrooms.
As she approached a locked door, Shen Yujiao could vaguely sense that this might be the study, but the lock was unusual, so she fiddled with it for a few moments before giving up and going to another room not far away.
As soon as the door opened, Shen Yujiao unconsciously took a half step back. The room in front of her was furnished exactly the same as the one in the fire scene. This was Miss Shen's bedroom, and also the place where she died.
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Author's note: Sorry for the late upload today!
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